Salva attacks Dwaraka

Krishna said - Listen to me Yudhistira. When I came to your sacrifice, Shishupala died in my hands. Being a friend of Shishupala, Salva was angry. He attacked Dwaraka with along with his army. To avoid him, all the bridges coming towards Dwaraka were drawn up. The roads were laid with iron nails. The waters nearby were poisoned. All the wealth was hidden away.

When Salva came, the brave warriors of Dwaraka came out to fight. Salva had a general who came and fought with Sambha, son of Jambavati. The general could not withstand Sambha's weapons and had to flee. Pradyumna, son of Rukmini also fought bravely and killed many demons.

Seeing his army being destroyed, Salva came to the battlefield. Sambha came and fought with him. Pradyumna and Sambha bravely fought Salva and he fell senseless. When the demon came to his sense, he used to his magic and Sambha nad Pradyumna fainted. Seeing them faint, their charioteers took them and started fleeing. When Pradyumna came to his senses, he said fleeing was not the task of a brave warrior and commaned the charioteer to return back.

Pradyumna fought but was unable to control Salva. He then decided to use divine weapons on Salva, but the Gods intervened. They said these weapons would get wasted but Salva would not die. Salva was destined to die in the hands of Krishna. 

Krishna comes to meet the Pandavas

The news of Pandavas leaving for the forest spread like wildfire. Along with some other kings, Krishna went to the Kamyaka forest to meet the Pandavas.
Pandavas told all about the acts of Duryodhana and how they had to loose all.
Seeing Krishna angry hearing all this, Arjuna said to him - You are the Lord of all. You should not loose your temper. As sage Narayana you had sat for years meditating on the Gandhamadana mountain.

Krishna said to Arjuna - There is not much difference between us. When I was Narayana, you were Nara. Pandavas are no different from me, I am am grieved to see them troubled. Any one who likes you is dear to me, any one who hates you is my enemy too.

Draupadi then came there and said to Krishna - You are the one, from whose navel sprang the lotus on which Brahma was seated. The sky is your head, the nether world your feet. All Gods worship you. You are the lord of all and up-lifter of the down. This is why I can tell you about my griefs.

Saying this, Draupadi spoke of how she was insulted in the court and how the great leaders there had sat quietly

Krishna said - Do not grieve sister. When you were being insulted, you had called out to me. I had helped you. The way you cried, similarly, the wives of the Kurus will cry. This is my promise to you.

Arjuna said - What Krishna said will come true. There will be war. We will win.

Dhristadyumna said - I pledge that I will kill Drona. Shikhandi will become the cause of Bhishma's death.

Krishna said he was delayed in coming to the forest as he had to tackle the demon Salva. Krishna said when he had come for Rajyasuya sacrifice of Yudhistira, Salva had defeated all in Dwaraka using magic. Returning back, he had to fight and eventually kill Salva.

Yudhistira asked what was Salva's enemity with you? Why did he attack Dwaraka? Do tell, Krishna. 

Taking a break

Will be taking a few days break - Work pressures. Hopefully I will restart again, next week.

Pandavas meet Kirmira

Dhritarashtra, having heard of the death of Kirmira in hands of Bhima, when the Pandavas were in the forest, asked Vidura how this had happened. Duryodhana refused to listen to this, and walked away.
Vidura said, what Bhima did was not easy. When the Pandavas left this place, they reached the Kamya forest on the third day. In thsi forest lived the demon Kirmira. Seeing the Pandavas in the forest, the demon bocked their way. He created an illusion of night. So strong was his breath, that trees fell when he exhaled.
Seeing the demon, Draupadi closed her eyes and hid in the middle of her husbands. Bhima consoled her.
The priest, Dhumya, then reversed the magic of the demon. It was day and the Pandavas could see the demon.
Yudhistira asked the demon who he was.
The demon said he lived in the forest and all sages and men who passed by were his food. He then asked Yudhitira who he was.
Yudhistira said He was a son of Pandu and he was there with his brothers and wife.
Kirmira said I am glad you have come here. In Ekachakra lived my brother Baka who was killed by Bhima. Bhima also killed my fiend Hidimb. He will definitely die in my hands.

