The Pandavas passed thirteen years. At the end of the period King Virata's daughter was married to Arjuna's son Abhimanyu. Their relatives like Krishna, Balarama, Drupada and friends came to meet them. How were they to get back their kingdom? This question arose.

The thought of resorting to war and killing the relatives did not appeal to Yudhishtira. Keeping this in view, some suggested that before deciding on war, negotiations should be tried. Accordingly Drupada sent his 'purohit' (religious adviser) to Dhritharashtra's court. He said clearly in the assembly where Bhishma, Dhritharashtra, Vidura, Duryodhana and such others were present: "All of you should ensure the return to the Pandavas what is justly due to them. Do not miss this opportunity. The Pandavas do not want war. But they will not hesitate to fight to get what is due to them."

Bhishma supported the view that they must treat the Pandavas as friends. But Karna, Duryodhana's bosom friend, did not agree. He said: "Let there be war!" Dhritharashtra accepted Bhishma's suggestion and sent Sanjaya to negotiate a settlement. He went to Upaplavya and met Yudhishtira. Yudhishtira repeated what he had conveyed through his purohit. And also he sent Word to Vidura: "if you want to help Yudhishtira, prevent a war."