The ages of Mahabharata characters written by Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa

This post is my attempt to find out how old each of the major characters of the epic Mahabharata were during the time of the war of Kurukshetra and before it.

Pandavas are old enough to be grandfathers they had alot of grandchildren.

The first piece of evidence:

“I will slay within the twinkling of an eye the Panchalas, the Karushas, the Matsyas, and the sons of Pritha with their sons and grandsons.”

Source: www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m05/m05062.htm

The second piece of evidence:

 “Beholding his sons, grandsons, and friends all slain in battle, the king's soul became overwhelmed with great grief, O Janamejaya! Recollecting those sons and grandsons and brothers and allies, a deep sorrow took possession of the illustrious monarch.”

Source: www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m10/m10011.htm

The third piece of evidence:

"The king, then, recollecting his sons and grandsons and kinsmen and friends, became filled with anxiety and grief."

Source: www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m12/m12a006.htm

It says “grandsons” (meaning more than one) not grandson (just one). The only grandson of the Pandavas (that fought in the war) whose name is mentioned is Anjanaparvan (the son of Ghatotkatcha), but their were other grandsons who fought and died in the war he wasn’t the only one.

Also Ghatotkatcha was born before any of the Upapandavas, so maybe his son Anjanaparvan was nearly as old as Ghatotkatcha’s half brothers/cousins (the upapandavas).

Arjuna's statement about the Gandiva bow:

And finally Partha, p. 75 surnamed Swetavahana, 1 hath held it for five and sixty years. 2 Endued with great energy and of high celestial origin, this is the best of all bows.

Analysis: This means that at the time of the Go-harana war the bow known as Gandiva was already held by Arjuna for 65 years! Note that Arjuna was talking about himself in a third person perspective.

Source: http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m04/m04043.htm

• Meaning of the Nilakantha text

Quote:

75:2 Nilakantha spends much learning and ingenuity in making out that sixty-five years in this connection means thirty-two years of ordinary human computation.

Analysis: Someone called Rishabh Rakesh decided to cherry pick this quote but fails to realize it's true meaning. The meaning of this quote is for ordinary human's capacity. And Arjuna was not an ordinary human, so this cannot be used to say that the years in Mahabharata are only 49 percent of one year in the numerical system that we use nowadays. Also according to karna fans, footnotes are not a part of the original epic. And i tend to somewhat agree with this claim, because most times the translators themselves are nto sure of what they are doing and writing. Also by this 0.49 of a year logic, Arjuna would have been 13 years old (a mere adolescent) at the time of the Swayamvara. Which is not believable at all.

Source: http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m04/m04043.htm

• How long was Arjuna's Tirtha-Yatra?
• The vow announced

Quote:

The illustrious Pandavas, thus addressed by the great Rishi Narada, consulting with one another, established a rule amongst themselves in the presence of the celestial Rishi himself endued with immeasurable energy. And the rule they made was that when one of them would be sitting with Draupadi, any of the other four who would see that one thus must retire into the forest for twelve years, passing his days as a Brahmacharin.

Analysis: The Pandavas made this vow in-front of Narada, the same Narada who they worship, respect and honor. They would certainly adhere to it.

Source: http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m01/m01215.htm

• References about the vow several times
• Vaisamapayana's description of Arjuna's exile

Quote:

'Obtaining then the king's permission, Arjuna prepared himself for a forest-life; and he went to the forest to live there for twelve years.'

Analysis: Vaisampayana also agrees that it was 12 years. He reported years, not months, not seasons but years to Janamejaya.

Source: http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m01/m01216.htm

• Ulupi refers about the vow to Arjuna

Quote:

'I know, O son of Pandu, why thou wanderest over the earth, and why thou hast been commanded to lead the life of a Brahmacharin by the superior. Even this was the understanding to which all of you had been pledged, viz., that amongst you all owning Drupada's daughter as your common wife, he who would from ignorance enter the room where one of you would be sitting with her, should lead the life of a Brahmacharin in the woods for twelve years.

Analysis: So not just people of the Kshatriya countries but also people of the outcast lands like the Nagas know about the specific details about Arjuna's tirtha yatra and how long it is. It was a universal fact that it was 12 years long.

