Sunday, November 8, 2009
The devious plot against the Pandavas
When the Pandavas decided to go to Varanavata to participate in a festival per the suggestion of Dhrtarasta, Duryodhana plotted an attack to kill the Pandavas. He instructed Purocana, one of the ministers, to set fire to the Varanavata house the Pandavas were living in while they were sleeping. When they reached Varanavata, the Pandavas were somewhat suspicious of the house and their safety (although they were not aware of the plot against them). Therefore, they constructed an underground exit incase a fire did occur. My question is, if the Pandavas were doubtful of their safety, why did they choose to stay in Varanavata and why did they not leave that particular house and live somewhere else which seemed a little less suspicious?
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Actually, Yudhisthira was made aware of the "dangers ahead" by Vidura (p. 29), although it doesn't give specifics until further down the page that Vidura was aware there would be a fire, when he sent a good friend that was "well skilled in excavation work".
ReplyDeleteKnowing the evil plot of Duryodhana, I believe the Pandavas stayed there so as not to arouse suspicion. Had they chosen not to stay there, I think Duryodhana would have devised some other plan in an attempt to bring them down. With the knowledge that something would happen, and knowing the house was a fire trap, they had the upper-hand and were able to "out-smart" the entire plan and make everyone believe they were actually dead.
At this point in the book, this is where we see them in the forest and Bhima meets Hidimba and bears him a son. In the movie, this is the start of their exile after the dice game.