Vana Parva/ Aranya Parva

The Vana Parva, also known as the Aranya Parva, is the third book of the 18 parvas of Mahabharata. It means the Book of the Forest, as it contains the detailed accounts of the life of the Pandavas in the forest during their exile period of twelve years. The thirteenth year of the exile, is spent in incognito, is not included in this book. The details of the thirteenth year is in the next book, Virata Parva.

The Vana Parva is divided into 21 sub-books, or 21 upa-parvas. It almost consists of 324 chapters. The summaries of the sub parvas are:

1)Aryanaka Parva

This Parva consists of 10 chapters and 381 verses. In this beginning of this Parva, the Pandavas prepare for their exile into the forests. The popularity of the Pandavas was such that even many citizens offered to accompany the Pandavas to the forests, as that the Pandavas were deceived by the Kauravas in greed for the kingdom. Yudhishthira however refused the people and was very grateful to their generosity. The Pandavas then moved into the forests and Dhritarashtra called upon Vidura counsel regarding the future course of events. Vidura strongly advised him to take the right path of dharma and taking back the Pandavas. Seeing Vidura’s support for the Pandavas, Dhritarashtra reprimanded him and gave him the choice of going with the Pandavas. When Vidura decided to leave Hastinapura, Dhritarashtra repented his actions and was deeply apologetic to Vidura and asked him to return. Vidura then returned to the kingdom, but his return was highly detested by Duryodhana.

2) Kirmirabadha Parva

This Parva of the Vana Parva consists of just 1 chapter and 75 verses. This Parva is a narration of the episode of killing Kirmira. Vidura narrates this story to Dhritarashtra. This story is of Bhima killing a giant cannibal demon, Kirmira, who was obstructing the path of the Pandavas, while they were reaching the Kamayaka forest. This is the first time when Dhritarashtra felt sympathetic towards the Pandavas due to the troubles that they were facing in the forests, where the exile period had just begun.

3) Arjunabhigamana Parva

This Parva is the one of the longest sub-parvas of the Vana Parva and consists of 25 chapters. This Parva contains the first meet of all the Pandava brothers with Lord Krishna. This Parva also throws some light on the history of Krishna and some of his greatest accomplishments in the past. Krishna met with Yudhishthira and expressed remorse for what happened with the brothers. He also criticized gambling as one of the four major sins that can ruin a man’s life to pieces. He rued not being there, as he would have made sure to not let Yudhishthira participate in that game of dice and committing the grave sin of gambling. In the chapters 27 to 36, the topic of forgiveness has been stressed upon. The types of forgiveness, when should a person forgive, when he shouldn’t, what type of forgiveness is appropriate and what kind is not appropriate. These chapters also discuss anger, karma and the free will. Yudhishthira disagrees with Draupadi’s idea of avenging the Kuru kingdom, and suggests that virtue is its own reward. He even refuses Bhima’s idea that there is no point of virtue if it causes misery to everyone. Krishna tells him that they are in this position as a result of the wrong choices made by Yudhishthira and explains to him that a person should complete a pledge undertaken by him under any circumstances. A man should always abide by his word given. The nature of a promise itself is that it should remain immune to changing circumstances, as a promise is given knowing the conditions of the present, and not the future. He advises that Dharma, artha(profit) and Kama(emotional pleasure) should go together, and thus he advised the Pandavas to not go at war and live up to their word. The Pandavas listened to Krishna.

4) Kirata Parva

This Parva contains 4 chapters and 195 verses. The story in this Parva is centered on Arjuna. When Arjuna was meditating and living the life of a nun in the forest, he was challenged by Lord Shiva, disguised as Kirata. Arjuna entered into an intense face off with the Kirata and the battle finally ends in a draw. Arjuna, after realizing that it is Lord Shiva himself in disguise, Lord Shiva was highly impressed with his talents and penance that he was undergoing since many days. He also gave him the celestial weaponry required for war and advised him as to how and when to use it.

5) Indralokagamana Parva

This Parva consists of 10 chapters, and approximately 297 verses, and is based on the city of Lord Indra in heaven. Arjuna visits heaven to collect the celestial weapons from Indra. This Parva also has the popular tale of Urvashi seducing Arjuna. Arjuna, who was already married, and called Urvashi as her mother figure. This angered Urvashi and she cursed Arjuna that he would become a eunuch and dance like a girl for many years to come. Eventually, on the request of Indra, Urvashi decreased the tenure of the curse to one year. Arjuna chose the thirteenth year in incognito to carry out the curse.

