03.173
The Python Episode
Janamejaya said.
When, in the forefront of the charioteers where weapons were deployed, the slayer of Vṛtra had returned from his abode, what then did the Pāṇḍavas do, having assembled with the heroic Dhanañjaya? (03-173-1)
Vaiśampāyana said.
But those kings, heroes equal to Indra, together with Arjuna, enjoyed themselves in those very forests and upon that delightful, foremost mountain, engaging in the pastimes of Kubera. (03-173-2)
Behold those unrivalled mansions and the sports amidst various trees; the crowned king, the archer, wandered about in many ways, always devoted to weapons. (03-173-3)
Having obtained residence through the favor of King Vaiśravaṇa, O king, those princes harbored no desire for the possessions of living beings; for them, time was auspicious. (03-173-4)
It seemed to Pārtha that the four years spent there passed like one night. Previously, six years—these ten years of the Pāṇḍavas—became auspicious for them as they dwelled in the forests. (03-173-5)
Then the mighty son of Vāyu, having come near and seated himself by the king, along with the two heroic sons of Yama—heroes as splendid as the lord of the gods—having taken themselves aside in solitude, spoke what was both beneficial and dear. (03-173-6)
Your vow, Kuru king, is true; desiring to fulfill it, we, following you and in what is pleasing to you, therefore abandon the forests to go to slay Suyodhana along with his followers. (3-173-7)
We are passing this eleventh year here; deprived of our due happiness by Suyodhana, though we deserve happiness. May we, having deceived that wickedly minded one, obtain happiness through living incognito. (3-173-8)
O king, by your command, without hesitation, we abandon pride and wander the forests; those who are enticed by living nearby will not recognize us when we are in distant lands. (3-173-9)
Let us, after secretly spending a year, joyfully kill that worst of men. Having thus fulfilled and completed our enmity towards that vile man, that lowest among kings. (03-173-10)
Surrounded by the followers of Suyodhana, then take the earth, O Dharmarāja. This mountain, like heaven, being traversed by wandering men, O king, grief can be conquered. (03-173-11)
O Bhārata, your fame, possessing auspicious fragrance, would perish among all beings in the worlds, both moving and unmoving. Therefore, having attained the kingdom of the foremost among the Kurus, great deeds then are possible. (03-173-12)
O king, this is always possible for you—to obtain that which you have gotten from Kubera. Make up your mind for destroying your enemies and for restraining those who have committed offences, O descendant of Bharata. (03-173-13)
O king, even Indra himself, if directly confronted, could not withstand your fierce energy; nor would those two (warriors), even if faced by all the gods and Dharmarāja (Yama), ever cause distress. (03-173-14)
For attaining your objective, both Suparṇa-ketu and the grandson of Śini are engaged. Just as Kṛṣṇa is unparalleled in strength, so too, O king, is that heroic descendant of Śini. (03-173-15)
For the accomplishment of your purpose, we are engaged—just as Kṛṣṇa was with the Yādavas, so also, O best of kings, we two sons of Yama, heroic and capable in action, originating as chief ones for your sake, will together oppose the others after assembling. (03-173-16)
Then, having understood their opinion, the great-souled and most eminent son of Dharma, a knower of dharma and artha endowed with great vigor, performed the circumambulation of Vaiśravaṇa's abode. (03-173-17)
After taking leave of the mansions, rivers, lakes, and all the rakṣasas, king Yudhiṣṭhira, while looking back on the way he had come and once again gazing at the mountain, continued onward. (03-173-18)
Having completed his tasks, together with his friends, conquering his rivals and regaining the kingdom, O king of mountains, he resolved with firm mind to perform penance again, thinking, 'I am your seer.' (03-173-19)
He, surrounded by all his younger brothers and Brahmins, the lord of the Kurus, proceeded by that very path, and Ghaṭotkaca in the same manner carried them and their retinues through the mountain streams. (03-173-20)
Seeing them depart, the great sage, his mind pleased, instructed them all like a father instructs his sons. Then Lomaśa, pleased of mind, went to the most sacred abode of the gods. (03-173-21)
Thus instructed by Ṛṣṭiṣeṇa, the sons of Pṛthā—foremost among men—beholding the beautiful holy places, ascetic groves, and the great and other lakes, proceeded on their way. (03-173-22)
