The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa BOOK 1 ADI PARVA SECTION CXLIII (Jatugriha Parva)

 

 The Mahabharata of

Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa BOOK 1

ADI PARVA

SECTION CXLIII

(Jatugriha Parva)

"Vaisampayana said, 'Then the son of Suvala (Sakuni), king Duryodhana,

Duhsasana and Kama, in consultation with one another, formed an evil

conspiracy. With the sanction of Dhritarashtra, the king of the Kurus,

they resolved to burn to death Kunti and her (five) sons. But that wise

Vidura, capable of reading the heart by external signs, ascertained the

intention of these wicked persons by observing their countenances alone.

Then the sinless Vidura, of soul enlightened by true knowledge, and

devoted to the good of the Pandavas, came to the conclusion that Kunti

with her children should fly away from her foes. And providing for that

purpose a boat strong enough to withstand both wind and wave, he

addressed Kunti and said, 'This Dhritarashtra hath been born for

destroying the fame and offspring of the (Kuru) race. Of wicked soul, he

is about to cast off eternal virtue. O blessed one, I have kept ready on

the stream a boat capable of withstanding both wind and wave. Escape by

it with thy children from the net that death hath spread around you.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Hearing these words, the illustrious Kunti was

deeply grieved, and with her children, O bull of Bharata's race, stepped

into the boat and went over the Ganges. Then leaving the boat according

to the advice of Vidura, the Pandavas took with them the wealth that had

been given to them (while at Varanavata) by their enemies and safely

entered the deep woods. In the house of lac, however, that had been

prepared for the destruction of the Pandavas, an innocent Nishada woman

who had come there for some purpose, was, with her children burnt to

death. And that worst of Mlechchhas, the wretched Purochana (who was the

architect employed in building the house of lac) was also burnt in the

conflagration. And thus were the sons of Dhirtarashtra with their

counsellors deceived in their expectations. And thus also were the

illustrious Pandavas, by the advice of Vidura, saved with their mother.

But the people (of Varanavata) knew not of their safety. And the citizens

of Varanavata, seeing the house of lac consumed (and believing the

Pandavas to have been burnt to death) became exceedingly sorry. And they

sent messengers unto king Dhritarashtra to represent everything that had

happened. And they said to the monarch, 'Thy great end hath been

achieved! Thou hast at last burnt the Pandavas to death! Thy desire

fulfilled, enjoy with thy children. O king of the Kurus, the kingdom.'

Hearing this, Dhritarashtra with his children, made a show of grief, and

along with his relatives, including Kshattri (Vidura) and Bhishma the

foremost of the Kurus, performed the last honours of the Pandavas.'

"Janamejaya said, 'O best of Brahmanas, I desire to hear in full this

history of the burning of the house of lac and the escape of the Pandavas

there from. That was a cruel act of theirs (the Kurus), acting under the

counsels of the wicked (Kanika). Recite the history to me of all that

happened. I am burning with curiosity to hear it.'

"Vaisampayana said, 'O chastiser of all foes, listen to me, O monarch, as

I recite the (history of the) burning of the house of lac and the escape

of the Pandavas. The wicked Duryodhana, beholding Bhimasena surpass

(everybody) in strength and Arjuna highly accomplished in arms became

pensive and sad. Then Karna, the offspring of the Sun, and Sakuni, the

son of Suvala, endeavoured by various means to compass the death of the

Pandavas. The Pandavas too counteracted all those contrivances one after

another, and in obedience to the counsels of Vidura, never spoke of them

afterwards. Then the citizens, beholding the son of Pandu possessed of

accomplishments, began, O Bharata, to speak of them in all places of

public resort. And assembled in courtyards and other places of gathering,

they talked of the eldest son of Pandu (Yudhishthira) as possessed of the

qualifications for ruling the kingdom. And they said, 'Dhritarashtra,

though possessed of the eye of knowledge, having been (born) blind, had

not obtained the kingdom before. How can he (therefore) become king now?

Then Bhishma, the son of Santanu, of rigid vows and devoted to truth,

having formerly relinquished the sovereignty would never accept it now.

We shall, therefore, now install (on the throne) with proper ceremonies

the eldest of the Pandavas endued with youth, accomplished in battle,

versed in the Vedas, and truthful and kind. Worshipping Bhishma, the son

of Santanu and Dhritarashtra conversant with the rules of morality, he

will certainly maintain the former and the latter with his children in

every kind of enjoyment.