6) Nalopakhyana Parva

The Nalopakhyana Parva is 28 chapter long and consists of 1032 verses. In this Parva, we see Yudhishthira regretting his addiction of gambling and losing everything because of it. He becomes very sad and cynical about himself. Vrihadashwa then consoles him by narrating the story of Nala, a prince who had lost everything due to his same gambling addiction and then rebuilt everything after his mistake. He lost his kingdom to one of the deities who got angry when Damayanti chose Nala over the gods in swayamvara. Nala lost everything to Pushkara and went into the forests for exile, while Damayanti ran away from her father’s kingdom. After her father finds her, she returns to the kingdom and her father arranges for a second swayamvara, where Nala comes in disguise as Vahuka. Nevertheless, Damayanti recognizes him and they get together and attain the kingdom back from Pushkara, and live happily ever after. Hence, the narration in this Parva serves as an inspiration to Yudhishthira to ve positive and look into the future.

7) Tirtha-yatra Parva

This is also one of the longest sub-parvas of the Vana Parva consisting of 77 chapters and 2826 verses. Sage Narada advised the Pandava brothers to go for a tirtha yatra, a visit to the holy places of India, including Kurukshetra, Ganga, Yamuna, Brahmasara, Pragya, etc. This Parva contains the history of various Gods, and the conflict of virtues. The importance of many kinds of virtues have been explained in this Parva. Stories of Ushinara, king Somaka, and Janaka have been included to stress on the importance of these virtues.

8) Yaksha-Yudha Parva

This parva is one of the shortest sub parvas of the Vana Parva and consists of 1 chapter and 73 verses. The Pandavas await the return of Arjuna, while Yudhishthira, Draupadi, Nakula and Sachdeva were kidnapped by a demon, Jatasura. Bhima found the demon and killed him after indulging in a heated battle with him. Towards the end of the Parva, Arjuna had returned from heaven.

9) Nivatakavachayudha Parva

In this Parva, which is 11 chapters and 407 verses long, Arjuna describes his journey and narrates everything to his four brothers and Draupadi. He narrated the stories on how he obtained the celestial weapons. He even described how he defeated the rakshasas Nivata and Kavacha in a fight. Yudhishthira even asked Arjuna to showcase the use of the celestial weapons. As soon as Arjuna started to demonstrate the use of the weapons, Narada arrived there, stopped Arjuna and advised him to use the celestial weapons only when the need be, and unnecessary violence is a grave sin.

10) Ajagara Parva

The Ajagara Parva, as the name suggests is the Book of the Snake, is 6 chapters and 222 verses long. The Pandavas arrive at Kailaca and and a huge snake, Nahusha ties up Bhima. Yudhishthira goes out in the search of Bhima and finds him tied around the mighty snake. The snake tells Yudhishthira that he would leave Bhima if he answered all his questions. The snake and Yudhishthira ask each other questions of Dharma and the evolution of life and the achievement of moksha. This Parva is majorly a dialogue between Yudhishthira and the snake. They even discussed on topics of caste and inter-caste marriages. Yudhishthira explained to the snake that the character of a person matters, not his or her caste. They also discuss the comparison of the four virtues of charity, truthfulness, kind speech and unenviousness). They discuss the relative merits of the four major virtues. They also discuss the universal salvation and spirit achieved from transmigration. The snake, then releases Bhima and gets free from a curse and achieves salvation.

11) Markandeyasamasya Parva

This Parva is also one of the longest parvas in the Vana Parva consisting of 51 chapters and 2083 verses. The Pandavas reached the Kamyaka forests from Dwaitavana. The Markandeyasamasya Parva primarily deals with the story of the four yugas, Kreta Yuga, Treta Yuga, Dapara Yuga, and Kali Yuga. It also contains the story of the Vami horses. Lord Krishna came to Kamyaka forests to meet the Pandava brothers. He pacified Yudhishthira’s anxiety by telling him that he would get exactly what he wants only after completing the twelve years of exile and one year in incognito. He said that he would ultimately punish the Kauravas for all their wrong deeds and actions. Krishna and the Pandavas went to meet the very learned Marakandeya, whom they worshipped and respected a lot. Marakandeya then recited to them the tales of the ancient times and also told them that the life of a person is shaped according to the kind of deeds done by him.

