Pañcanada is the land of five rivers. It is rich in cattle and grain. Arjuna halted here with the surviving Vṛshṇi women and elders as he led them from the drowned city of Dvārakā towards Indraprastha. Here, by the decree of Kāla (Time), the mighty Gāṇḍīva bow failed in Arjuna’s hands. The Ābhīra cowherd-robbers carried off many of the Vṛshṇi women. This marked the fading of Arjuna’s own tejas (power).

Place and importance in the account

Pañcanada was a land full of wealth, cattle and grain. Arjuna passed through it as he led the widows, the elders and the children of the Vṛshṇis away from Dvārakā, which the sea had swallowed. He chose a place well supplied with animals and grain and made camp there for the great crowd on its way.

Source: Mahābhārata, Mausala Parva, Chapter 7.

The failing of the Gāṇḍīva

At Pañcanada, bands of Ābhīra cowherd robbers saw that one archer was leading a host of the old and the young. Greed seized them, and they fell on the caravan with clubs, to carry off the women and the wealth. Arjuna warned them and drew his bow, but a terrible sign overtook him. He could hardly string the divine Gāṇḍīva. The celestial weapons would not come to his memory. His arrows, which had never run out, were used up in a moment.

The Vṛshṇi warriors, mounted on elephants, horses and chariots, could not turn the robbers back. Before Arjuna’s very eyes the Mleccha bands carried away many noble women of the Vṛshṇis and Andhakas, and some fled of their own will.

Arjuna saw this terrible turn. He knew that the strength of his arm had become useless and that his great astras (divine weapons) were of no use. He was filled with shame and grief, and he understood it to be the working of destiny. He gathered those who were left and led them on to Kurukshetra.

Source: Mahābhārata, Mausala Parva, Chapter 7.

Why Pañcanada is remembered

Pañcanada is remembered as the place where the unbeaten Gāṇḍīva and Arjuna’s arm were overcome. No greater warrior did this. Kāla itself did it. As Vyāsa would teach later, strength, tejas and fortune rise and pass away according to Time. At the set hour even the mightiest bow of the age lost its power, and the same weapons would come back only when their season came again.

Source: Mahābhārata, Mausala Parva, Chapter 7.

Sources

Mahābhārata, Mausala Parva, Chapter 7