Chapter 232 - Greatness of Pāṇḍava Kūpa

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Īśvara said:

1-3. To the west of the holy spot thereof is the well of the noble-souled Pāṇḍavas, O great goddess. It is adored by all the three worlds.

O great goddess, wandering over the whole surface of the earth, the Pāṇḍavas entered the forest and reached the holy spot of Prabhāsa. Then they lived there for some time with great concentration.

Kṛṣṇā (Draupadī) came to the meritorious holy spot and said:

4-5. “Thousands of Brāhmaṇas take food in the abode of you all noble ones. Whatsoever water reservoir there may be is very far-off. Further we do not have many servants. Hence a water reservoir should be created very near our hermitage where due to your graceful favour I will take my regular bath.”

6. O lady of excellent countenance, urged by Draupadī’s utterance all the Pāṇḍavas jointly dug a well.

7. On hearing that the Pāṇḍavas had come there the Lord, the son of Devakī too, came there from Dvārakā along with his kinsmen.

8-10. He was accompanied by Pradyumna, Sāmba, Gada, Niṣadha, Yuyudhāna, Rāma and the wise Cārudeṣṇa. He was surrounded by other heroes, the Yādavas, skilled in fighting. All these leading Yādavas gathered together duly. Thereafter, at the end of their general discussion Vāsudeva spoke to the son of Pāṇḍu these words with some object in view:

11. “O Yudhiṣṭhira, what desire of yours shall I fulfill? Is it kingdom, food-grains, wealth or the destruction of enemies (that you desire)?”

Yudhiṣṭhira said:

12. O excellent one among the Yādavas, you are competent in all undertakings. There is no doubt. Formerly you promised (us) our happiness within twelve years.

13. O Lord of the Universe, you are bowed to by all the Devas. There is nothing which cannot be achieved on the earth, rather in all the three worlds, if you are pleased.

14. Certainly if you are pleased with me, O Lord of all the worlds, O Janārdana, come and remain in this well.

15. If a man comes here and devoutly takes bath here, O Keśava, let him go to the abode of Viṣṇu with your favour.

Īśvara said:

16. After saying, “It will be so.” Kṛṣṇa bowed to by all the worlds, took leave of Yudhiṣṭhira and went to Dvārakā.

17-20. By performing Śrāddha therein, a man obtains the benefit of a horse-sacrifice by the grace of Viṣṇu, the Lord of Devas, the Lord of unmeasured splendour. By means of libation, a moiety of that benefit and by holy ablution a fourth thereof, shall be obtained. Hence one should perform Śrāddha with all efforts. He who takes bath, and performs Śrāddha after adoring Sāvitrī, will go to the greatest region. The gift of a cow should be made there by those who wish to get the benefit of a perfect pilgrimage.