This story of Jaya is now famously known as the story of Mahabharata. We have already read the first part of the story, starting from the woe of earth leading to celestial plan to ensure victory of virtue against the devilish forces, going through the initial stories of Kuru Vansha, continuing with the birth and growth of Pandavas and Dhartarashtras through different forces of valor and jealous conspiracies, up to the famous game of dice leading Pandavas to lose their hard-earned glory and kingdom, and leaving for the forests along with Draupadi. A very deep wedge had been created between the five Pandavas and the other Kauravas.
After reading the first part of the story, the falsehood seemed to gain the victory, and prosperity; while the virtuous were defeated and afflicted. Let us now examine in this second part of the story as to how the Pandavas spent the long period of twelve years of exile in forests, and one more year in incognito.
Did they continue to cry on their fate and lie low? Or, conspire with the help of their well-wishers to kill and overthrow their cousins? Or, thought of calming the effect of some planets like Saturn with the help of rites as being prescribed in the modern days, by some great knowers of the impact of movement of planets on human life?
They did not opt for any of such options, first one was against their personality, second one was against their virtuous life, and the third option was not suggested by any of the great sages of that period, who were not influenced by superstitious modern thinking.
They spent the period as per the conditions put in the game of dice, which were accepted by them. They were also open to the possibility of likely great war required to regain their kingdom, even after finishing the period of exile. They were always attentive to maintain their virtue, and name.
They did not waste their time in mourning, but continuously endeavored to increase their fighting capacity and valor, and virtue, and to make more friends. They also utilized the period in pilgrimages.
Let us now explore and enjoy this very interesting second part of the story of Mahabharata