"The lord of treasures said, 'O Yudhishthira, patience, ability,
(appropriate) time and place and prowess--these five lead to success in
human affairs. O Bharata, in the Krita Yuga, men were patient and able
in their respective occupations and they knew how to display prowess.
And, O foremost of the Kshatriyas, a Kshatriya that is endued with
patience and understandeth the propriety regarding place and time and is
versed in all mortal regulations, can alone govern the world for a long
time,--nay, in all transactions. He that behaveth thus, acquireth, O
hero, fame in this world and excellent state in the next. And by having
displayed his prowess at the proper place and time, Sakra with the
Vasus hath obtained the dominion of heaven. He that from anger cannot
see his fall and he that being naturally wicked and evilminded followeth
evil and he that knoweth not the propriety relative to acts, meet with
destruction both in this world and the next. The exertions of that
stupid person become fruitless, who is not conversant with the
expediency regarding time and acts, and he meeteth with destruction both
in this world and the next. And the object of that wicked and deceitful
persons is vicious, who, aiming at mastery of every kind, committeth
some rash act. O best of men, Bhimasena is fearless, and ignorant of
duties, and haughty, and of the sense of a child, and unforbearing. Do
thou, therefore, check him. Repairing again to the hermitage of the
pious sage Arshtishena, do thou reside there during the dark fortnight,
without fear or anxiety. O lord of men, deputed by me, all the
Gandharvas residing at Alaka, as also those dwelling in this mountain,
will, O mighty-armed one, protect thee, and these best of the Brahmanas.
And, O king, O chief among virtuous men, knowing that Vrikodara hath
come hither out of rashness, do thou check him. Henceforth, O monarch,
beings living in the forest will meet you, wait upon you and always
protect you all. And, ye foremost of men, my servants will always
procure for you various meats and drinks of delicious flavour. And, O
son, Yudhishthira, even as by reason of your being the progeny of
spiritual intercourse, Jishnu is entitled to the protection of Mahendra,
and Vrikodara, of the Wind-god, and thou, of Dharma, and the twins
possessed of strength, of the Aswins,--so ye all are entitled to my
protection. That one next by birth to Bhimasena, Phalguna, versed in the
science of profit and all mortal regulations, is well in heaven. And, O
child, those perfections that are recognised in the world as leading to
heaven, are established in Dhananjaya even from his very birth. And
self-restraint, and charity, and strength, and intelligence, and
modesty, and fortitude, and excellent energy--even all these are
established in that majestic one of magnificent soul. And, O Pandava,
Jishnu never committed any shameful act through poverty of spirit. And
in the world, none ever say that Partha hath uttered an untruth. And, O
Bharata, honoured by the gods, _pitris_, and the Gandharvas, that
enhancer of the glory of the Kurus is learning the science of weapons in
Sakra's abode. And, O Partha, in heaven he that with justice had brought
under his subjection all the rulers of the earth, even that exceedingly
powerful and highly energetic monarch, the grandsire of thy father,
Santanu himself, is well-pleased with the behaviour of that wielder of
the Gandiva--the foremost of his race. And, O king, abiding in Indra's
regions, he who on the banks of the Yamuna had worshipped the gods, the
_pitris_, and the Brahmanas, by celebrating seven grand horse
sacrifices, that great grandsire of thine, the emperor Santanu of severe
austerities, who hath attained heaven, hath enquired of thy welfare.'"
Vaisampayana said, "Having heard these words of the dispenser of wealth,
the Pandavas were well-pleased with them. Then lowering his club and
mace and sword and bow, that foremost of the Bharatas bowed down unto
_Kuvera_. And that giver of protection, the lord of treasures, seeing
him prostrate, said, 'Be thou the destroyer of the pride of foes, and
the enhancer of the delight of friends. And ye oppressors of enemies, do
ye live in our romantic region. The _Yakshas_ will not cross your
desires. Gudakesa, after having acquired mastery over weapons, will come
back soon. Bidden adieu by Maghavat himself, Dhananjaya will join you.'
"Having thus instructed Yudhishthira of excellent deeds, the lord of the
_Guhyakas_, vanished from that best of mountains. And thousands upon
thousands of _Yakshas_, and _Rakshasas_ followed him in vehicles spread
over with checkered cushions, and decorated with various jewels. And as
the horses proceeded towards the abode of Kuvera, a noise arose as of
birds flying in the air. And the chargers of the lord of treasures
speedily coursed through the sky as if drawing forward the firmament,
and devouring the air.
"Then at the command of the lord of wealth, the dead bodies of the
_Rakshasas_ were removed from the summit of the mountain. As the
intelligent Agastya had fixed this period as the limit of (the duration
of) his curse, so being slain in conflict, the _Rakshasas_ were freed
from the imprecation. And being honoured by the _Rakshasas_, the
Pandavas for several nights dwelt pleasantly in those habitations."