Dhritraashtra Consults on the Issue of Paandav

Vaishampaayan Jee said - "News of Draupadee's marriage to Paandav spread very soon to the kings who came to Draupadee's Swayamvar. They also knew that who shot the mark was none else than Arjun; and who dashed Shalya was Bheem. Since they had heard that Kuntee and Paandav had already burnt in the Laakshaa Grih, so they thought that they came back from the land of dead. All kings and people who came to Draupadee's Swayamvar, hearing that Draupadee was taken by Arjun, the owner of the white horses, went back to their places; but Duryodhan got very depressed. He set off to his capital along with Kripaa, Ashwatthaamaa, Karn, and Shakuni. Dushaasan, filled with shame, said to his brother - "If Arjun had not disguised himself as a Braahman, he could have never taken Draupadee. Fate is higher than the exertion. Fie on our exertion, Paandav are still alive." Talking like thus they entered their capital. They were very sad about Paandav's escape from Laakshaa Grih and their alliance with mighty people like Drupad, Dhrishtdyumn and Shikhandee.

Vidur also heard that Paandav had won Draupadee and Kaurav had come back to Hastinaapur, he became very happy. He immediately went to Dhritraashtra and said - "By good luck Kuru are prospering." Hearing this Dhritraashtra thought that Duryodhan had won Draupadee so he said - "What a good luck? What a good luck?" and ordered to make various ornaments and clothes for Draupadee. He asked to bring Duryodhan and Draupadee to Hastinaapur with pomp and show. Then Vidur told him that it was not Duryodhan, but Draupadee had chosen Paandav as her husbands and Paandav are alive and happy. Hearing this Dhritraashtra said - "Paandav are as dear to me as they were dear to Paandu. I am very happy to hear they are alive and well."

After Vidur had left, Duryodhan, Karn and Dushaasan came to Dhritraashtra and said - "We could not speak to you in the presence of Vidur, but now we want to say to you what we want to say. You were admiring Paandev in the presence of Vidur. Do you wish for the prosperity of the enemy? In fact we should act now everyday to weaken the enemy so that they cannot take our kingdom."

Vaishampaayan Jee said - "Dhritraashtra said - "I will do as you would say to me, but I do not want that Vidur should even guess the course of our actions. Tell me, that what you and Karn want to do?" Duryodhan said - "Let us divide Kuntee and Maadree's children; or we can bribe Drupad, his sons and his ministers; or we can induce them to settle in Paanchaal so that they live separately from us and then permanently settle there; or we should kill Bheem, because without Bheem Arjun is not even one fourth of Raadheya. We can use any of these ways."

Vaishampaayan Jee said - "Karn said - "I don't think that any of your schemes will be successful against Paandav, because you have already tried several times to kill them in the past and you have failed. Now they are living far and are grown-up, they cannot be injured by your means. They cannot be disunited who have taken a common wife. You cannot disunite them on the issue of their wife. She chose them as her husbands when they were living in poverty, how can she leave them when they are prosperous. As long as Drupad and his sons are with them, do not even think of fighting. We should bring Paandav here. They are, in fact, incapable of being dealt with any of the policies of Saam, Daam, Dand and Bhed. Therefore you should win them by your power only. That is my opinion." Dhritraashtra got very happy to hear Karn. He said - "Karn, You are gifted with wisdom, you are accomplished in arms; but Bheeshm, Drone and Vidur and you two should meet together to decide this." Then he called all to have a consultation with them."

Vaishampaayan Jee said - When Dhritraashtra asked about this Bheeshm said - "I can never approve fighting with Paandav. As you are near to me, so was Paandu; and as Gaandhaaree's sons are dear to me so are of Kuntee. I should protect them both. I would suggest that half of the land should be given to Paandav, because as much this kingdom is yours, the same is theirs too. They have lawful right on this kingdom before you, so give them half the kingdom quietly. This will benefit all and if you will do anything otherwise only evil will fall on all. A man is alive as long as his fame lives, as soon as his fame is gone, he dies. So by doing this you should earn fame. It is fortunate that Kuntee and Paandav are alive. When I heard the news of burning, I was not able to show my face to anybody. As long as they live, even Indra cannot stop them taking their ancestral share."

