Chapter 1: The Heavenly Training and the Sage's Quest

In the celestial realm, Arjuna found himself immersed in an extraordinary world of divine wonders. Here, amidst the shimmering clouds and golden skies, he trained under the watchful eyes of the gods. Indra, the king of gods himself, taught Arjuna the secrets of celestial weaponry. Yet, his lessons were not limited to the arts of war. Arjuna also learned the graceful dance and melodious music from Chitrasena, the king of the Gandharvas. However, not everything was smooth sailing. Due to a curse from the celestial nymph, Urvashi, Arjuna faced a significant challenge to his manhood.

One day, the wise sage Lomasa arrived in the heavenly realm and was greeted by Indra. "I am very pleased to see you in the heavenly realm, O King of Gods," Lomasa said with a respectful bow. "It has been a long time since I last saw you. But I am quite surprised here. Until now, no one has dared to sit on your throne. How did Arjuna get such courage? What kind of penance did he perform to earn this right? I am very curious to know."

Indra, with a gentle smile, replied, "Great sage, even though you have achieved great wisdom, you ask such questions? Though born from Kunti, Arjuna is my son, O sage. But that is not his only identity. Both Arjuna and Krishna are incarnations of the sages Nara and Narayana. In a previous life, they performed intense penance at the Badrika Ashram on earth. That Badrika Ashram still exists on earth, but no one in the mortal world can see it. It is from this sacred place that the divine sound of the Ganges originated. The sages Nara and Narayana have now taken birth as Arjuna and Krishna, at my request, to lighten the burden of the world."

"O King of Gods, I am very satisfied to learn about the true nature of Krishna and Arjuna from you," said Lomasa, nodding in understanding. "But does Arjuna have any special duty in this heavenly realm?"

"Yes, great sage," Indra answered. "Arjuna has received special training in weaponry from me. Before protecting the mortal world, he will also free this heavenly realm from danger. He will defeat the Nivata Kavacha demons. They are powerful and terrifying demons, sons of Danu. They now live in the netherworld, but by pleasing the creator Brahma through penance, they have gained the boon to conquer the heavenly realm. They can defeat the gods, so why would they fear humans? But their death is destined at the hands of a human. Arjuna, you are their fate. In battle with you, those demons will meet their end. After that, this heavenly realm will be safe."

Lomasa looked concerned. "Can these Nivata Kavacha demons even defeat Narayana, O King of Gods?"

Indra shook his head. "No, great sage, under his gaze, the Nivata Kavacha clan would be destroyed. But if his anger takes a terrible form, then creation and the world would burn in flames. Therefore, the gods cannot seek Krishna's help right now. So, the task of freeing the heavens from enemies is now on Arjuna's shoulders. After fulfilling this duty, Arjuna will soon return to his brothers on earth."

"Great sage," Indra continued, "I have a task for you."

"Please command, O King of Gods," Lomasa replied with reverence.

"Great sage, go to earth. There, in the Kamyaka forest, you will find the righteous Yudhishthira. Reassure him and tell him that Arjuna will soon return to them. They should not worry."

"As you wish, O King of Gods. I will go to earth now," Lomasa agreed, ready to fulfill his duty. "I have a request for you, great sage."

"Don't hesitate. If you have any message for Arjuna's brothers, feel free to tell me. I will deliver it to Yudhishthira," Lomasa offered.

"Respected sage, please convey my respects to my elder brother," Arjuna said. "Tell him to go on a pilgrimage with everyone. He should not stop his usual acts of charity and meditation. They are worried about my troubles. Please inform them of my well-being, and during their pilgrimage, be cautious of demons and monsters."

Lomasa nodded, understanding the gravity of the message. "Your devotion and duty have pleased me, Arjuna. I will soon take your message and that of the King of the Gods to Yudhishthira in the Kamyaka forest. I will protect Yudhishthira from the fierce demons in the treacherous mountains."

Meanwhile, on earth, the Pandavas were not happy without seeing dear Arjuna. He had set out in the guise of a sage to find divine weapons, and it had been a long time since. There had been no news of Arjuna since then. Even the sages who traveled to many holy places had not seen him. Hearing this, Bhima became very upset. Worry clouded the minds of Draupadi and the other Pandavas as well.

