Dvaita Forest
Dvaita Forest or Dvaitavana (द्वैतवन) is a place from Hindu mythology featured in the Mahabharata. It includes Dvaita Lake within its boundaries. The forest is described as lying south of Kamyaka Forest on the banks of the Saraswati River, placing it on the southwestern outskirts of the Kuru Kingdom and near the borders of the Thar Desert. Plants said to grow there include the fig, rudraksha, saman, pilu, bael, sami and acacia trees, along with sugarcane, jujube and karira. Balarama, during his pilgrimage along the Saraswati River, is said to have visited Dvaita Lake.
Etymology
Dvaita(द्वैत)'is derived from Dvai, which is a vriddhi (elongated form) of Dvi, which means "the mind associated with Prakṛti and sacrifice", a reference to the Yoga system of thought.[1]
The Pandavas in Dvaita Forest
First visit
As told in the Mahabharata, during the initial years of their 12-year exile, the Pandavas come to Dvaita Forest from the Kamyaka woods to avoid frequent visits by the people of Kurujangala, arriving at the end of summer. They eventually return to Kamyaka.
Second visit
After their pilgrimage and the return of Arjuna from the northern Himalayas, they live in Dvaita a second time. Duryodhana comes to see them under the pretence of inspecting the cattle-stations of the Kauravas in the vicinity. When he reaches Dvaita Lake, the Gandharvas imprison him; he is released by the intervention of the Pandavas.
Third visit
Owing to the decline of the deer population, the Pandavas again move to Kamyaka Forest, but return to Dvaita for a third time during their 12th year of exile. There they send their followers away and depart for Matsya to spend their last year of exile anonymously.
References
- "XIX(113)". The Mystery of the Mahabharata (PDF) (Part 1 Vol 4 ed.). New Delhi: Bharat Publishing House. 1934. p. 279. ISBN 9780143100164. Retrieved 2 December 2020.