“Vaishampaayana said, ‘Then the son of Subala (Shakuni), king Duryodhana,
Duhshaasana and Karna, 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, discovered the intention of these wicked persons by observing their faces
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 enemies. Providing for that purpose a boat
strong enough to withstand both wind and wave, he addressed Kunti and said,
‘This Dhritarashtra has been born for destroying the fame and offspring of the (Kuru) race. Of wicked soul, he is about to throw
off Sanatana Dharma. O blessed one, I have kept ready on the stream a boat
capable of withstanding both wind and wave. Escape by it with your children
from the net that death has spread around you.’
“Vaishampaayana continued, ‘O bull of Bharata's race (Janamejaya), hearing these
words, the respected Kunti was deeply pained and with her children stepped into
the boat and went over Ganga. 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 Vaaranavata) by their enemies and
safely entered the deep forest. In the house of lac (Laakshaa Griha in
Sanskrit), however, that had been
prepared for the destruction of Pandavas, an innocent Nishada woman who had
come there for some purpose, was with her children burnt to death. That worst
of Mlechchhas (Mlechchhaas are a distinct tribe), the wretched Purochana (who was the architect employed in
building the Laakshaa Griha) was also
burnt in the fire. Thus were the sons of Dhirtarashtra with their advicers
deceived in their expectations. Thus also were the illustrious Pandavas, by the
advice of Vidura, saved with their mother. But the people (of Vaaranavata) knew not of their safety. The citizens of
Varanavata, seeing the Laakshaa Griha consumed (and believing the Pandavas
to have been burnt to death) became
exceedingly sorry. They sent messengers to king Dhritarashtra to represent
everything that had happened. They said to the monarch, ‘Your great end has
been achieved! You have at last burnt the Pandavas to death! O king of the
Kurus, your desire fulfilled, enjoy with your children 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 (Rishi Vaishampaayana), I
desire to hear in full this history of the burning of the Laakshaa Griha 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.’
“Vaishampaayana said, ‘O punisher of all enemies (Janamejaya), O monarch,
listen to me as I recite the (history of the) burning of the Laakshaa Griha and the escape of the Pandavas. The
wicked Duryodhana, seeing Bhimasena surpass (everybody) in strength and Arjuna highly accomplished in weaponry became thoughtful
and sad. Then Karna, the offspring of the Sun, and Shakuni, the son of Subala, attempted
by various means to compass the death of the Pandavas. The Pandavas too prevented
all those schemes one after another, and in obedience to the advice of Vidura,
never spoke of them afterwards. O Bharata (Janamejaya), then the citizens seeing the Pandavas possessed of accomplishments,
began to speak of them in all places of public resort. Assembled in courtyards
and other places of gathering, they talked of the eldest Pandava (Yudhishthira) as possessed of the qualifications for
ruling the kingdom. They said, ‘Dhritarashtra, though possessed of the eye of
knowledge (Pragnya Chakshu in Sanskrit),
having been (born) blind, had not
obtained the kingdom before. How can he (therefore) become king now? Then Bhishma, the son of Shantanu, of great vows (Vrata
in Sanskrit) and devoted to truth,
having formerly gave up the sovereignty would never accept it now. Therefore,
we shall now install (on the throne)
with proper ceremonies the eldest of the Pandavas (Yudhishthira) endued with youth, accomplished in battle,
versed in the Vedas, and truthful and kind. Worshipping Bhishma, the son of Shantanu
and Dhritarashtra knowledgeable with the rules of Dharma, 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 supporting of
Yudhishthira, became very much distressed. Deeply pained, the wicked prince (Duryodhana)
could not put up with those speeches. Inflamed with jealousy, he went to
Dhritarashtra, and finding him alone he saluted him with respect and pained at (the
sight of) the partiality of the citizens
for Yudhishthira, he addressed the monarch (Dhritarashtra) and said, ‘O father, I have heard the
parting citizens utter words of ill omen. Bypassing you and Bhishma too, they
desire the Pandava (Yudhishthira) to
be their king. Bhishma will sanction this, for he will not rule the kingdom. It
seems, therefore, that the citizens are trying to inflict a great injury on us.
Pandu obtained of old the ancestral kingdom by virtue of his own
accomplishments, but you, from blindness, did not obtain the kingdom, though
fully qualified to have it. If Pandu's son (Yudhishthira) now obtains 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. O king of the world (Dhritarashtra), in that case ourselves with our children,
excluded from the royal line, shall certainly be disregarded by all men. O
monarch (Dhritarashtra), therefore adopt
such counsels (advice) that we may
not suffer everlasting distress, becoming dependent on others for our food. O
king (Dhritarashtra), if you had
obtained the sovereignty before, we would certainly have succeeded to it,
however much the people might be unfavourable to us.’”
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