14.063
Vaiśampāyana said.
Then, accompanied by delighted men and vehicles, they set out, gladdened, filling the earth with the great sound of their chariots. (14-63-1)
They were being praised with chants by bards and genealogists, surrounded by their own army just as the suns are enveloped by their own rays. (14-63-2)
With a white parasol held above his head, Yudhishthira shone there like the moon on the night of the full moon. (14-63-3)
The Pāṇḍava, the best of men, properly accepted the joyous victory blessings from the delighted people along the road, in accordance with propriety. (14-63-4)
Likewise, O king, the soldiers who followed the king — their rumbling noise, filling the sky, resounded. (14-63-5)
He, the great king, passed over lakes, rivers, forests, and groves, and then proceeded towards the mountain. (14-63-6)
O chief of kings, in that region where there was that excellent wealth, the Pāṇḍava king made camp there with his soldiers. At that time, in a level and auspicious place, O best of the Bharatas. (14-63-7)
O Kauravya, he placed at the front Brāhmaṇas endowed with austerity, knowledge, and self-control, and the chief priest skilled in the Veda and its branches. (14-63-8)
But from the eastern pavilion, the Brahmins together with the chief priest, having performed the peace rite as prescribed, surrounded the king on all sides. (14-63-9)
The Brahmins, after placing the king and his ministers in the center as prescribed, arranged the layout of six roads and nine establishments. (14-63-10)
Having caused the stationing of the intoxicated best elephants according to rule, the best of kings said this to the brāhmaṇas. (14-63-11)
O best of twice-born, in this activity, on this auspicious day and under this asterism, you all ought to do as you consider proper (14-63-12)
Let there not be any delay for us; let it not hang on here any longer. Thus having resolved, O best of Brāhmaṇas, whatever is to be done next should be done at once. (14-63-13)
When they heard these words of the king, the Brāhmaṇas together with the purohita, being joyful and wishing to please King Dharma, spoke these words. (14-63-14)
Today itself, let us undertake the most excellent meritorious lunar day observance; let us strive for the highest among rites. Today here, O king, let us reside with waters, and may we also be properly fed by you today. (14-63-15)
But having heard from those most excellent twice-born, the kings, having completed their fast, spent the night contentedly on beds of kuśa grass, just as the kindled sacrificial fires during rituals. (14-63-16)
Thus, the night passed for the great-souled ones, as they listened to the words spoken by the Brāhmaṇas. Then, when the morning was clear, the foremost Brāhmaṇas addressed the son of Dharma, the king. (14-63-17)