"The wretched Duryodhana, hearing these words of the parting partisans of

Yudhishthira, became very much distressed. Deeply afflicted, the wicked

prince could not put up with those speeches. Inflamed with jealousy, he

went unto Dhritarashtra, and finding him alone he saluted him with

reverence and distressed at (the sight of) the partiality of the citizens

for Yudhishthira, he addressed the monarch and said, 'O father, I have

heard the parting citizens utter words of ill omen. Passing thee by, and

Bhishma too, they desire the son of Pandu to be their king. Bhishma will

sanction this, for he will not rule the kingdom. It seems, therefore,

that the citizens are endeavouring to inflict a great injury on us. Pandu

obtained of old the ancestral kingdom by virtue of his own

accomplishments, but thou, from blindness, didst not obtain the kingdom,

though fully qualified to have it. If Pandu's son now obtaineth the

kingdom as his inheritance from Pandu, his son will obtain it after him

and that son's son also, and so on will it descend in Pandu's line. 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. O king, if

thou hadst obtained the sovereignty before, we would certainly have

succeeded to it, however much the people might be unfavourable to us.'"

SECTION CXLIV

(Jatugriha Parva continued)

"Vaisampayana continued, "King Dhritarashtra whose knowledge only was his

eyes, on hearing these words of his son and recollecting everything that

Kanika had, said unto him, became afflicted with sorrow, and his mind

also thereupon began to waver. Then Duryodhana and Karna, and Sakuni, the

son of Suvala, and Duhsasana as their fourth, held a consultation

together. Prince Duryodhana said unto Dhritarashtra, 'Send, O father, by

some clever contrivance, the Pandavas to the town of Varanavata. We shall

then have no fear of them.' Dhritarashtra, on hearing these words uttered

by his son, reflected for a moment and replied unto Duryodhana, saying,

'Pandu, ever devoted to virtue, always behaved dutifully towards all his

relatives but particularly towards me. He cared very little for the

enjoyments of the world, but devotedly gave everything unto me, even the

kingdom. His son is as much devoted to virtue as he, and is possessed of

every accomplishment. Of world-wide fame, he is again the favourite of

the people. He is possessed of allies; how can we by force exile him from

his ancestral kingdom? The counsellors and soldiers (of the state) and

their sons and grandsons have all been cherished and maintained by Pandu.

Thus benefited of old by Pandu, shall not, O child, the citizens slay us

with all our friends and relatives now on account of Yudhishthira?"

"Duryodhana replied, 'What thou sayest, O father, is perfectly true. But

in view of the evil that is looming on the future as regards thyself, if

we conciliate the people with wealth and honours, they would assuredly

side with us for these proofs of our power. The treasury and the

ministers of state, O king, are at this moment under our control.

Therefore, it behoveth thee now to banish, by some gentle means, the

Pandavas to the town of Varanavata; O king, when the sovereignty shall

have been vested in me, then, O Bharata, may Kunti with her children come

back from that place.'

"Dhritarashtra replied, 'This, O Duryodhana, is the very thought existing

in my mind. But from its sinfulness I have never given expression to it.

Neither Bhishma, nor Drona, nor Kshattri, nor Gautama (Kripa) will ever

sanction the exile of the Pandavas. In their eyes, O dear son, amongst

the Kurus ourselves and the Pandavas are equal. Those wise and virtuous

persons will make no difference between us. If therefore, we behave so

towards the Pandavas, shall we not, O son, deserve death at the hands of

the Kurus, of these illustrious personages, and of the whole world?'

"Duryodhana answered, 'Bhishma hath no excess of affection for either

side, and will, therefore, be neutral (in case of dispute). The son of

Drona (Aswatthaman) is on my side. There is no doubt that where the son

is, there the father will be. Kripa, the son of Saradwat, must be on the

side on which Drona and Aswatthaman are. He will never abandon Drona and

his sister's son (Aswatthaman). Kshattri (Vidura) is dependent on us for

his means of life, though he is secretly with the foe. It he sides the

Pandavas, he alone can do us no injury, Therefore, exile thou the

Pandavas to Varanavata without any fear. And take such steps that they

may go thither this very day. By this act, O father, extinguish the grief

that consumeth me like a blazing fire, that robbeth me of sleep, and that

pierces my heart even like a terrible dart.'"

