Dhåtaräñöra said: 
My dear Vidura, Bhéñma, son of Çantanu, is a learned man, and Droëa is an exalted sage. Both of them have explained the highest good, and you too are telling me the truth. As much as those heroic warriors are sons of Päëòu and Kunté, so they are all as much my sons, undoubtedly and by religious law. And as much as this kingdom is to be enjoyed by my begotten sons, so without a doubt it is to be enjoyed equally by the sons of Päëòu. 
Vidura Kñattar, go and bring them and their mother with all honors, and, Bhärata, also bring that Draupadé, who is as lovely as a goddess. Thank heaven the sons of Kunté are alive. Thank heaven our Kunté lives. Thank heaven those mahärathas have won the daughter of Drupada. By the grace of providence all of us shall flourish, and by heaven's grace Purocana is put to rest. O brilliant brother, thank God my greatest sorrow has been removed. 
Çré Vaiçampäyana said: 
Dear Bhärata, at Dhåtaräñöra's command Vidura went to see King Drupada and the Päëòavas. Vidura was expert in all the scriptures and knew his duty and how to perform it. Upon reaching Drupada's palace, he waited properly on the king, who received him according to the religious law for hosts, and they rightly inquired about the health and well-being [of their respective kingdoms, families, and friends.] 
Vidura then saw the Päëòavas and Çré Kåñëa, and he affectionately embraced them and asked if they were all well. They in turn welcomed and honored Vidura, whose intelligence was vast, and Vidura, following Dhåtaräñöra's order, asked Päëòu's children again and again with much affection about their health and happiness; andöhe presented jewels and varieties of wealth sent by the Kauravas to the Päëòavas and Kunté and Draupadé, O king, and to Drupada and his sons. Then with grace and deference the vastly learned Vidura spoke most humbly to Drupada in the presence of the Päëòavas and Lord Kåñëa Keçava. 
«O king, may you kindly listen with your ministers and sons to my words. Dhåtaräñöra, along with his sons, ministers, and close associates, has the great satisfaction to offer you repeated wishes for your health and happiness, for he has real affection for you and your family, O king. Similarly, the most learned Bhéñma, son of Çantanu, and all of the Kauravas are anxious to hear that you are well and prospering in all your affairs, and they send their sincere inquiries. 
«The great archer Droëa, son of Bharadväja, considers himself your dear friend, and he sends his embrace and sincere wishes for your well-being. Dhåtaräñöra, O king of Päïcäla, has now become related to you through marriage, and he and all the Kauravas feel they are now successful by such a family tie. Even by acquiring a new kingdom, they would not feel the same pleasure as by achieving a family tie with you, O Yajïasena. Knowing this to be true, kindly let the Päëòavas depart, for the Kurus are extremely anxious to see Päëòu's legitimate heirs. These mighty men have been away for a long time, and surely both they and Påthä will be jubilant to see their city. And all the fine Kuru ladies are waiting anxiously to see Kåñëä, the princess of Päïcäla. Indeed, our whole city and country is waiting. 
«Please, sir, order without delay that the sons of Päëòu depart with their wife, for that is my purpose in coming. Your majesty, as soon as you release the exalted Päëòavas, I shall dispatch the speediest messengers to Dhåtaräñöra, and the sons of Kunté with their wife Kåñëä will then come home.» 
Drupada said: 
Very wise Vidura, just as you expressed it to me now, so do I feel the greatest joy that a family tie has been established between us, my lord. And it is befitting that those great souls return now to their home, but it is not right that I tell them they can leave. Rather, when Kunté's heroic son Yudhiñöhira decides, with Bhémasena, Arjuna, and the two mighty twins, and especially when Kåñëa and Balaräma agree, then the Päëòavas must go. Kåñëa and Balaräma are tigerlike personalities who know the religious principles and are devoted to the happiness and welfare of the Päëòavas. 
Yudhiñöhira said: 
We and our followers are all dependent on you, O king, and we shall gladly do whatever you tell us, for we know of your love for us. 
Çré Vaiçampäyana said: 
Then Lord Kåñëa said, «I think it is right to go, or whatever King Drupada decides, for he understands all the religious principles.» 
King Drupada said: 
The great-armed hero of the Däçärhas, Lord Kåñëa, is the Supreme Personality, and I fully agree with Him that the time has come for the Päëòavas to return. For as much as the Kaunteyasö are now dear to me, they are just as dear to Lord Kåñëa, without doubt. When Lord Kåñëa Keçava, the tigerlike personality, recommends what is best for them, Yudhiñöhira, son of Dharma, does not even consider the matter, so great is his faith in Kåñëa. 
Çré Vaiçampäyana said: 
Then, granted permission by the great soul Drupada, the Päëòavas, Çré Kåñëa, and great-minded Vidura, taking Draupadé Kåñëä and the illustrious Kunté with them, began an easy journey to the city of Hastinäpura, stopping along the way for recreation. When Dhåtaräñöra heard that the heroes had arrived, he sent the Kauravas out to welcome and receive the Päëòavas. The great archer Vikarëa, Citrasena, the supreme archer Droëa, and Kåpa Gautama all went out to meet them, and the arriving mahäratha heroes, surrounded by such exalted men, shone beautifully as they slowly entered the city of Hastinäpura. 
