The stay at Varanavata

The bidding of good bye with the elders of the palace was touching. To the Pandavas and also to the senior Kauravas like Bhishma it was like parting for a long stay away. The citizens of the kingdom were grief stricken. They somehow felt that they were about to lose their beloved princes . Some even commented adversely on the decision by Dhritarashtra in approving such a move.

Arrival at Varanavata

The residents of Varanavata gave a joyous welcome to their rulers from Hastinapura. Purochana was already there to receive them. He cordially took them around and accommodated them in a temporary house for the first few days.

Then he took them to their specially built palace. Because of the prior warning from Vidura Yudhishthira inspected every part of the house with a critical eye, but without giving any clue to Purochana. When they were alone he pointed out to his brothers how the house had been made. The very smell of ghee and other animal fat told them how vulnerable they were. The presence of Purochana guarding the gates during day and sleeping there at night confirmed their suspicion. They decided that they would remain watchful every moment of their stay in that house.

The tunnel

Soon, a miner, sent secretly by Vidura, reported himself to the Pandavas. He was specially skilled in making tunnels. Drilling a secret exit from the house was what the Pandavas had in mind. So, they all decided that work on a tunnel that would take them to the shores of Ganga should start immediately. The miner should work at night when nobody would notice him. The entrance would be cleverly covered not to give away their secret plan of escape.

The Pandavas spent the day time going around and hunting in the nearby forest. They slept at night in the very tunnel that was being built where they felt more safe .

The burning of the house of wax

Purochana wanted to wait for a while before burning the house down so that he would not raise any suspicion. Thus, a year passed by. By then the miner had finished digging the tunnel. It was a new moon day and the Pandavas got a hint from the suspicious movements of Purochana that he was ready to execute his plan.

That night Kunti threw a lavish party . There was plenty of good food and fine wine for every one to enjoy. Many people around and away from the place ate and drank at the party that night. When midnight came and when everyone was asleep Bheema set fire to the house. The Pandavas , then, escaped through the tunnel carrying their mother with them.

The people living nearby were woken up by the burning of palace. By then it was too late to do anything. They found the charred bodies of Purochana and some others who stayed behind in the house after the party. They were grief stricken thinking that their beloved princes had all perished in the fire. The matter was duly reported to Hastinapura. Duryodhana was delighted, but, did not show any outward sign. Even Dhritarashtra was happy within his heart. Bhishma, Drona and Kripa were all very upset. Dhritarashtra, Bhishma and the Kaurava princes peformed the last rites for the departed Pandavas. The whole country spent days of mourning thinking about their dear princes who met with their untimely death. They sensed that there was foul play by Duryodhana.

Stay in the Forest

The Pandavas came out of the tunnel and reached the shores of Ganga. There was an oarsman waiting for them in the river with his boat. He repeated the same words spoken as warning by Vidura when the Pandavas took leave of him. So, they could easily identify him as sent by Vidura . The man took them across the river and bid good bye to them at the shore.

What lay ahead of the Pandavas was thick forest . It was, still, night and pitch dark all around. They found it very hard to move forward. Bheema decided to carry his mother on his head and both Nakula and Sahadeva on his hips. He, then, even supported Yudhishthira and Arjuna with his two hands. Thus, they went forward into the deep jungle.

Hard days were in store for them in the forest. They were also to encounter many adventures there. We shall learn about them soon enough.