Source: http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m01/m01217.htm

• Conclusion: Arjuna's tirtha-yatra was twelve (12) years long. Their has been a counterargument saying that a general of the army (Arjuna) could not stay absent for 12 years. But that is simply not true since the Pandava empire was well protected without Arjuna as well. They had alliances with the Yadavas & Pancalas. So the claim in itself is ludicrous that Arjuna could not have been away for that many years. Case closed it was 12 years.

• When did the Kouravas have children?
• At birth

Quote:

And, O, king, worthy wives were in time selected for all of them by Dhritarashtra after proper examination. And king Dhritarashtra, O monarch, also bestowed Duhsala, in proper time and with proper rites, upon Jayadratha (the king of Sindhu).'

Analysis: This is said as the answer to Janamejaya's question about the Kauravas. Basically all Kauravas had wives, but we do not know how many of them had sons.

Source: http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m01/m01118.htm

• Prior to Varanavata
• Duryodhana talks to Dhritarashtra

Quote:

In that case, O king of the world, ourselves with our children, excluded from the royal line, shall certainly be disregarded by all men. Therefore, O monarch, adopt such counsels that we may not suffer perpetual distress, becoming dependent on others for our food. 

Analysis: Duryodhana said his children, so one can assume that he and his (some of them) brothers already had sons at this point in time.

Source: http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m01/m01144.htm

• Wives of the Kouravas part 2

Quote:

Meanwhile the Pandavas got into their cars, yoking thereto some fine horses endued with the speed of wind. While they were on the point of entering their cars, they touched, in great sorrow, the feet of Bhishma, of king Dhritarashtra, of the illustrious Drona, of Kripa, of Vidura and of the other elders of the Kuru race. Then saluting with reverence all the older men, and embracing their equals, receiving the farewell of even the children, and taking leave of all the venerable ladies in their household, and walking round them respectfully, and bidding farewell unto all the citizens, the Pandavas, ever mindful of their vows, set out for Varanavata.

Analysis: The ladies of the household had to have been the wives of the Kouravas. They could not have been Satayvati, Amvika, Amvalika etc (because they already left after Pandu's death). It talks about the household of the Kurus, so those children could be the sons of the Kauravas.

Source: http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m01/m01148.htm

• More proof of having children before Swayamvara Parva

Quote:

Else this very day, filled with wrath, I would send thee, (O Duryodhana), to the regions of Yama (Pluto) with thy children and friends and brothers, and Karna, and (Sakuni) the son of Suvala! But what can I do, for, ye sinful wretches, the virtuous king Yudhishthira, the eldest of the Pandavas, is not yet angry with you?'

Analysis: Even Bhima says that their were children of Duryodhana alive at this point in their lives. And it's only been a year since he last met Duryodhana.

Source: http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m01/m01154.htm

• After Droupadi Swayamvara

Quote:

O sinless one, thou actest not, O king, in the way thou shouldst! O father, we should now act every day in such a way as to weaken (the strength of) the Pandavas. The time hath come, O father, for us to take counsel together, so that the Pandavas may not swallow us all with our children and friends and relatives.

Analysis: Duryodhana & Karna talk about themselves having children, so this proves they were (both) already fathers at the time of the Swayamvara of Draupadi.

Source: http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m01/m01203.htm

• How old were Duryodhana and Karna (at that time alone)?

Quote:

Duryodhana and Karna and Sakuni, the son of Suvala, are sinful, foolish and young; listen not to them.

Analysis: I can understand if Vidura calls Duryodhana young, but Sakuni? Karna? Karna is considered sixteen years older than Yudhishthira. Vidura was an uncle of Duryodhan and Sakuni was also a uncle of Duryodhana. Yet here one uncle is calling another uncle young?

Source: http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m01/m01208.htm

• Conclusion: So all of the quotes point to the fact that the Kauravas became fathers before the Pandavas even married their wives. The Kauravas led by Duryodhana were already husbands and fathers, that too much before the Pandavas.

