Drupada learns who had won Draupadi

Learning the identity of the men, Drupada was excited. He somehow managed to spend the night. The next day he got up early and asked a priest to go to the house of the brahmanas and find out who they really were.
The priest went to the house of the Pandavas. He met Yudhistira who greeted. The priest said he would be asking a few questions and would need the truth as the answer. He said Drupada had given his daughter to them, while he had wanted to give away his daughter to a son of Pandu. With the death of the sons of Pandu, Drupada had been compelled to hold the swayamvara. Vyasa had said that only Arjuna had the skill to shoot the target.
Yudhistira then said there was no need to give their identity. He told the priest to tell the king that only a person of regal bearing had won his daughter.
When the priest said what he had heard, to the king, Dhristadyumna got six chariots ready. He went where the Pandavas were. He asked them to accompany him to the palace. The five brothers climbed on to the five chariots, while Draupadi and Kunti climbed onto the remaining chariot.

The king himself greeted all of them when they arrived. Kunti and Draupadi went into the inner quarters. The king asked the five brothers to accompany him.

The king sat down and asked the brothers to sit. He asked them to disclose their identity.

Yudhistira then told the king who they really were. The king was very glad and hugged the brothers. He then wanted to know what had happened to them since the burning of the house in Varnavrata. Yudhistira told the king everything.

He then told the king that as per his mother's orders, all five brothers would be getting married to Draupadi.

Drupada then said he would discuss with his priests and let the Pandavas know.

Draupadi goes with the Pandavas

Krishna and Balarama bowed down to Kunti, their father's sister. Kunti was very glad to see them and wanted to know how things were. For twelve years since she had been out of Hastinapura, she had no news of anyone.
Krishna said when Vasudeva had heard of his sister perishing in the fire along with her sons, he went into a deep shock. He went into a deep shock. He wanted to know what had happened.
Krishna said when he had met Vidura, he had learnt what had actually happened. He said the day of hardships were nearly over. He then went and bowed down to Yudhistira who was elder to him. Yudhistira hugged him. They all sat together and spoke about the house of lac and the hardships that the Pandavas had been through.
Krishna said In love for his sons, Dhritarashtra had turned evil. His sons were evil and soon they would get what they deserved.
Yudhistira asked Krishna how he knew they were in this hut. Krishna said what had happened in the court and arena was possible by only two people, Bhima and Arjuna. Yudhistira said he was afraid Duryodhana would discover where they were hiding. Krishna told him not to worry.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In Panchala, Drupada was worried for his daughter. He had no idea to whom he had given away his daughter. He was brooding when Dhristadyumna arrived. Drupada wanted to know how his daughter was. Who was the brahmana who had taken his daughter? He said Vyasa had said only Arjuna would be able to shoot the target and now a brahmana had taken away his daughter.

Dhristadyumna said there was no cause for worry. Draupadi was in good hands. Dhristadyumna said how was it possible for a brahmana to single handed fight the great kings. Vyasa's words were not futile. In the fight there was an archer and a strong man. Draupadi had left them. They were later joined by three others.  They all went to a brahmana's house. There was a lady there, who was extremely beautiful. She was the mother of the men.
Keeping Draupadi with their mother, the men had gone out to beg. The food they got was given to Draupadi who quickly cooked that. The mother then asked Draupadi to divide the food into two parts. One part was given to the strong man. The other part was divided into five parts. Four of the brothers were given a part each. The fifth part was divided into two, of which one part was for Draupadi and the other for the mother.
One of the men, who was hungry and ate Draupadi's portion too.
After food, they went to sleep. The youngest one got the bedding ready.
The mother slept on the top.
The five men then slept below her feet and Draupadi slept below their feet.
Then they started talking and that is when Dhristadyumna said he discovered who they really were. 

Pandavas go to Kunti along with Draupadi

The Pandavas along with Draupadi decided to leave the palace of Drupada. They asked the brahmanas to give way and let them go. The brahmanas said they would stay with them. Arjuna said they would meet again. Along with Dhaumya, the Pandavas left from there with Draupadi.
Dhristadyumna followed the Pandavas in disguise.
It was a night of the dark phase of the moon and the sky was cloudy.
Yudhistira along two of his brothers looked around to see if any one was around, and then went inside the house of the brahmana.
Kunti had been waiting there the whole day. She was worried that her sons had left in the morning and had not yet returned. Restless she would go to the door and come back to see if her sons were coming.
Pandavas then walked into the house. They said they had a busy day and had got into a fight also, which delayed everything. They asked her to see what they had got.
With her back towards her sons, Kunti said, whatever you got, divide it among yourselves. Come inside and let me have a look at you, my sons.
She kissed the foreheads of all her sons and then in the end she saw the daughter of Drupada.
Kunti asked who was this beautiful woman.
Bhima said this the daughter of King Drupada of whom you had heard in Ekachakra. The fights that had mentioned earlier, had happened in her palace. She is what we got.

Kunti said It was by mistake that I had asked her sons to divide what they had got among themselves. You could have told me that the princess of Panchala was with you. Then I would not have said what I did.
Going to Yudhistira, she said You are the righteous one. Please let me know what I should do.
Yudhistira remembered what Vyasa had said earlier about Draupadi destined to have five husbands. He wanted to know what Arjuna felt. He said You have successfully hit the target and defeated kings. Quickly call Dhaumya and get married to the princess.

Arjuna said that was not possible. The eldest should get married first.

When the Pandavas had come home, Krishna and Balarama had been following them also. They then entered the house.

Arjuna and Bhima fight

Arjuna and Karna's fight was ferocious. It was as if Rama and Ravana were fighting. Arjuna shot an arrow which produced thousands of snakes. Karna shot the Garuda weapon and all the snakes were destroyed and the fiery birds, produced by the weapon, came to attack Arjuna. Arjuna shot the Fire weapon. The birds were burnt and a rain of fire started. Karna invoked a weapon to create torrents of water to come down and extinguish the fire. Arjuna then invoked the Vayu weapon and the rain dried up.
Thus exchange of weapons happened between Karna and Arjuna. Karna wanted to know who Arjuna really was. Arjuna said he was a poor brahman having a fight with a king.
Karna then invoked an arrow and shot that, which Arjuna cut off. Whatever weapons Karna shot were cut off by Arjuna. Arjuna then cut off the chariot of Karna. Seeing Karna defeated, the other kings rushed to Karna's rescue but could not stand in front of Arjuna.
The kings accepted defeat and Arjuna and Bhima embraced each other.

