88. The Exile Begins

Many faithful followers accompanied the Pandavas and Draupadi into the wilderness.

“Please go home,” Yudhishthira told them. “The forest is dangerous, and I cannot keep you safe. Return to Hastinapura, and we too shall return when our years of exile are complete.”

Yudhishthira was worried how they would feed themselves in the wilderness; they could not feed all these followers too.

The family priest then urged Yudhishthira to pray to Surya, the sun-god, source of the world’s bounty. Surya appeared and gave Yudhishthira a copper bowl.

“Let Draupadi cook with this bowl,” Surya said, “and it will always be full.”

89. The Story of Kurukshetra

During their exile, the forest rishis told the Pandavas many stories, including this story about their ancestor, King Kuru.

King Kuru took his plow and went into the field. He ran out of seed, so he cut off his flesh for seed, watering the field with his blood.

“King Kuru, what do you want?” Indra asked. “I will grant you a boon!”

“I need nothing,” replied Kuru, “but please bless this land so that anyone who dies here in the act of renunciation or in the act of war will ascend to heaven!”

Indra agreed. That field was Kuru-kshetra, Kuru-Field.

90. The Story of Rama

“Has any king suffered more than I?” Yudhishthira asked the rishis.

“Listen to Rama’s story,” the rishi Maitreya told him. “Rama was blameless, but his father, King Dasharatha, exiled him at the behest of a jealous queen. For fourteen years, Rama lived as a forest hermit with his brother, Lakshmana, and his wife, Sita. Then the king of the rakshasas, Ravana, kidnapped Sita, and Rama had to wage a war to rescue her. He had no human allies, but with an army of monkeys, including the monkey-god Hanuman, he defeated Ravana. Only after all those hardships did Rama become king.”

91. The Story of Nala

“There was also King Nala,” Maitreya continued. “He lost his kingdom in a gambling match with his own brother, who then exiled Nala to the forest. Nala’s loyal wife, Damayanti, accompanied him. Feeling ashamed, Nala abandoned her in the forest to live out his exile alone. Damayanti spent years searching for Nala but couldn’t find him anywhere. Damayanti’s father organized a swayamvara for her to choose a new husband, and Nala arrived, serving as charioteer to one of the kings seeking a bride. Damayanti recognized him, and together they won back Nala’s kingdom and ruled again as king and queen.”

92. The Story of Savitri

Maitreya then told another story. “King Ashwapati’s daughter Savitri chose to marry Satyavan, a prince living in poverty in the forest, supporting his blind father, a king who had lost his kingdom. Even worse: the royal astrologer predicted Satyavan would die in one year. But Savitri loved him, and when Yama took Satyavan to the land of the dead, she followed. ‘You cannot follow!’ Yama said, but Savitri persisted. Impressed, Yama granted her a wish. ‘I want to bear Satyavan’s children,’ she said. Thus Yama had to restore Satyavan’s life, thanks to Savitri.”

“I like that story,” said Draupadi, smiling.

93. The Rishi Maitreya Curses Duryodhana

After visiting the Pandavas in their forest exile, the rishi Maitreya went to Hastinapura. “You must make peace between your sons and your nephews,” he said to King Dhritarashtra. “If not, it will lead to the annihilation of your family line.”

But Duryodhana just laughed at Maitreya and slapped his thigh as he had done when taunting Draupadi.

“I curse you, Duryodhana!” said Maitreya. “One day Bhima will crush that thigh.”

“Take back your curse!” begged Duryodhana, truly alarmed.

“The only solution is to make peace with the Pandavas,” Maitreya replied.

But Duryodhana would never make peace with his cousins.

94. Jayadratha Comes to the Forest

Draupadi was surprised to see Jayadratha, King of Sindhu, approach their forest camp in his chariot; he was the husband of Duryodhana’s sister, Duhshala.

“Perhaps he brings a message from Hastinapura,” Draupadi thought.

“My husbands are hunting,” she explained, “but they will return soon.”

“I came to see you!” Jayadratha replied. “Leave this wretched wilderness and come with me. I’ll be your new husband.”

“How dare you!” Draupadi screamed as Jayadratha grabbed her.

“You’re a whore for the taking,” Jayadratha shouted at her angrily. “And I’m going to take you!”

He then threw her in his chariot and rode away.

