Ghoshayatra Parva is the thirty ninth upa parva included in the third maha parva, named as Vana parva or Aranyaka parva in the epic Mahabharata. The original epic was composed by Vyasa in Sanskrit. Vyshampayana had narrated to Janamejaya the historical events, happened in the forests on his queries.

This upa parva is also called as Gau Goshayatra since the inspection of the cow herds of the Kauravas had been carried out near the Dvaitavana in this parva.

How a Brahmin had described about Pandavas to Dritarashtra and how he felt it?

A Brahmin from the Dvaithavana had visited Hastinapura and met with Dritarashtra. He had reported about the Pandavas narrating the hardships and their sufferings in the forests. Then Dritarashtra had become sympathetic towards Pandavas and repented for the past events of dice games held in his palace. Dritarashtra felt afraid of Arjuna since he procured special weapons and anticipated destruction of Duryodhana and his other children if a war would start. 

How Duryodhana had secured the permission of Dritarashtra to go near Dvaitavana?

Shakuni advised Duryodhana to carry out the inspection of their royal cow herds that grazed near the Dvaithavana. They accompanied veterinary doctors with them and with inspection of cow herds as their primary reason, asked the permission of Dritarashtra to go near Dvaithavana. Dritarashtra had consulted with Bhishma and Drona and advised Duryodhana not to go near the camp of Yudhishtira to avoid unprecedented incidences. Then Duryodhana with his wife Bhanumathi and Karna started with their ministers and required security troops.

What Duryodhana had done near Dvaitavana and why Karna had escaped from the battle field?

Draupadi Sathyabhama Parva is the thirty eighth upa parva included in the third maha parva, named as Vana parva or Aranyaka parva in the epic Mahabharata. The original epic was composed by Vyasa in Sanskrit. Vyshampayana had narrated to Janamejaya the historical events, happened in the forests on his queries.

In this upa parva, mainly the conversations between Draupadi and Sathyabhama are narrated and hence it is also named as Draupadi Sathyabhama Samvada parva.

Who was Sathyabhama and what was Syamanthaka Upakhyana?

Sathyabhama was the daughter of Sathrajitha. Sathrajitha had three daughters and Sathyabhama was the eldest one. Sathrajitha belonged to Yadava lineage and was the chief of the treasury of Dwaraka. Prasena was his brother.

Sathrajitha was the custodian of the famous gem Syamanthaka Mani. One day, Krishna told Sathrajitha to hand over the Syamanthaka Mani to him and he would keep it safely with him. Sathrajitha had denied giving the gem to Krishna. Later one day, his brother Prasena had gone to the forest for hunting wearing the Syamanthaka gem but in the forest, Prasena was killed by a lion. Jambava was living in the same forest and he was running an orphanage. Jambava had killed the lion and got the Sayamanthaka gem but he gave it to his daughter, Jambavathi. 

Markandeya Parva is the thirty seventh upa parva included in the third maha parva, named as Vana parva or Aranyaka parva in the epic Mahabharat. The original epic was composed by Vyasa in Sanskrit. Vyshampayana had narrated to Janamejaya the historical events, happened in the forests on his queries.

Who was Markandeaya Rishi, and what was his specialty?

Markandeya Rishi was a great devotee of God. God had blessed him with a boon to live for unlimited time on the Earth. Whenever God appeared by his incarnation, he could see him face to face and talk to him. When Krishna was born, he desired to visit him and found him lying on the leaf of a big banyan tree. When Krishna married Satyabhama and visited Yudhishtira at Kamyakavana, he wished to see the couple and hence visited there. He could remember many events, and he could continue to live for many Yuga periods. He was able to preserve his body himself during the Pralaya or world reshuffling, and it was his specialty.  

Who were the people to hear the stories from Markandeya Rishi?

Ajagara Parva is the thirty sixth upa parva included in the third maha parva, named as Vana parva or Aranyaka parva in the epic Mahabharata. The original epic was composed by Vyasa in Sanskrit. Vyshampayana had narrated to Janamejaya the historical events, happened during the exile of Pandavas on his queries.

Who had permitted Arjuna to live on top of the Gandhamadana Mountain?

The Angel God of wealth and treasures, Kubera, or Vaishravana had permitted to live Arjuna on the top of Gandhamadana Mountain. 

How did Yudhishtira spend four years on top of the Gandhamadana Mountain and what was Arjuna doing then?

Yakshayuddha Parva is the thirty fifth upa parva included in the third maha parva, named as Vana parva or Aranyaka parva in the epic Mahabharat. The original epic was composed by Vyasa in Sanskrit. Vyshampayana had narrated to Janamejaya the historical events, happened in the forests on his queries.

How was the Gandhamadana forest?

धर्मारण्यं हि तत्पुण्यमाद्यम् च भरतर्षभ ।
यत्र प्रविश्ट मात्रो वै पापेभ्यो विप्रमुच्यते ॥

Meaning: O Bull Bharatha! It was also a forest full of Dharma, where people reaching there get rid of their sins. It was a holy place.

What had Arshtishena Rishi advised Yudhishtira?

Arshtishena Rishi had his Ashrama near Mount Shweta near Gandhamdana forest. When Yudhishtira reached Arshtishena Ashram, he welcomed them and told them many valuable secrets of human life.

