Indian myths, p.11
Indian Myths, page 11
The blind maharajah was led to Draupadi, and in front of all the elders and princes he spoke to her, kindly and gently, saying: “Noble queen and virtuous daughter, wife of Yudhishthira, and purest of all women, you are very dear to my heart. My sons have wronged you today. Please forgive them now, and let the wrath of Heaven be averted. Whatever you ask of me will be yours.”
Draupadi replied: “Oh mighty maharajah, you are merciful. I ask you to set free my lord and husband Yudhishthira. Having been a prince, it is not seemly that he should be called a slave.”
“Your wish is granted,” said Dhritarashtra. “Ask a second favour and blessing, fair one. You deserve more than one.”
So Draupadi said: “Let Arjuna and Bhima and their younger brothers also be set free and allowed to leave now with their horses and their chariots and their weapons.”
Dhritarashtra replied: “So be it, princess. Ask yet another favour and blessing and it will be granted.” But to this Draupadi said: “I seek no other favour: I am a Kshatriya by birth, and do not crave for gifts without end. You have freed my husbands from slavery: they will regain their fortunes by their own mighty deeds.”
Then the Pandava brothers departed from Hastinapur with Pritha and Draupadi, and returned to the city of Indra-prastha.
The Kauravas were furious. Duryodhana approached his royal father and said: “You have permitted the Pandava princes to go in anger; now they will get ready to wage war against us to regain their kingdom and their wealth; when they return they will kill us all. Allow us, therefore, to throw dice with them once again. We will stake our liberty, and will agree that the side which loses shall go into exile for twelve years, and into hiding for a year thereafter. By this arrangement a bloody war may be averted.”
Dhritarashtra granted his son’s wish and recalled the Pandavas. So it came to pass that Yudhishthira sat down once again to play with Shakuni, and once again Shakuni brought out the loaded dice. Before long the game ended, and Yudhishthira had lost.
Duhsasana danced with joy and cried out: “Now the empire of Duryodhana is established.”
But Bhima replied: “Do not be too happy, Duhsasana. Hear and remember my words: May I never reach Heaven until I drink your blood!”
The Pandava princes then cast off their royal garments and dressed themselves in deerskins like humble beggars. Yudhishthira said farewell to Dhritarashtra and Bhishma and Kripa and Vidura, one by one, and he even said farewell to the Kaurava brothers. Vidura said to him: “Your mother, the royal Pritha, is too old to wander with you through forest and jungle. Let her remain here until the years of your exile have passed away.” Yudhishthira agreed and asked for his blessing. Vidura blessed each one of the Pandava princes, saying: “Be saintly in exile, subdue your passions, learn truth in your sorrow, and return in happiness. May these eyes be blessed by seeing you in Hastinapur once again.”
Pritha wept over Draupadi and blessed her. But before the Princess of Panchala left the city she made a vow, saying: “From this day on my hair will fall over my forehead until Bhima has slain Duhsasana; then Bhima shall tie up my tresses while his hands are still wet with Duhsasana’s blood.”
The Pandava princes wandered towards the deep forest, and Draupadi followed them.
The Pandavas’ Sorrow
Yudhishthira lamented his fate to the Brahmans as he wandered towards the forest. “Our kingdom is lost to us,” he said, “and our fortune; everything is lost; we go in sorrow, and must live on fruits and roots and the produce of the chase. In the woods are many perils – reptiles and hungry wild animals seeking their prey.”
A Brahman advised him to call upon the sun god, so Yudhishthira prayed: “Oh sun, you are the eye of the universe, the soul of all things that are; you are the creator; you are Indra, you are Vishnu, you are Brahma, you are Prajapati, lord of creatures, father of gods and man; you are fire, you are mind; you are lord of all, the eternal Brahma.” Then Surya appeared and gave Yudhishthira a copper pot, which was ever to be filled with food for the brothers.
For twelve long years the Pandavas lived in the woods with their wife Draupadi, and Dhaumya, the Brahman. Whatever food they obtained, they set apart a portion for the holy men and ate the rest. They visited holy shrines; they bathed in sacred waters; they performed their devotions. Often they talked with Brahmans and sages, who instructed them in religious works and blessed them, and also promised them that their lost kingdom would be restored in time.
