Yudhishthira Dismisses Citizens and Brahmanas

Lomasha had delivered Indra's message, and Yudhishthira had accepted. But before they could set out, the brahmana gave the king one piece of practical advice. "O great king! Travel light. If you travel light, it will be easier to go." Yudhishthira understood. He had not come to the Kamyaka forest alone. When the Pandavas had been exiled, many had followed them — brahmanas who lived on alms, ascetics who had chosen to share the forest life, and citizens who had left Hastinapura out of loyalty for their king. They had all come to Kamyaka, and they had all stayed. Now Yudhishthira gave the order: they were to return. "Let the brahmanas and ascetics who live on alms return, and the citizens who have followed me out of loyalty for their king. Let them go to the great king Dhritarashtra. In due time, he will give them their due allowances, those that they have been used to." He added a safeguard. If Dhritarashtra, for whatever reason, did not provide for them, then Panchala — the kingdom of Yudhishthira's father-in-law, King Drupada — would. The people would not be abandoned. The citizens left for Hastinapura, burdened with great grief. The brahmanas and ascetics went with them. Dhritarashtra, out of love for Yudhishthira, received them all and gave them riches in the prescribed way. Yudhishthira stayed in Kamyaka for three more nights, with Lomasha and a few brahmanas. The forest was quieter now. The journey ahead was clear.