Mahabharata/Jaya - Rescuing Duryodhana and Ramayana

"Bhima, Arjuna, Go save Duryodhana." Thus spoke Yuddhistira on learning that Duryodhana had been captured by the Gandharvas (Forest tribe).

Karna instigated Duryodhana to go to the forest and gloat in the vicinity of the Pandavas. This was to make the Pandavas feel more sad and tempt them to attack. During their stay in the forest, Duryodhana's camp were attacked by Gandharvas (Forest tribe). On learning this, Yuddhistira commanded Bhima and Arjuna to help him. At first, they objected but then Yuddhistira reminded them that to help the helpless is the Kshatriya Dharma (warrior code).  Yuddhistira has always been dispassionate follower of the laws and this incident just shows it. Arjuna and Bhima then defeated the Gandharva soldiers and freed Duryodhana. In some retellings, Karna was also captured while in some he had escaped the place but came back to free Duryodhana just when Arjuna and Bhima freed Duryodhana. Anyways, the kauravas and Karna felt extremely humiliated by this incident. It also shows the political foresight of Yuddhistira. He knew if Duryodhana was captured and executed by Gandharvas (forest tribes) then they will have to fight with Gandharvas to reclaim their land. If Duryodhana was free, then it is quite possible that he might return the land once Pandavas complete their exile.

Once Yuddhistira was very sad and upset because of the continous rants of his brothers and Draupadi who accused him for everything. He thought that there was no one who had suffered more than him. This is when Sage Markandeya narrated to him the story of Ram. He indicated how Ram had left his kingdom in exile for 14 years to hold his father's promise true, Sita accompanied him out of her sense of duty and Lakshama out of his brotherly love and loyalty. Sita was then later kidnapped by his wife but and Ram had to travel to Lanka to fight with Ravana to win her back. At the end, he was crowned king of Ayodhya. This showed Yuddhistira as well as us that there will always be someone who has suffered more.

Mahabharata/Jaya - Krishna meets Pandavas

"To keep your word is Dharma". Thus spoke Krishna to Pandavas and Draupadi reminding them to complete the entire 13 years of exile before taking any further action.

Dwaraka was attacked by Sishupal's friends soon after his death. That is the reason Krishna had to leave Indraprastha and rush back to Dwaraka.

Krishna came to meet the Pandavas as soon as the battle was over and he heard about their exile. The younger brothers stated that since Yuddhistira lost the stake, only he is bound by the stake. They can fight and win back their kingdom. Krishna completely condoned them saying, "None of you stopped Yuddhistira from raising the stakes. Your pride had prevented you from withdrawing. Duryodhana did not force you to stake your wife. But you allowed it and did not protest it. You all are equally responsible for whatever happened. So now keep your word and suffer. In doing so, is Dharma".

Then to Draupadi he said, "You yourself rejected Karna in the name of caste. He would have never staked you  or infact, not even shared with his brothers. So your actions have brought all this as well. Now you to will have to suffer for that."

This incident just shows Krishna's hold on social codes and individual truths. He is also a great orator and Pandavas follow him. Politically, Krishna also knew that if the Pandavas had gone to wage a war no one would support them. The others will tag them as the ones who staked their kingdom and wife and now going against their own word. At the moment, the weight of justice was not with Pandavas. 
He knows how to reconcile between the individual laws along with the social code with a political outlook. 


In another instant, Duryodhana had purposely sent Sage Durvasa and his disciples to the forest to stay with Pandavas. This was purposely done as Sage Duravasa was known for his temper and to curse anyone if they fall short in serving him. They reached the Pandavas' hut after lunch time. There was no food in the house. Sage Durvasa informed Yuddhistira that they will have lunch after having a bath in the river. The Pandavas and Draupadi were worried of his wrath as there was no food at home. Just then Krishna came to the hut and asked for food. Draupadi sadly showed her empty vessels to Krishna. Krishna spotted a grain of rice in the utensil and ate it and claimed, " That was filling". At the same time, Sage Durvasa and his disciples who were having bath felt their hunger was satiated. Hence, they did not go to Pandavas's hut for eating and left.

This shows that thinking about God/Self/Truth/Universe intensely and serving with whatever you have (no matter hwo little) would earn more merits or is a more divine service than feeding saints and sages. It also shows that God/Self/Truth/Universe will come to their rescue. At the time of writing this, I am myself experiencing gratitude for some turn of events recently.


