15.024
Vaiśampāyana said.
But, O best of kings, hearing the words of Kuntī, the sinless Pāṇḍavas, together with Draupadī, withdrew in shame. (15-24-1)
Then, O Bhārata, a great clamor arose among all, when the women of the inner chambers who were weeping saw Kuntī, who had just arrived. (15-24-2)
At that time, the Pāṇḍavas circumambulated the king to the right and, after saluting him, withdrew, not making Pṛthā (Kuntī) turn back, indeed. (15-24-3)
Then the great king Dhritarashtra, son of Ambika, spoke to Gandhari and Vidura, after addressing and restraining them. (15-24-4)
Let the mother of Yudhiṣṭhira, the lady, be respectfully called back. All that Yudhiṣṭhira said is indeed true. (15-24-5)
Having given up sons and great sovereignty, and abandoning great benefit, which woman indeed would go into the difficult forest, abandoning her sons like one bewildered? (15-24-6)
She who has remained in the kingdom has performed austerities, given charity, and undertaken vows. By her, it is possible today; now let my word also be heard. (15-24-7)
O Gāndhārī, I am indeed fully satisfied with the daughter-in-law's service. Therefore, O knower of dharma, you ought to grant her full permission. (15-24-8)
Thus addressed by the king, Saubali's daughter (Gāndhārī) spoke to Kuntī. She especially expressed all the king's words and her own speech. (15-24-9)
And at that time, she is not able to turn back Kuntī, the noble lady who had made up her mind for the forest, who was devoted to dharma and virtuous. (15-24-10)
However, when the Kuru women saw her firm resolve and the noble Kurus who had withdrawn, they broke into loud weeping. (15-24-11)
At that time, when all the Pāṇḍavas had withdrawn and all the inner apartments likewise, the greatly wise king Dhṛtarāṣṭra went to the forest. (15-24-12)
The Pāṇḍavas, too, dejected and wholly given over to sorrow and grief, all entered the city along with the women in vehicles at that time. (15-24-13)
That city of Hastinapura, with its women, elders, and children, became joyless, seemingly silent, as if all festivity had departed. (15-24-14)
All the Pāṇḍavas, utterly dispirited, filled with anger, bereft of Kuntī, and deeply afflicted with grief, were like calves left without their mother. (15-24-15)
But Dhritarashtra, on that day, having traveled a very great distance, then made his residence on the bank of the Bhagirathi river. (15-24-16)
The fires were duly kindled by Vedic scholars; throughout the place, the best Brahmins and ascetics caused them to shine. The king, now aged, also kindled the sacred fire. (15-24-17)
He, the king, after duly worshipping the fires and performing the sacrifice as prescribed, then approached the Sun who had appeared at twilight, O Bhārata. (15-24-18)
Vidura and Sañjaya, then, prepared the king's bed of kuśa grass not far from Gāndhārī and the heroic Kuru. (15-24-19)
Kunti, the mother of Yudhisthira, who was devoted to righteous vows, sat down on the kuśa grass near Gandhari. (15-24-20)
At that hearing, Vidura and others also took their seats. The sacrificers, the twice-born, and their followers sat down according to their position. (15-24-21)
She, surrounded by the chief learned brāhmaṇas and blazing fire, became for them a night like that sacred to Brahmā, increasing their joy. (15-24-22)
Then, when the night had passed and the morning rites were performed, all of them offered oblations to the fire in due order and set out; facing north, they looked on, dedicated to fasting. (15-24-23)
Their residence was extremely sorrowful on the first day, with grieving and lamenting people among the townsmen and country folk. (15-24-24)
