The Story of Akshaya Patra: Pandavas' Endless Food Bowl

The stories in the epics Mahabharata and Ramayana have been deeply entrenched in our culture and household discussions. The power struggles between Pandavas and Kauravas or the righteousness of Sree Rama and manipulative villainy of Ravana, might have filled the bed time stories that our parents told before going to sleep.

But there is a particular story about the Akshaya Patra, the great gift of Surya to Yudhisthira, that is very intriguing but has been fading from our popular narratives recently. This story shows the power of devotion, dharma, charity, kindness and humility. If you have a child growing up in your home, don’t forget to add this valuable story into the bed time chronicles that you gift them everyday.

After losing the dice game against Duryodhana due to the evil tactics of his uncle Shakuni, Pandavas were forced to leave Hastinapur. They had to survive 12 years in the harsh environments of the forest during this exile.

However, one thought was haunting Yudhisthira, the Dharmaraja, when they were starting the journey: “How can I serve this many sages who were accompanying us to the forest? Right now, I am a king who has lost everything. From where can I find the food for all these noble souls?”

Falling into despair, Yudhisthira was sitting near the Ganges on a cloudy evening. Seeing this, the enlightened sage Dhaumya approached him and recommended to pray to Lord Surya who is the provider of food for every living being.

On that evening itself, Dharmaraja started praying to Surya. He stood in the Ganga river, facing the sun for days on end. Without eating anything, dedicated his mind, body and soul into prayer. Pleased by the mental fortitude of a true devotee Lord Surya appeared in front of Yudhisthira like a sudden flash of lighting that is filled with fire.

After hearing his problems, Surya gifted him a copper plate and said: “This is Akshaya Patra, my son. An inexhaustible source of food. This plate would remain full of food until Draupadi eats as she is one of my favourite devotees. Also, hold on to your righteousness and truth. I am giving you my word that at the end of the 14th year, your kingdom will be restored.”

On his return, Yudhisthira paid respect to Dhaumya and gave the copper plate to Draupadi. From then onwards, Pandavas became renowned in the peripheral countries for their selfless services to sages and the suffering masses. Even though the food that Draupadi was cooking was scant, it soon grew large enough to fill the whole plate, bringing a smile of heartfelt gratitude on the lips of Yudhisthira.

Sages from every corner of the world visited Pandavas and they performed countless religious sacrifices in the years that followed. Everyone was happy. The most important part was, Draupadi always ate last.

The news of Pandava’s peaceful and prosperous life in the forest reached Hastinapur as well. The fact that they were leading a kingly life even after losing everything enraged Duryodhana from the depth of his soul. He created a plan to bring disaster into the lives of the five brothers and their wife.

The next day, Duryodhana invited the eminent sage Durvasa into the palace and entertained him with lavish hospitality. After a few days of rest and rejuvenation at the palace, Durvasa and his 100 disciples were about to leave. While standing at the gate, Durvasa said: “We are pleased with your hospitality and kindness son. What boon do you want from me?”

With a cunning, hidden smile Duryodhana requested Durvasa to visit Yudhisthira and receive his hospitality in the forest. But he particularly pointed out that Durvasa should reach them only after Draupadi had finished her meal.

Duryodhana knew that once Draupadi eats, food in the Akshaya Patra will be over and Durvasa will curse them when they don’t treat him and his disciples well. Furthermore, Durvasa was known for his short temper and angry nature.

The next week Durvasa visited Pandavas with his 100 disciples. As Duryodhana requested, he made sure that they came after Draupadi had eaten. Yudhisthira welcomed everyone with due honour and asked them to take a bath in the nearby river before sitting down together to eat.

But Draupadi was enormously stressed as she knew that the food was over. She started praying to Lord Krishna with intense faith to save them from the sage’s wrath. Within moments Krishna, who is always kind enough to come to the rescue of true devotees, appeared in front of her and listened to all her problems.

Without a second thought, he asked her to bring him the Akshaya Patra. Noticing that a small piece of rise was still left on the copper plate, he took it and put it into his mouth. Then with a loving smile he said: “I feel very happy and satisfied with your love and faith dear Draupadi. Now that I have received your humble hospitality, I am proclaiming that the whole universe will be satiated in this hour.”

From this point on, the sages who were bathing in the lake started feeling that they were not feeling hungry at all. Some of them even said that: “I would not be able to eat even a morsel of food.” In fact, they even felt guilty that if they go back to Pandavas, all the food that Draupadi will be preparing would be wasted.

Therefore, they decide to depart quietly without informing Yudhisthira. Thus, a huge catastrophe was averted. In short, Shree Krishna’s compassion towards his faithful devotee, Draupadi, saved Pandavas once again.

This story confirms that if we stay truthful in our dharma and devotion, help others and remain humane, good things will continue happening. Shree Krishna will always save his righteous and humble devotees.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the speciality of Yudhisthira?
   Yudhisthira was the eldest of the Pandavas and he was renowned for his unwavering commitment to dharma or righteousness. He also tried to hold onto important values such as truth, integrity, justice and humility, even in the worst of circumstances.
2. Which husband did Draupadi love the most?
   Certain textual evidence and interpretations show that Draupadi loved Arjuna the most as he was the one who succeeded in the swayamvara. Some others argue that she loved Bhima the most due to his fierce protection of her and for taking revenge on her behalf.
3. What is Ashvamedh Yagya by Yudhisthira?
   It was a kingly horse sacrifice ritual that was performed when Yudhishthira established his throne in Hastinapur and also to promote dharma after the Mahabharata war. It was done under the guidance of Lord Krishna and Vyasa.