Days of mourning in Hastinapura

The Pandavas, meanwhile, spent their time in Hastinapura, saddened with thoughts of their mother, uncle and aunt. They often wailed. “How will our mother, weak and frail, manage to support the blind king and his queen? How does our uncle bear the loss of his sons when alone in the forest? How are the aged people surviving in the wilderness, in the middle of ferocious animals? ”.

Immersed in anxious thoughts, they lost interest in the affairs of the State and even in the daily religious rites. Citizens who went to the palace in distress failed to get any response from the brooding king. In such sorrowful mood the tragic scenes of war haunted their minds again and again. They lamented the killing of their grandfather Bhishma, teacher Drona and of several others dear to them. Draupadi thought of the wanton killing of all her sons by the revengeful Aswatthama. Subhadra and Uttara looked at Parikshit and grieved for the valiant Abhimanyu for days together.

Ordinary citizens met in small groups and talked about their aged king who retired to the forest. They wondered aloud. “How will our blind king manage in isolation in such desolate places? He lived all along in luxury in the palace. How will the aged queens survive there? The noble Kunti must be missing her dear sons badly. How are the sage like Vidura and wise Sanjaya surviving in the dense forest?”

A visit to the forest

It was Sahadeva who broached the topic one day. He went to Yudhishthira and said. “Brother, I suspect that your mind, like mine, is wandering through the forest after our aged parents. I think that it will be an excellent idea to pay them now a visit. Let us find for ourselves how our mother, with her frail body, manages to take care of her in-laws all by herself there.” Sahadeva’s words found immediate response in favour from all his brothers.

Draupadi was also thinking in those lines when she heard the words of her young husband. She, immediately, joined in the discussion. “My heart aches with the thought of our dear mother. I often wonder whether she remains alive. Please take me also with you.” All the other queens expressed a similar desire through words or by mere looks.

The news of a possible royal visit to the forest was the topic of current interest in the palace and outside. It was soon clear that there were several others who would, given a chance, like to join in.

Elaborate preparations

It was one thing for the five Pandavas to go by themselves and yet another to take the ladies with them. So, the Pandava king ordered an army of servants and soldiers to be made ready. He declared that any of his subjects who so desired to accompany the royal visit to the forest would be allowed to do so. This was announced in every nook and corner of the kingdom days in advance. The king also ordered temporary rest houses with all amenities to be built along the path to be followed.

On the day of journey Yudhishthira climbed into his golden chariot with two of his assistants gently fanning him, befitting his royal status, with the camara (caamara or the camara tail fan). Bhima mounted himself on a mighty elephant. Arjuna drove his usual chariot driven by his favourite white stallions. Nakula and Sahadeva accompanied them on horse back. The Pandava queens like Draupadi, Subhadra, Uttara were carried on palanquins. Others followed in whatever transport they could get or on foot. All were keen to meet their aged king and queens leading ascetic life in the forest. The venerable Kripa was in charge of the army, travelling a little ahead of the rest.

The royal procession rested at night on river banks wherever shelters were provided on the way. Villagers came to pay tribute to the visiting monarchs. Draupadi and other queens distributed liberal gifts to all those who came to meet them.

After five days of journey the Pandavas reached the outskirts of the forest. They alighted from their vehicles and left the army at a distance. All then started moving into the forest on foot.

They met a few sages on the way to whom Yudhishthira asked, with his eyes filled with tears, about the whereabouts of the blind Kaurava king. The sages pointed to the river Yamuna and said that the king had gone there to collect water for his daily prayers. All, then, proceeded in that direction.