“Yudhishthira said, He never thought anybody his equal in wisdom.  It is for that fault that this prince has fallen down.

Vaishampayana continued:  “Having said this, the king proceeded, leaving Sahadeva there.  Indeed, Kuntis son Yudhishthira went on, with his brothers and with the dog.  Beholding both Krishna and the Pandava Sahadeva fallen down, the brave Nakula, whose love for kinsmen was very great, fell down himself.  Upon the falling down of the heroic Nakula of great personal beauty, Bhima once more addressed the king, saying, This brother of ours who was endued with righteousness without incompleteness, and who always obeyed our behests, this Nakula who was unrivalled for beauty, has fallen down.

“Thus addressed by Bhimasena, Yudhishthira, said, with respect to Nakula, these words:  He was of righteous soul and the foremost of all persons endued with intelligence.  He, however, thought that there was nobody that equalled him in beauty of person.  Indeed, he regarded himself as superior to all in that respect.  It is for this that Nakula has fallen down.  Know this, O Vrikodara.  What has been ordained for a person, O hero, must have to be endured by him.

“Beholding Nakula and the others fall down, Pandus son Arjuna of white steeds, that slayer of hostile heroes, fell down in great grief of heart.  When that foremost of men, who was endued with the energy of Shakra, had fallen down, indeed, when that invincible hero was on the point of death, Bhima said unto the king, I do not recollect any untruth uttered by this high-souled one.  Indeed, not even in jest did he say anything false.  What then is that for whose evil consequence this one has fallen down on the Earth?

“Yudhishthira said, Arjuna had said that he would consume all our foes in a single day.  Proud of his heroism, he did not, however, accomplish what he had said.  Hence has he fallen down.  This Phalguna disregarded all wielders of bows.  One desirous of prosperity should never indulge in such sentiments.”

Vaishampayana continued:  “Having said so, the king proceeded on.  Then Bhima fell down.  Having fallen down, Bhima addressed king Yudhishthira the just, saying, O king, behold, I who am thy darling have fallen down.  For what reason have I dropped down?  Tell me if thou knowest it.

“Yudhishthira said, Thou wert a great eater, and thou didst use to boast of thy strength.  Thou never didst attend, O Bhima, to the wants of others while eating.  It is for that, O Bhima, that thou hast fallen down.

“Having said these words, the mighty-armed Yudhishthira proceeded on, without looking back.  He had only one companion, the dog of which I have repeatedly spoken to thee, that followed him now.

3

Vaishampayana said:  “Then Shakra, causing the firmament and the Earth to be filled by a loud sound, came to the son of Pritha on a car and asked him to ascend it.  Beholding his brothers fallen on the Earth, king Yudhishthira the just said unto that deity of a 1,000 eyes these words:  My brothers have all dropped down here.  They must go with me.  Without them by me I do not wish to go to Heaven, O lord of all the deities.  The delicate princess (Draupadi) deserving of every comfort, O Purandara, should go with us.  It behoveth thee to permit this.