The Return to Hastinapura and the Birth of Indraprastha
After the Pandavas’ identity was revealed, the news reached Hastinapura.
The Kuru family now had to face a difficult reality: the Pandavas were alive, powerful and supported by King Drupada and the kingdom of Panchala.
Duryodhana wanted the Pandavas removed from his path, but Bhishma and Vidura wanted to prevent the Kuru family from destroying itself.
A compromise was eventually reached.
The Pandavas would receive their own kingdom.
This decision would lead to the creation of Indraprastha, one of the greatest cities in the Mahabharata.
1. The Pandavas Return to Hastinapura
When Dhritarashtra learned that the Pandavas were alive, he invited them back to Hastinapura.
The Pandavas returned with Draupadi.
Their arrival was an important moment for the Kuru family.
Bhishma was happy that the Pandavas had survived.
Vidura also welcomed them.
But Duryodhana was not happy.
He feared that the Pandavas would eventually take control of the kingdom.
The tension between the two branches of the family was becoming impossible to ignore.
2. The Kingdom Is Divided
The elders of the Kuru family wanted to prevent a direct conflict between the Pandavas and Kauravas.
A decision was therefore made to divide the kingdom.
The Kauravas would remain in Hastinapura.
The Pandavas would receive a region called Khandavaprastha.
The land given to the Pandavas was not a prosperous kingdom.
Much of it was covered by forests and was difficult to develop.
But the Pandavas accepted the challenge.
They were determined to transform the land into a great kingdom.
3. The Pandavas Build Their New Kingdom
The Pandavas travelled to Khandavaprastha with Kunti and Draupadi.
They began developing the region.
With the help of skilled builders and their allies, the once-undeveloped land was transformed.
Roads, buildings, palaces and gardens were constructed.
The Pandavas worked together to create a prosperous kingdom.
The new city became known as Indraprastha.
It soon became one of the most magnificent cities in the region.
4. Krishna’s Friendship With the Pandavas
During this period, Krishna became increasingly close to the Pandavas.
Krishna was related to them through their family connections and had already developed a strong friendship with Arjuna.
He understood the character of the Pandavas and recognized the danger posed by Duryodhana’s jealousy.
Krishna became one of the most important supporters and advisers of the Pandavas.
His friendship with Arjuna would later become central to the entire Mahabharata.
5. Arjuna and Krishna
Arjuna and Krishna developed an especially close friendship.
They respected one another deeply.
Both were extraordinary personalities, and their friendship became one of the most important relationships in the epic.
Krishna often guided the Pandavas during difficult situations.
Arjuna trusted Krishna’s wisdom.
Years later, on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, Krishna would become Arjuna’s charioteer and give him the teachings that became known as the Bhagavad Gita.
But that great moment was still far in the future.
6. The Khandava Forest
One important event took place while the Pandavas were ruling from Indraprastha.
Krishna and Arjuna encountered Agni, the fire deity.
Agni wanted to consume the Khandava forest.
He asked Krishna and Arjuna for their help.
Arjuna agreed.
Agni provided Arjuna with powerful divine weapons, including the famous Gandiva bow.
Arjuna also received an inexhaustible supply of arrows and a magnificent chariot.
With Krishna and Arjuna’s help, Agni began consuming the forest.
7. Arjuna Receives the Gandiva
The Gandiva became Arjuna’s most famous weapon.
It was a powerful divine bow capable of producing extraordinary force.
Arjuna’s skill combined with the Gandiva made him an even more formidable warrior.
During the events surrounding the Khandava forest, Arjuna and Krishna fought against many beings who attempted to stop the fire.
Their teamwork demonstrated how powerful they were together.
This event also brought another important character into the story.
8. Maya the Architect
Among those present in the Khandava forest was a powerful architect named Maya.
Arjuna saved Maya from the destruction.
Maya was grateful to Arjuna and wanted to repay him.
He offered to build something extraordinary for the Pandavas.
Maya constructed a magnificent assembly hall at Indraprastha.
This became known as the Maya Sabha.
The hall was filled with extraordinary architectural features and illusions that could confuse anyone who entered.
9. Indraprastha Becomes Magnificent
Under the leadership of Yudhishthira, Indraprastha became prosperous.
The city attracted merchants, warriors, scholars and visitors.
The Pandavas were no longer princes living in exile.
They had become powerful rulers.
Their success increased their popularity.
But their growing prosperity also increased Duryodhana’s jealousy.
He could not accept that the Pandavas had created such a magnificent kingdom from the land they had been given.
10. Yudhishthira’s Great Ambition
Yudhishthira wanted to establish his authority among the kings of the region.
He decided to perform the Rajasuya Yajna, a grand royal ceremony.
Before the ceremony could be completed, Yudhishthira needed the support or submission of many other rulers.
The Pandavas therefore began expanding their influence.
Each brother travelled in a different direction and established the authority of Indraprastha.
Their victories brought wealth, respect and recognition to their kingdom.
11. Jarasandha Stands in the Way
One powerful king still remained a major obstacle.
His name was Jarasandha, the ruler of Magadha.
Jarasandha was extremely powerful and had defeated many kings.
Krishna knew that Yudhishthira’s Rajasuya ceremony could not be completed while Jarasandha remained a major threat.
Krishna, Bhima and Arjuna therefore travelled to Magadha.
They challenged Jarasandha.
The greatest part of the confrontation would be between Bhima and Jarasandha.
12. Bhima Defeats Jarasandha
Jarasandha and Bhima fought an extraordinary wrestling battle.
The fight continued for a long time.
Both warriors were incredibly strong.
Eventually, Krishna gave Bhima a clue about Jarasandha’s weakness.
Bhima understood the message.
He defeated Jarasandha and ended his threat.
The victory opened the way for Yudhishthira to proceed with the Rajasuya ceremony.
The Pandavas had now become one of the most powerful royal families in the land.
The Rise of Indraprastha
The Pandavas had come a long way.
They had survived the House of Lac.
They had lived in disguise.
Arjuna had won Draupadi.
They had returned to Hastinapura.
They had received Khandavaprastha.
And they had transformed it into the magnificent city of Indraprastha.
Now Yudhishthira was preparing for the Rajasuya ceremony.
But the greatest danger was not outside the kingdom.
It was inside the Kuru family.
Duryodhana would soon visit Indraprastha and see the magnificent Maya Sabha.
What happened there would increase his jealousy to a dangerous level.
The story continues in Maha Bharatham Part 10.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Khandavaprastha?
Khandavaprastha was the region given to the Pandavas after the division of the Kuru kingdom.
What was Indraprastha?
Indraprastha was the magnificent city developed by the Pandavas from the land they received.
Who was Maya?
Maya was a highly skilled architect who built the famous Maya Sabha for the Pandavas.
What was the Maya Sabha?
The Maya Sabha was a magnificent assembly hall at Indraprastha filled with extraordinary architectural designs and illusions.
What was the Rajasuya Yajna?
It was a grand royal ceremony performed by Yudhishthira to establish his imperial authority.
Who was Jarasandha?
Jarasandha was the powerful king of Magadha and a major obstacle to Yudhishthira’s Rajasuya ceremony.
Who defeated Jarasandha?
Bhima defeated Jarasandha after a long wrestling battle, with Krishna’s guidance