Chapter 16
Vaishampayana said, “Having said these words, Gandhari, though staying onthat spot which was distant from the field of battle, beheld, with herspiritual eye, the slaughter of the Kurus.
Vaishampayana said, “Having said these words, Gandhari, though staying onthat spot which was distant from the field of battle, beheld, with herspiritual eye, the slaughter of the Kurus.
“Narada said, ‘Vena’s son, king Prithu, O Srinjaya, we hear, fell a preyto death, In the Rajasuya sacrifice he performed, the great Rishisinstalled him as Emperor (of the world).
“Lomasa continued, ‘Listen now, O Yudhishthira, to what Dhananjaya hathsaid: ‘Cause my brother Yudhishthira to attend to the practice of virtuewhich leadeth to prosperity.
Vaishampayana said, “Hearing these words of Gandhari, Bhimasena, lookinglike one in fright, said these words for soothing her, Be the actrighteous or unrighteous, it was done by me through fear and for theobject of protecting my own self. It behoveth thee therefore, to forgiveme now.
“Kanwa said, ‘Meanwhile, O Bharata, the mighty Garuda heard what hadhappened, viz., the bestowal by Sakra of length of days on the NagaSumukha.
“Narada said, ‘Even the great ascetic Rama, the hero worshipped by allheroes, that son of Jamadagni, of great fame, will die, without beingcontented (with the period of his life).
“Vaisampayana said, ‘Then the illustrious king of Panchala, addressingprince Yudhishthira in the form applicable to Brahmanas, cheerfullyenquired of that illustrious son of Kunti, saying, ‘Are we to know you asKshatriyas, or Brahamanas, or are we to know you as celestials whodisguising themselves as Brahmanas are ranging the earth and come hitherfor the hand of Krishna?
Vaisampayana continued, “O son of the Kuru race, while Dhaumya wasspeaking thus, there arrived at the spot the Rishi Lomasa of greatenergy.
Vaishampayana said, “Commanded by Dhritarashtra, those bulls of Kurusrace, the Pandava brothers, accompanied by Keshava, then proceeded to seeGandhari.