Chapter 2: The Worries of the Pandavas

In the heart of the Kamyaka forest, the Pandavas lived in exile, their thoughts often drifting to their absent brother, Arjuna. One day, Bhima, his face shadowed with concern, approached his elder brother, Yudhishthira. "O King," Bhima began, his voice heavy with worry, "by your command, Arjuna has ventured far from us. We have no news of him, and I fear for his safety. What have you done, O King? Arjuna is our protector. We count on his skills for our victory over our enemies. We plan to unite with Krishna to defeat dangerous foes like Karna. But, O King, Arjuna's absence deeply troubles me."

Yudhishthira, ever the calm and wise leader, replied, "You're worrying unnecessarily, Bhima. Arjuna knows how to protect himself. No one would dare harm him, brother."

But Bhima was not easily reassured. "O King, unknown forests and unseen enemies are always very dangerous. Arjuna does not know the nature of all the mountains and forests here. Danger could come at any moment. Our greatest threat is Duryodhana. We don't know when or where his followers might strike. Duryodhana wants to destroy us during our exile. It's impossible when the five brothers are together, but he might have the power to endanger Arjuna alone, O King."

Bhima's determination shone through his troubled words. "O King Yudhishthira, give me the order. I will go right now to find the third Pandava. If he is in any danger, he is completely without friends now. It is my duty to protect him, O King."

Yudhishthira tried to calm his brother's fiery spirit. "Brothers, calm down. The gods protect Arjuna. With Lord Krishna himself as Arjuna's protector, why are you all so anxious?"

Bhima's voice softened, but his resolve remained firm. "King, please forgive me. If Arjuna faces any danger, even Lord Krishna will be troubled, Your Majesty. Krishna, Pradyumna, Satyaki—all of them care deeply for Arjuna. Without Arjuna, they are incomplete. Your Majesty, I can't be patient any longer. Living in the forest is not the duty of a warrior. Please order me to fight, as that is the true duty of a warrior. Afterward, you can rule the kingdom happily."

Yudhishthira listened, understanding his brother's impatience and concern. "Bhima, your wishes will come true. Once Arjuna gains the divine weapons, our victory in battle will be even more certain, Your Majesty. Waiting for thirteen years is unfair. Shakuni took your kingdom through deceit. We should respond to deceit with honesty, Your Majesty. Shakuni has not acted rightly with you. He knows nothing but lies. So why should we stick to the truth? We should respond to deceit with deceit. Please give me the order, Your Majesty. Let me put an end to Duryodhana and Shakuni."

But Yudhishthira shook his head, firm in his principles. "No, I cannot give you this permission. No matter what others do, I can never act dishonestly. I cannot leave the path of truth for any other path. War is inevitable, but not now. The war will happen at the end of the thirteen years."

Bhima's brow furrowed with frustration. "But, Your Majesty, if Duryodhana's spies find us during our time in hiding, we will have to follow the thirteen-year exile rule again. We must be very careful."

Yudhishthira remained steadfast. "Besides, so many Brahmins and sages are constantly blessing us. With their blessings, we will surely succeed. Bhima, I have never walked the path of dishonesty, nor have I ever behaved wrongly. So, fate will not be so unkind to us. Have faith, brother."

As Bhima and Yudhishthira's voices echoed through the forest, their discussion was interrupted by the arrival of Sage Brihadarsha. The sage, known for his vast knowledge of the scriptures, had come to the Kamyaka forest to speak with Yudhishthira, the son of Dharma.

The Pandavas welcomed the sage with offerings and served him with great respect. Once the sage was rested from his journey, Yudhishthira stood before him with folded hands. Sage Brihadarsha looked into Yudhishthira's eyes, sensing the turmoil within. "Is there any worry troubling you, my child?" he asked gently. "I see signs of sadness on your usually cheerful face. Are you worried about something, Yudhishthira?"

