Section 7: Establishment of Indraprastha and the Pāṇḍavas' Rise to Power
The marriage of Draupadī to the five Pāṇḍavas marked a turning point in their fortunes. Having lived in disguise and hardship after their escape from the House of Lac, they were now recognized as alive and rightful heirs of the Kuru dynasty. King Drupada welcomed them with honor, pleased that his daughter had married such noble princes. Soon after, word spread across the land that the Pāṇḍavas had survived Duryodhana's plot, and Hastināpura was thrown into turmoil.
Bhīṣma, Vidura, and the elders of the court were overjoyed to learn of their survival. But for Dhṛtarāṣṭra, the news brought unease. While he loved his nephews, he feared the wrath of Duryodhana, whose hatred for them had only intensified. To prevent civil war within the Kuru dynasty, a compromise was reached: the kingdom would be divided. Dhṛtarāṣṭra offered the Pāṇḍavas a barren piece of land known as Khaṇḍavaprastha, while the Kauravas retained the rich and prosperous Hastināpura.
The land given to the Pāṇḍavas was wild, desolate, and filled with forests. Yet, under Yudhiṣṭhira's leadership and with the guidance of Kṛṣṇa—who by now had become their ally and relative through his sister Subhadrā's marriage to Arjuna—the Pāṇḍavas transformed it into a magnificent capital. With divine blessings and tireless effort, the city of Indraprastha was established, shining with beauty, prosperity, and power. It rivaled Hastināpura itself in splendor.
During this period, Arjuna performed many heroic deeds. Most notably, he married Subhadrā, the sister of Kṛṣṇa, strengthening the bond between the Yādava clan and the Pāṇḍavas. Bhīma married Hiḍimbī, a forest woman, and their son Ghaṭotkaca, born of rakṣasa heritage, would later play a crucial role in the Kurukṣetra war. The twins Nakula and Sahadeva also gained fame for their wisdom and service.
The Pāṇḍavas' growing power unsettled Duryodhana. Envy consumed him when he visited Indraprastha and witnessed its grandeur. In particular, he was humiliated when he mistook a crystal floor for water and fell, while Draupadī laughed at him. This insult burned in his heart, deepening his determination to bring down the Pāṇḍavas.
To assert his sovereignty, Yudhiṣṭhira decided to perform the Rājasūya sacrifice, a royal ritual that proclaimed him emperor over all kings. With the help of Kṛṣṇa, the Pāṇḍavas defeated rival rulers and compelled others to recognize Yudhiṣṭhira's supremacy. The ceremony was a grand success, but it also marked the beginning of their downfall, for Duryodhana, present at the sacrifice, returned home seething with jealousy and revenge.
The stage was set for the infamous game of dice—a game that would shatter Draupadī's dignity, strip the Pāṇḍavas of their kingdom, and pave the way to inevitable war.