अत्राहं चैव नि र्मुक्तः स्त्रीहत्योद्भवपातकात्
Here, I too am freed from the sin arising from the killing of women.
येन सर्वाणि पश्यामस्तीर्थान्यायतनानि च
By which we see all the sacred places and shrines.
अथ तद्वचनाद्राजा धृतराष्ट्रोंऽबिकासुतः
Then, at those words, King Dhṛtarāṣṭra, son of Ambikā,
जगाम सत्वरं तत्र यत्र तत्क्षेत्रमुत्तमम्
Quickly went there, where that supreme field was.
ब्रह्मघोषेण महता नादितं सर्वतोदिशम् क्रीडामृगैश्च संकीर्णं धावद्भिर्बहुभिस्तथा
A great sound of sacred chanting arose in all directions, mingled with many playful animals running about.
ततो निवार्य सैन्यं स्वमुपद्रवभयान्नृपः
Then the king restrained his army, fearing some disturbance.
भीष्मेण सोमदत्तेन बाह्लीकेन समन्वितः
He was accompanied by Bhishma, Somadatta, and Bahlika.
सौबलेन च कर्णेन तथान्यैरपि पार्थिवैः
Also by Saubala, Karna, and other kings as well.
तेऽपि सर्वे महात्मानः क्षत्रियास्तत्र संस्थिताः
All those noble Kshatriyas stood there together.
स्नानं चक्रुर्विधानेन तीर्थेषु द्विजसत्तमाः ६.७२.
The foremost twice-born performed ritual bathing at the holy places.
दानानि च विशिष्टानि ददुरिष्टानि चापरे
They gave excellent gifts, and others offered their desired donations.
चक्रुः श्राद्धक्रियाश्चान्ये पितॄनुद्दिश्य भक्तितः
Some performed rites for the ancestors with devotion.
अन्ये होमक्रिया भूपा जपमन्ये निरर्गलम्
Some kings performed fire offerings, others recited prayers without restraint.
देवतायतनान्यन्ये माहात्म्यसहितानि च
Others adorned temples of the gods, endowed with greatness.
बलिदानैः सुवस्त्रैश्च गन्धपुष्पोपलेपनैः
With offerings, fine garments, and fragrant flowers and ointments,
मंडनैः पुष्पमालाभिः समंताद्द्विजसत्तमाः कृतार्था ब्राह्मणाः सर्वे कृतास्तै स्तत्र भक्तितः
With decorations and garlands of flowers all around, all the foremost Brahmins were satisfied by these acts of devotion.
एवं स्नात्वा तथाऽभ्यर्च्य देवान्विप्रान्नृपोत्तमाः
Thus, having bathed and worshipped the gods and Brahmins, the best of kings—
शंसन्तो विस्मया विष्टास्तीर्थान्यायतनानि च
Spoke with wonder about the holy places and temples.
इति श्रीस्कांदे महापुराण एकाशीतिसाहस्र्यां संहितायां षष्ठे नागरखंडे श्रीहाटकेश्वरक्षेत्रमाहात्म्ये धृतराष्ट्रादिकृतहाटकेश्वरक्षेत्रदर्शनवर्णनंनाम द्विसप्ततितमोऽध्यायः
Thus ends the seventy-second chapter, called 'The Description of the Sight of the Hatakeshvara Field by Dhritarashtra and Others,' in the sixth book, the Nagara Section, of the glorious Skanda Mahapurana, comprising eighty-one thousand verses, in the account of the greatness of the Hatakeshvara field.
तस्मात्स्थानात्ततो जग्मुर्यत्र द्वारवती पुरी
From that place, they went to the city of Dvaravati.
तत्र गत्वा विवाहं तु चक्रुः संहृष्टमानसाः
Arriving there, they joyfully celebrated the wedding.
नानावादित्रघोषेण वेदध्वनियुतेन च
With the sound of various instruments and the chanting of Vedic hymns.
एवं महोत्सवो जज्ञे तत्र यावद्दिनाष्टकम्
Thus, a great festival was celebrated there for eight days.
कृतार्थास्तत्र संजाताः सूतमागध बन्दिनः
There, the bards, genealogists, and panegyrists attained their purpose.
ततस्तु नवमे प्राप्ते दिवसे कुरुपांडवाः
Then, when the ninth day arrived, the Kurus and Pāṇḍavas—
न वयं पुंडरीकाक्ष तव रामस्य चाश्रयम्
O lotus-eyed one, we do not seek refuge with you or with Rāma.
तथापि च प्रगन्तव्यं स्वपुरं प्रति माध व
Nevertheless, O Mādhava, it is time to return to our own city.
स्थितानामत्र युष्माकं तत्किमौत्सुक्यमागतम्
For you who remain here, what is the cause of your eagerness?
तस्मादत्रैव तिष्ठामः सहिताः कुरुपांडवाः ६.७३.
Therefore, let us Kurus and Pāṇḍavas stay here together.
शस्त्रशिक्षाक्रियाभिश्च दमनेन च दन्तिनाम्
Through training in the use of weapons and the discipline of elephants,