Draupadi and Brothers Lament Arjuna's Absence
In Kamyaka forest, Draupadi tells the Pandavas that the world feels empty without Arjuna. One by one, each brother speaks — remembering his feats, his strength, the horses he won, the bride he abducted — and confesses that without him, the forest has lost all charm.
Draupadi remembered the husband who was in the middle — the brave one who was absent. She told Yudhishthira:
"In the absence of the two-armed Arjuna, the equal of the many-armed Arjuna and the best of the Pandavas, this forest seems cheerless to me. Wherever I look, the earth seems empty. This forest, with its many marvels and blossoming trees, no longer seems attractive in Savyasachi's absence. This Kamyaka is as blue as monsoon clouds and is frequented by elephants in rut. But without Pundarikaksha, it has no charm. The twang of his bow is like the roar of thunder. I remember Savyasachi, and without him, I cannot find any peace of mind."
Bhima heard her. He told Draupadi: "O beautiful one, the words you speak please my mind and gladden my heart, like a sip of ambrosia. His arms were long and smooth and thick like clubs. They were round and marked from the string of the bow. With swords, weapons and clubs, with golden rings and arm-guards, they were like five-headed serpents. Without that tiger among men, the forest seems to have lost its sun. Depending on that mighty-armed one, the Panchalas and the Kurus do not fear even the powerful gods in battle. All of us found refuge in the arms of that great-souled one. We considered that we had routed our enemies and had obtained the earth. Without the brave Phalguna, I find no mental peace in Kamyaka. As I look upon this earth, it seems to me to be empty everywhere."
Nakula spoke next. "He went to the northern directions and defeated immensely powerful ones in battle. Vasava's son obtained hundreds of excellent gandharva horses. They had the colour of partridges and were dappled. They were as fast as the wind. He gave them to his beloved brother at the time of the great rajasuya sacrifice. Without that terrible archer, Bhima's younger brother, without the one who is an equal of the gods, I no longer wish to live in Kamyaka forest."
Sahadeva said: "He won riches and women in battle. He defeated maharathas. In earlier times, he brought them all to the king at the time of the great rajasuya sacrifice. He is an immensely radiant one who vanquished all the Yadavas in the field of battle. With Vasudeva's consent, he single-handedly abducted Subhadra. When I see that Jishnu's seat is empty in our house, there can never be any peace in my heart. I think we should no longer live in this forest. Without that brave one, none of us finds this forest to be attractive." Aranyaka Parva, Chapter 376