Jay and Vijay cursed

Markandeya said Listen Yudhistira while I tell you the story. I will tell you what happened before this. In Vaikuntha, Vishnu resided. He had two brothers who guarded his doors. The elder one was Jay and the younger one was Vijay. One day they stopped a brahmana from entering. Angry, the brahmana cursed them to be born on the earth.
The brothers told this to Vishnu. Vishnu said : The brahmana should not have been stopped. There is nothing I can do about the curse. You will be born on the earth as per the curse.
The brothers then said How many years would they have to live like that, away from Vaikuntha?
Vishnu said If you are on earth and you become my disciple then you will have to go through seven births and deaths before you are back here. If, you become my enemies, then you will have to go through three births and deaths and you will return then. Do not worry, I will also be born to be with you.
The brothers agreed for the later.
At that time, Diti, wife of Sage Kashyapa, was praying for a son. She went to her husband asking for a son to be born to her. The sage said The time when you have approached me is an extremely inauspicious time. The son born to you will be evil.
Diti said she was ready for the consequences.
Kashyapa said you will have twins. They will grow up and become evil. Vishnu will be born and will kill your sons with own hands. You will also suffer grief for the loss of these sons.
Jay and Vijay were then born as the twin sons of Diti.
The earth trembled when they were born. 

Markandeya visits Yudhistira

Janmajeya then asked the sage What happened after this? What did the Pandavas do?
The sage said Listen Son of Parikshita.
The Pandavas returned to their hut and had their meal. They were sad. They were sitting heavy with a heavy heart, when the sage Markandeya came there. They were pleased to see the sage and greeted him.
After seating the sage and washing his feet, Yudhistira asked the sage the reason for his visit.
The sage sensed that Yudhistira was not happy and something was troubling him.
He said I know of the sufferings you have been through. Let me tell you that soon all will be over. The learned and wise do not ponder over their misfortune.
Yudhistira said I am not sure if there any one who is as unfortunate as I am, in all worlds. I have lived hard lives in the forests, having been tormented by my cousins. Born in the royal household, we have spent our lives in forests. Draupadi, born in the royal family, has to toil in the forest. Today, seeing a empty house, Jayadhrata came and kidnapped her.
The sage said What grief do you have when you have able brothers with you and you are all together. Draupadi cooks and with that you are able to feed countless people. If you say you are a hermit, then who is a householder. The daughter of Janaka, who was more beautiful than Draupadi, had to go through worse. She was captured by the king of Lanka and had to spend ten months as his prisoner. Killing the evil Ravana, Rama rescued Sita.  Fourteen years were spent in the forest, wearing bark and animal skin. Rama was no other than Narayana.

Yudhistira said I am interested to know more about Rama. Why was Narayana born as Rama. 

Jayadhrata returns of Hastinapur

The Kauravas were worried Was all fine with Jayadhrata? While all were wondering, Jayadhrata came there.
Duryodhana greeted his brother in law and asked him the reason for his delay. Jayadhrata told him all that had happened.
Hearing all, Duryodhana decided that it was futile to try anything. Let destiny take its course.

Jayadhrata prays to Shiva

Jayadhrata felt insulted. He did not know how to face Duryodhana. He wanted to kill the Pandavas. He decided to pray and the strength from the Gods. He decided to pleased Shiva and get boons from him.
He went to the Himalayas and concentrating, he began meditating on Shiva. His penance was austere. Seeing his devotion, Shiva appeared before him in the guise of a brahmin.

Shiva said Leave your meditation and ask for a boon. Jayadhrata opened his eyes and saw a brahmin in front of him. Jayadhrata asked him who he was, and the brahmin said he was Shiva. Jayadhrata then said If you are truly Shiva, show me your real self.

The brahman then showed him his self. Glowing body with snakes curled around, clad in tiger skin. A trident on his right hand and a two headed small drum in his left. The moon glowing on his head.

Jayadhrata fell on his feet, prostrate. When Shiva asked him to ask for a boon, he said he wanted to kill the Pandavas. Shiva said he was unable to do so. Saying so, Shiva went away.

Jayadhrata started praying again and Shiva came again. Jayadhrata asked for the same boon again. Shiva said he would not be able to help. Finally after many pleading, Shiva said Jayadhrata would be able to defeat Abhimanyu, the valiant son of Arjuna and the nephew of Krishna. This would break the Pandavas.

Saying this, Shiva went away and Jayadhrata set forth for Hastinapura. 

