Part 16: Pāṇḍavas go to Dvārakā

When this had been told by the muni, there was a voice in the air saying, “Well done! Well done!” Kṛṣṇa and the others said, “It is good that these husbands happened.” The Pāṇḍavas married Draupadī with a festival held by the same kings and kindred who had come to the svayaṃvara. Then Pāṇḍu escorted the Daśārhas, Kṛṣṇa, and the other kings invited here to the wedding to his own city with dignity. After entertaining them there for a long time, King Pāṇḍu dismissed the Daśārhas, Sīrin, Śārṅgin, and the other kings who asked permission to go.

Pāṇḍu gave the throne to Yudiṣṭhira and died. Mādrī followed him, after entrusting her two sons to Kuntī. After Pāṇḍu’s death, the Dhārtarāṣṭras (Kurus) who were jealous, eager for the throne, evil-hearted, did not honor the Pāṇḍavas. The elder’s were satisfied by Duryodhana by politeness, et cetera. The Pāṇḍavas lost their kingdom which had been staked in gambling from greed. Duryodhana took Draupadī, having won her made a stake in gambling, but gave her back, afraid of Bhīma red-eyed from anger. As they showed disrespect, the suns of Pāṇḍu were expelled from their kingdom by the Dhārtarāṣṭras and took to living in the forest.

After they had wandered from forest to forest for a long time, the five Pāṇḍavas were led to Dvāravatī by Kuntī, younger sister of the Daśārhas. All, arrogant from their magic arts and strength of arm, armed with divine weapons, went to Samudravijaya’s house first. There Samudravijaya and the brothers, Akṣobhya, et cetera soon paid honor to their sister and nephews from affection. The Daśārhas said to her: “By good fortune we see you with your sons, living, having returned to your kinsmen, sister.”

Kuntī said: “I and my sons have been made alive at that time when I heard that you and your sons were alive. Hearing of the superior adventures of your sons, Kṛṣṇa and Rāma, I have come here, delighted, eager for a sight of them.” Permitted by her brothers, she went with her sons to Hari’s assembly. Rāma and Kṛṣṇa arose to greet them and bowed with devotion. Rāma, Kṛṣṇa and the Pāṇḍavas embraced and bowed to each other, one after the other, and sat down in suitable places.

Kṛṣṇa said: “It is well that you have come here to your own house. Verily, the fortune of you and the Yadus is a common one.” Yudiṣṭhira said, “There are always slaves and wealth, Han, of those by whom you arc honored. How much more of those who are honored by you. We go everywhere, especially strong, because of you adorning our mother’s family, Hari.” After welcoming with various speeches Kuntī and Kuntī’s sons, Krṣṇa established each one in a separate palace. The Daśārhas gave their own daughters to the Pāṇḍavas in turn, Lakṣmīvatī, Vegavatī, Subhadrā, Vijayā, Rati. Being honored by the Yadus, by Kṛṣṇa and Bala, the five—Yudiṣṭhira and the others, remained there happily.