The Mahabharata/Book 1: Adi Parva/Section CLXXXV

SECTION CLXXXV

(Chaitra-ratha Parva continued)

"Arjuna asked, 'O Qandharva, thou art acquainted with everything ! Tell us, therefore, which Veda-knowing Brahmana is worthy to be appointed as our priest!' "The Qandharva replied, 'There is in these woods a shrine of the name of Utkochaka. Dhaumya, the younger brother of Devala is engaged there in ascetic penances. Appoint him, if ye desire, your priest!' Vaisampayana said, "Then Arjuna, highly pleased with everything that had happened, gave unto that Qandharva, his weapon of fire with befitting ceremonies. And addressing him, the Pandava also said, 'O thou best of Gandharvaa, let the horses thou givest us remain with thee for a time. When the occasion cometh, we will take them from thee ! Blest be thou !' Then the Oandharva and the Pandavas, respectfully saluting each other, left the delightful banks of the Bhagirathi and went wheresoever they desired. Then, O Bharata, the Pandavas wending to Utkochaka, the sacred asylum of Dhaumya installed Dhaumya as their priest. And Dhaumya the foremost of all conversant with the Vedas, receiving them with presents of wild fruits and (edible) roots, consented to become their priest. And the Pandavas with their mother forming the sixth of the company, having obtained that Brahmana as their priest regarded their sovereignty and kingdom as already regained and the daughter of Panchala king as already obtained in the Swayamvara. And those bulls of the Bharata race, having obtained the master Dhaumya as their priest, also regarded themselves as placed under a powerful protector. And the high-souled Dhaumya, acquainted with the true meaning of the Vedas and every rule of morality, becoming the spiritual preceptor of the virtuous Pandavas, made them his Yajmanas (spiritual disciples). And that Brahmana, beholding those heroes endued with intelligence and strength and perseverance like unto the celestials, regarded them as already restored, by virtue of their own accomplishments to their sovereignty and kingdom. Then those -kings of men, having had benedictions uttered upon them by that Brahmana, resolved to go, accompanied by him, to the Swayamvara of the Princess of Panchala." Thus ends the hundred and eighty-fifth section in the Chaitra-ratha Parva of the Adi Parva.