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Tuesday, December 08, 2015

Jatugriha - Part 2 - from Mahabharata

Meanwhile the Pandavas took leave of the Kuru elders and left for Varnavrata.  People of Hastinapur were sad to see the Pandavas go. They were loudly cursing the Kaurava saying maybe it was a ruse. Yudhistira addressed the people, asking them to respect the wishes of the Kuru elders

After the people had left, Vidura addressed Yudhistira in a language only the two could understand. He said Act in a way to avoid all suspicion but be aware of danger. Weapons are there that can cut through bodies not made of metal. Know that fire cannot destroy those in a tunnel. Use weapons not made of metal, against your enemies.Wander and gain knowledge.

Vidura indirectly told Yudhistira about the inflammable house, to escape through a tunnel after setting it on fire and roam around.

Vidura then left. Yudhistirta then told his brothers that Vidura had told him that the house they would be living in, was made of combustible material. He also told them not to worry and not let around know that about this knowledge.

People of Varnavrata, seeing the Pandavas greeted them. Then Purocahana, Duryodhana's aide came, and he guided the Pandavas into the palace. The pandavas could smell the butter and oils that had been mixed to build this combustible house. They all the house had been built with resins, bamboo, straw, little mud - all mixed with butter and lac. Bhima wanted to kill Purochana, but Yudhistira told him to be patient. If Purochana suspected their knowing, it would be their end. They needed to act innocent.

A friend of Vidura then came to meet the Pandavas. This person was an expert in mining. He said he had been sent by Vidura and he was to dig a tunnel for the Pandavas. Purochana had plans to set alight the palace on the night of Amavasya. Work began in the nights. In the day, it was covered with planks. In the day, the Pandavas would go hunting and in the evening they guarded the mining work.

Seeing the Pandavas living there cheerfully and without suspicion for a full year, Purochana was happy. Seeing this, Yudhistira said it was time to set the house on fire and escape, killing Purochana. Kunti approached Purochana and said she wanted to arrange a feast for the Brahmanas. Many people came for the feast. Along with the others, came a Nishada woman with her five children. Having had a lot to drink, Purochana and the Nishada woman and her children lay down and went to sleep, after the feast.
It suddenly became very windy. Taking this is a sign, Bhima set the house on fire, starting with the main doors. Satisfied that the house was burning, the Pandavas and Kunti entered the tunnel.

The people of Varnavrata noticing this started cursing Dhritarashtra, Duryodhana and Purochana. Pandavas came out on the other end of the tunnel and fled into the nearby forest.


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