95. The Pandavas Stop Jayadratha

The rishis heard Draupadi screaming, and they ran to find the Pandavas.

Arjuna quickly caught up with Jayadratha and used fire-arrows to incinerate his chariot wheels. Bhima then jumped on Jayadratha and began pummeling him with his mighty fists, while the twins kicked him from left and right.

“Stop!” Yudhishthira shouted. “Don’t kill him. He is married to the only sister in our family.”

“Then I’ll humiliate him for everyone to see,” said Bhima, and he pulled out all of Jayadratha’s hair, leaving just five tufts sticking out, one for each of the Pandavas to whom Jayadratha owed his life.

96. Bhima Searches for Lotuses

A golden lotus blown by the wind landed at Draupadi’s feet. “How lovely!” she said.

“I’ll bring you more,” Bhima said eagerly, racing off to gather more lotuses.

He soon found his path blocked by a monkey’s tail.

“Move your tail!” Bhima shouted at the sleeping monkey.

The monkey didn’t move.

“I said: MOVE YOUR TAIL.”

“I’m old,” the monkey replied. “You move it.”

But Bhima couldn’t move the tail: it was too heavy!

Then the monkey rose up tall as a mountain.

“Lord Hanuman!” Bhima exclaimed, happily saluting his brother, for they were both sons of the wind-god, Vayu.

97. A Python Captures Bhima

One day, a python grabbed Bhima. As Bhima struggled, the snake said, “I was King Nahusha. I took Indraloka from Indra. I also took Indra’s queen, Shachi. But she tricked me: she said the Saptarishis must carry me to her on a palanquin, and when the rishis walked slowly, I kicked one in the head. He cursed me to live as a python until someone named Yudhishthira freed me.”

“Yudhishthira’s my brother!” Bhima shouted.

“You’re jussssst ssssssaying that…” hissed the python.

“Help!” Bhima yelled.

His brothers came running and, at Yudhishthira’s touch, Nahusha shed his snake-body and ascended to heaven.

98. Vyasa Advises Yudhishthira

Yudhishthira apologized for the suffering he had brought upon his family. “I gambled because I wanted to depose Duryodhana so that we could rule the whole kingdom,” he confessed. “But I realize anger about this serves no purpose now. I must practice patience, certain that someday we’ll regain our kingdom.”

Draupadi and the others, however, did not share Yudhishthira’s equanimity.

Then Vyasa arrived, and he taught Yudhishthira a mantra that controlled a great weapon. “Teach this mantra to Arjuna,” he said, “and send Arjuna out to search for more weapons. You must be prepared for the war that is coming.”

99. Arjuna Encounters a Hunter

Arjuna ascended a sacred mountain and meditated deeply, praying to Shiva.

As he prayed, a boar attacked.

Arjuna emerged from meditation, grabbed his bow, and shot the boar.

To Arjuna’s surprise, another arrow struck the boar. “The boar is mine!” shouted a hunter emerging from the trees.

“No!” protested Arjuna. “It’s mine!”

They fought, and Arjuna could not overcome this hunter. He appealed to Shiva for help, throwing a garland on the Shiva-statue he had made.

The garland appeared around the hunter’s neck!

“You are Shiva!” Arjuna shouted, bowing down.

Shiva was pleased and rewarded Arjuna with the Pashupata weapon.

100. Arjuna Visits Indra’s Heaven

Indra, king of the gods, took his son Arjuna to heaven, and there Arjuna acquired many weapons. He also learned music and dancing from the gandharvas and apsaras.

The apsara Urvashi fell in love with Arjuna, but Arjuna rebuffed her. “You’re like a mother to me,” he said, “as you were once married to Pururavas, my ancestor.”

“Because you’ve failed me as a man,” Urvashi said angrily, “I curse you to be a eunuch.”

“Don’t worry,” Indra told Arjuna. “Her curse will last only one year, thus keeping you safe in the year of exile you must spend in disguise.”

101. The Pandavas Are Reunited

After years spent acquiring weapons, Arjuna joyfully rejoined his brothers. Their long exile was easier to bear when they were all together.

Duryodhana, meanwhile, was troubled when he heard about Arjuna’s newly acquired weapons.

“Fear not,” said Shakuni. “They are beggars, nothing like the princes they once were. Take your most magnificent army now, before they enter their year of disguise, and show them your might and power!”

