Maya Builds the Assembly Hall

We start a new Book of Mahabharata called “The Assembly Hall “ or “Sabha Parvam”.

Krishna returns to Dwaraka

Khandava was successfully burned down and Agni (the god of fire) was greatly pleased. Krishna and Arjuna received weapons of exceptional power from Varuna (the god of water) for the task. Krishna also got a commitment from Maya, the architect builder of the demons to erect an assembly hall for the Pandavas in Indraprastha. With all that accomplished Krishna thought that it was time for him to return to his abode.

He bowed before his elders like Kunti and embraced Arjuna and his younger brothers. He also bid farewell to Draupadi and his sister, Subhadra. Then Krishna took leave. Yudhishthira drove Krishna’s chariot, by way of courtesy, for a distance. Arjuna swayed the Chamara (a special royal fan ) for Krishna. The other Pandavas in the company of the royal priests followed the party. After a couple of miles Krishna insisted that the Pandava group should return to their palace.

Krishna, in due course, reached Dwaraka and paid respects to his parents, elder brother and other seniors in his abode.

The Building of the Assembly Hall

Meanwhile, Maya started his project in full swing. He told the Pandavas of the precious collection of jewels and equipment in a lake on the Mainaka mountain north of the Himalayas. He went to the place and collected what all he needed with permission from the Pandavas. He came back, in addition to his building materials, with a special mace for Bheema and a conch with name Devadatta for Arjuna.

Maya took about fourteen months to complete his work. When it was finished there was nothing equal to it either in this world or in others. It covered an area so huge that the perimeter measured ten thousand arm lengths. The floor was done with such fine material and polished so well that people mistook it to be a pond at places. Artificial ponds were dug at other places which made the confusion even worse. The pillars were brought directly from the Mainaka mountain and were studded with brilliant jewels. Sentries kept guard at places. At others natural looking human models stood holding weapons. Some of the ponds had swans swimming in them. The artificial ones had models of cranes and ducks looking as though afloat on the surface. The total effect of the assembly hall made visitors dumbfounded with awe and admiration.

The official inauguration

Yudhishthira gave a feast to ten thousand Brahmins on an auspicious day to mark the official entry into the hall built by Maya. Valuable gifts were given freely to guests. There was good music of various sorts and dancing with abandon. Priests performed auspicious rituals. Then, Yudhishthira entered the hall with the royal priests and his brothers. Several invited princes came to attend the official ceremony. Yudhishthira sat on the central seat in the assembly. The other Pandavas had special seats reserved for them. The priests were also given important seats near the king. The invited princes occupied other seats. Prominent citizen stood at a distance in due honour to the reigning monarch. Thus, the assembly hall was officially opened with a lot of fun and fanfare.

We shall soon see how this hall also played a part in the making of the war between the sons of Pandu and Dhritarashtra.

Thus ends the chapter called “the building of the assembly hall or Sabha Kriya Parvam”.