Forest burns

Arjuna and Krishna, alighting on the chariots started their vigil. While the fire burnt, Arjuna and Kirshna tried to prevent the forest creatures from escaping. Seeing this Indra started rainfall. Heavy showers started pouring.

Invoking divine weapons, Arjuna prevented the rain from touching the ground. Takshaka was not in the forest at that time, but his son Aswasena was. He tried to escape but Arjuna's arrows followed him. Indra suddenly created a storm, which caused Arjuna to be temporarily blinded and taking that chance, Aswasena escaped. From the sky, Indra hurled thunderbolts, but Arjuna was able to combat all. Clouds created by Indra were dispelled by Arjuna's wind weapons. All celestial weapons were cut down by Arjuna and Kirshna. Indra, though deeply pleased with Arjuna's skills, started showering stones on the forest. Arjuna sent forth arrows that dispelled that. Trees hurled by Indra were cut down. A voice in the heaven was then heard that said the Khandava and its residents were destined to die. Indra blessed Arjuna and Krishna and left.

Krishna saw an asura trying to flee. The asura, trying to escape from Krishna, appealed to Arjuna for help. Arjuna saved him. In the end, Aswasena, Maya and four birds called  Sarngakas were only that escaped the forest.

There was once a rishi named Mandapala. When he died, he was given no place in heaven as he had no offspring. He was asked to go and have children in a short time. He took the form of a bird called Sarngaka had children with another bird. He had four sons. HE appealed to Agni to save his young children in the forest, which Agni did and these birds were saved.

Having been granted life, Maya, the asura wanted to know how he could help Arjuna. He said he wanted to do something; he also told Arjuna, that he was an architect, no less then the celestial architect, Vishwakarma. Krishna then told him to build a palace like that no one had seen before, with a hall that was so grand, that would be unequaled in grandeur.

Glad, he began building a palace having no equal. Having worshiped the gods, land of the site was formalized and work started.

Agni approaches Krishna and Arjuna

This incident takes place after Arjuna's wedding with Subhadra. This is the Khandava-daha Parva. This has an importance, as here Arjuna and Krishna get weapons, and also the magical palace of Indraprastha is built.

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One summer day, Arjuna and Krishna were sitting on the banks of Yamuna. In the pleasant shade of trees they were talking among themselves when a brahmana came there. He was tall, with a reddish complexion. He had a bright yellow beard. He had matted hair and was dressed in rags. He seems to be blazing, his body giving away light.

The brahmana said he was looking for them , the two greatest warriors on the planet. He said he was hungry and wanted food of his choice. He introduced himself. He was Agni, God of Fire. He said the forest of Khandava was protected by Indra. Whenever he tried to burn it, Indra would rain on it, and the fire would go off. Agni wanted to consume the forest and all its beings. In the forest lived the serpent Takshaka, who a friend of Indra. Indra tried to protect his friend and thus Agni was unsuccessful. Agni said he wanted the help of Arjuna and Krishna. He wanted their help to prevent the rain from reaching the forest, when it was burning.

Arjuna wanted to know why specifically this forest was to consumed by Agni. In the olden days, a king Swetaki performed five sacrifices in a row. The fires burnt continuously and the priests were also finding it difficult, the smoke bothering their eyes. The king sent for more priests to conduct the sacrifices. This went on for years. The priests went to the king and said they could do not do it anymore, which angered the king. The priests then told the king to approach Shiva for help.

The king went to Kailasha there he started worshiping Shiva. Long was his worship and finally Shiva appeared. When he asked the king wanted he wanted, the king said he wanted Shiva's help to complete the sacrifice. Shiva said he had a condition. The king needed to continuously pour butter in the fire for a long period. The king agreed. He asked the king to get the help of the sage Durvasa to help as the priest.

The king returned and got Durvasa to come for the sacrifice. For years this sacrifice happened and was finally completed. In the course of the sacrifice, Agni had consumed large quantities of clarified butter, he thus became pale. He wanted to consume a dry forest to get rid of the butter in him.

