“Yudhishthira said, ‘O best of celestial Rishis, I do not think that I amwithout merits. Yet am I afflicted with so much sorrow that there neverwas a king like me. I think, however, that my enemies are destitute ofgood qualities and even destitute of morality. Yet why, O Lomasa, do theyprosper in this world?”
Vaisampayana said, “Those Brahmanas then, that had been dwelling (withhim) in the woods, beholding the son of Kunti about to set out (on thepious pilgrimage), approached him, O king, and said, ‘Thou art about toset out, O king, on thy journey to the sacred tirthas, along with thybrothers and accompanied by the illustrious Rishi Lomasa.
“Lomasa continued, ‘Listen now, O Yudhishthira, to what Dhananjaya hathsaid: ‘Cause my brother Yudhishthira to attend to the practice of virtuewhich leadeth to prosperity.
Vaisampayana continued, “O son of the Kuru race, while Dhaumya wasspeaking thus, there arrived at the spot the Rishi Lomasa of greatenergy.
“Dhaumya continued, ‘O tiger among kings, I shall now describe thosetirthas and sacred spots that lie to the north. Do thou, O exalted one,listen to me attentively.
“Dhaumya continued, ‘I shall describe to thee those sacred spots capableof producing merit that lie on the west, in the country of the Anarttas,O Bharata, there, flows in a westward course the sacred river Narmada,graced by Priyangu and mango trees, and engarlanded with thickest ofcanes.
“Dhaumya continued, ‘Listen, O Bharata, I shall now narrate to thee indetail according to my knowledge, the sacred tirthas of the south. Inthat quarter lieth the sacred and auspicious river Godavari, full ofwater abounding in groves and frequented by ascetics.
Vaisampayana said, “Beholding the Pandavas afflicted with anxiety anddepressed in spirits, Dhaumya, who resembled Vrihaspati, spake thus,comforting them, ‘O bull of the Bharata race, O sinless one, listen to meas I mention certain sacred asylums and regions and tirthas and mountainsthat are approved of by Brahmanas.
“Vaisampayana continued, ‘Having ascertained the opinion of his brothers,and of the intelligent Narada, king Yudhishthira, addressing Dhaumya, whowas like unto the Grandsire himself, said,
“Pulastya said, ‘Arriving next at the excellent tirtha called Samvedya inthe evening, and touching its waters, one surely obtaineth knowledge.Created a tirtha in days of yore by Rama’s energy, he that proceedeth toLauhitya obtaineth the merit of giving away gold in abundance.