• The age of Sakuni
• Earliest mention of Sakuni

Quote:

Sakuni, the son of Suvala, bringing unto the Kurus his sister endued with youth and beauty, formally gave her away unto Dhritarashtra. And Gandhari was received with great respect and the nuptials were celebrated with great pomp under Bhishma's directions. And the heroic Sakuni, after having bestowed his sister along with many valuable robes, and having received Bhishma's adorations, returned to his own city.

Analysis: So contrary to popular belief Sakuni did nto stay in Hastinapore at all. He never stayed behind with the Kauravas with Gandhari and Dhritarashtra. Karna and the Kauravas were always alone.

Source: http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m01/m01111.htm

• Sakuni's involvement in the poisoning

Quote:

"Some time after, Duryodhana again mixed in the food of Bhima a poison that was fresh, virulent, and very deadly. But Yuyutsu (Dhritarashtra's son by a Vaisya wife), moved by his friendship for the Pandavas, informed them of this. Vrikodara, however, swallowed it without any hesitation, and digested it completely. And, though virulent the poison produced no effects on Bhima. "When that terrible poison intended for the destruction of Bhima failed of its effect, Duryodhana. Karna and Sakuni, without giving up their wicked design had recourse to numerous other contrivances for accomplishing the death of the Pandavas. 

Analysis: This proves that Sakuni was only involved in the second poisoning of Bhima. After this he is not mentioned at all until the lac house incident. He (Sakuni) wasn't even present in the Tournament. The first poisoning was done by Duryodhana alone (he was advised by Karna though Karna told him to do it), int eh second poisoning Sakuni & Karna (again) were both involved.

Source: http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m01/m01130.htm

• Sakuni's statement to Yudhishthira

Quote:

"Sakuni said,--'One that is intoxicated falleth into a pit (hell) and stayeth there deprived of the power of motion. Thou art, O king, senior to us in age, and possessed of the highest accomplishments. O bull of the Bharata race, I (beg my pardon and) bow to thee. Thou knowest, O Yudhishthira, that gamesters, while excited with play, utter such ravings that they never indulge in the like of them in their waking moments nor even in dream.'

Analysis: Over here Sakuni straight up admitted that he is younger to not just Yudhishthira. He did call Yudhishthira his senior. But does it make sense? Could this not be a later addition? Sakuni gave away Gandhari to Dhritarashtra before the birth of Yudhishthira. Yet here he says Yudhishthira is older? No that is not the truth it has to be a lie or their has to be a different meaning, or Yudhishthira was born before the birth of Sakuni. Could it be that Yudhishthira was not an offspring but an adopted child? It seems unlikely but possible the possibility is their. 

Source: http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m02/m02064.htm

• Question: How many years in between Tirtha-yatra and Khandava-Daha?
• Answer: Enough years for the Pandavas next generation to be born. And to reach such an age where they could partake in warfare education and be trained under Arjuna.

Quote:

The sons of Draupadi were born, each at the interval of one year, and all of them became renowned and much attached to one another. And, O monarch, all their rites of infancy and childhood, such as Chudakarana and Upanayana (first shave of the head and investiture with the sacred threads) were performed by Dhaumya according to the ordinance. All of them, of excellent behaviour and vows, after having studied the Vedas, acquired from Arjuna a knowledge of all the weapons, celestial and human.

Analysis: The text says that all the sons of Draupadi were well known and famous. Now think about how old the Pandavas were when they received education in warfare? The sons of Draupadi received education under Arjuna. The sons of Draupadi would have to be at-least teenagers. They were each (five total) one year apart from each other in age. So the youngest would be 14 and the oldest would be 18 or more (14, 15, 16, 17, 18). I do not believe Yudhishthira would wait for Arjuna before he has a son with Draupadi but even if he did we cannot ignore the fact that Arjuna's son with Draupadi was born after the tirtha yatra. It would take Arjuna's son 1 year to be born (9 months but that's very close to a year). And 14 more years to mature into eligible age.

Source: http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m01/m01224.htm

• Conclusion: So the Khandava Daha had to have occurred 15 years after the Tirtha Yatra.

