12.039
Core and Pancharatra: Pandavas enter the city filled with words of praise and with sounds arising from affection. Killing of Cārvāka demon disguised as a Brāhmaṇa by Brahmanas by uttering 'huṅ' sounds.
Vaiśampāyana said:
But at the entrance, many thousands of city-dwellers, people desiring to see the sons of Pṛthā, assembled as usual.
O king, that royal road, with its beautifully decorated squares, shone brilliantly, just as the great ocean swells at the rising of the moon.
O Bhārata, the large houses filled with jewels on the royal road seemed to tremble as if weighed down by the women inside.
Those women, with gentle modesty, praised Yudhishthira. Bhimasena, Arjuna, and the sons of Madri, the Pandavas, were also praised.
O Pāñcālī, you are blessed, for you serve the foremost of men; O auspicious one, you attend upon the great sages just as Gautamī did.
O great king, the women then praised Kṛṣṇā, saying: "Your actions are not fruitless, and your observance of vows, O beautiful lady."
O Bhārata, at that time, the city was filled with the words of praise of those women, with mutual sounds, and with sounds arising from affection.
Yudhishthira, having properly crossed that royal road, approached the splendidly adorned royal palace.
Then all the ministers, citizens, and country people, having gathered here and there, told stories that were pleasing to the ear.
O king, destroyer of enemies, by good fortune you have conquered your foes; by good fortune, you have regained the kingdom through righteousness and strength.
O great king, may you be with us, ruling here for a hundred years; protect your people with righteousness, just as Indra rules the heavens, O king.
Thus, at the gate of the royal palace, he was honored with auspicious items and received blessings spoken by the Brāhmaṇas from all sides.
The king, having entered the house which resembled Indra's palace, and having heard of his victory, then descended from his chariot.
Having entered inside, the illustrious one approached the deities and worshipped them in every way with jewels, fragrances, and garlands.
Then the illustrious and greatly renowned one departed again from there; he saw the handsome brāhmaṇas who were present.
At that time, he, surrounded by Brāhmaṇas wishing to offer blessings, shone with purity like the spotless moon encircled by stars.
The son of Kunti (Yudhishthira) honoured the twice-born according to rule, having placed Dhaumya the teacher, the eldest and his father at the front.
O king, (the offerings are made) with flower-sweets, jewels, abundant gold, cows, garments, and various other desired things.
Then, O Bhārata, an auspicious proclamation arose, as if the sky itself stood still, bringing joy to the friends, auspicious and delightful to hear.
O king, there, among the twice-born, the speech of those learned in the Veda, abundant in meaningful words and syllables, was heard, like that of a swan.
Then, O king, the drums resounded, the conches sounded pleasingly, and the cries of 'Victory!' arose there.
When silence prevailed there and the people had departed, Cārvāka, the demon disguised as a Brāhmaṇa, again spoke to the king.
There, Duryodhana's friend, disguised as a mendicant, appeared as a Sāṅkhya philosopher with a topknot and three staffs, bold and fearless.
O King, he was then surrounded on all sides by thousands of Brāhmaṇas, established in austerity and discipline, who were eager to pronounce blessings.
The wicked man, wishing harm upon the noble Pāṇḍavas, did not bid farewell to the Brāhmaṇas, but instead addressed the king.
All these twice-born, having addressed me thus, said: "Shame upon you, O wicked king, slayer of your own kin, so be it indeed."
O son of Kunti, what use is a kingdom to you after causing this destruction of relatives? Having caused the elders to be killed, death is better than life.
Thus, when the twice-born heard the words of that terrible demon, they were agitated and cried out, afflicted by his speech.
Then all the Brāhmaṇas and King Yudhiṣṭhira, being deeply ashamed and greatly disturbed, sat silently, O lord of the people.
Yudhiṣṭhira said:
Please be gracious to me, who bows and earnestly requests; you should not reproach me, who is afflicted and restored.
Vaiśampāyana said:
Then, O king, all those brāhmaṇas said to the lord of the people: "This statement is not ours; may prosperity be yours, O king."
Then the great-souled Brāhmaṇas, knowers of the Veda, purified by austerities, perceived him with the eye of knowledge.
The brāhmaṇas said:
This is Cārvāka, a rākṣasa and friend of Duryodhana, who, taking the form of a wandering ascetic, wishes to act for his benefit.
We do not say this, O righteous one; may such fear of yours be dispelled. May welfare be with you and your brothers.
Vaiśampāyana said:
Then all the Brāhmaṇas, overcome by anger, uttered 'huṅ' sounds and, rebuking him, the pure ones struck down the evil Rākṣasa.
He fell down, scorched by the brilliance of the Brahman-knowers, as if struck by Indra's thunderbolt, like a tree with sprouts.
The honored Brāhmaṇas departed after greeting the king; the Pāṇḍava king, together with his friends, also felt great joy.
Vāsudeva said:
O dear one, Brāhmaṇas in this world are always to be worshipped by me. These Brāhmaṇas are earth-dwelling gods, masters of speech, and are easily pleased.
Long ago, in the Kṛta Yuga, O dear one, a demon named Cārvāka performed austerities at Badarī for many years, O mighty-armed one.
O Bhārata, being pleased by the boon, then by Brahmā, he repeatedly requested fearlessness from all beings.
Except for the insult of a Brāhmaṇa, the lord of the world granted him the supreme boon of fearlessness towards all beings.
But he, the wicked demon of immeasurable prowess, having obtained boons, tormented the gods with his fierce deeds and great strength.
Then the gods, having gathered together, said to Brahmā: "We are oppressed by the power of that demon; therefore, for his destruction..."
The imperishable god said to them: 'That has indeed been ordained by me there. O Bhārata, his death will occur soon.'
A king named Duryodhana, who will be his friend, O king. Being bound by affection for him, he will disrespect the Brāhmaṇas.
There, the angered Brāhmaṇas, having been insulted, will burn him with the power of their words; then the sin will be destroyed.
Cārvāka, the demon, has been slain by the Brahma-staff and lies there. O foremost of kings, O bull among the Bharatas, do not grieve.
O king, your kinsmen, slain in accordance with the duty of a warrior, have gone to heaven; they were noble heroes, the foremost among kṣatriyas.
Therefore, you stand firm for the welfare, O Acyuta. Do not let faintness come to you. Destroy the enemies, protect the people, and preserve the twice-born.
