The
Pandavas Prosper The Pandavas went to
the 'Swayamvara' of Draupadi, the daughter of King Drupada. (At a swayamvara a girl
chooses her husband.) Draupadi became the wife of the Pandavas. It was only then that
Vidura came to know that the Pandavas were safe and had won honor. Vidura was happy when
he got this news. The Kauravas, however, were unhappy. It was not only because of the
failure of their plot to destroy the Pandavas, coupled into the suspicion that the
Pandavas had come to know of their plot. They were unhappy also because the Pandavas had
married Draupadi, the daughter of Drupada - a powerful king. The Kauravas were unhappy
that the Pandavas had gained the support of Drupada.
They discussed among themselves what they should do next.
Bhishma, Drona and such elders suggested: "Let there be no hatred of the Pandavas. It
is good to give them half the kingdom and to live in friendship with them." Vidura
also supported that view. When everybody pressed him in this manner, Dhritharashtra agreed
to the suggestion. But the task of bringing the Pandavas back to Hastinapura fell to
Vidura. Everybody knew that the Pandavas would respect his word.
Dhritharashtra accommodated the Pandavas in his home for a
few days and looked to their comfort. Thereafter he gave them half the kingdom and sent
them to Khandavaprasta. The Pandavas settled there. The region was really a thick forest.
The Pandavas developed it. They built a city named Indraprasta and made it their capital.
They defeated their enemies and increased their wealth. They treated their friends with
courtesy and consideration and won their support.
Thus the Pandavas established their supremacy among the
kings and decided to perform a sacrifice called the Rajasuya Yaga. They made preparations
for it and invited their elders and other relatives. Vidura was requested to be in charge
of the expenses. He consented. He was very pleased that the sacrifice was performed with
such pomp and without any hitch.
But it had a different effect on Duryodhana. During the
sacrifice Duryodhana was to receive gifts and presents offered by the subordinate princes
and friends. Looking at the heaps of pearls, diamonds and gold slabs that were presented,
Duryodhana grew jealous of the Pandavas. Their wealth, glory and power made him envious.
As soon as he reached Hastinapura he opened his heart to his uncle Shakuni. Shakuni said,
"Yudhishtira is very fond of dice. But he cannot play well. Let us invite him to play
dice and win all his wealth. I know the secret of victory of dice." He and Duryodhana
went to Dhritharashtra and got his permission to play the game of dice. |