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14.THE ESCAPE OF THE PANDAVAS
AFTER taking reverential leave of the
elders and embracing their comrades, the
Pandavas proceeded to Varanavata. The
citizens accompanied them a part of their
way and returned unwillingly to the city.
Vidura pointedly warned Yudhishthira in
words intelligible only to the prince:
"He alone will escape from danger who
forestalls the intentions of an astute
enemy. There are weapons sharper than
those made of steel. And the wise man
who would escape destruction must know
the means to guard against them. The
conflagration that devastates a forest
cannot hurt a rat which shelters itself in a
hole or a porcupine which burrows in the
earth. The wise man knows his bearings
by looking at the stars."
Though they had started on their journey
in sunshine of joy, they now proceeded in
a dark cloud of sorrow and anxiety.
The people of Varanavata were very
happy to learn of the coming of the
Pandavas to their city and welcomed
them. After a brief stay in other houses
while the palace specially meant for them
was being got ready, they moved into it
under Purochana's guidance.
It was named "Sivam" which means
prosperity, and that was the name which,
in ghastly irony, was given to the
deathtrap. Yudhishthira diligently
examined the whole place bearing in mind
Vidura's warning and verified that the
building was without a shadow of doubt
constructed with combustible material.
Yudhishthira told Bhima: "Though we
know very well that the palace is a trap of
death, we should not make Purochana
suspect that we know his plot. We should
get away at the right moment but escape
would be difficult if we gave room for any
suspicion."
So they stayed in that house to all
appearance free from care.
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