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Pancharatra: Pandavas obtain Devala's son Daumya as preceptor
Arjuna said.
Tell us who among the Gandharvas, who is suitable and a knower of the Veda, can be our priest, for everything is known to you.
The gandharva said.
This younger brother of Devala is practicing austerity in the forest. O Dhaumya, if you wish, choose him at the holy place of Utkochaka.
Vaiśampāyana said.
Then Arjuna, pleased, gave the Agneya missile to the Gandharva according to the proper procedure and spoke these words.
"Let the horses stay with you for now, O best of Gandharvas. I will take them at the proper time. May well-being be with you," he said.
After mutually honoring each other, the Gandharva and the Pāṇḍavas departed from the beautiful bank of the Bhāgīrathī as they desired.
Then the Pāṇḍavas, having gone to the sacred place called Utkochaka, proceeded to the hermitage of Dhaumya. There, O Bhārata, they chose Dhaumya to be their priest.
Dhaumya, foremost among all Vedic scholars, received them with due rites: offering water for their feet, fruits and roots, and by performing priestly duties.
At that time, the Pāṇḍavas hoped for the prosperity and kingdom they had gained; having the Brāhmaṇa lead them, they, along with Pāñcālī, proceeded to the self-choice ceremony.
But those six brothers, born of the same mother, when united by that preceptor, regarded themselves as if they had a protector, O best of the Bharatas.
He, who knows the true essence of the Vedas and is their noble-minded teacher, has, by his knowledge of dharma, made you, O sons of Pṛthā, worthy of being offered in sacrifice by one who knows everything.
But he regarded those heroes, who had rightfully attained their kingdoms and were endowed with intellect, strength, power, and enthusiasm, as being like other gods.
After he had performed the auspicious rites, the kings of men then decided together to go to the self-choice ceremony of Pāñcālī (Draupadī).
