Story of Dhaumya

A hermit.

General information.

This hermit was the younger brother of Devala, a hermit. The Pāṇḍavas, who escaped from burning in the Lākṣā house, reached the banks of the Ganges when this hermit was performing penance in the holy tīrtha of Utkoca. Arjuna defeated Citraratha, a Gandharva. After that Citraratha and Arjuna became friends. The gandharva advised him that a priest was unavoidable and that the Pāṇḍavas should accept the hermit Dhaumya who was doing penance in the Utkocatīrtha as their priest. Accordingly the Pāṇḍavas accepted Dhaumya as their priest. From that day onwards in everything the Pāṇḍavas did, Dhaumya was their priest. (Mahābhārata Ādi Parva, Chapter 182).

Other details.

(1) After the Svayaṃvara of Pāñcālī, Dhaumya performed the marriage ceremony for each of the Pāṇḍavas from Dharmaputra to Sahadeva separately with Pāñcālī. (Mahābhārata Ādi Parva, Chapter 197).

(2) When sons were born to the Pāṇḍavas, Dhaumya performed the rites of investiture etc. with the Brahma string etc. (Mahābhārata Ādi Parva, Chapter 220, Stanza 87).

(3) Dhaumya was the chief priest who performed the rites of sacrifice at the Rājasūya of Yudhiṣṭhira. He anointed Yudhiṣṭhira as King. (Mahābhārata Sabhā Parva, Chapter 53, Stanza 10).

(4) When the Pāṇḍavas started for forest life, Dhaumya walked in front of them with Kuśa grass in his hands, singing Yamasāma and Rudrasāma songs. (Mahābhārata Sabhā Parva, Chapter 80, Stanza 8).

(5) Once Dhaumya talked about the attributes of the Sun and advised Dharmaputra to worship the Sun. (Mahābhārata Vana Parva, Chapter 3).

(6) In the forest Dhaumya rendered powerless the illusive and magical arts of Kirmīra, an asura (demon). (Mahābhārata, Vana parva, Chapter 11, Stanza 20).

(7) Dhaumya described to Dharmaputra the importance of several holy tīrthas or Baths. (Mahābhārata Vana Parva, Chapters 87 to 90).

(8) On another occasion Dhaumya described to Dharmaputra the motions of the Sun and the Moon and the positions of Viṣṇu and Brahmā. (Mahābhārata Vana Parva, Chapter 163).

(9) When Jayadratha had stolen Pāñcālī, Dhaumya blamed him and tried to recover Pāñcālī. (Mahābhārata Vana Parva, Chapter 238, Stanza 26).

(10) Dhaumya advised the Pāṇḍavas how to preserve pseudonymity in the capital of Virāṭa. (Mahābhārata Virāṭa Parva, Chapter 4).

(11) When the Pāṇḍavas started their life incognito Dhaumya performed the rite of Agniṣṭoma and uttered the Veda mantras for their prosperity, recovery of kingdom and victory in the world etc. When they started Dhaumya took the fire with oblations and went to the country of Pāñcāla. (Mahābhārata Virāṭa Parva, Chapter 4, Stanza 54).

(12) After the bhārata battle, Dhaumya performed the funeral ceremonies, offerings etc. of the relatives of the Pāṇḍavas. (Mahābhārata Strī Parva, Chapter 24).

(13) After Dharmaputra was anointed King, Dhaumya disclosed to him the secrets of righteousness. (Mahābhārata Anuśāsana Parva, Chapter 127, Stanza 15).