Brahmana Visitor Reports Pandavas' Suffering

The Pandavas had arrived at the lake and dismissed their people. They gave instructions and then began to roam through beautiful forests and mountains and regions along rivers. While they dwelt there, studying and engaged in austerities, many venerable men learned in the Vedas came to visit them. The Pandavas showed them homage. One day, a brahmana arrived. He was skilled in recounting tales. He spent some time with the Pandavas, and then, as he willed, he traveled to visit the king who was Vichitravirya's son — Dhritarashtra. The aged king honored him. The brahmana seated himself. And when he was asked, he began to speak. He told Dhritarashtra about the sons of Dharma, Anila and Indra — Yudhishthira, Bhima, and Arjuna — and about the twins, Nakula and Sahadeva. He described their condition: they were in difficulties. Their bodies were lean from the wind and the heat. They were almost prostrate through terrible misery. And Krishna — Draupadi — though she had those brave ones for her protectors, was like one without a protector, overwhelmed through suffering.