He went to Brahma for help. Brahma asked him to consume Khadava forest. Ready to burn, Agni went there but his efforts were ruined by Indra.
In despair he went back to Brahma. Brahma then asked him to approach Krishna and Arjuna who would be able to help him. Thus Agni had approached the two warriors.

Arjuna said they did not have the weapons to combat Indra. Agni then sent for Varuna, the god of water. From Varuna, Agni got for Arjuna the bow called Gandiva and two quivers which were full of arrows and would never be empty. He also gave Arjuna, a chariot on which was a flag, with Hanumana sitting on it.

Agni then gave Krishna, a discus with a iron pole, attached to its center. It was a fiery weapon with jagged edges, This was Sudarshana. He aslo gave Krishna a mace called Kaumodaki.

Winning Draupadi

Drupada wanted Arjuna to wed his daughter. He thus setup a very stiff competition. He had a very stiff bow made that only Arjuna would be able to bend. The contest was to bend and string the bow, and shoot a mark with specfic heavy arrows and shoot a mark.
Many kings and princes were invited to participate in the contest. They all took their seats around the dias on which the feat was to be performed. Duryodhana and Karna were amongst those who came to participate.

The dias was grand to look at. Walls surrounded it and canopies hung over it. Pandavas came and took their seat among the brahmanas. Dhrishtadyumna came accompanied by his sister. Addressing all, he explained that kings had to shoot the mark, through gaps with the specifc bow and arrows and win the hand of his sister.

In the invited list of kings were Krishna and his Balarama. Krishna recognizing the Pandavas said to Balrama quietly that the Pandavas were there.

The contest started and most kings were have a very hard time bending the bow. Most could not bend it, those who could bend it, could not string it. Seeing this Karna stepped forward, but Draupadi stopped him saying she would not accept a son of a chariotter as her husband. Arjuna seeing this wanted to try his hand.

Arjuna rose from his seat. Some of the Brahmanas started saying this was not right - a brahmana should not compete in archery, others said a brahmana should. Not caring, Arjuna moved forward. He moved forward and approached the bow. Saluting the bow he lifted it and strung it easily. Taking five arrows, he struck the mark and it fell down. Gods showered flowers.

The Pandavas, along with Draupadi, quickly left the hall. Krishna, seeing this was happy. The invited kings were displeased and started attacking the Pandavas. Bhima uplifted a tree and flung it at the kings. Arjuna was ready with his bow. Krishna then pointed out each Pandava to Balarama.He said he thought they were the PAndavas but he was not too sure. He sadi, he had heard that the Pandavas had escaped from the house of lac, but had no clue where they were.

Arjuna asked the other brahmans to step back while he took out the bow he had got when he won Draupadi's hand. Bhima was ready also. Karna attacked Arjuna while the other kings tried to attack the others. Karna was amazed at Arjuna's archery skill and wanted to know who he really was. Arjuna said he was a mere brahmana who had mastered the weapons. Bhima on the other side defeated most of the kings. Everyone fled and the Pandavas.

Krishna was now convinced the fighting heroes were the Pandavas. He addressed everyone - Draupadi was been won fairly by the Brahmana. He asked all to stop the fight. The kings left for their kingdoms, dejected.

At home, Kunti was restless. Her sons were getting late. Then Arjuna entered the hut, along with others. He asked her to come and see what they had got. Thinking it was alms, Kunti without seeing, said divide among yourselves. Then she turned and saw Draupadi.

Kunti did not know what to say. She asked Yudhistira for advise. Approaching Arjuna, Yudhistira said, as he had won Draupadi, he should marry her. Arjuna said as the elder, he needed to marry first. Yudhistira then remembered Vyasa's words of Draupadi having five husbands. He then said that desity said that Draupadi would marry all five. Krishna came there. He had been following them trying to ascertain their identities. He introduced himself and Balarama and bowed before Kunti, their father's sister. Krishna knowing all was well, left along with Balarama.

