In the depths of the forest, the Pandavas came upon the rakshasa Hidimba, whose form was as massive and unmoving as a block of wood. Bhima, mighty among men, slew this lord of rakshasas, and the Pandavas, shaken and fearful, became keenly aware of their perilous circumstances. When night fell, haunted by the threat of the sons of Dhritarashtra, the sons of Pritha fled deeper into the wilderness. It was there that Bhima encountered Hidimba, the rakshasa’s sister, and from their union, the valiant Ghatotkacha was born. Later, after Bhima had slain the fierce Baka, the Pandavas, steadfast in their vows and accomplished in the Vedas, lived as celibates in the city of Ekachakra. There, with their mother, Kunti, they spent some time in the humble house of a Brahmin, observing discipline and restraint. During their stay, Bhimasena—also called Vrikodara, the wolf-bellied—faced the ravenous man-eater Baka, whose strength was formidable. Bhima, that tiger among men, swiftly killed Baka with his mighty arms, bringing relief and comfort to the townspeople. Soon after, news reached them of Krishna’s self-choice ceremony among the Panchalas. Upon hearing this, the Pandavas journeyed there and won Draupadi as their bride. Having obtained Draupadi, they dwelt with her for a year, but their identities were eventually revealed, and these subduers of enemies returned to Hastinapura. King Dhritarashtra and Bhishma, son of Shantanu, addressed them, saying, “O sons, how can there be conflict among you brothers?” They arranged for the Pandavas to reside at Khandavaprastha, a city endowed with people and well-laid roads. “Go, free from envy, to your own Khandavaprastha to dwell,” they said. Thus, the Pandavas departed with their friends and all their wealth, settling in Khandavaprastha, where they lived for many years. By the strength of their arms and the power of their weapons, the Pandavas brought many kings under their sway, ever devoted to righteousness and steadfast in truth. Bhimasena, illustrious and ever vigilant, conquered the eastern direction, subduing many foes with patience and valor. Arjuna, heroic and skillful, conquered the north; Nakula, the handsome, conquered the west; and Sahadeva, slayer of enemy heroes, conquered the south. In this way, the five brothers brought the entire earth under their control, shining together like five radiant suns beside the Sun himself. By the true valor of the Pandavas, the earth seemed adorned with six suns. Then, for a certain reason, King Yudhishthira, glorious and truly valiant, sent his beloved brother Arjuna, Savyasacin, to the forest. Arjuna, steadfast and virtuous, dwelled in the forest for a year and one month, undertaking pilgrimages to holy places. There, he obtained the Naga maiden, and later, the daughter of the Pandya king, living with both. At some time, Arjuna traveled to Dvaravati, to Hrishikesha, where he won as his wife Subhadra, the eloquent lotus-eyed sister of Vasudeva. Their union was as perfect as Shachi’s with Indra, as Fortune’s with Krishna. With affection, Subhadra was joined to Arjuna, and the son of Kunti, together with Krishna, satisfied Agni in the burning of the Khandava forest. Arjuna, accompanied by the foremost of men, Vasudeva, accomplished this task with ease, for Krishna was his companion. With Krishna’s aid, as Vishnu assists in the destruction of enemies, Agni bestowed upon Arjuna the supreme bow Gandiva, inexhaustible quivers, and a chariot marked with the sign of Kapila. There, Arjuna freed Maya, the great Asura, who then built for them a divine assembly hall adorned with all gems. In that hall, Duryodhana, blinded by greed, became envious. He deceived Yudhishthira in a game of dice with the son of Subala, sending him to the forest for thirteen years—twelve in exile and one in concealment. After their year incognito in the kingdom, the Pandavas, in the fourteenth year, sought their rightful wealth, but did not obtain it. War broke out, and the Pandavas, having destroyed the Kshatriya host and slain King Duryodhana, regained a kingdom that had been greatly diminished. They performed many sacrifices, including the Ashvamedha and others. When Dhritarashtra had departed to heaven and Vidura had passed away, the Pandavas performed proper rites for those kings of immeasurable splendor, leading them to the heavenly realm. When Krishna, Vārṣṇeya, had gone to his own abode, and after protecting Krishna’s wives, the Pandavas undertook the great departure and attained the supreme heaven. Thus, in ancient times, these events unfolded for those whose deeds were unblemished: division, destruction of the kingdom, and victory. O best of the victorious, you have recounted in summary the entire Mahābhārata, the great tale of the deeds of the Kurus. O sinless one, tell this story with its vivid meanings in detail, O possessor of austerity; for in hearing the full account, my curiosity has grown exceedingly. Narrate it again in detail, for I am never satisfied by hearing the great deeds of the ancients. Surely, the reason is not small why the Pandavas, who know dharma, though innocent, endured and overcame all those adversities, and are praised among men. For what reason were those tiger-like men, though capable and blameless, able to patiently endure the afflictions inflicted by the wicked? How did Vrikodara, strong as ten thousand elephants, though afflicted, restrain his anger, O best of the twice-born?