Chapter 3: The Tale of King Nala

Yudhishthira bowed his head, the weight of his worries pressing down on his shoulders like a heavy cloak. "You guessed correctly, my lord," he confessed, his voice tinged with sorrow. "Because of honesty, we lost our kingdom, our family, our honor, and our wealth. For thirteen long years, we have been living in exile. It is because of me that our beloved Draupadi has suffered greatly, my lord. My misfortune seems endless. My brothers are unhappy because of me. And it is because of me that Arjuna is away from us for so long. Missing Arjuna causes us all great pain, my lord."

Sage Brihadarsha listened with a compassionate heart. "Do not grieve for Arjuna, Yudhishthira," he reassured gently. "No harm will come to him."

"I believe that too, my lord," Yudhishthira replied, "but I cannot stop worrying and feeling hopeless. Have you ever seen or heard of anyone as unlucky as me? Please tell me, is my fate the worst in the world?"

"Yudhishthira, son of Dharma, calm yourself," the sage advised, his voice soothing like a gentle breeze. "My child, if you think you are the most unfortunate person, then you do not know the story of King Nala of Nishadha. His sorrow was far greater than yours."

Yudhishthira's interest was piqued, and he leaned in closer to listen as the wise sage began to weave the tale of King Nala of Nishadha.

"King Nala of Nishadha," the sage began, "and Princess Damayanti of Vidarbha were so deeply in love that even though the gods wanted to marry her, Damayanti chose to marry the mortal King Nala. The gods, impressed by their love, blessed them and returned to heaven. However, two beings named Kali and Dwapara still hoped to marry Damayanti. Despite Lord Indra's warning, Kali plotted to separate Nala and Damayanti. He instructed Dwapara to enter the dice used in a game, while he himself entered Nala's body."

Yudhishthira listened intently as the sage continued. "Under Kali's influence, Nala's brother Pushkara invited Nala to a game of dice. Accepting the invitation, Nala lost all his wealth and became destitute. In despair, he wandered through the forests with Damayanti, unable to find even a morsel of food. Hungry and thirsty, Nala thought it best to send Damayanti back to her father's home. But Damayanti refused to leave him as long as she lived."

The sage's voice softened as he recounted the heart-wrenching events. "One night, Nala left her, hoping she would return to her father. Heartbroken, Damayanti wandered like a madwoman until she reached the city of King Chedi, Subahu, where the queen mother gave her shelter. Eventually, with the help of a Vidarbha resident, Damayanti returned to her parents in her homeland."

Sage Brihadarsha paused, allowing Yudhishthira to absorb the gravity of the tale. "While wandering in the forest, Nala met a wise serpent named Karkotaka, who advised him to become the charioteer of a king from Ayodhya. There, Nala learned the game of dice. The serpent's venom also freed Nala from the influence of Kali. After overcoming many misfortunes, Nala reached the land of Vidarbha and was reunited with his wife. He returned to his kingdom, defeated his brother Pushkara in a game of dice, and regained his kingdom and wealth."

After sharing the story, the sage looked deeply into Yudhishthira's eyes. "Yudhishthira, dear Yudhishthira, you heard how King Nala, despite losing everything in the game of dice, regained it all and freed himself from sorrow. The influence and fear of Kali left his body. Son of Dharma, you still fear that someone might take everything from you again through the game of dice. Overcome your fear, Yudhishthira. Sadness does not suit you. I know all the rules of the game and am teaching them to you. Learn well, Yudhishthira. Then, with your brothers, you will reclaim your kingdom and rule peacefully with Draupadi."

After teaching Yudhishthira all the details of the game of dice, the sage Brihadarsha prepared to continue his journey. "I must go on a pilgrimage," he announced, "to tell about Arjuna's journey to heaven and his training in weapons."

Chapter 4: The Concerns of Dhritarashtra

Meanwhile, in the grand city of Hastinapura, the venerable sage Vyasa arrived and was welcomed by Dhritarashtra. "Son Dhritarashtra, are you well?" Vyasa inquired, his presence commanding respect and attention.

Dhritarashtra, bowing deeply, replied, "Great sage! Sage Vyasa, please accept my respects. Kindly take a seat, sage. I am very worried. Thoughts of the future make me restless. Those who cannot control the present have no say in the future."

