Arjuna said: -
1. O Gandharva, you are acquainted with every thing. Tell us therefore what Veda- knowing Brahmana is fit, to be appointed as our priest?
The Gandharva said: -
2. There is a shrine in this forest, it is called Utkochaka. The younger brother of Devala, Dhaumya, is engaged there in ascetic penances. If you desire, you can appoint him as priest.
Vaishampayana said: -
3. Then Arjuna, being highly pleased, gave the Gandharva his fire-weapon with due ceremonials; and he thus spoke to him.
4. “O best of the Gandharvas, let the horses you give us remain with you for sometime. When the time will come, we shall take them from you. Then he said to him, “Be blessed” “Be blessed.”
5. Then the Gandharva and the Pandavas, respectfully saluting one another, left the charming banks of the Bhagirathi and went away wherever they liked.
6. Thereupon, O descendant of Bharata, the Pandavas went to the shrine of Utkochaka and to the hermitage of Dhaumya. They them installed Dhaumya as their priest.
7. Dhaumya, the foremost of all men learned in the Vedas, received them with the offerings of wild fruits and roots and consented to be their priest.
8-9. Having obtained that Brahmana as their priest, the Pandavas with their mother, constituting the sixth of the Party, thought their wealth and kingdom had been already regained and the daughter of the Panchala king already obtained in the Svaimvara. Those best of the Bharata race, having obtained the preceptor Dhaumya as their priest, considered themselves as placed under a protector.
10. The preceptor (Dhaumya) was acquainted with the mystery of the Vedas; he was liberal minded, he made the virtue and all-knowing sons of Pritha his spiritual disciples.
11. That Brahmana, seeing those heroes endued with intelligence, strength and perseverance like the celestials, considered that they were already restored to their wealth and sovereignty by virtue of their own accomplishments.
12. Benedictions having been uttered on them by that Brahmana, those kings of men resolved to go with him to the Svaimvara in the country of the Panchalas.
Thus ends the hundred and eithty fifth chapter, the appointment of Dhaumya as priest, in the Chaitraratha of the Adi Parva.