Page:The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa (1884).djvu/464

said slowly and humbly, 'With our friends and followers we go to the delightful and populous town of Varanavata at the command of Dhrita-rashtra! Cheerfully give us your benedictions so that acquiring prosperity therewith we may not be touched by sin!' Thus addressed by the eldest of Pandu's sons, the Kaurava chiefs all cheerfully pronounced blessings on them, saying, 'Ye sons of Pandu, let all the elements bless ye along your ways and let not the slightest evil befall ye!'

"The Pandavas, having performed propitiatory rites for obtaining (their share of) the kingdom, and finishing their preparations, set out for Varanavata."

Thus ends the hundred and forty-fifth Section in the Jatu-griha of the Adi Parva.

Vaisampayana said, "The wicked Duryodhana became very much pleased when the king, O Bharata, had said so unto the Pandavas. And, O thou bull of the Bharata race, Duryodhana then summoning his counsellor Purochana in private took hold of his right hand and said, 'O Purochana, this world, so full of wealth, is mine! But it is thine equally with mine! It behoveth thee, therefore, to protect it! I have no more trustworthy counsellor than thee with whom to consult. Therefore, O father, keep my counsel and exterminate my foes by a clever device. O do as I bid thee! The Pandavas have, by Dhrita-rashtra, been sent to Varanavata. They will, at Dhrita-rashtra's command, enjoy themselves there during the festivities. Do that by which thou mayst this very day reach Varanavata upon a chariot drawn by swift mules! Repairing thither, cause thou to be erected a quadrangular palace in the neighbourhood of the arsenal, rich in materials and furniture, and guard thou the mansion well (from prying eyes)! And use thou (in erecting that house) hemp and resin and all other inflammable materials that are procurable. And mixing a little earth with clarified butter and oil and fat and a large measure of lac, make thou