• Arjuna's age.
• Arjuna's chronology.
• When his birth happened
• Tapasya to get Indra's approval

Quote:

After this, the Kuru king Pandu, taking counsel with the great Rishis commanded Kunti to observe an auspicious vow for one full year, while he himself commenced, O Bharata, to stand upon one leg from morning to evening, and practise other severe austerities with mind rapt in meditation, for gratifying the lord of the celestials.

Analysis: They did this for a whole year (after the birth of Bhima). So Arjuna is at-least one year younger.

Source: http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m01/m01124.htm

• Age difference of Pandavas.

Quote:

The eldest of Kunti's children was called Yudhishthira, the second Bhimasena, and the third Arjuna, and of Madri's sons, the first-born of the twins was called Nakula and the next Sahadeva. And those foremost sons born at an interval of one year after one another, looked like an embodied period of five years.

Analysis: Some people may believe that if we consider this quote then that means Arjuna was one year younger to Bhima who was a year younger than Yudhishthira. But let us consider this, the difference cannot be five years if each of them were born at an interval of just one year. Because Nakula and Sahadeva were born during the same year. So that negates the claim of them being born in interval of a year. Nakula and Sahadeva were twins they were born the same day. the Pandavas can indeed be a embodied period of five years if we consider the fact that Arjuna is two year younger than Bhima who is a year younger than Yudhishthira. The same Arjuna is just one year older than Nakula and Sahadeva.

Source: http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m01/m01125.htm

• When Pandu died
• Arjuna was old enough to have studied the vedas (you have to be at-least 5 years old).

Quote:

The birth, growth, and Vedic studies of these children of Pandu, will, no doubt, give you great pleasure. Steadily adhering to the path of the virtuous and the wise, and leaving behind him these children, Pandu departed hence seventeen days ago. 

Analysis: So the Pandavas were probably not even that old when their father died. They were not 18, 16, 17, 15, 14 etc. They were not teenagers and they were not adolescents. Although we can make many guesses and inferences the sad truth is that the age of the Pandavas (when Pandu died) was never stated and has been lost forever. We don't know, i don't know. It's not given in the real Mahabharata.

Source: http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m01/m01127.htm

• Completion of education

Quote 1:

but Arjuna, however, outdistanced everyone in every respect--in intelligence, resourcefulness, strength and perseverance. Accomplished in all weapons, Arjuna became the foremost of even the foremost of car-warriors; and his fame spread all over the earth to the verge of the sea. And although the instruction was the same, the mighty Arjuna excelled all (the princes in lightness of hand). Indeed, in weapons as in devotion to his preceptor, he became the foremost of them all. And amongst all the princes, Arjuna alone became an Atiratha (a car-warrior capable of fighting at one time with sixty thousand foes). And the wicked sons of Dhritarashtra, beholding Bhimasena endued with great strength and Arjuna accomplished in all arms, became very jealous of them.

Analysis 1: Arjuna gained a lot of expertise in the use of weapons over here. This could not have happened in just a short amount of time like a few days. I think it would have taken Arjuna at-least a year. One year of training to gain the type of mastery that he gained.

Source 1: http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m01/m01135.htm

Quote 2:

And having performed the propitiatory rites, the youthful Phalguna, equipped with the finger protector (gauntlet) and his quiver full of shafts and bow in hand, donning his golden mail, appeared in the lists even like an evening cloud reflecting the rays of the setting sun and illumined by the hues of the rainbow and flashes of lightning.

Analysis 2: This text tells us many things. It shows that Arjuna had armor on him meaning he was old enough to fight a war. It also calls him youthful, so he has to be a teenager at this time. Even 14 year-olds have mustaches these days, so i'll put Arjuna at the age of 18.

Source 2: http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m01/m01138.htm

• Pre-lac house days

Quote:

'After the expiration, O king, of a year from this, Dhritarashtra, moved by kindness for the people, installed Yudhishthira, the son of Pandu, as the heir-apparent of the kingdom on account of his firmness, fortitude, patience, benevolence, frankness and unswerving honesty (of heart). And within a short time Yudhishthira, the son of Kunti, by his good behaviour, manners and close application to business, overshadowed the deeds of his father.

