Epic Tales with Samrudhi V kadam

Drupada, the King of Panchala, wanting a worthy match for his daughter Draupadi, also known as Panchali (the princess of Panchala), organized a grand Swayamvara in Kampilya, the capital city of Panchala.

To win Draupadi’s hand, the suitor had to first string the mighty Kindhura bow, a divine weapon gifted to Drupada by the gods, and then shoot an arrow through the eye of a moving fish, while looking only at its reflection below.

The Pandavas, disguised as Brahmanas and following the advice of Vyasa, set out for Kampilya to attend Draupadi’s Swayamvara.

After days of quiet travel, they arrived at the magnificent city, where the streets bustled with kings, princes, warriors, elephants, chariots, dancers, and grand decorations prepared for the occasion.

Loved this story? Read it in the book!
This story is a part of my published book, Epic Tales with Samrudhi.

To get your copy, feel free to mail me at hello@samrudhikadam.in

After Bhima slew the monstrous Bakasura, peace returned to Ekachakra. The Pandavas still lived in disguise, away from Duryodhana and his spies.

One evening, Veda Vyasa arrived to meet them. He praised Bhima for slaying Bakasura and protecting Ekachakra’s people.

Later, Vyasa warned them to leave soon, as their identity might be revealed if they stayed longer. He advised the Pandavas to go to Panchala, where King Drupada had arranged the swayamvara of his daughter Draupadi, born of fire, radiant and unparalleled in beauty.

Princes and warriors from Aryavarta were to gather there to seek her hand. Vyasa instructed them to travel in the disguise of Brahmanas.

Loved this story? Read it in the book!
This story is a part of my published book, Epic Tales with Samrudhi.

To get your copy, feel free to mail me at hello@samrudhikadam.in

When Kunti offered to send Bhima to Bakasura, the Brahmin family initially refused, worried about sending someone else’s son to die for them.

But Kunti assured them that her son was capable and had the strength of a hundred elephants, and off went Bhima with a massive cartload of rice, curd, ghee, meat, and wine.

On the way, Bhima sat under a tree and began eating the food. When Bakasura arrived, he found Bhima eating the food that was brought for him. Enraged, Bakasura attacked Bhima, and a fierce hand-to-hand combat took place in the forest.

Bhima and Bakasura used trees as weapons and fought with terrifying strength.
Eventually, Bhima overpowered and killed Bakasura by smashing him, then dragged the corpse to the gates of Ekachakra and returned home quietly.

Loved this story? Read it in the book!
This story is a part of my published book, Epic Tales with Samrudhi.

To get your copy, feel free to mail me at hello@samrudhikadam.in

The Pandavas, along with their mother, took shelter in the house of a poor Brahmin who lived with his wife, son, and daughter. They begged for alms, which were shared equally among them. However, Kunti kept aside Bhima’s share separately due to his large appetite. The Pandavas also secretly trained themselves in warfare skills during the night.

One night, Kunti overheard the Brahmin family’s lamenting and asked the reason for their sorrow. The Brahmin told Kunti about a dreadful man-eating Rakshasa named Bakasura.

He had ordered the villagers to send a cart of food along with one member from each household once per week. It was now the Brahmin family’s turn, and they were preparing to sacrifice one of their members.

Loved this story? Read it in the book!
This story is a part of my published book, Epic Tales with Samrudhi.

To get your copy, feel free to mail me at hello@samrudhikadam.in

Bhima’s son was named Ghatotkacha (pot-headed) because the shape of his bald head resembled a ghata (earthen pot).

After his birth, Bhima departed from the forest and returned to his family, while Ghatotkacha remained with his mother, Hidimba, in the forest, growing in strength and acquiring various skills in warfare.

As the Pandavas were about to leave, Veda Vyasa appeared before them and advised them to remain incognito, as the Kauravas believed them to be dead. To maintain their secrecy, the Pandavas and Kunti disguised themselves as Brahmins.  

Vyasa advised them to go to the town of Ekachakra, where they can safely stay in disguise and recover their strength.

Loved this story? Read it in the book!
This story is a part of my published book, Epic Tales with Samrudhi.

