The Sub Parvas of Adi Parva

 The Adi-Parva of Mahabharata has 19 sub parvas.

Here is a summary of those 19.

https://writtenbybabu.blogspot.com/2026/06/the-19-sub-parvas-of-adi-parva-summary.html

Vyasa consoles Dhritarashtra

The Pandavas were grieving for Vidura when Vyasa came there.  He said to Yudhistira - Why do you cry? Do you not know that Vidura and you are both sons of Dharma. It is the curse of the sage Mandavya that made Dharma be born as Vidura. The aura of Vidura left his body and entered you. Which is why you felt stronger. Discard your grief.
The Pandavas began preparations for the last rites of Vidura. They performed the ceremony with full honors and then came and informed Dhritarashtra.
Dhritarashtra fell on the ground and was helped up by Vyasa. Lamenting, the blind king said - Vidura left and the sinner that I am, I am still here. I am still grieving for Duryodhana and now this.
Vyasa began consoling Dhritarashtra. He said Let me tell you an old tale.
Once the earth was tormented by the daityas. Not able to bear this, the earth took the shape of a cow and went to the Gods for help. Brahma said he would do something.
Along with the other Gods Brahma went to the cosmic ocean where Vishnu was. Vishnu asked the Gods to be born of earth while He himself would be born as the son of Vasudeva.
Soon the snake Ananta was born as Balarama, son of Rohini and Vasudeva, and Vishnu was born as the eighth son of Devaki and Vasudeva. Dharma/ Yama was born as Yudhistira. Vayu was born as Bhima, Indra was born as Arjuna and the twin gods Ashwini Kumar were born as the sons of Madri. Agni was born as Dhristadyumna. Lakshmi was born in part as Draupadi and you, are Kubera born.
Your son Duryodhana was an incarnation of Kali (The pronunciation is different from Kali, the consort of Shiva. Here the A and I have a short sound. This Kali is a demon).
Karna was a part of the Sun and a Vasu was born as Bhishma. Dharma was also born as Vidura. Brihaspati was born as Drona. A part of Rudra was Kripa. Chandra was born as Abhimanyu.

While Vyasa was talking to Dhritarashtra, the Pandavas went to meet their mother. They met Gandhari and bowed down to her. They then met Kunti who hugged and kissed all.

Vyasa then came and said he would be going to Dwaraka and before that if something was needed from him, they needed to tell him now.

Gandhari said I have been grieving for my sons. I would like to see my sons once. Kunti said she wanted to see Karna once. Draupadi said she wanted to see her five sons and Abhimanyu.
Dushala said she wanted to see Jayadhrata.
Yudhistira said he wanted to see Bhishma, Drona, Shalya and the other dead warriors.

Vyasa closed his eyes and asked for the dead warriors to appear there. Hearing his prayer, the warriors started descending from heaven.  