While Arjuna was fighting, Bhima was carrying on his battle.

Dhristyadyumna fought with Kichaka. Kichaka was able to over power him, and he fled.

Draupadi afraid of the consequences of the war, appealed to Krishna to do something. Krishna blew his conch shell. All became quiet. Krishna asked his followers to help Drupada's family. The Yadavas who had come with Krishna, wanted to join Arjuna. Krishna stopped them.

Having won their battle, the Pandavas decided to leave the place with Draupadi. 

The kings attack Arjuna

The kshatriyas decided to attack the brahmanas. The brahmanas started shouting at Arjuna. They said a brahmana should know his position. Trying to do what a warrior does will not help, but will bring trouble. Desiring a princess has brought trouble for all of them.
Saying they all started running.
Seeing this, the kings started shooting weapons, which were easily combated by Arjuna. Bhima joined the fight. The two brothers started defeating the all the kings. Lifting kings, Bhima started hurling them around.

Seeing this, the big warriors like Jarasandha, Duryodhana, Karna etc. who had been waiting, started preparing to join the fight.

Scared Draupadi said what would happen now, that a swarm of kings would descend on them. Arjuna asked her not to worry but just watch. Draupadi said he was alone, what could he do.
Arjuna said a lion alone can control all animals; an eagle can control all birds; alone Indra can control all Gods; alone Hanumana could burn Lanka - so he being alone should not be looked down upon.

Arjuna got ready for war. Drupada, Dhrishtadyumna and Shikhani also joined him. Yudhistira asked Bhima to help Arjuna.

Arjuna alone fought along. Yudhistira then told Bhima, who was eagerly waiting, to go and help Arjuna.

Bhima uprooted a tree and hurled that at the kings. Bhima then dashed towards the kings and started hitting out at them. The brahmanas who had watching all along, followed Bhima. The said the contest was open to all and the kshatiyas cannot believe that a brahmana had won.

Arjuna stopped the brahmanas and asked them to stop. He asked to stop and watch the fun.

Krishna pointing to Balarama said, Remember what I told you earlier. Now watch what is going to happen. The kings have attacked Arjuna with army and he is alone. The kings want to kill the brahmana and give the princess away to Duryodhana. Arjuna is impossible to defeat. Even if, for some reason, Arjuna fails, then I will take my Sudarshana and join the fight.

Balarama was a bit hurt as Duryodhana had been a pupil of his. He said to Krishna, Let us not talk of joining. Let us watch Arjuna fight.

Arjuna hits the target

Arjuna bowed down at Yudhistira. Yudhistira asked the assembled brahmaans to bless him , which they all did.
Arjuna then asked what were the rules and what was he expected to do? Dhristadyumna pointed out to the reflection of the discus in the water. He said in the discus there was a small hole through which a fish was visible. The fish was made of gold and it had an eye made out of a Through the revolving disc, an arrow had to be shot which would go through the slot in the discus and pierce the eye of the fish.
Arjuna sat down. Looking at the direction, he pointed towards the target. Krishna then removed his Sudarshana. Arjuna let go an arrow which swiftly pierced the eye of the fish.
In the heavens, the Gods started showering flowers on Arjuna.
Draupadi went forward with her garland towards Arjuna.
The kings, who had failed, felt offended. They asked Draupadi to stop. They said the brahmana had said he had hid the target. As the fish was very high up, it was not possible to see if the arrow had really hit the fish. The reflection could playing tricks with the eye. If the brahmana was really powerful, he should be able to get the fish down with an arrow to show he had really hit the target.
Arjuna said there was no pint in arguing. He would bring the fish down.
He shot an arrow and the fish came down.
All started praising Arjuna, and Draupadi came and garlanded him.
Kings said Draupadi would now have to live as the wife of a poor brahmana, beg from door to door and feed on alms provided, unless her father decided to feed the brahmanas.

Duryodhana sent a message saying he would give a lot of wealth and a position in the court to him. In return, he would have give Draupadi to him. Arjuna angry asked the messenger to convey to Duryodhana, a message. The message said, The brahamana would give all the wealth in the world to him and his friends, if they gave over their wives to him.

This angered the present kings a lot. They said this brahmana was speaking too much, and a brahmana like this should not be alive. He should be killed.
Angry at the fact that Drupada had agreed to have his daughter wed a non kshatriya, they decided to have fight with the brahmana, Drupada and his son. 

Bhishma and Drona talk about Arjuna

Arjuna went where the bow was. He bowed down before the bow, and went around it three times.
He uttered a silent prayer to Shiva. He lifted the bow with his left hand, and bending the bow, strung it. He pulled the string, and the sound that it made was loud.
Before shooting the target, Arjuna wanted to take the blessings of Drona, his Guru. Doing that was difficult in front of all. He remembered an older saying of his Guru, where he had said if wanted to remember him, he was to shoot two arrows. One arrow was to go to the heaven, one to touch his feet.
Arjuna remembering this, took two arrows and shot them. One went skywards, the other fell at Drona's feet.
Drona wondered if his favorite disciple was somewhere, taking his blessings. He blessed the archer.
Arjuna then bowed before all, specially in front of Bhishma. Drona said the brahmana was asking for his blesseings.
Bhishma said a brahmana would give blessings and not take from him.
Drona said this did not seem to be a genuine brahmana but someone in the guise of one.
Bhishma said he was thinking the sane, the face looked familiar. Let me know if you know who this is., This seems to be someone dear to me.
Drona said I think I know who this is but I am afraid to take the name lest someone hear me say his name. I think the dead one, who got burnt, is alive.
Bhishma said no one would dare say anything, just take the name.
Drona said this form of shooting arrows to take blessings was known only to Partha.
Bhishma's eyes became wet thinking of the Pandavas who had died in the fire. Drona said he felt somehow the Pandavas were alive. Vidura had probably helped them escape.
Happy Bhishma said, if this was Arjuna, he would then definitely win the contest and the hand of Draupadi.
Arjuna then bowed down before Krishna. Krishna said to Balarama, Arjuna was asking for blessings. Balarama said Arjuna would surely win the princess. The defeated kings would attack him, how would he then defeat the kings? Krishna said, that is where he and Balarama would come in, and help the Pandavas.  

Arjuna gets up

Dhristadyumna then said if the person was from the lowest of the caste, even he was eligible. He said, for twenty one days the contest was on, and till date, non one had been able to get close to the target.