They wandered in sunshine and in shade; they lived in pleasant places, amidst abundant fruits and surrounded by flowers. They also suffered from tempests and heavy rains, when their path would be torn by streams, and Draupadi would faint, and all the brothers would be weary and in despair. Then the mighty Bhima would carry them all on his back and under his arms.
The gods appeared before the brothers during their exile. Dharma, god of wisdom and holiness, asked his son, Yudhishthira many questions which he answered well. Hanuman, son of Vayu, the wind god, came to Bhima. One day the strong Pandava, who was also Vayu’s son, was hurrying on his way and went swift as the wind; the earth shook under him and trees fell down, and at one touch of his foot he killed tigers and lions and even great elephants that sought to block his path. Hanuman shrank to the size of an ape, but his tail spread out in such great proportions across Bhima’s path, that he was compelled to stop and stand still. He spoke to Bhima and told the tale of Rama and Sita. Suddenly he grew as tall as a mountain and transported his brother, the Pandava, to the garden of Kuvera, King of Yakshas, lord of treasure, who lived on Mount Kailasa in the Himalayas. There Bhima found sweet-scented flowers which gave youth to those who had grown old and turned grief into joy; these he gave to Draupadi.
Krishna came to visit the Pandavas in the forest, and Draupadi said to him: “The evil-hearted Duryodhana dared to claim me for his slave. Shame on the Pandavas who looked on in silence when I was humiliated. Is it not the duty of a husband to protect his wife?… These husbands of mine, who have the prowess of lions, saw me afflicted, but did not lift a hand to save me.” Draupadi wept bitter tears from her exquisite coppery eyes, but Krishna comforted her by saying: “You will yet live to see the wives of those men who persecuted you grieving over their fallen husbands as they lie soaked in their blood…. I will help the Pandavas, and you will once again be a queen over kings.”
Krishna said to Yudhishthira: “Had I been at Dwaraka when you were called upon to visit Hastinapur, this unfair match would not have taken place, as I would have warned Dhritarashtra. But I was waging a war against demons…. What can I do, now that this disaster is done?… It is not easy to confine the waters after the dam has burst.”
After Krishna returned to his kingdom, Draupadi continued to lament her fate. She said to Yudhishthira: “The sinful, evil-hearted Duryodhana has a heart of steel…. Oh king, I lie on the ground, remembering my soft luxurious bed. I, who sit on a grass mat, cannot forget my chairs of ivory. I have seen you in the court of kings; now you are a beggar. I have gazed at you in your silken robes, who are now dressed in rags…. What peace can my heart know now, remembering the things that have been? My heart is full of grief…. Does your anger not rise up, seeing your brothers in distress and me in sorrow? How can you forgive your cruel enemy? Are you devoid of anger, Yudhishthira?… A Kshatriya who does not act at the right moment – who forgives the enemy he should strike down, is the most despised of all men. The hour has now come for you to seek vengeance; the present is not a time for forgiveness.”
But the wise Yudhishthira replied: “Anger is sinful; it is the cause of destruction. He who is angry cannot distinguish between right and wrong. An angry man may commit his own soul to hell. Wise men control their wrath in order to achieve prosperity both in this world and in the next. A weak man cannot control his wrath; but men of wisdom and insight seek to subdue their passions, knowing that he who is angry cannot see things in their true perspective. Only ignorant people regard anger as equivalent to energy…. Because fools commit folly, should I who seek wisdom do likewise?… If wrongs were not righted except by chastisement, the whole world would quickly be destroyed, because anger is destruction; it makes men kill one another. It is right to be forgiving; a man should forgive every wrong. He who is forgiving shall attain to eternal bliss; he who is foolish and cannot forgive is destroyed both in this world and in the next. Forgiveness is the greatest virtue; it is sacrifice; it is tradition; it is inspiration. Forgiveness, beautiful one, is holiness; it is truth; it is Brahma. The wise man who learns how to forgive attains to Brahma (the highest god). Draupadi, remember the verses of the sage:
Let not thy wrath possess thee,
But worship peace with joy;
Who yieldeth to temptation
That great god will destroy.
