Krishna Met the Pandavas – Stories from Aranyaka Parva

After the Pandavas united with Arjuna, everyone returned to the Kamyaka forest to complete the remaining years of their exile. Krishna met the Pandavas to express his support once again.

Knowing of their return, Krishna came to meet them with Satyabhama. They took the blessings of Purohit Dhaumya and greeted the Pandava brothers and Draupadi. Once they sat, Arjuna inquired about their welfare and asked if Subhadra and Abhimanyu were well.

Krishna first assured Yudhistira that he would regain the lost kingdom and that the Pandavas had his full support. Then, he turned to Draupadi and spoke to her about her children. He said her sons (the Upapandavas) were dutiful, obedient, smart, and disciplined. Krishna talked about how her sons preferred to spend their time in Anarta (Dwarka) instead of Panchala with their maternal grandparents and uncles. 

The Upapandavas loved Abhimanyu and spent time learning from Subhadra, who took care of them just like how she cared for Abhimanyu. She taught them to follow good conduct and other things Draupadi would have taught her sons. All the young and budding warriors were being cared for by Rukmini as well. Moreover, they were training under Pradhyumna (Rukmini’s son), who was also tutoring Aniruddha, Sunitha, Bhanu, etc. 

Krishna concluded that Abhimanyu and the Upapandavas were becoming top-class warriors while being loved and molded into good personalities. Everyone in Dwarka loved the young men and considered them one of their own. 

His words gave a lot of strength and relief to the Pandavas and Draupadi, who missed their children.