"Yudhishthira said,--'I bid farewell unto all the Bharatas, unto my old
grand-sire (Bhishma), king Somadatta, the great king Vahlika, Drona,
Kripa, all the other kings, Aswathaman, Vidura, Dhritarashtra, all the
sons of Dhritarashtra, Yayutsu, Sanjaya, and all the courtiers, I bid
fare well, all of ye and returning again I shall see you.""
Vaisampayana continued,--"Overcome with shame none of those that were
present there, could tell Yudhishthira anything. Within their hearts,
however, they prayed for the welfare of that intelligent prince.
"Vidura then said,--'The reverend Pritha is a princess by birth. It
behoveth her not to go into the woods. Delicate and old and ever known
to happiness the blessed one will live, respected by me, in my abode.
Known this, ye sons of Pandu. And let safety be always yours.'"
Vaisampayana continued,--"The Pandavas thereupon said,--'O sinless one,
let it be as thou sayest. Thou art our uncle, and, therefore like as
our father. We also are all obedient to thee. Thou art, O learned one,
our most respected superior. We should always obey what thou choosest
to command. And, O high-souled one, order thou whatever else there is
that remaineth to be done.'
"Vidura replied,--'O Yudhishthira, O bull of the Bharata race, know
this to be my opinion, that one that is vanquished by sinful means need
not be pained by such defeat. Thou knowest every rule of morality;
Dhananjaya is ever victorious in battle; Bhimasena is the slayer of
foes; Nakula is the gatherer of wealth; Sahadeva hath administrative
talents, Dhaumya is the foremost of all conversant with the vedas; and
the well-behaved Draupadi is conversant with virtue and economy. Ye are
attached to one another and feel delight at one another's sight and
enemies can not separate you from one another, and ye are contented.
Therefore, who is there that will not envy ye? O Bharata, this patient
abstraction from the possession of the world will be of great benefit
to thee. No foe, even if he were equal to sakra himself, will be able
to stand it. Formerly thou wert instructed on the mountains of Himavat
by Meru Savarni; in the town of Varanavata by Krishna Dwaipayana; on
the cliff of Bhrigu by Rama; and on the banks of the Dhrishadwati by
Sambhu himself. Thou hast also listened to the instruction of the great
Rishi Asita on the hills of Anjana; and thou becamest a disciple of
Bhrigu on the banks of the Kalmashi. Narada and this thy priest Dhaumya
will now become thy instructors. In the matter of the next world,
abandon not these excellent lessons thou hast obtained from the Rishis.
O son of Pandu, thou surpassest in intelligence even Pururavas, the son
of Ila; in strength, all other monarchs; and in virtue, even the
Rishis. Therefore, resolve thou earnestly to win victory, which
belongeth to Indra; to control thy wrath, which belongeth to Yama; to
give in charity, which belongeth to Kuvera; and to control all
passions, which belongeth to Varuna. And, O Bharata, obtain thou the
power of gladdening from the moon, the power of sustaining all from
water; forbearance from the earth; energy from the entire solar disc;
strength from the winds, and affluence from the other elements. Welfare
and immunity from ailment be thine; I hope to see thee return. And, O
Yudhishthira, act properly and duly in all seasons,--in those of
distress--in those of difficulty,--indeed, in respect of everything, O
son of Kunti, with our leave go hence. O Bharata, blessing be thine. No
one can say that ye have done anything sinful before. We hope to see
thee, therefore, return in safety and crowned with success.'"
Vaisampayana continued,--"Thus addressed by Vidura, Yudhishthira the
son of Pandu, of prowess incapable of being baffled, saying, 'So be
it,' bowing low unto Bhishma and Drona, went away."