Cousins and Enemies

The Pandavas lived in the forest for a long time and the Kauravas believed that all the Pandavas would die in the forest. The Kauravas did not want them to come back and claim their kingdom. They sent a spy to find out how the Pandavas were getting on in the forest. The spy returned with the news that the Pandavas were living happily. This news upset the Kauravas. Duryodhana suggested that they could frighten the Pandavas by taking a military parade into the forest. Soon orders were issued for the same.

One fine morning the parade started. The Kauravas in their beautiful chariots led it,followed by many elephants, hundreds of horses, and thousands of soldiers, all armed and ready for battle. After passing through the cities and villages the procession reached the part of the forest where Pandavas had their camp. The procession stopped by the side of a river and the wicked Shakuni thought of a way to harm the Pandavas.

He suggested that the water of the river should be poisoned so that when Pandavas drank it they would die or fall ill. The Kauavas liked the idea and at once poured poison into the river water. Chitrasena, a powerful Gandharva, who was staying in the same forest, came to know about this and rushed to the Kauravas' camp. He recognised the Kauravas and told them that he would teach them a lesson. Duryodhana lost his temper and ordered his men to fight the Gandharvas. A terrible battle followed in which the Kauravas were badly defeated.

Chitrasena said we are going to take you all to our country and make you work as slaves. The Kauravas had no way of escape. They called loudly to the Pandavas to come to their rescue. The eldest of the Pandavas, Dharmaputra asked his brothers to go and help the Kauravas. Bhima the eldest of the Pandavas said that the Kauravas are our enemies and their one aim in life is to destroy us. Why should we go and help them? Let them be taken as slaves by Chitrasena. Dharmaputra agreed, but said that they are our cousins and they are in danger and it is our duty to go and help them.

So Bhima and Arjuna went to help the Kauravas. They met Chitrasena and told him to free the Kauravas. Chitrasena was surprised that the Pandavas had come to help the Kauravas, though they were their enemies. Chitrasena was a friend of the Pandavas and he immediately ordered the release of the Kauravas. The Kauravas returned home in great shame. Chitrasena told the Pandavas that he was very happy to see how noble they had been in coming to the help of their enemies.