Vaishampayana said : Thereupon King Duryodhana with his brothers began slowly to win over the people to his side by bestowing on them wealth and honours. One day in the (royal) Court, some clever ministers, as instructed by Dhritarashtra, described the city of Varanavata as a (most) charming place. (They said), "The festival of Pashupati (Siva) has begun in the city of Varanavata and the concourse of people there is now great.

The procession is the most grand in the world; and all gems and jewels (now) there delight the heart." Thus did they (counsellors) under instruction from Dhritarashtra, speak (of the city). O sons,

O king, while they were speaking of the charming city of Varanavata, the Pandavas desired in their mind to go there.

When the king Dhritarashtra knew that their (Pandavas) curiosity had been awakened, then the son of Ambika, (Dhritarashtra) spoke thus to the Pandavas.

Dhritarashtra said: My men tell me daily again and again that the city of Varanavata is the most charming in the world.

if you desire to see the festival of Varanavata, go (there) with your friends and followers and enjoy yourselves like the celestial.

Bestow gems and jewels on all the Brahmanas and the musicians (there), sport there as the effulgent celestial. Enjoy there for sometime as much happiness as you like at pleasure and then return to Hastinapur.

Vaishampayana said : Yudhisthira, understanding the motives of Dhritarashtra and knowing himself weak and friendless, said, “Be it so."

Then addressing the son of Shantanu, Bhishma, the wise Vidura, Drona, Valhika, the Kaurava Somadatta, Kripa, Ashvathama, Bhurisrava and other respected counsellors, Brahmanas, ascetics, priests, citizens and the illustrious Gandhari, Yudhisthira slowly and humbly spoke thus-

Yudhisthira said : We go with our friends and followers to the charming and populous city of Varanavata at the command of Dhritarashtra.

Give us cheerfully your benedictions, so that acquiring prosperity with it, we may not be touched by sin.

Vaishampayana said : Having been thus addressed by the son of Pandu, all the Kauravas cheerfully pronounced blessings on them, saying, "O sons of Pandu, let all the elements bless you on your way and let not the slightest evil befall you."

Having performed propitiatory rites for obtaining the kingdom and making all other preparations, the princes (the Pandavas) started for Varanavata.