Among the brahmanas were seated Yudhistira and his four brothers. Hearing Dhristadyumna, Arjuna felt restless. He wanted to go and try his luck. He looked at his elder brother, who gave his consent. Arjuna then got up. The other brahmanas wanted to know why he was getting up and where was he going. Arjuna said he was going to try his luck with the target and wanted their consent.

The brahmanas started laughing. The bow that could not be handled by warriors like Jarasandha and Duryodhana,  and where people like Drona and Karna had failed, what could a mere brahamana achieve. They said they had come to get gifts, and with a brahmana becoming a laughing stock, they would loose that option too. They pulled Arjuna down and made him sit.

Arjuna wanted to go, hearing the calls of Dhristadyumna. 

Suddenly the loud noise of Panchajanya was heard. This was the conch shell of Krishna, being blown by Krishna. All became silent.

Arjuna got up. It was the sound of the shell calling out to him to come and win Draupadi.

Arjuan looked at Krishna who silently asked him to come forth.

The brahmanas said Arjuna was becoming greedy and they pulled him down.

Yudhistira then said everyone had a right to prove themselves. If this brahmana feels he has the capability, he has the right to prove that. If he fails, he himself will loose his battle. 

Hearing this, the brahmanas let Arjuna go.

Arjuna went towards the bow. Seeing him, the invited guests started laughing. When they had failed, how would a frail brahmana achieve the target. This was a brahmana who had lost himself seeing a beautiful princess and was not behaving normally. Among themselves they started talking. This kind of things should not be said to brahmanas. And this person did not look like other brahmanas. Dark in color, he had an aura about him. He had regal bearing, a sharp nose, long arms, broad chest, 

Dhristadyumna opens the challenge for all

Many a time Dhristadyumna came and asked the kshatriyas assembled to try hitting the target. Seeing no one ready, Bhishma got up. He easily took the bow. He said he was a celibate for life, and if he was successful with the target, the bride would be for Duryodhana.
He was about to shoot an arrow when he saw Shikhandi there in front of him. Seeing Shikhandi, he dropped the bow.

Shikhandi was the transgender son of Drupada.

Dhristadyumna then said he was opening the contest for all people, irrespective of their caste. Hearing this, Drona got up. White matted hair on his head, he said if he was able to hit the target, Draupadi would be won for Duryodhana.

Drona went and picked up the bow. He strung it and pulled the bow string. He then went closer to the target. He saw the reflection of the target in the water. The actual target was very high above, on a discus which was revolving at a high speed. There was a hole in the discus for just one arrow to go in. If one looked above, the target would be visible, but from the reflection in the water, above the discus one could see a fish. To shoot the fish, you would have to look at the reflection below and then shoot the arrow, without looking up.

Seeing Drona getting ready, Krishna did not feel very good. Drona, the disciple of Parasurama, had the capability to hit the target. Krishna silently covered the hole in the discus, with his Sudarshan Chakra. When Drona shot the arrow, it hit Krishna's discus and fell down.

Ashwatthama, seeing his father loose, got up and picked up the bow. His arrow also struck Sudarshana and fell down.

Karna then got up. He went and picked up the bow with his left hand. He bent the bow on his knee and tied the bow string. He then shot an arrow which also struck the Sudarshana Chakra and fell down. 

Krishna and Balarama talk

The kings started saying that an impossible target had been set to insult them.
Hearing this, Dhristadyumna said all kshatriyas assembled were eligible for the contest and they could try again. He looked at Krishna, who taking a cue got up and started speaking.
Krishna said the task was indeed difficult. Balarama said he would leave as this seemed to a waste of time. Krishna asked him to stay for one day. There was a person on this planet who could easily achieve this. Balarama asked who was this person, who would wed the beautiful Draupadi.

Krishna said the person who would be able to achieve this task was Partha, son of Indra, born of Kunti. Balarama said then let us leave. What was the point of waiting when the person are referring to perished in the fire in Varnavrata.

Krishna said he knew that the Pandavas were not dead and were very much alive. When it was time, they would reveal themselves. The Pandavas were born of Gods and would not be harmed by fire. If you really want to know, they are present at this moment, in this hall.

Balarama then asked Krishna how they had survived and what they had done all this time. He wanted to know where they were. Pointing to the brahmanas, Krishna pointed out to the Pandavas, showing Balarama all of them. He also said that the troubles of Pandavas had been caused by Duryodhana.In time, it would be the Pandavas who would be victorious.

Bhanumati's swayamvar

The sage listen then, O king.
In the land of Pragajyotish, ruled a king called Bhagdatta. He had a beautiful daughter called Bhanumati. The king arranged for her swayamvara and invited many kings. Sons of Dhritarashtra, Bhishma, Karna and Drona, all had gone there. Kings like Jarasandha were also there.
Bhagdatta pointed to the target which was like a fish, placed high up. Anyone who could hit the fish would win his daughter.
When Bhaumati came into the hall, she shone like the sun.
The guests all tried and failed.
The king then declared the contest open for all who could easily handle the bow and shoot the target. Hearing this Karna got and with a single arrow was able to hit the fish.

Bhanumati pleased went with her garland, to put it around Karna's neck. Jarasandha asked Bhanumati to stop. Karna was offended. He had achieved the goal, so what was the issue? Jarasandha said he had helped Karna hold the bow, so he was also equally eligible to have Bhanumati as his wife. The invited guests agreed with what Jarasandha said.

A war of words broke out between Karna and Jarasandha which soon became a war of weapons. While Karna had an upper hand with archery, Jarasandha yielded the mace. Karna with great difficulty was able to use an arrow to cut of Jarasandha's mace. Jarasandha picked up another mace which Karna cut off similarly.
Jarasandha then said he was without weapons and it would not be fair of Karna to fight with weapons. He invited Karna for a wrestling match . They had a fierce match. Karna getting an upper hand, pushed Jarasandha onto the ground and sat on his chest, victorious.

Defeated and insulted, Jarasandha left. Karna then took Bhanumati to Duryodhana, presented her to him.

Janmajeya then asked the sage, what happened then in the hall of Panchala. 

The kings fail

Seeing Draupadi the invited guests felt energized. They wanted to hit the target and win the princess. All started fighting among themselves as to who would go first.

