Chapter 244
Vaisampayana said, “Then that mighty bowman of blazing splendour, Arjuna,smilingly said unto Chitrasena in the midst of the Gandharva host, ‘Whatpurpose dost thou serve, O hero, in punishing the Kauravas? O, why alsohath Suyodhana with his wives been thus punished?’
“Chitrasena replied, ‘O Dhananjaya, without stirring from my own abode Ibecame acquainted with the purpose of the wicked Duryodhana and thewretched Karna in coming hither. The purpose was even this,–knowing thatye are exiles in the forest and suffering great afflictions as if ye hadnone to take care of you, himself in prosperity, this wretch entertainedthe desire of beholding you plunged in adversity and misfortune. Theycame hither for mocking you and the illustrious daughter of Drupada. Thelord of the celestials also, having ascertained this purpose of theirs,told me, ‘Go thou and bring Duryodhana hither in chains along with hiscounsellors. Dhananjaya also with his brother should always be protectedby thee in battle, for he is thy dear friend and disciple.’ At thesewords of the lord of the celestials I came hither speedily. This wickedprince hath also been put in chains. I will now proceed to the region ofthe celestials, whither I will lead this wicked wight at the command ofthe slayer of Paka!’
“Arjuna answered, saying, ‘O Chitrasena, if thou wishest to do what isagreeable to me, set Suyodhana free, at the command of king Yudhishthirathe just, for he is our brother!’
Chitrasena said, “This sinful wretch is always full of vanity. Hedeserveth not to be set free. O Dhananjaya, he hath deceived and wrongedboth king Yudhishthira the just and Krishna. Yudhishthira the son ofKunti as yet knoweth not the purpose on which the wretch came hither. Letthe king, therefore, do what he desires after knowing everything!”
Vaisampayana continued, “After this, all of them went to kingYudhishthira the just. And going unto the king, they represented unto himeverything about Duryodhana’s conduct. And Ajatasatru, hearing everythingthat the Gandharvas had said, liberated all the Kauravas and applaudedthe Gandharvas. And the king said, ‘Fortunate it is for us that thoughgifted with great strength, ye did not yet slay the wicked son ofDhritarashtra along with all counsellors and relatives. This, O sir, hathbeen an act of great kindness done to me by the Gandharvas. The honouralso of my family is saved by liberating this wicked wight. I am glad atseeing you all. Command me what I am to do for you. And having obtainedall you wish, return ye soon whence ye came!’
“Thus addressed by the intelligent son of Pandu, the Gandharvas becamewell-pleased and went away with the Apsaras. And the lord of thecelestials then, coming to that spot, revived those Gandharvas that hadbeen slain in the encounter with the Kurus, by sprinkling the celestialAmrita over them. And the Pandavas also, having liberated their relativesalong with the ladies of the royal household, and having achieved thatdifficult feat (the defeat of the Gandharvas host) became well-pleased.And those illustrious and mighty warriors worshipped by the Kurus alongwith their sons and wives, blazed forth in splendour like flaming firesin the sacrificial compound. And Yudhishthira then addressing theliberated Duryodhana in the midst of his brothers, from affection, toldhim these words: ‘O child, never again do such a rash act. O Bharata, arash wight never cometh by happiness. O son of the Kuru race, pleased bethou with all thy brothers. Go back to thy capital as pleaseth thee,without yielding thyself to despondency or cheerlessness!”
Vaisampayana continued, “Thus dismissed by the son of Pandu, kingDuryodhana then saluted king Yudhishthira the just and overwhelmed withshame, and his heart rent in twain, mechanically set out for his capital,like one destitute of life. And after the Kaurava prince had departed,the brave Yudhishthira, the son of Kunti, along with his brothers, wasworshipped by the Brahmanas, and surrounded by those Brahmanas enduedwith the wealth of asceticism, like Sakra himself by the celestials, hebegan to pass his days happily in the woods of Dwaita.”
