Life in Exile

Thus losers in the deceitful act of gambling, and insulted by Kauravas, the Pandavs started for their exile in forest. Vidur told Yudhisthir to allow mother Kunti to stay back as she was old and weak. Yudhisthir agreed. Draupadi, however, accompanied her husbands to the forest. A few Brahmins and sage Dhaumya also went with them.

The Pandavs reached Kamyak Forest and decided to rest there for a while.

The news of their exile reached Sri Krishna, the ruler of Dwaraka. He was related to Pandavs as a cousin brother and was their friend, saviour, and guide. Moreover, Draupadi always treated him as her elder brother.

Sri Krishna reached Kamyak forest to meet Pandavs and Draupadi. After inquiring about their well being, he advised Pandavs to be vigilant and not lose heart. The ordeal they had to face was for their good, as "experience is the only source of knowledge".

Good and bad experiences are essential to get correct perspective and fulfillment of life. Suffering and sorrows bring requisite feeling of renunciation essential to seek higher goal in life.

Draupadi questions Krishna about Dharma

But the recent insult at the hands of Duryodhan and Karna was fresh in the mind of Draupadi. She had also not forgotten the scornful laughter of Dhritarashtra and Shakuni. All these memories made Draupadi emotional and angry. Opening her heart to the Lord, she said in anguish:

"O Krishna, how is it that this Draupadi, sister of the Lord of Universe and wife of five brave, powerful and invincible Pandavs had to go through such a horrible time? Was that not their duty to protect me and punish the miscreants? Was that fair on the part of Dhritarashtra to allow Dushasan to drag me by hair and attempt to remove my only clothing?

Does Yudhisthir have the right to put me at stake when he himself had become slave of Duryodhan? And even if the husband becomes a slave, does he lose the right to come to the rescue of his wife; does he lose the right to protect the honour of his wife?"

The barrage of questions affected Sri Krishna intensely. With due seriousness he proclaimed, "O dear sister, do not grieve. I promise you that every Kaurava woman would shed more tears than what you have shed; for the non-righteous Kauravas and their supporters in this shameful act are sure to perish at the hands of Pandavs very soon."

Thus we see the shadow of impeding great war of Kurukshetra in the speech of Lord Krishna.

One more thing of interest was told by Sri Krishna. He said that had he been there in the court of Dhritarashtra during the game of dice, he would not have allowed the game in the first place. He would have impressed upon everyone, including Bhishma and Dhritarashtra, how gambling leads to total corruption and degeneration of the race.

He would have forcefully prohibited Duryodhan from engaging in such a vice. Gambling, smoking, drinking, hunting, and prostitution are the curse on humanity which every righteous person should labour to avoid. The persons who engage in these acts are doomed to destruction and moral death.