Vyasa advises Yudhistira

Yudhistira began ruling the kingdom like Rama ruled Ayodhya.
One day he called his brothers and said Something is disturbing me. I am not able to concentrate on my duties. Krishna has left for Dwaraka and I am feeling alone.
Arjuna said If you think of Krishna, he will come to you.
Vyasa happened to come there and the brothers welcomed him.
Yudhistira said I still feel guilty of having killed my dear ones.
Vyasa said Do not feel guilty. You have fulfilled the duties of a Kshatriya. If you want to be free of everything then perform the Ashwamedha Yagna (Horse sacrifice). Tell me tell you something.
You have heard of Parashurama, who on the command of his father, killed his mother. He had to perform a horse sacrifice to get rid of the sin. Later Rama was born in the age of Treta. He performed the sacrifice to wash off the sin of killing many people. Indra performed the sacrifice because he had killed a brahmana.
Yudhistira said The sacrifice requires a lot of wealth. How will I perform such a sacrifice when my treasury is empty?
Vyasa said :
Once there was a king called Marutta. He performed a horse sacrifice and distributed a lot of wealth in the process. The wealth distributed was so much that the priests could not carry that with them. They had to hide the same in the Himalayas. Go there and get that wealth. Use that for the sacrifice.
Yudhistira said This may not be correct. How can I get a brahmin's wealth to wash off my sins?
Vyasa said There is nothing wrong in that. The wealth has been discarded by the brahmins. Wealth does not belong to one alone. What is wealth but part of the earth? And who has control over the elements of the earth?
Yudhistira said You have solved the problem of wealth. Now where will I get the horse?
Vyasa said Go to the kingdom of Yuvanashwa. Defeat the king and get his horses. Send Bhima to fight and get the horses for you.
Yudhistira said Bhima is tired and wounded from the great fight. How can I tell him to fight for me for a horse?
When Bhima heard this he was happy. He said Do not worry. I will go and get the horse for you. Send Arjuna to get the wealth. Vrishaketu, son of Karna, said he would go along with Bhima and get the horse.
Hearing this Yudhistira said I am sad for you. We did not know Karna's real identity and Arjuna, thinking him to be the son of a charioteer, killed him.
Vrishaketu said It is the duty of a Kshatriya to fight. If death comes during that, one will go to heaven. My father chose the wrong side. He paid for his sins. Do not grieve for that. Allow me to go with Uncle Bhima. Yudhistira was happy and gave permission.
Meghavarna, son of Ghatotkacha then came there. He said he too wanted to go along with Bhima. he said he was skilled in the arts of illusion and magic and would be able to help with his skills. Along with Vrishaketu and Bhima, he would go and get the horses.
Yudhistira gave him permission.
Vysasa then said Send Arjuna to get the wealth.
Arjuna climbed up on his chariot and was soon back with all the wealth.
Vyasa then said Let me tell you how to conduct yourself.
Get up early and offer food and water to the Gods. Invite twenty thousand priests and give them gifts. Worship the Gods with flowers and sandal paste. Then the priests will pour five pitchers of butter on the idols. This way hundred thousand pitchers of butter will be used everyday.
Start the sacrifice in the spring time in the month of Chaitra.
The ideal horse should be dark with a yellowish tail. Decorate the horse and worship it. On a plate write your name and tie that on the horse. Also write that whoever captures the horse will have to fight you. On the full moon night let the horse loose and let it go where it wishes.
You will sit at the sacrifice site along with Draupadi till the horse returns back.
Send for Krishna. He will assist you in the process.

Saying this, Vyasa left.

Vyasa talks to Yudhistira

Janmajeya asked - What did Yudhistira do after he went inside the city? What did Bhishma say to him? Tell me about Bhishma's death when the sun started its northward journey.
The sage said -
Yudhistira became king but he was still sad. he was not able to concentrate on his duties. His brothers tried talking to him, but that did not help. Knowing this Vyasa came to Yudhistira. The new king greeted the sage and welcomed him.
Vyasa said Why are you so worried? You have four brothers who like Indra. The city has welcomes you as the king. Your people are happy. The fields have good harvest. What pains you?

Yudhistira said - I am not able to get over the fact that I have had to kill my dear ones to get the kingdom.

Vyasa said - You have not sinned. You have Krishna with you, the mere mention of whose name removes all sins. Death is inevitable. One who is born has to die. Pride killed your enemies.

Age is but a number and your deeds increase or decrease that. Near you is an example. Seated near you is the sage Markadeya. When he was born, he was destined to die at twelve. With his devotion, he was able to avoid death.

Yudhistira asked - How did he achieve this?

Vyasa said - Markandeya put his entire mind in meditation. He spent days in the state of bliss. Such austere was his penance that he never realized when termites ate up his flesh and made a termite hill. On the termite hill began growing trees. On the trees birds began living. Soon some sages came and set up their abode there. In the heaven, Brahma laughed.

The sages asked Brahma the reason. Brahma said One who was destined to die at twelve has been meditating for sixty thousand years now. Taking water from his pot, Brahma showered some water on the trees. The trees fell making a great noise. The sages saw a glow of light inside the termite hill.

