Janamejaya said, "When that prince among heroes, having been accomplished
in arms, had returned from the abode of the slayer of Vritra, what did
Pritha's sons do in company with the warlike Dhananjaya?"
Vaisampayana said, "In company with that hero equal unto Indra,
Arjuna--that foremost of men, sported in the pleasure-gardens of the
lord of treasures (situated) in those woods on that romantic and
excellent mountain. And surveying those peerless and various
pleasure-grounds filled with diverse trees, that chief of men, _Kiriti_,
ever intent upon arms, ranged at large, bow in hand. And having through
the grace of king Vaisravana obtained a residence, those sons of a
sovereign cared not for the prosperity of men. And, O king, that period
of their (lives) passed peacefully. And having Partha in their company,
they spent four years there even like a single night. And as the
Pandavas lived in the wood, (these four years) and the former six,
numbering ten, passed smoothly with them.
"Then having seated themselves before the king, the vehement son of the
Wind-god, with _Jishnu_ and the heroic twins, like unto the lord of the
celestials, earnestly addressed the king in these beneficial and
pleasant words. 'It is only to render thy promise effectual and to
advance thy interests, that, O king of the Kurus, forsaking the forest,
we do not go to slay Suyodhana together with all his followers. Although
deserving of happiness, yet have we been deprived of happiness. And this
is the eleventh year that (in this state) we have been living (in the
forest). And hereafter, deluding that one of evil mind and character,
shall we easily live out the period of non-discovery. And at thy
mandate, O monarch, free from apprehension, we have been ranging the
woods, having relinquished our honour. Having been tempted by our
residence in the vicinity, they (our enemies) will not believe that we
have removed to a distant realm. And after having lived there
undiscovered for a year, and having wreaked our revenge on that wicked
wight, Suyodhana, with his followers, we shall easily root out that
meanest of men, slaying him and regaining our kingdom. Therefore, O
Dharmaraja, do thou descend unto the earth. For, O king, if we dwell in
this region like unto heaven itself, we shall forget our sorrows. In
that case, O Bharata, thy fame like unto a fragrant flower shall vanish
from the mobile and the immobile worlds. By gaining that kingdom of the
Kuru chiefs, thou wilt be able to attain (great glory), and to perform
various sacrifices. This that thou art receiving from _Kuvera_, thou
wilt, O foremost of men, be able to attain any time. Now, O Bharata,
turn thy mind towards the punishment and destruction of foes that
committed wrongs. O king, the wielder of the thunderbolt himself is
incapable of standing thy prowess. And intent upon thy welfare, he,
having _Suparna_ for his mark (Krishna), and also the grandson of Sini
(Satyaki) never experience pain, even when engaged in encounter with the
gods, O Dharmaraja. And Arjuna is peerless in strength, and so am I too,
O best of kings. And as Krishna together with the Yadavas is intent upon
thy welfare, so am I also, O foremost of monarchs, and the heroic twins
accomplished in war. And encountering the enemy, we, having for our main
object the attainment by thee of wealth and prosperity, will destroy
them.'"
Vaisampayana continued, "Then having learnt that intention of theirs,
the magnanimous and excellent son of Dharma, versed in religion and
profit, and of immeasurable prowess, went round Vaisravana's abode. And
Yudhishthira the just, after bidding adieu unto the palaces, the rivers,
the lakes, and all the _Rakshasas_, looked towards the way by which (he)
had come (there). And then looking at the mountain also, the high-souled
and pure-minded one besought that best of mountains, saying, 'O foremost
of mountains, may I together with my friends, after having finished my
task, and slain my foes, and regained my kingdom, see thee again,
carrying on austerities with subdued soul.' And this also he determined
on. And in company with his younger brothers and the _Brahmanas_, the
lord of the Kurus proceeded even along that very road. And Ghatotkacha
with his followers began to carry them over the mountain cascades. And
as they started, the great sage _Lomasa_, advising them even as a father
doth his son, with a cheerful heart, went unto the sacred abode of the
dwellers of heaven. Then advised also by Arshtishena, those first of
men, the Parthas, went alone beholding romantic _tirthas_ and
hermitages, and other mighty lakes."