Jarasandha went first. He took the bow, and could not withstand the weight of the bow and fell down. Duryodhana tried next, he got the bow but was unable to string it and fell down. Virata, the king of Matsya, tried but he was unable to lift the bow. Kichaka tried to lift the bow and somehow could barely hold it in his hand. He tried to string it, but the bow recoiled and he fell down. Shishupala tried his luck, and even he could not succeed. King like Rukmi, Bhagdatta, Shalya, Shalva all tried but none could succeed. One by one the invited guests were trying and failing miserably. Some injured themselves badly after lifting the bow, many were unable to lift the bow itself.

Drupada addressing the guests said he had set a target that was nearly impossible to achieve. The guests said they had not seen a bow like this before. They said only once before they had heard of a feat like this, when Krishna had performed a similar feat and won the hands of princess Lakshmana.

Also a feat like this had been organized before for the wedding of Princess Bhanumati, daughter of king Bhagdatta. When many kings had tried and failed, Karna had achieved this task and gifted Bhanumati to Duryodhana.


------

Hearing so far, Janmajeya asked the sage, what had happened in the swayamvara of Bhaumati?

Draupadi enters the hall

Thousands of kings had been invited to the ceremony. Drupada sensing that the time was right asked for the maids to deck up Draupadi. Collecting all kinds of jewels and clothes, the maids went to Draupadi's chamber. They decked her up and took her to the priests who blessed her. Bowing down before the fire, Draupadi slowly entered the hall.

The kings and princes seeing her were speechless.

She was graceful, shining like the moon, her face the shape of a lotus petal. Her nose was the shape of a sesame flower. Her eyes were like the shape of a fish, so beautiful were they that even a deer would be ashamed to look at them.
She had thick long wavy hair. 

Pandavas go to the Swayamvara

Entering the city of Panchala, the Pandavas went inside the huge circular dome where the swayamvara ceremony was to be held.
They had been living the life of other brahmanas, begging for food.
Drupada had made lavish arrangements for the ceremony. His daughter was born from the fire, so he wanted a great warrior as her husband. Drupada setup a target that was nearly impossible to meet. He knew Arjuna would be able to achieve this, and in his heart he wanted Arjuna to be his daughter's husband.

When Drupada had heard the news of the death of the Pandavas in Varnavrata, he was not convinced. The Pandavas were born from the Gods and it was not possible to easily them off. He knoew somehow that the Pandavas were alive and Arjuna would come win his daughter's hand.

He arranged for a bow, the likes of which had never been seen till date. The bow was floating in mid air. The bow needed to be got, five arrows were to be shot using the bow, and the target had to be hit. Who ever was able to hit the target would marry Draupadi.

Announcements were made. Kings from all over started coming to see this ceremony and take a chance at getting Draupadi as their wife. The kingdom of Panchala became full of kings arriving from various places. Wonderful quarters were arranged for the guests. Lavish arrangements were made. The entire city looked and smelt divine. Among the invited kings and princes were the sons of Dhritarashtra, Shakuni,  Karna, Bhishma and Drona.  Even the Gods were watching to see how the ceremony would go. Krishna and his brother, Balarama also came there. Seeing Krishna come in, most of the invited kings and princes got up and bowed down to him. Shishupala and Jarasandha refused to pay their respect to Krishna.

Bhishma said Krishna was a very learned person, a keeper of the Vedas and he needed to be respected. He was one who was the upholder of the universe. If he took his original shape, the entire universe would seem like a speck of dust on his body. To form a bond of illusion, he had take the shape of a human, Gopala. His body was perfect in every aspect, and from his navel, arose a lotus, on which Brahma was seated. All Gods including Brahma and Shiva prayed to this form.

Jarasandha laughed and said this was not true. If Krishna was so great a person, why did he flee from Mathura and setup his residence in Dwaraka. If he was so great, why was he scared of me?

Bhishma said : I know the answers to all your questions. You are speaking without thinking. You were a good king once, but have turned evil. You talk about Krishna running, but you ran away eighteen times after facing defeat.

Jarasandha's face turned red in anger and he did not say anything further.

Bhishma said he would sit somewhere else, in a place where Krishna was not being insulted. Saying so, he changed his place.

Dhaumya becomes the priest of Pandavas

Ending his tale, the Gandharva told Arjuna it was always necessary for them to have a priest alongside. Arjuna asked who would be the apt priest for them.
The gandharva said Dhaumya, brother of Rishi Debal would be right choice for the Pandavas,

Arjuna thanked the Gandharva and said he would ask for the gifts when it was time for them.
The gandharva then bade farewell to the Pandavas and Kunti and left.

Pandavas then travelled to a place called Utkochaka. There they met Dhaumya, who agreed to become a priest for the Pandavas.

Travelling, they neared Panchala. They met a group of brahmanas who wanted to know where the Pandavas were going. The Pandavas said they had come from Ekachakra and were going to Panchala. The brahmanas also joined them, all eager to see the swayavara of Draupadi.

They soon reached the kingdom of Panchala.

Kalmashpada's son

When Kalmashpada was living his life as a rakshasha, he roamed around the land looking for humans to eat. One day he saw a brahmana couple. Wanting to eat them, he grabbed the brahmana. The brahamana lady started pleading with the Rakshasha. She said, I know you are Kalmashpada, son of Soudasa. Please leave my husband. I want to conceive a child through him. If you really want to eat, eat me instead of my husband.

The king, under the spell of the rakshasha, did not listen and killed the brahmana.
The dead brahmana's wife then collected wood from the forest and lit a pyre. Collecting the remains of her husband, she cursed Kalmashpada, saying if he ever touched a woman, he would die. His clan would be carried forth through Vashishtha, whose son you killed. Saying this, she jumped into the pyre.

Years later, Kalmashpada was relieved from the rakshasha. He went back to his kingdom and led a pious life. Not having any children and wishing for a child, he went to his wife, Madayanti.

Madayanti knew about the curse and she told the king, the moment he touched her, he would die. He went to Vashishtha with his wife, and asked the sage to help beget a child.
 Thus Vashistha saved the clan from getting destroyed.

Pulastya and Parasara

Thinking of the Rakshashas made Parasara angry and he started glowing with rage. He lit the sacrificial fire, vowing to end the rakshashas.
The flames reached the skies and all rakshashas began getting pulled into the fire.
Cries of woe filled the skies, with the rakshashas crying away.

Rakshashas of all shapes and sizes, and of all ages were dying.

Pulastya, the sage, heard of this sacrifice. He was disturbed hearing this. All sorts of beings were needed on earth, for its balance. He reached the palace where Parasara was conducting the sacrifice.

