While they were on
the point of entering their cars, they touched, in great sorrow, the feet
of Bhishma, of king Dhritarashtra, of the illustrious Drona, of Kripa, of
Vidura and of the other elders of the Kuru race. Then saluting with
reverence all the older men, and embracing their equals, receiving the
farewell of even the children, and taking leave of all the venerable
ladies in their household, and walking round them respectfully, and
bidding farewell unto all the citizens, the Pandavas, ever mindful of
their vows, set out for Varanavata. And Vidura of great wisdom and the
other bulls among the Kurus and the citizens also, from great affliction,
followed those tigers among men to some distance. And some amongst the
citizens and the country people, who followed the Pandavas, afflicted
beyond measure at beholding the sons of Pandu in such distress, began to
say aloud, 'King Dhritarashtra of wicked soul seeth no things with the
same eye. The Kuru monarch casteth not his eye on virtue. Neither the
sinless Yudhishthira, nor Bhima the foremost of mighty men, nor Dhananjaya
the (youngest) son of Kunti, will ever be guilty (of the sin of waging a
rebellious war). When these will remain quiet, how shall the illustrious
son of Madri do anything? Having inherited the kingdom from their father,
Dhritarashtra could not bear them. How is that Bhishma who suffers the
exile of the Pandavas to that wretched place, sanctions this act of great
injustice? Vichitravirya, the son of Santanu, and the royal sage Pandu of
Kuru's race both cherished us of old with fatherly care.
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