48. Arjuna Goes Into Exile

As requested by Yudhishtira, Narada narrated the story of Sunda and Upasunda in more detail.

Sunda and Upasaunda were the sons of Nikumbha, a descendant of Hiranyakasipu. .

They were always together and each said and did only things that were agreeable to the other. They were like one person living in two bodies.

They had a desire to subjugate the three worlds. They went to the Vindhya mountains and performed  austere penance.

Pleased by their penance, Brahma appeared before the brothers and offered to grant them any boon they would seek.  

Sunda and Upasaunda, after paying obeisance to Brahma, asked him, “Oh, lord. Grant us great physical strength, knowledge of all weapons, powers of illusion, and the power to assume any form at will. Also grant us immortality.”

Brahma said, “I will grant you everything you have asked for except immortality. Since you have undergone this severity with a selfish intent of conquering the three worlds, I cannot confer immortality on you. Choose the form of death you want.”

Sunda and Upasunda said, “Oh, lord, we should be incapable of being killed by anyone or anything in this universe except by each other!”

Brahma granted them what they asked for and vanished.

The brothers then returned to their kingdom. After enjoying themselves for a while, the brothers decided to pursue their desire to conquer the three worlds.

They first went to the celestial world and conquered the Devas, the Yakshas and other celestial tribes. The celestials left their abodes and sought refuge in the region of Brahma.

After conquering the Deva loka, Sunda and Upasaunda invaded the Netherlands, the land of the Nagas and conquered it also.

Seized by a desire to conquer the rest of the world also, the brothers summoned the soldiers and told them, “Brahmins and royal sages increase the strength and prosperity of the celestials through their offerings in rites and sacrifices. Therefore, they are the enemies of the Asuras. So, we should slaughter them and obliterate them from the face of the earth.”

Accordingly, the brothers and their army set out in different directions and began to kill people who were performing sacrifices and the Brahmins assisting them. They also quelled the sacrificial fires by pouring water on them.

Sacrifices, religious rites, festivities and studies ceased. Buying and selling activities also stopped. Agriculture was neglected and cattle were no longer tended. 

The celestial sages, the Siddhas and other ascetics possessing  the attributes of tranquility and self-restraint, moved by the plight of the universe, went to Brahma.

They narrated to Brahma all the misdeeds of the Asura brothers. After listening to them, Brahma contemplated for a moment. He then summoned the celestial architect Viswakarma.

When Viswakarma appeared before him, Brahma asked him to create a woman with captivating beauty. 

Viswakarma created a celestial woman of extraordinary beauty. She was a mass of gems, with a beauty  unrivaled by the women of the three worlds. 

Since she was created with minute quantities of every gem, Brahma gave her the name Tilottama (meaning, minute particles of the best.)

Brahma told her “Oh, Tilottama, go to the Asuras, Sunda and Upasunda, tempt them with your captivating beauty and conduct yourself in such a way that they will quarrel between themselves about who should possess you.”

The Asura brothers, having conquered the three worlds, had nothing more to do. They were living in happiness, enjoying themselves in all possible ways.

One day, the brothers were in the Vindhyas, sitting at a place and witnessing the dances of some handsome women.  

At that time, Tilottama, attired in a single piece of red silk that exposed all her charm, came along, plucking wild flowers on her way. 

The brothers were stunned by her extraordinary beauty. They left their seats and went to her. Each of the two sought the girl for himself.

Sunda seized the girl by her right hand. He told his brother “She is my wife and you have to respect her.”

Upasunda responded saying ,”She is my wife and therefore your sister-in-law”

Each of them repeatedly said, “She is mine, not yours.” Each claimed that he was the first to sight her.

Soon, they started attacking each other with their maces. 

Eventually, both of them fell on the ground, their bodies bathed in blood, like two suns dislodged from the firmament.

Brahma came there along with the celestials. He applauded Tilottama for her feat and granted her a boon that nobody would be able to look at her for a long time. He restored the three worlds to Indra and then returned to his abode.

Narada concluded saying that the two brothers, ever united and inspired by the same purpose, killed each other for the sake of Tilottama. He advised the Pandavas to work out an arrangement to ensure that they won’t quarrel on account of Draupadi.

Following Narada’s advice, the Pandavas, after some discussion among themselves, framed a rule that if any of the four saw Draupadi when she was with the fifth one, that person would retire into the forests for 12 years and spend his time observing the vow of celibacy. 

The Pandavas agreed to this arrangement in the presence of Narada. Narada then left the place. 

The Pandavas observed this rule strictly and consequently eliminated the scope for any dispute among them on account of Draupadi.

The Pandavas were living in happiness and glory. They brought many kings under their control, using their prowess and conquering them. 

The Pandavas were happy with Draupadi and she was also happy with them.

After some time, an incident occurred in their country. Some robbers took away the cattle of a Brahmin. The Brahmin was angered by the robbery. He came to the palace and lamented aloud blaming the Pandavas for his loss.

He said, “Oh, Pandavas. Cattle are being taken away from me by the wicked robbers.The sacrificial butter of the Brahmins is being taken away by the crows.The jackal invades the empty cave of a lion. The wise people have said that a king who takes one sixth of the produce of the lands of his subjects, but fails to protect them is the most sinful person in the world.”

Hearing the lament of the Brahmin, Arjuna came out to console him. The Brahmin urged Arjuna to come to his place, pursue and catch the robber and punish him. 

Since Yudhishtira was sitting with Draupadi in the room where weapons were stored, Arjuna could not enter that room to get his weapon and accompany the Brahmin.

With the Brahmin repeatedly pleading with Arjuna to come with him, Arjuna decided that he should uphold righteousness by going to the rescue of the Brahmin even if he had to suffer the punishment of being in exile for 12 years for entering the room when Yudhishtiira and Draupadi were inside.

Arjuna entered the room, took his bow and arrows and accompanied the Brahmin. He pursued the robbers, caught them, attacked them with his arrows and forced them to return the cattle to the Brahmin. His act earned praise from every one.

After returning to the palace, Arjuna went to Yudhishtira and told him, “Give me leave to go in exile for 12 years for having seen you with Draupadi, in violation of the vow we have undertaken.”

Grieved by Arjuna’s words, Yudhishtira said, “Arjuna, I was not displeased by your entering my chamber when I was sitting with Draupadi. The younger brother may enter the room when the elder brother has been sitting with his wife. It becomes an offense only when the elder brother does it.Your virtue has not suffered any erosion. So, please give up your proposal.”

Arjuna said, “You have told me that quibbling is not permitted in the discharge of duty. I cannot waver from truth. Please permit me to go.”

Obtaining Yudhishtira’s permission, Arjuna went to the forest, to live there for 12 years.