PAANDAVAAS PREPARED TO LEAVE

SRIMAD MAHABHARATA > SABHA PARVA > ANU DYOOTA PARVA > CHAPTER 77 - PAANDAVAAS PREPARED TO LEAVE

“Yudhishthira said, ‘I bid farewell to all the Bharatas, to my old Pitamaha (Bhishma), king Somadatta, the Maharaja Baahlika (Father of Somadatta) (Baahlika is the elder brother Bhishma’s Shantanu), Drona, Kripa, all the other kings, Ashwatthaamaa, Vidura, Dhritarashtra, all the sons of Dhritarashtra, Yuyutsu, Sanjaya, and all the courtiers, I bid fare well, all of you and returning again I shall see you.’

“Vaishampaayana 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 respected Pritha (Kunti) is a princess by birth. It is advisable of her not to go into the forest. Delicate, old and ever known to happiness the blessed one (Kunti) will live, respected by me, in my abode. Know this, O Paandavaas. Let safety be always yours.’

“Vaishampaayana continued, ‘The Paandavaas immediately said, ‘O sinless one, let it be as you say. You are our uncle, and, therefore like as our father. We also are all obedient to you. You are, O learned one, our most respected superior. We should always obey what you choose to command. O Mahatma, you order whatever else there is that remains to be done.’

“Vidura replied, ‘O Yudhishthira, O bull of the Bharata race, know this to be my opinion, that one that is defeated by Adharma means need not be pained by such defeat. You know every rule of Dharma; Dhananjaya (Arjuna) is ever victorious in battle; Bhimasena is the slayer of enemies; Nakula is the gatherer of wealth; Sahadeva has administrative talents, Dhaumya is the foremost of all knowledgeable with the vedas; and the well-behaved (Dharmachaarini in Sanskrit) Draupadi is knowledgeable with Dharma and Aarthaa. You are attached to one another and feel delight at one another’s sight and enemies cannot separate you from one another, and you are contented. Therefore, who is there that will not envy you? O Bharata, this patient abstraction (Samaadhi in Sanskrit) from the possession of the world will be of great benefit to you. No enemy, even if he were equal to Shakra (Lord Indra) Himself, will be able to stand it.

“Formerly you were instructed on the mountains of Himavat (present-day Himalayas) by Meru Saavarni; in the town of Vaaranaavata by Krishna Dwaipayana (Vyaasa); on the cliff of Bhrigu (Bhrigutunga in Sanskrit) by (Parashu)Rama; and on the banks of (River) Dhrishadwati by Shambhu (possibly Lord Shiva) Himself. You have also listened to the instruction of the great Rishi Asita on the hills of Anjana; and you became a disciple of Bhrigu on the banks of the Kalmashi. Naarada and this your Purohita Dhaumya will now become your instructors. In the matter of the next world, do not abandon these excellent lessons you have obtained from the Rishis. O Paandavaa, you surpass in intelligence even Purooravas, the son of Ila; in strength, all other monarchs, and in Dharma, even the Rishis.

“Therefore, you resolve seriously to win victory, which belongs to (Lord) Indra; to control your anger (Kopa in Sanskrit), which belongs to Yama; to give in charity (Visarga in Sanskrit), which belongs to Kubera; and to control all passions, which belongs to Varuna. O Bharata, you obtain the power of gladdening (Aatma Pradaanam in Sanskrit) from the moon, the power of sustaining all from water; patience (Kshamaa in Sanskrit) from the earth; energy from the entire solar disc (Soorya Mandalam in Sanskrit); strength (Balam in Sanskrit) from Vaayu, and affluence from the other elements. Welfare and immunity from ailment be yours; I hope to see you return. 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 yours. No one can say that you have done anything sinful before. We hope to see you, therefore, return in safety and crowned with success.’

“Vaishampaayana continued, ‘Thus addressed by Vidura, Yudhishthira - the Paanadavaa, of prowess incapable of being baffled (Satya Vikrama in Sanskrit), saying, ‘So be it,’ bowing low to Bhishma and Drona, went away.’”