Brahma asked Markandeya to get up and have a bath and come. When Markandeya went near the waters, it evaporated. When looked for some water but did not find any. Traveling around, he came across a village where the villagers earned their livelihood by tending to swine. There, a puddle had got created from the excreta and urine of the pigs. Markandeya saw this and bathed in that.

He returned and started looking for a brahmin, but could not find one. He returned back to the village. There he saw a poor woman with two children. The elder one asked for milk . She had to breast feed the younger one.After feeding the young child, she washed her breasts and then fed the elder one. Markandeya saw this. He asked why she was doing this? Were both not her children?
The woman said the first one was through a brahmin and a second from a potter, the community that she belonged to.

Markandeya said he had been looking for a brahmin and as the eldest child was a brahmin born, his search was now over. He washed the feet of the elder child. The potter woman was horrified.

Brahma appeared there then and blessed Markandeya with immortality.

Vyasa said I will tell you more.

Once Vishwakarma was working hard. Whatever he did, Indra was not pleased. He made something, Indra found fault with that. Angry and dejected, the celestial architect went to Vishnu. Vishnu said he would do something.

One day Vishnu went to the court of Indra. The Gods offered Vishnu a seat. Vishnu said he would be going to see the sage Lomash. Indra went along with Vishnu. They went and bowed down to the sage - who had hair all over his body, thus called Lomash. Indra observed that there was a patch on his chest that had no hair. Indra asked the sage the reason for this. The sage said he would not tell Indra. Indra insisted. The sage said - The hair on my body depicts the countless Indras. When a Indra dies, a hair falls off. This is the reason for this.
Indra was scared. He bowed to the sage and left along with Vishnu.

All who are born, have to die. Anyone who has a body will perish. Some die in their youth, some when they are middle aged and some when they are old. People have wants and desires. Those are never ending. The actions in this life will decide the kind of death you will have.

Discard your grief. I will tell you more. Listen to me.

There was a king called Uttanapada. He had two queens Subhaga and Durbhaga. He had seven sons, one them was called Uttama. One day the was sitting on the throne and Uttama was playing with him. Dhruva, another son, also wanted to climb up on the throne and be with his father. Seeing this, Subhaga said - Your mother is of a low caste You have no right to sit on the throne. If I see you again, I will beat you. If you do want to sit on the throne, please the Gods first and be born as my son. Then you will get the right to sit on the throne.

Dhruva went to his mother and said he had been turned away.

Durbhaga said Krishna was the way out. If the mind was set on Krishna and his meditation, all things will fall in place.

Dhurva was barely five years old. He was determined to worship Krishna. He left the palace to meditate on Krishna.  On the way, he saw Narada. Narada asked him where he was going. Dhruva said he was going to find Krishna. Narada said You are a very young boy. How will you get Krishna? You do not have a Guru to guide you. Getting to Krishna is tough and you need a guide.

Dhruva said he would not return back. He would either get Krishna or die.
Narada was pleased with the determination of the boy. He taught Dhruva the mantra to get Krishna to appear before him and also how to recite the mantra and how many times to recite it.

Dhruva went to the banks of river Yamuna. He had a bath in the river. Then standing on one foot, with the other foot folded, he started reciting the mantra given by Narada. He concentrated on his meditation and gave up his food.

In the heaven, the Gods were scared as they did not know what Dhruva wanted. They assumed fiery forms and tried to scare Dhruva away but failed.

Seeing his devotion, Hari appeared before him finally. Dhruva was blessed to be become the king after his father. After a long successful rule, along with his mother he would go to heaven where he would stay as the pole star (Dhruva).

Dhruva returned home and was greeted by all. Subhaga begged for forgiveness but Dhruva said he was blessed as it was because of her, he had been able to see Krishna.

After his father, Dhruva became the king and ruled for thirty six thousand years and then after his death he went to heaven where he became the pole star.

