SECTION CCX
(Rajya-labha Parva )
Janamejaya said. "O thou possessed of ascetic wealth, what did those high-suuled ones, my grandsires, the illustrious Pandavas, do, after obtaining the kingdom of Indraprastha ? How did their wedded wife Draupadi obey them all? How is it also that no dissensions arose amongst those illustrious rulers of men, all attached to one wife, viz., Krishna ? O thou of the wealth of asceticism, I wish to hear everything in detail regarding the behaviour towards one another of those rulers of men after their union with Krishna I"
Vaisampayana said, "Those scorchers of foes, the Panda vas, having obtained their kingdom, at the command of Dhritarashtra, passed their days in joy and happiness at Khandavaprastha with Krishna. And Yudhishthira, endued with great energy and ever adhering to truth, having obtained the sovereignty, virtuously ruled the land. assisted by his brothers. And the sons of Panda, endued with great wisdom and devoted to truth and virtue, having vanquished all their foes, continued to live there in great happiness. And those bulls among men, seated on royal seats of great value, used to dischage all the duties of government. And one day, while all those illustrious heroes were so seated, there came unto them the celestial Rishi Narada. in course of his wanderings. Beholding the Rishi, Yudhishthira offered him his own handsome seat. And after the celestial Rishi had been seated, the wise Yudbishtbira duly offered him the Arghya with his own hands. And the king also informed the Rishi of the state of his kingdom. The Rishi accepcing the worship, became well pleased, and eulogising him with benedictions, commanded the king to take his seat. Commanded by the Rishi, the king took his seat. Then the king sent word unto Krishna (in the inner apartments) of the arrival of the illustrious one. Hearing of the Rishi's arrival Draupadi. purifying berselt properly, came with a respectful attitude to where Narada was with the Pandavas. Toe virtuous princess of Panchala. worshipping the celestial Rishi's feet, stood with joined hands before him, properly veiled. The illustrious Narada, pronouncing various benedictions on her, commanded the princess to retire. After Krishna had retired, the illusrious Rishi, addressing in private all the Pandavas with Yudhishthira at their head, said, 'The renowned princess of Panchala is the wedded wife of you all. Establish a rule amongst your selves so that disunion may not arise amongst you. There were, in former days, celebrated throughout the three worlds, two brothers
59
