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| Dhirtarashta and Duryodhana Image Source |
Duryodhana is afraid because he receives news that the Pandavas are living and his dad isn't able to find any reason to be against the Pandavas. He is encouraged be a place of peace in the middle of the situation. Ultimately, the king invites the Pandavas to his kingdom in Hastinapura. He even offers that they could own a portion of the land. So they agree and they build a city Indraprastha. Arjuna goes into exile for twelve year and ends up getting married to a naga princess names Ulupi. Yudhishthira is named king over the city of Indraprastha. A fire takes place at the Khandava forest and Maya is actully saved and ends up building an assembly hall full of illusion and provokes foolishness. Shakuni plans to get revenge on the Pandavas and his strategy is simple: play a game of dice, knowing that the Pandavas are unaware of the level of expertise that Shakuni possesses. They agree to meet for the game and wait in suspense. The dice game begins. Suddenly, Yudhishthira has lost all. The game goes on anyways. Gambling happens and eventually Draupadi is gambled away and dragged out of the hall. She is mistreated and told to take her clothes off, yet every time her sari is ripped off, another appears in the same place. Bhima wants revenge. During this, the perpetrator of the mistreating of Draupadi (Duryodhana) gives her three wishes. After these wishes, the possessions of the Pandavas are given back and peace is retained again.
A second game begins. The Pandavas depart and Duryodhana is very angry with the whole situation and demands to have a second match of the game of dice. They meet at the Ganga river. The Pandavas end up living with the hermits in the woods and peace is decided, though attack was wanted on some sides. The allies of Krishna are promised to be punished. Yudhishtira is mocked for being so kind and forgiving. Arjuna visits Amaravati and is taught how to sing and dance. Urvashi is here and eventually Urvashi grows to love Arguna and he doesn't feel the same way. He gets cursed by her (wow that's harsh) but he gets blessed by Indra any way for his character. After a few years, Arjuna returns to Pandavas and learn how to fight with the weapons he brought and offered to them.
Characters:
Duryodhana-the eldest of the Kauravas
Dhritarashtra-King of Hastinapura, not easily persuaded and
Bhishma and Vidura
Ulupi-the naga princess who marries Arjuna
Yudhishthira-new king of Indraprastha
Maya-great ancient king of the asura, daitya and rākṣasa races
Shakuni-Duryodhana's maternal uncle
Bhima-the second of the Pandavas
Urvashi-an apsara who falls in love with Arjuna
Setting: Kingdom of Hastinapura (later the city Indraprastha is built)
Ganga river
Amaravati, the heavenly city of Indra
Bibliography: R. K. Narayan, The Mahabharata, Page 41-83 Narayan's Mahabharata Reading Guide
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