Krishna in the Kamyaka Forest

"Beware! The king of Hastinapur, the greatly powerful, the mighty, the unconquerable Maharaja Dhritarashtra, is coming!"

"Victory to Maharaja Dhritarashtra! Victory, victory to the king of Hastinapur!"

The old king was entering his own court when, all at once, his body gave way. He fainted and fell before the main gate.

"Maharaj! Maharaj, what happened? Maharaj, where is the royal doctor? City guard, quickly send word to the royal physician. Maharaj has fainted."

At once the palace was thrown into confusion. Maharaja Dhritarashtra was old, yet his body was still strong and healthy. He had no illness. Then why had he suddenly fallen like this? The royal doctor, the chief minister, and the members of the royal family all became deeply worried.

When Crown Prince Duryodhan heard that his father had fainted, he came there immediately. The king was carried gently away and laid upon a costly bed. The royal doctor sat beside him, while servants stood nearby and fanned cool air over his body.

At last Maharaja Dhritarashtra opened his eyes.

The royal doctor leaned forward and asked anxiously, "Maharaj, how are you now? Are you feeling a little better?"

The king did not answer that question first. Instead he said, "All right, Sanjay! Where is Sanjay? Tell Sanjay to come to me."

"As you command, Maharaj. I am sending word at once."

Soon Sanjay arrived and bowed low.

"My respects, Maharaj. You called for me? Please give your order. What can I do for your service?"

Dhritarashtra spoke in a weak and sorrowful voice. "My heart feels very heavy, Sanjay. I have none of my usual energy and spirit now. Along with my mind, my body too feels weak and lifeless. I have no peace in my heart when I keep thinking of Vidur, Sanjay. Vidur left me and went away."

Sanjay answered gently, "Maharaj, it was you yourself who sent Mahamantri Vidur into exile from the kingdom. He did not leave you by his own wish."

"A mistake, a mistake was made, Sanjay. A very great mistake was made. I am burning day and night in regret for that. Vidur is not only my brother or my well-wisher. Vidur, Vidur is living Dharma itself. Vidur has gone away, which means Dharma has left my kingdom, Sanjay. Tell me, what will I do with a kingdom without Dharma? Today I feel Vidur's absence in the deepest part of my heart. Thinking of him is tearing my heart apart."

"Maharaj, Maharaj, please be calm."

"No, no, Sanjay, no. I cannot become calm at all. I do not even know where Vidur has gone, or whether he is still alive. I am sinful, sinful. That is why I committed such injustice against a man like Vidur. I insulted my brother so much, I spoke such harsh words to him. And yet see, he never spoke one unpleasant word to me. Sanjay, Sanjay, I am a sinner, Sanjay, I am a sinner."

"Do not grieve like this. You have repented. A king has repented, and that itself is enough."

But Dhritarashtra shook his head. "No, Sanjay, no. That is not enough. I cannot rest unless I see Vidur. Sanjay, Sanjay, bring Vidur to me. Bring Vidur before me, from wherever you can. If Vidur does not come, I will give up my life here."

Sanjay was alarmed. "No, no, Maharaj, what are you saying! Be calm, O King, be calm. Your command is on my head. I am going to bring Mahatma Vidur back."

By Dhritarashtra's order, Sanjay set out for the Kamyak forest to bring Vidur back. He knew there was every chance that Vidur, after leaving the court of Hastinapur, would go to the Pandavas. So, with an easy mind, he drove his chariot toward the forest.

As he came near the Kamyak forest, he saw a striking sight from afar. Yudhishthir was seated there, dressed in deer skin. Around him sat many Brahmins and sages. Vidur was there too. Bhim and Arjun stood guard like watchmen over them all.

Sanjay approached and bowed.

"Dharmaraj Yudhishthir, victory to you. I have come to this Kamyak forest with a message from Maharaja Dhritarashtra, king of Hastinapur."

Yudhishthir welcomed him kindly. "Come, Sanjay. I am very glad to see you. Are all in the city of Hastina well? How is the health of the aged Maharaj?"

Sanjay replied, "Though the others in Hastina are well, Maharaja Dhritarashtra is not at peace. He has become very sad and weak."

"Why, Sanjay? What trouble has come upon Maharaj?"

