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STORIES · THE MAHĀBHĀRATA · Vana

The Ghoṣa-yātrā: Duryodhana Captured by Citrasena

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A Brahmin visited the Pāṇḍavas in Dvaitavana and then went to Dhṛtarāṣṭra to describe their suffering. The old king was overcome with grief and lamented aloud, imagining Yudhiṣṭhira on bare earth and Bhīma beside Draupadī, his anger smouldering, and Arjuna lying awake hissing like a serpent. He admitted that his love for his sons had led him to back Śakuni's trick. Śakuni went to tell Duryodhana, who sat with Karṇa. Duryodhana was troubled but longed to see his enemies in rags: it would please him more than ruling the earth.

Karṇa and Śakuni devised the pretext. The royal herds were grazing in Dvaitavana, and it was proper for kings to inspect their cattle stations and hunt. A herdsman named Samaṅga, coached in advance, raised the matter with Dhṛtarāṣṭra. The king hesitated, because the Pāṇḍavas were living nearby, and warned that Bhīma was fierce, Draupadī could burn them with her power and Arjuna now commanded celestial weapons. Śakuni answered that they would stay away from the Pāṇḍavas. Reluctantly the king agreed.

Duryodhana set out with Karṇa, Duḥśāsana, Śakuni, many brothers and thousands of women, with eight thousand chariots, thirty thousand elephants, nine thousand horses and crowds of followers. He camped about four miles from the lake, counted and branded the cattle, and hunted. When his men went to build pleasure-houses by the lake, the Gandharvas under Citrasena, who had come from Kubera's home to play there, blocked their way. Duryodhana sent soldiers to drive them off; the Gandharvas laughed. Furious, Duryodhana ordered an attack. The Kuru warriors broke when the Gandharvas charged back, except Karṇa, who held for a time, then lost his chariot and fled on Vikarṇa's. Citrasena used illusion; the Kurus scattered; Duryodhana fought on alone until his chariot was shattered and Citrasena seized him. Duḥśāsana and others were taken too, along with the women of the royal household.

The surviving Kauravas ran to the Pāṇḍavas for help. Bhīma replied bitterly that the Gandharvas had done what the Pāṇḍavas would have needed a whole army for, but Yudhiṣṭhira cut him short: this was no time for cruel words, and the family's honour was at stake. He told the brothers to rescue them. Arjuna and the others fought; Arjuna cut down the Gandharvas who tried to flee through the sky, and Citrasena, unseen, finally showed himself. He was Arjuna's friend and had been sent by Indra to seize Duryodhana, who had come to mock the Pāṇḍavas. He agreed that Yudhiṣṭhira should decide. Yudhiṣṭhira freed all the Kauravas, praised the Gandharvas, and told Duryodhana never to act so rashly again. Duryodhana left heartbroken with shame.

Told by Vaiśampāyana → Janamejaya

Who: Duryodhana, Karṇa, Śakuni, Dhṛtarāṣṭra, Citrasena, Yudhiṣṭhira, Bhīma, Arjuna

Bound to

Duryodhana's Fast unto Death, the Dānavas' Counsel and Karṇa's Vow origin

Durvāsas' Untimely Visit and Kṛṣṇa's Morsel origin

Arjuna's Urvashi curse becomes his Virata disguise mirror

Places: Dvaitavana, Hastināpura

Where this comes from

See it on the tree · All stories

← Draupadī and Satyabhāmā: How a Wife Wins Her Husband · Duryodhana's Fast unto Death, the Dānavas' Counsel and Karṇa's Vow →