The Pandavas Travel to Hastinapura and Pay Respects
Yudhishthira orders the journey to Hastinapura. The Pandavas travel with Draupadi and their retinue, their regal prosperity blazing. In Hastinapura, Yudhishthira respectfully meets Dhritarashtra, Gandhari, and all the elders and Kuru princes. Their visible success stirs no delight in Dhritarashtra's daughters-in-law.
Yudhishthira gave the order. The next day, he set out with his army, his attendants, the honoured Draupadi, and the other women of the household. He spoke words that sounded like a lament for what was to come: “Destiny robs us of reason, like a glare falling before the eye. As if tied in a noose, man follows the will of the creator.” Partha, the destroyer of enemies, could not ignore the summons. He ascended the chariot given by Bahlika. Dressed in royal garments, he left with his brothers, brahmanas walking ahead, his regal prosperity blazing for all to see.
They arrived in Hastinapura and went to Dhritarashtra’s palace. Yudhishthira, the one with dharma in his heart, paid his respects. He met Dhritarashtra, then Drona, Bhishma, Karna, and Kripa. As was proper, he met Drona’s son, Ashvatthama. The mighty-armed one then met Somadatta, Duryodhana, Shalya, the valorous Soubala (Shakuni), and all the other kings assembled there, and Jayadratha and all the other Kurus.
Surrounded by his brothers, he entered the inner abode of the immensely wise King Dhritarashtra and met Queen Gandhari. She was always devoted to her husband, and was surrounded by her daughters-in-law, like the star Rohini surrounded by lesser stars. After showing homage to Gandhari and being welcomed by her, he saw his aged father—the wise lord whose eyesight was his knowledge—and inhaled the fragrances of the heads of the Kuru elders and of his four brothers, led by Bhimasena.
On seeing the handsome Pandavas, tigers among men, all the Kouravas were extremely delighted—at least outwardly. The Pandavas then took their leave and entered the houses assigned to them, which were full of jewels. The women of the court came to see them, with Draupadi at their forefront. But on witnessing Yajnasena’s daughter’s blazing prosperity, Dhritarashtra’s own daughters-in-law were not enthused.