While the Pandavas and Draupi were going towards their hut,  Dhrishtadyumna was slowly following them alone. Kunti asked Draupadi to give away some food to the Brahmanas. She then asked Draupdi to cook a meal and divide that into two. One half to be given to Bhima and the rest to be divided among themselves.  Then laying a bed of grass they lay down.  Dhristadyumna was said to see his sister in this state. He went backl rfeported to his father what he had seen and heard. Drupada was glad to hear the Pandavas had won Draupadi and also that his daughter was adjusting in the hut.

Conclusion of the Gandharva's story

Parasara was angry that his father had been killed by a king and he wanted to take revenge on all Kshatriyas. Vashistha, to control him , started telling him a story.

There was a Kritavirya, who had the Brigus as his priests. He was devoted to them. When he dies his descendants found that they did not have much wealth left and also found that the Brigus were very rich. They went and insulted and killed many of the Brigu priests. Not satisfied, they began killing more of the clan, even keeping small children and pregnant women. One woman was bearing child, and the kings got to know of this. When they went to kill the woman, they saw the child tear itself out of its mother's thighs. It was so bright that the kings were blinded.They went to the woman and begged for forgiveness. They said that if their sight was restored they would not conduct sins and would give up their ways. The woman said it was she who was angry but her child who was angry at the deeds of the kings. This child, who had been born from his mother's thigh was called Aurva. The kings approached the child, who then granted the kings their sight.

Aurva was still not content and he wanted to destroy all. His dead ancestors told him to control his anger. Aurva said if he did not do something, his anger would eventually destroy him. The ancestors told him to throw the fire of anger in the ocean. The fire of anger was cast into the sea which took the shape of a head of a horse, called Vadavamukha.

Parasara hearing this from Vashistha, controlled his anger. He setup a sacrifice to consume all rakshashas. The great rishi, Atri, seeing the destruction, came to the site accompanied by other great rishis like Pulastya, Pulaha and Kratu, and asked Parasara to stop this mindless destruction of rakshashas. They told, that in the process, he was also destroying those who were innocent.

Parasara seeing reason cast his anger away.

Arjuna then asked the gandharva, who would be the ideal priest for the Pandavas. the gandharva asked Arjuna to approach Dhaumya, who was meditating in the forests.

Arjuna gave the knowledge of the fire weapons to the Gandharva. The Gandharva in turn presented horses that would never tire. Arjuna accepting the horses, said let teh horses remain with you until I feel a need for them. Thus the gandharva and Arjuna parted.

The Pandavas then approached Dhaumya, who accepted their offer and then they all set forth towards the land of Panchala. Hearing of the swayamvara of the princess of Panchala, the pandavas left for it.
The Pandavas had been told by Brahmans on the way, Drupada was hosting a grand swayamvara. They also got to know of the birth of Draupadi and  Dhrishtadyumna. The pandavas along withe brahmanas proceeded towards the palace of Drupada.

Tapati and Vashistha

The Gandharva king had addressed Arjuna as a descendant of Tapati. Aruna wanted to know more. The gandharva then told the story of Tapati.

The sun god is the one the provides light to all. Tapati was his daughter, younger to Savitri. There was no one who was equal to her in beauty. She was always engaged in meditation and tapasya, so she was known as Tapati in the triple world. seeing her , the sun thought that there was none in the three worlds who deserved to be her husband. This led him to sleepless nights.
On the earth, Samvarana, a kuru king was a great devotee of the sun. Seeing his devotion, the Sun God thought this was the ideal husband for his daughter.

One day Samvarana,the handsome and powerful king went hunting. On the way, exerted, his horse fell down and died. The king continued on foot till he came across a beautiful maiden. He was spellbound by her beauty. The sight of that maiden maddened the king. The king's heart and eyes were captivated by the damsel. The king wanted to know who she was. Without answering the king, the maiden just vanished. The king collapsed in grief.

The maiden reappeared and asked the king to rise. The maiden helped him to his feet. The king in turn kept praising her beauty and wanted to know all about her. She said she was Tapati, the daughter of the Sun, and if the king wished, he could could ask her hand in marriage, from her father.