Saying all this, Vyasa said You need to control your mind. Listen while I tell you more.

Uttanpada gave the throne to Dhruva and went to the forest. There, he was able to achieve the vision of Hari. In the forest where the king lived, was a doe that used to come to drink water. One day, the king heard a lion's roar. The king was scared and so was the doe. In fright, the doe gave birth to a fawn and died. The fawn, not knowing where to go, followed the king everywhere. Taking pity on the fawn, the king lifted it. He forgot about his penance and meditation and gave all his thought on the fawn. His thought was on bringing up the fawn.

The fawn grew up and became a deer. The king was always concerned about the well being of the deer. One day the deer ventured into the forest and became the meal of a hungry lion. From a distance, the king saw this. He was devastated. He could get put off his thoughts from the deer. Always he thought of the deer and was soon born as one. He lived on the banks of a river and soon died. He was then born as the son of a brahmin. The boy was called Bharata. Bharata was aware of the happenings of his previous births. Bharata was engrossed in devotion and his thoughts were concentrated on Hari. He was rooted in his devotion and was thus also known as Jada Bharata. As he did nothing but the whole day, his brothers frustrated with him, began ill treating him. They gave him burnt food to eat and torn clothes to wear. Jada Bharata did not complain. His mind was concentrated on Hari. A flock of wild boar used to come and eat up the grain. Seeing this, the brothers appointed Bharata as the guardian of the grain. Bharata would sings songs in praise of Hari in the day and then guard the granary in the night.
A king called Subahu was the ruler of the land. One day he wanted to visit his guru, the sage Kapila. He was travelling in a palanquin when one of the bearers fell sick. An alternate was searched for. The people found Bharata near the granary. He was healthy and was selected for the task.
Bharata walked slowly and carefully putting his steps on ground, lest he trample a small ant.
As the speed was not being matched, the palanquin started shaking. The king wanted to know why this was happening. The bearers said this was because of the new one, who was very slow.
The king peeped out and saw the healthy bearer walking slowly. He asked Bharata the reason for this.
Bharata said O King, who bears whom? The earth bears us. The legs bear the body. The branches bear the leaves. The neck bears the head. Who am I to bear you?

Hearing this, the king was stunned. He said I was going to my Guru but what is the need when I have one like you. Saying this, he bowed down and became a disciple of Bharata.


There was once a king called Virbahu. He worshiped the goddess Ambika and sacrificed a fat sheep every year. Once when the king was about to kill the sheep, it somehow managed to escape and run away. The guards began looking for the sheep. They could find it but they found a healthy Bharata. They caught him and brought him to the king. The king was happy to see Bharata.
The day of the sacrifice was announced. The women of the household dressed in their finery, to see the sacrifice. All rushed to see the human sacrifice.
The priests performed the worship of the goddess. When it was time, the king asked for Bharata to be brought to the altar. He was dressed in new clothes. The king took the sword and got ready to kill Bharata.

The goddess saw and decided to intervene before it was too late. She came out of the idol. She snatched the sword from the king. She then began cutting and devouring the people who had gathered there.
The king fell on his knees and asked the goddess why she was doing this. The Goddess said Do you know whom you were about to kill? This is a great seer. One who sees him, is absolved off all sins. Hari resides in him. Fall before him and ask for forgiveness.

The king did that. Bharata said All roads lead to Hari. Who kills whom? Who saves whom? All is Hari.
The king became his disciple.


Yudhistira was quiet. Arjuna said to Krishna - Yudhistira is in shock. He is grieving for our sons. How do I console him?

Hearing this Krishna went where Yudhistira was. Holding his hands, Krishna said - Why do your trouble yourself? Discard your grief. The ones who fell in war are in heaven. Do not grieve for them. You heard Vyasa talk about Bharata. Hearing this gets rid of sins.

