Pandavas Delighted by Markandeya's Words
Yudhishthira accepts Markandeya’s words and vows to follow them. Vaishampayana reports that all the Pandavas, together with Krishna Vasudeva, heard the sage’s ancient accounts and were struck with great wonder — a moment of shared awe in the midst of exile.
Vaishampayana, narrating the story to King Janamejaya, described what happened next.
Yudhishthira had spoken his acceptance — no greed, no fear, no envy. He would do everything Markandeya had told him.
Then Vaishampayana said: “O king! Having heard the words of the great-souled Pandava, all the Pandavas, together with the wielder of the Sharnga bow, were delighted. Having heard the words of the intelligent Markandeya about the ancient accounts, they were struck with great wonder.”
The Sharnga bow belonged to Krishna Vasudeva. He was there, in the forest, among the five brothers — listening to the same stories, feeling the same awe. The sage had spoken of the past and the future, of dharma and destiny, of the turning of ages and the coming of Kalki. And the Pandavas, who had lost everything in a game of dice and were living on forest roots and game, sat in wonder.
They were delighted. They were struck. And for that moment, the weight of exile lifted. Aranyaka Parva, Chapter 486