Seeing Pulastya, Parasara offered him a seat. Angry, Pulastya said, You have killed many Rakshashas. Which part of the Vedas teach violence? Not all Rakshashas are bad, not all brahmanas are good. Death is inevitable. It may come in any form, to any one. Any one who is born, will die one day. Your father dies from his own fault, arrogance. He cursed the king to become a rakshasha. Release your anger.

Vashishtha also agreed with Pulastya.

Hearing all this, Parasara closed the sacrifice. The fire, not getting offering, fled into the forests.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Gandharva then told Arjuna, Vashishtha has controlled his anger. He is always able to forgive. He blessed the king Kalmashpada to be a father. He did not try to seek revenge upon Vishwamitra.

Arjuna then asked about Kalmashpada's son.

Aurva

Vashistha started telling Parasara :

There was a king called Kritavirya. A sage from the dynasty of Brighu was his priest. The king performed many sacrifices and gave away all his wealth to the priest.
After the king, his descendants discovered that they had no wealth left. So they asked the priest's descendants to return the wealth that the priest had got from the king.

The priests said they give all they had. When they went home, some of them gave all that they had and others dug holes in the ground and hid their wealth there.

The kings were not pleased with what they got from the priests. They sent out spies and learnt that a lot of the wealth had been hidden. They sent people to dig out  wealth and fetch it.

A lot of wealth was found. Angry at that, they decided to kill the brahmanas. Brandishing their swords, they started cutting off the heads of the brahamans. They did not distinguish between young and old, and killed all. They would cut off the heads of pregnant women and then tear the wombs open to kill the unborn babies.

Women started fleeing from the land. One of the brahmana women, knowing that she was pregnant transferred her foetus from her belly into her thigh. She started running but soon the kings caught up with her. Tired, she gave birth there and a son was born to her. The son when born, shone brighter than the sun. So bright was the light coming from his body, that the kings chasing him were blinded. Some were even burnt to death.

The kings remaining appealed to the woman and the boy for mercy. The boy said the kings were responsible for the near annihilation of the brahmanas. He decided that he would destroy the world.

The boy whose name was Aurva, then started meditating. For years he sat, fasting, meditating, trying to find a way to destroy the three worlds. So fierce was his penance that the worlds became heated up. Everywhere, people were scared.

His departed ancestors then appeared before him and said : Your anger saddens us. What has happened was written as part of the destiny and killing off and destroying the worlds will not help achieve anything. Discard your anger. Learn to forgive.

Aurva said : I agree with what you said. The evil still need to be punished. When I was to be born, my mother had to hide me in her womb, to save me. She was fortunate; the others were not, whose wombs were torn open. Thinking of this, I feel the evil should not go unpunished.  If you do not fight for your rights, you will be regarded as a coward. My anger will stay and will not go away.

The ancestors said : Calm your mind. Throw the anger away. Your meditation will not bear fruit if you cultivate anger in your mind. Do not discard our words, we are your ancestors. Listen to us. If you do not know how to get rid of your anger, we will help you. It is said that all worlds' life reside in the waters. Throw your anger in the water.