At this point Janmajeya said - O Sage, you spoke of Uttanpada. He was thinking of the deer till his death, so was born as one. How was the deer born as the brahman Bharata?
The sage said - The king was born as a deer. He was still aware of his past birth. He left the forest and went to the city. People seeing the deer, tried to catch him. Thinking his deer was near, the deer started taking the name of Narayana. Taking the name of the lord, the deer ran and fell in the waters of Yamuna and drowned.

Vyasa kept telling Yudhistira to discard his grief. He said - Rama went to the forest leaving Ayodhya. He suffered a lot there. His wife was abducted by Ravana. Rama killed Vali, made Sugriva the king of vanaras and crossed the ocean towards Lanka. There a fight started between him and Ravana.
Mandodari said to Ravana - Your son, Mahiravana, lives in the nether world. Think of him. He should be able to help you.

Ravana thought of Mahiravana. In the nether world, Mahiravanaa's throne started shaking. He started meditating and realized that Ravana was thinking of him and that Lanka was in danger. He decided to leave for Lanka.
He came up and saw Lanka surrounded by vanaras and bears. He decided that this was not the way to proceed. He observed the army, gauging who were there. He saw Rama, Lakshmana, Hanumana, Angada and Vibhishana. He was surprised to see Vibhishana there. He realized that Vibhishana was helping Rama win the battle. He decided to meet Ravana and then decide on the course of actions.
Ravana greeted him and hugged him. He asked Ravana what Vibhishana was doing with Rama. Ravana told him and Mahiravana asked Ravana to relax while he dealt with Rama and his army.
He went outside and saw the army. He decided that instead of fighting, he would kidnap Rama and Lakshmana and take them away. That would scare the army of animals who would go away to their forest homes.
He saw Hanumana guarding Rama and Lakshmana. He took the form of Dashratha and went to Hanumana. He said I have not seen my sons for long and anxiously want to see them. Please let me.
Mahiravana then saw Vibhishana coming that way. He then fled from there. He tried many forms and finally taking the form of Vibhishana, he managed to capture Rama and Lakshmana and flee with them to his kingdom.
In Lanka, the army was worried. Vibhishana realized that this was the work of Mahiravana. Hanumana then happened to spot the tunnel opening. Taking the name of Rama, Hanumana jumped into the tunnel. He landed in the city of Mahinravana. He saw a lake and a tree near that. He climbed the tree, taking the form of a monkey and waited.
Women were filling water from the lake and were amazed o see the monkey. An old woman was there among them. She said she knew of humans in the city and now a monkey meant the city was doomed.
Hanumana was happy to hear this. He took the form of a fly and sat on the pitcher of the old woman. The old woman went to the temple of the reigning goddess. Seeing the goddess, Hanumana asked her if she had wished for the blood of Rama and Lakshmana, as her sacrifice. The goddess denied that.

Hanumana traveled to the executioner's house and saw the swords being sharpened. He saw the garland maker making garlands. Hanumana  saw him crying. He approached the person in the guise of an old man and asked him the reason. The garland maker said he was crying because he did not want to see the two young men, who had been brought there by the evil Mahiravana, die. Hanumana asked him how would Mahiravana die and the garland maker said he had heard that Mahiravana would be killed by Hanumana.

Taking the form of a fly again, Hanumana went inside Mahiravana;s house. There he saw Rama and Lakshmana tied up. Hanumana said to Rama and Lakshmana - When Mahiravana tell you to bow before the goddess, tell him you do not know how to bow and ask him to show you how.
The next day, Mahiravana made arrangements for the worship. In the form of a fly, Hanumana sat on a pitcher and started shaking it. Mahiravana thought the goddess was asking for the sacrifice. He asked Rama and Lakshmama to bow but Rama and Lakshmana said they did not know how, and wanted to be shown. The moment Mahiravana bent down, Hanumana took his form and cut off his head. Mahiravana was dead. Seeing him dead, Mahiravana's wife took a bow and started shooting arrows at Hanumana. Hanumana swung his fist. The rakshasa queen was pregnant, and with this blow, she delivered a baby boy. The boy, started jumping and fighting, the moment he was born. Hanumana was able to catch him, as he was covered with blood and mucus. He appealed to his father, Pavana. Wind started blowing and dust settled on the new born baby. Hanumana then grabbed the boy and hurled him to the ground and killed him.

