“Vaishampaayana said, ‘Then all the citizens (of Vaaranaavata) on hearing
that the Pandavas had come, were filled with joy at the news, speedily came out
of Varanavata, in vehicles of various kinds numbering by thousands, taking with
them every auspicious article as directed by the Shastras, for receiving those
foremost of men. The people of Vaaranaavata, approaching the sons of Kunti
blessed them by uttering the Jaya and stood surrounding them. That tiger among
men – the Dharmic Yudhishthira thus surrounded by them looked brilliant like Him
having Vajra in his hands (i.e. Lord Indra) in the middle of Deva. Those sinless ones (Pandavas), welcomed by the citizens and welcoming
the citizens in return, then entered the populous town of Vaaranaavata decked
with every ornament. O monarch (Janamejaya), entering the town those heroes (Pandavas) first went 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, then of the (house of) Sutas, the Vaishyas and then to those of the Shudras. O bull of
Bharata's race (Janamejaya), 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, drink, beds and carpets, all of the first and most agreeable
order. The Pandavas dressed in costly garments, continued to live there, adored
by Purochana and the people having their homes in Vaaranaavata.
“After the Pandavas had thus lived for ten nights,
Purochana spoke to them of the mansion (he had
built) called ‘The Blessed Home’ (Nivedhayaamaasa
Griha in Sanskrit) but in reality the
cursed house. Then those tigers among men (Pandavas), dressed in costly garment, entered that mansion at the instance of
Purochana like Guhyakas entering the palace (of Lord Shiva) on the Kailaasha mount. The foremost of
all men of Dharma, Yudhishthira, inspecting the house, said to Bhima that it
was really built of inflammable materials. Smelling the scent of fat mixed with
clarified butter and preparations of lac, he said to Bhima, ‘O punisher of
foes, this house is truly built of inflammable materials! Indeed, it is
apparent that such is the case! It is evident that the enemy 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, stays here with the object of burning me to death when he sees
me trustful. But, O son of Pritha (i.e. son of Kunti indicating Bhima here), Vidura of great intelligence, knew of this
danger, and, therefore, has warned me of it in advance. Knowing it all, that
youngest uncle of ours (Vidura),
ever wishing our good from affection has told us that this house, so full of
danger, has been constructed by the wretches under Duryodhana acting in
secrecy.’
“Hearing this, Bhima replied, ‘If, O respected one,
you know this house to be so inflammable, it would then be well for us to
return there 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 finds from our face that
we have understood (his
evil) designs, acting with speed he may
suddenly burn us to death. Indeed, Purochana cares little for dishonour or sin.
The wretch stays 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 anger, make the Kauravas angry with him? Or, perhaps, our grandfather
Bhishma and the other bull of Kuru's race, regarding displeasure at such a
sinful act to be Dharmic, may become angry. If however, from fear of being
burnt, we fly from here, Duryodhana, ambitious of kingship will certainly
compass our death by means of spies. While we have no rank and power,
Duryodhana has both; while we have no friends and allies, Duryodhana has both;
while we are without wealth, Duryodhana has at his command a full treasury.
Will he not, therefore, certainly destroy us by adopting adequate means? Let
us, therefore, by cheating 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 an underground passage to be dug in our chamber in
great secrecy. If we act in this way, hiding 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 Vaaranaavata may know what we are after.’”
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