Bhima, looking for food, one day came to a large cave on mountain-side. A huge python lived in the cave and caught unwary passers-by. As soon as it saw Bhima, it shot out towards him and, before he could do anything, it had coiled itself around him tightly. Bhima was unable to do anything. He […]
In a forest, the wind dropped a fragrant flower near Draupadi. Bhima set off to find more for her. On the way, a huge monkey lay across the path, blocking his way. He couldn’t persuade or frighten the monkey to get out of his way. The monkey said Bhima should jump over him and go.
The Pandavas and Draupadi were missing Arjuna. The priest, Dhaumya, and sage Lomasa, who were with them, suggested that they should journey through the Himalayas while waiting for Arjuna. So the four brothers, Draupadi, Bhima’s son, Ghatotkacha, Dhaumya and Lomasa went to various pilgrim centres, ashrams, forests and kingdoms. Often Draupadi was tired, so they
Indra sent his special chariot to escort Arjuna to Amaravati, his abode in heaven. Arjuna was delighted to see the gardens, the apsaras and their divine dances, hear the music of the gandharvas. He learnt the art of music and musical instruments and dance from Chitrasena, a gandharva. Indra gave him his own divine weapon,
Shiva recognized Arjuna and knew the purpose for which he was there. But he had to test Arjuna’s devotion before granting his wish. Arjuna began penance to worship Shiva, who came into the forest as a hunter, along with his wife, Parvati. He was pursuing a boar that charged at Arjuna. Simultaneously, the hunter Kirata,
Bhima and Draupadi first tried to persuade Yudhishthira to attack the Kauravas and take revenge. Yudhishthira said they should first fulfil the condition of the game and complete their exile. Krishna and Vyasa arrived in Kamyakaranya along with King Drupada. They tried to soothe the Pandavas. Vyasa also warned them that there would be a
The Pandavas shifted to the Kamyaka forest. On the way, an asura holding a flaming torch challenged them, asking them why they had entered his forest. Yudhishthira introduced himself and his family. It made the demon even more angry. His brother, Bakasura, and a dear friend, Hidimb, had been killed by Bhima, he said. He
Kunti stayed with Vidura. Sage Dhaumya, who was priest to the Pandavas, accompanied them in their exile. They built a hut and lived there. Yudhishthira was worried because he was not able to feed the large number of people who had come into the forest with him. He sought Dhaumya’s advice. Dhaumya told him to
Salva, a friend of Shishupala, decided to attack Dwaraka to avenge his friend’s defeat at Krishna’s hands. Krishna’s grandfather, old Ugrasena, defended Dwaraka in Krishna’s absence. The city was under siege when Krishna returned. So he in turn attacked Salva and killed him. It was only later that he heard all about the game of
People wept as the Pandavas, with Draupadi, went into exile. Dhritarashtra was worried, because Narada proclaimed that after fourteen years the race of the Kauravas would be destroyed because of Duryodhana’s crime. No one had any comfort to offer the blind king or his son but they all knew that Duryodhana would do whatever he
Draupadi’s anger was terrible. The Pandavas then left the hall to return to Indraprastha. Duryodhana, again supported by Shakuni, Karna and Duhshasana, was very angry with his father for letting this opportunity slip from their hands. He was also afraid of the Pandavas. He insisted that they should recall Yudhishthira for another game. If he
With the terrible omens, a voice from the heavens thundered a threat to destroy Duhshasana with lightning. Terrified, he fled. But Duryodhana was beyond any possibility of change. He patted his thigh and invited Draupadi to sit on it. Bhima was already in a rage and he vowed to break Duryodhana’s thigh in combat. He
The Pandavas hung their heads in shame, and Bhima trembled with fury. The elders sat in misery at the shameful action of the Kauravas. The only Kaurava who protested was Vikarna. Draupadi pleaded with the Kauravas, the elders, and her husbands. Draupadi asked whether her husband, having lost everything, had any right at all to
When Vidura invited Yudhishthira, he told him that he was against the idea of the game. But Yudhishthira did not wish to make Dhritarashtra unhappy by refusing, so he went for the game. The hall was crowded with all the Bharata clan, their friends, relatives and teachers. Shakuni, who was a trickster, played on behalf
Duryodhana had to persuade Dhritarashtra to agree to the scheme, which would not be difficult as Dhritarashtra was weak-willed and so fond of his son that he ignored all his faults and wrong actions. He would say nice things at first. Then he would agree to everything his son wanted. They told Dhritarashtra about their