"Maharaj is deeply sorrowful because of the absence of Mahatma Vidur. He has ordered that Vidur be taken at once to Hastinapur. I have come here only to carry out that royal command. Mahatma Vidur, please take Dharmaraj's permission and return with me to Hastinapur."

Vidur turned to Yudhishthir and said, "When Maharaj himself has called for me, I must return to his kingdom. Give me permission, Yudhishthir. Let me now go back to Hastinapur."

Yudhishthir gave his permission, and after receiving the greetings of all, Vidur set out with Sanjay for Hastinapur.

When Dhritarashtra heard that Sanjay had returned with Vidur, he sat up upon his bed in great joy. Vidur entered the king's resting chamber and bowed low before him.

"Please accept the respect of your servant Vidur, Maharaj. Hearing about your physical trouble, I have been very worried. Are you well now, O King?"

Dhritarashtra's voice trembled with relief. "Vidur, Vidur! How fortunate I am today! You have returned to me, Vidur. This news alone has made me completely well. Since you went away, I had no taste for food, no sleep in my eyes, and no interest even in royal work, Vidur. Today truly all my pain is gone. I spoke many harsh words to you, Vidur. Please forgive all those words of mine."

Vidur answered with calm affection, "Brother Maharaj, you are my highest elder. So I kept none of your words in my mind. I forgot them long ago. After hearing your message, I became eager to see you with my own eyes, and that is why I came running at once, Maharaj. A righteous man naturally shows a little more kindness toward the weak. To me, the Pandavas and the Kauravas are both equal, Maharaj. But the Pandavas are now poor and helpless in every way, so perhaps my affection has shown a little more toward them."

Dhritarashtra asked at once, "Vidur, are the Pandavas well? Yudhishthir, how is Yudhishthir?"

"The Pandavas are all living according to Dharma and right conduct, Maharaj. Dharmaraj Yudhishthir always remains loyal to you. He wishes for your welfare."

"Good, good. Hearing this has pleased me greatly."

But when Duryodhan heard that Vidur had returned from the Kamyak forest, his heart found no peace. He immediately began speaking with Dushasan and Karna.

A fear entered his mind. If Maharaja Dhritarashtra, under Vidur's influence, returned the throne of Indraprastha to the Pandavas, then Duryodhan's wealth would be cut in half. His honor and glory would also become less. He did not want even the shadow of such a thing.

He looked toward Karna, waiting for him to speak. Then he called him close.

"What has happened, my friend?" Karna asked. "You look so worried! You are now lord of the earth. There should be no trouble left for you."

Duryodhan replied, "I have only one trouble now, my friend. Vidur. Other than him there is no trouble in the world. Father had exiled him, but recently he became deeply sorry and brought him back into the kingdom again. And Vidur's return means that the praise of the Pandavas will begin again before Father. Father may even call Yudhishthir and give the kingdom back to him."

Karna answered, "Oh, that matter! No, my friend, I think you are worrying without reason. Before leaving, the Pandavas swore that they would not return to this kingdom before the fourteenth year. Yudhishthir is famous for speaking the truth, my friend. Think about it, Crown Prince. Even if the Pandavas do return, maternal uncle Shakuni's game of dice will throw them back into the forest again."

Duryodhan grew angry. "What! Do you keep your eyes on my welfare? After gaining the empire, have you become so lazy and foolish? We are your servants, Crown Prince. We always think of your good..."

Then Karna spoke firmly, and his words turned dark with violence. "My dear friends, listen carefully to what I say. All of us together will dress for war, mount our chariots, take our weapons, and go to kill the Pandavas in exile. They are helpless now. This is the easiest time to kill them. Only if they die will the Kauravas be free from worry, not before that."

Duryodhan was delighted. "Yes, yes, that is what a true hero and a true friend should say, Angaraj Karna. I am very pleased by this decision of yours. Come, begin preparing for the march to war."

I am Krishna Dwaipayan Vyasa. When I learned through meditation and yoga that Duryodhan was preparing for war against the Pandavas in exile, my heart became disturbed. I favor no one, but I can never accept injustice. Therefore I went at once to Hastinapur to warn Dhritarashtra.