Saying this, went back to the skies. Looking for the king, his courtiers found him lamenting in the forest. Thinking the king had collapsed with hunger, his ministers tried to offer him food, but the king had lost his senses.  The king then began worshiping the Sun God and then thought of his chief priest, Vasishtha. Vasishtha knoew what had happened. He assured the king, that he would do all he could to unite the king with Tapati. Vasishtha then met the Sun God and asked for his daughter's hand in marriage for the king. The Sun God agreed and let Tapati go with Vashishtha to the king. Thus the king got married to Tapati.

Arjuna then wanted to know more and the Gandahrva continued.

Vashishtha was the son of Brahma and the husband of Arundhati. He had great control over emotions. And it was obtaining a priest like Vashistha, the king was able to get Tapati as his wife. The Gandharva then said, it was always beneficial to have a priest with them, whereever they went. Arjuna still wanted to know about Vashistha.

When Samvarana got married to  Tapati, he proclaimed Vashistha, a ruling king, when he roamed around with his new wife. For twelve years there was no rain. On seeing this, Vashistha sent for the king. The moment the king back, it started raining and all was well.

It was this Samvarna in whose dynasty the Pandavas were born, thus they were called descendants of Tapati.

Arjuna then wanted to know about Vashistha and Vishwamitra. The gandharva continued.

Vishwamitra was a king. One day, while out hunting, he lost his way and reached the ashrama of Vashishtha. The sage welcomed the king and fed him fruits and offered clarified butter. Vashistha had a cow that could give all that was desired of her. She could yeild fruits, grains, juices and any other items that she was requested to give. She could also give robes and gems, if asked for.

The king coming to know of this cow, wanted it for himself. He was willing to exchange land in place of the cow.

When Vashishtha refused, Vishwamitra tried to take the cow by force. The cow called out for help. Vashistha then said , the cow needed to help itself. The cow then took an a terrible shape and attacked Viswamitra's troops . From her tail she began to rain showers of burning coals all around. Then she brougt forth an army that destroyed the king's army. Vishwamitra feld. He then thought, true power was in being a sage, being a king was worthless. He then gave up his kingdom and became a rishi.

There was once a king called Kalmashapada of the Ikshvaku race. Vishwamitra wanted to make this king his disciple.The king not knowing this, approached Saktri who was coming from the opposite way. This was a son of Vashistha. The king asked the rishi to step aside so he could pass. The rishi saying, kings needed to bow down before rishis and give them right of way. The king struck the rishi, who cursed him saying he would be born as a Rakshasha. Vishwamitra saw this happening. His defeat in hands of Vashistha was not forgotten.

The sage had a rakshasha enter the body of the king. Once a rishi came to the king for food. The king told the rishi to wait. Then when he remembered, he asked his cook to send some food to the rishi, but he was not found. Angered, he told his cook to feed the rishi, human flesh.

Angry, the rishis in the kingdom cursed the king to become a flesh eating rakshasha. The king then sought out Saktri, and said as he had been cursed to eat human flesh, he would start by eating this son of Vashistha. After he had eaten him, Vishwamitra told him to go and eat up all the sons of Vashishtha. Learning that all his sons had been killed because of Vishwamitra, Vashistha remained calm.


He left his ashrama and began roaming around. He tried to kill himself but he found it was not possible. Coming back, he heard someone reciting the vedas. He then found this was the unborn son of Saktri, speaking from his mother's womb.

One day he saw Kalmashapada possessed by the rakshasha. Sprinkling holy water, he released the king from the curse.

The king bowed down before the sage and begged for forgiveness. The king being childless asked the sage how he could get a son. The king entered his kingdom, called Ayodhya along with Vashishtha. He then had a son whom he named Asmaka.


In Vashishtha's ashram, his daughter in law gave birth to a son called Parasara. 