He who is self-controlled will attain to sovereignty, and the qualities of self-control are forgiveness and gentleness. Let me attain with self-control to everlasting goodness!”
To this Draupadi replied: “I bow down before the Creator and Ordainer of life and the three worlds, because my mind, it seems, has been dimmed. Men are influenced by deeds, as deeds produce consequences; by works they are set free…. Man can never gain prosperity by forgiveness and gentleness; your virtue has not shielded you; you are following a shadow…. Men should not obey their own wills, but the will of the god who has ordained all things…. Like a doll is moved by strings, so are living creatures moved by the lord of all; he plays with them like a child with a toy…. Those who have done wrong are now happy, and I am full of grief and distress. Can I praise your god who allows such inequality? What reward does your god receive when he allows Duryodhana to prosper – he who is full of evil; he who destroys virtue and religion? If a sin does not rebound on the sinner, then a man’s might is the greatest force and not your god, and I sorrow for those who are devoid of might.”
Shocked, Yudhishthira said: “Your words are the words of an unbeliever! I do not act merely for the sake of reward. I give because it is right to give, and I sacrifice because it is my duty to do so. I follow in the paths of those who have lived wise and holy lives, because of that my heart turns toward goodness. I am no trader in goodness, ever looking for the rewards. The man who doubts virtue will be born among the brutes; he will never achieve everlasting bliss. Do not doubt the ancient religion of your people! God will reward; he is the giver of fruits for deeds; virtue and vice bear fruits…. The wise are content with little in this world; the fools are not content although they receive a lot, because they will have no joy in the future…. The gods are shrouded in mystery; who can pierce the cloud which covers the doings of the gods? Although you cannot see the fruits of goodness, do not doubt your religion or the gods. Let your scepticism give room to faith. Do not slander the great god, but endeavour to learn how to know him. Do not turn away from the Supreme One who gives eternal life, Draupadi.”
Draupadi said: “I do not slander my god, the lord of all, for in my sorrow I simply rave…. But yet I believe that a man should act. Without acts no one can live. He who believes in chance and destiny and is inactive, lives a life of weakness and helplessness which cannot last long. Success comes to he who acts, and success depends on time and circumstance. So a wise Brahman once taught me.”
Bhima then spoke, charging Yudhishthira with weakness, and pleading with him to seize the sovereignty from Duryodhana: “You are like froth,” he cried. “You are unripe fruit! Oh king, strike down your enemies! Battle is the highest virtue for a Kshatriya.”
But Yudhishthira calmly replied: “My heart burns because of our sufferings. But I have given my pledge to remain in exile, and it cannot be violated, Bhima. Virtue is greater than life and prosperity in this world; it is the way to celestial bliss.”
Then they were all silent, and they pondered over these things.
Arjuna’s Celestial Gifts
Now the Pandavas needed celestial weapons, because these were owned by Drona, Bhishma and Karna. In time, therefore, the holy sage Vyasa appeared before Arjuna and told him to go to Mount Kailasa, the high seat of the gracious god Shiva, and to perform penances there with deep devotion in order to obtain gifts of arms. So Arjuna went on his way, and when he reached the mountain of Shiva he went through great austerities: he raised his arms in the air and, leaning on nothing, stood on his tiptoes; for food he ate withered leaves at first, then he fed on air alone.
The Rishis pleaded with Shiva, fearing disaster from the penances of Arjuna. Then the god assumed the form of a hunter and went towards Indra’s warrior son, whom he challenged to single combat. First they fought with weapons; then they wrestled one another fiercely. In the end Arjuna fell to the ground. When that brave Pandava regained consciousness he made a clay image of Shiva, threw himself down in worship, and made an offering of flowers. Soon afterwards he saw his opponent wearing the garland he had given, and he knew that he had wrestled with Shiva himself. Arjuna fell down before him, and the god gave him a celestial weapon named Pasupata. Then a great storm broke out, and the earth shook, and the spirit of the weapon stood beside Arjuna, ready to obey his will.