Standing before the king, I said, "Maharaja Dhritarashtra, the decision of Hastinapur does not seem right to me. I cannot support the way the Pandavas were ruined in that deceitful game of dice. So I myself have come to warn you. If you still do not control matters, the Kauravas will soon be destroyed."

Dhritarashtra answered in fear, "No, no, what are you saying, Maharshi Vyasadev! Please be calm, lord."

I said, "I have not come to give a curse, son. I have come to warn you. You will get no favor from me. Whatever I say, I say the truth. So hear this truth clearly, Dhritarashtra. If Duryodhan wants to fight the Pandavas because he thinks they are homeless and without friends, then he will die at the hands of the Pandavas. Explain this to that fool, Dhritarashtra, explain it."

The king said helplessly, "Maharshi, I truly say, in the game of dice neither Mahatma Bhishma, Vidur, Gandhari, nor I supported it at all. But I had to give in before Duryodhan's stubbornness."

I answered, "Son, are the sons of Pandu not also your sons, Dhritarashtra? Do you not think about how they will live for thirteen years like such poor helpless men? If you want to save the Kuru line, then build true friendship between Duryodhan and Yudhishthir. Let Duryodhan go and spend some time with the Pandavas in the Kamyak forest. Under their influence, perhaps your son's mind may change too."

Dhritarashtra pleaded, "Maharshi, Maharshi, please tell him this yourself before you go, Maharshi. I beg you."

I told him, "After meeting the Pandavas, the sage Maitreya is coming here. He will advise Duryodhan."

When the great yogi and wise sage Maitreya arrived in Hastinapur, Maharaja Dhritarashtra himself received him with honor and offerings. After resting for a short while, the sage spoke.

"Maharaja Dhritarashtra, while traveling to many holy places, I came to the Pandavas in the Kamyak forest. From them I heard how Yudhishthir was robbed of everything by trick and deceit. How could such a hateful act happen while you and the great men of the world were still alive? After what happened in that dice hall, you are no longer worthy even to show your face before holy men."

Dhritarashtra bowed and said, "Revered sage, Crown Prince Duryodhan himself is also present in this assembly. Do you wish to give him any order or advice?"

Maitreya turned toward Duryodhan.

"O brave Duryodhan, do not quarrel with the Pandavas, child. They are all truthful and greatly powerful. Bhim has killed two mighty demons, Baka and Hidimba. In wrestling too he destroyed the world-famous hero Jarasandha. Recently in the forest Bhim also killed a terrible demon named Kirmira. Those who are related to Vasudev and Dhrishtadyumna should be treated with respect. Give up your anger, Duryodhan. Make peace with the Pandavas."

But Duryodhan gave no answer. Instead, he slapped his own thigh once and, lowering his face, began scratching lines on the ground with his toe.

Seeing such disrespect, sage Maitreya blazed in anger like fire. His eyes turned red. Touching water, he pronounced a terrible curse in a sharp voice.

"O Duryodhan, you are so arrogant that you dare insult me! You will suffer the result of this evil act and pride. Yes, because of you, because of you, a terrible war will begin. In that war Bhim will break that thigh of yours with the blow of his mace. I tell you this true word now."

Dhritarashtra cried out, "Maharshi, Maharshi, please be calm. I beg you, please be calm. Let nothing like that happen to my son. Take back your curse, Maharshi."

Maitreya answered, "Maharaj, my words will not be false. But if your son controls himself and walks on the path of peace, then this curse will not touch him. Otherwise my curse will destroy him."

When the sage departed, Dhritarashtra became restless with worry.

After Maitreya left, Vidur told the king in detail about Bhim's killing of the demon in the Kamyak forest. Hearing it, even Duryodhan, filled with anxiety, rose and left the court.

Bhim alone had slain the man-eating demon Kirmira. That demon had been a friend of the slain Hidimba and the brother of the demon Baka. Bhim had killed him with a tree in his hand. After that, Yudhishthir lived in the Kamyak forest with Draupadi and his four brothers, making the forest safe.

Before this, even sages and holy men had been afraid to go there because of that demon. But after Kirmira was slain, the Kamyak forest began to ring with the chanting of sages.

