When the ministers of Duryodhana, with folded hands and trembling hearts, approached Dharmaraja, they said, “O King, only you can deliver your kinsmen from the mighty grasp of Chitraratha.” Then the son of Vayu, in a mood of mirth, spoke with a smile: “A blessed turn of fate! The task we intended has been accomplished by the Gandharvas without effort or fatigue to us. They have done us a favour unasked. The deceiver, the pursuer of falsehood since his youth, the one condemned by the world, has been stripped of his pride and arrogance. The wisdom of Brahma ever preserves the moral balance of the world. When we, reduced to penury and hardship, wandered the forests, the son of the blind king came flaunting his wealth to taunt us. Now, he has met the punishment that fits his insolence. We owe no kindness to the wicked Duryodhana.” Thus spoke Bhima.
Dharmaraja, calm as ever, replied, “Bhima, mighty as you are, restrain your words. They are troubled and have sought refuge. To protect those who come for aid is the law of kingship. Among kin, disputes over wealth may arise, yet affection and duty must not perish. Within a family, strife may be endured; but when insult comes from without, we must stand together. Duryodhana’s conduct, though blameworthy, cannot erase the tie of blood. He and his women have been captured; if we turn away, it is our own dishonour. He is born of royal line, now fallen and in need; we must not deny him succour. To defend the helpless is the sacred code of the warrior race. Therefore, go forth, you and your brothers, with full heart and arms in hand, and release him.”
Bhima’s eyes blazed. “O Dharmaja,” he cried, “have you forgotten the injuries they wrought? He tried to drown me in a pond, poisoned my food, and set fire to the house of lac to consume us alive. Through deceit at dice, he robbed us of our kingdom. He insulted Draupadi, the daughter of Panchala, before the court by attempting to disrobe her. Since childhood, his malice has known no bounds. Your compassion for him may only dull our spirit and hinder our destiny.”
Dharmaraja answered, “Bhima, if any creature cries for protection, even a weak one rises to defend it. Shall you, a warrior of great valour, remain unmoved? Even if our foe seeks refuge, we must shield him. This is the path of the noble heart; there is no higher righteousness. The son of Dhritarashtra knows your might. They have turned to us in hope. To grant them life is meritorious; our glory will soar thereby. I am bound by sacred vows and cannot move from this rite. Go, therefore, in my stead. If persuasion fails, let your strength restore the balance and release Duryodhana, that my vow may bear its fruit.”
Bhima bowed in assent, and Arjuna, ever dutiful, swore an oath to rescue Duryodhana. Nakula and Sahadeva followed, bearing arms and shields. They mounted their chariots and rode forth, roaring like lions as they confronted the Gandharva hosts moving towards the mountains of Gandhamadana. The sky darkened under the flight of arrows. Arjuna, remembering Dharmaraja’s words, cried out to the Gandharvas: “Why raise enmity with us? We come to free Duryodhana by command of Dharmaraja, sovereign among men. Yield him in friendship, and all shall be well.”
But the Gandharva leader replied, “Dharmaraja is not our king; Indra is our lord, and we obey no other.” Arjuna rejoined, “I speak for your good; strife should yield to counsel. Yet if words avail not, arms must decide.” Then he lost his celestial shafts, and the Gandharvas replied in kind. A fierce battle ensued. Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula, and Sahadeva fought like flames sweeping through dry grass, slaying countless foes. Rivers of blood streamed down the slopes, and the fallen lay like heaps of straw.
Chitraratha, perceiving defeat, rose into the sky bearing Duryodhana and his followers captive. But Arjuna, discerning his flight, wove a net of arrows that barred every quarter, imprisoning the Gandharvas mid-air. Still, they fought, using magic and illusion, until Arjuna shattered their arms with Bhallastra, and heads fell like fruit from storm-tossed trees. Then with Agneyastra, he blazed through the foe as fire through the forest.
In wrath, Chitraratha hurled his divine mace, which Arjuna cleft into seven pieces. The Gandharvas vanished into invisibility and struck from the void, but Arjuna, guided by sound, pierced their hidden forms. When his magic failed, Chitraratha appeared in his true shape, and Arjuna stayed his hand. “Friend,” he said, “is it meet that you should war against the Kauravas? Release the captives with honour.”
Chitraratha answered, “I bear you no enmity, Arjuna. I am your friend. This Duryodhana is vile. Under pretext of guarding herds, he came to mock you in your exile. By Indra’s command, I seized him and his host to bring them before the lord of heaven. My intent was not hostility to you.” Arjuna replied, “Whatever his faults, he is still our brother. At my request, set him free. The rest we shall submit to Dharmaraja’s judgment.”
Chitraratha consented. Together they went before Dharmaraja, who greeted the Gandharva with reverence. “O noble one,” he said, “this Duryodhana is our kinsman. By your grace, he still lives. I beseech you, forgive his folly and release him.” The Gandharva, moved by his virtue, released all captives and reported to Indra, who, by sprinkling nectar, revived his fallen warriors.
When Duryodhana was restored, Dharmaraja addressed him: “O son of Dhritarashtra, let not pride lead you again into folly. Learn from this chastisement. The proud, ignorant of others’ might, invite their own ruin. Return now to your city, rule with justice, and let not grief or shame cloud your mind.”
Humbled, his arrogance broken, Duryodhana bowed and departed in silence. The Brahmins and sages praised the conduct of the Pandavas, saying, “This tale reveals the deep law of the universe—the harmony of virtue and strength, the code of kingship, and the balance maintained by divine intelligence.” And thus spoke Vaisampayana to King Janamejaya, “In this story lies the eternal rhythm of duty, destiny, and the moral order that sustains the worlds.”
