Chapter 224

“Vaisampayana said, ‘The Pandavas, after they had taken up their abode atIndraprastha at the command of Dhritarashtra and Bhishma began to bringother kings under their sway. All the subjects (of the kingdom) livedmost happily depending upon Yudhishthira the just, like a soul livinghappily depending upon a body blest with auspicious marks and piousdeeds.

And, O bull in Bharata’s race, Yudhishthira paid homage untovirtue, pleasure, and profit, in judicious proportion, as if each were afriend dear unto him as his own self. It seemed as if the threepursuits–virtue, pleasure, and profit–became personified on earth, andamongst them the king shone as a fourth. The subjects having obtainedYudhishthira as their king, obtained in their monarch one that wasdevoted to the study of the Vedas, one that was performer of the greatsacrifices, and one that was protector of all good people. In consequenceof Yudhishthira’s influence, the good fortune of all the monarchs of theearth became stationary, and their hearts became devoted to themeditation of the Supreme Spirit, and virtue itself began to grow everyway all round. And in the midst of and assisted by his four brothers, theking looked more resplendent (than he would have done if he were alone),like a great sacrifice depending upon and assisted by the four Vedas.Many learned Brahmanas with Dhananjaya at their head, each like untoVrihaspati, waited upon the monarch, like the celestials waiting upon theLord of the creation. From excess of affection, the eyes and hearts ofall the people equally took great delight in Yudhishthira who was even asthe full moon without a stain. The people took delight in him not onlybecause he was their king but also from sincere affection. The kingalways did what was agreeable to them. The sweet-speeched Yudhishthira ofgreat intelligence never uttered anything that was improper or untrue orunbearable or disagreeable. The best of monarchs of the Bharata race,endued with great energy, passed his days happily for the welfare of allas his own. His brothers also bringing by their energy other kings undertheir sway, passed their days in happiness, without a foe to disturbtheir peace.

“After a few days, Vibhatsu, addressing Krishna, said, ‘The summer dayshave set in, O Krishna! Therefore, let us go to the banks of the Yamuna.O slayer of Madhu, sporting there in the company of friends, we will, OJanardana, return in the evening’. Thereupon Vasudeva said, ‘O son ofKunti, this is also my wish. Let us, O Partha, sport in the waters as weplease, in the company of friends.’

“Vaisampayana continued, ‘Then, O Bharata, having consulted thus witheach other, Partha and Govinda, with Yudhishthira’s leave, set out,surrounded by friends. Reaching a fine spot (on the banks of the Yamuna)suitable for purposes of pleasure, overgrown with numerous tall trees andcovered with several high mansions that made the place look like thecelestial city and within which had been collected for Krishna and Parthanumerous costly and well-flavoured viands and drinks and other articlesof enjoyment and floral wreaths and various perfumes, the party enteredwithout delay the inner apartments adorned with many precious gems ofpure rays. Entering those apartments, everybody, O Bharata, began tosport, according to his pleasure. The women of the party, all of fullrotund hips and deep bosoms and handsome eyes, and gait unsteady withwine began to sport there at the command of Krishna and Partha. Someamongst the women sported as they liked in the woods, some in the waters,and some within the mansions, as directed by Partha and Govinda. Draupadiand Subhadra, exhilarated with wine, began to give away unto the women sosporting, their costly robes and ornaments. And some amongst those womenbegan to dance in joy, and some began to sing; and some amongst thembegan to laugh and jest, and some to drink excellent wines. Some began toobstruct one another’s progress and some to fight with one another, andto discourse with one another in private. Those mansions and the woods,filled with the charming music of flutes and guitars and kettledrums,became the scene of Prosperity personified.

“When such was the state of things there, Arjuna and Vasudeva went to acertain charming spot (in those woods) not far from the place where theothers were. O monarch, the high-souled Krishna, and that subjugators ofhostile cities, viz., Arjuna, going thither, sat down upon two verycostly seats. Vasudeva and Partha amused themselves there withdiscoursing upon many past achievements of prowess and other topics. UntoVasudeva and Dhananjaya happily sitting there like the Aswins in heaven,a certain Brahmana came. The Brahmana that came there looked like a tallSala tree. His complexion was like unto molten gold; his beard was brightyellow tinged with green; and the height and the thickness of the bodywere in just proportion. Of matted locks and dressed in rags, heresembled the morning sun in splendour. Of eyes like lotus-petals and ofa tawny hue, he seemed to be blazing with effulgence. Beholding thatforemost of Brahmanas blazing with splendour approach towards them bothArjuna and Vasudeva, hastily rising from their seats, stood, waiting (forhis commands).'”