The Mahabharata/Book 1: Adi Parva/Section 220

Section CCXX. *( Arjuna-vanavasa Parva continued. )* Vaisampayana said, "Then Arjuna of immeasurable prowess saw, one after another, all the regions of sacred water and other holy places that were on the shores of the Western ocean. Vivatshu reached the sacred spot called Prabhāsa. And when the invincible Arjuna had arrived at that sacred and delightful region, the slayer of Madhu, (Krishna) heard of it. And Mādhaba soon went there to see his friend the son of Kunti. And Krishna and Arjuna met together and embracing each other enquired after each other's welfare. And those dear friends who were none else than the Rishi Nara and Nārāyana of old sat themselves down. Vāsudeva asked Arjuna about his travels, saying, 'Why, O Pandava, art thou wandering over the earth beholding all the regions of sacred water and other holy places?' Then Arjuna told him everything that had happened. And hearing all, the lord Vārshneya said, 'This is as it should be.' And Krishna and Arjuna, sporting as they liked, for sometime in Prabhāsa, went to the Raivataka mountain for passing some days there. And before they arrived at Raivataka, that mountain had, at the command of Krishna, been well adorned by many artificers. And much food also had, at Krishna's command, been collected there. And Arjuna enjoying everything that had been collected there for him, sat with Vāsudeva to see the performances of the actors and the dancers. Then the high-souled Pandava, dismissing them all with proper respect, laid himself down on a well-adorned and excellent bed. And as the strong-armed one lay on that excellent bed, he described unto Krishna everything about the regions of sacred water, the lakes and the mountains, the rivers and the forests, that he had seen. And while he was speaking of these, stretched upon that celestial bed, sleep, O Janamejaya, stole upon him. And he rose in the morning, awakened with sweet songs and the melodious notes of the *Vinā* and the panegyrics and benedictions of the bards. And after he had gone through the necessary acts and ceremonies, he was affectionately accosted by him of the Vrishni race. And riding upon a golden car, the hero then set out for Dwārakā, the capital of the Yādavas. And, O Janamejaya, for honouring the son of Kunti, the city of Dwārakā was well-adorned, even all the gardens and houses within it. And the citizens of Dwārakā, desirous of beholding the son of Kunti, began to pour eagerly into the public thoroughfares by hundreds of thousands. And in the public squares and thoroughfares, hundreds and thousands of women mixing with the men swelled the great crowd of the Bhojas, the Vrishnis, and the Andhakas, that had collected there. And Arjuna was welcomed with respect by all the sons of the Bhojas, the Vrishnis, and the Andhakas. And he worshipped those who deserved his worship and received their blessings. And the hero was welcomed with affectionate reception by all the young men of the Yādava tribe. And he repeatedly embraced all who were equal to him in age. And wending then to the delightful mansion of Krishna filled with gems and every article of enjoyment, he took up his abode there with Krishna for many days." Thus ends the two hundred and twentieth Section in the Arjuna-vanavāsa of the Adi Parva.