Analysis: This proves that a year passed by after Arjuna defeated Drupada. So i assume that they're entering adulthood now.

Source: http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m01/m01142.htm

• How much time passed by during the stay at lac house

Quote:

'Seeing the Pandavas living there cheerfully and without suspicion for a full year, Purochana became exceedingly glad. And beholding Purochana so very glad, Yudhishthira, the virtuous son of Kunti, addressing Bhima and Arjuna and the twins (Nakula and Sahadeva) said, 'The cruel-hearted wretch hath been well-deceived. I think the time is come for our escape. Setting fire to the arsenal and burning Purochana to death and letting his body lie here, let us, six persons, fly hence unobserved by all!'

Analysis: Over here Arjuna's name is clearly mentioned. It is said that they all lived their (in Varanvata's house of lac) for at-least a year. And their would have also been at the very least another year for the conquests of Bhima & Arjuna (that they did after the Drupada incident) and one more year after their higher education with Balarama and Drona. So a year after the Drupada incident, another year of higher education, and one more year for the conquest, a last year for the Varnavata saga. Four (4) years had passed by after the Drupada incident, Arjuna would have to be an adult by now.

Source: http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m01/m01151.htm

• How much time passed by for Ghatotkacha to be born (their is no way he was born in just a day)
• Hidimva's request

Quote:

O illustrious dame, unite me with this thy son, my husband. Endued as he is with the form of a celestial, let me go taking him with me wherever I like. Trust me, O blessed lady, I will again bring him back unto you all. When you think of me I will come to you immediately and convey you whithersoever ye may command. I will rescue you from all dangers and carry you across inaccessible and uneven regions. I will carry you on my back whenever ye desire to proceed with swiftness. O, be gracious unto me and make Bhima accept me.

Analysis: Hidimva made a proposal in-front of Kunti and said she would do so and so for the Pandavas and her. She couldn't have done all of these things in one day (especially considering her intercourse with Bhima).

Source: http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m01/m01158.htm

• Yudhishthira's statement

Quote:

Yudhishthira said. 'It is even so, O Hidimva, as thou sayest. There is no doubt of it. But, O thou of slender waist, thou must act even as thou hast said. Bhima will, after he hath washed himself and said his prayers and performed the usual propitiatory rites, pay his attentions to thee till the sun sets. Sport thou with him as thou p. 324 likest during the day, O thou that art endued with the speed of the mind! But thou must bring back Bhimasena hither every day at nightfall.'

Analysis: Notice that Yudhishthira said every day. Key word "every" that means it was at-least more than one, right?! Yudhishthira also talked about some marriage rites and the prayers of Bhima. So all of these things could not have happened in one day.

Source: http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m01/m01158.htm

• Bhima's demands

Quote:

'Then Bhima, expressing his assent to all that Yudhishthira said, addressed Hidimva, saying, 'Listen to me, O Rakshasa woman! Truly do I make this engagement with thee that I will stay with thee, O thou of slender waist, until thou obtainest a son.' Then Hidimva, saying, 'So be it,' took Bhima upon her body and sped through the sides.

Analysis: Bhima clearly said he will keep staying with Hidimva until she gives birth to a son. So he'll leave her then. And a child takes at-least nine months to be born.

Source: http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m01/m01158.htm

• Vaisampayana's description

Quote:

On mountain peaks of picturesque scenery and regions sacred to the gods, abounding with dappled herds and echoing with the melodies of feathered tribes, herself assuming the handsomest form decked with every ornament and pouring forth at times mellifluous strains. Hidimva sported with the Pandava and studied to make him happy. So also, in inaccessible regions of forests, and on mountain-breasts overgrown with blossoming trees on lakes resplendent with lotuses and lilies, islands of rivers and their pebbly banks, on sylvan streams with beautiful banks and mountain-currents, in picturesque woods with blossoming trees and creepers in Himalayan bowers, and various caves, on crystal pools smiling with lotuses, on sea-shores shining with gold and pearls, in beautiful towns and fine gardens, in woods sacred to the gods and on hill-sides, in the regions of Guhyakas and ascetics, on the banks of Manasarovara abounding with fruits and flowers of every season Hidimva, assuming the handsomest form, sported with Bhima and studied to make him happy. Endued with the speed of the mind, she sported with Bhima in all these regions, till in time, she conceived and brought forth a mighty son begotten upon her by the Pandava. Of terrible eyes and large mouth and straight arrowy ears, the child was terrible to behold. Of lips brown as copper and sharp teeth and loud roar, of mighty arms and great strength and excessive prowess, this child became a mighty bowman. Of long nose, broad chest, frightfully swelling calves, celerity of motion and excessive strength, he had nothing human in his countenance, though born of man. And he excelled (in strength and prowess) all Pisachas and kindred tribes as well as all Rakshasas. And, O monarch, though a little child, he grew up a youth the very hour he was born. The mighty hero soon acquired high proficiency in the use of all weapons. The Rakshasa women bring forth the very day they conceive, and capable of assuming any forms at will, they always change their forms. And the bald-headed child, that mighty bowman, soon after his birth, bowing down to his mother, touched her feet and the feet also of his father. His parents then bestowed upon him a name. His mother having remarked that his head was (bald) like unto a Ghata (water-pot), both his parents thereupon called him Ghatotkacha (the pot-headed). And Ghatotkacha who was exceedingly devoted to the Pandavas, became a great favourite with them, indeed almost one of them.

Analysis: Now please tell me how could Ghatotkaca have become a favorite of the Pandavas in under a day? This clearly means the Pandavas had to have spent at-least a year with the Rakshasas (not a day). They waited for Ghatotkaca's birth and then spent a few more months with him in his infant stage. How could Ghatotkaca have become such a great bowman in a few months or a day though? All of the things described in the text above could not have happened in a single day. During this chapter the dart of Indra (given to Karna) was also described. So perhaps this quote is just attempting to summarize what will happen in the future of Ghatotkaca's life. Regardless the Pandavas had to have spent at the very least one year with Ghatotkaca. Maybe two years. And please do note that if we believe that Krishna was of the same generation of the Pandavas then since Krishna was already a grandfather by the time of the Swayamvara Parva (father if we talk about BORI Mahabharata since Aniruddha's presence is removed in the Swayamvara of BORI) that means that the Pandavas were very old during that time not that they were very young compared to Krishna. The Pandavas might have been very old. And this may have been because of the amount of time they spent with Ghatotkaca. It's worth looking into.

Source: http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m01/m01158.htm

• After Ghatotkaca's birth
• How much time flew by

Quote:

Those mighty car-warriors, the heroic Pandavas, then went, O king, from forest to forest killing deer and many animals (for their food). And in the course of their wanderings they saw the countries of the Matsyas, the Trigartas, the Panchalas and then of the Kichakas, and also many beautiful woods and lakes therein. And they all had matted locks on their heads and were attired in barks of trees and the skins of animals. Indeed, with Kunti in their company those illustrious heroes were attired in the garbs of ascetics. And those mighty car-warriors sometimes proceeded in haste, carrying their mother on their backs; and sometimes they proceeded in disguise, and sometimes again with great celerity. And they used to study the Rik and the other Vedas and also all the Vedangas as well as the sciences of morals and politics.

Analysis: Now do try to understand how long, what amount of time it would take to cover such distances? To travel in great countries of north India from place to place. Add that to the time it would take them to study more political science and morality. Studying, hunting (they were not begging for alms at this point of their exile), traveling and wandering. Perhaps another year? Nonetheless the five brothers should still be in their twenties. With Yudhishthira in his late twenties getting close to thirty years of age.

Source: http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m01/m01159.htm

• When Arjuna won Draupadi
• Fool Karna's opinion of the Pandavas age

Quote:

Karna said, 'It doth not seem to me, O Duryodhana, that thy reasoning is well-founded. O perpetuator of the Kuru race, no method will succeed against the Pandavas. O brave prince, thou hast before, by various subtle means, striven to carry out thy wishes. But ever hast thou failed to slay thy foes. They were then living near thee, O king! They were then unfledged and of tender years, but thou couldst not injure them then. They are now living at a distance, grown up, full-fledged. The sons of Kunti, O thou of firm resolution, cannot now be injured by any subtle contrivances of thine. This is my opinion.

