03.024
Pancharatra: Pandavas depart to forest.
Vaiśampāyana said.
When the lord of the Daśārhas had departed, Yudhiṣṭhira, Bhīmasena and Arjuna, the twins, Kṛṣṇā, and the priest all mounted very costly chariots yoked with excellent horses. (3-24-1)
The heroes, united, having resolved, set out for the forest, shining with the lord of beings. They gave gold coins, garments, and cows to those who knew the śikṣā, akṣara, and mantra sciences. (3-24-2)
Twenty servants in front, having taken up weapons—bows, armors, yellow arrows, bowstrings, mechanisms, and arrows—all of them, having gathered these, went to the rear. (3-24-3)
Then, the garments by the princess, as well as the nursemaids, female servants, and ornaments, were quickly taken by Indrasena, who approached the hindmost by chariot. (3-24-4)
Then, the citizens, with undepressed spirits, approached the best of the Kurus and circumambulated him. The brāhmaṇas, pleased, addressed him, and all the chiefs of the Kurujāṅgala region did likewise. (3-24-5)
He, being pleased, addressed them; Dharmaraja, together with his brothers, stood there as the great-souled lord, having seen the multitude of people from the Kurujāṅgala region. (3-24-6)
He, the great-souled bull among the Kurus, felt towards them as a father towards his sons. And they too, O foremost of the Bharatas, then became like sons to a father. (3-24-7)
Then, the great multitude of people approached and surrounded the Kuru hero and stood there. Crying out, "Alas, lord! Alas, Dharma!" they all, with modesty, became tear-faced. (3-24-8)
The best lord of the Kurus, ruler of the people, like a father to his sons, has abandoned us and all these citizens and countrymen and departed; where indeed has Dharmaraja gone? (3-24-9)
Condemnation to Duryodhana, who has a very cruel mind, along with Shakuni, the evil-minded, and Karna. O king, it is the wicked who desire evil, those fierce ones who oppose your ever-righteous and virtuous people. (3-24-10)
Having himself established the unrivaled, great city, shining like the city of the gods, the seat of Indra, the great-souled one whose actions are unfailing has departed after abandoning it; where indeed has the king of dharma gone? (3-24-11)
The great-souled one had an assembly hall constructed, equal to Yama's, by Maya, shining like the assembly of the gods. That hall, protected by the gods and resembling a divine illusion, has been abandoned; where indeed has Dharmaraja gone? (3-24-12)
Bībhatsu (Arjuna), knowing them to be excellent in righteousness, desire, and wealth, and strength, said in a loud voice to those assembled. The king, having dwelt in these forests, will take this dwelling and the fame of the enemies. (3-24-13)
You should approach the foremost among the twice-born, both together and separately, as well as ascetics, and respectfully address those who know dharma and artha; thus, the supreme attainment of the true purpose may be ours. (3-24-14)
When Arjuna had thus spoken these words, O king, the Brāhmaṇas and people of all castes, rejoicing together with happiness, circumambulated the foremost among the upholders of dharma. (3-24-15)
After addressing Pārtha, Vṛkodara, Dhanañjaya, Yājñasenī, and the twin sons of Yama, and with Yudhiṣṭhira's permission, they, bereft of joy, set out for their respective kingdoms. (3-24-16)
