#4 Aranyaka Parva

The Aranyaka Parva (also called the Book of the Forest) is the third book of the Mahabharata. It tells the story of the Pandavas’ 13-year exile in the forest after losing their kingdom in the dice game. The parva describes their hardships, encounters with sages and celestial beings, moral and philosophical teachings, and many important sub-stories — including the tale of Nala and Damayanti. It sets the stage for the eventual return of the Pandavas and the war of Kurukshetra.