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.'"
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