Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c5.721

c5.721

11) Administration. When Yudhiṣṭhira became King, with the permission of Dhṛtarāṣṭra, he distributed the various administrative responsibilities among his brothers. He took for himself the task of taking care of their kith and kin and friends. He gave many gifts to the brahmins and other dependants. He once went to Śrī Kṛṣṇa to express his gratitude for him. He visited Bhīṣma lying on his bed of arrows accompanied by Śrī Kṛṣṇa and his brothers. Bhīṣma revealed to him the inner import of Rājadharma, Āpaddharma and Mokṣadharma. Receiving the blessings of Bhīṣma Yudhiṣṭhira and his brothers returned to Hastināpura. Yudhiṣṭhira went to the Himālayas to get riches from Marutta before performing an Aśvamedha Sacrifice. While on his way to the Himālayas he fasted for a night and worshipped Śiva. People like Vyāsa and Śrī Kṛṣṇa partook in the sacrifice. After the sacrifice was over Dhṛtarāṣṭra desired to go to forest and sought the approval of Yudhiṣṭhira to do so. On hearing that Yudhiṣṭhira wept. But on the advice of Vyāsa he gave his approval for Dhṛtarāṣṭra to go to forest. Dhṛtarāṣṭra appealed to him through Vidura for funds to perform the obsequies of the dead. Bhīma objected to this but Yudhiṣṭhira reprimanded him and silenced him and gave Dhṛtarāṣṭra enough funds for his purposes. Kuntī and Gāndhārī accompanied Dhṛtarāṣṭra to the forest. Yudhiṣṭhira accompanied by Pāñcālī and Sahadeva went and saw them in the forests after a few days. (Chapters 41 to 55, Śānti Parva, Chapters 92 from Anuśāsana Parva and Aśvamedha Parva and Chapter 26 from Āśramavāsika Parva).