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Mahābhārata The History of the Great India
<< 35 The Pandavas Depart For Varanavata >>
 |  | Then Duryodhana and his younger brothers steadily captured all the government ministers with gifts of wealth and position. And expert counselors, engaged by Dhrtarastra, began to speak about a charming city called Varanavata: "In the town of Varanavata," they said, "there is going to be a very big convention, the most enjoyable in the world, in honor of Lord Siva. That region is full of all kinds of jewels. It is a most charming area!" Thus by the order of Dhrtarastra, they continued to praise the region of Varanavata.
| | | As the Pandavas heard more and more about the charming city of Varanavata, their desire to go there arose. And when Dhrtarastra, son of Ambika, felt that a strong curiosity had been aroused in them, he said to the Pandavas, "These men of mine are always talking, again and again, about Varanavata. They say it is the most charming city in the world. My dear Yudhisthira, if you boys would like to see the festivities in Varanavata, then go there with your friends and followers and enjoy yourselves like the immortal gods. You may offer as many jewels as you like to the brahmanas and to all who sing the sacred songs, and thus you will shine in that city like the gods in heaven. After enjoying for some time there and experiencing the highest pleasure, you happy boys will come again to Hastinapura".
| | | Agreeing to the desire of his uncle Dhrtarastra's and realizing that Duryodhana had successfully won over the important men in the government, Yudhisthira replied, "So be it".
| | | Then Yudhisthira quietly spoke these pathetic words to Drona, Krpa, Bahlika, Asvatthama, the Kuru Somadatta, the very wise Bhisma, the great-minded Vidura, and the highly revered Gandhari: "Dear relatives, by the order of Dhrtarastra we shall dwell for some time with our people in the beautiful and bustling city of Varanavata. May all of you be pleased with this plan and bless us with auspicious words, so that fortified with your blessings we shall never be overcome by evil".
| | | When all the Kauravas heard Yudhisthira's words, their faces became peaceful, and they came forward and blessed the Pandavas, saying, "May you always be healthy on your journey and happy with whomever you meet! O beloved sons of Pandu, may you not have even a trace of misfortune!"
| | | Thus the Pandavas were blessed to obtain good fortune in their new kingdom, and having performed all the required duties, they departed for Varanavata.
| | | Duryodhana, whose soul was corrupted by evil, felt the greatest pleasure. He took his adviser Purocana aside, O noble Bharata. Clasping Purocana's right hand, Duryodhana said to him, "Purocana, this abundant earth, full of riches, is now mine! And because it is mine, it is also yours, and you must help me protect it. There is no one I trust more than you, no other associate with whom I can consult and ally myself as I can with you. Keep our meeting completely confidential, dear friend, for you must destroy my enemies and save me from their wiles by a most clever means. I shall explain it to you, and you must carry it out precisely as I say.
| | | Dhrtarastra has ordered the Pandavas to Varanavata, and by Dhrtarastra's order they will stay there for some time and enjoy the local festivities. You must go in a swiftly moving chariot drawn by strong mules. Do what you must so that you reach Varanavata this very day. There you must see to the construction of a luxurious house with four stately halls. The house should be extremely well guarded and must have an armory adjoining it. You must find hemp, tree resin, and whatever other inflammable materials are locally available and provide all of them to the builders. The walls should be built of clay mixed with oil, clarified butter, and large quantities of lac. See that the walls are covered with plaster.
| | | Place hemp, bamboo, butter, and all types of wooden implements throughout the house. Do everything in such a way that the Pandavas, even if they investigate, will not suspect you, and so that neither they nor other men will notice that this house has been built to go up in flames.
| | | When the mansion has been built in this way, you should show the Pandavas the greatest of honor and see that they live there with Kunti and her affectionate maidservants. Exquisite seats, beds, and vehicles must be arranged for the Pandavas so that my father may be pleased. With as much time as we have, everything should be arranged so that the Pandavas live happily, with full confidence, in the city of Varanavata.
| | | But when you know that they are sleeping soundly, without fear or suspicion, you are to set fire by the door of the house. When the Pandavas have burned to death, all that the citizens and our relatives will ever say about the Pandavas is 'They burned to death in their own house'.
| | | "And so it shall be!" promised Purocana to the wicked Kaurava, and departed in a mule-drawn chariot for the city of Varanavata. He left swiftly, O king, resolved to carry out the will of Duryodhana, and he arranged everything exactly as Duryodhana had ordered.
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