Chapter 14

“Vaisampayana said, “With such speeches as these, was the royal saintYudhishthira, bereft of his friends, consoled by those sages of greatascetic merits. And O monarch, that lord of men exhorted by theworshipful Viswarasraba himself, and by Dwaipayana (Vyasa), KrishnaDevasthana, Narada, Bhima, Nakula, Krishna (Draupadi), Sahadeva, and thesharpwitted Vijaya, as well as by other great men, and Brahmanas versedin the Sastras, became relieved of all mental affliction and sorrowarising from the death of his dear relations. And that monarchYudhishthira after performing the obsequial ceremonies of his departedfriends, and honouring the Brahmanas and Devas (gods), brought thekingdom of the earth with its girdle of oceans, under his sway. And thatprince of Kuru’s race having regained his kingdom, with a tranquil mind,thus addressed Vyasa, Narada and the other sages who were present. I havebeen comforted by the words of so great, ancient and aged saints asyourselves, and I have now no cause left for the least affliction. Andlikewise, I have attained great wealth, with which I may worship thegods. Therefore, with your assistance, I shall now perform the sacrifice,O the best of regenerate beings. We have heard that those (Himalayan)regions are full of wonders. Therefore, O Brahmana, saint and grandsiredo thou so ordain that under thy protection we may safety reach theHimalaya mountains, the performance of my sacrifice being entirely withinthy control, and then the adorable celestial saint Narada and Devasthanahave also addressed exquisite and well-meaning words for our well being.No unlucky man in times of great tribulation and distress, has ever thegood fortune to secure the services of such preceptors and friendsapproved by all virtuous men. Thus addressed by the king, those greatsaints, bidding the king and Krishna and Arjuna to repair to theHimalayan regions, then and there vanished in the presence of theassembled multitude, and the king, the lordly son of Dharma, then seatedhimself there for a while. And the Pandavas then in consequence of thedeath of Bhishma, were engaged in performing his funeral ceremonies. Andtheir time, while thus engaged, seemed too long in passing and performingthe last rites to the mortal remains of Bhishma, Karna and other foremostKauravas, they gave away large presents to Brahmanas. And then theforemost descendant of Kuru again performed with Dhritarashtra thefuneral rites (of the heroes slain in battle), and having given awayimmense wealth to the Brahmanas, the Pandava chief with Dhritarashtra inadvance, made this entry into the city of Hastina Nagar, and consolinghis lordly uncle, possessed of eyes of wisdom, that virtuous princecontinued to administer the earth with his brothers.