03.161
Vaiśampāyana said.
While they, the great-souled who had undertaken good vows, were dwelling on that king of mountains, delight and joy arose among them; but those desiring to see Arjuna did not (feel so). (03-161-1)
Many, being pleased, approached them—those radiant ones endowed with strength, of very pure mind, chiefly steadfast in truth—among them were assemblies of Gandharvas and great sages. (3-161-2)
After reaching that best of mountains, endowed with flowering trees, the minds of the great warriors experienced supreme joy, just as the hosts of Maruts do on reaching heaven. (03-161-3)
Beholding the peaks and summits of the great mountain, resounding with the cries of peacocks and swans and strewn with flowers, they stood there, filled with supreme joy. (03-161-4)
They saw lakes, made directly by Kubera, in that excellent mountain, which were enclosed by banks, frequented by kādamba trees, kāraṇḍava ducks, and swans, and filled with lotuses. (3-161-5)
Pleasure-grounds that are splendid and richly adorned, beautifully garlanded and inherently resplendent; delightful precious gems, just as would be found with King Dhanada (Kubera). (03-161-6)
Those ascetics, devoted to austerity and always wandering amidst many-colored, fragrant, great trees ever wreathed in cloud garlands, were unable to even contemplate the mountain's summit. (03-161-7)
O foremost of men, by the brilliance of that best of mountains and likewise by the power of the great herbs, there was no distinction between day and night for anyone. (03-161-8)
Occupied at Yama's point (the west), Agni of boundless energy causes to exist all the immobile and mobile beings. The heroes standing there, the lion-hearted men, saw his rising and his setting. (03-161-9)
The heroes, having seen the regions and directions enveloped by the networks of rays of the sun, the dispeller of darkness, marked the arrivals and departures of darkness, and likewise its rising and setting. (03-161-10)
They who are devoted to self-study, always engaged in pious acts, chief in righteousness, pure in vow, firm in truthfulness, were awaiting the arrival of that great warrior, Satyavrata. (03-161-11)
"Let there be happiness here itself for those assembled; and quickly, by Dhanañjaya who has gained weapons." Saying thus and giving their supreme blessings, the sons of Pritha devoted themselves to austerity and yoga. (03-161-12)
After seeing the wondrous forests on the mountain, for those who constantly pondered the crowned one, night and day, over the course of a year, passed with equal appearance. (03-161-13)
Exactly when, with Dhaumya's permission, the great-souled and victorious one made his matted locks and departed as an exile, from that very moment there was no joy for them; how could there be any pleasure for those whose minds were fixed on him? (03-161-14)
But at the command of his brother Yudhiṣṭhira, that conqueror who left the Kāmyaka forest and moved like an intoxicated elephant—when he departed from the forest, they indeed became overwhelmed with grief. (03-161-15)
But thus, O descendant of Bharata, as he was thinking of the white-horsed one, of Indra approached by the seeker of weapons, a month then passed with difficulty on that mountain, O Bhārata, of the Bharatas. (03-161-16)
Then at one time, as the great chariot of Indra, driven by Hari, suddenly approached, shining like lightning, joy arose for Arjuna among the great warriors who were thinking of him. (03-161-17)
Shining suddenly in the sky, illuminating it and grasped by Mātali, he appeared like a great meteor within the clouds, and like a smokeless, blazing flame of fire. (03-161-18)
He, seated there, appeared crowned, adorned with garlands and bearing excellent ornaments. Dhanañjaya (Arjuna), shining with the splendor of Vajradhara (Indra), approached the mountain, radiant with beauty. (03-161-19)
Kirīṭamālī (Arjuna), approaching the mountain and descending from Indra's chariot, first saluted Dhaumya's feet, then afterwards those of Yudhiṣṭhira (Ajātaśatru). (03-161-20)
He also bowed at Bhīma’s feet and was saluted by Mādrī’s two sons. Approaching Kṛṣṇā (Draupadī) and soothing her, he became humble before his brother. (03-161-21)
A supreme joy arose among them; by him, for all those who had assembled in countless numbers. And he too, beholding them, the crowned one, rejoiced, and praised the king. (03-161-22)
Having stayed with Yama, he slew the seven hosts of the sons of Diti, the destroyer of Namuci. Then, the Pārthas, approaching Indra's charioteer, circumambulated him with unwavering hearts. (3-161-23)
They, exceedingly delighted, paid to Mātali the highest honor, like that accorded to the king of the gods. The Kurus' royal sons, along with the heavenly beings, properly honored him in all respects and then questioned him. (03-161-24)
Mātali also greeted them and, after instructing them like a father to his sons, departed by his brilliantly shining chariot once more to the Lord of Heaven’s presence. (03-161-25)
But when Varadeva's mount had departed, Jayanta, the great soul and vanquisher of all enemies, gave to his beloved, the mother of Sutasoma, the splendid treasures presented by Indra, including ornaments shining like the sun, out of affection. (03-161-26)
Then he, being among the best of the Kurus and those radiant like the sun and fire, having seated himself in the midst of the foremost Brāhmaṇas, began to narrate everything as it had happened. (03-161-27)
Thus, I have learned the missiles directly from Śakra, Vāta, and Śiva. Similarly, through virtue and concentration, the gods together with Indra are pleased with me. (03-161-28)
In short, that pure-hearted one, after informing them of the entry to heaven, slept peacefully in that abode, accompanied by the two sons of Mādrī and wearing his crown. (03-161-29)