Angered by the words of the rakshasha, Bhima uprooted a tree and hurled that at Kirmira. Kirmira stood still. The demon then hurled a flaming piece of wood at Bhima, who avoided that. Thinking of the insults of the Kauravas, Bhima jumped and grabbed Kirmira. Throwing him on the ground, he sat on his back. Pressing his knee on the spine of the demon, Bhima pulled the body and broke it into two. With a huge roar, Kirmira died.  

Dhritarashtra and Vidura talk

Dhritarashtra was anxious about the Pandavas leaving. He sent for Vidura. He asked Vidura with teh Pandavas not there, how would he be able to take full control over the people of Indraprastha and Hastinapura.
Vidura said - Stay on the path of truth. Think of the sons of your brother as your own. You kept quiet when the Pandavas were insulted by your son and Shakuni. You were quiet when your daughter in law was insulted. Now you want to make ammends, What can be done? But if you are really wanting to do something, bring the Pandavas back. Give back to them, what has been taken from them. Tell them that you are sorry for what had happened. Get Duryodhana and Karna to have a friendly relation with the Pandavas. If Duryodhana refuses to listen to you, jail him.
Dhritarashtra said - I do not agree with what you said. Why should I punish my son for the sake of other's sons. You are a well wisher of the Pandavas. Go and live where you want to.
Vidura got and while leaving he said - I see the end of the dynasty of Kuru.

Instead of going home, Vidura went to the forest where the Pandavas were. Yudhistira was in the Kamya forest, clad in bark, along with his brothers. Seeing Vidura they wondered why he was coming. Was it for another game of dice? There was nothing to loose now except their lives, and was that something that was needed.

Yudhistira asked Vidura what the king had said. Vidura said he had tried to advise the king but he had been insulted. Thus, leaving the king, he had come to stay with the Pandavas.

Hearing that Vidura had left saddened the king. He was sorry for his words. He went to court but collapsed on the ground. Sanjaya and the others helped the king on his feet. The king said - Vidura has joined the Pandavas. Tell him to come to me at the earliest. Tell him I am sorry for what I had said.

Sanjaya started for the forest to fetch Vidura. Reaching there he said - O Vidura quickly. The king will not live if Vidura does not come.

Vidura and Sanjaya took leave of the Pandavas and reached Hastinapura. On meeting the king, Vidura and Dhritarashtra hugged each other.

Dhritarashtra said he was begging for forgiveness.
Vidura said - Sons of Pandu are the same at me, like your sons.

Hearing Vidura and Dhritarashtra talk, Duryodhana went to Shakuni and said a way had to be made to get rid of the Pandavas, if the king sent for them.

Shakuni said, the Pandavas would not come as Yudhitira would not go against his word. If he even comes back, he will go back again based on the promise, for another thirteen years.

Karna said - The Pandavas would be suffering in the forest. I want to see how they are. I want to see their suffering. They being vulnerable, this may be the right time to get rid of them for ever.

Duryodhana agreed and ordered for the army to get ready.

Vyasa was sitting in his meditation. He realized what was happening. He left for Hastinapura. There he met Duryodhana and his army, and told them to stop. The sage went and met Dhritarashtra.

He said - You are blind by eyes, and now you have lost sight of justice. What are you doing? Your son, in greed, grabbed what was belonging to the Pandavas. Send your son to the Pandavas and let him let them he is sorry for his behavior. Then your hundred sons will be saved.

Dhritarashtra said - The problem is, Duryodhana does not listen to me.
Vyasa said - Let me tell you something. Once, Surabhi, the mother of cows was crying. Seeing this, Indra asked her the reason. She said she was sad for a son of hers who was old, and was made to make in the fields. The farmers who were using him, were beating him, when he could not walk.
Indra said - he would have rain fall, which would cool the earth and make it easy to till.

Vyasa said, One has to be just to all.

Dhritarashtra said I am unable to talk to my son, if you can, please talk to him.
Vyasa said, I will not do that. The sage Maitreya will come and he will talk to Duryodhana. And if Duryodhana refuses to comply, he may get cursed.

Soon Maitreya came and said he had met the Pandavas who were suffering because of the conduct of Duryodhana.

Talking to Duryodhana, he said - Pandavas are no less superior than you and they deserve that respect. When Duryodhana refused to listen, Maitreya said - the thigh that you had shown Draupadi will be broken by Bhima.