Birth of Draupadi

There was once a rishi named Bharadwaja. He saw an apsara called Gritachi having a bath. A child was born from the two, in a pot. As the child was in a pot, he was called Drona. Bharadwaja had a friend called Prishata who was the king of Panchala. At the time when Drona was born, Prishata also had a son called Drupada. Both Drupana and Drona grew up together. They studied together and learned use of weapons together. Once Drona heard that Parasurama was giving away all he had. Drona asked Parasurama for wealth. Parasurama said he had given all away but he had his weapons left, and those he could take.

Drona, gifted with the knowledge of weapons, went to Drupada who was then the king of Panchala. The proud king refused to acknolwdge Drona as his friend. Drona went away thinking of a way to humiliate Drupada. He went to Hastinapur and started teaching the princes there. As guru dakshina, Drona asked for Drupada to be brought to him alive. The Pandavas defeated him and brought him. He took half of Drupada's kingdom thus became an equal of the king. The king went away but the defeat in the hands of Drona constantly haunted him.

The king then approached two sages, Yaja and Upayaja who agreed to help the king. The king wanted a son who could slay Drona. As he had no children, he wanted the sages to help him.


A sacrifice was started and Yaja, after having poured  clarified butter into the sacrificial fire and asked Drupada's queen to come. She was bathing then and could not come. Not waiting, Yaja poured some more butter and utter some mantras and from the fire, rose a child. He had a crown on his head, body clad in armour and a bow and arrow in his hand. A voice from the skies said this was the prince, that was born to kill Drona. Then arose a daughter, Panchali, who was very beautiful and dark in complexion. A voice from the skies said this maiden will cause the destruction of many kshatriyas. The sone was called Dhrishtadyumna, because of his excessive audacity and because of his being born with natural armor and the daughter was called Krishna as she was dark.

Hearing these words of the Brahmana, the Pandavas decided to go to Panchala to see these fire born prince and princess. The sage Vyasa told the Pandavas that as part of her past life she was born unfortunate. Though beautiful, she had no husband. She prayed to Shiva to get a husband. When Shiva appeared, she said she wanted a husband and repeated that five times. Shiva said she would have five husbands. The maiden wanted only one, and Shiva said in this life she would have one, but in her next life she would have five husbands. Vyasa said the Pandavas would have Draupadi as their wife and asked them to go to Panchala.

Starting towards Panchala where they met the King of Gandharvas, Angaraparna, on the Ganga banks. The king was not happy with Pandavas trespassing into his territory. Arjuna challenged the king to a duel. The king started shooting arrows at Arjuna who skillfully dodged them. Arjuna then hurled a fire weapon and destroyed the king's chariot. Then he began dragging the king by his hair, towards his brothers. Seeing this, the king's wife, Kumbhinasi, begged Arjuna to release her husband, which he did. The Gandharva then said from this day he would give up his name, Angaraparna which meant a blazing vehicle. He exchanged with Arjuna, the science of commanding animals, in exchange for an arrow of Arjuna. He asked the Pandavas to appoint a priest and have that priest be with them constantly. 

Arjuna's Exile - Subhadra

Going Southwards, Arjuna came across five rivers but he was surprised to see people refusing into these rivers. He learnt five fierce crocodiles were living in thr ivers, who attacked and killed all who dared enter the waters.

Arjuna entered the waters. As soon he did so, a large crocodile came and seized him by his leg. Arjuna dragged it forcibly to the shore.It then transformed itself into a beautiful maiden. Surprised, Arjuna asked her who she was.

She said her name was Varga. She was p;laying along with her companions when in a playful mood she decided to disturb a meditating sage.  The sage getting angry, cursed the apsaras to become crocodiles. The sage also told them they would be freed once they met Arjuna. With their curse lifted, the apsaras left for heaven.

Arjuna then, continuing his journey, went again to Manipur. In the time Arjun was away, a son, Vabrhruvahana had been born to Chitrangada, who was the crown prince of Manipur. Greeting him Arjuna left.

