Neev (steady, a little serious):
 Hello, Mythical Masala fans! Welcome back to another episode. Last time, the dice rolled... and everything fell apart.
 Jewels. Kingdom. Brothers. Even Draupadi.

And when it was finally over — no throne, no revenge, no justice — the Pandavas were told:
 “Go live in the forest.”

Co-host (dryly):
 Ah yes. Nothing says “sorry we ruined your life” like a camping trip. Well at least I am not the camping type. 

Neev (chuckles):
Haha!  Right!
 But this wasn't s’mores and sleeping bags.
 This was twelve years of exile, with one rule: don’t come back. 

Co-host:
 And then one bonus year in disguise!
 As if they were part of some ancient episode of Survivor: Warrior Edition.

Neev:
 But here's the thing — the forest wasn’t just about survival.
 It was full of adventures — wild animals, ancient sages, magical weapons, and big, BIG lessons.

Co-host:
 Let me guess — Bhima goes full muscle mode, Arjuna does archery stuff, and Yudhishthira reads books?

Neev:
 Close enough.
 Each brother finds their own path — with danger, drama, and even a little divine intervention.

So get ready.
 The dice are gone.
 The swords are packed.
 And the Pandavas are heading into the forest — with nothing but their fire… and their dharma.

Neev (quietly):
 The Pandavas were gone.

They had left the palace… the city… everything.
 And as they walked into exile, the people of Hastinapura stood frozen — not in celebration, but in sorrow.

Co-host (softly):
 Wait — weren’t they supposed to be “punished”? Why is everyone sad?

Neev:
 Because everyone knew the truth.

This wasn’t justice.
 This was cheating. Humiliation. Injustice served with dice.

And deep inside the palace, King Dhritarashtra — the blind king — sat in fear.
 Not because he missed the Pandavas…
 But because of what Narada Muni had just said.

Co-host (gulping):
 Oh no. Did Narada drop another cosmic truth bomb?

Neev:
 Yep.

He said, “In fourteen years, the Kauravas will be destroyed — because of Duryodhana’s crime.”

And everyone knew: Dhritarashtra could say nice things, give wise-sounding speeches…
 But in the end? He would always support his son.

Co-host (dryly):
 So Duryodhana did what he wanted. And Dhritarashtra… nodded along? What did he expect!

Neev:
 Exactly.

When Vidura — the voice of reason — begged him to return the kingdom to the Pandavas, Dhritarashtra…
 threw him out of the kingdom!

Only to regret it, cry a little, and call him back the next day.

Co-host (mock Dhritarashtra voice):
 “Sorry Vidura… I was just hangry.”

Neev (laughs):
 Could be!

And the elders — Bhishma, Kripacharya, Dronacharya — stayed silent… out of duty to the throne and kingdom…

Co-host: How lame!

Neev: Yeah. And well 
 Duryodhana? He wasn’t listening to anyone.

Even when Sage Maitreya — a traveling sage full of wisdom — came to visit and told him to fix things…

Co-host:
 Let me guess. Duryodhana listened politely and immediately changed his ways?

Neev:
 Good attempt at a joke mom! But not even close. 

He laughed.
 And — wait for it — he slapped his thigh in delight.

Co-host (groans):
 Why does this guy keep slapping his thighs?! Is that his thing?

Neev:
 Apparently!
 But this time, it came with a price.

Sage Maitreya stared at him and said:
 "Since you slapped your thigh in arrogance… it will be broken in battle. By Bhima.” 

Co-host: 

hahaha (evil laugh)... I like how all the Gods and Sages hand out predictions like peanuts. Could I get some predictions on the stock market pleazzzzz?

Neev:
You wish! And technically they are more like curses…so you don’t really want those!

Well… And just like that — another curse sealed Duryodhana’s fate.

But while all this was happening in Hastinapura…
 Trouble was brewing elsewhere too.

Co-host: More trouble?

Far away in Dwaraka, Krishna’s city was under attack!

Co-host:
 What?! By who?

Neev:
 By Salva — a friend of Shishupala, the king Krishna defeated at the Rajasuya Yagna.

Salva came to avenge him.

Krishna wasn’t even in the city — his grandfather Ugrasena was holding the fort.

But when Krishna returned and saw Dwaraka under siege…

Co-host:
 Oooh. Someone’s in trouble. 

Neev:
 Big trouble.
 Krishna went straight into battle and defeated Salva — ending the siege and saving Dwaraka.

Only afterward… did Krishna learn everything that had happened. 

The dice.
 The humiliation.
 The exile.
 Draupadi.

Co-host: He didn’t know? How come he saved Draupadi..I guess that was just some divine miracle…

Neev: Yeah…we don’t really understand how these miracles work…but he didn’t know all the details..or maybe he knew but he had to let it happen..who knows. 

