Page:The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa (Volume 1).pdf/432

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418
MAHABHARATA

thou best of Gandharvas, let the horses thou givest us remain with thee for a time. When the occasion cometh, we will take them from thee! Blest be thou l' Then the Gandharva and the Pandavas, respectfully saluting each other, left the delightful banks of the Bhagirathi and went wheresoever they desired. Then, O Bharata, the Pandavas wending to .Utkochaka, the sacred asylum of Dhaumya installed Dhaumya as their priest. And Dhaumya the foremost of all conversant with the Vedas, receiving them with presents of wild fruits and (edible) roots, consented to become their priest, And the Pandavas with their mother forming the sixth of the company, having obtained that Brahmana as their priest regarded their sovereignty and kingdom as already regained and the daughter of Panchala king as already obtained in the Swayamvara. And those bulls of the Bharata race, having obtained the master Dhaumya as their priest, also regarded themselves as placed under a powerful protector. And the high-souled Dhaumya, acquainted with the true meaning of the Vedas and every rule of morality, becoming the spiritual preceptor of the virtuous Pandavas, made them his Yajmanas (spiritual disciples). And that Brahmana, beholding those heroes endued with intelligence and strength and perseverance like unto the celestials, regarded them as already restored, by virtue of their own accomplishments to their sovereignty and kingdom. Then those kings of men, having had benedictions uttered upon them by that Brahmana, resolved to go, accompanied by him, to the Swayamvara of the Princess of Panchala."

Thus ends the hundred and eighty-fifth section in the Chaitra-ratha Parva of the Adi Parva.

SECTION CLXXXVI

(Swayamvara Parva )

Vaisampayana said, "Then those tigers among men-those brothers -the five Pandavas, ser out for Panchala to behold that country and Draupadi and the festivities (in view of her marriage). And those tigers among men-those oppressors of all enemies in going along with their mother, saw on the way numerous Brahmanas proceeding together. And those Brahmanas who were all Brahmacharia beholding the Pandavas, O king, asked them. Where are ye going to ? Whence also are ye come? And Yudhishthria replied unto them, saying, 'Ye bulls among Brahmanas, know ye that we are uterine brothers proceeding together with our mother. We are coming even from Ekachakra. The Brahmanas then said, 'Go ye this very day to the abode of Drupada in