Mahabharata In the
Mahabharata, the Pandavas are described to have journeyed three days and three nights to reach the Kamyakavana. Upon their arrival,
Bhima slew
Krimira, a
rakshasa who barred their passage.
Duryodhana dispatched a number of assassins to kill
Bhima, but to no avail. A rakshasi named
Hidimbi fell in love with Bhima and urged him to flee, fearing that her brother,
Hidimba, would devour him. In the subsequent conflict between Hidimba and Bhima, the Pandava emerged victorious. He took Hidimbi as his wife, and sired
Ghatotkacha from her. Following the birth of his son, Bhima and his brothers travelled to the region of Ekachakra. Following a conversation with the sage
Vyasa,
Yudhishthira and his brothers returned to the Kamyakavana from
Dvaitavana, and are described to have practised archery, recited the
Vedas, and venerated the
Brahmins and the
pitrs.
Ghatotkacha lived with them during this period. Sage
Lomasha was dispatched by
Indra to reassure Yudhishthira of the well-being of
Arjuna, and the prince was encouraged by the deity to undertake a
pilgrimage to visit a number of
sacred sites. The Pandavas returned to the Kamyakavana after the return of Arjuna, during which period they lived with
Krishna and the Brahmins. During this time,
Jayadratha, the king of the
Sindhu Kingdom, on his way to the
Salva Kingdom, passed through the Kamyakavana. He tried to abduct
Draupadi, but the
Pandavas were able to rescue her. During the twelfth year of their exile, the Pandavas left Kamyaka forest for the final time and returned to the Dvaitavana. ==See also==