Those who commit sins will get temporary success and their arrogance will grow beyond bounds. This same arrogance will be responsible for their destruction later in their life. Also, the karma of this life will have effects on the life of their second life. Hence, he consoled him and said that the hardships and adversities that he is experiencing now will transform into happiness and eternal satisfaction later in life. Lord Krishna, Yudhishthira and the rest of the brothers were very happy after hearing out Marakandeya.

12) Draupadi-Satyabhamasavadaparva

This Parva is a dialogue between Draupadi and Satyabhama. It contains 3 chapters and 91 verses. Draupadi and Satyabhama had a very lengthy conversation. Satyabhama asked Draupadi the reasons why the Pandava brothers were always submissive and respectful to her. She was wondering whether Draupadi possessed any magical powers to capture the loyalty of men. She asked Draupadi to advise her and give her such powers such that she can make Krishna obedient to her. Draupadi however strictly denied of possessing any such evil powers and even dissuaded Satyabhama from using the wrong means to attain the loyalty of Krishna. She said that the Pandavas respected her so much as she always served them keeping aside her ego and arrogance, and always behaved in accordance to the wishes of the Pandava brothers. Hence, she concluded by saying that the only way to achieve the love and obedience of Lord Krishna, is by being unselfishly devoted to him, no matter what. After their dialogue concluded, Krishna took Satyabhama and returned to Dwarka.

13) Ghoshayatra Parva

The Ghoshayatra Parva consists of 616 verses spanning across 22 chapters. Dhritarashtra and Duryodhana get to hear about the adversities faced by the Pandava brothers and Draupadi in the forest. Dhritarashtra was greatly disturbed after hearing this. Shakuni, on hearing this, advised Duryodhana to meet the Pandava brothers and flaunt his wealth and prosperity to them. He also advised him to take with his princesses dressed in beautiful clothes and jewelry, while Draupadi would be dressed in old and dirty clothes. Duryodhana was pleased to imagine the look on the faces of the Pandava brothers, replete with jealousy and poignancy. Dhritarashtra dissuaded Duryodhana from meeting with the Pandavas, but Duryodhana somehow finds a way to get leave for the forest. Duryodhana and Karna leave for Dwaiaaranya, where the Pandavas were inhabiting then. They come across the Gandharvas and quarrel with them. However, the Gandharvas held them captive. Duryodhana sent out a plea for rescue to Yudhishthira. When Yudhishthira receives the request of releasing the captives who were responsible for all their agony, he immediately tries to convince the other brothers to come along and help Duryodhana, as helping someone in dire need is their Dharma, which is above revenge and hatred. Then, the brothers set out to rescue Karna and Duryodhana. As soon as the Pandavas arrive, the Gandharvas release Duryodhana. This act of kindness by the Pandava brothers humbles Duryodhana.

14) Mriga Sapnovbhava Parvaa

This Parva is a very short one and consists of only one chapter and 17 verses. It narrates about a very significant dream that occurs to Yudhishthira and how he acts along the lines of Dharma. One night, Yudhishthira dreams of a deer, who requests him and the Pandava brothers to move to a different location, as many followers of the Pandavas have moved into the forest who hunt indiscriminately for their survival. The deer told Yudhishthira that he feared that his species would be extinct forever if these hunting practices continue. Yudhishthira, after discussing this matter with the other brothers, come to a unanimous decision that about leaving the forest and moving to another location. It is then that the Pandava brothers move from the DwaitaAranya forest to the Kamyaka forest. This Parva therefore highlights the compassion that Yudhishthira and the brothers possessed, even for animals. They live up to the true meaning of living life along the lines of Dharma and eternal virtue.

