Vyasa Visits and Comforts Yudhishthira

Vyasa came to see the Pandavas in the forest. He was Satyavati's son, the great yogi, the author of the Vedas — and their grandfather. When Yudhishthira saw him approach, he rose and welcomed him according to the proper rites. He prostrated himself before Vyasa, then seated himself below him, willing to serve, controlled in his senses. Vyasa looked at his grandson and saw what the forest had done to him. Yudhishthira was lean — reduced by the fare of the wilderness, the months of exile, the loss of everything he had known. The maharshi (great sage) was driven by compassion. When he spoke, his voice was choked with tears. "O mighty-armed Yudhishthira! O foremost among those who uphold dharma! Listen to my words. Those who do not torment themselves with austerities do not find great happiness in this world. In due order, men experience happiness and unhappiness. O bull among the Bharata lineage! No one experiences continuous happiness." He told Yudhishthira what a wise man knows: that fortune rises and sets. The wise man does not rejoice when it rises, nor sorrow when it sets. When there is happiness, one enjoys it. When there is unhappiness, one endures it — just as a farmer who has ploughed the land waits for the right time. "There is nothing superior to austerities," Vyasa said. "Austerities lead to greatness. Know that there is nothing that austerities do not lead to." He laid out the methods used by men whose deeds are pure: truthfulness, honesty, restraint from anger, willingness to share, self-control, calmness, freedom from envy, non-violence, purity, control of the senses. These were the path. People addicted to adharma (unrighteousness), those deluded and following the ways of inferior species, achieved births that brought difficulties and never attained happiness. "Whatever acts are performed here find fruits in the next world. Therefore, one should yoke one's body to austerities and rules. O king! One should donate according to one's ability, happily and devoid of envy, to the right person at the right time, showing homage and honours." He told Yudhishthira what each virtue brought: an honest and truthful man obtains a life without difficulties. One without anger and malice obtains supreme contentment. One with self-control and serenity never confronts difficulties. One who has conquered his senses never confronts misfortune. One who honours those who deserve honour obtains birth in a great lineage. "If one's intelligence is directed towards good deeds, following the law of time, because of this, he obtains superior intelligence."