Sanjaya continued, “After this conversation, those heroes entered thy encampment and obtained the military chest, many jewels, and much wealth.  And they also obtained silver and gold and gems and pearls and many costly ornaments and blankets and skins, and innumerable slaves male and female, and many other things necessary for sovereignty.  Having obtained that inexhaustible wealth belonging to thee, O bull of Bharata’s race, those highly blessed ones, whose foe had been slain, uttered loud cries of exultation.  Having unyoked their animals, the Pandavas and Satyaki remained there awhile for resting themselves.

Then Vasudeva of great renown said, ’We should, as an initiatory act of blessedness, remain out of the camp for this night.’  Answering, ’So be it!’ the Pandavas and Satyaki, accompanied by Vasudeva, went out of the camp for the sake of doing that which was regarded as an auspicious act.  Arrived on the banks of the sacred stream Oghavati, O king, the Pandavas, reft of foes, took up their quarters there for that night!

They despatched Keshava of Yadu’s race to Hastinapura.  Vasudeva of great prowess, causing Daruka to get upon his car, proceeded very quickly to that place where the royal son of Ambika was.  While about to start on his car having Shaibya and Sugriva (and the others) yoked unto it, (the Pandavas) said unto him, ’Comfort the helpless Gandhari who hath lost all her sons!’ Thus addressed by the Pandavas, that chief of the Satvatas then proceeded towards Hastinapura and arrived at the presence of Gandhari who had lost all her sons in the war.’”

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Janamejaya said, “For what reason did that tiger among kings, Yudhishthira the just, despatch that scorcher of foes, Vasudeva, unto Gandhari?  Krishna had at first gone to the Kauravas for the sake of bringing about peace.  He did not obtain the fruition of his wishes.  In consequence of this the battle took place.  When all the warriors were slain and Duryodhana was struck down, when in consequence of the battle the empire of Pandu’s son became perfectly foeless, when all the (Kuru) camp became empty, all its inmates having fled, when great renown was won by the son of Pandu, what, O regenerate one, was the cause for which Krishna had once again to go to Hastinapura?  It seems to me, O Brahmana, that the cause could not be a light one, for it was Janardana of immeasurable soul who had himself to make the journey!  O foremost of all Adhyaryus, tell me in detail what the cause was for undertaking such a mission!”

Vaishampayana said, “The question thou askest me, O king, is, indeed, worthy of thee!  I will tell thee everything truly as it occurred, O bull of Bharata’s race!  Beholding Duryodhana, the mighty son of Dhritarashtra, struck down by Bhimasena in contravention of the rules of fair fight, in fact, beholding the Kuru king slain unfairly, O Bharata, Yudhishthira, O monarch, became filled with great fear, at the thought of the highly blessed Gandhari