To get your copy, feel free to mail me at hello@samrudhikadam.in

Hidimba was furious and lunged forward to kill Bhima. A gruesome duel began between Bhima and Hidimba. He was a strong and fearsome Rakshasa, but Bhima overpowered him, being the son of Vayu.

Amidst the fight, the other Pandavas and Kunti woke up and tried to assist Bhima, but Yudhishthira told them that Bhima was strong enough to defeat Hidimba.

Finally, Bhima killed Hidimba by smashing him into the ground with immense force.

After Hidimba’s death, Hidimbi approached Kunti and confessed that she was in love with Bhima and wanted to marry him.

At first, Bhima was reluctant, but married Hidimbi after Yudhishthira and Kunti’s permission, upon the condition that he would return to them, after giving her a son.

Loved this story? Read it in the book!
This story is a part of my published book, Epic Tales with Samrudhi.

To get your copy, feel free to mail me at hello@samrudhikadam.in

The Pandavas and Kunti slept under the banyan tree in the forest on the banks of the River Ganga, while Bhima stayed awake to guard them.

Hidimba, a Rakshasa (demon), devoured humans and always looked for humans near the forest. While looking for prey, he caught the scent of human flesh and asked his sister, Hidimbi, to bring one or more for their meal.

Hidimbi, obeying her brother, went in search of the prey but was enchanted and fell in love upon seeing Bhima, who was muscular and strong.

Hidimbi took the form of a beautiful maiden and approached Bhima, informing him about her brother’s plan. She told Bhima that she had fallen in love with him and promised him protection if he fled with her.

Loved this story? Read it in the book!
This story is a part of my published book, Epic Tales with Samrudhi.

To get your copy, feel free to mail me at hello@samrudhikadam.in

After a year of staying in the Palace of Lakshagriha, the Pandavas and their mother escaped through a tunnel, but were presumed to be dead by everyone, as the bodies of a Nishadha woman and her children were found in the burnt palace.

In Hastinapur, Dhritarashtra mourned their death, but secretly rejoiced, as Duryodhana would be crowned as the prince.

The Pandavas realised that Duryodhana and Shakuni would not stop at one failed attempt. They knew that going back to Hastinapur and presenting themselves in front of Dhritarashtra would expose them to more danger.

After escaping from the palace, the tunnel exit was located in a dense forest on the banks of the River Ganga. Bhima carried his mother Kunti and all his four other brothers, as everyone was tired from exhaustion.

Loved this story? Read it in the book!
This story is a part of my published book, Epic Tales with Samrudhi.

To get your copy, feel free to mail me at hello@samrudhikadam.in

Duryodhana’s plan was to burn the palace in flames and kill the five Pandavas along with their mother in Varanavata.

Vidura had secretly constructed a tunnel with the help of a few trusted workers underneath the palace in order to help the Pandavas, and had warned the Pandavas, who were cautious of their surroundings.

A Nishadha woman and her five sons had resided with the Pandavas in the Lakshagriha Palace. Purochana was assigned the job to burn the palace in flames, but Bhima had set it on fire before he could.

The Pandavas, along with their mother Kunti, who was carried by Bhima, escaped through the tunnel, while Purochana died being caught in the fire.

Loved this story? Read it in the book!
This story is a part of my published book, Epic Tales with Samrudhi.

To get your copy, feel free to mail me at hello@samrudhikadam.in

Once, Dhritarashtra assigned a few public duties to the Pandavas, and they fulfilled their responsibilities with great devotion, gaining immense popularity among the subjects. Duryodhana, jealous of the Pandavas’ popularity, convinced Dhritarashtra that the Pandavas were a threat to the Kauravas.

Later, Duryodhana, along with Shakuni, hatched a plan to kill the Pandavas.

Purochana, an architect who supported Duryodhana, built a palace, Lakshagriha, in Varanavata, and the palace was made of highly flammable materials like ghee, oil, lacquer, etc.

Dhritarashtra convinced the Pandavas to go to Varanavata along with their mother, Kunti. And Yudhishthira, obeying Dhritarashtra’s order, departed to Varanavata along with his brothers and Mother, Kunti.

Loved this story? Read it in the book!
This story is a part of my published book, Epic Tales with Samrudhi.

To get your copy, feel free to mail me at hello@samrudhikadam.in