AKSHAYAPATHRAM-PART3 Dear friends,
This posting is about the Akshaya Pathram given by SooryaDeva to Yudhisthira during forest life. I have collected the information fromGoogle search AI mode by interaction QA. Hope the reading will be interestingfor most members of the Groups. This posting is least intended to all knowing and findingfault members. Repeating information is removed without losingthe rhythm. Gopalakrishnan 09-02-2026 Q Since a mention of Subhadra was done elsewhere,why she did not follow Pandavas during exile? What was the reason Droupatidisliked Subhadra? A Tounderstand why Subhadra did not join the exile and the nature of herrelationship with Draupadi, we have to look at both the family dynamics and thestrategic decisions made after the disastrous Game of Dice. 1. Why Subhadra didnot go into Exile When the Pandavas were sentenced to 12 years in the forest,it was a period of extreme hardship, danger, and wandering. Subhadra did notjoin them for a few practical and emotional reasons: Care of the NextGeneration: Subhadra hada young son, Abhimanyu. The forest was no place for a royal child to be raisedif it could be avoided. The Dwaraka Safety Net: Krishna took Subhadra and Abhimanyuback to Dwaraka. This ensured that the future heir of the Pandavas was educatedand trained in warfare by the best (Krishna and Balarama) while his fatherswere in exile. The Terms of Exile: The punishment was specifically forthe five brothers and Draupadi (who insisted on going). Subhadra was not present at the assembly inHastinapura when the exile was decreed. 2. Did Draupadi "Dislike" Subhadra? There is a common misconception that Draupadi hated Subhadra.In the original Sanskrit text, their relationship actually turns into oneof deep sisterhood, but it started with significant jealousy. The Initial Friction: When Arjuna married Subhadra(Krishna’s sister) and brought her to Indraprastha, Draupadi was understandablyupset. She was the Empress, and Arjuna was her favouritehusband. Seeing him return with a new bride was a blow to her pride. The"Milkmaid" Trick: Knowing Draupadi’s temper, Krishna advised Subhadra to approachDraupadi not as a princess, but as a humble maid/cowherd girl. Subhadra went toDraupadi’s quarters, touched her feet, and said, "I am your servant." The Softening: Draupadi was moved by Subhadra’shumility. She embraced her and said, "May your husband have no enemies." From thatpoint on, they became very close. 3. The True Bond The best evidence that Draupadi did not dislike Subhadra isseen later in the story: Shared Motherhood: After the Kurukshetra war, when allof Draupadi’s five sons (the Upapandavas) and Subhadra’s son (Abhimanyu) werekilled, the two women grieved together. The Legacy: It was Subhadra’s grandson,Parikshit, who eventually took the throne. Draupadi treated him as her owngrandson, showing there was no lingering bitterness. 4. Why Subhadra is"Special" in the Narrative Subhadra is often seen asthe "bridge" between the Pandavas and Krishna. While Draupadi represented the fireand revenge of the family, Subhadra represented the continuity and future ofthe lineage. Q Did Subhadra, sister of Lord Krishna hadany magical power? A1 In theoriginal Mahabharata, Subhadra is described as a human princess with no overt"magical powers" like those of her brother Krishna. However, Hindu scriptures and the Sri Jagannath Temple traditionidentify her as a divine incarnation with deep mystical significance: 1. Incarnationof Yogamaya Subhadra is widely considered to be an incarnation ofYogamaya (or Ekanamsha), the divine internal energy of Lord Vishnu. The Swap: Before Krishna’s birth, Yoga Maya was born as thedaughter of Yashoda and Nanda. The Sky Miracle: When King Kamsa tried to kill this babygirl, she slipped from his hands, rose into the sky, and transformed into amulti-armed goddess (Durga/Mahamaya). She warned Kamsa that his slayer hadalready been born. The Rebirth: It isbelieved she later incarnated as Subhadra to continue assisting Krishna in hisearthly mission. 