And something changed in Krishna too.

Neev (narrating, calm):
 As the Pandavas settled into their exile, far from the noise of palaces and courts…

…they weren’t forgotten.

Because someone had heard everything.
 And that someone… was Krishna.

Co-host (determined):
 And you know Krishna’s not going to let something like this slide.

Neev:
 Exactly.

The moment he learned what happened — the game, the cheating, the insults, Draupadi being dragged into court — Krishna was furious.

He immediately left Dwaraka to meet the Pandavas.
 And he didn’t come alone.

Neev:
 Kings and princes — friends of the Pandavas — joined him, bringing whole armies.
 Not for war… but to show:
 “We’re with you.”

Co-host:
 That’s like showing up with the biggest squad just to say, “Hey, we got your back.”

Neev (smiles):
 When they reached the forest, Draupadi told Krishna everything —
 What Duryodhana had done, what Karna had said, and how no one had helped her.

And Krishna listened.

He comforted her, held her pain with his quiet strength, and said something that would stay in her heart forever:

“Everyone who caused this pain… will fall.”

Co-host: That seems like another prediction

Neev:

He promised the Pandavas —
 “Things will unfold exactly as they need to. And justice… will come.”

Co-host: There you go. I told you…

Then, he returned to Dwaraka, taking Subhadra (Arjuna’s wife) and Abhimanyu (their son) with him.
 Dhrishtadyumna, Draupadi’s brother, took her sons to Panchala to keep them safe.

Co-host:
So the family split up…What about Kunti?.

Neev:
She stayed back with Vidura. 

Co-host:  That makes sense. Exiles don’t sound fun at all. What do you do all day? 

Neev: Exile didn’t mean sitting in silence.

Because of the Pandavas’ forest life?
 It quickly turned into a full-on adventure.

Co-host:
 Wait — like wild animals and survival shows?

Neev (laughs):
 Not quite. But pretty close.

First of all, they didn’t go alone.
 Thousands of brahmanas, sages, and travelers chose to join them — just to be near the righteous Pandavas.

Co-host:
 Okay… that’s a lot of mouths to feed.

Neev:
 Exactly!
 They built a simple hut and tried to live peacefully…

But Yudhishthira was worried.
 How could he possibly feed this many people in the forest?

So he turned to Sage Dhaumya, the Pandavas’ priest.

Co-host:
 And what did Dhaumya say?

Neev:
 He gave spiritual advice.
 He said: “Worship the Sun.”

Co-host: Wait! How’s that going to solve the food problem? I wish i could do that, so i didn’t have to think about what to cook every day!

Neev: Well in Indian tradition, the Sun God, Surya, is the source of all energy, light… and even food.

So Yudhishthira began a deep, devoted prayer to Surya — every day, in full faith.

And Surya… appeared before him!

Co-host (wide-eyed):
 Wait — like, Sun-God-in-the-sky appeared? That was fast!

Neev:
 Yep! And he gave him a powerful gift:

The Akshayapatra.
 A magical, inexhaustible vessel that would give unlimited food — as long as Draupadi hadn’t eaten yet that day.

Co-host (amused):
 So basically — "Feed the guests first, Draupadi eats last, magic bowl stays full." Got it.

Neev (laughing):
 That’s the rule!

And with the Akshayapatra, the Pandavas could feed every sage, traveler, guest, and hungry bird who visited them during their exile.

It wasn’t a kingdom.
 It wasn’t a palace.
 But with Krishna’s blessing, Surya’s gift, and their own dharma…

The forest became home.

Neev (narrating):
 After settling in the forest, the Pandavas began their journey to Kamyaka, a deeper, darker part of the wilderness.

The path twisted through thick trees and tall grass. Shadows moved strangely. The sun had just set.

And then —
 something stepped out of the darkness.

Co-host (alarmed):
 Okay. That already sounds like a jump scare waiting to happen.

Neev:
 It kind of was.

A giant Asura — a forest demon — appeared.
 His name was Kirmirasura.
 He held a blazing torch in one hand and growled,
 “Who dares enter my forest?”

Co-host: I don’t quite get the need to go deeper into the forest…i mean…the Pandavas were probably fine where they were…

Neev: Usually, but staying in one place isn’t safe either…and they need to hunt for food…etc etc…let’s not get into the technicalities..can I continue? 

Co-host: Of course

Neev: 

Yudhishthira stepped forward calmly and introduced the group —
 “I am Yudhishthira of the Kuru dynasty, and these are my brothers.”

But when Kirmirasura heard their names…
 His face twisted in rage.

Co-host (confused):
 Wait, why? Did they take his parking spot or something?

