03.159
Vaiśravaṇa said.
O Yudhiṣṭhira, steadfastness, skill, consideration of place and time, and valor are the fivefold rules for the institutions of public governance. (03-159-1)
O Bhārata, in the Kṛta age, men were endowed with fortitude, competent in their own respective duties, and knowers of the arrangement of valor. (03-159-2)
O best of the kṣatriyas, a kṣatriya who possesses firmness, is knowledgeable of place and time, and is versed in all rules of dharma, indeed rules the earth. (03-159-3)
O Pārtha, the man who thus acts in all actions attains heroic fame in this world and, after departing, a blessed state. (03-159-4)
Śakra (Indra), wishing for change in place and time, having displayed valor, attained the sovereignty of heaven, the slayer of Vṛtra, together with the Vasus. (03-159-5)
He who has a sinful self and sinful mind, who only follows sin, who does not know the distinctions of actions, perishes both after death and in this world. (03-159-6)
A person who is ignorant of the right time, very foolish, unaware of distinctions in tasks, and who undertakes fruitless actions, perishes both after death and in this life. (03-159-7)
For those who are bold, wicked, evil-minded, and desire all power, sin is certain. (03-159-8)
This Bhīmasena, who is acquainted with unrighteousness, arrogant, child-minded, intolerant, and fearless—restrain him, O best of men. (03-159-9)
After reaching again the hermitage of the royal sage Arṣṭiṣeṇa, remain there, free from grief and fear, during the first dark fortnight. (03-159-10)
O king of men, may the people of Alakā, together with Gandharvas, Yakṣas, Rakṣasas, and all mountain dwellers appointed by me, protect you, O mighty-armed, along with the excellent Brahmins. (03-159-11)
O king, best among upholders of dharma, as Vṛkodara stands here, engaged in ventures on the mountain, he should be restrained by you. (03-159-12)
From this point onward, O king, the forest-dwellers will see you; they will always attend to you and protect you in every way. (03-159-13)
In the same way, my attendants in the house will offer you many delicious kinds of food and drink, O best of men. (03-159-14)
Just as Jiṣṇu (Arjuna) is the son of Mahendra (Indra), just as Vṛkodara (Bhīma) is the son of Vāyu, in the same way, O dear one, you are the own son of Dharma, born by union. (03-159-15)
O Yudhiṣṭhira, just as the two sons possessed of like nature—the twin Ashvins—should be protected, in the same way here you all who are mine must also be protected. (03-159-16)
Phalguna, the younger brother of Bhīmasena, who understands the principles of meaning and all the distinctions of dharma, is well in heaven. (03-159-17)
O dear one, all of the supreme wealths considered the foremost by people are present, from birth, in Dhanañjaya (Arjuna). (03-159-18)
Restraint, charity, strength, intellect, modesty, steadfastness, and supreme energy—these qualities are found in you, O great-souled one of immeasurable energy. (03-159-19)
Jiṣṇu (Arjuna), O Pāṇḍava, does not perform blameworthy actions out of delusion. Men do not speak false things about Partha among people. (03-159-20)
He, honored by gods, ancestors, and gandharvas, who increases the fame of the Kurus, is practicing weapons in Indra’s abode, O Bhārata. (03-159-21)
The one who brought all kings under control by righteousness, Śantanu of great splendor, your father’s father, O Pārtha, is pleased in heaven by Pārtha, the wielder of the Gāṇḍīva bow. (03-159-22)
He, endowed with great strength, stood firmly like the pillar of his lineage. After duly worshipping the ancestors, gods, and Brahmins, the great and famed one performed seven principal grand sacrifices on the banks of the Yamunā. (03-159-23)
O king, the overlord, your great-grandfather Śantanu, who conquered heaven and dwells in Indra's world, asks after your welfare. (03-159-24)
Vaiśampāyana said.
Then Vṛkodara (Bhīma), O bull among the Bharatas, having placed his spear, mace, sword, and bow in front, offered obeisance to Kubera. (03-159-25)
Then the lord of wealth, the protector, said to the one who had come for refuge: "Be one who destroys the pride of enemies and who increases the joy of friends." (03-159-26)
Bulls among the Bharatas, in your own pleasant houses, the yakṣas—removers of others’ suffering—will fulfill your desires. (03-159-27)
Very soon, Guḍākesha, the best of men and skillful in arms, directly created by Maghavan (Indra), will achieve his aim, O Dhanañjaya. (03-159-28)
Thus, after instructing Yudhiṣṭhira in excellent deeds, the lord of the Guhyakas departed westward to the most excellent mountain. (03-159-29)
Yakṣas and Rākṣasas by the thousands followed him in vehicles adorned with various gems and crowded with festive songs. (03-159-30)
A great roar like that of birds arose from the excellent restrained horses on the Airāvata road, as they went towards Kubera's abode. (03-159-31)
They, the horses of the lord of wealth, swiftly ascended into the sky, seeming to drag the clouds and to drink the wind. (03-159-32)
Then, by the order of Kubera (the lord of wealth), those lifeless bodies of the Rākṣasas were dragged away from the mountain peak. (03-159-33)
Indeed, this was the period of the curse for them, made by the wise Agastya. Therefore, all of them were slain in battle along with Maṇimat. (3-159-34)
But the great-souled Pāṇḍavas spent that night happily in those mansions, their anxieties dispelled, honored by all the rākṣasas. (03-159-35)