Aurva agreeing, discarded his anger and for years it burnt as a flame in the ocean.


~~~~~~~~~

Hearing all this, Parasara controlled his anger. He said My father was killed by a Rakshasha. Not listening to Vashishtha, he started a sacrifice, to get rid of the rakshashas.

Vashistha and Parasara

In due course Shakti's wife gave birth to a son who was named Parasara. Having seen Vashishtha as the male member in the house, Parasara thought Vashishtha was his father. One he called out to Vashishtha, addressing him as his father. Hearing this, his mother, told him the truth.

Hearing this, the young Parasa started shaking with anger. He needed to do something. He thought of destroying all rakshashas from the earth.

Vashishtha hearing this and asked him to discard his anger. A brahman was supposed to forgive and not hold anger against anyone.

He said he will tell Parasara about events that had happened long back.

Kalmashpada

Vishwamitra kept looking for ways to get back at Vashishtha. He found his excuse in the king called Kalmashpada, son of Saudasa. Kalmashpada was born in the Ikshvaku dynasty. Vashishtha was his priest.
One day the king, holding a sacrifice, invited Vashistha. Being busy, the sage refised. Angry, the king decided to call Vishwamitra. He went to invite Vishwamitra and on his way back along with Vishwamitra, they came across Shakti, son of Vashishtha.
As the path was narrow, the king asked Shakto to give way. Shakti said, as a brahman, he needed to go first. The king said he ruled the land and he had right to the path.
Both started quarelling, none of them willing to give way. The king angry, struck Shakti with a whip. Shakti started bleeding.
Angry Shakti cursed the king. He said Though born in a high dynasty, your behavior is not like that of one. I curse you to become a cannibal.
The king started pleading with Shakti.
Vishwamitra, who had been watching this invoked the spirit of a cannibal and installed it in the king. Possessed, the king killed Shakti and ate him up.
Having eaten up Shakti, he became terrible in form.
Vishwamitra took the king now to the place where Vashistha's hundred sons were. Seeing the sons, the king ate then up also.
Vashishtha was not there at that time. When he came home, he saw an empty house.
Meditating, he realized that Vishwamitra was the cause of all this.
Saddened, he wanted to kill himself.
He immersed himself in the ocean to drown himself. He was unable to drown. He then came out and went to the mountains and jumped from a high peak, but he did not die.
He then lit a fire and jumped inside that. The fire died down as soon as he entered. He entered a dense forest hoping that the wild beasts would eat him; even that did not happen.

Dejected, he came home and seeing an empty house he was sad. He wanted to kill himself again. He saw a flowing river full of crocodiles. He was about to jump in, when he heard the sound of Vedas and also someone calling him. Turning, he saw Shakti's wife. He asked her who was reciting the Vedas. The woman said, it was her unborn child.

Happy that his dynasty had not ended, Vashishtha took Shakti's wife along, and brought her home.
One day Vashistha came across the king, Kalmashpada who was living,  eating human flesh. Seeing the sage, the king rushed to eat him. Vashishtha sprinkled some water from the pot he was carrying. The spirit that had possessed the king left, and the king was back to normal.

Regaining consciousness, the king fell at Vashishtha's feet and begged for forgiveness.

The sage forgave him and the king left.

Vishwamitra becomes a brahman

Arjuna then asked the Gandharva, who is this Vashistha, who saved the king?
The Gandharva said , this was one great sage who had great self control. Vishwamitra troubled him a lot, but still he did not loose his temper.

Arjuna asked what the reason for Vishwamitra to cause trouble for Vashistha? The gandharva then said, listen to this.

In the land of Kanyakubja, there was a king called Gaadhi. One day the son of Gaadhi went on a hunt along with his army. Having roamed around for long, tired, the prince came across the ashrama of the sage Vashishtha. He entered there. The sage seeing he had guests, welcomed them. Seeing that the prince and the army was tired he asked his cow, Nandini, to help provide some food for them. Hearing this, Nandini arranged for tasty food for all. Nandini also arranged for comfortable beds for the guests to rest on.
Seeing this, the prince asked the sage to gift Nandini to him. In exchange, he said, he would many cows with hooves of gold. He would also give part of the kingdom to the sage in exchange of Nandini.
Vashishtha refused to part with Nandini at which the prince said this was not fit behavior for a sage. A sage did not things like this which was fit for a king.
The prince further said if the sage would not give up the cow, he would use force to get the cow.
As the sage still refused the prince instructed his army to attack. The army tied the cow with ropes and tried to pull it away. The cow would not move. It looked at the sage.
Vashishtha said he was powerless. Hearing this, the cow increased its size. It made a terrible noise and suddenly a massive army appeared. This army soon overpowered the prince's army.
The prince, whose name was Vishwamitra, was amazed to see this. He thought that a brahman was the most powerful of all humans.
Sending all his followers home, he decided to stay back in the forest and meditate.
His penance was very austere. He would sit around a fire in the summer and pray. In the monsoon, he would stand in the lakes and pray. In the winters he would discard his clothing and go to the mountains and pray.
Seeing his meditation Brahma appeared before him and asked him to ask for a boon. Vishwamitra said he wanted to become a brahman. Brahma said as Vishwamitra was born a kshatriya, he would not be able to become one now. Brahma said it would be possible in the next birth.
Vishwamitra did not agree and Brahma left.
Vishwamitra further intensified his penance. He was reduced to a skeleton. So severe was his penance, that the Gods were scared. Brahma came once again and asked him what he wanted. Vishwamitra said he wanted to be a brahman.
Brahma agreed.

Though having become a brahman, he was still harboring the insult that he had felt in the hands of Vashishtha.

Tapati

The Gandharva said he would tell Arjuna about Tapati.
Tapati was the daughter of Surya. There was no one who was as beautiful as her. Surya was worried, with a daughter like her, how would he get an able husband for her?
On the earth, a king called Samvaran was a great devotee of Surya and regularly worshipped him. He was a great king and also very handsome. Seeing him, Surya thought this would be the ideal husband for his daughter.
One day the king went for a hunt in the forest.  He traveled for long looking for water. His horse died of thirst. The king then traveled on foot. Then he spotted a mountain and climbed that to see if he could spot a water body nearby. On the top of the mountain he saw a woman. Her beauty was incomparable. He had never seen anyone so beautiful. The king addressing her said, Maiden, who has brought about the feeling of love in me, who are you? What are doing in this desolate place?
Without saying anything, the woman vanished.
The king started looking everywhere for her. Seeing the king's condition, from the heavens, the woman said, Why do you behave in this manner?
The king saw the same woman standing in front of him. He said he would not live if he did not get her. He requested her to become his.
The woman said this was not right. The king would have to ask her father for permission. She said she was Tapati, daughter of Surya. She said if the king was able to please Surya and get his permission, she would become his.
Saying this, she vanished again.
The king was heart broken.
At that moment, the ministers of the king, who had been looking for him, found him in the forest, on the top of the mountain. They saw the king crying and fainting. They gave the king cool water to drink and asked him what was the matter.
The king asked the ministers to go back to the kingdom. He then sat on the mountain. Fasting, he started meditating on Surya. He also thought of Vashishtha, his priest. Knowing his king was thinking of him, Vashishtha went there. Seeing the condition of the king, he realized this was because of Tapati.
He went towards the heaven and went where Surya was, and introduced himself. Surya wanted to know why the sage had come here. He promised to fulfill what he desired.
Vashistha said, Samvaran, a king of the dynasty of Bharata was meditating on Surya. He was a great devotee of Surya and he was meditating to get get Tapati as his wife.
