Lomasha said : O Yudhishthira, listen to now what Dhananjaya (Arjuna) has said. He said, "Make my brother Yudhishthira to practice excellent religion. O ascetic, you know the highest religion, ascetic austerities and the eternal religion of prosperous kings.

You know the great means by which men are purified. Therefore, persuade the Pandavas to acquire the virtue which is obtained by visiting Tirthas.

Do that with all your heart by which that king Yudhishthira may visit all the Tirthas and give away (in charity). Arjuna said this to ine.

(He said), “Let him go to all the Tirthas protected by you. You should protect him from the Rakshasas in inaccessible and rugged places.

O foremost of Brahmanas, as Dadhichi has protected the chief of the celestials and as Angiras has protected the sun, so do you protect the sons of Kunti from the Rakshasas.

The way is beset with many Rakshasas, huge as mountains. If protected by you, they will not be able to approach the sons of Kunti.

At the request of Indra and also being appointed by Arjuna, I shall travel with you protecting you from all dangers.

O descendant of Kuru, I have seen the Tirthas twice before. I shall for the third time see them with you.

O great king Yudhishthira, Manu and other Rishis of virtuous deeds had visited the Tirthas, for a visit to them dispels all fears.

O descendant of Kuru, men, who are crooked-minded, who have not souls under control, who are illiterate and who are sinful, do not bathe in Tirthas.

But your mind is always fixed on virtue; you are versed in the precepts of religion and you are truthful, you will surely be freed from all fears.

O son of Pandu and O Yudhishthira, you are like the king Bhagiratha or king Gaya or Yayati or any one else like them,

Yudhishthira said : I am so overwhelmed with joy that I cannot find words to answer you. Who can be more fortunate than he who is remembered by the king of the celestials?

Who can be more fortunate than he who has you for his company, who has Dhananjaya (Arjuna) as his brother, nay who is remembered by Vasava (Indra) himself.

What your exalted self has said to me as regards seeing the Tirthas I have already made up my mind to do it) at the words of Dhaumya.

O Brahmana, I shall start to visit the Tirthas at whatever hour you are pleased to appoint. This is my firm resolve.

Vaishampayana said: Lomasha then thus spoke to the Pandava (Yudhishthira) who had made up his mind, "O great king, be light (as regards your retinue), for if you be thus light, you will be able to go more easily.

Yudhishthira said : Let the mendicants, Brahmanas and Yogis who are incapable of bearing hunger and thirst, the fatigues of travel and toil and also the severity of winter desist (from following me).

Let those Brahmanas also that live on sweet meats, that desire cooked food and the food that is sucked or drunk and meat desist (from following me).

Let all those that depend on cooks also desist (from. following me). Let those citizens that have followed me from loyalty and whom I have hitherto supported properly go back to the great king Dhritarashtra.

He will give them in due time their proper allowance. If that ruler of men does not give them their proper allowances. The king of Panchala will give them the allowance for our satisfaction and welfare.

Vaishampayana said : Thereupon being exceedingly aggrieved the Brahmanas, the Yogis and the citizens went towards Hastinapur.

Out of affection for Dharmaraja (Yudhishthira), the king (Dhritarashtra) the son of Ambika, received them properly and gratified them with proper allowances.

Thereupon, the son of Kunti, the king (Yudhishthira) with only a few Brahmanas lived in the Kaimyaka (forest) for three nights, much cleared by Lomasha.