03.156
Vaiśampāyana said.
Yudhishthira, having approached him whose sin had been burned away by asceticism, gladly greeted him with bowed head, reciting his name. (03-156-1)
Then Kṛṣṇā (Draupadī), Bhīma, and the illustrious twins (Nakula and Sahadeva), approached and, bowing their heads, surrounded the royal sage and stood near him. (03-156-2)
Likewise, Dhaumya, who knew dharma and was the priest of the Pāṇḍavas, approached that sage of firm vows according to the proper rule. (03-156-3)
The sage, knower of dharma, perceiving with divine vision, said concerning the sons of Pāṇḍu, the foremost of the Kurus, "let them be seated." (03-156-4)
The great ascetic, after honoring the wise leader of the Kurus, together with his brothers, questioned him, who was seated, about his welfare. (03-156-5)
O Pārtha, do you act only truthfully and live righteously? Does your conduct toward your father and mother remain steadfast, never faltering? (03-156-6)
Are all your elders, the aged and physicians, duly honored by you? And, O Pārtha, do you refrain from entertaining an intention towards sinful actions? (03-156-7)
O best of the Kurus, do you know how to properly repay a good deed and curb a bad deed according to justice, and do not boast. (3-156-8)
Are the virtuous people honored by you as is proper surely pleased? While living even in the forests, do you indeed continue to follow only dharma? (03-156-9)
O Pārtha, is Dhaumya not, by your conduct, grieved?—as you possess charity, righteousness, austerity, purity, sincerity, and forbearance. (03-156-10)
Are you following the conduct of your father and grandfather, O Pārtha? Are you proceeding along the path of the royal sages, O Pāṇḍava? (03-156-11)
When in their own family a son or grandson is born again, the ancestors dwelling in the realm of the ancestors indeed either grieve or rejoice. (03-156-12)
What, indeed, will be obtained by us from his bad deed? And what is to be obtained by us from his good deed? Thinking thus is excellent. (03-156-13)
O Pārtha, he whose father, mother, fire, teacher, and self—that is, these five—are honored, for him both worlds are conquered. (03-156-14)
Sages who subsist on water, on air, and those who move through the sky dwell on the best of mountains, at the joints of the hills. (03-156-15)
O king, the Kimpuruṣas, desirous and mutually devoted with their beloveds, are seen on the mountain peaks.
O Pārtha, many groups of Gandharvas and Apsarases, wearing dust-covered and silk garments, are seen here. (03-156-17)
There were groups of Vidyādharas, splendidly garlanded and pleasing to behold, and also great serpent beings, Suparṇas, and various kinds of serpents and others. (03-156-18)
Upon this mountain, the sound of drums, kettledrums, conches, and mṛdaṅgas is heard echoing in the mountain passes. (03-156-19)
O best of the Bharatas, all that should be heard by those who are stationed here itself; in no way should you form the intention of advancing there. (03-156-20)
O best of the Bharatas, it is not possible to go beyond this point; for indeed, roaming here belongs to the gods—such a way is not for humans. (03-156-21)
O Bhārata, here, all beings hate a man of slightly fickle conduct, and the rākṣasas strike him. (03-156-22)
O Yudhiṣṭhira, after crossing the summit of this mountain, the path of the most perfected beings, the divine ṛṣis, becomes visible. (03-156-23)
O Pārtha, the Rākṣasas strike with iron spears and such at the chariot that goes from here beyond Chapala, O slayer of enemies. (03-156-24)
Here, dear one, Kubera, known as Vaiśravaṇa and Nara-vāhana, surrounded by apsarases and abundance, is seen at the meeting places of the mountains. (03-156-25)
All beings gaze at that lord of all the rākṣasas, seated on the peak, as if he were the radiant sun just risen. (03-156-26)
O best of the Bharatas, this summit garden of the mountain is for the gods, demons, siddhas, and also for Vaiśravaṇa. (03-156-27)
O dear, on Gandhamadana mountain, the sound of Tumburu singing and chanting for the seated Dhanada (Kubera) is heard at the junctions of the hills. (03-156-28)
O Yudhiṣṭhira, dear one, all beings repeatedly observe such wondrous things as this here at the junctures of the parvans. (03-156-29)
Enjoy all kinds of food and juicy fruits, and remain here, O best of the Pāṇḍavas, until Arjuna is seen. (03-156-30)
O dear one, one should not remain here in any way with those who are restless and have arrived; having stayed here as long as you wish and as your faith allows, and having spent your time, then, O best of warriors, you will protect the earth. (03-156-31)
