Janamejaya said:
1. On the return of that best of the car-warriors from the abode of the slayer of Vitra (Indra) being skilled in arms, what did the Parthas do in company with the heroic Dhananjaya.
Vaishampayana said:
2. Those foremost of men, brave as Indra, together with Arjuna, sported in the pleasure-gardens of the lord of wealth (situated) in those forests on that excellent and beautiful mountain.
3. Beholding those peerless abodes and pleasure-gardens interspersed with trees, Kiriti, the foremost of men, with a relish for arms and bow in hand, ranged at large (among) those (woods).
4. O monarch, those sons of a king, having obtained a residence through the favour of king Vaisravana, did not long for the prosperity of earthly creatures, (in as much as) that period (of their lives) was (quite) a blessing (to them).
5. In company with Partha they lived there for four years which appeared to them (short) as a single night. The former six years and these four together numbering ten of their forest life glided smoothly away.
6. Then (once upon a time) seated before the king (Yudhishthira), the intrepid son of Vayu (the wind-god), together with Vishnu and the heroic twins, resembling the king of the celestials, spoke in private these sweet and beneficial words.
7. “O king of the Kurus, in order to make your promise bear fruit and to further your interests, we are not going to slay Suyodhana together with (all) his followers.
8-9. In spite of our being deprived by Suyodhana of the happiness we deserve, we have been (hitherto happily) dwelling (in the woods) these eleven years. And hereafter too, O monarch, at your command, wandering in the forests regardless of our position, we shall easily spend the period of our incognits life, deluding that being of wicked mind and character. And (Suyodhana) being tempted by our residence in the neighbourhood will not be inclined to believe that we have removed to a distant country.
10-11. There O king, remaining in concealment for one year and (then) wrecking our vengeance on that worst of mortals, Suyodhana as well as his followers, we shall root out that vilest being (like a thorn) and regain our kingdom after the overthrow of our enemies. Therefore, O foremost of the virtuous, come down on earth. O king of mortals, if we continue to dwell in this country resembling heaven itself, we shall be able to forget our griefs.
12. But then, O Bharata, the sacred fragrance of your fame will disappear from (both) the mobile and the immobile worlds; (for) regaining the kingdom of the most exalted of the Kurus, you will be able to perform glorious deeds.
13. In that case, O monarch, you will always have what we already obtained from Kubera. (Therefore), O Bharata, direct your thoughts towards the punishment and destruction of your guilty enemies.
14-15. (For), O king, even the wielder of the thunderbolt himself cannot bear the burnt of your fiery prowess. And O foremost of the virtuous, he, having Suparna for his mark, Krishna and the grandson of Shini Satyaki, both bent on your welfare, will not feel any pain even when fighting the gods themselves. As Arjuna is unrivalled in prowess, so am I, O monarch.
16. And, O king, as Krishna together with the Yadavas is eager for your welfare so am I. The twins also are brave and skilled in arms,
17. (And) we, whose chief object consists in the advancement of your wealth and prosperity, encountering your enemies in battle, will kill them.”
Vaishampayana said:
18. Then, knowing the intention of their (his brothers) the high-souled and excellent son of Dharma, versed in (the science of) religion and profit and possessed of great energy, went round the abode of Vaisravana. And Dharmaraja, greeting the places, rivers lakes and all the Rakshasas,
19. Looked at the route which he had taken before. Then that high-souled and pure-minded being, looking at the mountain prayed to that prince of mountains, saying,
20. “Having performed my task, conquered my enemies and recovered my kingdom, may I, O lord of mountains, together with my friends, behold you again, for performing asceticism with subdued mind.”
21. (And) when surrounded by all his brothers and the Brahmanas, the lord of the Kurus proceeded along the former path, he was carried across the mountain waterfalls by Ghatotkacha with his followers.
22. (And) when they were about to start (on their journey) the great sage, Lomasha, gave them instructions as a father gives to his own sons and then went to the most sacred region of the celestials.
23. Similarly advised by Arshtishena those foremost of men, the Parthas, proceeded along, beholding (on the way) various great and beautiful Tirthas (sacred places resorted to by pilgrims).
Thus ends the hundred and seventy-sixth chapter, the departure of Lomasha, in the Ajagara of the Vana Parva.