Chapter 161

“The lord of treasures said, ‘O Yudhishthira, patience, ability,(appropriate) time and place and prowess–these five lead to success inhuman affairs. O Bharata, in the Krita Yuga, men were patient and able intheir respective occupations and they knew how to display prowess. And, Oforemost of the Kshatriyas, a Kshatriya that is endued with patience andunderstandeth the propriety regarding place and time and is versed in allmortal regulations, can alone govern the world for a long time,–nay, inall transactions. He that behaveth thus, acquireth, O hero, fame in thisworld and excellent state in the next. And by having displayed hisprowess at the proper place and time, Sakra with the Vasus hath obtainedthe dominion of heaven. He that from anger cannot see his fall and hethat being naturally wicked and evilminded followeth evil and he thatknoweth not the propriety relative to acts, meet with destruction both inthis world and the next. The exertions of that stupid person becomefruitless, who is not conversant with the expediency regarding time andacts, and he meeteth with destruction both in this world and the next.And the object of that wicked and deceitful persons is vicious, who,aiming at mastery of every kind, committeth some rash act. O best of men,Bhimasena is fearless, and ignorant of duties, and haughty, and of thesense of a child, and unforbearing. Do thou, therefore, check him.Repairing again to the hermitage of the pious sage Arshtisena, do thoureside there during the dark fortnight, without fear or anxiety. O lordof men, deputed by me, all the Gandharvas residing at Alaka, as alsothose dwelling in this mountain, will, O mighty-armed one, protect thee,and these best of the Brahmanas. And, O king, O chief among virtuous men,knowing that Vrikodara hath come hither out of rashness, do thou checkhim. Henceforth, O monarch, beings living in the forest will meet you,wait upon you and always protect you all. And, ye foremost of men, myservants will always procure for you various meats and drinks ofdelicious flavour. And, O son, Yudhishthira, even as by reason of yourbeing the progeny of spiritual intercourse, Jishnu is entitled to theprotection of Mahendra, and Vrikodara, of the Wind-god, and thou, ofDharma, and the twins possessed of strength, of the Aswins,–so ye allare entitled to my protection. That one next by birth to Bhimasena,Phalguna, versed in the science of profit and all mortal regulations, iswell in heaven. And, O child, those perfections that are recognised inthe world as leading to heaven, are established in Dhananjaya even fromhis very birth. And self-restraint, and charity, and strength, andintelligence, and modesty, and fortitude, and excellent energy–even allthese are established in that majestic one of magnificent soul. And, OPandava, Jishnu never committed any shameful act through poverty ofspirit. And in the world, none ever say that Partha hath uttered anuntruth. And, O Bharata, honoured by the gods, pitris, and theGandharvas, that enhancer of the glory of the Kurus is learning thescience of weapons in Sakra’s abode. And, O Partha, in heaven he thatwith justice had brought under his subjection all the rulers of theearth, even that exceedingly powerful and highly energetic monarch, thegrandsire of thy father, Santanu himself, is well-pleased with thebehaviour of that wielder of the Gandiva–the foremost of his race. And,O king, abiding in Indra’s regions, he who on the banks of the Yamuna hadworshipped the gods, the pitris, and the Brahmanas, by celebrating sevengrand horse sacrifices, that great grandsire of thine, the emperorSantanu of severe austerities, who hath attained heaven, hath enquired ofthy welfare.'”

Vaisampayana said, “Having heard these words of the dispenser of wealth,the Pandavas were well-pleased with them. Then lowering his club and maceand sword and bow, that foremost of the Bharatas bowed down unto Kuvera.And that giver of protection, the lord of treasures, seeing himprostrate, said, ‘Be thou the destroyer of the pride of foes, and theenhancer of the delight of friends. And ye oppressors of enemies, do yelive in our romantic region. The Yakshas will not cross your desires.Gudakesa, after having acquired mastery over weapons, will come backsoon. Bidden adieu by Maghavat himself, Dhananjaya will join you.’

“Having thus instructed Yudhishthira of excellent deeds, the lord of theGuhyakas, vanished from that best of mountains. And thousands uponthousands of Yakshas, and Rakshasas followed him in vehicles spread overwith checkered cushions, and decorated with various jewels. And as thehorses proceeded towards the abode of Kuvera, a noise arose as of birdsflying in the air. And the chargers of the lord of treasures speedilycoursed through the sky as if drawing forward the firmament, anddevouring the air.

“Then at the command of the lord of wealth, the dead bodies of theRakshasas were removed from the summit of the mountain. As theintelligent Agastya had fixed this period as the limit of (the durationof) his curse, so being slain in conflict, the Rakshasas were freed fromthe imprecation. And being honoured by the Rakshasas, the Pandavas forseveral nights dwelt pleasantly in those habitations.”