When Dhritarashtra heard all this from Vidur, he found little peace. The strength of Bhim, which he had heard of before, now echoed again in Vidur's voice. Thinking of the future, Maharaja Dhritarashtra sat silent, his face heavy like dark monsoon clouds.

When the Yadava, Bhoja, Vrishni, and Andhaka princes heard of the exile of the Pandavas, they came to Yudhishthir in the Kamyak forest. The sons of King Drupad, Chediraj Dhrishtaketu, and many other heroes came there too. Seeing the condition of the Pandavas, all of them were filled with sorrow.

In that troubled gathering, the princes began to discuss what should be done.

Among them all stood Krishna, steady as a stone image. As soon as he had heard of the disaster of the Pandavas, he had quickly come to the Kamyak forest with the young men of the Yadu line. But after seeing everything with his own eyes, his dark-blue face had become hard with anger. Lightning seemed to flash in his lotus-like eyes. He breathed quickly, and his breath seemed hot like fire.

Then Krishna spoke in a deep voice like a gathering cloud. Even Arjun, his dear friend, was startled by it.

"I say this clearly, let everyone hear. One day the soil of this land will drink the blood of the wicked Karna, Dushasan, Shakuni, and Duryodhan. That day is not far away. Those who are evil and harmful must be destroyed. Eternal Dharma has always taught this. Now, now the great war will begin. By destroying the sinners, we will place Dharmaraj Yudhishthir on his empire."

As Krishna spoke, it seemed as though fire blazed from his face and eyes. His voice grew deeper and deeper until it became terrible. Endless power began to shine from his body. Then he cried out in anger,

"I need no one. I alone, I alone will burn and destroy all the worlds. I can bear no more. Let the sinners everywhere be burned to ashes this very moment."

At once Arjun stepped forward in alarm.

"Save us, Madhav, save us! Be calm, Keshav. I pray to you, you, you be calm. In your anger the whole creation will vanish, Madhav. Be calm. Maharshi Vyasadev has already explained to us the whole story of your births and your endless forms, Krishna. We have heard that in ancient times you wandered on Gandhamadan mountain in the form of a sage for ten thousand years. At Pushkar, in the great Badarika, and on the banks of the Saraswati river, you practiced severe penance and tapasya for many years, Madhav. You are the child Vaman who conquered heaven, earth, and the mortal world. You are Narayan himself, Hari, Brahma. You are the knower of the field, the beginning and end of all beings. You are the eternal sacrifice itself, the destroyer of demons. You are the father even of Brahma and Mahesh. In your heart there is no anger, hatred, crookedness, or cruelty. Restrain this power of yours, Krishna, restrain it."

Then Krishna looked upon Arjun with affection and said, "Arjun, you are within my heart, dear one. I too am within your heart. There is no difference between you and me. You are the incarnation of the sage Nara, and I am Narayan, remover of all sorrow. Nara and Narayan are one. So the one who is your enemy is my enemy too. The one who is loyal to you is loyal to me too. Therefore do not grieve, Parth. Victory will surely be yours."

Draupadi had been listening quietly to the words of Arjun and Krishna. This was the day of her deepest sorrow and humiliation, and the sight of Krishna made her very soul cry out.

Since the day of that terrible insult in the royal court, the name she had repeated again and again within her heart was his name alone. That name had been her only shelter. And now that shelter, that Krishna, stood before her at last.

Yet Draupadi had already heard from Krishna Dwaipayan Vyasa that her dearest friend was in truth the eternal Supreme Being himself. Devarshi Narad too had sung the glory of that endless Lord. That very form of Brahman, the form of truth, was called her beloved friend. Her heart was full beyond words.

Krishna turned his lotus-petal eyes from Arjun and looked toward Draupadi.

"Dear friend Panchali..."

At once Draupadi bowed and spoke, her voice trembling.

"O Lord of lords, O Lord of all beings, O Achyut! Vedavyasa has said that you are the God even of the gods. You are truth itself, you are sacrifice itself. This sky is your head, the earth is your two feet, all living beings are your belly. O eternal cosmic Person, you are the Lord of all life, heaven, and earth. You are the shelter of all. I bow to you."

Krishna said softly, "Panchali, look at me. I am your friend, Panchali, that same old friend Krishna."

Then Draupadi's grief burst forth like a flood.