Next appeared Indra, king of gods, Varuna, god of waters, Yama, king of the dead, and Kuvera, lord of treasures, and they stood on the mountain summit in all their glory; to Arjuna they gave gifts of other celestial weapons.
Afterwards Indra transported his son to his own bright city, the celestial Swarga, where the flowers always bloom and sweet music is forever wafted on fragrant winds. There he saw sea-born Apsaras, the heavenly brides of gods and heroes, and music-loving Gandharvas, who sang songs and danced merrily in their joy. Urvasi, a beautiful Apsara with bright eyes and silken hair, looked with love at Arjuna; but she sought in vain to subdue him, at which she scornfully said: “Kama, god of love, has wounded me with his arrows, yet you scorn me. For this, Arjuna, you will live for a season as a dancer and musician, ignored by women.” Arjuna was troubled by this, but Indra told him that this curse would work in his favour. So Arjuna remained in Indra’s fair city for five years. He achieved great skill in music, in dance and song. He was also trained to wield the celestial weapons which the gods had given to him.
Now the demons and giants who are named the Daityas and Danavas were the ancient enemies of Indra. They hailed from the lowest division of the underworld beneath the ocean floor, in a place called Patala. And a day came when Arjuna waged war with them. He rode away in Indra’s great car, which sailed through the air like a bird, driven by Matali. When he reached the shore of the sea, the waves rose against him like great mountains, and the waters were divided; he saw demon fish and giant tortoises, and vessels laden down with rubies. But he did not pause, as he was without fear. Arjuna was eager for battle, and he blew a mighty blast on his war shell: the Daityas and Danavas heard him and quaked with terror. Then the demons beat their drums and blew their trumpets, and amid the dreadful racket the wallowing sea monsters rose up and leapt over the waves against Indra’s great son. But Arjuna chanted mantras; he shot clouds of bright arrows; he fought with his bright celestial weapons, and the furies were thwarted and beaten back. They then sent fire against him and water, and they flung huge rocks; but he fought on until in the end he triumphed, killing all that stood against him.
Afterwards the valiant hero quickly rode towards the city of demons and giants which is named Hiranyapura. The women came out to lure him, calling aloud. He heard them but did not pause. All these evil giant women fled in confusion, terrified by the noise of Indra’s celestial car and the driving of Matali, and their earrings and necklaces fell from their bodies like boulders tumbling and thundering down mountain slopes.
When Arjuna entered the city of Hiranyapura he gazed with wonder at the mighty chariots with ten thousand horses, which were stately and proud. And he wrecked the dwellings of the Daityas and Danavas.
Indra praised his warrior son for his valour in overcoming the demons and giants of the ocean, and he gave him a chain of gold, a bright crown, and the war shell which gave a mighty, thunderous blast.
Second Exile of the Pandavas
During the years that Arjuna lived in Indra’s celestial city, Yudhishthira and his three younger brothers, with Draupadi and the priest Dhaumya, stayed for a time in the forest of Kamyaka. Great sages visited them there, one teaching Yudhishthira the skill of throwing dice. Others led the wanderers to sacred waters, in which they were cleansed of their sins, and they achieved great virtues. And the sages told them many tales of men and women who suffered and made self-sacrifices, undergoing long exiles and performing penances so as to learn great wisdom and win favour from the gods.
Thereafter the exiles went northward towards the Himalayas, and eventually in the distance they saw the home of Kuvera, lord of treasure and King of Yakshas. They gazed at palaces of crystal and gold; the high walls were studded with jewels, and the gleaming ramparts and turrets were adorned by dazzling streamers. They saw beautiful gardens of bright flowers, and soft winds came towards them laden with perfume; wonderful were the trees, and they were vocal with the songs of birds.
Kuvera came and spoke words of wisdom to Yudhishthira, counselling him to be patient and long-suffering, and to wait for the right time and place to display his Kshatriya prowess.
The exiles wandered on, and one day they saw the bright car of Indra, and they worshipped Matali, the charioteer. Then Indra arrived with his hosts of Apsaras and Gandharvas, and when they had adored him, the god promised Yudhishthira that he would once again reign in splendour over all men.