Taking Rama and Lakshmana, Hanumana started travelling towards Lanka. The goddess, Bhadrakali, said she wanted to go along. Hanumana kept the idol of the goddess on his head and taking the two brothers on his shoulders, he traveled to Lanka.

Thus, Duryodhana was jealous of you and met his end.

Vyasa said many things to Yudhistira to calm him. He then said if you want to know how conduct yourself properly, with devotion to God, then you need to go to Bhishma. 

Vyasa and Krishna talk to Yudhistira

Krishna tried speaking to Yudhistira but he would not listen. Krishna then said - Listen to me patiently. Go to Hastinapura and take the throne that you have earned. Rule over the subjects. You should not forget the pains that you have gone through. Your days in the forest, Draupadi's insult,
Yudhistira said I know what you are saying but I do not want to go. You take Bhima and Arjuna with you and go to Hastinapura.
Krishna said - Do not go against my words again and again. This does not suit you. If you become king, people will know about me. I will get benefited.
Yudhistira agreed. Bhima was happy that Yudhistira would become king. Sons Madri and Arjuna were also thrilled.
Dhritarashtra then started crying out for his sons, saying the Pandavas had taken all, leaving him alone. Hearing this Yudhistira fainted. Krishna and the other brothers wondered what had happened. They helped him up.
Coming to his senses, Yudhistira said I am able to bear the cries of Dhritarashtra. There is no point in getting the kingdom.I have been the cause of the death of Bhishma who held my hand when I was growing up.
Vyasa then came there said - Discard your grief. Where there is a union, there will be a discord. No one is immortal. Why do you grieve for that? The body is bound to get destroyed. By illness or by death. One dies because of their actions and not because of someone else. Some die as infants, some in their middle age and some in their old age. Some die of old age, some of illness and some due to weapons. Some are bitten by snakes and die, and some get attacked by wild beasts and meet their end. The rich king and the poor beggar, both meet their end when their time comes. You are a learned person and I should not be explaining this to you. One who stays in the right path has a peaceful end. Like the change of seasons, there will be changes in life. Grief will come and so will Joy.
No will be immortal. If so, where are the great kings like Pandu, Madhata ,Dilipa and Harishchandra. If two sticks are together, friction will be there. That does not mean that you will not keep the sticks. Your mother, your wives, your brothers - all will die. Get rid of the grief. You will go back where you came from. The body will get destroyed. This is a cycle of life and death and all are prisoner in it.

Yudhistira kept quiet.

Arjuna said to Krishna - Will all get destroyed because Yudhistira is sad? We stooped low and did things that we had never done, in the kingdom of Virata. You please talk to Yudhistira. Create an illusion for him, so that he understand. Only You can do that.

Krishna went and sat near Yudhistira. Holding his hands, he said - Discard your grief. You will not get anything out of this. One who grieves constantly looses prosperity. Vyasa has said so many things to you. Why do you not respond. Do not fear that you have sinned by killing your dear ones. Go to Bhishma. Talk to him. he will tell you what to do. Respect Vyasa and go what he says. Your subjects are looking forward to you.

Hearing all this, Yudhistira agreed to go to Hastinapura. A chariot was brought. Bhima became the charioteer. Krishna and Arjuna climbed up along with Yudhistira. The sons of Madri followed. Dhritarashtra followed. Yuyutsu and Sanjaya followed in a chariot.

Gandhari reluctantly followed.

Hearing that Yudhistira is coming, the people of Hastinapura rushed to greet him.

Seeing an auspicious moment, Yudhistira stepped into the city. Gandhari asked the sages to look for a date when Yudhistira could be crowned.

Finally Hastinapura was with Yudhistira.

