15.034
Arrival of Vyāsa;
Vaiśampāyana said.
Thus, O Bhārata, that auspicious night, endowed with favorable stars, passed in the hermitage of those meritorious ones. (15-34-1)
In various places, their stories, marked by the qualities of dharma and artha, were composed with varied word arrangements and were accompanied by diverse recitations. (15-34-2)
But the Pāṇḍavas, O king, slept on the ground around their mother, having given up their very costly beds. (15-34-3)
When the food was taken by king Dhritarashtra, the great-minded one, then those heroic men spent that night with the same food. (15-34-4)
But when the night had passed, having performed the morning rituals, the son of Kunti, together with his brothers, saw the hermitage area. (15-34-5)
With his retinue from the inner quarters, attendants, and family priest, (he proceeded) as comfortably and as intended, with Dhṛtarāṣṭra's permission. (15-34-6)
He saw there altars with blazing fire, attended by sages who had performed ritual ablutions and offerings into the fire, and were present. (15-34-7)
Those (deities) adorned with clusters of forest-flowers, as well as with streams of clarified butter's smoke, possessed of a divine form and accompanied by groups of sages, (appeared there). (15-34-8)
O lord, the place, with un-agitated herds of deer taking shelter here and there and un-fearful flocks of birds, seemed as if filled with their songs. (15-34-9)
The cries of blue-throated birds, the cooings of cranes, and the auspicious, melodious songs of cuckoos delighted the ear. (15-34-10)
It was decorated here and there by the melodious cries of birds and adorned with heavy loads of fruit and roots. (15-34-11)
Then the king gave to the ascetics the golden water pots and, in the same way, udumbara-wood vessels as well, O king. (15-34-12)
O Bhārata, the king (gave) deer skins, braided hair-ornaments, wooden ladle and spoon, water pots, cooking pots, and jars. (15-34-13)
O king, (there are) vessels and iron objects, as well as bowls of various kinds; whatever you desire, as much as you wish, and anything else that is desired. (15-34-14)
Thus, the righteous-souled king circled the region of hermitages, gave away all the wealth, and then the lord of the earth returned again. (15-34-15)
Then he saw the wise king Dhritarashtra, who had performed his daily rites, sitting undisturbed together with Gandhari. (15-34-16)
The righteous one saw his mother Kuntī, standing not far away, bowed like a disciple, always practicing dharma. (15-34-17)
Having honored the king and announced his own name, when permitted with the words 'sit', he indeed sat down on the seat. (15-34-18)
Bhīmasena and the other Pāṇḍavas respectfully saluted and embraced the eminent Kaurava, then sat down at the king's command. (15-34-19)
Surrounded by those attendants, the Kaurava king shone with exceeding brilliance, bearing radiant brahmanic glory like Bṛhaspati among the gods. (15-34-20)
Thus, when they had taken their seats, the great sages, including Śatayūpa and others who resided in Kurukṣetra, arrived. (15-34-21)
Vyāsa, the revered sage honored by groups of divine sages, surrounded by his disciples and possessing great splendor, showed him to the king. (15-34-22)
Then that king of the Kauravas, along with the mighty son of Kuntī and Bhīmasena and the others, respectfully rose and honored (him). (15-34-23)
Then Vyāsa, having arrived and surrounded by Śatayūpa and others, said, "Let king Dhṛtarāṣṭra be seated." (15-34-24)
But then Vyāsa obtained a new silken seat, with black-deer skin and kuśa grass arranged above, prepared for that purpose. (15-34-25)
Then all those best among the twice-born, having been permitted by Dvaipayana, sat down on the seats all around, endowed with great strength. (15-34-26)