"You are right, sage," Dhritarashtra continued, his voice tinged with helplessness. "I truly feel helpless. Are the sons of Pandu well? Sage, have you come from Yudhishthira?"

Vyasa shook his head gently, his eyes full of wisdom as he addressed Dhritarashtra. "No, I have not come from Yudhishthira," he began, his voice calm and reassuring. "But I know about the Pandavas. Lord Indra has taken Arjuna to heaven for training in divine weapons. The other four brothers and the noble Draupadi are safe in the Kamyaka forest. Arjuna has been trained in weapons in heaven."

A glimmer of relief crossed Dhritarashtra's face. "Well, good! I pray for Arjuna's long life and fame. Though I speak words of satisfaction, it is known that the Kauravas will not be at peace hearing of Arjuna's training."

Later, King Dhritarashtra sat in his court, his mind heavy with worry. His charioteer, Sanjaya, entered the room, noticing the king's troubled expression. "King!" Sanjaya called out gently.

Dhritarashtra turned his head slightly. "Who? Sanjaya, come in."

Sanjaya approached with concern. "Yes, King, shall I prepare the chariot? Do you wish to go somewhere?"

The king shook his head. "No, I have no desire to go anywhere now. Sanjaya, do you know anything about Arjuna? Have you heard that he is not with his brothers?"

Sanjaya looked surprised. "No, King, he is not with his brothers? Then where is Prince Arjuna now?"

"Arjun has gone to the heavens to learn the art of weapons from the god Indra," Dhritarashtra explained, his voice a mixture of pride and worry.

Sanjaya nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. "Very few people on Earth are that lucky. And look at Duryodhan, this arrogant and wicked prince who will ruin the Kuru kingdom. Sanjay, I clearly see that the side with a warrior like Arjun is sure to win. Don’t you think so?"

Sanjaya paused, choosing his words carefully. "Forgive me, Your Majesty, but why worry about things beyond our control? People can't step outside what destiny has planned."

The king sighed deeply. "Yes, destiny. It’s because of destiny that I see Hastinapur heading towards disaster. I feel so weak, Sanjay, so weak."

Sanjaya shook his head, trying to reassure his king. "No, Your Majesty, you are not weak. The greatest warriors of the world are on your side. Heroes like Bhishma and Guru Dronacharya are rare. Almost all great warriors consider Drona as their teacher. He himself is on your side. Who else do you need, Your Majesty? The best archer, Karna, is always with Prince Duryodhan. Yet you speak of Dronacharya and the great Karna."

"No, Sanjay, no," Dhritarashtra interrupted, his voice filled with a foreboding that chilled the air. "Even if any other warrior were the opponent, any one of these could defeat them. But Sanjay, when the opponent is Arjun himself, I see no chance of his defeat."

Sanjaya listened intently as the king continued. "No one among humans can defeat Arjun. Even in the heavens, there is no one like him, Sanjay. Arjun, Arjun, do you understand, Sanjay? Prince Duryodhan doesn’t accept this. King Duryodhan, Duryodhan is stubborn. Can Duryodhan survive Arjun’s wrath? Either Karna or Arjun, if one of them falls, this conflict will end, and I will find peace, Sanjay. If not, the outcome will be terrible. Arjun will roam the battlefield like the god of death. The sound of his chariot alone will scatter Duryodhan’s soldiers, Sanjay."

Sanjaya nodded solemnly. "Our spies have long heard the conversations of the Pandavas in the Kamyaka forest, Your Majesty. Lord Krishna was there, and he agreed to be Arjun’s charioteer in the great war. The partnership of Arjun and Krishna can be very dangerous in any battle, Your Majesty."

Dhritarashtra sighed heavily, the weight of his worries pressing down on him. "What other danger remains, Sanjay? Evil advisors like Shakuni and Karna are leading Duryodhan to ruin, making him even more deluded. Seeing me as blind, old, and weak, Duryodhan doesn’t listen to me. Alone in this room, I suffer great unrest day and night, Sanjay. I can already hear the sound of Arjun’s bow and Bhim’s mace, even now."