"I am your, your friend. I am the wife of the Pandavas, the sister of the mighty Dhrishtadyumna. Even so, that sinner Dushasan dragged me into the Kuru court. I was in my monthly time, wearing only one cloth, trembling with shame, fear, and insult. Seeing that, even after seeing that, the Kuru princes burst into loud laughter, Keshav. Loud laughter! The wise elders of the royal court all stayed silent and watched that scene. And my five great warrior husbands, who never turn away anyone who seeks shelter, could not protect me, Keshav, could not protect me."

Krishna said, "Panchali, be calm, friend."

But Draupadi went on, burning in sorrow. "Right before this Arjun, before this Bhim, Dushasan, Duryodhan, and Karna wanted to use me like a servant woman, Keshav. They, they did not even protest once. They only stood there helpless and kept watching. Shame on Arjun's Gandiv, shame on Bhim's mighty arms! I am the wife of five great heroes. Even a weak husband comes forward to protect his wife, and these men! Am I blessed by the glory of such husbands? No, Keshav! I was born in a noble family, and yet in this world, even when Dhrishtadyumna, you yourself, all of you were there, no one remained to protect me, no one remained, Keshav, no one remained."

"Krishnaa, listen to me, friend."

But Draupadi cried, "Krishnaa? No, no, I have no one, O Madhusudan. I have no husband, no son, no friend, no brother, no father, no one. You too are not there. There is no one to protect me, Keshav, no one. To whom shall I go, Krishna? You tell me, you tell me, you tell me, to whom shall I go? To whom shall I go?"

Krishna answered with deep tenderness, "No, Draupadi, no. Do not weep like this anymore, friend. Look, here I am standing before you. Sister, look at me. Listen, Draupadi, your anger will not go in vain. I give you my word, every one of those at whom you are angry will fall to the ground with blood-covered bodies, struck by Arjun's arrows. As you are weeping today, their wives too will weep in the same way that day, Krishnaa. Whatever can be done for the Pandavas, I myself will do. Do not grieve, Panchali. Keep faith in me. I, Vasudev Krishna, promise that you will become empress, Draupadi. Even if the sky breaks apart, if the Himalayas wear away, if the earth is crushed, even if the ocean dries up, know this: even then my words will not be false, Panchali. Hold back your tears, dear one."

Arjun then spoke firmly, "My Gandiv has not become false. What Madhusudan has said will never happen otherwise, sister."

Then Dhrishtadyumna, her brother, stepped forward and said, "I am your brother Dhrishtadyumna. I promise you, I will kill Dronacharya. Shikhandi will kill Bhishma, and Arjun will kill Karna. If Vasudev stands with us, then we will be unconquerable even in war against Lord Indra. Do not grieve, Panchali. We will surely repay every insult done to you."

Krishna then turned to Yudhishthir and spoke with regret.

"Maharaja Yudhishthir, if I had been in Dwaraka, this insult to you would never have happened. Even if I had not been called, I would have gone to that Kaurava court and broken up the game of dice. I would have explained it to Bhishma, Drona, and Dhritarashtra, or if needed forced them, and in whatever way possible I would have ruined Shakuni's plan. They are not family, Maharaj. Dressed like kinsmen, they are all enemies. I would have killed them. But after returning to Dwaraka, when I heard from Satyaki about your trouble, I came running to you in worry, Maharaj. Truly, seeing your sorrow has made me sorrowful too, O King."

Yudhishthir asked, "Krishna, were you not in Dwaraka? Then where had you gone, Keshav?"

Krishna answered, "King Shalva of Saubha had torn our Dwaraka apart, Maharaj. At your Rajasuya sacrifice I killed Shishupala. Shalva was a close friend of Shishupala. To take revenge for his friend's death, he attacked Dwaraka at a time when I was not there. The heroes of the Vrishni line attacked Shalva. Though the armies of King Shalva were pushed back by the attacks of Pradyumna, Samba, and others, they still caused great damage to Dwaraka."

Then Krishna added, "Shalva's arrows covered me too, Maharaj."

Yudhishthir was astonished. "What are you saying, Keshav! Can anyone cover even you in battle?"