In some retellings, Krishna instructs Yuddhistira to meditate on Sun God. Sun God then gives Draupadi a magic vessel which will always have food. I would believe that this indicates that over the period of time Pandavas' attained the knowledge  of locating food and surviving in the forest. 

Mahabharata/Jaya - Rematch of Dice game and Pandavas' exile begins

"The loser will have to live 13 years in exile out of which the last year should be in anonymity. If the loser is exposed during the last year, then he will have to go for another 12 years of exile". Thus spoke Duryodhana to Yuddhistira on the stake they were playing for.

Duryodhana was dissatisfied with the turn of events. Along with Uncle Shakuni, he convinced his father King Dhritharashtra to invite the Pandavas for another game before they leave. King Dhritharashtra, out of his fatherly love, succumbed to it and sent out the invitation again.Could Yuddhistira had refused the invitation based on the events that had happened? The general Kshatriya Dharma (Warrior code) would not let him reject a challenge. Did he do this in the hopes of avoiding a war, in case there was a slimmest chance available?  He knew that the Kauravas would not let them live in peace even if they were to return to Indraprastha now. Or did he play this because he needed an excuse to perform penance for the mistakes he did today?

The game was played and Yuddhistira lost as expected. His brothers and wife Draupadi accompanied Yuddhistira in this exile. Kunti wanted to accompany them but Yuddhistira refused her due to old age. Kunti took a political stand and stayed at Vidura's place instead of the palace. In this way, the people would always remember all the events of this day for the next 13 years.


Pandavas were staying a small forest hut. As per some sscripture, in special circumstances, 13 days can be counted as 13 years. Vidura requested King Dhritharashtra to call back the Pandavas from the forest, return them Indrapratha and hope that they do not wage a war to avenge the humiliation. King Dhritharashtra refused this solution, partly out of his love for his son and also to push back the war to 13 years (at least). They had a heated argument over which King Dhritharashtra accuses Vidura of always siding with the Pandavas and then telling him to live with the Pandavas if they are so dear to him. Listening to this accusation, Vidura leaves and stays with the Pandavas.

King Dhritharashtra realizes his folly of letting his anger getting better of him (in some retellings, it is Bhishma who scolds him) and sends his loyal charioteer to call Vidura back.

In some retellings, all the Pandava brothers except Yuddhistira is ready to accept the 13 day-13 year scripture law and go back. Yuddhistira refuses to acknowledge this saying that this is not what the stake was. According to stake, 13 years was exact 13 years. Also, he needed to perform penance for his vices and mistakes so he will spend these years in the same and think of further action on completion. Wife Draupadi and his younger brothers are disappointed yet, they do not leave him.

Mahabharata/Jaya - Draupadi Vastraharan (Disrobing)

"A woman who is married to 5 men is not a wife but a whore. A whore has no honour. Even if she was brough here naked, it would not matter. Elders like Bhishma and the King are quiet, then why do you, Oh Vikarna, raise objections? Sit down and don't speak on dharma which you don't know about". Thus spoke Karna to suppress the protests of Vikarna, younger brother of Duryodhana, at events happening in the recreational hall. These lines uttered by Karna (maybe to revenge his insult by Draupadi during Swayamwara) would trigger the shameful events to follow. Karna had always been a reluctant participant in all the treacherous plans of Duryodhana and Shakuni. But today, he too came down from the way of Dharma.

After loosing himself, Yuddhistira even stakes his own wife. This was on the instigation of Karna. Vidura had requested King Dhritharashtra to stop the game but he is insulted by Duryodhana. Vidura tries again but nothing happens. Elders like Bhishma, Drona and Kripa are all present but no one raises an objection ever. Yuddhistira looses this game as well and Draupadi is now Duryodhana's maid.

Duryodhana tells a servant to bring Draupadi to the hall so that her can order her to go to the maid's quarters. She is no longer a queen and cannot stay in the palace. The servant returns with a question to Yuddhistira from Draupadi which goes like this "Can a man who staked and lost himself to be a slave have any right to stake his wife?" Duryodhana orders the servant to call Draupadi and ask all this personally. Draupadi refuses to come to the hall. Duryodhana then sends Dushashana to bring her. Dushashana drags Draupadi to the hall by her hair. Draupadi (was having a period) was wearing a single a piece of cloth as she was waiting for her ritual bath after which she can meet the elders. Her cloth was slightly blood strained as well. Bhim tries to get up to attack Dushashana but is stopped by Yuddhistira.