Chapter 5: The Pilgrimage Begins

Meanwhile, in the Kamyaka forest, the atmosphere mirrored the unease in Hastinapur. Draupadi sat with the four Pandavas, her heart heavy with the absence of Arjuna. She turned to Yudhishthira, her voice a soft lament. "From the day Partha left, the world has felt empty, my king. This beautiful Kamyaka forest, with its amazing flowers, fruits, and butterflies, seems dark to me. I can't enjoy the beauty of the world anymore. Remembering the sound of Arjuna's Gandiva bow makes me restless, my king."

Yudhishthira listened, understanding her sorrow, as the forest around them seemed to echo with the silence left by Arjuna's departure.

Bhima's voice rumbled through the clearing, his words carrying the weight of his heart. "My king," he began, glancing at Yudhishthira with earnest eyes, "Panchali speaks the truth. Without Arjuna, this Kamyaka forest holds no joy for us. Arjuna was the soul of this place, and in his absence, the forest feels empty. Please, allow us to leave, my king. This is Bhima's humble request."

His gaze drifted to the empty seat where Arjuna once sat, and his voice grew softer, tinged with sorrow. "Seeing it empty every day fills us with unease. When Sahadeva and I bow before it, our eyes brim with tears. This forest was his favorite. Staying here without him is a test we cannot endure. Please, my king, let us leave this place and seek solace elsewhere."

Yudhishthira listened, his own heart heavy with the shared sorrow. Just then, as if the forest itself wished to comfort them, the revered sage Narada appeared among the trees, his presence a beacon of hope. "Narayan, Narayan," he greeted, his voice like a gentle breeze. "Sage Narada, how fortunate we are to have you here!"

Despite the simplicity of their surroundings, Yudhishthira and his companions offered what they could. "We have little to offer in this forest," Yudhishthira admitted, "but we worship you with what we have. Please accept our humble offerings."

Sage Narada, his eyes twinkling with kindness, replied, "Yudhishthira, son of Dharma, your humility pleases me greatly. Speak your wishes without hesitation, my child."

Yudhishthira bowed his head respectfully. "Sage, your presence alone fulfills our desires. We seek your guidance on the importance of pilgrimage."

Narada nodded sagely. "You are saddened by Arjuna's absence and wish to embark on a pilgrimage. This is wise. Pilgrimage is crucial for those who uphold righteousness. Your ancestor, the great sage Pulastya, once shared wisdom on this matter, which I shall now impart to you."

He continued, "A person who controls their hands, feet, and mind, possessing knowledge, dedication, and good deeds, truly benefits from a pilgrimage. A humble person, content with little and not dependent on others, is most suited for such a journey."

Narada's voice carried the weight of ancient wisdom. "Kings often undertake pilgrimages with great pomp, but such journeys bear no fruit. True pilgrimage requires humility, not pride. While the wealthy perform grand sacrifices, the poor find their spiritual wealth in pilgrimage."

Curiosity flickered in Yudhishthira's eyes. "Which pilgrimage site is the best, Devarshi?"

Narada smiled, a knowing light in his eyes. "Each site offers unique benefits. The Pushkar pilgrimage site, beloved by Lord Shiva, is among the most sacred. Meditating there grants the essence of Shiva. Gods, sages, and even demons gather there. The mere desire to visit Pushkar cleanses all sins, and one is honored in heaven. Lord Brahma always resides there. Just as Narayana is the origin of the gods, Pushkar is the origin of pilgrimage sites."

Yudhishthira listened intently as Narada offered a final piece of advice. "The great sage Lomasa will soon come to you. Travel with him on your pilgrimage, and your fame will become everlasting."

With those words, Narada vanished as mysteriously as he had come, leaving Yudhishthira to bow deeply to Rishi Dhaumya. "O great sage," Yudhishthira implored, "until the wise Lomasa arrives, we wish to wait in another forest. This Kamyaka forest feels unbearable without Arjuna. Please guide us to a place where we can find light, air, water, and fruits, and be among virtuous people."

Rishi Dhaumya nodded thoughtfully. "If you wish to go elsewhere, take your queen and brothers and travel east with me. There lies the Naimisharanya forest, beloved by gods, sages, and celestial beings, a place of worship. Stay there until Arjuna returns, or begin your pilgrimage from there."

