47. Pandavas Establish Indraprastha

Vidura left for Panchala, carrying with him numerous jewels and various other kinds of presents for Draupadi, the Pandavas and King Drupada.

After arriving at Drupada’s palace, Vidura, well versed in all rules of morality, paid obeisance to the king. Drupada received Vidura warmly and enthusiastically. Both exchanged pleasantries.

Presently, Vidura met the Pandavas residing in the place. Vidura embraced the Pandavas and enquired them about their well being. The Pandavas and Draupadi paid their respects to Vidura.

Vidura, on behalf of King Dhritarashtra, presented the gifts to Drupada, the Pandavas and Draupadi, conveying to them the warm feelings of Dhritarashtra towards them.

Vidura then told Drupada, “Oh, king, King Dhritarashtra, along with his sons, his ministers and councilors enquired after your welfare. He considers your alliance a great blessing. Bhishma and Drona also feel the same way. Gaining this alliance has made them happier than acquiring a new kingdom would have. The Kurus are very eager to see the Pandavas. So, please permit the Pandavas to return to  their ancestral kingdom.

“The Pandavas have been absent from their city for a long time. They should also be eager to visit their city. Along with the Kurus, the ladies and the citizens are also eager to see Kunti, the Pandavas and Draupadi, the Panchala princess. 

"It is my opinion that you should permit them to visit Hastinapura. As soon as you give your permission, I will convey the information to Dhritarashtra through messengers so that he could arrange for an appropriate reception. Then I will leave taking Kunti, the Pandavas and Dtaupadi with me.”

Hearing Vidura’s words, Drupada said, "I am also extremely happy about my alliance with the Kurus. It is only proper for these princes to return to their kingdom, but it is not for me to decide what they should do. If these men of valor desire to return to their kingdom and if Balarama and Krishna, who are well versed in all rules of morality, also feel the same way, the Pandavas may do so. Balarama and Krishna will always do what is right and what is beneficial to the Pandavas.”

Yudhishtira said, “Oh, king, I and my brothers depend on you. We will gladly do whatever you command us to do.’

Krishna said, “I think that the Pandavas should accept the invitation from Dhritarashtra and return to their kingdom, but we should abide by the decision of Drupada, who is conversant with all rules of morality.”

Drupada said, “I agree with what Krishna says. No one is more interested in the welfare of the Pandavas than Krishna is.”

As commanded by Drupada, the Pandavas, along with Kunti and Draupadi, left for Hastinapura, the city named after the elephant. They halted at several places en route for relaxation and enjoyment.

On receiving information about the Pandava’s departure from Panchala, Dhritarshtra sent his son Vikarna, Karna’s son Chitrasena, Drona and Kripa to receive the Pandavas.

The Pandavas entered Hastinapura, surrounded by these men. The whole city became radiant with the happiness of the citizens on seeing the Pandavas.

The people raised slogans hailing the Pandavas. Some people said, “It is as if King Pandu himself is returning to the capital from the forest.” Some said, “If we have done anything good by way of performing rites or indulged in acts of charity, let the Pandavas stay in our city for a hundred years.”

After arriving at the palace, the Pandavas touched the feet of Dhritarshtra and Bhishma. They also paid obeisance to other elders and respectable people and enquired of the welfare of the citizens. They then retired to the chambers allotted to them by Dhritarshtra.

After the Pandavas had rested for some time, they were summoned by Dhritarsshtra.

Dhritarashtra asked them to go to Kandavaprastha and rule half of the kingdom from there. Accepting the offer of Dhritarshtra, the Pandavas left Hastinapura for Kandavaprastha, which was a desert. The Pandavas beautified the place and made it a second heaven.

Seeking the guidance of Vyasa, the Pandavas carved out a region as the capital city for their new kingdom. After performing propitiatory rites, they constructed a palace, complete with a moat and high raised walls. It looked like Bhogvati, the capital of the Nagaloka (the Netherlands) inhabited by the snakes.

The palace had a magnificent look, with the compound walls raised high like the Mandara mountain. The palace was stacked with numerous weapons of all kinds required to fight the enemies and protect the kingdom, in times of need.

The streets were well laid out with good roads and other facilities. With huge mansions adorning the streets, the city resembled Amaravati, the capital of the Devas. It was appropriately named Indraprastha (Indra’s city).

After the city was built, a large number of Brahmins, well versed in the Vedas and many merchants from various places came to live there. People skilled in various arts also came there to take up residence in the new city. The city also had a large number of pious people.

The city had many gardens adorned with various kinds of trees. Various animals and birds came to the place because of the natural habitat created by the planting of trees.

The city also had many pleasure houses, artificial hillocks, lakes and other water bodies.

The joy of Pandavas increased day by day after they took up residence at the city built by them. 

After helping the Pandavas settle down at Indraprastha, Krishna and Balarama returned to Dwaraka.

When Janamejaya asked Vaisambayana to narrate in detail what the Pandavas did after they were given possession of Kandavaprastha, Vaisambayana explained the events in more detail.

The Pandavas ruled the kingdom by observing the principles of morality.

One day, the cdelestial sage Narada visited their kigdom. He was appropriately received. The Pandavas and Draupadi paid obeisance to him. Narada showered many benedictions on all of them. He then asked Draupadi to leave. He then told the Pandavas, “Draupadi is wedded to all of you. You should establish a rule among yourselves that there should be no disunion among you.”

He told them the story of two brothers Sunda and Upasunda who could not be slain by anybody unless each slew the other. They ruled the same kingdom, lived in the same house, slept on the same bed, sat on the same seat, and ate from the same plate. But they killed each other for the sake of Tilottama.

Narada told this story to stress the importance of not giving room for any disunion among the Pandavas, on account of Draupadi.

Yudhishtira requested Narada tonarrate the story of Sunda and Upasunda in more detail.