Vaishampayana said : Thereupon King Duryodhana with his brothers began slowly to win over the people to his side by bestowing on them wealth and honours. One day in the (royal) Court, some clever ministers, as instructed by Dhritarashtra, described the city of Varanavata as a (most) charming place. (They said), "The festival of Pashupati (Siva) has begun in the city of Varanavata and the concourse of people there is now great.
वैशम्पायन उवाच ततो दुर्योधनो राजा सर्वाः प्रकृतयः शनैः। अर्थमानप्रदानाभ्यां संजहार सहानुजः॥ धृतराष्ट्रप्रयुक्तास्ते केचित् कुशलमन्त्रिणः। कथयांचक्रिरे रम्यं नगरं वारणावतम्॥ अयं समाजः सुमहान् रमणीयतमो भुवि। उपस्थितः पशुपतेनगरे वारणावते॥