SECTION CXLVIII
(Jatugriha Parva Continued)
"Vaisampayana said, 'Then all the citizens
(of Varanavata) on hearing that the son of Pandu had come, were filled with joy
at the tidings, speedily came out of Varanavata, in vehicles of various kinds
numbering by thousands, taking with them every auspicious article as directed
by the Sastras, for receiving those foremost of men. And the people of
Varanavata, approaching the sons of Kunti blessed them by uttering the Jaya and
stood surrounding them. That tiger among men, viz., the virtuous Yudhishthira
thus surrounded by them looked resplendent like him having the thunderbolt in
his hands (viz., Indra) in the midst of the celestials. And those sinless ones,
welcomed by the citizens and welcoming the citizens in return, then entered the
populous town of Varanavata decked with every ornament. Entering the town those
heroes first went, O monarch, to the abodes of Brahmanas engaged in their
proper duties. Those foremost of men then went to the abodes of the officials
of the town, and then of the Sutas and the Vaisyas and then to those of even
the Sudras, O bull of Bharata's race, thus adored by the citizens, the Pandavas
at last went with Purochana going before them, to the palace that had been
built for them, Purochana then began to place before them food and drink and
beds and carpets, all of the first and most agreeable order. The Pandavas
attired in costly robes, continued to live there, adored by Purochana and the
people having their homes in Varanavata.
"After the Pandavas had thus lived for ten
nights, Purochana spoke to them of the mansion (he had built) called 'The Blessed
Home,' but in reality the cursed house. Then those tigers among men, attired in
costly dress, entered that mansion at the instance of Purochana like Guhyakas
entering the palace (of Siva) on the Kailasa mount. The foremost of all
virtuous men, Yudhishthira, inspecting the house, said unto Bhima that it was
really built of inflammable materials. Smelling the scent of fat mixed with
clarified butter and preparations of lac, he said unto Bhima, 'O chastiser of
foes, this house is truly built of inflammable materials! Indeed, it is
apparent that such is the case! The enemy, it is evident, by the aid of trusted
artists well-skilled in the construction of houses, have finely built this
mansion, after procuring hemp, resin, heath, straw, and bamboos, all soaked in
clarified butter. This wicked wretch, Purochana, acting under the instruction
of Duryodhana, stayeth here with the object of burning me to death when he
seeth me trustful. But, O son of Pritha, Vidura of great intelligence, knew of
this danger, and, therefore, hath warned me of it beforehand. Knowing it all,
that youngest uncle of ours, ever wishing our good from affection hath told us
that this house, so full of danger, hath been constructed by the wretches under
Duryodhana acting in secrecy.'
"Hearing this, Bhima replied, 'If, sir, you
know this house to be so inflammable, it would then be well for us to return
thither where we had taken up our quarters first.' Yudhishthira replied, 'It
seems to me that we should rather continue to live here in seeming
unsuspiciousness but all the while with caution and our senses wide awake and
seeking for some certain means of escape. If Purochana findeth from our
countenances that we have fathomed designs, acting with haste he may suddenly
burn us to death. Indeed, Purochana careth little for obloquy or sin. The
wretch stayeth here acting under the instruction of Duryodhana. If we are burnt
to death, will our grandfather Bhishma be angry? Why will he, by showing his
wrath, make the Kauravas angry with him? Or, perhaps, our grandfather Bhishma
and the other bull of Kuru's race, regarding indignation at such a sinful act
to be virtuous, may become wrathful. If however, from fear of being burnt, we
fly from here, Duryodhana, ambitious of sovereignty will certainly compass our
death by means of spies. While we have no rank and power, Duryodhana hath both;
while we have no friends and allies, Duryodhana hath both; while we are without
wealth, Duryodhana hath at his command a full treasury. Will he not, therefore,
certainly destroy us by adopting adequate means? Let us, therefore, by
deceiving this wretch (Purochana) and that other wretch Duryodhana, pass our
days, disguising ourselves at times. Let us also lead a hunting life, wandering
over the earth. We shall then, if we have to escape our enemies, be familiar
with all paths. We shall also, this very day, cause a subterranean passage to
be dug in our chamber in great secrecy. If we act in this way, concealing what
we do from all, fire shall never be able to consume us. We shall live here,
actively doing everything for our safety but with such privacy that neither
Purochana nor any of the citizens of Varanavata may know what we are
after.'"
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