The Pandavas were now all eager to hear Arjuna's great exploits. Arjuna told them all about the Indraloka court of Indra, his practice of dancing and singing, the curse of Urvashi etc. He told that Indra wanted him to destroy rakshas named Nivatakavachas. These demons had obtained boons from Brahma. They had taken over the capital city of the gods and had driven the gods out of it. They could not be defeated by gods. Therefore, Arjuna was requested by Indra to destroy them. After a great fight finally Arjuna succeeded in the task.

Similarly, Kalakayas were demons who were sons of Puloma. They lived in Miranyapuri. Kalakeyas were also defeated and destroyed by Arjuna. Indra was very happy with Arjuna's exploits and he gave him an armour which was impregnable. After spending some more time in Badarik ashrama, taking leave of all the rishi there, the Pandavas returned to Kamyaka forest. Now the Pandavas were eagerly awaiting their term of exile to expire. They started towards the plains in much better spirits.

The Pandavas started their journey towards plains. They took leave of all the rishis who had been so kind to them. All the pleasant spots they had passed while going up again came in their way back. On their way back they came upon the ashrama of rishi Vrishparva. They stayed there for a few days, while they were staying there, one day Bhima went into the forest for hunting. In the forest he saw a huge python. It was incredibly large. Before, Bhima could stop wondering the python had taken him into it folds. Then it started squeezing him in its deadly embrace. Bhima had not bargained for the amazing strength of the python. All the efforts of Bhima to come out of the grip of the python proved futile. All his strength ebbed out.

Being very much surprised, Bhima asked, "Who are you? Why are you trying to kill me?" The python said, "I am hungry and you have come to me as good luck. I would eat you up. As far as about my identity, I am a great king spending my time as a python because of a curse. After waiting for a while and tightening its grip about Bhima, the python continued its amazing story. I am king Nahusha. Being too proud and arrogant I insulted the sage Agastya. He cursed me to live as a python in this forest.I was thrown out of the heavens and have spent many thousand of years in this forest like this. On my entreaty the sage said, "You would be released by Yudhisthira. Yudhisthira can answer my question on ethics. Once he does it I shall be released from my this form." Bhima told him that he was the brother of Yudhisthira. The python said, "such is the fate, though not very pleased, I shall have to kill you."

Yudhisthira has seen several ill omens. He started the search for Bhima. Then he came upon this disgusting scene. Bhima in coils of a huge python. Yudhisthira asked Bhima, "What has happened? Why don't you kill the beast." Bhima told him the whole story. He said his strength was useless. Yudhisthira asked the python what did it want. When the python said he was Nahusha, Yudhisthira prostrated himself before him as Nahusha was an ancestor. Nahusha said, "I will be released if you could answer all my questions. I shall, then set your brother free." Yudhisthira answered all the questions to the satisfaction of Nahusha. But the humanity and gentleness of Yudhisthira's spirit was also transparent in his replies. Nahusha was very pleased to see one of the descendants to be such a scholar and a king of such saintly character. King Nahusha acquired a god like appearance. A chariot descended from the sky and Nahusha went away to the heavens. The Pandavas spent about a year, there in the ashrama of Vrishaparva. Then they started towards plains.

Yudhisthira and the other Pandavas came back to Kamyaka forest. All the rishis residing in the forest were very happy to see them again. It has been quite long that Krishna had seen Arjuna and Pandavas. Alongwith Satyabhama, Krishna paid a visit to the Pandavas. They were all very happy to find Krishna and Satyabhama among themselves. They spent days talking about all the events which had taken place during their pilgrimage. All the adventures of Arjuna, his travel to Indraloka and his curse by Urvashi, grant of divine astras to him, were all told and retold.

Krishna told Arjuna that his son Abhimanyu and his wife Subhadra were quite well at Dwarka. Abhimanyu had learnt all the arts which are required to be learnt by a Kshatriya under Krishna. With a guru like Krishna, there were no limits to his achievements. He had become an expert archer and warrior like his father. All other sons of Draupadi who were living in Dwaraka with Krishna during the exile of the Pandavas had also become very expert in the art of war fare and in the use of weapons under Krishna's guidance and tutorship. They all had become able warriors and quite like their fathers.

AT that time, Sage Markandeya paid a visit too. He was very much revered and much liked by all. He was a veritable mine of ancient tales and a treasure house of wisdom. He narrated many stories of the ages gone by. The Pandavas and Krishna were very happy listening to his tales and the time passed very quickly. At the same time, Narada also made his appearance and joined them. This added to the pleasure and happiness to all. Narada had all the news of all the happenings in the worlds. Now eleven years of the exile was over. It now seemed such a short period of time. Krishna went back to Dwarka after taking leave of the Pandavas and others. Markandeya and Narada also departed after a while. The Pandavas decided to spend the last year of their exile in Dvaitavana.