पिता माता तथैवाग्निर्गुरुरात्मा च पंचमः ।
यस्मै ते पूजिताः पार्थ तस्य लोक वुभौ जितौ ॥

Meaning: O Partha! Those who worship father, mother, fire, teacher and inner-soul (say God or Paramatma), they could win the worlds, this world and heaven.

Yudhishtira desired to win in the forthcoming Mahabharat war and Arshtishena Rishi was indirectly hinting him about his victory.

What was the story of Agastya Vivaha?

Jatasuravadha Parva is the thirty fourth upa parva included in the third maha parva, named as Vana Parva or Aranyaka Parva in the epic Mahabharat. The original epic was composed by Vyasa in Sanskrit. Vyshampayana had narrated to Janamejaya the historical events that happened in the forests on his queries.

How did Ghatotkacha help Yudhishtira to reach Saugandhikavana after the cyclone, at the request of Bhima?

Due to cyclone Draupadi fainted and Yudhishtira also found it difficult to climb the steep hills. Bhima had thought of his son Ghatotkacha, and he immediately appeared there and at the request of his father, he had carried Yudhishtira, Draupadi and Pandava brothers over a palanquin up to Saugandhikavana. Lomasha Rishi had used his ascetic powers to reach his goal and had already moved there. Bhima had followed his son, reached safely on the top of the Saugandhikavana and settled there on a comfortable place with his help. 

What did Hanuman explain to Bhima about Vedas, Yajnas and Gods?

Tirthayatra Parva is the thirty third upa parva included in the third maha parva, named as Vana parva or Aranyaka parva in the epic Mahabharat. The original epic was composed by Vyasa in Sanskrit. Vyshampayana had narrated the historical events to Janamejaya, happened in the forests.

Most of the interesting incidents of this upa parva were related to pilgrimages started from Kamyakavana by Yudhishtira. He procured virtues with Pandava brothers.

Yudhishtira desired to move to a better forest area but Dhaumya Rishi had suggested going on pilgrimage to holy places like Gaya, Prayag, Panchala Gomathi, and many Rivers and holy Mountains. They visited the palace of Kubera in Kailasa plateau. 

What did Dhaumya describe about Dwaraka and Badarika?

Dhaumya had suggested Yudhishtira to visit Dwaraka and Badarika to be blessed by Madhusudana and Narayana, to pray for the future peaceful life with brothers. 

How did Yudhishtira greet Lomasha Rishi and what did he tell him?

Indralokagamana Parva is the thirty second upa parva included in the third maha parva, named as Vana parva or Aranyaka parva in the epic Mahabharat. The original epic was composed by Vyasa in Sanskrit. This upa parva is also called as Indralokabhigamana. Vyshampayana had narrated to Janamejaya the historical
events, happened in the forests on his queries.

How Arjuna travelled to Indraloka?

Indra had sent his chariot with the charioteer Matali to pick up Arjuna to Indraloka. Matali had carried him to the Indraloka. When Arjuna sat in the chariot with Matali, one would think Arjuna as Indra as the view was very magnificent.

How Arjuna was greeted at Indraloka?

Kirata Parva is the thirty first upa parva included in the third maha parva, named as Vana parva or Aranyaka parva in the epic, Mahabharat. The original epic was composed by Vyasa in Sanskrit. Vyshampayana had narrated to Janamejaya the
historical events, happened in the forests on his queries.

The two main incidents of this upa parva were, the transit journey by Yudhishtira from Kamyakavana to Dvaitavana, again back to Kamyakavana and procurement of weapons by Arjuna from Maheshwara who appeared as a hunter, called Kirata after his penance.

Who was the most honorable person who visited Pandavas in Kamyakavana and what Draupadi told him?

Krishna was the most honorable person who visited Pandavas in Kamyakavana. Draupadi told Krishna regarding her sufferings and grievances. The Pandava brothers deserved virtues and performed works that would bring virtues to human beings but they were suffering. Duryodhana, Dushasana, and his allies were notorious for sinful actions but they were enjoying in the palace.

During Rajasuya yaga, Pandava brothers had worked hard to gain huge wealth but by only one day’s deceptive dice game, Duryodhana had grabbed them all, and these hard earned wealth were enjoyed by the undeserved people.

Kirmiravadha is the thirtieth upa parva included in the third maha parva, named as Vana parva or Aranyaka parva in the epic Mahabharata. The original epic was
composed by Vyasa in Sanskrit. Vyshampayana had narrated the historical events which belonged to the period spent in forests to Janamejaya, on his queries.

The two main incidents of this upa parva were killing of the demon Kirmira by Bhima and the chase and killing of another demon Salva by Krishna who attacked Dwaraka in vengeance against the killed demon called Shishupala.

What was discussed between Dritarashtra and Sanjaya and what was the result?

Dritarashtra had politely ordered Sanjaya to invite Vidura back to his palace, and in case if he would not return he should be honored and pleased with donations.

What was discussed between Dritarashtra and Sanjaya and what was the result?

Dritarashtra had politely ordered Sanjaya to invite Vidura back to his palace, and in case if he would not return, he should be honored and pleased with donations.

What did Vidura do after he was invited by Sanjaya?