1. Having approached him (Arstisena) whose sins were consumed by austerities and having announced his name, Yudhishthira with great pleasure bowed down to him by bending his head.
2. Then Krishna and Bhima and the twins of good devotion, having bowed down to that royal sage with their heads, stood surrounding him.
3. And then the virtuous Dhoumya - the priest of the Pandavas, - duly approached the vow-observing sage.
4. Knowing these Pandavas, - the best of the Kurus - by his spiritual eye, that virtuous one said to them “be seated”.
5. Then that one of great devotion having welcomed Partha, the best of the Kurus, who had taken his seat with his brothers, inquired after his welfare saying,
6. “Do you not turn your mind towards untruth? Arc you inclined towards virtue? Are not your respect and duties towards your parents falling off?
7. Are all your superiors and elders and those versed in the Vedas honoured by you? Do you not incline your mind towards sinful acts?
8. O best of the Kurus, do you properly know how to perform praiseworthy acts and how to avoid wicked ones? Are you not self-conceited?
9. Do the virtuous rejoice in being honoured by you? Do you follow virtue though dwelling in the forests?
10-11. O Partha, are not Dhoumya pained by your treatment of him? Do you follow in the footsteps of your forefathers by practicing charity, religious observances, devotion, purity, candour and forgiveness? Do you follow the example of the royal sages?
12. On a son or a grandson being born in their (respective) families, our ancestors in the Pitris region, either grieve or rejoice, thinking,
13. That they will be either harmed by his sinful acts or be benefited by his meritorious deeds.
14. He who honours his father and mother and religious guide and Agni and fifthly his soul, conquers both the worlds.”
Yudhishthira said: -
15. O adorable one, the duties just mentioned by you are indeed excellent and I perform them properly to the best of my ability.
Arstisena said:
16. During the Parvas, sages living on air and water visit this prince of mountains, ranging through the skies.
17. O King, amorous persons with their sweet hearts mutually enamoured of one another and Kimpurushas are seen on the summits of this mountain.
18. O Partha, numerous Apsaras and Gandharvas attired in white silk garments are also to be found here,
19. Together with good looking Vidyadharas adorned with garlands and also mighty Uragas, Suparnas and other Uragas.
20. And during the Parvas sounds of kettle-drums, tabors and shells are heard on the summits of the mountain.
21. O most exalted of the Bharatas all these are heard even from this place. Do you by no means, have a mind to go thither.
22. O most excellent of the Bharatas, it is impossible to proceed beyond this. That place being the sporting-ground of the celestials, men can have no access there.
23. At this place, O Bharata all creatures are hostile to and the Rakshasas chastise that man who may have even the very slightest presumption.
24. O Yudhishthira, beyond the summit of the Kailasa the path of the divine sages all whose desire have been fulfilled, is visible.
25. O destroyer of foes, if any one impudently goes beyond this, the Rakshasas kill him with iron darts and other weapons,
26. Here too, O affectionate one, during the Parvas is seen Vaisravana (Kubera), carried on the shoulders of men, possessed of vast wealth and surrounded by Apsaras.
27. All the creatures then behold the King of the Rakshasas seated on the summit and looking like the sun just risen
28. O best of the Bharatas, that summit of the mountain is the sporting garden of all the Devas (gods) Danavas (demons) Siddhas and of Vaishrvana alike.
29. O affectionate one, during the Parvas, when Tambura worships the Lord of wealth, his chanting of the verses of the Samaveda is heard all over the mountain Gandhamadana.
30. O affectionate one, O Yudhishthira, all souls in the Gandhamadana, observe these and similar wonders several times during the Parvas.
31. O best of the Pandavas, remain here living on luscious fruits eaten by the sages, until you meet with Arjuna.
32. O affectionate one, do not betray any restless spirit while remaining here. Dwelling here quite at ease and amusing yourself as you choose, you shall, in the long run, crushing your foes, by the prowess of your weapons, govern the earth.
Thus ends the hundred and fifty-ninth chapter, the colloquy between Arstisena and Yudhisthira in the Yaksha yuddha of the Vana Parva.