Who will go ahead?

We have previously discussed about the twelve years that the Pandavas spent in the forest. During that period Arjuna had gone to the heavens (the world of Indra) to learn the secrets of divine weapons. While Arjuna was away for six years, the other brothers, along with Draupadi, had gone on a long pilgrimage. Rishi Lomesh took them on this wonderful journey. The time for Arjuna to return from the heavens was now approaching. He was to arrive on the summit of a mountain called Gandhamadana. This peak was at a very secret, well-guarded spot in the Himalayas. Only Rishi Lomesh knew how to get there.

The rishi called Yudhisthira and said, “O great king, we have crossed many mountains and rivers in the last six years. We will now enter the most secret and mysterious parts of the Himalayas. See how these seven streams go to form the great river Ganga. Mortal man will never get to lay his eyes on this wondrous scene. Only the gods can come here. Please sit at this spot to meditate and once you enter into samadhi, everything will be revealed to you.”

Yudhisthira sat cross legged and the rishi led him on in deep meditation. “You will see two mountains, Swetagiri and Mandar. Here lives Kubera, the king of the Yakshas and the keeper of Indra’s treasure. The lord Kuber is guarded and served by eighty thousand Gandharvas and Kinnars. He has four times that many Yakshas with him. All of them can take on various forms at will and know the art of wielding all kinds of weapons. Kubera, also known as Manibhadra, has untold wealth and has the power to move at the speed of wind, and is equal in strength to Indra. As you go deep in meditation, you will see the mountain called Jambu, from the summit of which you will hear the most divine of sounds. Enter that mountain, I will enter with you, here lies the lord of lords and I pray to him to protect you.” In this way the great rishi Lomesh took the Pandava Yudhisthira through the most mysterious of inner journeys.

Yudhisthira then called Bhima and said, “O Vrukodara, the journey ahead past the mountain of Kailas is very dangerous. It is not possible for Draupadi to walk and travel this path. O Bhima, together with Sahdeva, Draupadi, all our retinue of cooks and servants, and all the Brahmins who have been walking with us, stay here. Only Nakula, Rishi Lomesh and I will go ahead. You do understand that they will not be able to withstand the difficulties ahead. You and Sahdeva will stay here and protect them. The three of us will be able to go further by the power of tapas.”

Bhima was not satisfied and answered, “Arjuna has been away for more than five years and each day Draupadi has been yearning to see him. There is no way she will agree to remain here.”