Dhritarashtra goes to Kurukshetra

Vyasa said - Do not grieve for the departed. Let me tell you something. Once I was in the land of Brahma. There the earth came and said she wanted some relief. Vishnu said the demons that he had killed had been born as Kshatriyas. Brahma said Duryodhana will be born and will torment many.
Hearing this, the earth said how will be relieved.Brahma said Gods will born as sons of Pandu. Duryodhana will be born as son of Dhritarashtra. Vishnu as Krishna will be there to help the sons of Pandu when turmoil will start with who will gain the kingdom. Do not worry O Earth. You will be relieved off Duryodhana. This Duryodhana is your son. He had Karna as his friend and Shakuni as his adviser. Thus I tell you, do not grieve.

Sanjaya said Kings from many lands have come to pay their condolences.

Dhritarashtra asked Vidura to fetch the women. Vidura said Dhritarashtra is going to the battlefield where all your sons lie dead.

Hearing this, wails broke out. Vidura said Please control yourselves. The king wants you to come to the battlefield.
The women climbed on the chariots and left for the ground. They were crying away, cursing their fate and crying to their departed ones.

At that point, Ashwatthama, Kripacharya and Kritavarma came and met Dhritarashtra. They told him that all his sons were dead and Bhima had killed all of them. To take revenge they had killed the brothers and sons of Draupadi.

Hearing that Dhritarashtra was coming, the Pandavas decided to greet him. Yudhistira asked Krishna how should he face the King and Gandhari?
Krishna said Do not fear. I am the One who controls Life and Death. Do not fear for your life. I know Gandhari will not curse you. Please go and greet her and the king.

The five brothers and Krishna then went to meet the King. 

Bhima goes after Ashwatthama

Yudhistira kept grieving - What is the use of the kingdom when I have lost my dear ones.

Bhima said this is destiny and there is no point crying. If you are there, you can regain everything back. This is a cycle of life and death. You do not know where you will be next. So do not grieve. The ones who have passed on have just left the body, their soul is there. You are a learned person. You should not grieve thus.

Draupadi said I will be consoled if you get me the head of Ashwatthama. On his head is a gem. I want that gem. Then I will be relieved. Else I will kill my self and die with my sons and brothers. You are the one who killed Kichaka and Hidimb and Jatasura. You can do this. You drank the blood of Dushshasana and broke the thighs of Duryodhana. As a brahmana, Ashwatthama has behaved like a rakshasa.

Bhima asked Yudhistira for permission. Yudhistira said this was fair. Bhima decided to leave with Nakula as his charioteer. Seeing this, Krishna said - Yudhistira, do not send Bhima to get Ashwatthama. He is a great archer and Bhima will die if he comes face to face with the son of Drona. Only a great archer can defeat him. Let me tell you something.  When you were in the forest, once Ashwatthama came to me in Dwaraka. He said he had the knowledge of the Brahmashira weapon and wanted to exchange that with my discus. I gave him my discus and he could not lift it. He said that the brahmashira weapon that was capable of destroying the world, and left. Yudhistira, for someone who has the knowledge of such a powerful weapon, you need to think and then decide.

Yudhistira said What do you say then? What should I do? Bhima has already left.

Krishna said Then let us follow him.
Saying this, Krishna along with Arjuna left to catch Aswatthama. Yudhistira followed them.

Ashwatthama seeing Bhima, took a blade of grass, and reciting a mantra hurled that towards Bhima. The grass became a ferocious weapon. Blazing, it sped towards Bhima. Seeing this, Krishna asked Arjuna to use a weapon taught by Drona to counter this weapon. Arjuna released the weapon.  The earth started shaking and it seemed that all would get destroyed.

Suddenly Narada and Vyasa came there and stood in the middle of the weapons. They said the earth would end if they did not withdraw their weapons. Arjuna, with the help of mantras withdrew his weapon. Arjuna did so. Ashwatthama said he had released the grass in anger and did not know how to withdraw it. The weapon once released had to kill. It would kill the unborn child of Abhimanyu and return back.

