The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa | Page 2

of Pandu. Agreeably
to the wishes of both Krishna and the sons of Pritha, the illustrious
Danava of great prowess, having performed on an auspicious day the
initial propitiatory rites of foundation and having also gratified
thousands of well-versed Brahmanas with sweetened milk and rice and
with rich presents of various kinds, measured out a plot of land five
thousand cubits square, which was delightful and exceedingly
handsome to behold and which was favourable for construction of a
building well-suited to the exigencies of every season."
SECTION II
Vaisampayana said,--"Janardana deserving the worship of all, having
lived happily at Khandavaprastha for some time, and having been
treated all the while with respectful love and affection by the sons of
Pritha, became desirous one day of leaving Khandavaprastha to behold
his father. That possessor of large eyes, unto whom was due the
obeisance of the universe, then saluted both Yudhishthira and Pritha
and made obeisance with his head unto the feet of Kunti, his father's
sister. Thus revered by Kesava, Pritha smelt his head and embraced him.
The illustrious Hrishikesa approached his own sister Subhadra
affectionately, with his eyes filled with tears, and spoke unto her words
of excellent import and truth, terse proper, unanswerable and fraught
with good. The sweet-speeched Subhadra also, saluting him in return
and worshipping him repeatedly with bent head, told him all that she
wished to be conveyed to her relatives on the paternal side. And
bidding her farewell and uttering benedictions on his handsome sister,
he of the Vrishni race, next saw Draupadi and Dhaumya. That best of
men duly made obeisance unto Dhaumya, and consoling Draupadi
obtained leave from her. Then the learned and mighty Krishna,
accompanied by Partha, went to his cousins. And surrounded by the
five brothers, Krishna shone like Sakra in the midst of the celestials. He
whose banner bore the figure of Garuda, desirous of performing the
rites preparatory to the commencement of a journey, purified himself
by a bath and adorned his person with ornaments. The bull of the Yadu
race then worshipped the gods and Brahmanas with floral wreaths,
mantras, bows of the head, and excellent perfumes. Having finished all

these rites, that foremost of steady and virtuous persons then thought of
setting out. The chief of the Yadu race then came out of the inner to the
outer apartment, and issuing thence he made unto Brahmanas,
deserving of worship, offerings of vessel- fulls of curd and fruits, and
parched-grain and caused them to pronounce benedictions upon him.
And making unto them presents also of wealth, he went round them.
Then ascending his excellent car of gold endued with great speed and
adorned with banner bearing the figure of Tarkhya (Garuda) and
furnished also with mace, discus, sword, his bow Sharnga and other
weapons, and yoking thereunto his horses Saivya and Sugriva, he of
eyes like lotuses set out at an excellent moment of a lunar day of
auspicious stellar conjunction. And Yudhishthira, the king of the Kurus,
from affection, ascended the chariot after Krishna, and causing that best
charioteer Daruka to stand aside, himself took the reins. And Arjuna
also, of long arms, riding on that car, walked round Krishna and fanned
him with a white chamara furnished with a handle of gold. And the
mighty Bhimasena accompanied by the twin brothers Nakula and
Sahadeva and the priests and citizens all followed Krishna from behind.
And Kesava, that slayer of hostile heroes, followed by all the brothers,
shone like a preceptor followed by his favourite pupils. Then Govinda
spoke unto Arjuna and clasped him firmly, and worshipping
Yudhisthira and Bhima, embraced the twins. And embraced in return
by the three elder Pandavas, he was reverentially saluted by the twins.
After having gone about half a Yojana (two miles), Krishna, that
subjugator of hostile towns, respectfully addressed Yudhishthira and
requested him, O Bharata, to stop following him further. And Govinda,
conversant with every duty, then reverentially saluted Yudhishthira and
took hold of his feet. But Yudhishthira soon raised Kesava and smelt
his head. King Yudhishthira the just, the son of Pandu, having raised
Krishna endued with eyes like lotus-petals and the foremost of the
Yadava race, gave him leave, saying,--'Good bye!' Then the slayer of
Madhu, making an appointment with them (about his return) in words
that were proper, and preventing with difficulty the Pandavas from
following him further on foot, gladly proceeded towards his own city,
like Indra going towards Amravati. Out of the love and affection they
bore him, the Pandavas gazed on Krishna as long as he was within sight,
and their minds also followed him when he got out of sight. And

Kesava of agreeable person soon disappeared from their sight,
unsatiated though their minds were with looking at him. Those bulls
among men, the sons