विदुरागमन-राज्यलाभ पर्व — कृष्णको प्रस्थान

Drupada said: O Vidura, O greatly learned man, it is as you say. O lord, I too have been exceedingly happy by this alliance.

It is highly proper for these illustrious princess to return to their ancestral kingdom. But it is not proper for me to say this myself. If the hero, Yudhishthira, the son of Kunti, if Bhima and Arjuna, if these best of men the twins (Nakula and Sahadeva) and if Rama and Krishna, both learned in the precepts of religion, wish it, then let the Pandavas go there. These two best of men (Rama and Krishna) are ever engaged in doing what is agreeable and beneficial to them (the Pandavas).

Yudhishthira said: O king, I with all my brothers, am now dependent on you. We shall all gladly do what you will command us to do.

Vaishampayana said : Thereupon Vasudeva said, “I am of opinion that they should go. But we must all abide by the opinion of the king Drupada who is learned in all the precepts of virtue."

Drupada said : Having considered all the circumstances, I certainly agree with the foremost of men, the heroic and mighty armed Dasharaha (Krishna). There is no doubt the illustrious sons of Kunti, the Pandavas, are now to me as they are to Vasudeva.

The son of Kunti, Yudhishthira, himself does not seek the welfare of the Pandavas so much as this foremost of men Keshava (Krishna) does.

Vaishampayana said : O king, having been commanded by the illustrious Drupada, the Pandavas, Krishna and Vidura. Taking with them the daughter of Drupada, Krishna and the illustrious Kunti, journeyed in pleasure towards the city of Hastinapur.

The king, Dhritarashtra, learning that those heroes (the Pandavas) had arrived, sent out the Kurus to receive them.

O descendant of Bharata, Vikarna, the great bowmen Chitrasena, the foremost of bowmen Drona and the son of Gautama Kripa (went out to receive them).

Surrounded by those (illustrious men), those mighty heroes (the Pandavas), their splendour (many times) increased, slowly entered the city of Hastinapur. The city became radiant with the curious sight-seers of the city. Those foremost of men, the dispelled of grief and sorrow. The Pandavas, dear to the hearts of the people, heard as they proceeded, various exclamations which the citizens, ever desirous of obeying the wishes of those princes, loudly uttered.

They exclaimed, “Here return that best of men (Yudhishthira), learned in the precepts of virtue. He always protects us as if we are his nearest relatives.

It seems as if the great king Pandu, ever beloved of his subjects, returns to-day from the forest to do what is agreeable to us.

What good is not done to us today when the heroic sons of Kunti returns to our city?

If we have ever given away in charity, if we have ever poured libations of ghee on the (sacrificial) fire, if we have any ascetic merit, let the Pandavas live in our city for one hundred years." They (the Pandavas) worshipped the feet of Dhritarashtra, as also those of Bhishma and also the feet of every body else that deserved the honour.

They inquired after the welfare of all the citizens. They then entered the palace assigned to them at the command of Dhritarashtra.

When those illustrious and greatly strong heroes had taken rest for some time, they were summoned by the king Dhritarashtra and the son of Shantanu (Bhishma.)

Dhritarashtra said: O sun of Kunti, (Yudhishthira), listen with your brothers to what I say. Go to Khandavaprastha, so that no difference may arise again.

If you live there, none will be able to injure you. Taking half of the kingdom, live at Khandavaprastha protected by Partha (Arjuna), as the celestials are by the wielder of the thunder (Indra).

Vaishampayana said : Agreeing to what the king said, those best of men worshipped the kings and started for that fearful forest. Receiving half of the kingdom, the Pandavas entered the Khandavaprastha, Krishna being at the head of the procession. Thereafter, the infallible Pandavas accompanied by Krishna, and by going to that place made it as glorious as heaven.

Those great car-warriors, selecting with the assistance of Dvaipayana a sacred and auspicious place, performed the propitiatory ceremonies and measured out a piece of land to found a city.

It was surrounded by a most as wide as the sea and by wall rising high up to the sky. It was as white as the white clouds or the rays of the moon. Those foremost of cities looked resplendent like the city of Bhogavati of the Nagas.

It was adorned with mansions having windows like the out-stretched wings of Garuda. It was protected with gates looking like the clouds and they were as high as the Mandara mountain; the weapons of the enemy could not make any impression on them. They were almost covered with darts and other missiles like the double tongued snakes. The turrets were filled with armed men and the walls were lined with warriors. It was wellstocked with various weapons of attack; there were thousands of sharp hooks and Shataghanis (a sort of weapon) and numerous other machines; there were also many iron wheels planted on them. With these were adorned that best of cities.

The streets were all wide and excellently laid out. Adorned with innumerable white mansions, the city looked like Amaravati (the celestials city); it looked like a mass clouds charged with lightings. It came to be called Indraprastha.

In a delightful and auspicious place stood the palace of those descendants of Kuru (the Pandavas). It was full of every kind of wealth like the palace of the celestials) treasurer (Kubera) himself.

O king, there came with the desire of living (in that city) numerous Brahmanas learned in all the Vedas and conversant with every language. There came also from every direction numerous merchants with the desire of earning wealth.

There also came with the desire of living (in that city) numerous men well-skilled in all arts. Around the city were laid out many charming gardens with Amras, Amratakas, Kadambas, Ashokas, Champakas, Punnagas, Nagas, Lakuchas, Panasas, Salas, Talas, Tamalas, Bakulas and Ketakas. They were all beautiful and blossoming; they bent down with the weight of their fruits.

The Amlokas, Lodhras, blossoming Ankolas, Jambus, Patalas, Kubjakas, Atimuktakas, Karaviras, Parijatas and various other tress were there. All adorned with flowers and fruits and thronged with birds of various kinds.

These verdant groves were resounded with the notes of the maddened peacocks and Kokilas. There were various pleasure houses bright as mirrors and innumerable bowers of creepers, charming artificial hillocks, many lakes full to the brim with crystal water and delightful tanks fragrant with lotuses and lilies and adorned with swans, ducks and Chakravakas. There many tanks overgrown with fine aquatic plants and various large and beautiful pounds. were

O great king, the joy of the Pandavas increased from day to day in consequence of their residence in that large kingdom which was inhabited by pious men.

Thus inconsequence of the virtuous conduct of Bhishma and the king (Dhritarashtra) the Pandavas became the dwellers of Khandavaprastha.

Adorned with those excellent and great bow-men, each like an Indra himself, that best of cities looked like Bhogavati with the Nagas.

O king, having settled the Pandavas there, the heroic Krishna, on obtaining their leave, came back with Rama to Dvaravati.