Draupadi questions Yuddhistira and his brothers. She asks then Bhishma, King Dhritharasthra, Drona and Kripa to help and protect a helpless woman. She also asks them the question if a woman is a property of the husband. Vidura instigates the king to answer and stop this madness. This is when Vikarna stands up and tries to protest the shameful event. To suppress this, Karna cites the then existing laws according to with a woman who sleeps around with 5 men is like a whore.

In some retellings, Bhishma sadly tells Draupadi that "Dharma works in very subtle ways". I believe Vyasa explained the most mysterious event in the entire epic in this work. Why did Bhishma or the other elders got up to help Draupadi or stop Yuddhistira from staking high? Except for Vidura no one did. In some retellings, Draupadi had confessed to Yuddhistira only that she had insulted Duryodhana. So did Yuddhistira (the embodiment of justice and righteousness) do this purposely? 


In India many board games are spiritual metaphors. Snakes and Ladders was invented by a saint named Namdeo. It states the journey of an individual atma taking multiple lives. Every time he has a bad life, he is caught by snake and then has to come down and start the journey again. In the same sense, every time for a good life he gets a ladder and goes to higher planes of existence. I have read, throw of dice indicates free will while the movement of coins on the board indicate destiny/fate (although I would feel it is vice versa). 


Following the words of Karna, Duryodhana orders the Pandavas to remove their crowns and robes which they do. Then, he orders Dushashana to remove her cloth. He then exposes his thighs and directs Dushashana to make Draupadi sit in his lap after disrobing. . No one in the hall object. Bhishma, Drona and Kripa struggled with their own understanding of Dharma as no law was broken. Draupadi, realizing this, finally prayed to Krishna.

Dushashana started pulling her robe. Draupadi immersed in prayers, raised her hands up and then a miracle happened. Dushashana kept on pulling clothes but it never finished. Somehow a new piece of cloth would appear. This was a miracle. I have heard so many miracles performed by the modern saints as well. Devotees seeing their divine sages in a distant town with out the sage having ever personally gone there. So maybe, this was one instance of divinity. Also, Draupadi was holding onto the cloth tightly and Krishna did not help her till she let go of her clothes and raised her hands. Spiritually, this means that you need to totally surrender to God/Self/Truth for Him to reveal Himself and help you. 


Dushashana gets tired and lets go of the cloth. Draupadi vows that she will never forgive the kauravas and she will not tie her hair till it is washed in Dushashana's blood. Bhima too gets up and vows that he will cut those hands of Dushashana and drink his blood after tearing his chest. Bhima also vows that he will smash those thighs of Duryodhana. Draupadi is about to curse the picture when Queen Gandhari enters the hall and pleads her to not curse. Then, Gandhari pleads King Dhritharasthra to do some justice here. King Dhritharashtra, alarmed as negative omens from the wailings of animals, fears the curse of a pious woman. King Dhritharashtra tells Draupadi to forgive all and gives her three wishes. Draupadi asks for her husbands' freedom and then for their weapons. Draupadi reminds that as per Khsatriya dharma (Warrior code), a Kshatriya lady can only seek 2 wishes and not more. That would be greed.

Karna tells Duryodhana, praising Draupadi, "She has the sharpest tongue. The Pandavas have been saved by a woman". Arjuna addresses Karna as a charioteer's son again and vows to kill him.

King Dhritharashtra pleads to Yuddhistira and Draupadi to go back to Indraprastha and forgive all that has happened.

But this chapter leaves us with those lines "Dharma works in very suble ways" as told by Bhishma. Did he know anything more? Can man always decipher the reason why intelligent men too makes glaring mistakes? Is it a frailty or are they just a medium for Dharma to exact justifying actions on them and/or others? Can a unrealized person ever understand the workings of Dharma? In the end, all actions have to catch up in some way or the other. Who knows? Maybe, with this event Vyasa wants humanity to check and question the events happening around them. Not all the situations will be a direct result. Hence, the game of dice? Who knows what game is being played by cosmos keeping some human/s upfront as the doer? 

