Mahabharata

The Pandavas are ruling their kingdom justly with their shared wife, Draupadi. One day, a distressed brahmana (a member of the priestly class) reports that robbers have stolen his cattle. Arjuna must retrieve his weapons, but they are in a chamber where Yudhishthira and Draupadi are being intimate. Even though entering the chamber uninvited means exile, Arjuna prioritizes duty: He retrieves his weapons, aids the brahmana, and insists on undertaking a 12-year exile as penance.

During his exile, Arjuna embarks on a pilgrimage. At the Ganges River, he is pulled underwater by the Naga princess Ulupi, the daughter of the serpent king Kauravya. She expresses her love, and Arjuna agrees to be with her, resulting in a son named Iravan. Continuing his journey, Arjuna reaches the kingdom of Manipura, where he meets Chitrangada, daughter of King Chitravahana. Impressed by her, Arjuna marries her on the condition that their son, Vabhruvahana, will inherit the Manipura throne.

Later, Arjuna rescues celestial maidens who were cursed to be crocodiles. He then reunites with his close friend Krishna, who introduces him to his sister Subhadra. Arjuna falls deeply in love with her. Krishna advises Arjuna to abduct Subhadra, as traditional marriage methods might be unreliable. Following this counsel, Arjuna kidnaps Subhadra during a festival at the Raivataka Mountain.

The abduction angers Krishna’s clan, the Yadavas—especially Balarama, Krishna’s elder brother. However, Krishna persuades them that the union is appropriate. Arjuna and Subhadra marry formally and return to Indraprastha. Subhadra gives birth to Abhimanyu, who becomes a valiant warrior like his father.

Meanwhile, Draupadi bears five sons, one from each Pandava brother: Prativindhya from Yudhishthira, Sutasoma from Bhima, Shrutakarma from Arjuna, Shatanika from Nakula, and Shrutasena from Sahadeva (Nakula and Sahadeva are the youngest Pandava twins). These sons grow up to be formidable warriors.

Throughout these events, the Pandavas strengthen their alliances and lineage. Arjuna’s marriages expand their connections with different realms—the Nagas through Ulupi, Manipura through Chitrangada, and the Yadavas through Subhadra.

The Pandavas enjoy a peaceful reign under Yudhishthira. One day, Arjuna and Krishna decide to relax by the Yamuna River. As they revel in festivities, a mysterious brahmana approaches them, revealing himself to be Agni, the god of fire.

Agni seeks their help to consume the Khandava Forest, which he needs to restore his strength after overindulging in sacrificial offerings during the ceremonies of King Swetaki, a devout monarch who performed extensive sacrifices. However, Indra (king of the gods and Arjuna’s divine father) protects the forest due to his friendship with the serpent Takshaka, who resides there. Indra thwarts Agni’s attempts by sending rain.

Agreeing to assist, Arjuna and Krishna receive celestial weapons: Arjuna obtains the mighty bow Gandiva, inexhaustible quivers, and a divine chariot with white horses; Krishna receives a discus (a spinning, disc-shaped weapon) and a mace. Together, they prevent the forest’s inhabitants from escaping and fend off attacks from gods, demons, and celestial beings who try to save the forest, including a direct confrontation with Indra.

During the chaos, Arjuna saves Maya (a skilled danava, or demon architect), who, in gratitude, offers his services. At Krishna’s suggestion, Maya builds an exquisite assembly hall for Yudhishthira, blending divine, demonic, and human architectural marvels.

A subplot features the Sarngakas, a family of fledgling birds that live in the forest. Their mother, Jarita, attempts to save them from the fire, but the wise chicks urge her to save herself instead. They pray to Agni, who, impressed by their devotion, spares them.

Ultimately, Agni is satiated, Indra acknowledges that the destruction was destined, and Arjuna and Krishna are celebrated for their unparalleled prowess. Agni grants them boons, enhancing their abilities and solidifying their legendary status.

The Pandavas are enjoying their magnificent new palace built by the danava Maya. Maya, grateful to the brothers for saving his life, gifts Bhima a powerful club and Arjuna a conch shell, both imbued with extraordinary powers.

One day, the celestial sage Narada visits the Pandava court. Yudhishthira receives Narada with utmost respect, offering him hospitality and gifts. Pleased, Narada engages Yudhishthira in a spiritual discourse, asking him an extensive series of questions about kingship, governance, and moral duties.

Narada’s inquiries cover a vast array of topics: the proper administration of the kingdom; the welfare of subjects; the balance between virtue, pleasure, and profit; and the ethical conduct of a ruler. He questions Yudhishthira on his strategies for maintaining justice, managing finances, selecting wise and loyal ministers, and protecting the vulnerable in society. Narada emphasizes the importance of secrecy in counsel, rewarding merit, and upholding dharma.

Yudhishthira listens attentively, reflecting on each question. He acknowledges the wisdom in Narada’s words and assures the sage of his commitment to these principles. Impressed, Narada blesses Yudhishthira, stating that a king who adheres to such guidance will not only prosper on earth but also attain higher realms after death.

Duryodhana’s envy toward his cousins deepens. During a visit to the Pandavas’ magnificent palace, Duryodhana becomes the object of ridicule when he first mistakes its crystal floors for water and then falls into actual pools, leading to laughter from Bhima and others. Humiliated and seething with jealousy over the Pandavas’ prosperity, Duryodhana returns to Hastinapura in despair.

