The Mahabharata/Book 1: Adi Parva/Section 185

Section CLXXXV. ( Chaitra-ratha Parva continued. )

"Arjuna asked, 'O Gandharva, thou art acquainted with everything! Tell us, therefore, what Veda-knowing Brahmana is worthy to be appointed as our priest!'

"The Gandharva replied, 'There is in these woods a shrine of the name of Utkechaka. Dhaumya the younger brother of Devala is engaged there in ascetic penances. Appoint him, if ye desire, your priest!'"

Vaisampayana said, "Then Arjuna, highly pleased with everything that had happened, gave unto that Gandharva his weapon of fire with befitting ceremonies. And addressing him, the Pandava also said, 'O thou best of Gandharvas, let the horses thou givest us remain with thee for sometimes. When occasion cometh, we will take them from thee! Blest be thou!' Then the Gandharva and the Pandavas, respectfully saluting each other, left the delightful banks of the Bhāgirathee and went whithersoever they desired. Then, O Bharata, the Pandavas wending to Utkochaka the sacred asylum of Dhaumya installed Dhaumya as their priest. And Dhaumya the foremost of all conversant with the Vedas, receiving them with presents of wild fruits and roots, consented to become their priest. And the Pandavas with their mother forming the sixth of the company, having obtained that Brahmana as their priest regarded their sovereignty and kingdom as already regained and the daughter of the Panchala king as already obtained in the Svayamvara. And those bulls of the Bharata race, having obtained the master Dhaumya as their priest, also regarded themselves as placed under a powerful protector. And the high-souled Dhaumya, acquainted with the true meaning of the Vedas and every rule of morality, becoming the spiritual preceptor of the virtuous Pandavas, made them his Yajamanas (spiritual disciples). And that Brahmana, beholding those heroes endued with intelligence and strength and perseverence like unto the celestials, regarded them as already restored, by virtue of these their own accomplishments, to their sovereignty and kingdom. Then those kings of men, having had benedictions uttered upon them by that Brahmana, resolved to go, accompanied by him, to the Svayamvara of the princess of Panchala."

Thus ends the hundred and eighty-fifth Section in the Chaitra-ratha of the Adi Parva.