PANDU CURSED & BLESSED:- Although possessed of all material opulences, Pandu was by nature disinterested in sensual enjoyment. Having enjoyed with his two wives for only a short while, he found his mind turning to other kings had begun to slip with the death of Shantanu & his two sons. Some of the kings were now becoming arrogant, exceeding their own boundaries & antagonizing weaker kings. THE PANDAVAS COME TO HASTINAPUR:- In Hastinapura, Dhitarastra had performed five sacrifices with the wealth Pandu had bestowed upon him. He gave charity to hundreds of thousands of Brahmins & satisfied the gods with his offerings. The kingdom flourished & the citizens had everything they desired. They were devoted to virtue, sacrifice & truth. Bearing love & affection for one another, they grew in prosperity. Hastinapura was like the ocean filled with numerous palaces & mansions. There were golden arches & crystal fountains everywhere. Between broad, paved highways lay beautiful gardens & the air was filled with the sweet fragrance of blossoming trees. The clatter of horses’ hooves & chariot wheels mixed with the trumpeting of elephants & the blare of conchshells which mark the beginning of sacrificial performances. Holy chants uttered by numerous Brahmins emanated from tall & exquisitely carved temple buildings, which graced the city in their thousands. Hastinapura appeared like Indra’s celestial capital, & each day dozens of feudal kings would arrive bringing tribute. DUR YODHANA BEGING HIS EVIL SCHEMES:- The Pandavas began to enjoy life in Hastinapura. They sported with the hundred sons of Dhritarastra, who became known as the Kauravas. Pandu’s sons excelled the Kauravas in all areas: in strength, knowledge & prowess with weaponry. Bhima was especially powerful & he took delight in defeating the Kauravas in sport. They could not equal him in anything. The exuberant Bhima possessed the indefatigable power of his divine father. At wrestling & fighting he was unapproachable & could easily hold off the attacks of any number of Kauravas. Out of a boyish sense of fun he would often play practical jokes on them, laughing when they became angered & tried futilely to get back at him. THE KAURAVA’ HATRED GROWS:- It was now time for the princes to leave Drona’s school. To complete their training they had to pay their guru’s fees by offering him dakshina. Traditionally, the dakshina was determined by the guru himself. Drone assembled the princes & said, “There is only one thing I want. You should take King Drupada prisoner. Then bring him before me as your captive.” THE PANDAVAS SENT AWAY:- During the weeks that followed, Duryodhana & his brothers slowly began to win over the people. They distributed wealth & honors liberslly & provided the citizens with all kinds of amenities & pleasures. At the same time, Dhritarastra’s ministers spoke continuously in the court about Varanavata, as they had been instructed by the king. The Pandavas heard them describe the city’s attractions. “The festival of Pashupata is starting soon. The procession has no equal anywhere in the world. The decorations, jewels & entertainments delight the heart.” CHATOTKACHA BORN & BAKA SLAIN:- Soon after Bhima had killed Hidimba, the sun rose & the brothers could see paths through the forest. They decided to continue south. They were bound to come to a town at some point. As they walked off with Kunti between them, Hidimbi followed behind. Bhima became concerned & said, “The Rakshasas are known to avenge themselves on their enemies. They use deceptions & illusions. Therefore, O Hidimbi, you shall go the way your brother has gone.” THE GANDHARVA ANGARAPARANA:- When the sun rose the people of Ekachakra found Baka’s dead body. They were astonished to see it lying in a twisted mess, its mouth & eyes wind open. The citizens’ hair stood on end & their mouths fell open in amazement. Thousands of people gathered, all asking who had killed him. Gradually they realized that it had been the brahmin’s turn to take food to the demon the previous night. A noisy crowd soon gathered outside the brahin’s house. While the Pandavas remained inside, the Brahmin spoke to the people. DRAUPADI’S SWAYAMVARA:- After a few days journey the forest paths brought the Pandavas & Dhaumya onto the road leading to Panchala. As they made their way along that broad stone highway, they met a group of Brahmins. The Brahmins asked, “Who are you & where are you going?” Yudhisthira replied that they were five brahmacharis, celibate students, who had come from Ekachakra along with their teacher. The Brahmins then exhorted the brothers to attend Draupadi’s swayamvara. “Accompany us. We are going straight there. The magnanimous King Drupada will be distributing vast wealth to the Brahmins on his divine daughter’s behalf.”