"Shalva knows magic, Maharaj. His Saubha city is not really a city, it is a flying craft. But that craft floats in the sky like a whole city. When I returned to Dwaraka, I heard that Pradyumna had fallen unconscious under Shalva's arrows. To save his life, his charioteer carried him away from the battlefield. But though he returned to battle after recovering, the gods stopped him from killing Shalva."

Arjun asked in wonder, "How very strange! Why would the gods protect such an evil-minded king, Parth?"

Krishna replied, "The gods did not protect him. They only fixed his fate. They said that King Shalva was meant to be killed by my hand. Hearing that, I set out from ruined Dwaraka with a full army in search of Shalva."

Arjun then said, "Can one fight from the ground against a flying craft in the sky, Keshav?"

Krishna answered, "No, Dhananjay. Ordinary weapons could not touch that craft. In the sky Shalva was so powerful that he knew how to form battle lines and fight from that craft itself. Along with that, he was also skilled in magic. Before my own eyes, his men threw my father Vasudev from the craft down to the ground. I saw it clearly."

Yudhishthir cried out, "What are you saying, Krishna! Then you are here, and uncle?"

Krishna calmed him. "Do not be afraid now, Maharaj. My father is safe and well in Dwaraka. In truth it was all Shalva's terrible magic. That magic was so strong that even I was deluded when I saw my father. When my senses returned and I could see neither Shalva's craft nor my father, I understood that I too had been caught in the circle of illusion."

Then Arjun asked, "How then did you kill this terrible magician Shalva, Keshav?"

Krishna said, "It was done by Sudarshan. Other than Sudarshan, no weapon had the power to break through that terrible illusion. Bright like a second sun, deadly like Yama, and razor-sharp, Sudarshan rose into the sky and cut that invisible Saubha craft into pieces. By its blow Shalva and his soldiers too were split apart. After destroying yet another cruel killer of the world, Sudarshan returned to me again. Because of this war I could not go to that assembly in Hastinapur, Maharaj. I could not protect you either."

Draupadi then spoke more softly, her pain still deep. "No, Keshav. You alone, you are my highest protector. In my pain and hurt pride I spoke many harsh words to you, Krishna. Every one of those words spoken to you struck my own heart like an arrow too, Madhav. But believe me, in that deep darkness, before that greatest danger, no face but yours came into my mind. I remembered you. Who says you could not protect me? Wherever you may be, Madhav, I know that in the danger of the Pandavas, in the danger of your friend, you will surely come there. Among countless dangers, this alone is my shelter, Krishna."

Krishna answered with affection, "Panchali, it is true that I am leaving today, but know for certain that even if I stay in the royal palace of Dwaraka, I will remain here in this exile with you, friend. Wherever the Pandavas are, my heart will remain there too. Only duty and responsibility pull me back today. Give me leave, Maharaja Yudhishthir. Will you allow Subhadra and Abhimanyu to go with me to Dwaraka?"

Yudhishthir said, "Of course I will, Keshav. Take them with you. Until we regain our kingdom, keep them safe, Krishna. They will be secure with you."

Then Dhrishtadyumna said, "Maharaja Yudhishthir, I wish to take Draupadi's five sons to the kingdom of Panchal. These boys will not be able to bear the hardships of forest life. Please give your permission."

Yudhishthir nodded. "That is very good, brother Dhrishtadyumna. They will live happily in Panchal. All these boys have been trained under Arjun's teaching. Let their education not be broken, brother. Fill them with your strength, courage, and skill."

Dhrishtadyumna replied, "So it shall be, Maharaj. They will all grow into great heroes. Worthy heirs of Arjun will be made. Be at peace, Maharaj."

After Krishna departed with Abhimanyu, and Dhrishtadyumna left with the five sons of Draupadi, the other well-wishers of the Pandavas also took their leave one by one.

Then the five Pandavas, with Draupadi, left the Kamyak forest and journeyed onward to the Dwaita forest.

Life in that forest was peaceful and free from outer trouble, beautiful like a painted scene. But was there peace among the Pandavas themselves?

No.

The fire inside the heart of Yajnaseni, born from anger and humiliation, now began to burn fiercely. And in that heat, Yudhishthir himself was scorched.

For the first time, Draupadi came and stood before Dharmaraj like a living flame.