Yudhishthira Frees Duryodhana and the Kurus

The gandharvas had done what the Pandavas could not: they had captured Duryodhana alive. It happened in the Dvaitavana forest, where the Pandavas were living out their exile. Duryodhana had come not to fight but to mock — to display his wealth and power before his exiled cousins, to let them see what they had lost. But the gandharvas, led by Chitrasena, had intercepted his party. A battle broke out. Duryodhana, for all his pride, was no match for the celestial warriors. He and his brothers were bound and taken prisoner. When Yudhishthira heard what had happened, he sent his own brothers to rescue the Kauravas. Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula, and Sahadeva fought the gandharvas and freed Duryodhana's army. But Duryodhana himself remained captive. Then Chitrasena came before Yudhishthira and told him everything. Yudhishthira listened. Then he praised the gandharva. "It is fortunate that despite your strength and might, none of you has injured the evil sons of Dhritarashtra, or their advisers, kin and relatives," he said. He ordered that all the captives be set free. He explained why. "Because the evil-souled one has been freed, the honour of the lineage has not been tainted." The gandharvas took their leave, delighted. Chitrasena and his band departed with the apsaras. And from the sky, Indra himself — the king of the gods — sent down a divine shower of ambrosia, reviving the gandharvas who had fallen in the battle. The Pandavas had performed a difficult task: freeing their enemies, setting free the wives of the kings who had come with Duryodhana, restoring everyone. They were honoured by the Kurus and their wives and sons. Amidst the Kurus, the great-souled ones were as resplendent as fire. Then Yudhishthira turned to Duryodhana. He spoke not as an enemy but as an elder — gently, with love. "O son! Never commit such rashness again. O descendant of the Bharata lineage! One who is rash never comes to a happy end. O descendant of the Kuru lineage! Return safely with all your brothers. If it pleases you, without any despondency, return to your houses." Duryodhana had been given permission by the Pandava. He was overcome with shame. He returned to his city. With Duryodhana gone, Yudhishthira was honoured by the brahmanas, together with his brave brothers. Surrounded by the ones rich in austerities, like Shakra (Indra) amidst the immortals, he lived happily in Dvaitavana.