This episode is from [Maha:3.12-3.23]. After hearing that the Pandavas were residing in the Kamyaka forest during their exile, their allies—Bhojas, Vrishnis, and Andhakas, along with Dhrishtaketu, the king of Chedi, the Kaikeyas, and the Panchalas—came to offer their counsel and support. These kings, who had once enjoyed the hospitality of Yudhishthira at the grand court of Indraprastha, were struck by grief when they saw the Pandavas living like mendicants, seated under a Banyan tree, clad in simple clothes made of bark and roots. For a long while, none of them could speak, overwhelmed by the sight of the once-royal family reduced to such conditions.
At last, Krishna spoke with passion:
“This earth shall drink the evil blood of Duryodhana and Karna. Its thirst shall be quenched by the life-blood of the wicked Dushasana and the deceitful Shakuni. You, Yudhishthira, may have given your word to live in exile for thirteen years, but we are not bound by it! Let us, your allies, invade Hastinapura, slay the Kauravas and restore your rightful throne to you!”
As Krishna spoke, his rage manifested in the natural world—evil portents filled the sky, and the earth shook with his fury. So terrible was his anger that even his friends feared he might destroy the world with his divine powers. But Arjuna alone remained calm. He approached Krishna and embraced him warmly.
“Dear Keshava, we all know that you, single-handedly, can vanquish even the armies of the immortals, with Indra himself leading them armed with his thunderbolt. What, then, would become of the Kauravas, with only Bhishma and Drona to boast of? You, my friend, are the incarnation of Vishnu. You have, in a previous birth, performed terrible penances in the Gandhamadana mountains. You are the slayer of Madhu and Kaitabha, and the destroyer of the powerful Narakasura. Your great deeds are beyond count. However, Yudhishthira has given his word to complete the exile, and it is our duty to honor it. When the time comes, remind me of your words today, and then we shall strike.”
Krishna, cooling from his anger, smiled and said,
“O Dhananjaya, none in this world is dearer to me than you—not even my wives or my first-born son, Pradyumna. What is mine is yours, and what is yours is mine. I shall control my anger, and when the time is right, I will be by your side in the great war that is to come. On the thirteenth year, there shall be carnage that the world has never seen and will never witness again.”
The kings and allies gathered there applauded Krishna’s words. They each swore solemn oaths to support the Pandavas when the time came to regain their kingdom. No one believed that the Kauravas would surrender without a fight.
At this moment, Draupadi, who had been standing with her eyes downcast, stepped forward. She approached Krishna and spoke with sorrow,
“Dear cousin, Parashurama had once told me that you are the incarnation of Vishnu, the protector of the three worlds. It is said that you are Omnipresent, the very soul of all things. How, then, could I, the wife of the heroic sons of Kunti, the sister of Dhrishtadyumna, born of fire, be dragged into the assembly hall? How could I be humiliated in front of the Kurus, clad in a single piece of cloth, in my time of the month? While my kinsmen and protectors lived, I was dragged by my hair into the court, and the wicked sons of Dhritarashtra laughed at my plight! What is the use of the mighty arms of Bheema and the invincible Gandiva of Arjuna if they could not protect me from such vile insults? Is it not a husband’s foremost duty, however weak he may be, to protect his wife? O Keshava, I live in this forest like a mendicant, separated from my mother-in-law Kunti and my former life of honor. Am I to suffer in silence forever? When will my grief end?”
Draupadi, overcome with emotion, wept bitterly. Krishna gently wiped away her tears and consoled her.
“Fair lady, those who have wronged you shall suffer a fate worse than death. The wives of those who insulted you shall weep bitterly when they see their husbands, brothers, and sons lying dead, their bodies drenched in blood. Fear not, for I shall exert all my powers to aid the Pandavas. I promise you, you shall be Queen of Queens once more. The heavens may fall, the seas may dry up, and the mountains may crumble, but my words shall never be in vain.”
Dhrishtadyumna, Draupadi’s brother, embraced her and added,
“Fear not, dear sister, for I shall slay Drona. Shikandi shall bring about the death of Bhishma, and Bheema will kill the Kauravas. Arjuna will slay Karna. You shall tie your hair again, but this time soaked in the blood of your enemies. Your grief shall not last long.”
Krishna then addressed the assembled kings:
“It is unfortunate that I was not present when the dice match took place. Had I been in Dwaraka, I would have prevented this disaster. But at that time, I was away on urgent business, battling the wicked Shalwa.”
Yudhishthira, curious, asked, “Krishna, what business took you away from Dwaraka?”
Krishna explained,
“After your Rajasuya sacrifice, while I was still residing with you in Indraprastha, Shalwa, the enemy of our clan, attacked my kingdom. He had long held a grudge against me for slaying his friend Shishupala. With all the experienced warriors of Dwaraka accompanying me to Indraprastha, only the youths remained to defend the city. Despite their valiant efforts, Shalwa wreaked havoc, killing many and devastating the gardens and fountains. He issued a challenge to me and then retreated to his fortress.
“When I returned to Dwaraka and saw the destruction, I set out to destroy Shalwa. He had taken refuge on an island, protected by Danavas, but I pursued him. We fought a fierce battle, with his demon friends aiding him. After slaying countless enemies, I killed Shalwa with my divine discus, Sudarsana. When I returned to my city, I was met with the sorrowful news of the events at Hastinapura, and I came here as soon as I could.”
Krishna’s story stirred a deep sense of gratitude and respect in Yudhishthira. He thanked all the allies for their unwavering support. With the guidance of his priest Dhaumya, Yudhishthira offered worship to the heroes who had come to his aid. After discussing old times and expressing their determination for the future, the kings and allies gradually took their leave.
Connections to Other Stories in Hindu Mythology
The episode of Krishna’s wrath and Draupadi’s sorrow deeply resonates with the central themes of righteousness (dharma), revenge, and the ultimate victory of good over evil that permeates Hindu mythology. Krishna’s promise to support the Pandavas in their quest for justice mirrors other divine interventions in mythology where avatars of Vishnu descend to restore cosmic balance.
Character | Role | Connections to Other Myths |
---|---|---|
Krishna | The divine protector, avatar of Vishnu | Krishna’s role here echoes his earlier avatar as Rama, where he promises to vanquish evil (Ravana), just as he promises to defeat the Kauravas for the Pandavas. |
Draupadi | The suffering queen, symbol of honor and justice | Draupadi’s humiliation recalls the trials of Sita in the Ramayana, where both women are symbols of virtue and are wronged, leading to the ultimate destruction of their tormentors. |
Yudhishthira | The righteous king, bound by dharma | Yudhishthira’s adherence to his vow of exile parallels Harishchandra, the mythological king known for his unwavering commitment to truth, despite the personal costs. |
Bheema and Arjuna | The warriors of destiny, embodying strength and skill | Their role mirrors that of Lakshmana and Hanuman in the Ramayana, who assist the divine hero in his mission to uphold dharma and punish the wicked. |
Krishna’s promise | The vow of divine retribution | Krishna’s promise to fight for the Pandavas is reminiscent of Vishnu’s assurances to the Devas during their battles with the Asuras, showing the inevitable triumph of good. |
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This episode is a turning point where the alliances of the Pandavas become firm, with Krishna vowing his personal support, and the resolve to uphold righteousness grows stronger—setting the stage for the Mahabharata War.