Janamejaya Asks About Pandavas' Forest Exile
Janamejaya, seated in the snake sacrifice, turns to Vaishampayana with a question that cuts through the ritual: the Pandavas were cheated at dice, stripped of their kingdom, and sent into exile. How did they live through those twelve years? Who followed them? What did they eat? And how did Draupadi — a princess who deserved none of it — endure such misery?
Janamejaya asked, “O supreme among brahmanas! When the Parthas were defeated at the gambling match through deceit by the evil-hearted sons of Dhritarashtra and their advisers, and were angered, and also heard the harsh words uttered by those who created the enmity — what did the Kouravyas, my ancestors and supreme among men, do? Equal to Shakra in their energy, but having been suddenly dislodged from their riches and confronted with great misery, how did the Parthas spend their time in the forest? Who followed those who had attained that great misfortune? What did they eat? How did they conduct themselves? Where did those great-souled ones dwell? O best among brahmanas! How did twelve years pass in the forest for those great-souled ones who were the destroyers of enemies? How did the princess, supreme among women, immensely fortunate and always devoted to her husbands, one who always spoke the truth, endure the terrible misery of living in the forest, though she did not deserve it? O one blessed with the power of austerities! I wish to hear about the characters of those greatly radiant and energetic ones. O brahmana! Tell me, because my curiosity is great.” Aranyaka Parva, Chapter 298