Surya said he was aware of the greatness of Samvaran and said he would give his daughter away to the king. Saying this, he gave his daughter to the sage.
Vashishtha went with Tapati to the place where Samvaran was meditating.
Samvaran was grateful to Vashishtha and bowed down to him. He sent a message to his ministers to take care of the kingdom for sometime, while he spent some time alone with Tapati.

In the kingdom of Samvaran, there was no rain. The kingdom was facing drought. Plants were dying, animals were dying and the lakes and rivers were drying up. Seeing this condition, Vashistha went to fetch the king.
Sad at the news, the king immediately left for his kingdom along with Tapati. He went there and arranged for sacrifices to please Indra and it started raining in his kingdom. Tapati later gave birth to a son called Kuru in whose name the dynasty of Kuru was named,

Ending his stroy, the gandharva said as the Pandavas were from the dynasty of Kuru, that was the reason why he had called Arjuna, Tapatya.

Arjuna meets Angarparna

Vyasa said, Drupada had setup a target that was very difficult to achieve. Arjuna was one who had the ability to hit the target and would win the hand of Draupadi. It was four days since the swayamvara had started and there was no point wasting time.

The Pandavas set forth and travelled north of Ekachakra. Walking for long, they reached the banks of river Jahnavi. A Gandharva was there along with hos wives, playing in the waters. Seeing the Pandavas coming, he wanted to know who they were and why they had disturbed him. He said his was name was Angarparna and he would kill them.
Arjuna said all had a right to bathe in the waters of the river. This river was part of the Ganges and they would have a dip in the river.
Angered, the Gandharva raised his bow. He shot an arrow towards Arjuna, which Arjuna cut off. Arjuna then asked the Gandharva to see if he could stand his arrow. He released an arrow which cut off the chariot of the Gandharva. Seeing this, the Gandhrava started fleeing. Arjuna ran after him, and caught him by the locks of his hair.
Seeing this, the Gandharva's wife went to Yudhistira and asked him to intervene and save her husband's life. Yudhistira asked Arjuna to leave the Gandharva. Arjuna did so.
Freed, the Gandharva said he had a knowledge of the rakshashis that he would give Arjuna. This was a mantra that had been given by Manu to Chandra. Chandra had given it to him.He said he would also give Arjuna a hundred horses which would never tire.
Arjuna said it was not correct for him to receive something from one whom he had defeated.
The Gandharva said he knew who they were. They were the descendants of Tapati, daughter of the Sun and he addressed Arjuna as Tapatya.

Arjuna wanted to know about Tapati. 

Birth of Dhrishtadyumna and Draupadi

Kunti and her sons stayed in the house of the brahmana. A priest one day came there. He spoke about his travels and the places he had visited. He spoke about the land of Panchala and also of the swayamvara of the daughter of the king of Panchala. He priased Drupada's daughter who was called Krishnaa who was very beautiful. She was also called Yagyaseni as she had been born from a sacrifice (Yagya). Drupada, King of Panchala, had also obtained a son from the sacrifice, who would cause the end of Drona.
The Pandavas wanted to know why the son would bring an end of Drona.
The priest said once, Drona and Drupada were great friends. Drona was insulted when he had visited Drupada. He went back to Hastinapura and taught the Kuru princes. He asked the kuru princes to get him Drupada as a prisoner.
Arjuna, son of Kunti, achieved this.
Drupada, when freed roamed the banks of Ganga, lost in thought. He wanted to find out ways in which he would bring an end of Drona. He found two brahmanas, Yaja and Upyaja and was told they may be able to help him.
Drupada went to Upyaja and asked for his assistance in finding a way to get rid of Drona, son of Bharadwaj. Upyaja said it was not proper for a brahmana to hold a sacrifice to kill another. When the king was insistent, Upyaja told Drupada to go to his elder brother, Yaja, and ask for his help.
Drupada went to Yaja with his prayer.
Yaja agreed and Drupada made arrangements to start the sacrifice. He fasted as per rituals along with his queen.
A son came out of the fire, his body the color of fire, with a bow and arrow in his hand. Followed by the boy, a girl came out of the fire. When she emerged, mantras could be heard from all directions.
A voice from the heaven said this girl will be the cause of the death of many kshatriyas. The boy will be killer of Drona.
The king named the son Dhrishtadyumna. The girl, as she was dark in complexion was named Krishnaa.

The priest ending his story said this was the girl, whose swayamvara was being arranged. As the daughter of Drupada, she was also named Draupadi.
The Pandavas wanted to go and attend the swayamvara ceremony.
Kunti said they were living for many days in a person's house and that was not a very good thing. They agreed to go towards Panchala.
At that moment, Vyasa came there. Seeing Vyasa, all bent down and bowed at his feet.

Killing of Baka

Kunti asked Bhima to go and put an end to Baka.
Yudhistira, when he heard this, was not happy with Kunti's decision. Sending Bhima to Baka would mean death for Bhima. Kunti said she was sure of Bhima's strength and knew he would come back victorious. She said she said she seem him the day he was born and he had cracked the earth. He could easily lift elephants and was able to single handedly kill of Hidimb. He was able to carry all on his shoulders in the forests. Also as they were from the royal family, it was a duty of the royals to protect brahmanas.
Yudhistira agreed and told Kunti to tell the brahmana not to say anything to anyone about this.

In the evening, Bhima climbed on the cart, full of food and drove that to where Baka lived. He started calling out to Baka, also simultaneously eating the food meant for Baka.
Baka was furious when he saw this. He rushed to Bhima. He uprooted a tree and flung that which Bhima easily avoided. Baka caught Bhima and they both began wrestling each other. Bhima taking control was able to break Baka's spine and Baka fell dead. Seeing Baka fall, his followers fled, Bhima dragged the body of Baka and left it near the outskirts of the town and went home.

In the morning, the town people were amazed to see the dead Baka. They wanted to know from the brahmana how he was able to kill Baka, as it was his turn to go. He said he had got help from some divine people who had helped him.

Pandavas in Ekachakra

Staying in Ekachakra, in the house of the brahmana, the Pandavas followed the custom of other brahmanas and went begging for food items, from house to house. Kunti would cook the food for them, and half of the cooked food would be given to Bhima, and the rest of the food would be divided among Kunti and her other sons. Bhima still went hungry.

One day, Bhima stayed back home with his mother, while the other brothers went begging. They heard a lot of wailing coming from inside the house. Kunti asked Bhima to go and find out what was happening. The brahman had given them shelter and in time of need, they should be helped.
Bhima said it would be better if Kunti went. If help was needed, that required strength, then he would help.
Kunti saw the brahman beating his head and crying. He was telling his wife It was not wise to stay in the land where rakshashas lived. See what the times have come to. You are my wife, and our children's mother. It was best you lived and I went to the rakshasha.
His wife said she would go the rakshasha. She would not be able to live a life of widow and needed to go for the sake of the family. If the brahman dies, she would not be able to fend for the family.
Seeing the fmily cry, their daughter said she would go. Her brother, who was small needed the mother. Her parents were needed and she would be a burden on the parents, who would have to arrange for dowry for her wedding.
Hearing this brahman, his wife and daughter started crying.
Seeing this, their son, who was a toddler said, he would go. He picked up a grass blade and said he would kill the rakshasha.
Even in their grief, seeing their son, they also started laughing. They then noticed Kunti.
Kunti wanted to why they were crying.
They said there was a huge monster called Baka who lived in the outskirts of the town. To please him, the town people had decided to give him a cart full of food. The monster would the food and the person bringing the food for him. Today it was the turn of this house to send someone to Baka.

Kunti said not to worry. She had five sons and one of them would go.
Brahman said he would be sinner if he sent his guests instead of one of his family.
