03.001
Core-Pancharatra: Citizens bid farewell to Pandavas.
Janamejaya said.
When harsh words causing the greatest enmity were spoken, what did my forefathers, the Kauravas, do? (3-1-2)
How did the sons of Pṛthā, who were suddenly deprived of prosperity and plunged into suffering, live in the forest, possessing brilliance equal to Indra? (3-1-3)
Who were those that followed these after encountering the greatest calamity? What food did they eat, what was their conduct, and where did the great souls reside? (3-1-4)
O best of Brāhmaṇas, how did those great-souled, valiant destroyers of enemies spend twelve years in the forest? (3-1-5)
How did that princess, the foremost among all women, devoted to her husband, greatly fortunate, always speaking the truth, though not deserving of sorrow, accept the harsh life of forest dwelling? (3-1-6)
O sage, please tell me all this in detail. I wish to hear the deeds of those endowed with great wealth and power. As you narrate, O brāhmaṇa, my curiosity is truly supreme. (3-1-7)
Vaiśampāyana said.
Thus, the sons of Pṛthā, having been defeated in dice and angered by the wicked sons of Dhṛtarāṣṭra and their ministers, departed from Hastināpura. (3-1-8)
Then, having exited through the gate of Vardhamāna city, they set out facing north, armed, together with Kṛṣṇā (Draupadī). (3-1-9)
Indrasena and the others, along with these fourteen servants, followed them in swift chariots, bringing all the women with them. (3-1-10)
But the citizens, knowing them as they went, afflicted by grief, repeatedly blamed Bhishma, Vidura, Drona, and Gautama; having come together, free from fear, they spoke to each other. (3-1-11)
This is no longer our family, nor are we, nor our homes, where the wicked Duryodhana is protected by the son of Subala, and with Karṇa and Duḥśāsana, he seeks to rule this kingdom. (3-1-12)
If there is no family, no good conduct, no righteousness, nor any purpose, then how can there be happiness? In such a place, where this sinner, with sinful allies, desires to rule the kingdom. (3-1-13)
Duryodhana was one who hated his teacher, abandoned good conduct and friends, was greedy for wealth, proud, base, and by nature cruel. (3-1-14)
This whole earth is not ours where Duryodhana is king. Let us all go to where the Pāṇḍavas are going. (3-1-15)
They are compassionate, noble-souled, self-controlled, modest, renowned, and devoted to the practice of righteousness. (3-1-16)
Having thus spoken, they followed the Pāṇḍavas; after approaching, all of them with folded hands addressed Kuntī and her sons, the mountain-born. (3-1-17)
Where will you go, leaving us, who share in sorrow? We too will follow wherever you go. (3-1-18)
Hearing that you have been conquered by others who have abandoned compassion and acted unrighteously, we are all greatly distressed; you should not abandon us here. (3-1-19)
If we, being attached to devotees, well-wishers, and always engaged in what is dear and beneficial, remain in the kingdom ruled by the Kuru king, we would not be destroyed entirely. (3-1-20)
Hear now, O best of men, we shall describe the virtues and faults, and how association is formed by the influence of auspicious and inauspicious things. (3-1-21)
Just as fragrance perfumes cloth, water, sesame seeds, and earth, so too, by the association of flowers, qualities arising from contact are produced. (3-1-22)
Association with the deluded is truly the origin of the net of delusion; while daily association with the virtuous is the source of dharma. (3-1-23)
Therefore, one should associate with the wise, the elderly, those of good nature, ascetics, the virtuous, and those devoted to tranquility. (3-1-24)
One should serve those whose birth, knowledge, and actions are pure, for association with such people is indeed greater than even the study of the scriptures. (3-1-25)
Even if we do nothing, as long as we are among the virtuous and the good, may we gain only merit here; sin comes from associating with the sinful. (3-1-26)
By seeing, touching, conversing with, and sitting together with the wicked, righteous conduct declines, and men do not attain success. (3-1-27)
The intellect of men is diminished by association with the lowly, attains mediocrity with the mediocre, and attains excellence with the excellent. (3-1-28)
These qualities, which are declared in the world as arising from dharma, kāma, and artha, are rooted in the essence of worldly conduct, are stated in the Vedas, and are approved by the learned. (3-1-29)
All the good qualities, both collectively and individually, are present among you here. We, who long for the highest good, wish to dwell among the virtuous. (3-1-30)
Yudhiṣṭhira said.
We are fortunate that, moved by affection and compassion, even the brāhmaṇas and leading people speak of the qualities of the unworthy. (3-1-31)
Therefore, together with my brothers, I inform all of you: it must be done in this way, and not otherwise, out of compassion for our affection. (3-1-32)
Bhishma, the grandfather, the king, Vidura, my mother, and my well-wishers, and for the most part, my people in the city called Nagasahvaya. (3-1-33)
But those who desire our welfare must be protected with effort by all of you together, as they are overwhelmed by grief and affliction. (3-1-34)
My mind should be filled with affection for my own people, who are entrusted to me, even if those who have gone far are cursed by the fate of meeting. (3-1-35)
This is truly the highest of all my actions, firmly established in my heart. By this good deed, I shall attain satisfaction and honor. (3-1-36)
Vaiśampāyana said.
Thus, when addressed by the king of dharma, the subjects, being distressed, uttered a terrible cry of "Alas, O king!" (3-1-37)
Recalling the virtues of Arjuna, overwhelmed by grief and deep distress, and devoid of desire, they withdrew after meeting the Pāṇḍavas. (3-1-38)
When the citizens had withdrawn, the Pāṇḍavas mounted their chariots and proceeded to the great banyan tree called Pramāṇa on the bank of the Jāhnavī (Gaṅgā). (3-1-39)
The Pāṇḍavas, having gone to the banyan tree with the remainder of the day, spent that night there, the heroes having touched pure water. Emaciated by suffering, they spent that night with only water. (3-1-40)
Out of affection, some of the twice-borns there followed these kings, both those with fire and those without, along with their disciples and relatives. The king, surrounded by these Brahmanical sages, shone brilliantly. (3-1-41)
At that beautiful and reddish moment when their fires were kindled, conversation arose among them, preceded by the chanting of Vedic hymns. (3-1-42)
But the excellent Brāhmaṇas, whose voices were as sweet as swans, comforted the best of the Kurus, the king, and thus caused the whole night to pass. (3-1-43)
