Krishna Visits the Pandavas in Kamyaka

The Pandavas, with Yudhishthira at their head, arrived in the Kamyaka forest and were welcomed by the masses of sages who lived there. They began to live there with Draupadi, surrounded on all sides by many brahmanas who had come to share their exile. Then a certain brahmana spoke: "The mighty-armed Shouri — Krishna, Arjuna's beloved friend — will come here. He knows that the extenders of the Kuru lineage have arrived. Hari always wishes to see you and has your welfare in mind. The immensely ascetic Markandeya has lived for many years, devoting himself to studies and austerities. He too will soon arrive to meet you." While the brahmana was still speaking, Krishna could be seen in the distance. That supreme of charioteers was on his chariot, yoked to Sainya and Sugriva, his two great horses. He was with Satyabhama, like Indra with his queen Shachi. Devaki's son had arrived to visit the best of the Kurus. Descending from his chariot, the wise one happily greeted Dharmaraja Yudhishthira as prescribed — with the proper rites of welcome. He greeted Bhima, supreme among strong ones. He worshipped Dhoumya, the Pandavas' priest, and was himself worshipped by the twins, Nakula and Sahadeva. Then he embraced Gudakesha — Arjuna, the one with the diadem — and spoke comforting words to Draupadi. Having seen his beloved friend Phalguna — Arjuna — who had returned after a long time, Krishna, the destroyer of enemies, embraced him again and again. He could not seem to let him go. Similarly, Satyabhama, Krishna's beloved queen, embraced Draupadi, the beloved wife of the Pandavas. Then all the Pandavas, with their wife and their priest, worshipped Pundarikaksha — the lotus-eyed one — and seated themselves around him. The wise Krishna was reunited with Partha Dhananjaya, the oppressor of asuras. The great-souled lord of beings was as radiant as the illustrious lord Skanda when united with Guha. Arjuna, the one with the diadem on his head, recounted the details of what had happened in the forest to Krishna — exactly as they had occurred. He told him everything: the encounters with sages, the battles with demons, the long days of waiting. Then Arjuna asked Krishna how Subhadra was, together with Abhimanyu. In the prescribed fashion, Madhu's slayer showed honours to Arjuna, to Draupadi, and to the priest Dhoumya. The reunion was complete. The Pandavas were no longer alone.