All this, O thou
of ascetic wealth, I desire to hear in detail. Surely, I have not yet
been fully satisfied by hearing about their acts."
Vaisampayana continued, "Having heard from that one of incomparable
energy, (Arshtishena), that advice conducive to their welfare, those
foremost of the Bharatas, began to behave always accordingly. Those best
of men, the Pandavas, dwelt upon the Himavan, partaking of the food
eaten by the Munis, and luscious fruit, and the flesh of deer killed
with unpoisoned shafts and various kinds of pure honey. Living thus,
they passed the fifth year, hearing various stories told by Lomasa. O
lord, saying, 'I shall be present when occasion ariseth,' Ghatotkacha,
together with all the Rakshasas, had ere this already gone away. Those
magnanimous ones passed many months in the hermitage of Arshtishena,
witnessing many marvels. And as the Pandavas were sporting there
pleasantly, there came to see them some complacent vow-observing Munis
and Charanas of high fortune, and pure souls. And those foremost of the
Bharata race conversed with them on earthly topics. And it came to pass
that when several days has passed, Suparna all of a sudden carried off
an exceedingly powerful and mighty Naga, living in the large lake. And
thereupon that mighty mountain began to tremble, and the gigantic trees,
break. And all the creatures and the Pandavas witnessed the wonder. Then
from the brow of that excellent mountain, the wind brought before the
Pandavas various fragrant and fair blossoms.
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