Mahabharata/Jaya - Game of Dice

"You have lost your kingdom, Yuddhistir. Now what will you stake?" Thus shouted Shakuni after winning Indraprastha in the game of dice. Little did he or Duryodhana or Karna know that Indraprastha was not the last one that would be staked.

Duryodhana had returned to Hastinapur, full of envy with Pandava's success and angry with Draupadi's insult. Shakuni devised another plan to get back at the Pandavas. As per the plan, Duryodhana convinced his father King Dhritharashtra to send Vidura to invite Yuddhistira for a game of dice. Shakuni knew that there was only one weakness in Yuddhistira and he wanted to take full advantage of it. Vidura tried to convince the king that this should not be allowed but the king was adamant due to his paternal love. Vidura visitied Indraprastha and invited Yuddhistira. He also warned Yuddhistira that this might be a treacherous plan. But Yuddhistira cited the Kshatriya code which would not allow him to refuse any challenge in a game or war.

Yuddhistira visited Hastinapur along with his brothers and Draupadi. Draupadi was menstruating and so she retreated to her chambers without meeting any of the adults.

In the recreational hall, just before the start of the game, Duryodhana disclosed that he will call the number and Shakuni will roll the dice. While discussing on this, Arjuna insults Karna as a chariooteer's son. Yuddhistira agrees to this rule and the game begins.

Gambling, as they say, blinds an intelligent man. It is, perhaps, the only game in which both the loser as well as the winner does not feel like quitting. It is this nature of a man, which might have driven the future events. Yuddhistira looses every game and stake. Arjuna and Bhima tries to stop Yuddhistira but he refuses (in the heat of the game). He stakes and looses his own kingdom. Should he as a king have done that? Is the king the owner of the kingdom or vice versa?


When instigated further by Shakuni, Yuddhistira stakes and looses all the divine weapons of his brothers. Then he stakes and looses all his brother. Then he even stakes and looses himself. Did the passion of the game make Yuddhistira insane? The very embodiment of righteousness was swaying with the flow of general human tendencies. It in a way shows that Yuddhistira's journey towards truth is still not complete. He is still to understand his own frailties and nature. He is still has to understand the path of righteousness better. 


Vyasa has left this chapter as well as the next with many unanswered questions. Is it for us choose the perspective? 

Mahabharata/Jaya - Rajasuya Yagna and Duryodhana's insult

"Blind man's son is blind as well". Thus said Draupadi pointing towards and laughing at Duryodhana who had stepped into the water thinking it was a solid floor.

Krishna instructed the Pandava's now to perform the Rajasuya Yagna - a symbolic aknwoledgement of his sovereignty. Krishna indicated that they will have to first kill Jarasandha, the might king of Magadha, to achieve this. Krishna advised that this is not possible through a war but only through a wrestling match. Krishna, accompanied by Arjuna and Bhima, disguised as Brahmins went to meet Jarasandha. King Jarasandha, though tyranical, still used to respect brahmins and asked them to place their wishes. Krishna challenged him to a wrestling match. Jarasandha realized that they were not brahmins and yet he chose Bhima as his contender for the match to maintain equality. In the wrestling match, Bhima defeated Jarasandha by tearing his body into 2 halves and throwing the body to opposite directions as hinted by Krishna. Of course, this might be slightly elaborated but it would mean that Krishna had coached Bhima on the weak points of Jarasandha. Then they freed the 86 kings who were jailed by Jarasandha to perform a huge human sacrifice. Jarasandha's target was 100. Then he crowned Jarasandha's son as the king and left the place. This shows Krishna's political views. He had readily moved to Dwaraka to avoid any wars with Magadha. But now with a witty strategy and might of Bhima, he had got rid of Jarasandha and gave justice to the 86 kings who were jailed as well as prevented the future atrocities that would have happened. Bhishma too was in the same era but he never interfered when all such atrocities were happening. For Krishna, there were no regional boundaries. He ensured that tyrannical rulers should be punished and law and order be restored. For Krishna, such limitations does not stop him on the way of righteousness.   


During the Rajasuya yagna, all the kings were invited. As per tradition, the Pandavas selected the guest of honour as Krishna. King Shishupala of Chedi protested. It is said that at the time of Sishupala's birth, astrologers had predicted that Krishna would kill him. Listening to Sishupala's mothers pleas then, Krishna had promised her that Krishna will forgive Sishupala hundred times. Now at the ceremony, Sishupala was shouting insults after insults. Krishna even warned him at the 99th insult but Sishupala gave no heed. Sishupala had only finished his 100th insult when Krishna killed him with Sudarshana Chakra. This in a way indicates that knowing the future is not enough. If it has to happen, it will happen. Sishupala's mother must have thought she got a reprive but Sishuapala's nature would not allow it. 


