Summary:
The wisdom of the youngest Pandu, Vidura, saves the lives of the Pandu brothers, who flee to the wilderness to avoid the scorn of Duryodhana. This is a return to the familiar as they grew up living in the wilderness with their mother Kunti. In the forest Bhima meets a Rakshasi named Hidimbi - whose brother Hidimba he slays. Bhima and and Hidimbi are married and are happy. The brothers are lured out of hiding by the Swayamwara of Draupadi. All brothers ultimately marry Draupadi, Arjuna breaks the rules pursuing robbers, resulting in him volunteering himself for exile. In exile, Arjuna meets Ulupi and consequently fathers a son named Iravat. Arjuna also marries Chitra, the daughter of the King of Manipur. With Chitra Arjuna has a son who stays behind to grow to be king. Arjuna then journeys on and meets Krishna, with whom he feasts. In feasting Arjuna spies Subhadra, Krishna's sister, and ultimately abducts her for his bride, as she had been promised to Duryodhana. Krishna convinces his father of Arjuna's worth and thus wins his support. Arjuna returns to Indraprastha where he's met by Draupadi - who after an adjustment period welcomes both Arjuna and Subhadra. Subhadra goes on to have a son, Abhimanyu, who becomes an "illustrious warrior". Duryodhana conceives to trick the Pandavas out of Draupadi via a dice game. Yudhishthira loses this game and Draupadi in the process. Draupadi protests in pose, which is quite powerful. Draupadi prays to Krishna, who clothes her in many layers such that she cannot be stripped publicly. The Pandavas are falling apart, Bhima is demanding blood and such - a second game is invoked. Draupadi meets Dhriasrashtra who grants her request of freeing Arjuna, Bhima, and their younger brother. The brothers return to play another game of dice, and Yudhishthira again loses. The empire of Duryodhana is established. The Pandava brothers again depart, this time in humble rags, but not before again swearing the end of Duryodhana.
Bibliography:
PDE Mahabharata | Vyasa
Photo Source:
Indra Blesses Kunti | Ramnadayandatta Shastri Pandey
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