Life of Dhritarashtra in Hastinapura

We are at the start of the new chapter, “Life in the Hermitage (aaSrama vaasa parvam)”, of the new book, “of Life in the Hermitage (aaSrama vaasika parvam)” . The entire book comprises three short chapters. But, from now on the development of the remaining story of Mahabharata is fairly fast.

Dhritarashtra bestowed with love

Peace had dawned on the entire Pandava kingdom. There was prosperity everywhere.
Yudhishthira had set his mind on making his aged uncle and aunt happy all the time. He made sure that they lacked nothing, in material or in spirit. He gave strict instructions to all, to his brothers, and to all others who served in the palace that special attention should always be given to them. He announced that anyone who gave reason for the aged couple to feel unhappy would be severely punished. He proclaimed. “My uncle and aunt, who had lost all their sons in the war, should not feel sorrow of any kind.”

In fact, all went out of their way to demonstrate their respect and love to Dhritarashtra and Gandhari. Vidura, Sanjaya, Kripa and Yuyutsu served the elderly Kaurava to their best. So did the Pandavas. Kunti, Draupadi, Subhadra and other Pandava queens served the blind folded Gandhari at all times with love and extreme dedication. They were served with all the delicacies eaten by kings and queens of their status. Rich cloths and precious ornaments were heaped on them from time to time. They had all the comforts in their rooms for rest and sleep.

Yudhishthira consulted Dhritarashtra and Gandhari on everything that he did. All the riches he acquired were given to them as though rightly earned by Dhritarashtra, himself. Vidura was always at his side to carry out his wishes on charity and religion. He gave gifts in abundance to Brahmins at the expressed wishes of his step brother.

Veda Vyasa paid regular visits to his blind son and entertained him with stories of ancient kings in the dynasty and from the epics.

The entire army of servants in the palace stood always at the command of Dhritarashtra on orders from Yudhishthira.

Dhritarashtra’s happiness

Indeed, Dhritarashtra was happy in every respect. And, so was Gandhari. The blind king felt so pleased with all the attention and love he received that he prayed everyday for long life and prosperity for the Pandavas. He often wondered whether he was ever happier when he was in the company of his own sons. The pious Gandhari, likewise, was well pleased in Hastinapura with all the attention she received from the Pandavas.

Fifteen years passed this way in which peace prevailed in the palaces of Hastinapura. Yudhishthira made it a point to remind his brothers every day that the blind king who had lost all his sons should not feel sorrow for any reason. The rest of Pandavas obeyed his words to their best.

Bhima’s fuming anger

But for Bhima. He could not hide his real feelings towards his uncle for long. Outwardly, he tried to be polite while his elder brother was around. Slowly, his pent up anger started showing up. He could not forget how the blind king supported his wicked son and Bhima’s main adversary, Duryodhana, in every evil move he made. After all, it was Bhima who had to bear the brunt of all the attacks by Duryodhana and his brothers since childhood. The game of dice that had turned the tide against the Pandavas had the tacit permission of his uncle. Dhritarashtra also, on his part, had publicly demonstrated his hatred towards Bhima by crushing the iron statue placed before him as Bhima.

So, Bhima always waited for an opportunity to let the fuming volcano in him to erupt. He secretly acted in ways that would hurt the feelings of Dhritarashtra. He would, when alone, order the servants not to perform their duties to the aged Kaurava. He openly boasted about his achievement in killing every one of the hundred sons of Dhritarashtra with his iron like arms. He made sure that his voice reached the blind king. The wise and pious lady, Gandhari, also heard Bhima’s taunts on occasions.

Bhima’s outbursts greatly caused pain in the heart of the aged Kaurava king and his queen. They thought over the issue and came to the conclusion that it was time for them to make a move. Yudhishthira and the other Pandavas had no knowledge of Bhima’s sly arrows aimed at the heart of his uncle. Hence, they had no idea of what was in the mind of his aged parents.

A shocking decision

Then, one day Dhritarashtra got the Pandavas and all his other relations to his side and said. “You all know about the destruction of the Kuru race through my own folly. I did not listen to the wise counsel of all those who meant well to me. My blind love to my sons lead ultimately to the war and their own death. I have spent fifteen years in this palace repenting for all that happened because of my own faults. My wife knows that I ate very little all these years immersed deeply in my sorrow.”

Then, he turned in the direction of Yushishthira. “Son, now it is time for me and my wife to retire to forest. That is the only path prescribed to those Kshatriyas who have not lost their lives fighting a war. Give me permission to move. Let me lie on a bed of matted grass on the ground in the forest eating only nuts and fruits and drinking water.”