Draupadi and her husbands the Pandavas brethren. Web Source: Wikimedia Commons
- After the Pandavas lose their gambling match, they are exiled along with their wife Draupadi for 12 years. They call upon the Sun God Surya, who provides them with an abundance of food. Throughout their journey, they help each other and perform devotions, visit holy shrines, and bathe in sacred waters. They met brahmins who blessed them for doing instructed work. One day Krishna visits the exiled Pandavas, and attempts to comfort Draupadi after her drastic life changes. But, Draupadi and Bhima still remain angry at Yudhishthira for being so calm and righteous in the midst of their chaos.
- Arjuna is worshipping in the woods when a boar charges at him. He seizes his bow and tries to slay it, but he realizes another dart strike the boar at the same time. A grand huntsman appears and they battle over the rightful owner of boar. Arjuna then bows down to the great God, and is blessed with celestial weapons. Arjuna goes to Swarga after being bestowed with even more celestial weapons from the Gods. He meets Unvashi who curses him to live unregarded among women as a dancer and musician for a season. Arjuna spends 5 years in Indra's city as a skilled musician and dancer. He also learns how to utilize the celestial weapons he acquired. The weapons help him conquer and defeat the daityas and danavas in war. He faces many challenges in the war, but overcomes the giants and demons of ocean. In turn, his father praises him and gives him many gifts.
- While Arjuna is living his own life, Yudhishthira and his 3 younger brothers, along with Draupadi and the priest Dhalimya remain in the forest of Kamyaka. They encounter many sages who give encouragement and insight. Then they go towards the Himalayas and are amazed at the sight of Kubera. Kubera gives Yudhishthira words of wisdom, reminding him to be patient and endure. As the group continues wandering, they long for Arjuna. He appears with hosts of asparas and gandharvas, promising Yudhishthira he will reign again in splendor over all men.
- Bhima is gathering lotuses for Draupadi and finds Hanuman lying on the ground. He is not aware it is not an ordinary monkey, until he asks Hanuman to reveal himself. They are delighted with one another's presence, and Hanuman tells him about his adventures with Rama and duties of the different castes. At the end, they part ways, but embrace each other as sons of Vayu.
- Duryodhana goes to spy on the Pandavas while they are exiled. Karna, princes, courtiers, and a thousand ladies of the royal household also went to spy on the Pandavas. But, when they reached their destination, gandharvas and asparas would not permit them to enter. So, a battle ensues and the Kauravas are defeated. Arjuna and Bhima heard what happened, and forced them to release Duryodhana and some others as prisoners. Their was a feast afterwards to celebrate their bravery and honor the Kauravas, but Duryodhana silently remained bitter inside. He sought to rival Yudhishthira's glory by holding an imperial sacrifice. This greatly anger the Pandavas, and created rivalry between Karna and Arjuna. Indra years to protect Arjuna, so he disguises himself as a brahmin and asks for the armor of Karna. Karna figures out the brahmin is Indra and offers to exchange his coat of armor for a celestial dart.
- Draupadi is preyed upon by a rajah named Jayadratha. She obviously declines his advances, but he carries her away in his chariot. Bhima and Yudhishthira get Draupadi back, and Bhima makes the rajah be their slave because of his actions. Towards the end of the Pandavas exile, they sought to drink water. However, some did not heed to answer the heard yakshas voiced questions. One after one they drank water and lay dead. Last, Yudhishthira heard the voice and answered all the questions asked of him. The voice turned out to be Dharma his father, and he granted him two boons. With the boons, Yudhishthira brought his brothers back to life. The Pandavas brothers are able to conceal their identities in their last year of banishment, thanks to the boon Yudhishthira was granted by his father. They are favored by the rajah of Virata and loved by the monarch for all of their loyal services. Unfortunately, Draupadi encounters danger again. Bhima rescues her from Prince Kichaka's threats by slaying him, and together they stage a story to conceal their true identities.
- The King's death creates uproar and thus begins a battle with the Kauravas and Uttara's of Virata with the Pandavas aid. Arjuna warded off the Kauravas, winning the Virata's battle. This victory stapled the end of the Pandavas exile. Krishna attempts to instill peace between the Pandavas and Kauravas, but they know that Duryodhana might make that impossible. Balarama makes it known that the Kauravas have wronged the Pandavas. Sides are taken between Arjuna and Duryodhana. Arjuna is pleased to have Krishna and Kunti's son his side, as opposed to an entire army. Krishni again tries to build peaceful relations, but Duryodhana will not succumb. They are prepared for war, and Karna is made aware of his true lineage. He vows to his mother to only slay Arjuna when possible, but not the others. He is confused but still remains loyal to the Kauravas. Both sides approach the battlefield, while Krishna urges Arjuna to fight. Amidst the war both sides have losses, and Bhishma warns Duryodhana of the fate that awaits them.
Mahabharata Online: Public Domain Edition
Authors: Arnold, Besant, Devee, Dutt, Ganguli, Kincaid, Macfie, Mackenzie, Nivedita, Seeger, and Tagore.
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