The king asked the sage to withdraw his curse, but he refused.

Overflowing Bowl

Vaishampayan continuing his tale said, Duryodhana cunningly took all that Yudhistira had. The good and king Yudhistira left Hastinapura with his brothers and wife started their journey northwards. People flanked to see them and all were sad to see them go. People were cursing Dhritarashtra and his sons for what they had done to the Pandavas. A land where Shakuni like people lived, was bound to be doomed. They told Yudhistira that they would also go with him to the forests.

Yudhistira addressing them said they should not give more grief to the grieving Kuru elders and leave them. They should be with them.

The Pandavas went till they reached the banks of the river Jhanavi. They chose a spot and rested the night there, watching various sages performing their sacrifices on the banks of the river, by lighting their fires.

In the morning, the Pandavas started their journey entering the dense forest. Many sages wanted to accompany them. Yudhistira said to them that if they went along they would see only grief and troubles, and it would be better if they stayed where they were. A sage called Saunaka told Yudhistira that money was the cause of troubles and grief. Now that the Pandavas had no wealth they were to be mentally free. Men had the thirst for wealth, something that the sages had given up.

Yudhistira said he was not worried about wealth. He was wondering how he would take care of the sages accompanying him. Saunaka said Do not worry about that. You start worshiping and through your meditation gather that power with which you will be able to take care of all.

Dhumya, the sage and priest of the Pandavas, guided Yudhistira on how he should be worshiping and praying. Yudhistira then started praying to the Sun God.
The Sun God appeared and gave Yudhistira a bowl. He said what ever food was kept in the bowl, would keep increasing and overflowing till Draupadi had her meal. Once Draupadi had finished, the vessel would become empty for the day. 

Pandavas leave

The Pandavas along with Draupadi discarded their royal robes and dressed as sages. Dushasana seeing this said to Draupadi - Your father gave you away to beggars. If you wish, I will take you over and treat you royally.
Bhima said Your death is close by which is why you say things like this. When I catch in the battlefield I will remind you of all your words. I will kill all the hundred sons of Dhritarashtra myself.
Arjuna said If there is a war after thirteen years, I will kill Karna. Rivers of blood will be formed from the blood of the Kauravas.
Sahadeva said to Shakuni - You cheated in the game of dice and brought about all evil. I pledge that I will put an end to you.

Yudhistira went to all the elders present in the court and took leave off all.

Vidura said Go to the forests and come back and claim what is yours. In the meanwhile, leave Kunti in my house. In her age, she should not be roaming around in the forests. Also never stay from the path of the righteous.

Draupadi also changed her clothes and got dressed in the garb of a sage's wife, leaving her hair loose.

Kunti fainted seeing her sons leaving for the forest.  Coming to her senses, she was horrified seeing the garb of Draupadi.

Draupadi said to Kunti - Please arise and do not grieve. Please permit me to go to the forests with my husbands.

Kunti said I had known things would happen this way, I would have lived all my life in the forests and never come to Hastinapura. Madri and Pandu were lucky that they did not have to see this. I had to live and see these days. How will I spend my days, not seeing my beloved Sahadeva.

Dhritarashtra wanted to know what was happening. Vidura said the Pandavas were leaving, with their heads bent down. Draupadi walks behind all. Dhumya, their priest goes with them.

Narada then arrived there. He said, With the help of Krishna, fourteen years from now, your dynasty will be gone. Pandavas will come back and they will rule.

Scared on hearing this, Duryodhana and Karna went to Drona and asked him for advise. Drona said I am bound by duty to serve you and I will serve you, even though I am aware that the Pandavas will win, if there is a war. I see my death too, in the hands of Dhristadyumna. You have hurt Draupadi, who is a beloved of Krishna, and that will never be forgiven. There is no escape. All will die in the hands of Bhima and Arjuna.

Dhritarashtra said to Vidura - Please go and get the Pandavas back. If they refuse to come back, then please have them take wealth and chariots with them, in their exile.

Sanjaya said - When all tried to talk to you, O king, you did not listen. Your daughter in law was dragged into the court, by pulling her hair. You have brought about the downfall.

Dhritarashtra could do nothing but lament.

Thus ends Sabha Parva.