81) “He is dear to us. We too are always dear to him. O King! Let us therefore perform this Yajna using the wealth obtained through his permission”.
82) “Our grandfather Sri Vyasa is verily Sri Parashurama himself. He will himself grant us wealth”. After that, the Pandavas proceeded with Sri Vyasa ahead of them.
83) Sri Vyasa granted them wealth that was a hundred yojanas in size. The Pandavas fetched that (wealth) through elephants, horses, camels and humans.
84) Except for Dharmaraja, Bhimasena and the others carried home huge amounts of gold that appeared like the rising Sun for the purpose of the Yajna.
Note: Since Yudhishthira was the Chakravarty of the world, he did not carry or rather was not allowed to carry any burden.
85) At that very moment, Sri Vasudeva arrived at Hastinapura along with his wives and Subhadra even as he was worshipped on the way by Sage Udanka.
86) When he (Sage Udanka) desired water, Sri Krishna granted him clouds thereby fulfilling his boons and then proceeded towards Hastinapura.
Note: Sri Krishna had earlier granted him a boon that he would get Amruta. In this particular instance, Udanka asked him for water to quench his thirst. But Sri Krishna granted him many clouds that showered nectar-like water on him. Thus Sri Krishna kept his promise. Those clouds came to be known as Udanka Megha.
87) As Sri Vyasa, the best amongst Purushas, and the Pandavas approached Hastinapura, Sri Krishna too entered the city. At that time, Uttaraa gave birth to a dead child.
88) Seeing the child arriving dead due to the astra of Ashwathama, Kunti and the other womenfolk took refuge in Sri Vasudeva, the protector of all and the lord of the world.
89) When the child was in the womb, Sri Keshava had protected the womb itself. Now, when the child was killed during birth he brought it back to life, in order to ensure the progeny of the Pandavas.
90) At that moment, the Pandavas, carrying a huge amount of wealth, entered the city along with Sri Vyasa. Seeing their grandchild being protected thus by Sri Keshava, they became (immensely) happy.
91) Yudhisthira, the son of Dharma, became pleased with the birth of a grandson and gave many types of Daanas. He also bowed to Sri Vasudeva.
92) Sri Krishna had his glories sung by Kunti, Draupadi, Subhadra, Uttara and the other women, and by the Pandavas and other men-folk. They also bowed to him.
93) Thereafter, after obtaining the consent of Sri Krishna, the Pandavas established Sri Vyasa as the head of the gathering and, along with many Sages who were propagators of the truth about Parabrahma, started the Ashwamedha.
Note: Sri Vyasa was honored as the Sabhadhyaksha.
94) Bhagavan Sri Vyasa, the lord of the world, himself got the Ashwamedha done such that all Yajnas were performed.
Note: As part of the Ashwamedha, all the main Yajnas in the Vedic parampara was performed then.
95) Bhimasena, as per the orders of Sri Krishna Dwaipayana, got all the materials for the Yajna ready and also prepared the golden Yajnashala.
96) After that Pandavas released a horse of black and other mixed hues, having duly consecrated it with mantras. Arjuna followed the horse, with the Purohita Sage Dhaumya in lead.
97) Arjuna ensured the horse roamed everywhere, winning against all the Kings who stopped it, and remained undefeated against enemies of all nations.
98) As per the orders of Dharmaraja, Arjuna did not kill anyone. With affection, he invited all the Kings to the Yajna.
99) As per the order (route), when Arjuna arrived at Manalura, Babhruvahana welcomed him with arghya and padya. Arjuna said thus to his son.
Note: There are few other versions of Mahabharata in which it is stated that Babhruvahana could not recognize his father. In the Vyasa Bharata, and therefore in the Tatparya Nirnaya, there is no such mention. Arjuna clearly recognizes his son.
100) “You are welcoming me with arghya when I have arrived here desiring war. I do not like this. You have not stopped my sacrificial horse. Fie on your manliness!”
101) Even then Babhruvahana did not engage in battle. Uloopi then told him – “One should always do what pleases one’s father. There is no doubt regarding this. Therefore, commence battle”.
102) “Displaying your strength to your father, battle with him in order to please him” – when she said thus, Babhruvahana put forth his complete strength and engaged in war with him.
103-104) Arjuna engaged with him in a mild manner out of love for his son. Noticing that Arjuna was not getting hurt in spite of hurling all weapons at him, Babhruvahana decided to test his skill and, out of childishness, released a divine arrow powered by mantras at him. Arjuna fell unconscious.
105) Seeing him fall unconscious, Babhruvahana felt great sorrow and sat down, having decided to give up his life out of devotion to Arjuna. His mother Chitrangada started lamenting from grief.
106) Chitrangada then berated Uloopi – “Fie on you! You have gotten my husband, worshipped by all three worlds, killed by his own son”.
107) “I have nothing else to do without my husband who is most valorous in this world. I shall attain his world along with my son. You, who are always keen on fighting, may become satisfied (now)”.
108-109) Noticing Chitrangada struggling on the ground having decided mentally to give up her life, Uloopi immediately went to the Nagaloka and fetched the Vishalyakarani medicine. Applying the same on Arjuna, the greatest warrior in all three worlds, she ensured he got up.
Note: Vishalyakarani was a special Ayurvedic medicine that helped remove weapons from one’s body and also removed their toxic effect. This was one of the four medicines brought by Hanuman in the Ramayana.
110-111) Uloopi then smiled and said – “I had earlier overheard the conversation of Devatas in Suraloka. They had said – ‘Bhishma and the others have not been killed in a Dharmika way by Arjuna. Therefore he must undergo immense pain’. Ensuring no one else caused such pain, I asked Babhruvahana to engage in war to ensure the words of the Devatas (came true)”.
112) “It is due to the resolve of the Devatas that he fell unconscious. Since he has experienced the results of his mistakes, there shall be no occasion to experience it through others”.
113) “If Arjuna had lost to others, his fame, which is spread all over the three worlds, would have been tainted. Devatas did thus to ensure his fame does not suffer any loss”.
114) When Uloopi narrated thus, Arjuna became affectionate towards his wife and son. Having invited both of them to the Yajna, he proceeded further.
115) When Arjuna approached Dwaraka, Pradyumna and the other sons of Sri Krishna invited him to war by forcibly capturing the horse.
116-117) When they took the horse in that way to extract revenge for the kidnapping of Subhadra, Arjuna, only due to the respect he carried towards Sri Krishna and Vasudeva told the latter – “Like enemies, your grandsons have captured the horse”. Vasudeva scolded the youngsters and got the sacrificial horse released.
118) After that, Arjuna bowed to his maternal uncle (Vasudeva) and invited them to the Yajna. Proceeding towards Hastinapura, he sent a messenger in advance to the King.
119) Dharmaraja, accompanied by his brothers and Sri Krishna, heard the news of Arjuna’s return and was delighted. With eyes swollen with tears, and out of brotherly love, he asked Sri Krishna.
120) “O ageless Krishna! I cannot spot any defective attributes in Arjuna. Yet, due to what defects does he always remain on the move and undergoes consequent sufferings?”
Anandatirtha Prathishtana 