The Pandavas are Welcomed to Varanavata
The Pandavas, sent away from Hastinapura, approach the city of Varanavata. Its delighted citizens pour out by the thousands to welcome them with gifts and blessings, surrounding Yudhishthira like gods around Indra. Led by the courtier Purochana, they pay homage to the city's people before settling into the house prepared for them.
The citizens of Varanavata heard the Pandavas were coming. They came out in thousands — in chariots, on elephants, on foot — carrying auspicious gifts as prescribed by the shastras (scriptures). They surrounded Kunti’s sons in a reverent circle and shouted “Jaya!” — victory, blessing. Dharmaraja Yudhishthira, the tiger among men, stood at the center of that adoring crowd like Indra, the lord of the gods, surrounded by his celestial hosts.
Welcomed by the citizens, the Pandavas paid homage in return. They entered Varanavata, a city decorated as if for a festival. Following the protocol for royal visitors, the warriors first went to the houses of the Brahmanas engaged in their duties. They then visited the houses of the city officials, then the houses of the chariot-warriors. They paid their respects at the houses of the Vaishyas (merchants and farmers) and even at the houses of the Shudras (servants). Everywhere they went, the citizens of the town honoured them.
Finally, with Purochana — the courtier who had accompanied them from Hastinapura — leading the way, they went to the house that had been prepared. Purochana provided them with beautiful food, drinks, beds, and seats. Served by Purochana and worshipped by the town’s citizens, the Pandavas lived there, dressed in expensive garments, for ten nights.