Duryodhana was burning with jealously when he learnt that Vidura had returned and his father consoled him. He said that if he came to know that the Pāṇḍavas are returning back to the city, he would kill himself by starvation, immolating, poisoning or hanging to death. He said he could never ever bear to see Pāṇḍavas' prosperity.

When Karṇa noticed that Duryodhana was disturbed by the thought that the Pāṇḍavas might return, he said that they were all well-wishers and servants of Duryodhana. He said that the Kauravas should unite, pursue the Pāṇḍavas, fight and kill them. The Kauravas proceeded in pursuit of the Pāṇḍavas. Knowing this by his pure Divine vision, Veda Vyāsa appeared before the Kauravas and dissuaded them from fighting the Pandavas.

Veda Vyāsa narrated to Dhṛtarāṣṭra a wonderful story to illustrate the natural affection a parent has towards their son, considering him as the most precious thing in the whole world. A cruel farmer was flogging Surabhi's son and hurting him with his plough. She could not bear this pain to her son. Indra asked her what was so special regarding this one of the several sons of Surabhi. To this she said that all of her sons were equally precious and the one who is defenceless is especially so. Indra understood her affection towards her son and poured torrents of rain so that the farmer's ill-treatment of the son was hindered.

After Vyāsa departed, Maitreya rishi made his appearance. After initial enquiries, Maitreya told about his meeting with Yudhiṣṭhira. Then he softly addressed Duryodhana and warned him about the might of the Pāṇḍavas. Listening to this, Duryodhana arrogantly slapped his thighs and indicated that he would not listen to the Rishi. At this Maitreya got angry and cursed Duryodhana that Bhīma would crush Duryodhana's thigh with his powerful mace.

In the Kāmyaka forest the Pāṇḍavas encountered a Rākshasa, who was a cannibal. His name was Kirmīra. He was Baka's brother and he wanted to avenge his brother Baka and friends Hidimba and his sister. Bhīma and Kirmīra fought fiercely, grabbing trees and smashing it on each other's head. Finally, Bhīma killed him.

This third upa parva has approximately 40 chapters and 1,052 slokas. Hearing about Pāṇḍavas' exile, Bhojas, Vrishnis, and Andhakas went to meet them in the great forest. Krishna was furious at the adharmic happenings and was consoled by Arjuna Stuti. In reply Bhagavān said He said, You are mine and I am thine and you are Nara and I am Nārāyana.

All assembled in the forest praised Bhagavān Krishna again and again. Draupadī narrated all the unfortunate happenings that led to her humiliation and lamented her misfortune. She also recalled all the cruel things the Kauravas did to the Pāṇḍavas since Ādi parva, leading to their current pathetic state. Bhagavān consoled her and forebode the impending doom of the Kauravas. Krishna said that if he had been in Dwāraka, he would never have allowed the game of dice to have happened.

He was away to fight King Śālva's in an island where He found him. Śālva had destroyed many young princes and attacked Dwāraka to avenge Śiśupāla.

Pradyumna, Chārudeshna, Sāmba all were Vrishni princes and Bhagavān's sons. They fought King Śālva's forces valiantly.

Pradyumna, a son of Rukmini and Bhagavān, fought King Śālva brilliantly. Their fight resembled that of Indra and Mahābali. King Śālva fell unconscious first. He regained consciousness and fought fiercely. Attacked thus, Pradyumna became motionless and unconscious. Dāruka's son was Pradyumna's charioteer. Dāruka was the charioteer of Bhagavan Sri Krishna. The charioteer drove Pradyumna away from the battle scene in order to save him.