regained his composure.  Then that foremost of strong persons, the mighty-armed Bhimasena endued with great strength encouraging the king greatly, spake these words, ’Looking up to thy face (for permission), the wielder of the Gandiva, acting according to his sense of duty hath not yet, O king, shown any rashness!  And although fully able to destroy the foe, Nakula and Sahadeva of dreadful prowess have been ever prevented by me!  Never shall we swerve from that in which thou wilt engage us!  Do thou tell us what is to be done!  We shall speedily conquer our enemies!’ When Bhimasena had said this, the Brahmanas uttered benedictions on the Bharatas, and then obtaining their permission, went to their respective quarters.  And all those foremost of Yatis and Munis versed in the Vedas, exceedingly desirous of again beholding the Pandavas, went back to their homes.  And accompanied by Dhaumya, these heroes, the five learned Pandavas equipped in vows set out with Krishna.  And each versed in a separate science, and all proficient in mantras and cognisant of when peace was to be concluded and when war was to be waged those tigers among men, about to enter upon a life of non-recognition, the next day proceeded for a Krose and then sat themselves down with the view of taking counsel of each other.”

The End of Vana Parva