15.031
Vaiśampāyana said.
Then the Pāṇḍavas, having dismounted at some distance, proceeded on foot with humility to the king's hermitage. (15-31-1)
He, along with all the townspeople, the inhabitants of the kingdom, and the women of the chiefs of the Kurus, all followed on foot at that time. (15-31-2)
Then the Pāṇḍavas went to the hermitage of Dhṛtarāṣṭra, which was empty, filled with groups of deer, and adorned with banana forests. (15-31-3)
Then, ascetics of various vows assembled there, filled with curiosity to see the arriving Pāṇḍavas. (15-31-4)
Then the king, filled with tears, asked them: "Where has that supporter of the Kaurava lineage, our eldest father, gone?" (15-31-5)
They then said to him, "O master, he has gone to enter the Yamunā for the sake of flowers and the water-pot." (15-31-6)
Then they proceeded by the path described by them. And the foot soldiers saw all of them not far off. (15-31-7)
Then they quickly went to their father, desiring to see him; but Sahadeva ran swiftly toward where his mother Pṛthā was. (15-31-8)
Crying aloud and weeping, as he touched his mother's feet, she, her face covered with tears, saw her beloved son. (15-31-9)
Embracing with her arms and lifting up the little boy, Gandhari spoke to Sahadeva, who was present. (15-31-10)
Afterwards, having seen the king, Bhīmasena, then Arjuna, and Nakula, Pṛthā hastened and approached. (15-31-11)
She indeed went in front; the couple, whose son was slain, she was dragging those two—then, having seen her, they both fell together onto the ground. (15-31-12)
The great-minded king, having recognized them, comforted them with his own voice and touch; the wise master reassured them. (15-31-13)
Then, after shedding tears, they approached the king together with Gandhari, and the great-souled ones also approached their mother in the proper manner. (15-31-14)
They themselves then took up all the water pots. The Pāṇḍavas, having regained consciousness, were again comforted by their mother. (15-31-15)
Then the wives of the heroes, he and the warriors at that time, and both the citizens and country people, saw that ruler of men. (15-31-16)
Then he reported that person with their name and lineage, and King Yudhiṣṭhira honored them accordingly. (15-31-17)
Surrounded by them, he, his eyes dimmed with tears of joy, felt as if he were a prince returning home as before in the city of Gajasāhvaya. (15-31-18)
Having been greeted by the brides headed by Kṛṣṇā, the wise king, together with Gāndhārī and Kuntī, returned their salutations. (15-31-19)
Then he approached the hermitage, attended by siddhas and chāraṇas, thronged by those desiring to see it, like the sky crowded with groups of stars. (15-31-20)
