Pandavas Leave Draupadi and Hunt in Kamyaka

The five Pandava brothers, roaming the Kamyaka forest during their exile, decide to hunt deer in all four directions to feed the brahmanas. With the permission of the sages Trinabindu and Dhoumya, they leave Draupadi alone at the hermitage gate — and ride out, unaware that a king passing through the forest has already seen her.

Chapter 545 · ~1 min

Jayadratha Sees Draupadi and Desires Her

Jayadratha, king of the Sindhus, traveling through the Kamyaka forest to marry another woman, sees Draupadi standing alone at the hermitage gate. Struck by her beauty, he tells his companion Kotikashya that he no longer wishes to marry — he will take this woman instead — and sends him to find out who she is and who protects her.

Chapter 545 · ~1 min

Kotikashya Questions Draupadi in the Hermitage

A group of kings, hunting in the forest, comes upon a lone woman of extraordinary beauty standing in a hermitage, holding a kadamba branch. Their leader, Kotikashya, demands to know who she is, whose wife or daughter she is — and introduces the powerful kings who stand with him, including Jayadratha of Souvira.

Chapter 546 · ~3 min

Draupadi Answers Kotikashya's Question and Reveals Her Identity

Kotikashya, the foremost of the Shibis, arrives at the hermitage and asks a question — but finds only Draupadi there, alone in the forest. With no one else to reply, she must speak for herself, revealing who she is, naming her five husbands, and explaining where they have gone.

Chapter 547 · ~1 min

Jayadratha Sees Draupadi and Covets Her

While travelling through the forest, Jayadratha of Sindhu catches a glimpse of Draupadi and is instantly besotted — all other women seem like monkeys to him. Despite his companion Kotikashya identifying her as the queen of the five Pandavas, Jayadratha insists on going to see her and enters the empty hermitage like a wolf entering a den of lions.

Chapter 548 · ~1 min

Jayadratha Propositions Draupadi in the Hermitage

While the Pandavas are away hunting, the king of Sindhu enters their hermitage and propositions Draupadi, urging her to abandon her exiled husbands for him. She rebukes him with a deep frown, tells him not to speak that way again, and begins to distract him with words — stalling for time until her husbands return.

Chapter 548 · ~1 min

Draupadi Berates Jayadratha for His Insults

Jayadratha insults the Pandavas and attempts to abduct Draupadi. Her face crimson with rage, she delivers a scathing rebuke — comparing him to a man who wakes a sleeping lion or kicks a serpent — and warns him of the wrath of Bhima and Arjuna. Jayadratha dismisses her, asserting his noble lineage and ordering her to ascend the chariot.

Chapter 549 · ~2 min

Draupadi Threatens Jayadratha with Pandava Vengeance

Jayadratha dismisses Draupadi's warnings, insisting she cannot dissuade him with words alone. She declares she is not weak — that both Krishnas will follow her footsteps on a single chariot, that Indra himself cannot abduct her, and that she will see him bound and dragged by the sons of Pritha.

Chapter 549 · ~1 min

Jayadratha Abducts Draupadi Despite Resistance

Draupadi sees Jayadratha is about to seize her and cries out in fear, seeking help from the priest Dhoumya. Jayadratha grasps her by her upper garment; she pushes him away, causing him to fall, but he seizes her again with great force and forces her onto the chariot. Dhoumya follows on foot, warning that Jayadratha will face the Pandavas.

Chapter 549 · ~1 min

Jayadratha Seeks Boon from Shiva

Stricken with grief and shame after his humiliation, Jayadratha goes to Gangadvara and performs great austerities to please Shiva. When the god grants him a boon, he asks to be able to vanquish all five Pandavas in battle. Shiva grants a modified version: Jayadratha will be able to restrain all of them — except Arjuna, who is invincible and protected by Krishna.

Chapter 553 · ~1 min