Wherever the heroes passed, the great city burst into festivity, for the Päëòava princes vanquished the anguished sorrow of the people who had mourned them as dead. The people loved their princes, and eager to show their love, they called out in all kinds of voices. The Päëòavas heard those words, and the words went to the core of their hearts. 
«He has returned–the knower of virtue, the tiger of a man who protects us with justice like his own begotten children! Today Päëòu Mahäräja has come from the forest he loves to show his love for us, and there's no doubt here! All has been accomplished now, for those whom we love most, the heroic sons of Kunté, our real protectors, have returned to us. If ever we have given charity, offered sacrifice, or endured austerity, then by all our merit may the Päëòavas stay in our city for one hundred autumns.» 
The Päëòavas then bowed at the feet of Dhåtaräñöra, the great soul Bhéñma, and the other venerable elders, and having asked about the well-being of all in the city, they went to their quarters at Dhåtaräñöra's invitation. After the great souls had rested for a short time together with Çré Kåñëa, they were called by Dhåtaräñöra and Bhéñma. 
Dhåtaräñöra said: 
Kaunteya, may you and your younger brothers please listen carefully to my words. There must not be any more fighting among you princes. Go and settle in the land of Khäëòava Prastha. Once you are living there, protected by Bhéma, no one will be able to bother you, just as no one can harass the gods when they are guarded by the thunderbolt of Indra. Half the kingdom will be yours; so go and settle there in Khäëòava Prastha. 
Çré Vaiçampäyana said: 
Accepting the order, the Päëòavas bowed to the king and departed toward the frightening forest. Taking half the kingdom, those best of men settled in the land of Khäëòava Prastha. With Kåñëa in the lead, they reached their new land, and at once the unfailing Päëòavas built a beautiful town that resembled the cities of heaven. 
They chose a pure and holy stretch of earth, and led by Dvaipäyana Vyäsa, the mahärathas performed religious rites to bring peace and security to their new land. Then they measured, mapped out, and constructed the city. The new town was surrounded by moats that resembled the wide sea; and it was enhanced with sparkling white walls that stood so high they seemed to cover the sky like masses of white clouds or snowy peaks. That most opulent city shone like Bhogavaté, the wondrous land of the Nägas. 
The city was protected by great double-hung doors that were as frightening to see as the wings of Garuòa, and also by towering archways that resembled masses of clouds or a range of Mandara mountains. The city was filled with varieties of deadly lances and missiles that rose up, perfectly guarded, like the bifurcated tongues of snakes. And the city shone with its rows of turrets guarded by battle-ready soldiers. 
The city was splendidly defended with sharp hook weapons that could slay a hundred men each, and it was adorned with trellises crafted with mystic designs. The skyline of that fabulous city glittered with giant metal discs. 
There was a well-designed system of wide roads that virtually eliminated collisions, and the city sparkled with various styles of elegant white mansions. This city, known as Indraprastha, shone with all the beauty of a celestial abode, and it seemed to float on the earth like a community of broad clouds filled with streaks of lightning. There in that charming, innocent land, the dwelling of the rightful Kuru leaders was so brilliant with wealth and treasure that it resembled the city of Kuvera, the lord of the cosmic treasury. Then, O king, brähmaëas who were the greatest Vedic scholars and who spoke all languages began to notice and enjoy that city, and they began to establish their homes there. 
Enterprising merchants began to move there, coming from all directions, and workers expert in all the fine arts and crafts came there to settle. All around were parks and gardens lush with fruit- and flower-bearing trees such as mango, tropical plum, népa, açoka, punnäga, näga-puñpa, lakuca, breadfruit, çäla, palm, kadamba, bakula, and jasmine. The trees bore enchanting arrays of flowers and bent down under the weight of their luscious fruits. There were full-grown amalakas, lodhras, magnificent flowering aìkolas, rose apples, päöaläs, kubjakas, luxuriant atimuktakas, karavéras, heavenly pärijätas, and many other kinds of trees. The trees were ever in season, always filled with fruits and flowers, and all manner of birds adorned them. Maddened peacocks cried out all around them, and the peacock songs mixed with the melodies of the cuckoos, who seemed to be ever enchanted. 
The houses were so clean that they shone like mirrors, and there were varieties of garden houses covered with flowering creepers. There was a charming variety of styles in the residential areas, with recreation areas atop the neighborhood hills; and there were varieties of ponds 
filled with the purest water. 
There were fabulous lakes perfumed with the scents of blossoming lotuses and moving with the elegant strokes of swans, fine ducks, and cakraväkas. There were also various lotus-filled ponds shaded by surrounding woods, and large, wide pools of great charm. As they dwelled in that great country, Mahäräja, with their good and honest neighbors, the Päëòavas felt ever-increasing pleasure. 
When Bhéñma and King Dhåtaräñöra brought forth the principles of justice, the Päëòavas became residents there in the land of Khäëòava Prastha. And boasting five great archers equal to Indra in prowess, the most glorious city shone like Bhogavaté, the wondrous abode of the Nägas. 
Mighty Kåñëa lived there for some time, but then He took permission from the Päëòavas, O king, and returned with Balaräma to the city of Dväraka.