Page:The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa (1884).djvu/459

Vaisampayana continued, 'Hearing these words, the illustrious Kunti was deeply grieved, and with her children, O thou bull of the Bharata race, stepped into the boat and went over the Ganges. Then leaving the boat according to the advice of Vidura, the Pandavas took with them the wealth that had been given to them (while at Varanavata) by their enemies and safely entered the deep woods. In the house of lac, however, that had been prepared for the destruction of the Pandavas, an innocent Nishāda woman who had come there for some purpose, was, with her children, burnt to death. And that worst of Mlechchas—the wretched Purochana—(who was the architect employed in building the house of lac) was also burnt in the conflagration. And thus were the sons of Dhrita-rashtra with their counsellors deceived in their expectations. And thus also were the illustrious Pandavas, by the advice of Vidura, saved with their mother. But the people (of Varanavata) knew not of their safety. And the citizens of Varanavata, seeing the house of lac consumed (and believing the Pandavas to have been burnt to death) became exceedingly sorry. And they sent messengers unto king Dhrita-rashtra to represent everything that had happened. And they told the monarch, 'Thy great end hath been achieved! Thou hast at last burnt the Pandavas to death! Thy desire fulfilled, enjoy with thy children, O king of the Kurus, the kingdom!' Hearing this, Dhrita-rashtra with his children, made a show of grief, and along with his relatives, including Khatta (Vidura) and Bhisma the foremost of the Kurus, performed the last rites of the Pandavas."

Janemejaya said, 'O best of Brahmanas, I desire to hear in full this history of the burning of the house of lac and the escape of the Pandavas therefrom. That was a cruel act of theirs (the Kurus) acting under the counsels of the wicked (Kanika). Recite thou the history to me of all that happened. I am burning with curiosity to hear it!"

Vaisampayana said, "O thou chastiser of all foes, listen to me, O monarch, as I recite the (history of the) burning of the house of lac and the escape of the Pandavas. The wicked Duryodhana, beholding Bhima-sena surpass (every-"