“I like this plan,” Duryodhana said, smiling.

Duryodhana then marched an army into the forest and set up camp with music and merriment, sending a messenger to his cousins with an invitation.

102. Duryodhana Fights the Gandharvas

On his way to the Pandavas, Duryodhana’s messenger met a gandharva, sent by the gods to cause trouble. And trouble there was: the messenger fought with the gandharva, and soon Duryodhana himself and his whole army were fighting with an army of gandharvas.

Then the gandharvas took Duryodhana prisoner, while Duryodhana’s soldiers all fled in fear.

When Yudhishthira learned the news, he sent Bhima and Arjuna to rescue Duryodhana. “He’s still our cousin after all,” Yudhishthira said. So Bhima and Arjuna rescued Duryodhana, and they taunted him for needing their help.

The incident made Duryodhana hate the Pandavas even more.

103. The Pandavas Look for Water

Tracking a deer deep into the forest, the Pandavas grew tired and thirsty. “We’ll rest here,” Yudhishthira said, “and you look for water, Nakula.”

Nakula found a lake, and began to drink when a voice shouted, “Stop!”

Nakula saw no one, just a crane.

“Stop!” It was the crane who spoke. “You must answer my questions before you drink.”

But Nakula was so thirsty that he could not resist. He drank. He died.

When Nakula did not return, Yudhishthira sent Sahadeva. Then Arjuna. Then Bhima.

Then Yudhishthira himself came to the lake, and he saw his brothers lying there, dead.

104. Yudhishthira Answers the Questions

Yudhishthira wept when he saw his dead brothers. Then he bent down to drink, and the crane said, “Stop! Answer my questions first.”

Unlike his brothers, Yudhishthira obeyed. “Ask your questions!” he said, and the crane transformed into a mighty yaksha.

“What is faster than wind?” the yaksha asked.

“The mind,” replied Yudhishthira.

“What is more numerous than the grasses?”

“Our thoughts.”

“Who journeys always alone?”

“The sun.”

“What enemy is invincible?”

“Anger.”

The questions went on and on; Yudhishthira answered them all.

“You have answered well,” said the yaksha. “You may revive one of your brothers. Choose which one.”

105. The Yaksha Revives the Pandavas

Yudhishthira answered the yaksha instantly. “Let Nakula live!”

“You surprise me,” said the yaksha. “He is Madri’s son.”

“And I am Kunti’s son,” said Yudhishthira. “The sons of both mothers must survive this exile.”

“You are indeed righteous!” said the yaksha. “I will revive all four.”

The four Pandavas arose, amazed to see a mighty yaksha standing there.

Then the yaksha transformed. Before them stood Yama, the god of dharma, Yudhishthira’s father. “I used the deer to lure you, my son,” Yama explained. “I was testing you, and you have done well. I give all five of you my blessing.”

106. The Pandavas Go to King Virata

After twelve years of exile in the forest, the Pandavas and Draupadi had to spend a thirteenth year in disguise. If they were discovered, the exile would begin again. They decided to hide together in the court of King Virata in Matsya.

Yudhishthira became Kanka, playing dice with the king; during his time in exile Yudhishthira had become very skilled at dice.

Bhima became Vallabha, a cook.

Arjuna became Brihannala, a eunuch who taught the ladies dancing and music.

Nakula became Granthika, a trainer of horses.

Sahadeva became Tantipala, a herder of cattle.

Draupadi became Sairandhri, maid to Queen Sudeshna.

107. Kichaka Pursues Draupadi

Before joining the court of King Virata as servants, the Pandavas tied their weapons and armor in a bundle and hid the bundle in a tree that stood in the cremation grounds.

Then they entered Virata’s court and, thanks to the blessing of Yama, no one recognized them as the Pandavas.

The year of disguise was almost complete when disaster struck: Queen Sudeshna’s brother, a general named Kichaka, became obsessed with Draupadi.

“I’m married to five powerful gandharvas,” Draupadi told him, “and they watch over me. You must leave me alone, for your own good.”

But Kichaka ignored her warnings.

108. Draupadi Seeks Protection

Draupadi appealed to Queen Sudeshna. “Dear Sairandhri,” she said, “my brother Kichaka is harmless, I assure you.”

