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Dhṛtarāṣṭra and said gravely, “On the fourteenth year from now, for Duryodhana’s fault, Bhīma and Arjuna

Bhīma was looking at his mighty arms and Arjuna was scattering sands as he walked.

Hearing of Bhīma and Arjuna’s belligerence, the blind king became even more fearful.

Arjuna, who is capable of drawing his bow with both hands, scattered sands to symbolize the countless

Vidura told the king how Hastināpura’s citizens were condemning the Kuru chiefs and wailing with sorrow Lightning flashed from a cloudless sky and the earth trembled. The sun was eclipsed and meteors fell. Jackals yelped from all directions, and vultures and ravens shrieked from the temples of the gods. Vidura looked at Dhṛtarāṣṭra, who sat wringing his hands and saying nothing.

“By dragging the chaste and ascetic Pāñcālī into the hall, the Kauravas, wretches that they are, have Who else but Duryodhana and his wicked allies could have so abused Drupada’s divinely born daughter, dragging her into the hall when she was in her season and covered with blood? There she saw her husbands, robbed of their wealth, kingdom and even their dress, and forced into slavery

After speaking in this way for some time, the king dismissed Sañjaya and sat alone in his chamber throughout the night, the gambling match replaying in his mind again and again.

We shall procure our own food and take great delight in an ascetic life. By our prayers and meditations we shall do you good, and we shall keep you entertained with our recitations

Although Bhīṣma, Droṇa and Vidura condemned Duryodhana’s behavior, your wicked son had the beloved and virtuous Draupadī dragged into the assembly hall and cruelly insulted. Surely the gods deprive that man of his reason to whom they have ordained defeat and disgrace. When destruction is at hand, his mind is polluted by sin and evil then appears as good.

When the citizens were gone, the Pāṇḍavas ascended their chariots and moved toward the north. At dusk they arrived on the bank of the Ganges and found the great banyan tree known as Pramāṇa. They decided to spend the night there and thus dismounted their chariots and bathed in the Ganges. Surrounded by such self-realized souls, Yudhiṣṭhira and his brothers again shone resplendent like celestials

What use is there in leading a householder’s life if he cannot cherish and support his dependents? Is it not the duty of a householder to maintain both his family members and the brahmacārīs and renunciants So too should a householder welcome guests and travelers.

Shaunaka told him that the desire for wealth and opulence, which could never be alleviated, is man’s The highest happiness comes from contentment, while the struggle for wealth, fame, followers and the association of loved ones is the cause of bondage and ultimately pain.

They sat before the sacred fire and offered prayers to the gods to invoke auspiciousness. Then they asked the Brahmins to bless them and allow them to leave. Yudhiṣṭhira spoke sorrowfully. “We were robbed of our kingdom, wealth and everything else we possessed. In the forest we will have to subsist on fruits and wild roots. The forest is also filled with dangerous beasts and serpents.

Then Yudhiṣṭhira entered the Ganges, stood facing the sun, and offered numerous prayers and worship to He took neither food nor water for several days, and controlled his breathing through the process of

Yudhiṣṭhira came out of the river with the plate and took hold of Dhaumya’s feet in worship. With great happiness he embraced his brothers and then handed the mystical plate to Draupadī. She immediately cooked a meal and placed it upon the dish. To her amazement and delight she saw that as she served from the plate, the food was immediately replenished

“That which makes the good and honest ashamed pleases the wicked. Moved by ignorance and passion men act simply to gratify their stomachs and sex organs.

Three days later the blazing sun-god appeared before Yudhiṣṭhira and said, “I am pleased with your prayers and austerities, O King.

Yudhiṣṭhira folded his palms and replied, “We are indeed blessed, as the people, with the Brahmins at The king along with our grandfather Bhīṣma, the wise Vidura, our mother Kuntī and our friends are in Please stay here and cherish them. Only this will satisfy me.”

After saying this, Nārada rose upwards into the sky with the other ṛṣis and disappeared. Seeing war as inevitable, Duryodhana, Karṇa and Śakuni approached Droṇa to offer him command of the army Droṇa said, “The Brahmins have said that the Pāṇḍavas are of divine origin and cannot be killed. Out of fear of those heroes, however, you have sought my shelter and I cannot refuse. Offer sacrifice and give charity freely.

The god then rose into the sky and vanished, adding, “You will regain your kingdom in fourteen years