In the previous episode, we had witnessed an important juncture wherein the time had come for the “Laaksha Griha” to go up into flames! Purochana and Duryodhana believed that the Paandavas had trusted them enough and it was time that they were burnt alive inside the “Laaksha Griha” as per their plan. However, neither Purochana nor Duryodhana had an iota of an idea that Vidura’s workman was building an underground escape route for the Paandavas overnight. Thus, as the “D-day” approached, the Paandavas saw it as an opportunity to escape out, when Purochana’s assistants (A woman and her five sons) were residing in the same “Laaksha Griha” and were fast asleep. As Purochana’s men saw these six people sleeping, they thought that these were the Paandava brothers alongside Kunthi Devi who were sleeping! Thus, the entire “Laaksha Griha” was set on fire and all the six people were burnt to death. However, the Paandavas took the escape route and reached the banks of river Ganges, wherein another assistant of Vidura was readily waiting for them with a raft. He helped them to cross over the river and ensured that the Paandavas and Kunthi Devi are safe and secure.
As all this was happening, it was the wee hour of the night and the entire town was fast asleep. However, with the entire “Laaksha Griha” up in flames, people of the town woke up to see the horror visuals. They gathered in front of the burning palace and there was a lot of hue and cry going around. As the Paandavas were aboard the raft, they were also seeing all this happening at a distance. As the entire town was frenzy all around, the fire was somehow dozed down, but not without damaging the entire palace. As the fire came to a halt, people started to find out the whereabouts of those who were residing inside. They saw the burnt corpse of a woman, which was beyond identification. As nobody was able to identify who it was, the people came to a conclusion that it was none other than Kunthi Devi! Subsequently, the corpses of five other people were also found out, and the town believed that these were the corpses of the five Paandava brothers who were residing here.
Thus, the news spread thick and fast like wildfire. King Dhirdiraashtra, Bhishmaachaarya and Dhronaachaarya were shell-shocked upon hearing the news! Duryodhana too acted as if he was in despair, but internally he knew what had really conspired. The entire Hastinapura kingdom started mourning the untimely demise of the Paandava brothers and Kunthi Devi. The situation went to such an extent that even the “Jala-Tharpana” was performed for the Paandavas and Kunthi Devi. As Bhishmaachaarya couldn’t hold back his grief during the process of “Jala-Tharpana”, Vidura called him by his side. In fact, as the entire kingdom was mourning the Paandavas’ demise, Vidura was the only person who was not mourning. In fact, he was laughing within himself, knowing what had happened. He thus called Bhishmaachaarya towards him and secretly told him not to worry – The Paandavas were alive, safe and secure! Upon hearing this, Bhishmaachaarya was surprised! He asked Vidura how he knew of it. Vidura explained to Bhishmaachaarya that it was he who ensured the Paandava’s safe passage out of the “Laaksha Griha” through an underground tunnel that was dug overnight by his workman. Eventually as the Paandavas escaped out, it was his person who ensured that the Paandavas crossed over the River Ganges to reach the other side safely.
As Vidura explains thus, he is now going on to scold Bhishmaachaarya! Why is Vidura scolding Bhishmaachaarya, even though he was a senior person in the kingdom? What was Bhishmaachaarya’s fault here? Let us wait till the next episode to witness Vidura’s stinging accord on Bhishmaachaarya! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 