Vyasa Visits the Pandavas in Exile and Prophesies
Vyasa, the great sage and grandfather of the Pandavas, comes to see them while they are living in hiding. The exiled princes rush to greet him with profound respect. He returns their affection and speaks to them of the path they must follow.
The Pandavas were living in disguise, their true identities hidden from the world, when Vyasa came to see them. He was Satyavati’s son, the sage who had composed the epic of their lineage, and their own grandfather. He found them in their exile.
Seeing him approach, the great-hearted Pandavas — those scorchers of enemies — advanced to meet him. They prostrated themselves to welcome the rishi and then stood before him with folded hands, the traditional posture of a student before a teacher, a descendant before an elder.
Vyasa returned their greetings. He was worshipped by Pritha’s sons — Kunti’s children — and he was pleased by them. After they were all seated, the sage spoke to them in affectionate words.
“O scorchers of enemies!” he said. “Do you follow the path of dharma and that laid down in the sacred texts? Do you worship the Brahmanas and those who deserve worship?”
The illustrious rishi then uttered many words about dharma (righteousness, cosmic law) and artha (prosperity, worldly success) — the twin pillars of a king’s life, and the very foundations the Pandavas had been stripped of. He spoke to them not as outcasts, but as kings in waiting, reminding them of the path they must keep to, even from the shadows.