In his journey, Arjuna then went to where Krishna stayed, and greeted him. He told Krishna about all that had happened with him so far. There, Arjuan saw Subhadra, Krishna's sister and fell in love with her. He confided in Krishna. Krishna said before taking any step they needed to find out what Subhadra thought. Krishna also told Arjuna, that as per Kshatriya laws, it was allowed to forcibly abduct a bride and take her away.

Informed that Subhadra had gone to a temple, Arjuna got a chariot ready. With the time of his exile, Arjuna planned to abduct Subhadra, and take her away with him.

Meanwhile Subhadra had finished her prayers. When she was coming back towards her home, she was suddenly abducted forcibly.

Krishna managed to make his family understand that what Arjuna had done was not wrong. Arjuna was asked to come back to Dwaraka and get formally married to Subhadra.

After the marriage Arjuna went to Khandavaprastha with his new bride. All greeted Arjuna except Draupadi. Knowing why Draupadi was sad, Arjuna told Subhadra to wear the robes of a maid and approach Draupadi. She went to Draupadi and she she was her maid. Ashamed at her behaviour, Draupadi embraced Subhadra.

After sometime Subhadra gave birth to a son who was named Abhimanyu.

Arjuna's exile - Ulupi and Chitrangada

Arjun set off on his exile, roaming the forests. He would meet the sages in the forests and learn from them. Roaming thus, one day he approached the banks of the river Ganga, at Gangotri.Finding it to be peaceful, he decided to spend the days of his exile there.

One day Arjuna was taking a bath in the waters of the river when he felt he was being dragged into the water. He had stepped into the water to have a bath and then prepare a fire, and perform his worship to the Gods. He was perplexed when he saw he could not come out. Ulupi, the daughter of the king of Nagas, was pulling him. Having seen Arjuna before, she had lost her heart to him, and wanted him for herself.

Arjuna found himself dragged into the kingdom of Nagas. There Arjuna saw a sacrificial fire. He sat before the fire and performed his worship. He then started exploring his surroundings when he saw Ulupi.


Ulupi said she was the daughter of the Naga king Kauravya. She said she was unmarried and wanted to marry Arjuna. Arjuna said he was in the forest, in exile and would be leading the life of a monk.

Ulupi said she knew all about Arjuna. She also knew he was married to Draupadi. She said if marriage would not be possible, if he could spend a night with her, he would remain blameless and Ulupi would be satisfied. If still, Arjuna refused, Ulupi said she would kill herself.

Arjuna spent a night with her and the next day, she left Arjuna from where she had brought him. She also gave Arjuna a boon saying he would be invincible in water and all water creatures would be at his command.

Arjuna, back on land, began roaming in the mountains of the Himalayas.

Travelling eastward, Arjuna reached the kingdom of Manipur, where a king named Chitravahana ruled.

Chitravahana, the king of Manipur had a beautiful daughter, Chitrangada. In his travels, Arjuna saw her wanted her. He approached the king and asked for his permission to marry his daughter. The king, knowing who Arjuna was, told him about Prabhanjana.

King Prabhanjana  was childless. To get a child, he prayed to Shiva. He was given a boon that his dynasty would have only one child each. In consequence, Chitravahana had only Chitrangada.
The king agreed for Arjuna to marry his daughter only if after marriage Chitrangada would remain with her father, and her child would rule Manipur. Arjuna agreed.

Arjuna's exile

The Pandavas established the rule, and were content. Once some robbers stole the cattle of a poor brahmin. The Brahmin came to the Pandavas for help. Arjuna happened to hear the pleas of the brahmin. He decided to help him.
Now it so happened that the room where Arjuna had kept his weapons was also the room where Yudhistira was with Draupadi.
Saddened by the pleas of the brahmin, Arjuna decided he would rather take the exile rather than see the brahmin saddened by the loss of his wealth.
He took permission of Yudhistira, went into the room, took the weapons and helped the brahmin.

Returning back, Arjuna bowed before all and decided to move out into his exile. Taking permission of all, Arjuna left Khandavaprastha for his twelve years exile.