The deer in Dvaitavana appear to Yudhishthira in his dreams

Meanwhile those mighty bowmen, the Pandavas, excited by the words the messenger had spoken, became anxious, and they did not from that time experience the least happiness. Intelligence, further, had been brought by spies regarding the vow of the Suta's son to slay Arjuna. Hearing this, Dharma's son became exceedingly anxious. Considering Karna of the impenetrable mail to be of wonderful prowess, and remembering all their woes, he knew no peace. That high-souled one filled with anxiety, made up his mind to abandon the woods about Dvaitavana abounding with ferocious animals.

Meanwhile the royal son of Dhritarashtra began to rule the earth, along with his heroic brothers as also with Bhishma and Drona and Kripa. With the assistance of the Suta's son crowned with martial glory, Duryodhana remained ever intent on the welfare of the rulers of the earth, and he worshipped the foremost of Brahmanas by celebrating sacrifices with profuse gifts. That hero and subduer of foes was engaged in doing good to his brothers, concluding for certain in his mind that giving and enjoying are the only use of riches.

Once, as Yudhishthira lay down at night in the Dwaita woods, some deer, with accents choked in tears, presented themselves before him in his dreams. To them standing with joined hands, their bodies trembling all over that foremost of monarchs said,

“Tell me what you wish to say. Who are you? And what do you desire?”

Thus accosted by Kunti's son - the illustrious Pandava - those deer, the remnant of those that had been slaughtered, replied unto him, saying,

“We are, O Bharata! those deer that are still alive after many that had been slaughtered. We shall be exterminated totally. Therefore, do change your residence. O mighty king! All your brothers are heroes, conversant with weapons; they have thinned the ranks of the rangers of the forest. We few - the remnants - O mighty-minded one! remain like seed. By your favour, O king of kings! let us increase.”

Seeing these deer, which remained like seed after the rest had been destroyed trembling and afflicted with fear, Yudhishthira the just was greatly affected with grief. The king, intent on the welfare of all creatures, said unto them, 'So be it. I shall act as you have said.”

Awaking after such a vision, that excellent king, moved by pity towards the deer, thus spoke unto his brothers assembled there,

“Those deer that are alive after them that have been slaughtered, accosted me at night, after I had awakened, saying, “We remain like the cues of our lines. Blessed be you! Do you have compassion on us.” And they have spoken truly. We ought to feel pity for the dwellers of the forest. We have been feeding on them for a year together and eight months. Let us, therefore, again repair to the romantic Kamyakas, that best of forests abounding in wild animals, situated at the head of the desert, near lake Trinavindu. There let us pleasantly pass the rest of our time.”

Then, the Pandavas, versed in morality, swiftly departed thence, accompanied by the Brahmanas and all those that lived with them, and followed by Indrasena and other retainers. Proceeding along the roads walked by travellers, furnished with excellent corn and clear water, they at length beheld the sacred asylum of Kamyaka endued with ascetic merit. As pious men enter the celestial regions, those foremost of the Bharata race, the Kauravas, surrounded by those bulls among Brahmanas entered that forest.