Neev (chuckles):
 Worse.
 Kirmirasura snarled,
 “You… you’re the ones who killed my brother Bakasura! And my friend Hidimba!”

Co-host:
 Ohhh. And guess who did that? Friends, do you remember these two Rakshsas from Episode 8 in Season 2. Well our mightiest Pandava..Bhima had a blast with these two…

Neev:
Yes, 

And Bhima… was already on edge.

He hadn’t forgotten the dice. The insults.
 Draupadi’s humiliation.
 He was burning inside — and this demon just gave him an excuse.

Without a word, Bhima charged.

Co-host: Well, as if Bhima needs an excuse…his anger is always on the surface…but let’s give him a pass this time…it's justified.

Neev:

The two giants clashed — fists slamming, feet pounding the forest floor.
 Kirmirasura threw fire. Bhima threw rocks.
 Trees shattered. Birds scattered. It was a battle of fury and force.

Co-host: And then? Is this over yet?

Neev: 
 Bhima uprooted a massive tree.
 With one roar, he smashed it into the demon’s chest!

Co-host (excited):
 WHAM! Instant forest fury!

Neev:
 Kirmirasura staggered, howled…
 And Bhima leapt onto him, pinning him down.

He strangled the Asura and held his arms down with his feet —
 And finally, the demon fell, still and silent.

Co-host: I hope that gave Bhima some satisfaction!

Neev:
Well, not really.  It didn’t bring Bhima peace.
 But it brought him… release. 

Co-host (thoughtful):
 So he found an outlet for his rage. But the real battle — the one in his heart — still wasn’t over.

Neev:
 Exactly.

Co-host: Well, Feels like Pandavas need more ways to protect themselves in these forests. You never know what might be lurking around.

Neev: 

Yeah, someone’s probably thinking about it.

Meanwhile, Draupadi and Bhima tried to convince Yudhishthira —

Co-host: About what? 

Neev: To fight.  “Let’s fight. Let’s go back to Hastinapura. Let’s take back what’s ours.”

But Yudhishthira shook his head.

Co-host:
 Because… dharma?

Neev:
 Because he believed in keeping promises — even the ones made under unfair rules.

But even Yudhishthira knew… this was far from over.

Soon, Krishna, Vyasa, and King Drupada visited the Pandavas in the forest.
 They offered comfort… and a warning:

“After the thirteenth year — a great war will come.”

Co-host: Well, I could have predicted that! Even our Mythical Masala listeners could have predicted that. 

Neev: 

So, instead of rushing to battle…
 The Pandavas began to prepare.

The forest was no longer a place of rest.
 It had become a place of training, of divine encounters, and of fire waiting to rise.

Neev (narrating, steady):
 While Bhima was fighting demons in the forest and Yudhishthira was holding onto dharma…
 Arjuna had a different task.

A task that would change his destiny.

Co-host: Is he going on another fun adventure…like last time when he was in exile. Where he totally had the most fun… dating, getting married and all.

Neev: haha! Well this time, Sage Vyasa sent him to begin a journey of divine training.
 Because when war would eventually come…
 Arjuna would need more than skill.
He asked Arjuna to worship the gods and seek celestial weapons. 

Co-host:
 Okay, now this sounds better, like a level-up quest.

Neev:
 It totally is!

Arjuna began his journey through the Gandhamadana range, and after days of travel, he reached the Indrakula Mountains — towering, snow-capped, and mysterious.

There, he met a sage who told him,
 “Leave your weapons behind.”

But Arjuna refused.
 He was a warrior — and no warrior gives up his bow without reason.

The sage smiled.

And then… transformed.

He was Indra — king of the gods — and Arjuna’s own divine father.

Co-host (surprised):
 Plot twist! Dad’s undercover!

Neev:
 Yup. Indra told Arjuna,
 “If you want divine knowledge, first worship Lord Shiva. Only then come back to me.”

So Arjuna journeyed higher — to Mount Kailash, Shiva’s mountain.
 And there… he began his penance.

Co-host: If only he had listened to his Dad…i mean the Sage who was really his Dad. 

Neev:

He stood still.
 Eyes closed.
 Breath deep.
 Days passed.
 Then weeks.

Co-host: Stood or Sat? Standing meditation would be really difficult. 

Neev: You are doing that thing again, mom! Breaking my flow…

Co-host: Sorry…please continue…

Neev: He offered his devotion with full heart and focus.
 And Shiva? He noticed.

But Shiva doesn’t just hand out gifts.

Co-host:
 Of course not. There’s always a test.

Neev:
 Exactly.

One day, while Arjuna was deep in meditation, a boar charged toward him — roaring and kicking up dust.
 At the exact same moment, a wild hunter appeared — bow in hand, sharp eyes, and a quiet smile.

