Duhsasana danced with joy and cried aloud: “Now is established the empire of Duryodhana.”
Said Bhima: “Be not too gladsome, O Duhsasana. Hear and remember my words: May I never reach Heaven or meet my sires until I shall drink thy blood!”
Then the Pandava princes cast off their royal garments and clad themselves in deerskins like humble mendicants. Yudhishthira bade farewell to Dhritarashtra and Bhishma and Kripa and Vidura, one by one, and he even said farewell to the Kaurava brethren.
Said Vidura: “Thy mother, the royal Pritha, is too old to wander with thee through forest and jungle. Let her dwell here until the years of your exile have passed away.”
Yudhishthira spoke for his brethren and said: “Be it so, O saintly Vidura. Now bless us ere we depart, for thou hast been unto us like to a father.”
Then Vidura blessed each one of the Pandava princes, saying: “Be saintly in exile, subdue your passions, learn truth in your sorrow, and return in happiness. May these eyes be blessed by beholding thee in Hastinapur once again.”
Pritha wept over Draupadi and blessed her. Then the Princess of Panchala went forth with loose tresses; but ere she departed from the city she vowed a vow, saying: “From this day my hair will fall over my forehead until Bhima shall have slain Duhsasana and drunk his blood; then shall Bhima tie up my tresses while his hands are yet wet with the blood of Duhsasana.”
The Pandava princes wandered towards the deep forest, and Draupadi followed them.
FOOTNOTES:
[260] Candahar