Confiding in his uncle Sakuni, a master gambler and strategist, Duryodhana expresses his desire to undermine the Pandavas. Sakuni devises a plan to challenge Yudhishthira to a rigged game of dice, exploiting Yudhishthira’s weakness and lack of gambling skill.

Duryodhana approaches King Dhritarashtra with the scheme. Initially hesitant due to moral reservations and the wise counsel of Vidura, Dhritarashtra eventually succumbs to his son’s insistence. Despite Vidura’s warnings about the dangers of gambling and the potential for familial discord, Dhritarashtra orders the construction of a grand assembly hall to host the game.

Vidura is sent to invite Yudhishthira to Hastinapura. Aware of the possible consequences but bound by honor and the customs of the kshatriya warrior caste, Yudhishthira accepts the invitation, as refusing a challenge goes against his principles.

The chapter concludes with the Pandavas arriving in Hastinapura. They are warmly received by Dhritarashtra and the elders, but underlying tensions hint at the impending tragedy.

Yudhishthira is challenged by Sakuni to a high-stakes game of dice. Despite initial reluctance, Yudhishthira agrees to play. As the game progresses, he loses his wealth, royal chariot, servants, armies, and even his kingdom to Sakuni’s deceitful play. Under pressure and the grip of gambling fever, Yudhishthira even stakes and loses his brothers—Nakula, Sahadeva, Arjuna, and Bhima.

Finally, Yudhishthira wagers and loses Draupadi. After this bet, the Kauravas summon Draupadi to the assembly hall. Dussasana, one of the Kaurava brothers, forcibly drags her into the court, attempting to disrobe her in front of all present, thus dishonoring her.

Humiliated and distraught, Draupadi questions the assembly about the legality of her wager. The elders, including Bhishma, Drona, and Vidura, are conflicted but largely remain silent due to their obligations.

As Dussasana tries to undress her, Draupadi prays fervently to Vishnu. Miraculously, her sari becomes endless, so Dussasana cannot strip her and take away her dignity. Witnessing this divine intervention, the assembly is awestruck.

Enraged by the insult to Draupadi, Bhima swears a terrible oath to kill Dussasana and drink his blood. Karna mocks Draupadi, further inflaming the situation.

King Dhritarashtra, sensing the gravity of the situation and fearing divine retribution, intervenes. He offers Draupadi boons to appease her. She asks for the freedom of Yudhishthira and her other husbands. Dhritarashtra grants her requests, and the Pandavas are released from bondage.

After the rigged dice game between the Pandavas and their cousins the Kauravas, the advisor Karna mocks the Pandavas, insinuating that their wife, Draupadi, saved them from total ruin. Bhima is infuriated by this insult and expresses a desire for immediate revenge. Arjuna counsels restraint, reminding Bhima that noble individuals should not be swayed by the harsh words of inferiors.

Yudhishthira calms Bhima and approaches King Dhritarashtra, reaffirming their obedience. Dhritarashtra advises them to return to their part of the kingdom peacefully. However, Duryodhana is displeased with this resolution. Alongside Karna and Sakuni, he persuades Dhritarashtra to invite the Pandavas for another dice game, proposing exile as the new stake.

Despite objections, Dhritarashtra consents. The Pandavas, bound by honor, accept the challenge and, after losing again due to deceit, are sentenced to 12 years of forest exile and a 13th year incognito.

As they depart, the Pandavas make solemn vows of retribution. Bhima swears to kill Duryodhana and his brother Dussasana, Arjuna vows to slay Karna, Sahadeva pledges to kill Sakuni, and Nakula vows to defeat the Kauravas. The citizens mourn their departure as ominous portents—such as unnatural weather and animals behaving strangely—foreshadow the calamities to come.

The Pandavas’ mother Kunti is devastated by their exile; Vidura attempts to console her. Dhritarashtra, troubled by the bad omens, begins to grasp the dire consequences of his actions. Sanjaya, Dhritarashtra’s charioteer and advisor, warns that the Kauravas’ treachery will lead to their downfall.

When the Pandavas leave for their forest exile, a group of brahmanas insists on accompanying them. Yudhishthira urges the brahmanas to return, expressing concern that he cannot support them in the hardships of forest life.

One of the brahmanas, Saunaka, addresses Yudhishthira. He delivers a philosophical discourse on the nature of suffering, attachment, and the importance of renouncing desires. Saunaka emphasizes that true wisdom lies in remaining unaffected by worldly losses and that wealth often leads to misery due to the attachments it fosters.

Yudhishthira responds by explaining that his desire for wealth is not for personal gain but to support the brahmanas and fulfill his duties as a king. Recognizing Yudhishthira’s dilemma, Dhaumya, the Pandavas’ priest, advises him to worship Surya, the sun god, to seek assistance.

Following Dhaumya’s guidance, Yudhishthira performs austerities (intense spiritual exercises often including meditation, physical discipline, and fasting) and recites a hymn praising Surya, invoking his 108 names. Pleased by Yudhishthira’s devotion, Surya appears and grants him a magical copper vessel that provides an inexhaustible supply of food until Draupadi has eaten for the day. With this boon, Yudhishthira can now support the brahmanas. The Pandavas, accompanied by Dhaumya and the brahmanas, proceed to the Kamyaka Forest to begin their exile.