SECTION CXLV

(Jatugriha Parva continued)

"Vaisampayana said, Then prince Duryodhana, along with his brothers began

to gradually win over the people to his side by grants of wealth and

honours. Meanwhile, some clever councillors, instructed by Dhritarashtra,

one day began to describe (in court) the town of Varanavata as a charming

place. And they said, The festival of Pasupati (Siva) hath commenced in

the town of Varanavata. The concourse of people is great and the

procession is the most delightful of all ever witnessed on earth. Decked

with every ornament, it charmed the hearts of all spectators.' Thus did

those councillors, instructed by Dhritarashtra, speak of Varanavata, and

whilst they were so speaking, the Pandavas, O king, felt the desire of

going to that delightful town. And when the king (Dhritarashtra)

ascertained that the curiosity of the Pandavas had been awakened, the son

of Ambika addressed them, saying, 'These men of mine often speak of

Varanavata as the most delightful town in the world. If therefore, ye

children, ye desire to witness that festival, go to Varanavata with your

followers and friends and enjoy yourselves there like the celestials. And

give ye away pearls and gems unto the Brahmanas and the musicians (that

may be assembled there). And sporting there for some time as ye please

like the resplendent celestials and enjoying as much pleasure as ye like,

return ye to Hastinapura again.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Yudhishthira, fully understanding the motives

of Dhritarashtra and considering that he himself was weak and friendless,

replied unto the king, saying, 'So be it.' Then addressing Bhishma, the

son of Santanu, the wise Vidura, Drona, Valhika, the Kaurava, Somadatta,

Kripa, Aswatthaman, Bhurisravas, and the other councillors, and Brahmanas

and ascetics, and the priests and the citizens, and the illustrious

Gandhari, he said slowly and humbly, 'With our friends and followers we

go to the delightful and populous town of Varanavata at the command of

Dhritarashtra. Cheerfully give us your benedictions so that acquiring

prosperity, therewith we may not be touched by sin.' Thus addressed by

the eldest of Pandu's sons, the Kaurava chiefs all cheerfully pronounced

blessings on them, saying, 'Ye sons of Pandu, let all the elements bless

you along your way and let not the slightest evil befall you.'

"The Pandavas, having performed propitiatory rites for obtaining (their

share of) the kingdom, and finishing their preparations, set out for

Varanavata.'"

SECTION CXLVI

(Jatugriha Parva continued)

"Vaisampayana said, 'The wicked Duryodhana became very pleased when the

king, O Bharata, had said so unto Pandavas. And, O bull of Bharata's

race, Duryodhana, then, summoning his counsellor, Purochana in private,

took hold of his right hand and said, 'O Purochana, this world, so full

of wealth, is mine. But it is thine equally with me. It behoveth thee,

therefore, to protect it. I have no more trustworthy counsellor than thee

with whom to consult. Therefore, O sire, keep my counsel and exterminate

my foes by a clever device. O, do as I bid thee. The Pandavas have, by

Dhritarashtra, been sent to Varanavata, where they will, at

Dhritarashtra's command, enjoy themselves during the festivities. Do that

by which thou mayest this very day reach Varanavata in a car drawn by

swift mules. Repairing thither, cause thou to be erected a quadrangular

palace in the neighbourhood of the arsenal, rich in the materials and

furniture, and guard thou the mansion well (with prying eyes). And use

thou (in erecting that house) hemp and resin and all other inflammable

materials that are procurable. And mixing a little earth with clarified

butter and oil and fat and a large quantity of lac, make thou a plaster

for lining the walls, and scatter thou all around that house hemp and oil

and clarified butter and lac and wood in such a way that the Pandavas, or

any others, may not, even with scrutiny behold them there or conclude the

house to be an inflammable one. And having erected such mansion, cause

thou the Pandavas, after worshipping them with great reverence, to dwell

in it with Kunti and all their friends. And place thou there seats and

conveyances and beds, all of the best workmanship, for the Pandavas, so

that Dhritarashtra may have no reason to complain. Thou must also so

manage it all that none of Varanavata may know anything till the end we

have in view is accomplished. And assuring thyself that the Pandavas are

sleeping within in confidence and without fear, thou must then set fire

to that mansion beginning at the outer door. The Pandavas thereupon must

be burnt to death, but the people will say that they have been burnt in

(an accidental) conflagration of their house.

"Saying, 'So be it' unto the Kuru prince, Purochana repaired to

Varanavata in a car drawn by fleet mules. And going thither, O king,

without loss of time, obedient to the instructions of Duryodhana, did

everything that the prince had bid him do."

