“Vaisampayana said, ‘Meanwhile the Pandavas got into their cars, yoking
thereto some fine horses endued with the speed of wind. While they were
on the point of entering their cars, they touched, in great sorrow, the
feet of Bhishma, of king Dhritarashtra, of the illustrious Drona, of
Kripa, of Vidura and of the other elders of the Kuru race. Then saluting
with reverence all the older men, and embracing their equals, receiving
the farewell of even the children, and taking leave of all the venerable
ladies in their household, and walking round them respectfully, and
bidding farewell unto all the citizens, the Pandavas, ever mindful of
their vows, set out for Varanavata. And Vidura of great wisdom and the
other bulls among the Kurus and the citizens also, from great affliction,
followed those tigers among men to some distance. And some amongst the
citizens and the country people, who followed the Pandavas, afflicted
beyond measure at beholding the sons of Pandu in such distress, began to
say aloud, ‘King Dhritarashtra of wicked soul seeth no things with the
same eye. The Kuru monarch casteth not his eye on virtue. Neither the
sinless Yudhishthira, nor Bhima the foremost of mighty men, nor
Dhananjaya the (youngest) son of Kunti, will ever be guilty (of the sin
of waging a rebellious war). When these will remain quiet, how shall the
illustrious son of Madri do anything? Having inherited the kingdom from
their father, Dhritarashtra could not bear them. How is that Bhishma who
suffers the exile of the Pandavas to that wretched place, sanctions this
act of great injustice? Vichitravirya, the son of Santanu, and the royal
sage Pandu of Kuru’s race both cherished us of old with fatherly care.
But now that Pandu that tiger among men, hath ascended to heaven,
Dhritarashtra cannot bear with these princes his children. We who do not
sanction this exile shall all go, leaving this excellent town and our own
homes, where Yudhishthira will go.’
“Unto those distressed citizens talking in this way, the virtuous
Yudhishthira, himself afflicted with sorrow, reflecting for a few moments
said, ‘The king is our father, worthy of regard, our spiritual guide, and
our superior. To carry out with unsuspicious hearts whatever he biddeth,
is indeed, our duty. Ye are our friends. Walking round us and making us
happy by your blessings, return ye to your abodes. When the time cometh
for anything to be done for us by you, then, indeed, accomplish all that
is agreeable and beneficial to us.’ Thus addressed, the citizens walked
round the Pandavas and blessed them with their blessings and returned to
their respective abodes.