Markandeya Visits the Pandavas in Exile

The Pandavas had lost their kingdom. They were used to pleasures — to palaces, to servants, to the roar of courtly life. Now they lived in the forest along the Sarasvati, surrounded by shala trees, eating roots and fruit, performing sacrifices through their priest Dhoumya. They were like Indras fallen among mortals, and they made the best of it. One day, a guest arrived at their hermitage. He was Markandeya — the ancient rishi, terrible in his energy, resplendent with the accumulated power of ages. He had lived through yugas. He had seen things no living man had seen. When he entered the clearing and saw the Pandavas — Yudhishthira, Draupadi, Bhima, Arjuna — seated among the ascetics, he seemed to smile. Yudhishthira noticed. He was miserable, and the smile stung. "All these ascetics are ashamed," he said. "While they are looking on, why do you look at me and smile, as if you are amused?" Markandeya answered: "I am not delighted. Nor am I smiling. Happy pride has not possessed me. But on witnessing your misfortunes today, I have been reminded of Dasharatha's son — Rama, who was devoted to the truth." He told Yudhishthira what he had seen long ago: Rama, wandering on Mount Rishyamukha with his bow and his brother Lakshmana, living in the forest on his father's instructions, maintaining his own dharma though he had the power of a god. Rama had given up his comforts and roamed the wilderness. He was the equal of Indra himself — the one with a thousand eyes, the slayer of Maya and Namuchi — and yet he had submitted to exile. Then Markandeya's voice shifted. He began to speak not of Rama, but of the cosmic order. "Therefore, thinking that one is powerful, one should never follow that which is not dharma." He gave examples. Nabhaga and Bhagiratha — kings who had conquered the earth up to the boundaries of the ocean — had won their worlds by observing the truth. The king of Kashi and Karusha, virtuous and truth-abiding, had given up his kingdom and his riches, and was called a mad dog for it. The seven great rishis who blazed in the sky observed the ordinances decreed by the creator. Even elephants — tusked and powerful, as large as mountain peaks — conducted themselves according to those same ordinances. All beings, in their own species, followed the pattern set down at the beginning of time. "Therefore, thinking that one is powerful, one should never follow that which is not dharma." He turned back to Yudhishthira. "You have surpassed all beings in truth, devotion to dharma, appropriate conduct and humility. Your fame and energy are as radiant as that of the sun which gives out rays." Then he gave him the assurance he had come to deliver: "After having spent a difficult time in the forest in accordance with your promise, you will again obtain blazing prosperity from the Kouravas through your own energy." He took his leave of Dhoumya and the Pandavas, and departed northward.