SECTION CXLVII

(Jatugriha Parva continued)

"Vaisampayana said, '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. And Vidura of great wisdom and the

other bulls among the Kurus and the citizens also, from great affliction,

followed those tigers among men to some distance. And some amongst the

citizens and the country people, who followed the Pandavas, afflicted

beyond measure at beholding the sons of Pandu in such distress, began to

say aloud, 'King Dhritarashtra of wicked soul seeth no things with the

same eye. The Kuru monarch casteth not his eye on virtue. Neither the

sinless Yudhishthira, nor Bhima the foremost of mighty men, nor

Dhananjaya the (youngest) son of Kunti, will ever be guilty (of the sin

of waging a rebellious war). When these will remain quiet, how shall the

illustrious son of Madri do anything? Having inherited the kingdom from

their father, Dhritarashtra could not bear them. How is that Bhishma who

suffers the exile of the Pandavas to that wretched place, sanctions this

act of great injustice? Vichitravirya, the son of Santanu, and the royal

sage Pandu of Kuru's race both cherished us of old with fatherly care.

But now that Pandu that tiger among men, hath ascended to heaven,

Dhritarashtra cannot bear with these princes his children. We who do not

sanction this exile shall all go, leaving this excellent town and our own

homes, where Yudhishthira will go.'

"Unto those distressed citizens talking in this way, the virtuous

Yudhishthira, himself afflicted with sorrow, reflecting for a few moments

said, 'The king is our father, worthy of regard, our spiritual guide, and

our superior. To carry out with unsuspicious hearts whatever he biddeth,

is indeed, our duty. Ye are our friends. Walking round us and making us

happy by your blessings, return ye to your abodes. When the time cometh

for anything to be done for us by you, then, indeed, accomplish all that

is agreeable and beneficial to us.' Thus addressed, the citizens walked

round the Pandavas and blessed them with their blessings and returned to

their respective abodes.

"And after the citizens had ceased following the Pandavas, Vidura,

conversant with all the dictates of morality, desirous of awakening the

eldest of the Pandavas (to a sense of his dangers), addressed him in

these words. The learned Vidura, conversant with the jargon (of the

Mlechchhas), addressed the learned Yudhishthira who also was conversant

with the same jargon, in the words of the Mlechchha tongue, so as to be

unintelligible to all except Yudhishthira. He said, 'He that knoweth the

schemes his foes contrive in accordance with the dictates of political

science, should, knowing them, act in such a way as to avoid all danger.

He that knoweth that there are sharp weapons capable of cutting the body

though not made of steel, and understandeth also the means of warding

them off, can never be injured by foes. He liveth who protecteth himself

by the knowledge that neither the consumer of straw and wood nor the

drier of the dew burneth the inmates of a hole in the deep woods. The

blind man seeth not his way: the blind man hath no knowledge of

direction. He that hath no firmness never acquireth prosperity.

Remembering this, be upon your guard. The man who taketh a weapon not

made of steel (i.e., an inflammable abode) given him by his foes, can

escape from fire by making his abode like unto that of a jackal (having

many outlets). By wandering a man may acquire the knowledge of ways, and

by the stars he can ascertain the direction, and he that keepeth his five

(senses) under control can never be oppressed y his enemies.'

"Thus addressed, Pandu's son, Yudhishthira the just replied unto Vidura,

that foremost of all learned men, saying, 'I have understood thee.' Then

Vidura, having instructed the Pandavas and followed them (thus far),

walked around them and bidding them farewell returned to his own abode.

When the citizens and Bhishma and Vidura had all ceased following, Kunti

approached Yudhishthira and said, 'The words that Kshattri said unto thee

in the midst of many people so indistinctly as if he did not say

anything, and thy reply also to him in similar words and voice, we have

not understood. If it is not improper; for us to know them I should then

like to hear everything that had passed between him and thee.'

"Yudhishthira replied, 'The virtuous Vidura said unto me that we should

know that the mansion (for our accommodation at Varanavata) hath been

built of inflammable materials. He said unto me, 'The path of escape too

shall not be unknown to thee,'--and further,--'Those that can control

their senses can acquire the sovereignty of the whole world.'--The reply

that I gave unto Vidura was, 'I have understood thee.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'The Pandavas set out on the eighth day of the

month of Phalguna when the star Rohini was in the ascendant, and arriving

at Varanavata they beheld the town and the people.'"