Thus adored by the Pandavas, the royal son of Ambika passed his time happily as before, waited upon and honoured by the Rishis.

That perpetuator of Kuru's race used to make those foremost of offerings which should be given to the Brahmanas. The royal son of Kunti always placed those articles at Dhritarashtra's command.

Shorn of malice as king Yudhishthira was, he was always affectionate towards his uncle. Addressing his brothers and ministers, the king said, 'King Dhritarashtra should be honoured both by myself and you all. He, indeed, is a well-wisher of mine who obeys the commands of Dhritarasthra,

He, on the other hand, who treats him otherwise, is my enemy. Such a man should certainly be punished by me. On days of performing the rites ordained for the Pitris, as also in the Shraddhas performed for his sons and all well-wishers, the great Kuru king Dhritarashtra, gave away to Brahmanas, as each deserved immense quantity of wealth after his heart.

King Yudhishthira the just, and Bhima, and Arjuna, and the twins, desirous of doing what was liked by the old king, used to execute all his cominands.

They always took care that the old king who was afflicted with the destruction of his sons and grandsons, with, that is, grief caused by the Pandavas themselves, might not die of his grief.

Indeed, the Pandavas treated him in such a way that that Kuru hero might not be deprived of that happiness and all those articles of enjoyment which he had during his sons lifetime.

The five brothers, viz., the sons of Pandu, treated thus Dhritarashtra, living under his command.

Dhritarashtra also, seeing them so humble and obedient to his commands and acting towards him as disciples towards preceptors, treated them also like a loving preceptor in return.

Gandhari, by performing the various rites of the Sharaddha and making gifts to Brahmanas of various objects of enjoyment, became freed from the debt she owed to her slain children.

Thus did that foremost of righteous men, viz., king Yudhishthira the just, endued with great intelligence, along with his brothers, adored king Dhritarashtra.

Vishampayana said Endued with great energy, that perpetuator of Kuru's race, viz., the old king Dhritarashtra, could not see any ill-will in Yudhishthira.

Seeing that the great Pandavas were in the observance of a wise and righteous conduct, king Dhritarashtra, the son of Ambika, became pleased with them.

Subala's daughter, Gandhari, renouncing all sorrow for her (slain) children, began to show great love for the Pandavas as if they were her own children.

Gifted with great energy, the Kuru king Yudhishthira never did anything that was disliked by the royal son of Vichitravirya. On the other hand, he always treated him in a highly agreeable way.

Whatever acts, grave or light, were directed by king Dhritarashtra or the helpless Gandhari to be done, were all done with respect, O monarch, by that destroyer of hostile heroes, viz., the Pandava king.

The old king became highly pleased with such conduct of Yudhishthira. Indeed, he was grieved at the remembrance of his own wicked son.

Rising every day at early dawn, he purified himself and went through his recitations, and then blessed the Pandavas by wishing them victory in battle.

Making the usual gifts to the Brahmanas and making them utter benedictions, and pouring libations on the sacred fire, the old king prayed for long life to the Pandavas.

Indeed, the king had never derived that great happiness from his own sons which he always did from the sons of Pandu.

King Yudhishthria at that time became as agreeable to the Brahmanas the Kshatriyas, and the various bands of Vaishyas and Shudras of his kingdom.

as to King Yudhishthira forgot whatever wrongs were done to him by the sons of Dhritarashtra, and saluted his uncle.

If any man did nay thing that was not liked by the son of Ambika, he became thereby an object of hatred to the intelligent son of Kunti. Indeed, through fear of Yudhishthira nobody could talk of the evil deeds of either Duryodhana or Dhritarashtra.

Both Gandhari and Vidura also were well pleased with the power which the king having no enemics showed for bearing wrongs. They were, however, not so pleased, O destroyer of foes, with Bhima.

Dharma's son Yudhishthira, was truly obedient to his uncle. Bhima, however, on seeing Dhritarashtra, became very dispirited.

That destroyer of enemies, secing Dharma's son pay his respects to the old king, saluted him outwardly with a very reluctant heart.