Analysis: As per fool karna's opinion the Pandavas (prior to Varnavrata) were mere children/teens and very young, but now after Draupadi Swayamvara they are fully grown adults.

Source: http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m01/m01205.htm

• Time in-between Tirtha Yatra & (and) Swayamvara.
• How much time did the Pandavas take to build Khandavaprastha?

Quote:

And content with half the kingdom, they removed to Khandavaprastha, which was in unreclaimed desert. Then those heroes of unfading splendour, viz., the Pandavas, with Krishna at their head, arriving there, beautified the place and made it a second heaven. And those mighty car-warriors, selecting with Dwaipayana's assistance a sacred and auspicious region, performed certain propitiatory ceremonies and measured out a piece of land for their city. Then surrounded by a trench wide as the sea and by walls reaching high up to the heavens and white as the fleecy clouds or the rays of the moon, that foremost of cities looked resplendent like Bhogavati (the capital of the nether kingdom) decked with the Nagas. And it stood adorned with palatial mansions and numerous gates, each furnished with a couple of panels resembling the out-stretched wings of Garuda. And it was protected with gateways looking like the clouds and high as the Mandara mountains. And well-furnished with numerous weapons of attack the missiles of the foes could not make slightest impression on them. And they were almost covered with darts and other missiles like double-tongued snakes. The turrets along the walls were filled with armed men in course of training; and the walls were lined with numerous warriors along their whole length. And there were thousands of sharp hooks

and Sataghnis (machines slaying a century of warriors) and numerous other machines on the battlements. There were also large iron wheels planted on them. And with all these was that foremost of cities adorned. The streets were all wide and laid out excellently; and there was no fear in them of accident. And decked with innumerable mansions, the city became like unto Amaravati and came to be called Indraprastha (like unto Indra's city). In a delightful and auspicious part of the city rose the palace of the Pandavas filled with every kind of wealth and like unto the mansion of the celestial treasurer (Kuvera) himself.

Analysis: Judging by (from) the description of Vasiampayana it would have taken a long time to build such a city and add so many specific details like this over here. It would have taken a few months at the very least. A barren waste land doesn't turn into a utopia in a day. So i say at-least one year would be a good estimate.

Source: http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m01/m01210.htm

• How much time till Arjuna goes on a twelve year exile (Arjuna-Vanavasa/Tirtha-yatra)
• Before the Pandavas listen to the story of Tilottama and make a vow

Quote:

Those scorchers of foes, the Pandavas, having obtained their kingdom, at the command of Dhritarashtra, passed their days in joy and happiness at Khandavaprastha with Krishna. And Yudhishthira. endued with great energy and ever adhering to truth, having obtained the sovereignty, virtuously ruled the land, assisted by his brothers. And the sons of Pandu, endued with great wisdom and devoted to truth and virtue, having vanquished all their foes, continued to live there in great happiness. And those bulls among men, seated on royal seats of great value, used to discharge all the duties of government.

Analysis: This means Arjuna had to have helped alot with running the kingdom and governing it before the vow happened. The time is something i cannot estimate over here. Perhaps just days as the text says?

Source: http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m01/m01211.htm

• Last passage before the exile

Quote:

The Pandavas, having established such a rule, continued to reside there. By the prowess of their arms they brought many kings under their sway. And Krishna became obedient unto all the five sons of Pritha, those lions among men, of immeasurable energy. Like the river Saraswati decked with elephants, which again take pleasure in that stream, Draupadi took great delight in her five heroic husbands and they too took delight in her. And in consequence of the illustrious Pandavas being exceedingly virtuous in their practice, the whole race of Kurus, free from sin, and happy, grew in prosperity.

Analysis: Since the text says that the Pandavas did some further conquests and had even more battles perhaps they would have spent another year prior to the exile. Maybe Arjuna/Pandavas had intercourse with Draupadi before the exile of Arjuna.

