Great was the uproar, at that time, O king, of both men and women standing on the terraces of palaces or on the Earth.

Endued with great intelligence, the old king, with joined hands, and trembling with weakness, passed with difficulty along the principal street which was crowded with persons of both sexes.

He left the city of Hastinapur by the principal gate, and then repeatedly asked that crowd of people to return to their homes.

Vidura had made up his mind for going to the forest with the king. The Suta Sanjaya also, the son of Gavalgani, the chief minister of Dhritarashtra, was of the same heart.

King Dhritarashtra, however, caused Kripa and the powerful car-warrior Yuyutsu 10 refrain from following him. He made them over to Yudhishthira's hands.

After the citizens had ceased following the monarch, king Yudhishthira, with the ladies of his house, prepared to stop, at the command of Dhritarashtra you desist.

Seeing that his other Kunti was desirous of retiring into the forest, the king said to her, 'I shall follow the old king. Do

You should, O queen, return to the city, accompanied by these your daughters-in-law! This king, goes to the forest, determined upon practicing penances.

Though king Yudhishthira said these words to her, with his eyes bathed in tears, Kunti, however, without answering him, continued to go, catching hold of Gandhari.

Kunti said O king, never neglect Sahadeva. He is very much attached to me, O monarch, and to you also always.

You should always bear in mind Karna who never retreated from battle. Through my folly that hero has been killed in the field of battle.

Surely, my son, this heart of mine is made of steel, since it does not break into a hundred pieces at not sceing that child born of the SunGod.

When such has been the case, O chastise of enemies, what can I now do? I am very much to blame for 1101 having said the truth about the birth of Surya's child.

O crusher of enemies, I hope you will, with all your brothers, make excellent gifts for the sake of that son of the Sun-God.

O mower of enemies, you should always do what is agreeable to Draupadi. You should look after Bhimasena and Arjuna and Nakula and Sahadeva. The charge of the Kuru race have now fallen on you, O king.

I shall live in the forest with Gandhari, besmearing my body with fifth, engaged in the practice of penances, and devoted to the service of my father-in-law and mother-in-law.

Vaishampayana said Thus addressed by her, the virtuous Yudhishthira, with passions under complete restraint, became, with all his brothers, plunged into great sorrow. Gifted with grcat intelligence, the king said not a word.

Having thought for a inoment, king Yudhishthira just, dispirited and plunged in anxiety and sorrow, said to his mother, saying,

What, indeed, is your object? You should not do it. I can never grant you permission! you should show us mercy.

Formerly, when we were about to leave Hastinapur for the forest, O you of agreeable features, It was you who, reciting to us the story of Vidula's instructions to her son, stimulated us to exertion. You should not leave us now.

Having killed the kings of Earth, I have acquired sovereignty, guided by your wise words communicated through Vasudeva.

Where now is that understanding of yours about which I had heard from Vasudeva? Do you wish now to deviate from those Kshatriya practices about which you had instructed us?

Leaving ourselves, this kingdom, and this illustrious daughter-in-law of yours, how will you live in the inaccessible forest? Do you relent.

Kunti, with tears in her eyes, heard these words of her son, but continued to go her way. Then Bhima addressed her, saying,

When, O Kunti, sovereignty has been acquired, and when the time has coine for you to enjoy that sovereignty thus acquired by your children, when the duties of royalty await discharge by you, whence has this desire entered into your mind?

Why then did you causc us to exterminate the Earth? Why would you leave all and wish to take up your residence in the forest?

We were born in the forest. Why then did you bring us from the forest while we were children? See, the two sons of Madri are overwhelmed with sorrow and grief.

Relent, O mother! O you of great fame, do not go into the forest now! Do you enjoy that prosperity which, acquired by power, has become Yudhishthira's today.

Firmly resolved to retire into the forest, Kunti disregarded these lamentations of her sons.

Then Draupadi, with a cheerless face, accompanied by Subhadra, followed her weeping mother-in-law who was proceeding on from desire of going into the forest.

Highly wise and firmly resolved on retirement from the world, the blessed dame walked on, frequently loO king at her weeping children.

The Pandavas, with all their wives and servitors, continued to follow her. Restraining then her tears, she addressed her children in these words.