Part 52
Shri Vidur, then presented his case before Drupad, the King of Panchal. The King, in conformation with the prevalent norms received him by bestowing upon him the respectful welcome notes.
Upon seeing his nephews Vidur at once pulled them close. Embracing them again and again he inquired of their well-being. Post this he gifted them the congratulatory presents on behalf of the blind King and narrated to the King of Panchal the message of Dhritarashtra. Vidur said, "O Maharaj, King Dhritarashtra, as well as his sons and ministers, is extremely pleased to have been a party to this well-forged relation. Shantanu-putra Bheeshm, and the other Kauravas, awaits the news of your well-being. Your bosom friend Bharadwaja-nandan Dronacharya has sent you his embrace and best wishes. O Yagyasen! The amount of happiness that they have achieved the sacred thread that has tied these two kingdoms in a bond of friendship, is not lesser even than achieving Indra's wealth! Considering these factors, please let the Pandav brothers leave for Hastinapur. Devi Kunti and her sons have been separated from their homeland for a long time, so even they would be anxious to return home. The civilians and the puranaaris cannot wait to have a glimpse of Draupadi! Therefore, o King, do advise the Pandavs, along with their wife and mother, to proceed towards Hastinapur. If your permission is granted, I shall send a messenger bearing the news to my King, post which my nephews shall go there."
Drupad said, "Vidur! You are right. I have achieved great peace of mind in having forged a relation with the Kauravs. And, I believe, the brothers should also return to their homeland now. However, I cannot order the Pandavs to leave. If they are willing, and if Shri Krishna and Balraam agree with this, I have no problem at all."
Yudhishthir said to Drupad, "Sire, I, along with my brothers, are under your command. Whatever you say, shall be adhered to by me and my brothers."
Krishna said, "I agree with the proposal of the Pandavs' return to Hastinapur. I'm agreed with King Drupad as well."
Drupad smiled, "Since Vaasudev has expressed his agreement to this proposal, I am agreed with it too. Truly, the way Vaasudev cares for the Pandav brothers, even Yudhishthir cannot."
Attaining the permission of the King of Panchal, the Pandavs, along with Krishnaa and Kunti devi happily proceeded towards Hastinapur. Hearing of their arrival Dhritarashtra sent the Kauravs along with Vikarna, Chitrasen, Drona and Kripa to receive them. The moment, surrounded by kins, the Pandavs entered the city, the civilians gathered to have a look at them. They cried out their well wishes to them, and prayed for their beloved princes.
"O look at our Dharmaraaj, who cared for us like his own children! Seeing such benevolence enter our city it seems as if our king Pandu has returned from his exile!"
"Aho! What a glorious day! Our Pandavs have returned home! If we have ever committed any acts of charity, if we ever have performed the holy rituals, let the five brothers remain in our city and be eternally successful!"
After the Pandavs, having offered their obeisances to their respected elders, were well-rested, Dhritarashtra summoned them to the court.
Dhritarashtra said to Yudhishthir, "My son! Listen and discuss what I say with your brothers. I say, you take half a part of our kingdom and go stay in Khandavprastha. This way, you will be able to avoid all conflict with Duryodhan and the rest. If Arjun would, just in the way Indra protects the celestials, guard you then you shall be fearless! Don't you agree with me?"
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The Pandavs headed by Yudhishthir accepted the King's orders and retreated, accompanied by Krishna, to Khandavaprastha. To mark their arrival, the barren land decorated itself with lakes and vines. The servants preceded the royal caravan and bejeweled the region before their masters came. After completing the religious rites in an auspicious location the Pandavs built their city.
Their city was decorated by moats wide as the oceans and guarded by walls high as the moonlight. The gates decorated with beautiful carvings, and each gopuram secured with various fearsome weapons. In the centre of the beautiful city is situated the palace of the Pandavs. The entire nagar is decorated with different trees which are further decorated with the chirruping birds and delicious fruits. Slowly, brahmans, linguists, businessmen and workers settled in this city.
Krishna suggested, the capital city of Khandavprastha be named Indraprastha after the strength of the Pandavs that resembled Lord Indra. Making sure the brothers' comfort in their new home, Krishna and Balraam returned to Dwaravati.
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In the coming years the five brothers always shared the royal throne as they went about their daily duties with Yudhishthir their King.