The two — Arjuna and the hunter — both shot the boar.

Co-host:
Wait…If Arjuna was in deep meditation..how did he notice the boar…that means he wasn’t really meditating now..was he…like keeping one eye open…

Neev: Well maybe, I think he’s allowed to do that..if his life is in danger…

Co-host: ok…so  Double arrows, one boar… that’s gonna be a problem. 

Neev:
 Sure was.
 The hunter said, “It’s my kill.”
 Arjuna said, “Nope, mine.”

They decided to settle it with a contest.

Arrow after arrow flew.
 Strike after strike landed.
 But no matter what Arjuna did — he could not defeat the hunter.

Co-host: Feels like there’s a twist coming

Tired and confused, Arjuna paused.
 Something wasn’t right.

So he did what he always did in moments of doubt:
 He turned to faith.

He built a small Shivalinga, placed a garland on it, and prayed to Lord Shiva.

Cohost: And then…

Neev: The hunter appeared again —
 Wearing the garland.

Co-host (in awe):
 Wait. So the hunter was…

Neev:
 Shiva himself.

He had come in disguise — as the hunter Kirata — to test Arjuna’s devotion and courage.

Arjuna bowed, asking forgiveness.

And Lord Shiva smiled — and gave him a gift.

Co-host: A divine weapon?

Neev: Yes, The Pashupatastra.
 A divine weapon of immense power, only to be used in the most dire of situations.

And it didn’t stop there.

The other gods arrived, one by one — each blessing Arjuna with their own celestial weapons.

He had passed the test.

And now… he was ready.

Neev (narrating, dreamy):
 After passing Shiva’s test and receiving divine weapons from the gods, Arjuna’s journey wasn’t over.

Indra, king of the heavens — and Arjuna’s divine father — sent a glowing chariot to bring him to Amaravati, the city of the gods.

Co-host (wide-eyed):
 Okay, that sounds like the ultimate vacation reward. See, I told you - Arjuna always has fun in his exile.

Neev:
 It kind of was!

Arjuna entered a land of golden clouds, endless gardens, and apsaras — celestial dancers, musicians, artists. The air itself seemed to sing.

He learned music and dance from the Gandharva master, Chitrasena.
 He was gifted Indra’s own weapon — the Vajra, the thunderbolt. 

Co-host: The Vajra sounds like Thor’s hammer. 

Neev: Yeah, Well Everything felt peaceful. Magical.

Co-host:
 So finally… a break for Arjuna?

Neev (smiling):
 For a little while.

But things… got complicated.

Co-host: Of course they did. What did Arjuna do this time? 

Neev: One of the most beautiful apsaras, Urvashi, saw Arjuna.
 She was graceful, powerful, and full of charm. And she fell in love.

But Arjuna?

He bowed respectfully and said:
 “I see you as a mother. Not as a lover.”

Co-host (grimacing):
 Oof. That hurts..Not sister, not Friend…Mother????  That’s not going to end well.

Neev:
 Yeah… she was not thrilled. 

In a moment of pain and anger, Urvashi cursed him:

“Since you cannot return my love, you will become a eunuch — a man with no desire or masculinity.”

Co-host (shocked):
 Whoa. That escalated fast. I get that being called old isn’t nice…but this curse…ain’t fair either..

Neev:
Yeah….
 and the moment she said it… Urvashi realized she had gone too far.

She softened the curse.

“Let this last only one year,” she said, “and only when you choose to use it.”

Co-host:
 Oh… One-year-only? Well…I guess…that’s better. How do all these people think of the weirdest curses? 

Neev:
 Haha! .

And Arjuna, calm as ever, bowed in acceptance.
 He saw it not as punishment — but as another piece of fate.

Then, Arjuna returned to Earth — stronger, wiser, and more prepared than ever.

Because now, the Pandavas weren’t just surviving exile…

They were preparing for the war of all wars.

Neev (thoughtful):
 So… in one episode, we went from forest fights and magical food bowls…
 To secret gods in disguise, celestial weapons, and a curse that could be a strategy.

Co-host (laughing):
 Only in the Mahabharata can you get warrior training, boar battles, and magical mood swings — all in the same story.

Neev:
 But that’s the beauty of it.
 Even in exile — even when everything seemed lost — the Pandavas weren’t broken.

They were becoming something more.

Co-host:
 Bhima found strength.
 Yudhishthira found patience.
 Arjuna found divine power… and a very weird curse.

Neev (smiling):
 And together, they were starting to become the heroes they were meant to be.

Thanks for listening, Masala Crew!
 If you’re enjoying the journey, don’t forget to subscribe, share it with your friends, and send us a note at mythicalmasalapodcast.com — we love hearing from you!
 And remember — even in the darkest forest…there's always a path to greatness.