तीर्थयात्रा पर्व — नारदको संवाद

Vaishampayana said : Having heard these words of his brothers and Krishna (Draupadi) who were all anxious for Dhananjaya, Dharmaraja became absentminded.

(At that time) he saw (before him) .ne celestials Rishi Narada, blazing with Brahma effulgence and resembling a fire flaming up for the sacrifice.

Seeing him arrived, Dharmaraja (Yudhishthira) with his brothers and stoop up and duly worshipped the illustrious one.

Endued with blazing effulgence the handsome chief of the Kurus, surrounded by his brothers, shone like Shatakratu (Indra) surrounded by the celestials.

In obedience to the dictates of Dharma Yajnaseni (Draupadi) did not abandon the sons of Pritha and is adhered to her husband, as to Savitri to the Vedas or the rays of the sun to the Meru (mountain).

O sinless one, having received their worship, the exalted Rishi Narada comforted the son of Dharma (Yudhishthira) in proper words.

He thus spoke the high-souled Dharmaraja Yudhishthira, “O foremost of virtuous men, tell me what you seek and what I can give you."

Then the son of , the king (Yudhishthira), bowing (to the Rishi) with his brothers, thus spoke with joined hands to Narada, the revered of the celestials.

Yudhishthira said: O highly exalted one, O worshipped of all the worlds, O Rishi of excellent vows, when you are pleased with me, I consider that all my wishes are gratificd through your grace.

O sinless one, O foremost of Rishis, I and my brothers deserve (to receive) your favours. You ought to dispel my doubt.

You should tell me in detail what merit is obtained by him who travels over the world with the desire of seeing the Tirthas and sacred shrines.

Narada said: O king, hear with attention what was heard by the intelligent Bhishma from Paulastya. Hear all that in detail.

Formerly that foremost of virtuous men Bhishma, when observing the Pitrya vow, lived on the banks of the Bhagirathi with the Rishis. O king, O highly exalted one, it was a delightful and sacred region, situated on the source of the Ganges and frequented by the celestials and the Gandharvas.

That greatly effulgent hero (Bhishma) gratified the Pitris, the celestials and the Rishis with offering oblations to them according to the rites ordained in the Shastras.

One day when the greatly illustrious one was thus engaged (in observing his vow), he saw that foremost of Rishis, Pulastya of wonderful appearance.

Seeing that austere ascetic, as if blazing with prosperity, he became exceedingly glad and was filled with great wonder.

O descendant of Bharata, then that foremost of virtuous men, Bhishma, worshipped according to the rites of the ordinance that highly exalted Rishi who had already arrived.

Purifying himself and making his mind exceedingly attentive and also taking the Arghya on his head, he loudly uttered his name near that foremost of Rishis.

"O Rishi of excellent vows, be blessed; I am Bhishma, your servant. At the very sight of yours I am cleansed of all my sins."

O great king, O Yudhishthira, having said this, that foremost of virtuous men, Bhishma restraining his speech, stood (before the Rishi) in silence and with joined hands.

Seeing that foremost of the Kuru race, Bhishma, rendered emaciated by the observance of vows and the study of the Vedas, the Rishi became exceedingly pleased.