Reading Notes: Mahabharata, Epified, Part F

Draupadi was dragged into the court after her husband had lost her in a game of chance. Duryodhana declared that Draupadi should be disrobed in front of the court. Seeing that no one would help her, she prayed to Krishna. As Duryodhana's brother pulled the cloth off, it seemed to have no end due to her prayers. It was then that the Pandavas could stand no more, and vowed to kill the Kauravas. Dhritarashtra became worried at this, so he took charge of the matter and freed Draupadi. He even allowed Draupadi to make three demands of Dhritarashtra so that the matter could be settled. She demanded Yudhishthir be freed, as well as the Pandavas and their kingdom. The Pandavas then left the court and returned home, but their desire for vengeance was not satisfied yet.

Duryodhana recognized the Pandavas were not finished, so he hatched another plan to invite them for another game of dice and take their kingdom away. The Pandavas agreed again to this game. Of course, the Pandavas lost the game and were sent into exile for 12 years.

The Pandavas were exiled. They left their home behind and headed into the forest. They encountered Krishna, who urged they fight back instead of submitting, but Yudhishthir would not relent, arguing the time was not yet right for war. While in the forest, the Pandavas encountered a Rakshasa, and a fierce battle ensued. The Pandavas eventually won, and were reminded that together they could defeat any foe.

This episode is the backstory to Krishna meeting the Pandavas before they entered the forest. Krishna heard that the Pandavas lost their kingdom and were sent into exile due to their gambling, and was thus agitated with Duryodhana for his deceit. Krishna blamed himself partly because if he had been there he could have prevented the gambling match. You see, when Krishna killed Shushupal, his friend Shalva became angered and launched an attack against Dwarka, Krishna's kingdom. So, Krishna had to be in Dwarka for the war effort, and thus missed the gambling match. The war ended with Krishna killing Shalva. He then promised the Pandavas his unconditional support upon their return.

The Pandavas were now leading modest lives in a hut in the forest. Many sages visited the hut and the Pandavas welcomed them. One such sage was the great Ved Vyasa. Vyasa told Arjun that he needs to acquire the weapons of Indra and Shiva. Arjun left for the Himalayas and prayed to Shiva. Shiva appeared to him in the form of a hunter, but before he reached Arjun a boar attacked Arjun. Both Shiva and Arjun shot the boar full of arrows, but Arjun became angered that a stranger had attacked his target too. A battle ensued, ending with Shiva knocking Arjun out. Arjun realized the hunter was Shiva and prayed for forgiveness. Shiva forgave him and gifted him the Pasupata weapon.

Shiva gives Arjun the Pasupata weapon. Source: Wikimedia

Epics of India