Chapter 4
“Dhritarashtra said, O foremost speakers, how may the wilderness of thisworld be known? I desire to hear this. Asked by me, tell me this.
“Dhritarashtra said, O foremost speakers, how may the wilderness of thisworld be known? I desire to hear this. Asked by me, tell me this.
“Narada said, ‘King Yayati then, desirous again of disposing of hisdaughter in Swayamvara, went to a hermitage on the confluence of theGanga and the Yamuna, taking Madhavi with him on a chariot, her persondecked with garlands of flowers.
“Sanjaya said, ‘Then Partha, with a cheerful soul and joined hands andeyes expanded (in wonder), gazed at the god having the bull for his markand who was the receptacle of every energy.
“Vaisampayana said, ‘Hearing these various speeches, Dhritarashtra said,The learned Bhishma, the son of Santanu, and the illustrious Rishi Drona,and thyself also (O Vidura), have said the truth and what also is mostbeneficial to me. Indeed, as those mighty car-warriors, the heroic sonsof Kunti.
Janamejaya said, “O holy one, after my great-grandfather Partha had goneaway from the woods of Kamyaka, what did the sons of Pandu do in theabsence of that hero capable of drawing the bow with his left hand?
“Uma said, ‘O holy one, O Lord of all beings, O thou that art worshippedby the deities and Asuras equally, tell me what are the duties andderelictions of men.
“Dhritarashtra said, O thou of great wisdom, my grief has been dispelledby thy excellent words! I desire, however, to again hear thee speak. How,indeed, do those that are wise free themselves from mental grief born ofthe advent of evils and the bereavement of objects that are dear?
“Narada said, ‘Removed from his place and pushed away from his seat withheart trembling in fear, and consumed by burning remorse, with hisgarlands dimmed in lustre and his knowledge clouded, shorn of his crownand bracelets,
“Sanjaya said, ‘While Krishna and Daruka were thus conversing together,that night, O king, passed away. (When morning dawned), king Yudhishthirarose from his bed.
“Vaisampayana said, ‘Hearing these words of Vidura, Drupada said, ‘It iseven so as thou, O Vidura of great wisdom, hast said. Venerable one, Itoo have been exceedingly happy in consequence of this alliance. It ishighly proper that these illustrious princes should return to theirancestral kingdom. But it is not proper for me to say this myself.