Kunti managed to convince the brahmanas and from there went to Bhima. She told him all she had heard.

Ghatotkacha born

Bhima was angry to see Hidimba with them. He said to Kunti to be careful of her. She was a rakshashi and could not be trusted, was there to avenge the death of her brother.
He said he would kill her.
Yudhishtira stopped him.
Hidimba said to Kunti, it is love that has brought me to your son. I want your son as my husband. I have no other intentions. I have left all and come to you. Please do not turn me away. I will serve you all my life. I will help you and make your stay in the jungle comfortable. If you do not help me, I will be compelled to kill myself.
Yudhistira hearing gave Hidimba permission to take Bhima with her and bring him back soon.
Hearing this, Hidimba flew away taking Bhima with her.
They roamed in many fields, valleys, mountains; flew over lakes and rivers.
After sometime, Hidimba gave birth to a son. The child, when born grew to a huge size. His head, which was bald (utkacha), was shaped like a pot (ghata) and so, he was named Ghatotkacha.
He said he would now take leave of Bhima, and go away with his mother. He would come as soon as he was remembered.
Bhima went to his brothers, where he was taken by Hidimba and Ghatotkacha. Taking leave of the Pandavas, Hidimba left with her son.

The Pandavas continued their travels. They would travel, hiding in the jungles afraid of being spotted by the Kauravas. Travelling thus, they crossed many kingdoms and one day found themselves face to face with Vyasa.

Seeing Vyasa, Kunti started crying. Vyasa said he was aware of their fate. He asked them not to worry as they would be victorious in the end. He asked them to go to the town of Ekachakra in the guise of brahmans and stay there. He also asked them to stay there till he came for them.

Saying this Vyasa took them to Ekachakra and got them a place to stay in the house of a brahman there.

Hidimba

Hidimba saw Bhima from a distance and lost her heart. Dressed in all her finery, she approached Bhima. Seeing his sister take a long time, Hidimb came to see what was happening and saw his sister looking at Bhima, eyes bent down.

He started shouting at her for having fallen in love with a human. Being hungry, he said he would kill her first and then eat the Pandavas and Kunti.

Bhima said you had sent your sister to get people for you, and you should be ashamed for that. Then you are shouting at someone who is in love. I will kill you and make an end of you. My brothers and mother are asleep and I do not want them to be disturbed, so stop shouting.

The Rakshasa went towards Hidimba, and Bhima intervened. He picked up the huge demon easily and hurled away. The demon got up and rushed at Bhima. Bhima was very swift. Like lions roaring, both were shouting and fighting.

Kunti got up hearing the noise and surprised to see her son fighting a rakshasa. She also saw Hidimba there and asked her who she was.

Hidimba said she was a rakshashi by birth. She had been sent by her brother to fetch them as his meal. Coming there, she had fallen in love with Bhima. Seeing her getting delayed, her brother had come to kill her, and Bhima was fighting to protect her.

The other brothers were also awake and when they heard what Hidimba said they went where Bhima was fighting. Yudhistira said he and the other brothers would help Bhima make an end to Hidimb.

Bhima asked them not to worry and that he would make end of Hidimb soon. Bhima picked up demon, hurled him on the ground and broke his waist. Then he tore him into two and flung the body parts away.

The five brothers hugged each other.

Arjuna said that was not a safe place to stay. If news of this went to Duryodhana, he would come in search of them and kill them.

They decided to leave together. Hidimba started following them.

Pandavas enter the forest of Hidimb

Pandavas entered the forest of Hidimba. All were tired but they still decided to walk, They were not sure if Purochana had died and were not sure if he would come chasing them. They walked as far as they could. Kunti was tired and wanted to rest for a while.
Yudhistira was afraid that Purochana may have escaped and was after them. Bhima told him not to worry. He also asked them to rest, while he went to get some water for them to drink.

Bhima went out in search of water. He heard from a distance, the sound of flowing water. He saw a lake, and had a bath there. Wanting to take water back. he saw he had no utensils. He then wet his clothes and in an instant, he went where his brothers and mother were resting. He saw that they had all fallen asleep on the ground. He was sad to see their condition. People who slept in the most luxurious of beds were now sleeping on hard ground. In his mind, Bhima cursed Shakuni, Karna and Duryodhana for having plotted this, and Dhritarashtra for not having stopped this.

When Bhima was thus silently cursing his fate, a giant dark rakshasha called Hidimb happened to come there. Hidimb was hungry and having spotted six humans, he wanted to make a meal out of them. He asked his sister, Hidimba, to go fetch them for him.

Pandavas escape

That night all went to sleep early. Seeing all asleep, Yudhistira asked Bhima to set fire to the house, starting with the room where Purochana was sleeping. Gradually the house started blazing and the pandavas crept into the tunnel swiftly.
While Pandavas amd Kunti were in the tunnel, the people of Varnavrata hearing the sound of blazing fire came out of their houses. Not daring to go inside the blazing house, they tried throwing water to extinguish the fire. The burining house was called Jatugriha.
People started saying that Dhritarashtra had planned this to get rid of the Pandavas.
While the people were lamenting, the Pandavas had escaped into the forest.
It was dark and the forest was full of trees and creepers and it was difficult to trace out their way in the dark. Kunti was tired and could not walk any longer.
Bhima who was huge in size, had his mother sit on his neck, two sons of madri on one shoulder, and the other princes on the other, swiftly started travelling through the forest.
They reached the banks of Ganga, where they saw a boat waiting for them, The boat had been sent for them by Vidura, The Pandavas were not sure wether they could trust the boatman, but the boatman started speaking in the language of mlechhas, telling Yudhistira what only Vidura and Yudhitira were aware of.
When they crossed the river and were safely on the other side of the river, Yudhistira told the boatman to tell Vidura that they would meet again if possible and then he would fall at his feet.
When dawn came, the people of Varnavrata came to see the smouldering embers of the palace to see what was left of the Pandavas. They among many burnt bodies, that of Purochana and the hunter woman and her sons. Thinking the Pandavas were dead, they started beating their chests and started crying.
They reported to Dhritarashtra the news of the death of the Pandavas and Kunti.

Dhritarashtra could not believe this. He fainted in shock. When he came to his senses, he started lamenting and grieving. The news spread and all in Hastinapur started grieving for the Pandavas.

The last rites of the Pandavas were performed. 

Pandavas suspect

Bhima said he was able to smell oil and butter and he was suspecting someone wanted to burn them alive in that house. Yudhistira said maybe that was the reason Vidura had tried to warn him in the language of mlechhas.
Bhima said it was time to go back to Hastinapura. Yudhistira said that was not correct. It would spread amongst the people. Duryodhana would twist the story to show Pandavas in bad light. He would call for a war and we would be defeated, It was best to lie low and escape after a few days into the forests.
In Hastinapura, Vidura was wondering how to save the Pandavas. He caught hold of a trusted tunnel digger and instructed him.
As per the instructions, the digger went to Yudhistira and told him about the house and also said as per Vidura's instructions, he would be digging a tunnel.
Work started. A nice door was built and set at the mouth of the tunnel. From the outside, no one could make out that a tunnel was being dug there. In the day time, Pandavas would roam around in the jungle and go hunting. In the nights, they would work with the digger and help in the tunnel construction work.
For months Pandavas stayed there, and slowly Purochana started believing that the Pandavas suspected nothing.
One day they discovered that Purochana was planning to set fire the next day. The Pandavas decided to set fire to the house that very night. Kunti said she wanted to host a feast and feed the poor and the brahmanas. Along with others, there came a hunter woman and five sons. All had their fill and rested there in the palace.