Vaishampayana said: -
1. O descendant of Kuru, when Dhaumya was thus talking, at that very time the greatly effulgent Rishi Lomasha came here.
2. Thereupon the eldest Pandava, the king (Yudhisthira) with his followers and other Brahmanas sat round that greatly exalted one (Lomasha), as Shakra (Indra) is surrounded by the celestials.
3. Having duly adored him, the son of Dharma Yudhisthira asked the reason of his arrival and the object of his wandering.
4. Having been asked by the son of Pandu, the high-minded (Rishi), being well pleased, spoke in sweet words and delighted the Pandavas.
Lomasha said: -
5. O son of Kunti, travelling over all the worlds at pleasure I went to the abode of Sakra (Indra) and there I saw the king of the celestials.
6. I saw your brother also, the heroic Savyasachi (Arjuna) sitting on the half of Shakra’s seat and I became very much astonished,
7. On seeing Partha sitting in that way. O foremost of men, then the chief of the celestials said to me, “Go to the sons of Pandu.”
8. At the request of Indra and the high-souled Partha. I have speedily come here to see you with your younger brothers.
9. O child, O descendant of Pandu, O king, I shall tell you something which will give you great pleasure. Listen to it with Krishna (Draupadi) and with the Rishis that are with you.
10. O lord, O best of the Bharata race, Partha has obtained from Rudra that matchless weapon for which you had sent that mighty armed hero to the celestials region.
11. That fearful weapon, known by the name of Brahmashira which rose after the Ambrosia (in the churning of the ocean) and which Rudra obtained after great asceticism, has been obtained by Savyasachi (Arjuna).
12. Together with the Mantras for hurling and withdrawing it and also the rites of expiation and revival. O Yudhisthira, the weapon Vajra, Dandas and other weapons,
13. O descendant of Kuru, have been obtained by the immeasurably powerful Partha from Yama, Kubera, Varuna and Indra.
14. He has learnt from Vishvavasu’s son both vocal and instrumental music and also singing and also the reciting of the Sama (Veda) as thoroughly as they should be learnt.
15. Having thus acquired all weapons and learnt the Gandharva Veda (knowledge) your third brother Vivatsu (Arjuna) lives happily in (heaven).
16. O Yudhisthira, I shall now tell you what the chief of the celestials spoke to me. Listen to me.
17. (He said), “You will certainly go to the world of men. O foremost of men, tell Yudhisthira my these words.
18. Your brother will soon came back to you after having obtained all weapons and after having accomplished a great deed for the celestials which is incapable of being done by them.
19. Devote yourself with your brothers to asceticism; there is nothing superior to asceticism and asceticism produces great results.
20. O best of the Bharata race, I know very well that Karna possesses great ardour, energy, strength and prowess.
21. He is matchless in great battle, highly learned in the science of war, a great wielder of bow, a hero clad in the best of armour and skilled in the best of weapons.
22. That exalted son of Aditya resembles the son of Maheshvara himself. I know also very well and naturally great prowess of the broad-shouldered Arjuna.
23. In battle Karna is not equal even to a sixteenth part of Partha (Arjuna). The fear that you bear in your mind from Karna, O chastiser of foes.
24. Will be dispelled when Savyasachi (Arjuna) would come here from heaven. O Hero and as regards your desire to go to visit the Tirthas, the great Rishi Lomasha will no doubt speak to you.
25. O descendant of Bharata, whatever that Brahmana Rishi would speak about the fruits of asceticism and Tirthas, should be accepted by you with all respect and never otherwise.
Thus ends the ninety-first chapter, colloquy between Judhishire and Lyomosha in the Tirthayatra of the Vana Parva.