Pandavas go in exile

Janamejaya, the great grandson of Arjuna , has been listening with keen interest to the story so far of Mahabharata as told by Vaisampayana. When he heard that his forefathers had been sent in exile to forest he asked the sage. “How did they survive in the forest? How did Draupadi manage?”

So, Vaisampayana continued with the story. All the citizens cursed the Kauravas for the unfair deal. They all wanted to live in the forest along with their dear princes. It was with great effort that Yudhishthira managed to send them back. There were several Brahmins among them. They refused to turn back in spite of Yudhishthira’s repeated pleas.

Yudhishthira tried to argue. “Learned men, we have left everything behind. Our resolve is to eat whatever fruit and roots we find in the forest for our sustenance. I am duty bound to feed you properly, but, will be unable to do so where we go”.

The Brahmins said, “please do not worry on our account, we shall beg for our own food and continue entertaining you telling good stories with moral value”

A bottomless vessel

Yudhishthira could not argue any further on the point. But, he was very worried that the good Brahmins would starve on his account. One of the Brahmins, by name Saunaka, advised Yudhishthira to do penance to acquire whatever he waned desired. The Pandava went to his priest, Dhaumya, for guidance in the matter. Dhaumya asked Yudhishthira to meditate on the Sun God with the new Mantra he taught him then.

Accordingly, Yudhishthira started doing penance. The Sun God was pleased and soon appeared in person. He asked the Pandava what he wished to get. Yudhishthira said that he was worried how to feed the Brahmins who have chosen to stay with him in the forest.

So, the Sun God gave a utensil to Yudhishthira. Everyday the utensil would have fresh food ready with excellent dishes to feed any number of people until Draupadi ate. There would be nothing left in it afterwards until the next day.

The gift utensil came very handy for the Pandavas in the forest. They decided the order in which they served food. First Yudhishthira served the Brahmins and any other guests who came by. Next, his brothers took their meals and then, Yudhishthira ate himself. Draupadi always sat last to eat. In this manner they could survive any number of days and serve all the guests who visited or were with them.

Dhritarashtra quarrels with Vidura

Dhritarashtra was worried about the consequences of sending the Pandavas into exile. He called Vidura for advice. The wise Vidura spoke without fear. He said that the king made a serious mistake in allowing the wicked game, that too more than once. The Pandavas would definitely take revenge for the behaviour of his sons . The only way out was to call them back and return the kingdom that was due to them. Duryodhana and others should apologize for their misbehaviour to the Pandavas.

What Dhritarashtra wanted to hear was that his sons were now safe. What Vidura told him was the opposite, hurting his feelings to the depth. In frustration he told Vidura that he always spoke for the Pandavas. If Vidura’s heart was with the Pandavas, then he was welcome to go and stay with them.

Vidura to the forest

Vidura was very upset with this rebuke in spite of speaking what was good for his elder brother. This was virtually throwing him out for speaking truth. So, he thought it better that he went and lived with the Pandavas in the forest.

The Pandavas had first travelled north and reached the shores of the river Ganga. Then, they turned west and found a beautiful forest by name Kamyakam. It was where Vidura met them. Vidura apprised the Pandavas of what happened between him and Dhritarashtra.

Meanwhile, the blind Kaurava king was sorry that he threw out his younger brother who was always a solace for him in trouble. So, he sent his minister, Sanjaya, with words of apology to Vidura. Sanjaya found the Pandavas clad in deer skin and chatting with Vidura. He conveyed the request from his king to the gentle Vidura. Vidura’s heart was softened hearing the apologies from his brother. He decided to return with Sanjaya to the palace.

Duryodhana plans for an attack

The Kaurava princes were happy to hear that their uncle, Vidura, left them to live with the Pandavas. He always stood against them and favoured the Pandavas. So, they were angry to hear that he was called back by their father. One consolation was that the Pandavas had none to support them in the forest. They thought that it was the right time to strike and kill the Pandavas while they remained helpless in the forest.

Sage Vedavyasa came to know of their plan through his divine vision. He appeared before Dhritarashtra and warned him against any such move. He anticipated that the eminent sage Maitreya was on his way to Hastinapura after meeting the Pandavas in the forest. Vyasa left with the words that the sage would definitely agree with what he said.

Sage Maitreya

Maitreya arrived soon after Vysasa left, exactly as the sage foretold. He first addressed Dhritarashtra. “I happened to reach the Kamyaka forest during my pilgrimage. I met Yudhishthira by chance there. He and his brothers looked like ascetics with their hair matted and wearing deer skin. I was told there what happened between them and your sons. That is why I came here. This should not have happened while you and Bhishma were alive”.

Then, he turned to Duryodhana and spoke to him. “Duryodhana, you are a valorous prince. Do not harm the Pandavas. They are all extremely powerful and skilled in warfare. Remember, how Bhima killed the powerful king Jarasandha and demons Hidimba and Baka. Now, he has put to death the fearsome Kirmira. What you need is peace with them and not enmity.”

Duryodhana ignored the sage and slapped his thigh in a mocking gesture. The sage was highly enraged by the disrespect shown to him. He cursed Duryodhana with the words, “You have shown disrespect to me by keeping quiet. Bhima would break that thigh of yours which you slapped to insult me”.

Dhritarashtra was apologetic on behalf of his son. He also wanted to hear the story how the Pandavas killed the demon Kirmira. But, the sage was in no mood to spend more time with the Kauravas and left the way he came.

Vyasa thus ends the chapter on “life in the forest (Aranyaka Parvam)”.We shall learn about the killing of Kirmira in the next chapter.