Vaishampayana said : Agrecably to the command to Dharma to pass the thirteenth year (of their exile) incognito, the Pandavas endued with the strength of truth and observant of vows, sat near those learned ascetics who were out of love (for them) dwelling with them in the forest. And with the view of obtaining the permission of these high-souled and vowobserving ones to spend (the afore said thirteenth year) incognito, they (i.e. the Pandavas) spoke to them with joined palms,
वैशम्पायन उवाच धर्मेण तेऽभ्यनुज्ञाताः पाण्डवाः सत्यविक्रमाः। अज्ञातवासं वत्स्यन्तश्च्छन्ना वर्ष त्रयोदशम्॥ उपोपविष्टा विद्वांसः सहिताः संशितव्रताः। ये तद्भक्ता वसन्ति स्म वनवासे तपस्विनः॥ तानब्रुवन् महात्मानः स्थिताः प्राञ्जलयस्तदा। अभ्यनुज्ञापयिष्यन्तस्तं निवासं धृतव्रताः॥