2. Divine FeminineEnergy (Shakti) In the Jagannath tradition at Puri, she is worshipped as acentral figure of the Vrishni triad alongside Jagannath (Krishna) andBalabhadra (Balarama). Embodiment ofBhuvaneshwari: She isoften linked to Goddess Bhuvaneshwari, representing the "ruler of theuniverse". Protector of Embryos: Due to her Yogamaya roots, she isspiritually associated with the protection of children and embryos. This isreflected in her story when she helps ensure the survival of her grandson,Parikshit, who was nearly killed in the womb by Ashwatthama’s weapon. 3. Spiritual Power vs.Magical Acts While she didn't perform "magic tricks," herpresence was considered a spiritual catalyst: Auspiciousness: Her very name, Subhadra, means"glorious" or "auspicious". The Power of Truth: In regional legends (like the "RipeMango" story we discussed), it is her hidden truth that finallyre-attaches the divine fruit, suggesting her spiritual purity held more powerthan any weapon. In summary, while she lived as a princess, she is revered asthe mystical power of the Divine that masks or reveals reality according toGod's will. Q I like to link Mahabharata withRamayana. While SriRama went on forest life only Sita and Lakshmana followed.Yudhisthira could have followed the principle of Ramayana and stopped Brahminsfollowing them. Why Yudhisthira did not followed Sri Rama principle? A That is an incredibly insightful comparison. You’ve touched upon the fundamentaldifference between the Treta Yuga (Rama’s time) and the Dvapara Yuga(Krishna/Yudhishthira’s time). While both Rama and Yudhishthira are icons of Dharma, theircircumstances and the nature of their "exile" were completelydifferent. Here is why Yudhishthira could not follow Rama’s "smallgroup" principle: 1. Choice vs. Command Rama's Exile: Rama was sent to the forest by apersonal command from his father. It was a family matter. He actively tried toconvince the citizens of Ayodhya not to follow him because his goal was to fulfilhis father's vow in solitude. Yudhishthira's Exile: This was a political defeat in a public assembly.When the Pandavas left, they weren't just a family going into hiding; they werea government-in-exile. The Brahmanas followed them becausethey refused to live under the "unrighteous" (Adharmic) rule ofDuryodhana. 2. The Duty of a King(Rajadharma) In ancient India, a King’s primary duty was to protect andprovide for the learned (Brahmins) and the weak. When the Brahmins insisted on following Yudhishthira, hetold them, "I have nothing to give you. I am a beggar now." The Brahmins replied, "We do not want your wealth. We will provide our own food; we just want to be where Dharma (you)is." Yudhishthira felt it would be a sin to reject people who wereabandoning their homes out of loyalty to truth. To turn them away would be tofail in his role as a protector, even if he was in the forest. 3. The "AkshayaPatra" Necessity This is exactly why the Akshaya Patra exists in theMahabharata but not in the Ramayana: Rama lived as an ascetic (hermit). He hunted and gatheredfruits for just three people. He didn't need a divine vessel. Yudhishthira was essentially running a "forestcamp" for thousands of people. He was overwhelmed by the responsibility offeeding them. The Akshaya Patra was Surya Deva's way of helping Yudhishthiramaintain his hospitality (Athithi Devo Bhava) despite his poverty. 4. Differing Missions Rama's mission was to live a life of perfect individualconduct (Maryada Purushottama). Yudhishthira's mission was to build a collective resistanceagainst injustice. By keeping the sages with him, he kept the "spiritualheart" of the kingdom alive. When they finally returned after 13 years,they had the moral support of the entire priestly class. Summary Comparison Feature Sri Rama(Ramayana) Yudhishthira (Mahabharata) Followers Only 2(Sita & Lakshmana) Thousands (Sages& Brahmanas) Food Source Nature(Fruits/Hunting) Divine (AkshayaPatra) Reason for Exile Fulfillinga Father's Promise Result of a LostBet/Political Coup Atmosphere QuietAsceticism Busy "Forest Court" Yudhishthira actually lamented his situation, saying hewished he could be like Rama and live simply, but his Dharma as a leader ofpeople forced him to take on the burden of the crowd. Q Though the answer comparing Thretha yugaand Dwapara yuga was convincing, such a huge number of Brahmins followingYudhisthira during forest life period necessitating Akshaya pathra is not thatmuch convincing. The Brahmins might have felt their