Vaishampaayan Jee said - "After Bheeshm had finished his speech, Drone said - "I have heard that when friends are invited for consultation, they should speak truth. I am also of the same opinion as of Bheeshm. Give them their kingdom. Immediately send a message to Drupad with large treasures, including the ornaments of pure gold for Draupadee, and to Paandav that you and Duryodhan are very glad to know about Paandav." Karn again spoke - "Bheeshm and Drone have been pampered by your wealth, you trust them, still they cannot give you right advice. When a man is in distress, his happiness depends up on his Destiny. There was a king named Amboovich, his capital was Raajgrih, and he was the king of Magadh Desh. He did not care for his kingdom, only his ministers were ruling on his behalf. His Minister Mahaakarnee became the supreme authority and he started playing with his queens and treasury. Still he could not become the king, it all depends on Destiny. Thinking this you should act."

Drone said to Karn - "Since you are wicked, that is why you are talking like a wicked. You are saying this because you want to trouble Paandav. If you think that we are not talking good, then tell us what is good for us?"

Vaishampaayan Jee said - "As Drone got silent, Vidur spoke - "O King, Your friends, Bheeshm and Drone, are telling good for you, but Karn doesn't think it proper. There is no other better fiend of yours than these two. They can never give you bad advice. You are not understanding it - can Dhananjaya be defeated even by Indra? Can Bheem be defeated even by celestials? Can anybodt defeat the twins who are like sons of Yam himself? How can the eldest son of Paandu be defeated in battle? They who have Raam as their ally, Krishn as their counselor and Saatyaki as their friend, Drupad, Dhrishtdyumn and Shikhandee like relatives, cannot be defeated in any way. Know that their claim on kingdom is before than yours, so behave virtuously with them. Wash your sins which you committed through Purochan. Know where Krishn is, the victory is. Hearing that Paandav are alive, our people are eager to see them. O King, Act in a way which is agreeable to Paandav, Duryodhan, Karn and Shakuni are sinful and foolish, do not listen to them. I have told you long before that because of Duryodhan the people of your kingdom will die."

Vidur Goes to Paanchaal

Dhritraashtra said - "You, Bheeshm, and Drone have said to me what is good for me. You are right that this kingdom belongs as much to Paandav also as it belongs to my sons, so please bring Paandav, Kuntee and Krishnaa here with affection." So Vidur set off to Drupad and Paandav carrying numerous jewels and wealth for them. Drupad welcomed him and they asked each other's welfare. Vidur met there Paandav and Vaasudev too. Then in the presence of Paandav and Keshav, Vidur Jee said - "Dhritraashtra is very happy to hear about you and has asked your welfare repeatedly. He is very happy with this alliance. Bheeshm and Drone also have enquired about you. O Drupad, Please permit them to visit Hastinaapur. Kuru sons are eager to see Paandav with their wife. When you have permitted them to go there, I will send this information to Dhritraashtra."

Vaishampaayan Jee said - "Hearing this Drupad said - "I am also very happy with this alliance. These princes should surely go back to their kingdom, but this does not look good to say it myself, but if Paandav, Raam, Krishn etc think in the same way, then they can go there." Yudhishthir said - "I am dependent on you along with my younger brothers. We will do as you will say to us." Vasudev said - "I think Paandav should go there, still we will obey King Drupad, because he knows everything." Drupad agreed with Krishn, and Vidur set off to Hastinapur along with Paandav, Kuntee and Draupadee. Dhritraashtra sent his sons and others to welcome them - Vikarn, Drone, Kripaa and others. All citizens were very happy to see them in the town. When they had arrived in Hastianaapur, they took some rest in their assigned rooms.

Then they met with Dhritraashtra and Bheeshm in the court. Dhritraashtra said to Yudhishthir - "You move to Khaandavprasth so that no difference may arise between you and your cousins. You will be protected there by Arjun in your half kingdom." Yudhishthir obeyed him and set out from Hastinaapur to Khaandavprasth. This area was in an unclaimed desert. With the help of Krishn they beautified the place and made it a second heaven. Vyaas Jee assisted them to select an auspicious piece of lane to develop their city. They surrounded it by trench as wide as sea and as high walls which reached up to the Heaven. The city looked as beautiful as Bhogvatee Nagaree. It had innumerable mansions like Amaraavatee and they named it Indraprasth. Its streets were so wide that there was no fear of any accident.

When the city was built, many people came to live there. There were many kinds of trees and birds, and lakes and forests. After they had settled there, Krishn and Raam came back to their Dwaaraavatee Nagaree.