SECTION CCII
(Viduragamana Parva)
"Vaisampayana said, 'The news was carried unto all the monarchs (who had
come to the Self-choice of Draupadi) by their trusted spies that the
handsome Draupadi had been united in marriage with the sons of Pandu. And
they were also informed that the illustrious hero who had bent the bow
and shot the mark was none else than Arjuna, that foremost of victorious
warriors and first of all wielders of the bow and arrows. And it became
known that the mighty warrior who had dashed Salya, the king of Madra, on
the ground, and who in wrath had terrified the assembled monarchs by
means of the tree (he had uprooted), and who had taken his stand before
all foes in perfect fearlessness, was none else than Bhima, that feller
of hostile ranks, whose touch alone was sufficient to take the lives out
of all foes. The monarchs, upon being informed that the Pandavas had
assumed the guise of peaceful Brahmanas, wondered much. They even heard
that Kunti with all her sons had been burnt to death in the conflagration
of the house of lac. They, therefore, now regarded the Pandavas in the
light of persons who had come back from the region of the dead. And
recollecting the cruel scheme contrived by Purochana, they began to say,
'O, fie on Bhishma, fie on Dhritarashtra of the Kuru race!'
"After the Self-choice was over, all the monarchs (who had come thither),
hearing that Draupadi had been united with the Pandavas, set out for
their own dominions. And Duryodhana, hearing that Draupadi had selected
the owner of white steeds (Arjuna) as her lord, became greatly depressed.
Accompanied by his brothers, Aswatthaman, his uncle (Sakuni), Karna and
Kripa the prince set out with a heavy heart for his capital. Then
Duhsasana, blushing with shame, addressed his brother softly and said,
'If Arjuna had not disguised himself as a Brahmana, he could never have
succeeded in obtaining Draupadi. It was for this disguise, O king, that
no one could recognise him as Dhananjaya. Fate, I ween, is ever supreme.
Exertion is fruitless; fie on our exertions, O brother! The Pandavas are
still alive!' Speaking unto one another thus and blaming Purochana (for
his carelessness), they then entered the city of Hastinapura, with
cheerless and sorrowful hearts. Beholding the mighty sons of Pritha,
escaped from the burning house of lac and allied with Drupada, and
thinking of Dhrishtadyumna and Sikhandin and the other sons of Drupada
all accomplished in fight, they were struck with fear and overcome with
despair.
"Then Vidura, having learnt that Draupadi had been won by the Pandavas
and that the sons of Dhritarashtra had come back (to Hastinapura) in
shame, their pride humiliated, became filled with joy. And, O king,
approaching Dhritarashtra, Kshattri said, 'The Kurus are prospering by
good luck!' Hearing those words of Vidura, the son of Vichitravirya,
wondering, said in great glee, 'What good luck, O Vidura! What good
luck!' From ignorance, the blind monarch understood that his eldest son
Duryodhana had been chosen by Drupada's daughter as her lord. And the
king immediately ordered various ornaments to be made for Draupadi. And
he commanded that both Draupadi and his son Duryodhana should be brought
with pomp to Hastinapura. It was then that Vidura told the monarch that
Draupadi had chosen the Pandavas for her lords, and that those heroes
were all alive and at peace, and that they had been received with great
respect by king Drupada. And he also informed Dhritarashtra that the
Pandavas had been united with the many relatives and friends of Drupada,
each owning large armies, and with many others who had come to that
self-choice.
"Hearing these words of Vidura, Dhritarashtra said, 'Those children are
to me as dear as they were to Pandu. Nay, more. O listen to me why my
affection for them now is even greater! The heroic sons of Pandu are well
and at ease. They have obtained many friends. Their relatives, and others
whom they have gained as allies, are all endued with great strength. Who
amongst monarchs in prosperity or adversity would not like to have
Drupada with his relatives as an ally?'
"Vaisampayana continued, 'Having heard these words of the monarch, Vidura
said, 'O king, let your understanding remain so without change for a
hundred years!' Having said this Vidura returned to his own abode. Then,
O monarch, there came unto Dhritarashtra, Duryodhana and the son of
Radha, Karna. Addressing the monarch, they said, 'We cannot, O king,
speak of any transgression in the presence of Vidura! We have now found
thee alone, and will, therefore, say all we like! What is this that thou
hast, O monarch, desired to do? Dost you regard the prosperity of thy
foes as if it were your own, that you hast been applauding the Pandavas,
O foremost of men, in the presence of Vidura? O sinless one, you actest
not, O king, in the way you shouldst! O father, we should now act every
day in such a way as to weaken (the strength of) the Pandavas. The time
hath come, O father, for us to take counsel together, so that the
Pandavas may not swallow us all with our children and friends and
relatives.'"
--------------------END OF PARVA 1 : UPA-PARVA 202 ---------------------
