Episode 3

Duryodhana’s Expedition to Forest to demean Pandavas[1]

The game of dice between Pandavas and Kauravas is a well known story. Pandavas suffered defeat due to the deception on the part of Sakuni. After the game of dice, Pandavas were exiled to forest for thirteen years (twelve years of forest dwelling and one year incognito).   Forest life was dreadful and the comforts of kingly life were woefully absent. While they were in the Dvaitavana (name of the forest), Durdyodhana wanted to see their miserable plight personally. The devilish joy of Duryodhana drove him to forest with all his princely paraphernalia. He took large number of army, chariots, elephants, queens and dance troops to the forest to show off his pomp and pageantry before the beleaguered Pandavas.

By that time Dharmaraja was performing a yaga in the forest. A few yards away from their hermitage, the entire caravan of Kauravas was camped. Kauravas came to the forest ostensibly to hunt wild animals to protect the innocent people. But Kauravas indulged in revelry. There were dancing girls dancing to the tunes of loud music and musical instruments, much to the chagrin and discomfort for the Pandavas. But Duryodhana was the official emperor and all the forests and lands were the property of the emperor. Pandavas, bound by dharma, cannot complain against the disturbance created by the rivals. They know that the Kaurava’s entourage to the forest was intentional and intend to destroy the peace of Pandavas. 

In no time there was change of fortune. Duryodhana’s followers were obstructed by a powerful Gandharva, Chitraratha when they tried to enter a lake of water. Duryodhana was enraged and put forth all his powerful chieftains including Karna to defeat Chitraratha. But the efforts of Kauravas were in vain. Chitraratha physically caught hold of Duryodhana, his brothers, Karna and other important warriors in the battle and made them captives. A few soldiers came running towards Dharmaraja and told that the Kauravas were made captive and being taken away by Chitraratha.

Bhima was delighted to hear the news. “These people came to see our plight and enjoy here. Now they got a big defeat”. But Dharmaraja showed pity towards Kauravas. “When somebody is in difficulty and approaches us for protection, it is our dharma to protect them. Moreover, they are our brothers (cousins) and when an outsider tries to destroy them, we need to stand in unity”.

Bhima was not willing to listen to the sober words of Dharmaraja. He told, “They have given me poison when I was a child. They tried to scorch us in fire. They disrobed Draupadi and exiled us to the forest. They don’t deserve any sympathy”.

Dharmaraja was steadfast in his dharma of protecting the surrendered persons. . He further declared, “When we face risk from some outsider, we are not five but one hundred five (Hundred Kauravas plus five Pandavas). When a fight happens amongst us they are hundred and we are five”).[2]

In fact, it is my duty to immediately plunge into action and save my brothers (Duryodhana and his brothers). Since I am in Yagna deekha and I cannot now go out. All of you go and release Duryodhana and his party from the clutches of Chitraratha. Ultimately, Bhima and Arjuna had agreed to obey the orders of Dharmaraja.

There was a big fight between the five Pandus and the armies of Chitraratha. The five brothers could subdue all the forces of Chitraratha. Chitraratha accepted his defeat and with folded hands approached Arjuna. “Hi, Arjuna! In fact I captured Duryodhana and his team since they tried to demean you people and show off their pomp and pageantry before you. I came here upon the orders of Lord Indra who is your well wisher. Please allow me to to take these bad people with me”.

Arjuna replied, “I can understand your constraints. But I am bound by the orders of my brother, Dharmaraja. Please present him (Duryodhana) before my brother and let him decide the next stage of action”. 

Chitragreeva obliged and pleaded with Dharmaraja not to release Duryodhana and others for their nefarious intentions. But Dharmaraja, an embodiment of Dharma, was not willing to toe the line of aggression. He asked Chitraratha to release the captives.

Upon then release, Dharmaraja advised Duryodhana, “Dear brother! All times are not ours and fortunes change from time to time. One should abide by Dharma all the times and that distinguishes a righteous man from a normal person. Please go home with your brothers and live there happily”.

Duryodhana was shamed to the core. He went to the forest to disparage and defame the Pandavas but he had to save his own life upon the mercy of Pandavas.

Questions to ponder

1. What is the power of forgiveness in life?
2. Is forgiveness part and parcel of Dharma?
3. Are the intentions of Dharmaraja in releasing the wicked people from the captivity of Chitraratha are strategic?
4. Can we afford to discard Dharma in testing times?
5. We all know that the internal rivalries among the kings paved the way for the subjugation our country by the British? All the kings of India must have known the story of Dharmaraja’s advice that “When we face risk from some outsider, we are not five but one hundred five (Hundred Kauravas plus five Pandavas). When a fight happens amongst us they are hundred and we are five”. Then why did they fight and paved the way for British rule?  Do you agree that we do read stories but don’t internalize them?

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[1]  This story is taken from Vana Parva also known as Aranyaka Parva written by Ved Vyasa.

[2] महता हि प्रयत्नेन संनह्य गज वाजिभि: अस्माभिर्यदनुष्ठेयं  गन्धर्वैस्त दनुष्ठितं (Vana Parva, 242.15)

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