15) Vrihi Drounika Parva

This chapter consists of 130 verses spanning over 3 chapters. Till this Parva, eleven years of the exile period had been completed by the Pandavas, and they were into the tapering end of their exile. Yudhishthira was still sad, as he always held himself responsible for the misery that was brought over the family. The sage Vyasa came to meet Yudhishthira one day, and advised to Yudhishthira that charity is the best practices of dharma. One can rectify his sorrow for a past mistake by indulging in selfless charity, with a pure intention and no hidden evil agenda. Donating to the needy is the best and most difficult practices in the world. Vyasa even narrated the story of Mugdala, who attained great fruits after donating some amount of money.

16) Draupadiharana Parva

This is a very significant Parva, as it narrates the story when Draupadi was kidnapped. This Parva is the sixteenth of the 18 upa parvas of the Vana Parva and consists of 10 chapters and 288 verses. Duryodhana, being jealous of the charity news that was being performed by the Pandavas, conspired to make their life troublesome. However the conspiracy of Duryodhana to kidnap Draupadi had failed, as Krishna helped in getting rid of the sage that Duryodhana had sent to capture Draupadi. One day, Jayadratha, the King of Sindhu, saw Draupadi and got attracted to Jayadratha had cunningly kidnapped her and the Pandavas set out to rescue her. This Parva recites the battle between the Pandavas and the followers of Jayadratha in the pursuit of Draupadi by the Pandavas.

17) Jayadrathavimokshana Parva

This Parva consists of 1 chapter and 765 verses. The search for Jayadratha and Draupadi continues. Bhima seized Jayadratha, brought him to Yudhishthira and rescued Draupadi. Yudhishthira, however set him free on the request of Saindhava. Jayadratha becomes really angry and plans ways to take revenge on the Pandavas.

18) Rama Upakhyana Parva

This Parva consists of 20 chapters and 765 verses. This Parva is a narration of the story of Ramayana by Marakandeya to Yudhishthira. Rama’s 14 year exile period was similarly filled with adversities, but at the end he came out victorious and was helped by many people as his intentions were noble and actions pure. Using the example of Rama, he consoled Yudhishthira.

19) Pativrathamahatmya Parva

This Parva contains 7 chapters and 304 verses. This Parva describes the love story of Savitri and Satyavan. Savitri was a princess while Satyavan was a hermit. They both fall in love with each other and Savitri wanted to marry Satyavan in spite of knowing that he possessed a defect that would surely kill him in a year’s time. She goes ahead and marries him and pledges her devotion to her unconditionally. She follows him everywhere and goes with him wherever he needed to go. Once when Satyavan heads to the forest to collect wood, followed by Savitri, the time of his death arrived with the arrival of Yama, the God of Death. Yama carried away the soul of Satyavan. The power of Savitri’s love was such that she followed Yama carrying his soul. She followed Yama, in spite of him discouraging her. Savitri refuses to go, and Yama in turn blesses her with four boons, which she uses to bring back Satyavan to life. They return back safely and live happily ever after.

20)Kundalaharana Parva

This Parva narrates the story of a major character in the story of Mahabharata, Karna. The history of his birth to Kunti and Suryadeva is narrated in this. This Parva consists of 11 chapters and 305 verses. Till this Parva, the twelve years of the thirteen year exile period of the Pandavas had been completed. This parva describes the shaping up of Karna’s character since his birth. The reasons as to why Kunti put her in a basket and put that on a river is given in this Parva. The epic tale of the ear rings and the armor is also in this Parva, and how Indra, in the guise of a Brahmin came to Karna to beg for the ear rings and armor. Karna was informed of this step of Indra by Surya. So, he knew the guise and gave him his ear rings and armor in exchange of infallible Power as blessings from Indra.

21) Aranya Parva

This is the last Parva of the Vana Parva and shows the return of the Pandavas to the Dwaitaaranya forest. This Parva has the epic and most popular story of the enchanted pool. Each of the brothers arrive thirty at a pool and were faced by Yaksha, which was voice demanding them to answer a few questions before drinking water from the pool. All of the brothers, except Yudhishthira, mocked the voice and drink the water anyway and die. Yudhishthira comes last and finds his brothers dead and still answers all the 124 questions asked by the Yaksha. Yudhishthira answers all of them correctly, which were mostly based on the virtues of human life and Dharma. Yaksha, then revived the four brothers to life and grants them boons to spend their last year in exile. Yaksha even points them to the direction of the Virata kingdom, to spend their last year in exile. The Yaksha later revealed himself to be Dharma, Yudhishthira’s father.