Pandava Tala
Nityananda explained, “This place is Kamyavana of Vraja. See it with great devotion. There were five banyan trees here in ancient times, but these have now disappeared. This place is now called Mātāpura, but according to scripture, the name was previously Mahatpura. When the five Pandavas and Draupadi were living incognito during exile, they came to Gauda-desa, Bengal. While in Ekacakra, Yudhisthira Mahārāja had a dream in which the glories of Navadvipa were revealed to him. The next day he became anxious to see the place, so they all happily came here. Seeing the splendor of Nadia, they praised the good fortune of the residents. And while living here for some time, they killed many demons. See, here is Yudhisthira-tilā, and here is Draupadi’s kunda. Aware of the glories of this place, Yudhisthira stayed here for some time. Then one day in a dream, he saw Gauranga, whose extraordinary form illumined all directions. “Smiling, Gauranga said, ‘See My rare form. At your house, I am Kṛṣṇa, the son of Nanda, and I always stay with you as a friend. This Navadvipa-dhāma is the topmost abode, and in Kali-yuga it will manifest and drive away all darkness. As you have all been My servants for a long time, when My pastimes take place, you will again take birth. I will stay with you day and night on the shore of the ocean at Jagannātha Puri in Orissa. Please go now to Orissa, purify the place, and eliminate the suffering of the living entities.’ “Yudhiṣṭhira explained this dream to his brothers. After deliberation, they all went to Orissa. It was painful to leave Navadvipa, but the order of the Lord had to be obeyed.”
(Sri Navadvipa-Dhama-Mahatmya, Chapter 15)
Bhima Killed Bakasura demon
Later on when the Pandavas were banished from the kingdom by the intrigues of Duryadhona, Kunti followed her sons and she equally faced all sorts of difficulties during those days. During the forest life one demon girl Hidimbi wanted Bhima as her husband which was refused by Bhima but when the girl approached Kunti and Yudhisthir they ordered Bhima to accept her proposal and give her a son. As a result of this combination Ghatotkach was born and he fought very valiently on the side of his father with the Kauravas. In their forest life they lived with a Brahmin family who were in trouble on account of one Bakasura demon and Kunti ordered Bhima to kill the Bakasura to protect the Brahmin family in troubles created by the demon. She advised Yudhisthir to start for the Panchal Desha. Droupadi was gained in this Panchala Desha by Arjuna but by order of Kunti all the five brothers of Pandavas became equally the husband of Panchali or Droupadi. She was married with five Pandavas in the presence of Vyasadeva.
(SB 1.13.3-4)