Arjuna said he wanted to cut off the head of Ashwatthama. Vyasa asked Ashwatthama to give the gem, he had on his head, to Arjuna. Vyasa said When you take the gem out, a wound will form. That will never heal. For years, you will roam the earth in pain.

Ashwatthama gave the gem to Arjuna. Vyasa said I will try to relieve you a bit. On earth, if people take your name three times and drop some oil, that oil will soothe some of your pain. The ones who take your name three times before applying oil on their bodies, will be relieved of their sins. Aswatthama then left.

When the weapon entered the womb of Uttara, Krishna entered the womb and revived the unborn child. 

Vyasa comes to visit

The next day they were visited by the sage Vyasa. Yudhistira greeted the sage and told him all that had happened the previous day.
Vyasa was pleased with the behavior of Yudhistira and blessing him, left.

The next day, Yudhistira asked Sahadeva - You are good with numbers. Do tell how many more days are left before we finish twelve years of exile.

Sahadeva said only six days were left.

Yudhistira said it was time to live in disguise.  They spent a few days things where they should live. 

Satyavati's death

One day Vyasa came to Hastinapur and finding his mother alone, spoke to her. He said bad times were going to fall on the dynasty. Dhritarashtra will turn evil and things would not work well.

He asked her to leave the palace and leave for the forests.

Satyavati was worried. She called Ambika and Ambalika and told them what Vyasa had said.

They decided to go with Satyavati. They called Bhishma and told him about their wish.

Soon after, they left with the aged women of Hastinapur accompanying them.

Soon meditating in the forests, they gave up their life.

Vyasa agrees to help Satyavati

Vyasa was sitting amongst the Gods, when he felt his mother calling out to him. He arrived where Satyavati was. Satyavati hugged her son and started crying.
Seeing his mother cry, Vyasa asked the reason for the grief.
Satyavati said my husband passed away when my sons were young. A Gandharva killed my elder son. Bhishma brought up the younger son and got him married to two princesses. He too passed away leaving two young widows and no children. I have sent for you as I want you to help me increase my family tree. You and Bhishma are my sons. For getting me married, Bhisma took a terrible oath. As he cannot help in be-getting children, I need your help.

Vyasa said he would do as his son said.

Satyavati said your sisters-in-law are there. Please have sons from them to help this dynasty.

Vyasa said he would help. He asked Satyavati to tell her daughters-in-law to keep themselves clean and pure.For a year they would lead a life meditating and participating in giving alms to the poor and participate in sacrifices.

Satyavati refused to wait for a year.

Vyasa said he was ugly and any one of the princesses who would accept him as he was would be a mother to a great king. If not, the consequences would have to be borne.

Saying so, he left saying he would be back in the night.

Matsyagandha and Vyasa

Desiring Matsyagandha, Parasara asked the maiden to lie with him.
The girl said, No one comes near me because of the odour that comes from my body. How will you be able to withstand that smell?

The sage smiled. He said from now onwards, the smell of the fishes will be replaced by the smell of lotus. Even after lying with me, your virginity will remain intact. You will be a queen one day.

The maiden suddenly looked more beautiful and her smell was gone.

Folding her hands, she said There are many people on the banks of the river. I am ashamed to sleep with you while others are watching.

An island appeared in the midst of the river. Away from all, the sage and the girl spent some time. Soon the girl was pregnant and gave birth to a boy who was called Vyasa.

As he was born on an island (Dweep) he was named Dwaipayana. As soon as he was born, the child asked permission from his mother to go into the forests to pray. He said if ever he was needed, all his mother had to do was, to call for him and he would appear.

Ode to Vyasa

Glory to the one who is the son of Parasara.
The one who resides in the ashrama of Badrika.
You are dark, you are the son of Suka.
You do not have multiple hands and heads yet you are worshiped by all.
You are considered an incarnation of Vishnu.

I bow to you.