Kamyakavana (Sanskrit:काम्यकवन,romanized: Kāmyakavana), also referred to as theKamyaka forest, is a legendary forest featured in theHindu epicMahabharata. It is described to be located on the banks of the riverSarasvati.[1] ThePandavas are described to have spent a period of their exile in this forest.[2]
In theVana Parva of the Mahabharata, the Pandavas chose the Kamyakavana as their residence during their period of exile. The forest is described to be situated upon a plain, and replete with game and birds.[3] A number ofsages are described to have been performing a penance within this forest during this same period.Vidura andSanjaya met the Pandavas within the Kamyakavana during their exile. The princes are also stated to have met personages such asNarada andMarkandeya within this forest in this book of the epic.[4]
In theMahabharata, the Pandavas are described to have journeyed three days and three nights to reach the Kamyakavana. Upon their arrival,Bhima slewKrimira, arakshasa who barred their passage.[5]Duryodhana dispatched a number of assassins to killBhima, but to no avail. A rakshasi namedHidimbi fell in love with Bhima and urged him to flee, fearing that her brother,Hidimba, would devour him. In the subsequent conflict between Hidimba and Bhima, the Pandava emerged victorious. He took Hidimbi as his wife, and siredGhatotkacha from her. Following the birth of his son, Bhima and his brothers travelled to the region of Ekachakra.[6]
Following a conversation with the sageVyasa,Yudhishthira and his brothers returned to the Kamyakavana fromDvaitavana, and are described to have practised archery, recited theVedas, and venerated theBrahmins and thepitrs.[7]Ghatotkacha lived with them during this period. SageLomasha was dispatched byIndra to reassure Yudhishthira of the well-being ofArjuna, and the prince was encouraged by the deity to undertake apilgrimage to visit a number ofsacred sites.[8][9]
The Pandavas returned to the Kamyakavana after the return of Arjuna, during which period they lived withKrishna and the Brahmins.[10] During this time,Jayadratha, the king of theSindhu Kingdom, on his way to theSalva Kingdom, passed through the Kamyakavana. He tried to abductDraupadi, but thePandavas were able to rescue her. During the twelfth year of their exile, the Pandavas left Kamyaka forest for the final time and returned to the Dvaitavana.[11]