Draupadi, however, knew she was in serious danger. She threw herself on the king’s mercy, but he ignored her, and Yudhishthira, who was playing dice with the king at the time, said nothing.

Draupadi felt betrayed once again, as she had at the dice game in Hastinapura years ago.

But this time, Bhima came to her aid. “I will protect you, Draupadi,” he said, and he told Draupadi to invite Kichaka to the dancing hall that night. “I’ll do the rest,” Bhima promised.

109. Bhima Kills Kichaka

“Come to the dancing hall tonight,” Draupadi told Kichaka. “I’ll show you my special dance.”

The hall was dark when Kichaka arrived. “Sairandhri,” he cooed, “where are you?”

“HERE!” boomed a voice. It was Bhima, who grabbed Kichaka and squeezed him to death, crushing him into a big ball of flesh.

Suspicion fell on Draupadi, and King Virata threatened to throw her on Kichaka’s funeral pyre.

“I warned him about my powerful gandharva husbands,” Draupadi protested, “but he didn’t listen!”

Now King Virata was afraid too, and he spared Draupadi.

Thus Draupadi and the Pandavas remained in the king’s service.

110. Duryodhana Searches for the Pandavas

The thirteenth year was almost over. Duryodhana sent his spies everywhere, but he could not find the Pandavas.

Then he heard about the mysterious gandharvas who had killed his friend Kichaka in the court of King Virata. “That must be the Pandavas! I’m sure of it!”

Drona and Bhishma both urged restraint. “If you find the Pandavas, make peace with them,” they advised. Even Dushasana tried to persuade his brother to set aside his obsession with the Pandavas.

But Duryodhana did not listen. He was determined to find the Pandavas and thus condemn them to another thirteen years of exile.

111. Duryodhana Attacks Virata

Duryodhana was allied with Susharman, king of Trigarta and an enemy of King Virata.

“We should attack Virata now,” said Susharman, “and steal his cattle! Without Kichaka to lead his army, Virata will be defenseless.”

This plan delighted Duryodhana, and he launched an attack immediately.

Virata commanded his young son, Prince Uttara, to defend the kingdom, but Uttara did not even have a charioteer.

“I will be your charioteer,” said Brihannala, and Uttara burst out laughing. “You are the dancing teacher!” he scoffed. “I need a warrior to escort me.”

“Trust me,” said Brihannala. “I will carry you to victory.”

112. Prince Uttara and Arjuna Ride into Battle

Brihannala then drove straight to the cremation grounds.

“Fool!” Uttara shouted. “What are you doing?”

“Preparing for victory,” he replied, opening the bundle of weapons. “Behold, the Gandiva bow! And I am Prince Arjuna.”

“Forgive me,” said Uttara, astonished. “I will drive the chariot.”

Arjuna then blew his conch, and Drona recognized the sound.

“It’s Arjuna,” he exclaimed. Then he turned to Duryodhana. “Sire, you should return to Hastinapura. Now is not the time for you to fight the Pandavas.”

“Now is exactly the time!” replied Duryodhana.

And so the Kauravas prepared to face Arjuna and Virata’s army in battle.

113. Arjuna Faces the Kauravas in Battle

The thirteenth year of exile had ended at midnight, and Duryodhana had not found the Pandavas in time, which only made him more determined to defeat them in battle. He sent Karna against Arjuna; they fought fiercely, and Karna finally left the field drenched in his own blood.

Arjuna then used a mantra to put the Kauravas to sleep and commanded Prince Uttara to strip their clothes to take as trophies.

Back at the palace, Arjuna resumed his identity as Brihannala.

“Take the trophies to your father and tell him you won the battle,” he said, and Uttara smiled gratefully.

114. King Virata Boasts about Prince Uttara

“What say you, Kanka?” King Virata asked his dicing partner. “Isn’t my son Uttara a remarkable warrior?”

“Indeed, my lord!” replied Yudhishthira. “Although his eunuch charioteer is even more remarkable.”

Enraged, Virata threw the dice at Yudhishthira, striking him in the forehead and drawing blood. Draupadi rushed to catch every drop, knowing that death awaited anyone who spilled Yudhishthira’s blood to the ground.

Uttara was shocked, aware as he was now of Yudhishthira’s identity. “Take care with that old brahmin,” he warned his father. “He might curse you.”

The king apologized, and Yudhishthira said soothingly, “It is already forgotten, sire.”