During his stay in Indraprastha after the coronation, Duryodhana was taking a tour of the Palace of illussions.  It was a mind-boggling piece of architecture. Of the many illusions, was water arranged to look like a solid floor. Duryodhana did not realise this and he fell into the water. From one of the balconies, Draupadi laughed out and mindlessly uttered the insult mentioned above. Should we really insult or laugh at someone's accident? Also, should we think twice before what we speak? Draupadi had insulted Karna and Duryodhana twice in separate occasions. Her actions were to hunt her down for this in the future.

Mahabharata/Jaya - Indraprastha and Arjuna meets Ulupi and Rukmini

"Rukmini is driving the chariot and not Arjuna. This means that she is eloping with him as per her wish. There is no need to attack Arjuna". Thus spoke Krishna to Balarama and the others to defend Arjuna and Rukmini while they were eloping from Dwaraka.

With Krishna's guidance, Pandavas had set the forest of Khandavaprastha (which was a home to many Nagas and Rakshasas) on fire. It is said that Agni Deva (lord of fire) had come to the Pandavas and requested them to burn something ro restore the lustre he has had from all the ghee that was poured into him. Is it just an indication that performing yagnas or puja's (ritual ceremonies) for greed or other selfish gains was not actually good for the cosmic balance? Fire, just like many other elements, need to be used for a constructive purpose and for the betterment of the cosmos. Else, fire which is the purifying element too might loose it's lustre or importance.


Krishna instructed Pandavas that nothing should survive in this. Is this an indication that it was time for Pandavas and humanity to burn all the old values and traditions which were clouding the mind (forest) and create a much more controlled and balanced mind/civilisation?


All the creatures and Nagas (forest tribe or a metaphor for the lower tendencies?) were destroyed. Agni Deva presented Arjuna with a Gandiva (a powerful bow) and Krishna a discus (Sudarshan Chakra). Hence, anyone killed by Krishna becomes liberated. Sudarshan Chakra in some ways denote the wheel of time or the 1000 petaled lotus (Sahasrara Chakra as per Kundalini Yoga where an individual looses all duality and become one with the universe). So who else but Krishna can be denoted to have such a symbolic weapon. Maybe someone more advanced can decipher it better.

One Rakshasa (Forest tribe?) is spared by Pandavas who constructs a beautiful city (which houses the Palace of Illusions) for the Pandavas in retribution. Pandavas named this city as Indraprastha. This city became very prosperous and many people from across India migrated to this city. Under the reign of Yuddhistira, there was no corruption and the law of Dharma (righteousness) prevailed.

The Pandava brothers followed the instructions provided by Krishna (Vyasa in some retellings) for sharing Draupadi equally. Each brother used to stay with Draupadi for a year and then wait for another four years to get the turn again. During this time, none of the others were to go to Draupadi's chamber out of turn. If anyone breaks this rule, then he will have to live in exile.

One day Arjuna entered Draupadi's chamber to retrieve his weapons when she was with Yuddhistira. Arjuna was trying to protect the cattle of a brahmin from some thieves. Then he rightfully accepted the rule of exile. Arjuna gave importance to his Kshatriya dharma (warrior code) over the other family law.

During this exile, Arjuna went to pilgrimage centers. He had a fling with Ulupi (naga woman) and fathered a child called Iravan. Arjuna gradually forgot this as well. Arjuna also married a great warrior woman called Chitrangada in Manipur. He visited Dwaraka and stayed with Shri Krishna for some time.

Krishna knew that his sister Subhadra was in love with Arjuna. Balarama wanted to fix her wedding with his favourite student Duryodhana. Krishna encouraged Subhadra and Arjuna to elope. He specifically mentioned that Subhadra should drive the chariot. So when they were eloping and leaving the city, Balarama wanted to capture and punish Arjuna. That is when Krishna uttered the above lines in defence and cooled down Balarama. Krishna is a great strategician is known to all. Here, he showed that he preferred the laws of the heart over the laws of the family (Balarama's wish to have Subhadra marry Duryodhana).