Chapter 64

“Vaisampayana said, ‘They then set out, with cheerful hearts, andaccompanied by men and animals all of whom and which were equallycheerful. They filled the whole Earth with the loud clatter of theirwheels. Their praises hymned by eulogists and Sutas and Magadhas andbards, and supported by their own army, they looked like so many Adityasadorned with their own rays. With the white umbrella held over his head,king Yudhishthira shone with beauty like the lord of the stars on thenight when he is at full. That foremost of men, the eldest son of Pandu,accepted, with due forms, the blessings and cheers of his gladdenedsubjects as he proceeded on his way. As regards the soldiers thatfollowed the king, their confused murmurs seemed to fill the entirewelkin. That host crossed many lakes and rivers and forests and pleasuregardens. They at last came upon the mountains. Arrived at that regionwhere that wealth was buried, O king, the royal Yudhishthira fixed hiscamp with all his brothers and troops. The region selected for thepurpose, O chief of Bharata’s race, was perfectly level and auspiciousThere the king pitched his camp, placing in his van such Brahmanas aswere endued with penances and learning and self-restraint, as also hispriest Agnivesya, O thou of Kuru’s race, who was well-conversant with theVedas and all their branches.[180] Then the royal sons of Pandu, and theother kings (who accompanied that expedition), and the Brahmanas andpriests well-skilled in sacrificial rites, having duly performed samepropitiatory ceremonies, spread themselves all over that spot. Havingduly placed the king and his ministers in the middle, the Brahmanascaused the camp to be pitched by laying out six roads and ninedivisions.[181] King Yudhishthira caused a separate encampment to be dulymade for the infuriate elephants that accompanied his force. Wheneverything was complete, he addressed the Brahmanas, saying, ‘Ye foremostof Brahmanas, let that be done which you think should be done in view ofthe matter at hand. Indeed, let an auspicious day and constellation befixed for it. Let not a long time pass away over our heads as we wait insuspense here. Ye foremost of learned Brahmanas, having formed thisresolution, let that be done which should be done after this.’ Hearingthese words of the king, the Brahmanas with those amongst them that werewell-skilled in the performance of religious rites, became filled withgladness and desirous of doing what was agreeable to king Yudhishthirathe just, said these words in reply, ‘This very day is, an auspicious onewith an auspicious constellation. We shall, therefore, strive toaccomplish those high rites we propose. We shall today, O king, live uponwater alone. Do you all fast also today’ Hearing those words of thoseforemost Brahmanas, the royal sons of Pandu passed that night, abstainingfrom all food, and lying confidently on beds of Kusa grass, like blazingfires in a sacrifice. And the night wore away as they listened to thediscourses of the learned Brahmanas (on diverse subjects). When thecloudless morning came, those foremost of Brahmanas addressed the royalson of Dharma (saying as follows).’