Kalyana Saugandhikam
By Kottayath Tampuran (1645-1716)
 
Whilst Arjuna was away in the Himalayas in search of the divine arrow, his brothers and Draupadi missed him very much and spend a long time visiting holy places. Eventually they came to Kulinda, the kingdom of Subahu in the Himalayas, and visited a charming forest called Narayanasrama, where they stayed. One day the wind wafted a beautiful flower near Draupadi, who was so enchanted by its fragrance that she asked Bhima to find some more of those flowers.

Bhima made a good guess that the location of the flowering plant was in the North based on the direction of the wind carrying the fragrannce blowing.Having no idea where he was going to, he set off in search of the flower, the saugandhika. He encountered many difficulties on his journey and eventually came to the forest where his step-brother, Hanuman,was dwelling. Hanuman recognised Bhima and wanted to help him, but felt that he should first be humbled. Hanuman therefore transformed himself into a decrepit old monkey and lay in Bhima's path. After teasing him for some time, Hanuman told him how to find the flower. Eventually Bhima reached the garden of Kubera, the home of the flower , and brought it back to Draupadi.

 

 
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