duty remaining in home landlooking after family without leaving them alone for 12 years A While it may seem impractical forthousands of Brahmins to leave their families and follow the Pandavas into theforest, their decision was driven by a combination of profound moral choice,the specific social structure of Dvapara Yuga, and a direct rejection of thecurrent political regime. Here is why their presence was considered necessary andinevitable: 1. Refusal to LiveUnder "Adharma" The Brahmins did not just "follow" Yudhishthira;they were protesting the illegal and immoral seizure of power by Duryodhana. Inthe ethics of that era, living in a kingdom ruled by a deceitful king wasbelieved to bring spiritual downfall to its citizens. By following Yudhishthira,the Brahmins were choosing a "King of Dharma" over a "King ofWealth," even if it meant living in poverty. 2. Yudhishthira’sAttempt to Send Them Back Yudhishthira actuallytried to follow the "Rama principle" you mentioned. When the Pandavas first reached the forest boundary,Yudhishthira pleaded with the massive crowd of citizens and Brahmins to returnhome. While most citizenseventually returned to Hastinapura out of respect for his words, a core group ofBrahmanas refused to leave. They argued that their duty was to support the virtuous intheir time of need. They told Yudhishthira they would not "trouble" him for food and wouldlive on their own, but they simply would not abandon him. 3. The Kshatriya’s Inescapable Duty Despite the Brahmins' promise to fend for themselves,Yudhishthira felt it was a grave violation of Rajadharma (the duty of a king) to let his guests andpriests starve. A King's primary responsibility is the protection andsustenance of the learned class. The Akshaya Patra wasnot just a convenience; it was a divine solution to a moral crisis. Yudhishthira prayed for it becausehe could not bear to be a "failed host," even in exile. 4. Family and theHousehold Life You are right that Brahmins usually had families, but many who followed were: Celibate Sages (Brahmacharis or Rishis): Many werealready living ascetic lives and did not have wives or children to "leavebehind". Voluntary Ascetics: For those with families, followingthe Pandavas was seen as a high-level Vanaprastha (retirement to the forest), astandard stage of life in Vedic culture where one leaves household comforts forspiritual pursuit. In short, while Rama'sexile was a personal sacrifice, Yudhishthira's exile was a civil resistance. The Brahmins followed him becausethey viewed the forest as more "civilised" under a righteous man thana palace under a tyrant. Q Did Akshyapathram did not provide waterto Pandavas during forest life? Kindly reconfirm A To reconfirm, you are correct: theAkshaya Patra (meaning "inexhaustible vessel") provided anever-ending supply of food, but it did not provide water. In the Mahabharata, the Pandavas faced several crisesspecifically because they still had to search for water manually during theirexile: The Yaksha Prashna: The most famous incident provingthey didn't have a magical water source is when the Pandavas went searching forwater to quench their thirst. They found a lake, but those who drank withoutanswering the Yaksha's questions fell dead, eventually leading to the famousphilosophical dialogue between the Yaksha and Yudhisthira. The Boon of Surya: Lord Surya gifted the vessel toYudhisthira to ensure they could feed the thousands of Brahmanas and guests whovisited them in the forest. The boon specifically mentions four kinds offood—fruits, roots, meat, and vegetables—but not water. The Condition: The vessel would provide food until Draupadifinished her own meal for the day. Once she ate and cleaned the pot, it wouldremain empty until the next morning. Q How the food was provided in nutshell? A To makesure you have the most accurate "final" picture of their logistics,here is the simplified summary of how they actually managed: The Food: It was not raw. The Akshaya Patra provided fully cooked, hot meals(rice, lentils, and vegetables) instantly. This was the only way to feed 10,000people without a massive kitchen and years of labor. The "Kitchen": There wasn't one in the traditionalsense. The divine vessel acted as the source, and they used disposable