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Pancharatra: Arjuna departs on theerthayatra for 12 years.
Vaiśampāyana said.
Thus, having made an agreement, the Pāṇḍavas stayed there, subduing other kings by the power of their weapons.
Kṛṣṇā (Draupadī) became obedient to all the five lion-like, immeasurably energetic sons of Pṛthā (the Pāṇḍavas).
She, together with her five heroic husbands, was supremely pleased by them, just as Sarasvatī is pleased by the serpents.
While the Pāṇḍavas, who were great-souled, abided by dharma, all the Kurus flourished, free from faults and filled with happiness.
O best of kings, after a long time, some thieves stole the cows belonging to a certain brāhmaṇa, O lord of the people.
As his wealth was being taken away, the brāhmaṇa, filled with anger, came to Khāṇḍavaprastha and cried out to the Pāṇḍavas.
O Pāṇḍavas, the herd of cattle is being forcefully taken away from your territory by petty and cruel men of unrestrained nature; pursue them at once.
The offerings of a careless brāhmaṇa are carried off by birds of prey; when the tiger's cave is empty, it is entered by a lowly jackal.
When the property of a Brāhmaṇa has been stolen by thieves, and righteousness has been destroyed, and I am crying out, let the bearing of weapons be undertaken.
The Pāṇḍava, Dhanañjaya (Arjuna), the son of Kuntī, heard those words near the weeping Brāhmaṇa.
Hearing this, the mighty-armed Bhīma reassured the brāhmaṇa, saying, 'Do not be afraid.' At the place where the weapons of the noble Pāṇḍavas were kept, Dharmarāja Yudhiṣṭhira was present there with Kṛṣṇā (Draupadī).
The Pāṇḍava, unable to enter or to go, being afflicted, was repeatedly urged by their words; there, in lamentation, the son of Kunti, distressed, thought.
It was determined that, as the wealth of that ascetic brāhmaṇa was being taken away, wiping his tears was the proper action.
If I do not provide protection today at the door to this weeping person, it would be a great unrighteousness arising from observation for the king.
Atheism should be protected for all of us; in this world, unrighteousness should not arise for us.
If I leave without asking the king, there is no doubt that it would be unpleasant for Ajātaśatru, the king, and for myself.
If I enter the city of the king, then for me it would be forest-dwelling; let there be great unrighteousness or even death in the forest for me. Even by the destruction of the body, righteousness alone excels.
Thus, having made up his mind, then Kuntī's son Dhanañjaya entered and, after respectfully addressing the king, O lord of the people.
He took up his bow joyfully and addressed the brāhmaṇa: "O brāhmaṇa, come quickly before those who seek others' wealth arrive."
The petty thieves have not gone far; let us go together for now, until I recover your wealth from the thief's hand today.
He, the mighty-armed, armed with a bow, clad in armor, riding a chariot and bearing a banner, having followed and destroyed the thieves with arrows, recovered that wealth.
Having acquired the Brāhmaṇa's fame and glory, the heroic Savyasācī (Arjuna), the subduer of enemies, came to the city.
After saluting all the teachers and being greeted in return, he said to Dharmarāja, "Please instruct me in this vow."
The time for me to see you has passed. I must now go to the forest, for this is the time that has been set for us.
Thus, when addressed, Dharmarāja, suddenly hearing the unpleasant words, said with a trembling, grief-stricken voice, "How?" Yudhiṣṭhira spoke to Guḍākeśa, his brother, and to Acyuta, his brother.
I am the witness; if you wish, hear my words, O sinless one. In the matter of entering, O hero, whatever unpleasant act you have done to me, I forgive all that; there is no wrong in my heart.
Entering after the elder is not considered an injury to the younger; but entering after the younger causes the omission of the rule pertaining to the elder.
O mighty-armed one, turn back and do as I say. Truly, you have not lost dharma, nor have I been insulted in any way.
Arjuna said.
I have heard from you that one should not practice dharma by deceit. I will not stray from truth; I take up my weapon with truth.
Vaiśampāyana said.
He, having received the king's permission, was initiated for the vow of celibacy and went to dwell in the forest for twelve years.
