Shaunaka asked: How did Yudhishthira, the foremost among the righteous, who had slain the wicked, engage in actions along with his brothers?

Soot said: Having restored the lineage of the Kurus, which had been consumed by the fire of enmity, the Lord, pleased with Yudhishthira, established him in his own kingdom.

Hearing the words of Bhishma and Achyuta, and being free from confusion caused by the knowledge of actions, he ruled like Indra over the land, following the path of the ancients.

The rain poured down, the earth, full of all desires, gave forth; the cows, filled with joy, sprinkled the pastures with milk.

Rivers, oceans, mountains, and the flourishing plants; all herbs bear fruits, fulfilling desires of that being.

The afflictions, diseases, and troubles do not arise for those who have no enemies, due to the influence of divine beings.

Having stayed in Hastinapura for a few months, Hari, for the sake of his friends, made them free from sorrow and fulfilled their desires.

Having invited and received permission, he embraced and greeted him; then he mounted the chariot, embraced by some and greeted by others.

Subhadra, Draupadi, Kunti, the daughter of Virata, Gandhari, Dhritarashtra, and the warriors Yuyutsu, Gautama, and the twins Yama.

Bhima and Dhomi, along with the women and the sons of Matsya, could not bear the separation from the bowman Sharanga.

A wise person does not strive to remove the attachment of the company of the good, for the fame of one who is praised is delightful when heard even once.

In that state, how could the sons of Pritha bear the separation, when they were engaged in seeing, touching, conversing, and sharing meals?

All of them, with unblinking eyes, were absorbed in thoughts of love, gazing here and there.

The women of the family, seeing the son of Devaki, are filled with tears of joy and say, 'May there be no misfortune.'

The sounds of drums, conch shells, and the like, along with the sweet sounds of the veena and panava, do not resound like the great dundubhi.

The women of the Kuru dynasty, standing on the palace rooftops, showered Krishna with flowers, their eyes filled with love and shyness.

The one with a white lotus in hand, adorned with a garland of pearls, is the beloved of the beloved.

Uddhava and Satyaki, in the midst of a wonderful display, shone with flowers scattered on the path.

The blessings of the truthful are heard here and there, invoked by the twice-born; they are in accordance with the nature of the formless, who is the essence of qualities.

There was mutual conversation among those whose minds were absorbed in the Supreme Lord, captivating all who heard it, especially the women of the Kaurava dynasty.

Indeed, this ancient person was one who existed uniquely in the self; before the qualities, he was in the world, with his consciousness closed, asleep in the night of dormant powers.

He, indeed, desires to create his own nature, driven by his own potency; he, who is formless, yet assumes forms, follows the scriptures.

This indeed is the state that the sun, having conquered the senses, perceives; the devotees with pure hearts see it, and thus it is worthy of being attained.

This indeed is the essence of friendship, spoken in sacred tales, hidden in the Vedas and by the wise. The one Lord, who creates, sustains, and destroys the universe through His divine play, does not become attached there.

When unrighteous kings, blinded by ignorance, rule, there indeed the essence of existence holds the truth, immortality, compassion, and fame, manifesting forms in every age.

Oh, how glorious is the lineage of Yadu! Oh, how virtuous is the forest of Madhura! In which the best of men, the lord of prosperity, moves with his own birth and through his actions.

Oh, how fortunate is the land of Kushasthali, which is adorned with divine fame! They constantly behold, with the grace of their Lord, the smiling glance of their master, remembering Him.

Surely, the deity of vows, rituals, and sacrifices is worshipped by those who hold His hand. The women of the village, intoxicated by the nectar of friendship, repeatedly faint in their hearts.

Those who were abducted by the valorous ones, like the prominent leaders of the demons, and those who were taken away along with Pradyumna, Samba, and the daughters of the Earth, were rescued in thousands.

These women, having discarded their femininity, devoid of purity, indeed act righteously, whose husband, with lotus-like eyes, never leaves their home, touching their hearts with affection.

Thus, the words of the women, who spoke in such a manner, were greeted by Hari with a smile as he observed them.

The one without enemies, who is the protector of the gopis, was apprehensive of the enemies and thus lovingly embraced the fourfold army.

Then, the valiant one, seeing the Kauravas who were suffering from separation, returned firmly, and proceeded to his own city with his beloved ones.

Kuru, Jangala, Panchala, Shurasena, and Sayamuna, Brahmavarta, Kurukshetra, and the fish of Sarasvatī.

Crossing the Marudhvam, the warriors of Sauviras and Abhiras, the Anartas, the great sage Bhargava, with great effort, reached.

There, there, indeed, the Lord Hari, who is worthy of worship, appeared; in the evening, he went towards the western direction, having taken the cow.