Mahabharata in Prose – Part 35 (A Story of the Dvapara Yuga)
By Lokanath Mishra
(Based on the Sarala Mahabharata)
Krishna said, “O King, enough has been done. Now invite the Pandavas with respect and give them half of the kingdom. That will bring welfare to everyone.”
Dhritarashtra requested Krishna and Balarama to remain in Hastinapura until Duryodhana returned. Balarama replied, “Let them return first. We have left others behind in Dwaraka and will come later. Now please permit us to leave.” After taking leave of Dhritarashtra and Gandhari, Balarama, Revati, Krishna, the members of the Ashtapat clan, and the other Yadavas returned to Dwaraka.
After a few days, the Kauravas returned from Panchala. Vidura informed Dhritarashtra, and Sanjaya informed Gandhari of their arrival. After receiving treatment in Hastinapura and recovering, Krishna and Balarama came there again. In their presence, the elders advised Duryodhana in many ways and calmed him down. They urged him to bring the Pandavas back to Hastinapura. Bhishma, Drona, Sanjaya, Vidura, Krishna, and Balarama all said, “This is the proper course.”
Duryodhana said, “We did not recognize them, but they recognized us! Then why did they behave like enemies?”
Bhishma and Drona replied, “Did you not notice that they were fighting with restraint toward us? After all, among brothers, victory or defeat should not be given so much importance. If we had been defeated by others, it would have been a matter of shame for us.”
After much persuasion, Duryodhana finally agreed. A day was fixed for the journey. Dhritarashtra requested Krishna and Balarama to accompany them, and both agreed. With chariots, elephants, horses, infantry, and musicians, they set out for the kingdom of Panchala to bring back the Pandavas.
A spy informed King Drupada that the entire Kaurava family, along with Rama (Balarama) and Krishna, was coming to Panchala to bring the Pandavas back to Hastinapura. Drupada summoned Yudhishthira. To receive them, King Drupada and the royal family, along with the Pandavas, set out. A grand reception procession moved forward with great splendor. They met the Kauravas halfway. The Pandavas bowed to Dhritarashtra, Balarama, Krishna, Bhishma, Drona, Kripa, Bhurishrava, and the other elders. They all blessed them.
Everyone paid due respects to the elders in their own manner, but Duryodhana did not bow to anyone.
All of them stayed as guests of King Drupada for seven days. The king of Panchala and his two sons took great care of them. Gradually, relations between the Pandavas and the Kauravas began to improve.
One day Dhritarashtra raised the topic of taking the Pandavas back to Hastinapura. From inside the chamber, Kunti—daughter of Kuntibhoja—expressed her long-suppressed grief and resentment. Recalling the past, she demanded a promise for the future safety of her sons. Dhritarashtra requested her to forget the past and forgive the faults of his sons. Yudhishthira said, “Mother, do not disregard the request of our father. Now he alone is our father. Please give your consent for us to go.”
At the combined request of Bhishma, Drona, Sanjaya, Vidura, even Shakuni, and also Krishna and Balarama, it was finally decided that the Pandavas would return.
Preparations then began for the true departure of Drupada’s daughter to her husband’s home. Mother Padmavati instructed her daughter about how she should conduct herself in the royal palace of Hastinapura and how she should behave toward Dhritarashtra, Gandhari, and Bhanumati.
She advised:
“Serve the blind king with devotion, and serve Gandhari constantly. A daughter can redeem countless generations of men. Conduct yourself so that I may never be blamed in the world.”
The moment of farewell finally arrived. The palace resounded with the cries of the women of the inner chambers. King Drupada’s sorrow surpassed all others. Bhishma, Drona, and other elders, along with the priest Dhaumya, consoled him in many ways. Dhritarashtra was aware of the humiliation Drupada had once suffered at the hands of his sons. Holding Drupada’s hand, he said, “As a relative, I request you to forgive the misconduct my sons showed toward you in the past. They acted so only to please their teacher.”
Drupada embraced Dhritarashtra and said, “Now my daughter is going to your household. I request you to forgive her ten faults.”
Dhritarashtra expressed satisfaction at Drupada’s humble words. It was decided that Draupadi’s friend Keshini and her brothers Dhrishtadyumna and Shikhandi would accompany her.
The king of Panchala sent with his daughter countless chariots, elephants, horses, infantry soldiers, musicians, attendants with fans and fly-whisks, and many chariots filled with golden ornaments.
After bowing to her mother, when Panchali came out to sit in the chariot with Kunti, Padmavati, overwhelmed with emotion, embraced her daughter tightly. The garments of both were soaked with tears. The priest Dhaumya recited auspicious hymns. The sound of conches, drums, and the mahuri (a traditional wind instrument) echoed throughout the capital of Panchala.
King Drupada accompanied them for a long distance before finally returning from the banks of the Gandharvi River.
The king then entered Hastinapura along with his sons and daughters-in-law. As they reached their new residence, Bhanumati came out with offerings in her hands and welcomed Draupadi. After offering the ceremonial welcome, the five brothers entered their new residence. The Pandavas then began living in the western part of the city of Hastinapura, near the eastern bank of a sacred river.
(To be continued)