When the Pandava brothers retreated to the forest, disheartened, Surya came and offered them food. The brothers, Draupadi, and Dhaumya lived in suffering in the forest for twelve years. When Krishna came, Draupadi complained about how her husbands never tried to save her. Krishna promised that she would once again rule a kingdom. Draupadi tries to goad Yudhishthira to action to reclaim their kingdom.
Arjuna was told he would be the one to slain the brother’s enemies. He went to the Himalayas to settle there and find the strength to conquer the enemies. Here, he met Mahadeva, Mahadeva blessed him with great weapons. Then, Indra, Varuna, Yama, and Kubera visited Arjuna, giving him gifts and took him to the celestial Swarga where he lived for five years. Here he overcame demons and tempters.
As this was happening, the brothers, Draupadi, and the priest Dhaumya moved towards the Himalayas. One day when they were wandering, they were visited by Indra. Indra had brought Arjuna back and the brothers were reunited. However, as the years went on, Arjuna’s life was in constant danger against Karna who wanted to take Arjuna’s life. All the gods feared because Karna had invincible armor that he would not give up. Finally, Indra convinced an exchange of armor for a bow and arrow. When this happened, Jayadratha saw Draupadi and fell in love with her and took her away. Bhima found them and forced Jayadratha to be Yudhishthira’s slave.
On the twelfth year, all the brothers except Yudhishthira were stricken down because they drank water from a magical pond. Yudhishthira answered the god’s questions and asked that his brothers be restored back to life. The goddess Durga gave the brothers the ability to not be recognized for a year. When the brothers and their wife went to Virata, they found favor of the king.
Here, the queen's brother attacked Draupadi. Bhima sought revenge and ended up killing Prince Kichaka. This caused other kingdoms to attack Virata. When their thirteenth year was up, they showed their true selves to the Rajah of Virata.
Abhimanyu’s, Arjuna and Subhadra’s son, marriage was brought as a giant festival. However, there was a threat of a war and brothers sought to secure an alliance with Krishna. Upon hearing the request, Krishna agreed to help the brothers. Before leaving Duryodhana’s city, Krishna convinced Karna to come along with him. Karna’s mother was disheartened but she let her son go. The Pandavas and the Kauravas had joined to form a great army to fight against Duryodhana. Arjuna looks out and sees his brothers and gurus on the opposing side but Krishna goads him to keep fighting. A great and intense battle raged on for days but in the end, Duryodhana was defeated.
Bibliography: Public Domain Edition: Mahabharata
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