The Exile

A year passed after the Kauravas completed their training under Drona. Dhritarashtra has been ruling the country on behalf of the next heir to the throne, Yudhishthira. The blind king thought it time that the young Pandava was anointed as Yuvaraja or heir apparent. The installation was done in the proper manner.

In a short time Yudhishthira won the heart of all, within the royal palace and outside. Then, Arjuna and Bheema went in all the four directions to win over their enemies . The two sons of Pandu managed to return victorious after giving fights to whoever opposed them in battle.

Dhritarashtra becomes envious

The growing popularity of the Pandavas and their victories in a short time made Dhritarashtra anxious. He had the interests of his own sons at heart all the time. At the same time, he would act only what would appear just to the public. The conflicting interests made him a worried king. So, he consulted his trusted minister by name Kanika.

Kanika quoted rules that suited the king. He advised Dhritarashtra that the Pandavas should be considered as enemies to the king’s own sons. Enemies are to be annihilated without mercy in whatever way possible. He told the story of the clever jackal in the forest which killed a lion with able help from other animals like a tiger, wolf and so on. But, he managed to send them all away with clever words and enjoyed the meal all by himself.

Duryodhana Conspires with the king

[The Bhaarata story has been told in eighteen volumes. Each is divided into several chapters and further sections. We skipped over most of the first six chapters and have just completed the seventh, “Chapter of Births (Sambhava Parvam)” within the “Starting Volume (Aadi Parvam)”. We are about to get into the eighth chapter of the first volume , called the “Chapter of the House of Lac (Jathu Griha Parvam)”]

It was then that Duryodhana came to his father with a complaint. He said that the Pandavas were getting stronger day by day. It was not his fault that his father was born blind thereby denying him the kingdom. He took stock of the stand that the elders in the royal family would take in the case of a conflict. Bhisha would remain neutral between the Kauravas and Pandavas. Drona loved his son so much that wherever Aswatthaamaa was Dona would stick to that place. Kripa would not leave his brother-in-law (Drona) and his nephew. Vidura always would depend upon the ruling monarch, whoever that be. He implied that if he, somehow, got the throne then he would have a way to get the loyalty of all elders.

Then, he unrolled his plan before his father. There was a place called Vaaranaavata within their kingdom. Dhritarashtra should somehow induce the Pandavas to visit that place and live there for a while. Duryodhana would handle the rest. The Pandavas would not refuse to abide by the suggestion of their step father.
Dhritaraashtra sends the Pandavas away

The ploy of Duryodhana appealed to the blind king. He called the Pandavas to his side and spoke with loving words to them. He has heard from his ministers that there was a beautiful place called Vaaranaavatam. If the Pandavas so wished, he would permit them to go to the place and enjoy the festival that was about to take place there. The proposal was made in such a manner that Pandavas had to agree to go by it.

Duryodhana Plots to kill

Duryodhana was delighted when he heard that the Pndavas fell into his trap. He then called his trusted assistant by name Purochana. He was asked to build a house for the Pandavas in Varanavatam. It should appear beautiful and made comfortable to live in. But, every building block, including the cement, must be of inflammable material. Timber, lac and ghee should be used in abundance. But, externally nothing should be obvious so that the Pandvas would not turn suspicious.

Vidura comes to help

Soon the Pandavas started bidding good bye to all in the royal palace and also to the general public outside. The idea was the five Pandavas would take their mother with them and enjoy spending time in Varanavatam and watching the festival there. When they were about to embark on their journey Vidura called Yudhishthira in privacy and gave him sufficient hints of the dangers ahead. His words gave no clue to people who might overhear, but, were clear enough to the wise Yudhishthira. Vidura also gave them a plan of escape.

Yudhishthira briefed his brothers on the tips he got from Vidura. Bheema did not understand why they had to go by Duryodhana’s wicked plans. Yudhishthira told Bheema that they had to obey their step father and go to Varanavatam. Once out of their palace, they would have to play the game set by Duryodhana. Otherwise the wicked Kaurava could get them killed using his spies.

Thus, the Pandavas embarked on their journey to Varanavatam which was, in a way, their start of life in exile.