And so, with newfound purpose, Yudhishthira and his companions prepared to leave the Kamyaka forest, their hearts set on the promise of new beginnings and the hope of reuniting with their beloved Arjuna.

Chapter 6: The Path of Pilgrimage

As the sun began its descent, casting golden hues across the forest, Yudhishthira turned to the wise sage Dhaumya. "Near Naimisharanya," he inquired earnestly, "are there any other holy places we should visit?"

Sage Dhaumya nodded, his eyes sparkling with the wisdom of ages. "Close to Naimisharanya," he began, "lie the sacred sites of the Gomati River, the Phalgu River, and the Kaushiki River. It was on the banks of the Kaushiki that the sage Vishwamitra achieved his status as a Brahmin. After you have paid homage there, you must journey to Prayag. To the east, you will find the ashram of the sage Agastya and the Mahendra Mountain, which is steeped in the memories of the great Parashurama. The confluence of the Ganges and Yamuna rivers also awaits you in that direction. So, Yudhishthira, you should head east with your brothers and Draupadi."

Yudhishthira listened intently, his heart swelling with the promise of spiritual renewal. Around him, other sages, ascetics, and great souls from Kamyavana gathered eagerly, drawn to the wisdom shared by Dhaumya. Just then, the sage Lomasa arrived among the pilgrims, and a hush fell over the crowd. Everyone stood with respect, greeting him with reverence and touching his feet.

Yudhishthira, folding his hands in a gesture of welcome, spoke with deep humility. "Great sage Lomasa," he said, his voice filled with awe, "after many lifetimes of penance, I am blessed to see you. Traveling to holy places with you brings the benefits of many great sacrifices. Please, do not deny us the blessing of your company. This is our humble request."

With a gentle smile, Lomasa responded, "I have come to join you on your pilgrimage. Lord Indra and your brother Arjuna also wish the same."

A spark of hope lit Yudhishthira's eyes. "Sage, have you come from Arjuna? How is he? Is he well and safe? Please tell us all about Arjuna. We are very anxious."

Lomasa raised a reassuring hand. "No, no, do not worry about Arjuna, Yudhishthira. He is very happy in the court of Lord Indra. Arjuna is diligently learning everything he needs to know in the heavenly realm. He has gained knowledge of all divine weapons from Lord Indra. He has also learned dance and music from the king of the Gandharvas, Chitrasena. In courage, strength, and bravery, Arjuna is now the greatest in all three worlds. Compared to Arjuna, Karna, the son of the Sun, is quite weak. Lord Indra has assured me that there is no need to worry about Karna, as he will take away his invincible armor and earrings."

"Thank you for relieving our worries about Arjuna, sage," Yudhishthira said, his voice filled with gratitude. "We are forever grateful to you. Please tell us when Arjuna will return to us."

"After completing an important task in the heavenly realm, Arjuna will return to you, Yudhishthira," Lomasa assured him. "Do not be sad. But before that, we will start our pilgrimage together. I will free you from all worries and fears. This is the king's command. But before that..."

Lomasa paused, his gaze steady. "You have a responsibility to fulfill, King."

"What must I do, wise sage?" Yudhishthira asked, leaning forward.

"Many people, including followers, priests, and townspeople, are still around you," Lomasa explained. "Traveling to holy places with so many people is difficult. Yudhishthira, you need to be focused to make a pilgrimage. Don't keep so many companions with you. You should send them away. King, if you don't lighten your load, you won't succeed in anything."

Hearing the sage Lomasa's advice, Yudhishthira felt a knot of worry tighten in his chest. None of his companions wanted to leave him, and as long as he lived, the righteous king couldn't abandon anyone either. He was caught in a tough situation, unsure of whom to keep and whom to send away. Making a decision was really hard.

As they journeyed on their pilgrimage, Yudhishthira listened to one amazing story after another from the sage Lomasa. They were deeply focused on gathering the blessings of the holy places. But then, a great danger appeared on their path. Bhima was completely unprepared for this challenge. For the first time, he faced defeat. But who defeated him? We'll return with that story in the next part.