Once, the brothers sat discussing the day's work when sage Narad appeared and sought a meeting. When he was seated with respect, Yudhishthir sent for Draupadi, who after seeking the sage's blessings immediately returned to her chambers.
Looking at her retreating figure Narad said, "Pandavs, you five are the best of men, but Drupad-nandini alone happens to be your dharma-patni. Therefore, adopt a measure so as to prevent a civil war later on. In the older days, there were two brothers Sunda and Upasunda. They were so close to each other that they slept, sat and even ruled together. Just because of Tilottama, they had killed each other! The five of you are very close at the moment. Let not this bond be broken by lust."
Yudhishthir said, "O Sage! You referred to Sunda and Upasunda. Who were they? Who was their father? And you mentioned Tilottama; who's aughter was she?"
Narada said,
A long time ago, in Hiranyakashyap's line were born a cruel king Nikumbha. The brothers Sunda and Upasunda are his sons. These brothers were closer than any other brothers. They not only acted similarly but also were united in thought. It seemed as though a single soul has been split into two forms!
Once they decided to conquer the three worlds, and thus embarked on a rigorous penance. Such was the strength in their prayers that even the Vindhya mountain was forced to spit fire! The brothers were not distracted by the various tricks erected by the Devas.
At last, Lord Brahma appeared before them. They offered him their respects and said, "O Pitamah, grant us the greatest strength, the greatest weapons and the greatest knowledge of maya, and make us immortal!"
Lord Brahma said, "I shall grant every with of yours excepting immortality. You have performed this penance with the thought of conquest of the worlds. It will not be wise to grant you immortality."
"Then grant us such a boon that we shall be indestructible for all means except for ourselves." said they.
"Fine then. You shall only die at each other's hands." saying thus, Brahma disappeared.
Soon, Sunda and Upasunda drove out the Gods of Indra-lok and forged friendship with the Naagas and Smlechhas. They then proceeded to kill the Kings and Sages who regularly performed homas for the Gods. All their curses and weapons were useless before Brahma's boon. Realizing their predicament, the ages fled the place and sought shelter in Brahma-lok. Soon, the earth was cleared of all righteous activities and all that was left was blood and skeletons. Conquering the worlds in such a way, Sunda and Upasunda settled at Kurukshetra.
Witnessing the destruction, Brahma contemplated for a while, post which he summoned Vishwakarma, the celestial engineer, and asked him to build the most beautiful woman on the earth.
Pondering upon the order for a while, Vishwakarma fetched everything renowned to be beautiful from all corners of the earth. He made the woman bit by bit from all the gems he had assimilated, and hence Brahmadev named her Tilottama (one formed of tilas, bits). He asked her, then, to go and lure the brothers such that they lose their brotherly bond.
Tilottama folded her hands in prayer and started to circle the devas present. As she went around Shiva, five heads sprang out of his shoulders to look at the woman. Similarly, Lord Indra's body was covered with a thousand eyes! Except Lord Brahma, all present in the scene shot her glance or two. Paying no attention to them, Tilottama proceeded towards the palace of Sunda and Upasunda.
Reaching the garden, where the brothers were busy in alcoholic entertainments. Tilottama engaged herself in plucking flowers. At the same time, the brothers' eyes fell on her, and both rushed at once to grab her hands, one each.
Sunda said, "She's my wife, your mother. Offer her your obeisances, my brother!"
Upasunda said, "She's my wife, your daughter. Grant her your blessings, my brother!"
This way, the brothers argued until both deserted their love for each other and lifting their maces, fought. In no time, the two lay dead at Tilottama's feet.
After this, Brahma came there and blessed Tilottama for her services to the mankind. He asked her to travel in the same path as Surya, so that, due to his glory no one else would be able see her.
"So, be guarded! Let not your brotherly love be spoiled by lust! Think of a way such that your unity be never broken by something as loathsome as lust! I am greatly attached to you, and it is as your well-wisher I say, let not Draupadi be the reason for your fallout."
After listening to sage Narad, the Pandavs discussed among themselves and decided on a rule that stated that when one of the brothers would be near Draupadi, none of the others will be allowed to be present and the trespasser shall be punished with a celibate exile of twelve years.
Hearing thus, Narad, greatly pleased retreated to his own abode.
Edited by Radhikerani - 8 years ago
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