Dwaita Forest
Encyclopedia
Dvaita Forest or Dvaitavana was situated to the south of the Kamyaka Forest
. It contained within it a lake called the Dwaita lake, abounding with flowers, and delightful to look at, and inhabited by many species of birds, elephants and many trees (3,24). It was on the south-western outskirts of Kurujangala and thus the whole of the Kuru Kingdom. It was situated near the borders of the desert (northern extension of the Thar desert into Haryana
) (3,176). It also lay on the banks of the Saraswati River
(known there as the Bhogavati) (3-24,176). The holy fig, the Rudraksha, the Rohitaka, the cane and the jujube, the catechu, the Shirisha, the Bel, the Inguda, the Karira, the Pilu and Sami trees grew on the banks of the Saraswati (3,176).
, to avoid frequent visits from the people of Kurujangala. It was the close of summer at that time (the 1st time) (3,24). They then went back to Kamyaka again (3,50).
from the northern Himalayas, they came back to the Dvaita Forest for a second time (3,176). Then Duryodhana
came to see the Pandavas living in distress at Dwaita. He camped 4 miles away from the Dwaita lake (3,237). He came there in the pretence of inspecting the cattle-stations of the Kauravas in the vicinity. When he reached the Dwaita lake, the Gandharvas
imprisoned him; he was released by the intervention of the Pandavas (2,244).
to spend their 13th year of exile anonymously (3-313)
Balarama
during his pilgrimage along the Saraswati River
had visited the Dvaita lake (9,37).
Kamyaka Forest
Kamyaka Forest was situated on the western boundary of the Kuru Kingdom , on the banks of the Saraswati River. It lay to the west of the Kurukshetra plain. It contained within it a lake called the Kamyaka lake . Kamyaka forest is mentioned as being situated at the head of the Thar desert, near...
. It contained within it a lake called the Dwaita lake, abounding with flowers, and delightful to look at, and inhabited by many species of birds, elephants and many trees (3,24). It was on the south-western outskirts of Kurujangala and thus the whole of the Kuru Kingdom. It was situated near the borders of the desert (northern extension of the Thar desert into Haryana
Haryana
Haryana is a state in India. Historically, it has been a part of the Kuru region in North India. The name Haryana is found mentioned in the 12th century AD by the apabhramsha writer Vibudh Shridhar . It is bordered by Punjab and Himachal Pradesh to the north, and by Rajasthan to the west and south...
) (3,176). It also lay on the banks of the Saraswati River
Saraswati River
Saraswati River can refer to:*Sarasvati River*Saraswati River , a distributary of the Hooghly River which was active till around the 16th century AD*Ghaggar-Hakra River...
(known there as the Bhogavati) (3-24,176). The holy fig, the Rudraksha, the Rohitaka, the cane and the jujube, the catechu, the Shirisha, the Bel, the Inguda, the Karira, the Pilu and Sami trees grew on the banks of the Saraswati (3,176).
First time
The Pandavas during the initial years of their 12 year exile to the forests, came to the Dvaita Forest from the Kamyaka woodsKamyaka Forest
Kamyaka Forest was situated on the western boundary of the Kuru Kingdom , on the banks of the Saraswati River. It lay to the west of the Kurukshetra plain. It contained within it a lake called the Kamyaka lake . Kamyaka forest is mentioned as being situated at the head of the Thar desert, near...
, to avoid frequent visits from the people of Kurujangala. It was the close of summer at that time (the 1st time) (3,24). They then went back to Kamyaka again (3,50).
Second time
After their pilgrimage, and after the return of ArjunaArjuna
Arjuna in Indian mythology is the greatest warrior on earth and is one of the Pandavas, the heroes of the Hindu epic Mahābhārata. Arjuna, whose name means 'bright', 'shining', 'white' or 'silver' Arjuna (Devanagari: अर्जुन, Thai: อรชุน, Orachun, Tamil: Arjunan, Indonesian and Javanese: Harjuna,...
from the northern Himalayas, they came back to the Dvaita Forest for a second time (3,176). Then Duryodhana
Duryodhana
In the Hindu epic the Mahābhārata, Duryodhana is the eldest son of the blind king Dhritarashtra by Queen Gandhari, the eldest of the one hundred Kaurava brothers, Emperor of the world at that time which means Emperor of India or Bharatvarsha as it was known at that time, cousin and the chief...
came to see the Pandavas living in distress at Dwaita. He camped 4 miles away from the Dwaita lake (3,237). He came there in the pretence of inspecting the cattle-stations of the Kauravas in the vicinity. When he reached the Dwaita lake, the Gandharvas
Gandharva Kingdom
Gandharva Kingdom refers to the territory inhabited by a people called the Gandharvas, who were one of the Exotic Tribes of Ancient India. They were well versed in music and dance. Gandarvas were also powerful warriors who roamed in Indian kingdoms disregarding any Indian king or Kshatriya warrior...
imprisoned him; he was released by the intervention of the Pandavas (2,244).
Third Time
Owing to the decline of the deer population, the Pandavas again shifted to the Kamyaka Forest (3,256). They came again to the Dvaita woods (for a 3rd time) during their last (12th) year of exile and forest life (3-176,308). Then they asked their followers to leave the forest and themselves left for the Matsya KingdomMatsya Kingdom
Matsya or Machcha , classically called the Mese , was the name of a tribe and the state of the Vedic civilization of India. It lay to south of the kingdom of Kurus and west of the Yamuna which separated it from the kingdom of Panchalas...
to spend their 13th year of exile anonymously (3-313)
Balarama
Balarama
Balarama , also known as Baladeva, Balabhadra and Halayudha, is the elder brother of the divine being, Krishna in Hinduism. Within Vaishnavism Hindu traditions Balarama is worshipped as an Avatar of Vishnu, and he is also listed as such in the Bhagavata Purana...
during his pilgrimage along the Saraswati River
Saraswati River
Saraswati River can refer to:*Sarasvati River*Saraswati River , a distributary of the Hooghly River which was active till around the 16th century AD*Ghaggar-Hakra River...
had visited the Dvaita lake (9,37).