“Vaishampaayana said, ‘The news was carried to all the monarchs (who
had come to the Swayamvara of Draupadi)
by their trusted spies that the handsome Draupadi had been united in marriage
with the Pandavas. Yhey were also informed that the illustrious hero (Veera
in Sanskrit) who had bent the bow and
shot the mark was none else than Arjuna, that foremost of victorious warriors
and first of all wielders of the bow and arrows. It became known that the
mighty warrior who had dashed Shalya, the king of Madra, on the ground, and who
in anger had terrified the assembled monarchs by means of the tree (he had
uprooted), and who had taken his stand
before all enemies in perfect fearlessness, was none else than Bhima, that
feller of hostile armies, whose touch alone was sufficient to take the lives
out of all enemies. The monarchs, upon being informed that the Pandavas had
assumed the guise of peaceful Brahmanas, wondered much. They even heard that
Kunti with all her sons had been burnt to death in the fire of the house of lac
(Jatugriha in Sanskrit). They,
therefore, now regarded the Pandavas in the light of persons who had come back
from the region of the dead. Recollecting the cruel scheme created by
Purochana, they began to say, ‘O, shame on Bhishma, shame on Dhritarashtra of
the Kuru race!’
“After the Swayamvara was over, all the monarchs (who had come there), hearing that Draupadi had been united
with the Pandavas, set out for their own territories. Duryodhana, hearing that
Draupadi had selected the owner of white horses (Arjuna) as her lord, became greatly depressed.
Accompanied by his brothers, Ashwatthaama, his uncle (Shakuni), Karna and Kripa – the prince (Duryodhana) set out with a heavy heart for his
capital. Then Duhshaasana, blushing with shame, addressed his brother softly
and said, ‘If Arjuna had not disguised himself as a Brahmana, he could never
have succeeded in obtaining Draupadi. It was for this disguise, O king, that no
one could recognise him as Dhananjaya (Arjuna). I think fate is ever supreme. Effort is fruitless; shame on our efforts,
O brother! The Pandavas are still alive!’
“Speaking to one another thus and blaming Purochana (for his
carelessness), they then entered the
city of Hastinapura, with cheerless and sorrowful hearts. Looking the mighty
sons of Pritha (sons of Kunti),
escaped from the burning house of lac (Jatugriha) and allied with Drupada, and thinking of Dhrishtadyumna and Shikhandi
and the other sons of Drupada all accomplished in fight, they were struck with fear
and overcome with hopelessness.
“Then Vidura, having learnt that Draupadi had been won by the Pandavas
and that the sons of Dhritarashtra had come back (to Hastinapura) in shame, their pride humiliated, became
filled with joy. O king (Janamejaya),
approaching (King) Dhritarashtra,
Kshattri (Vidura) said, ‘The Kurus
are prospering by good luck!’ Hearing those words of Vidura, the son of
Vichitravirya (Dhritarashtra),
wondering, said in great joy, ‘What good luck, O Vidura! What good luck!’ From
ignorance, the blind monarch understood that his eldest son Duryodhana had been
chosen by Drupada’s daughter as her lord. The king immediately ordered various
ornaments to be made for Draupadi. He commanded that both Draupadi and his son
Duryodhana should be brought with splendid display to Hastinapura. It was then
that Vidura told the monarch (Dhritarashtra) that Draupadi had chosen the Pandavas for her lords, and that those
heroes (Veera in Sanskrit) were all
alive and at peace, and that they had been received with great respect by king
Drupada. He also informed Dhritarashtra that the Pandavas had been united with
the many relatives and friends of Drupada, each owning large armies, and with
many others who had come to that Swayamvara.
“Hearing these words of Vidura, Dhritarashtra said, ‘Those children (Pandavas) are to me as dear as they were to Pandu. Actually,
more. O listen to me why my affection for them now is even greater! The heroic Pandavas
are well and at ease. They have obtained many friends. Their relatives, and
others whom they have gained as allies, are all filled with great strength. Who
among monarchs in prosperity or adversity would not like to have Drupada with
his relatives as an ally?’
“Vaishampayana continued, ‘Having heard these words of the monarch (Dhritarashtra), Vidura said, ‘O king, let your
understanding remain so without change for a hundred years!’ Having said this
Vidura returned to his own house. Then, O monarch (Janamejaya), there came to Dhritarashtra, Duryodhana
and the son of Radha, Karna. Addressing the monarch, they said, ‘We cannot, O
king, speak of any offence in the presence of Vidura! We have now found you
alone, and will, therefore, say all we like! What is this that you have, O
monarch (Dhritarashtra), desired to
do? Do you regard the prosperity of your enemies as if it were your own, that you
have been applauding the Pandavas, O foremost of men, in the presence of
Vidura? O sinless one, O king, you do not act in the way you should! O father,
we should now act every day in such a way as to weaken (the strength of) the Pandavas. The time has come, O father,
for us to take advice together, so that the Pandavas may not swallow us all
with our children and friends and relatives.’”
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