Source: http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m01/m01216.htm

• Let me just use common sense for this. I will not need any quotes since i have already provided quotes in this post that prove the facts that tirtha yatra was 12 years long and Go Harana happened 65 years after Khandava Daha. While Khandava daha occurred 15 years after tirtha yatra. 27 plus 65 equals 92.
• Arjuna was born 2 and a half years after Yudhishthira. 
• Because Yudhishthira took 9 months to be born, Bima also took 9 months to be born. But Arjuna took 21 months (12 plus 9) to be born. All in all 30 months difference in the age of Yudisthira and Arjuna.
• So the statement that their age difference was each a year is not credible. Either Kunti's tapasya is a later addition or the statement is.
• Arjuna (at Virata Parva) was 119 years old
• He was 27 right before his 12 year exile
• He came back to Indrarastha when he was 39 years of age 
• Then 15 more years passed by until Khandava-daha (where he gets his signature Gandiva bow). So that makes him 54 years old.
• 65 more years go by as Arjuna said he had the Gandiva for 65 years up until that point in time.
• 65 plus (+) 54 = (equals) 119 logically.
• Arjuna was 22 during the fire at Varnavrata (house of lac).
• Arjuna spent two more years with Ghatotkaca
• Arjuna spent another year travelling to different countries and hunting with his brothers.
• Arjuna spent a year living with his in-laws at Pancala. Now he's 26 years old.
• Now if we assume that Arjuna had a child with Draupadi prior to the exile then these are how the factors would end up.
• Arjuna's age during Khandava-daha
• Arjuna only had 3 years of marital life with Droupadi before the exile. So it's safe to say they had intercourse during that time. 12 years later their son would be 14 years old (9 months pregnancy leads to him being 14 instead of 15).
• So since his child is already close to 15 that means he is already old enough to partake in military training under him. So taht would mean Arjuna is younger if we consider this theory. He is still 39-40 years old instead of 54 years old.
• He would be 39 years old when he comes back from his exile but 40 years old during Khandava-daha.
• Arjuna's age during Virata Parva
• 65 years passed by after the khandava-daha forest burning incident.
• So that makes Arjuna 105 years old.
• Because 65 + 40 is equivalent to 105.
• We should not take the Mahabharata Chronology on sacred-texts.com to be a credible source for ranking the age of Mahabharata characters.

Conclusions (what the heck we learned):

1. Virata Parva occurred 65 years after Khandava-Daha did.
2. Kauravas became husbands and fathers long before the Pandavas did. Before Bhima too.
3. Sakuni was younger than Vidura.
4. Arjuna's tirtha-yatra was not 12 months or 12 seasons but 12 years.
5. Khandava-Daha incident happened 15 years after the tirtha yatra of Arjuna. Unless Arjuna had intercourse with Droupadi before his exile.
6. Arjuna was born 2 and a half years after Yudhishthira.
7. Bhima was born exactly after Yudhishthira. No tapasya was done for Bima.
8. Krishna was already a father while the Pandavas were still bachelors.
9. Arjuna was two and a half years younger to Yudhishthira. But 1 and three fourths of a year younger than Bhima.
1. Because it is a year of tapasya and 9 months of pregnancy.
10. Nakula & Sahadeva were of the same age. They were twins, they were born at the same time, neither of them was older or younger than the other
11. Their is no information on how much time passed by between Pandu's death and completion of the education of Kuru princes.
12. Pandavas and Kauravas were teenagers during the Tournament, Karna was a adult.
13. After the guru dakshina incident of Drupada's defeat a year passed by and Yudhishthira was corona-ted as the heir to the throne.
14. Sakuni's statement to Yudhishthira (in Sabha Parva) should not be taken seriously or literally because he was talking about Yudhishthira being older than Duryodhana and the Kouravas not himself (Sakuni). And he said since Yudhishthira is a king he is superior to Sakuni (who is a prince).
15. In between Drupada's defeat and the house of lac burning 4 years had been crossed.
16. The Pandavas were in disguise (after Varnavata) for 4 years.
17. The Pandavas spent 2 years with Hidimva (1 year was with Ghatotkaca cause he took nine months to be born).
18. Pandavas did not grow into real men until the Swayamvara Parva, before that they were not adults but just little kids.