The sons of Pandu were born as radiant jewels, enhancing the glory of the Kuru lineage. Each bore auspicious marks, and their beauty was as enchanting as the full moon. Proud and strong as lions, they grew into mighty archers, their stride and bearing reminiscent of those noble beasts, and their vigor rivaled that of the gods themselves. As they matured in the sacred environs of the Himalayan mountains, their presence inspired awe among the great sages who gathered there. From the moment of their birth, the ascetics living upon Śataśṛṅga regarded the sons of Pandu as their own children, showering them with affection and care. Meanwhile, the Vṛṣṇis, led by Vasudeva, kept the Pandavas in their hearts. Pandu himself, ever mindful of the curse upon him, had withdrawn to Śataśṛṅga, dwelling among ascetics and living as one of them. Sustained by roots, fruits, and vegetables, he devoted himself to austerity, self-restraint, and deep meditation, immersing himself in the practice of yoga. News of Pandu’s chosen life reached many, and those who heard were filled with sorrow. Yet their affection for Pandu and his family endured, and they would often wonder, “When shall we hear tidings of them?” The Vṛṣṇis, conversing together, were overjoyed when word arrived of the birth and wellbeing of Pandu’s sons. They honored one another and spoke to Vasudeva, “May the mighty sons of Pandu never lack for sacred rites.” Desiring Pandu’s welfare, they requested, “Send the family priest.” Vasudeva agreed, dispatching the priest and sending with him garments adorned with peacock feathers for the princes, as well as gifts for Kunti and Madri, accompanied by attendants and servants. He also sent cows, gold, and silver, gathering these gifts for Pandu’s household. The distinguished priest, Kashyapa, arrived at Śataśṛṅga, where Pandu received him with proper honor and rites. Kunti and Madri, delighted, offered praise to Vasudeva, and Pandu performed all the necessary ceremonies for his sons. Kashyapa conducted every rite, from those performed at conception to the first tonsure, the sacred thread ceremony, and the initiation into Vedic study. After these rites, the illustrious sons of Pandu, marked by the bull emblem, became accomplished in the study of the Vedas. Among their teachers was Shukra, the eldest son of Śaryāti, famed for having conquered the earth and performed a hundred horse sacrifices, thereby worshipping all the gods and ancestors. Shukra, practicing austerities at Śataśṛṅga and subsisting on simple forest fare, further strengthened the Pandavas with his wisdom and guidance. By Shukra’s favor, the princes became masters of arms. Bhima excelled with the mace, Yudhishthira with the spear, while the two sons of Madri became foremost in sword and shield. Arjuna, known as Savyasachi and the scourge of foes, achieved the pinnacle of archery. Recognizing Arjuna’s prowess, Shukra declared him his equal and granted him the spear, sword, and arrows. The self-controlled sage also gifted him a splendid bow, as tall as a palm tree and radiant, along with arrows, razors, and iron shafts adorned with vulture feathers. Overjoyed, he presented Partha with weapons shining like mighty serpents. Having obtained these divine weapons, Arjuna, the son of Indra, was filled with delight and considered all the kings of the earth as no match for his own energy. Thus, with a year between the birth of each, the Parthas and the sons of Madri, all destroyers of foes, followed one after another. The five Pandavas, along with the hundred sons of Dhritarashtra—each an enhancer of the Kuru line—grew swiftly, flourishing like lotuses in water. A question arises: at what age did the Pandavas reach Hastinapura, and what lifespan had the gods allotted them? Hear now the answer: Yudhishthira came to Hastinapura at sixteen years of age. Bhimasena was fifteen, Arjuna fourteen, and the twins, Nakula and Sahadeva, were thirteen. There, they lived with the sons of Dhritarashtra for thirteen years. After six months in the house of lac, Ghatotkacha was born to Bhima. They spent six months in Ekachakra, and a year in the house of a Panchala. After dwelling with the sons of Dhritarashtra for five years, they lived in Indraprastha for twenty-three years. Then, after their defeat at dice, they spent twelve years in exile and one more in incognito. Having ruled the earth bounded by the sea for thirty-six years, these great souls, ever devoted to Krishna, completed their earthly journey in six months after establishing Parikshit as king. Thus, Yudhishthira’s lifespan was one hundred and eight years. It is also known that Keshava, Krishna, was three months older than Arjuna, and Sankarshana, Balarama, was three months older than Krishna. Pandu, the fifth and most radiant, rejoiced with his two wives and the sage Kashyapa, beholding his sons on the mountain. When the forest was in full bloom during the spring months of Madhu and Mādhava, the fourteenth year of Pandu’s exile came to an end. On the very same lunar mansion in which Arjuna was born, and during the auspicious ceremony of Uttaraphalgunī, these events unfolded, marking a new chapter in the destiny of the Pandavas.