This was followed by a continuation of the recap of Mahabharata:
As the citizens of Hastinapura mourned the exit of the Pandavās, many including the Brahmins followed them into the forest. Even after multiple requests by the Pandavās, some of the Brahmins continued to stay by their side.This worried Yudhisthira, as they decided to stay at Pramanavata. He did not know how he was going to feed additional mouths with no means to do so. The Pandavās' kulguru Dhaumya asked him to pray to Surya, the Sun god and ask for a solution. Surya, pleased with his devotion, gave Yudhisthira an Akshayapātra, a vessel that would never run out of food until Draupadi had finished her meal.
Meanwhile in Hastinapura, Sage Maitreya visited the palace to admonish Dhritarashtra and the court elders of their heinous actions. But it was Duryodhana's nonchalant attitude that angered him, reiterating Draupadi's curse that Duryodhana would die when his thigh got broken by Bheema. This sent Dhritarashtra into deeper despair. He requested Vidura to provide him consolation but Vidura also chided him for his inaction. Upset with the turn of events, he sent Vidura away, guilty of having to face his nagging conscience. Vidura took the opportunity to spend some time with his favorite nephews in the forest. Dhritarāshtra, even sadder at having turned his wise brother away, requested him to come back. Vidura returned, his sense of duty and loyalty taking priority.
While still at Kāmyaka, Sri Krishna visited the Pandavās along with Dhrishtadhyumna, Dhrishtaketu and a few allies. He was determined to set the course right after the atrocities. Yudhisthira, on the other hand, patiently listened to his cousin and told him that having accepted the banishment, he was not going to go back to fight before the term ended. His Dharma would not allow him to act in such an unrighteous manner. Even Draupadi's constant weeping and Bheema's boiling rage could not convince him otherwise.
After Sri Krishna's departure, the Pandavās decided to go to Dwaitavana, inhabited by learned scholars and rishis. They were welcomed heartily, and Yudhisthira felt most peaceful in the company of the learned. While there, Sage Mārkandeya visited. Sage Mārkandeya narrates several stories to Pandavas. Yudhisthira is sad that he has been thrown out of his kingdom. Rishi Markenday says to him that he is in the forest because he lost his kingdom in the gambling due to his own fault whereas Lord Ram went to forest just to fulfill his father's oath. Then Rishi Mārkandeya narrates the story of Ramayana in brief to Yudhisthira on his request as Yudhisthira becomes excited on hearing that Lord Rama went to forest just to follow his father's order and wanted to know his full story.
Five years passed in peace, and Sage Vyāsa visited the Pandavās. He talked of the might of Duryodhana's army - Bheeshma, Karna, Drona and his son Ashwattāma, and his brothers among other strong kingdoms who were looking to support the Kauravas, when a war erupted. He told Arjuna to go North and get the Paśupata astra from Lord Shiva and also receive the other astras from the svarga loka.