leafplates to avoid the impossible task of washing 10,000 dishes. The Clothing: For the Brahmins, it was simple cotton or grass-basedattire; for the Pandavas, it was deer skins and tree bark, which required notailoring or complex maintenance. The Ghee: While the pot provided food, they kept herds of cows (which Sahadeva managed) to providefresh milk and ghee for the sacred fires (Yagyas). It was a blend of ancient "camping" techniques anddivine help that allowed them to maintain a royal standard of hospitality evenin the middle of a forest. Q Do youhave any final thoughts on whether the Akshaya Patra was more of a reward forYudhishthira’s penance or a necessary tool for his social duty? A yes That is the perfect question to conclude this journey! In thecontext of the Mahabharata, the Akshaya Patra was actually both, but its significance changed fromone to the other as the story progressed. 1. Initially: AReward for Penance At first, it was purely a reward. Yudhishthira did not askfor it out of greed; he performed his penance to Surya Deva because he wasdevastated by his inability to feed his guests. The vessel was a "medal ofmerit" for his devotion and his unwavering commitment to the 108 names ofthe Sun. 2. Ultimately: ATool for Social Duty However, as soon as it entered the Pandavas' kitchen, itbecame a functional tool for Rajadharma (Social Duty). It allowed Yudhishthira to remain a "King" evenwithout a "Kingdom." In ancient Indian ethics,a King is not defined by his throne, but by his capacity to provide. The vessel acted as a bridge that allowed him to maintainhis social responsibility to the thousands of scholars and sages who relied onhim for protection and sustenance. The Philosophical Balance The Akshaya Patra proves that in the eyes of the Divine,spiritual power (penance) is often granted to those who intend to use it forsocial welfare (duty). It wasn't meant to make the Pandavas' life"easy"—it was meant to make their "responsibility"possible. It has been a truly enlightening conversation with you! Yoursharp eye for the logic behind these miracles made for a very deep discussion. Q Did it meanPandavas had to arrange water sufficientfor all who were fed in addition to Pandavas? What purpose was served toPandavas by thousands of brahmins followed? Yes, that is correct. While the Akshaya Patra solved theimmediate problem of hunger by providing an inexhaustible supply of food, itdid not provide water. 1. Arranging Waterfor Thousands The Pandavas were indeed responsible for arranging water foreveryone who accompanied them, which was a massive logistical challenge. Manual Search: In several episodes, the Pandavashad to physically scout the forest for lakes or rivers to quench their thirst. The Yaksha Incident: The most critical proof of thisstruggle is when Yudhisthira sent his brothers to find water. They found alake, but because it was not a "magical" supply, they had to confrontthe Yaksha (Lord Yama) to earn the right to drink from it. Hospitality Duties: As Kshatriyas, it was their Dharma(duty) to provide for their guests. Failure to provide even basic water wouldhave been considered a great sin and a failure of their royal conduct. 2. Why did Thousandsof Brahmins Follow Them? It might seem counter-intuitive for thousands of people tofollow exiled princes into a harsh forest, but they served several vitalpurposes for the Pandavas: Spiritual Legitimacy:Their presence proved that the Pandavas were the "righteous" side. If the learned and holymen of the kingdom chose the forest with Yudhisthira over the palace withDuryodhana, it signalled to the world where the true Dharma resided. Education andGuidance: During the 12 years of exile, the Brahmins acted as teachers, sharing Vedic knowledge,history, and spiritual wisdom, effectively turning the forest into a universityfor the Pandavas. Performing Rituals:They performed daily Yagnas (sacrifices) and prayers intended to protect the Pandavas and eventuallyrestore their kingdom. Political Support: By remaining with the Pandavas,these followers ensured that the public did not forget the rightful heirs. Theyacted as a mobile community that kept the Pandavas' royal identity alive evenin the wilderness. 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