Jayadhrata kidnaps Draupadi

Listen Janmajeya what happened next.
Jayadhrata hid in the forest. In the morning, Bhima and Arjuna went for a hunt. Soon Yudhitira and the sons of Madri went for a bath. Draupadi was alone in the ashrama. She was preparing food. Jayadhrata saw his opportunity. He parked his chariot in the entrance of the hut and got down.
Seeing a relative coming, Draupadi came out. As no one else was home, Draupadi gave Jayadhrata a seat. She asked if all was well and how others were doing?
Jayadhrata asked I see you alone here. Where have the others gone? I had come to see Yudhistira but I do not see him.
Draupadi said Nakula, Sahadeva and Yudhistira with the brahmans had gone for a bath. Bhima and Arjuna had gone hunting and would be back soon.

Hearing this Jayadhrata decided to act fast. He caught Draupadi and dragged herr onto his chariot, He then started driving his chariot as fast as possible.

Draupadi started shouting saying by touching her, he had brought about his end. Seeing no other respite, she started shouting out to Krishna for help.

In the meanwhile Yudhistira returned back with the sons of Madri. They were surprised to see the hut empty. In a distance they heard the cries of Draupadi. They picked up their weapons and ran towards the direction of the sound.

Jayadhrata increased his speed. As destiny would have it, he came face to face with Arjuna and Bhima who were returning back. The brothers having heard the cries of Draupadi had also run towards the direction of the sound.

Arjuna then thought of a chariot, and one appeared there. Arjuna and Bhima climbing on, started chasing Jayadhrata. Seeing the distance between the chariots narrowing, Bhima jumped off the chariot and caught Jayadhrata by his hair.

Draupadi kicked Jayadhrata three times of his face. Bhima then began slapping him. He then began dragging Jayadhrata's face on the ground, till it was bloody. Jayadhrata fainted. Yudhistira then arrived there and asked Bhima to leave Jayadhrata.

When Jayadhrata came to his sense, Yudhistira asked him why he had come there to perform this evil deed. When he was quiet, Yudhistira asked him to go and tell the ones who had sent him, to show what had happened.

Along with Draupadi, the Pandavas then went back to their ashrama. 

Jayadhrata asked to kidnap Draupadi

Duryodhana said Whatever advise I have got so far has backfired. If the Pandavas live a year in disguise and return unnoticed, all hell will break loose. It will be difficult to defeat the Pandavas who are blessed by the Gods.
Karna said The daughter of Drupada is the life of the Pandavas. If, somehow, Draupadi is kidnapped, we will be safe. Let Jayadhrata go in disguise and lure Draupadi away. He will hide her somewhere where the Pandavas will not be able to find her. In her sorrow, the Pandavas will never return.

It was decided then, Jayadhrata was to go and lure Draupadi away. Jayadhrata was happy to be of service and Duryodhana asked him to proceed.

Jayadhrata said he would go but what if the Pandavas attacked. Arjuna alone could defeat all.
Duryodhana asked Jayadhrata to look for an opportunity when the Pandavas were away. The Pandavas were not to feared. Karna was no less and would be able to defeat the Pandavas. When the Pandavas went for the bath was the time to approach and capture Panchali. She would have to hidden in a place where no one would find her. Only you can do this.

Jayadhratha said he was ready to perform the act. He got onto a decorated chariot and took leave of all. He entered the forest. There were trees on all sides and a small path in the middle. All the time Jayadhrata was thinking of the Pandavas and how he would save himself if attacked.

He soon spotted the ashrama of the Pandavas and hid himself near that. 

Durvasa pleased with Yudhistira

In the morning, after finishing his daily tasks, Yudhistira asked Bhima and Arjuna to hunt and get some food. He then went about gathering flowers and fruits.
Draupadi came there after her bath. They were all awaiting Durvasa to come and leave satisfied. Draupadi said she would cook a meal which would easily expand to feed millions.

On the riverside, Durvasa got up and after offering his morning prayers, along with disciples decided to visit the pandavas.

The Pandavas, hearing of the visit, greeted the sage and the disciples, and offered them seats on mats made of deer skin. Cool water was offered for drinking.

Yudhistira said I am blessed that a great sage like you has come to visit me.It is because of the good deeds of my forefathers that you have come to see me.

Pleased Durvasa said I am pleased with you, O son of Dharma. You are a righteous person with none equal to you in wisdom. You are untouched by vices. I have to confess that I am shamed today. I asked you to cook and then went to the river bank in the evening and was unable to return to you. Now we are hungry and and would request you to feed us.
The sages ate to their fill and were very pleased.
Durvasa said If this is the service I get in a forest then what is the need for heaven. Do not worry. Your sorrows will be gone soon.

Saying this, the sage left along with his disciples.

Hearing that Durvasa had left the ashrama of the Pandavas after blessing them, Duryodhana was sad, His hunger vanished. Karna then said to Duryodhana to listen to what he had to say.