Paandav Leave for Forest

Paandav prepared themselves for exile by wearing tree barks and deer skin. Dushaasan and his brothers were teasing them by giving them names. Hearing their names Bheem was very furious. He said - "Just because your crafty uncle you have won our kingdom and wealth, it doesn't mean that you are safe. Just wait for the day when the war will break out. I swear that I will kill all the hundred sons of the king."

Paandav came with Kuntee and Draupadee to the royal court to bid farewell to go to forest to Dhritraashtra and other elders. Dhritraashtra asked - "Why Kuntee has come here?" Kuntee said - "I have come to say this that my sons are not insulted here in this court, rather Hastinaapur is being insulted. Drone, Kripaa, Bheeshm are insulted. I could not go from here without greeting Hastinaapur's land." Dhritraashtra asked - "But why are you going, you have not been exiled?" Kuntee said - "I cannot stay even for a moment in the place where a country's king's daughter-in-law's clothes have been pulled off in the royal court. Therefore, please permit us to go from here."

Vidur said politely - "Bhaabhee, I also have a small cottage in this city, if you will live with me, I will consider myself very fortunate." Dushaasan also offered Kuntee to stay with him, but Bheem refused him saying that "If she will stay there, I will have to be grateful to him and then I will not be able to bring the blood of Dushaasan's heart to wash Draupadee's hair. That is why she will not live there."

Yudhishthir also considered this proper that Kuntee should live with Vidur and they should proceed to forest along with Draupadee. Yudhishthir had the view that "This was his duty to accept blessings or curse, whatever he got in return after greeting elders." So they all greeted Dhritraashtra and Vidur.

Vidur said - "May Bhagvaan protect you in Van and help you carry out your vows. Yudhishthir, You must abide with the time, hopefully good times will be here again. Kuntee will live here comfortably. I will take care of her like my mother. Go in peace, we will meet again." Yudhishthir was very satisfied to hear Vidur, he prostrated before Bheeshm, took leave from Kuntee and proceeded towards forest.

Dhritraashtra was alone in his chamber, but he was afraid of being alone, so he called for Vidur and asked as how Paandav left the city? Vidur said - "It is like Raam left the city, the public was ready to follow them. Yudhishthir had covered his face, Bheem was looking at his powerful hands, Arjun was scattering dust all the way, Sahadev had darkened his face, and Nakul covered his body with dust and ashes. Draupadee had covered her face with her long perfumed hair, she was crying all the time. Then was Rishi Dhaumya who was plucking Kush grass and reciting Saam Ved Shlok in praise of Rudra and Yam Dev.

Dhritraashtra then asked Vidur - "Whatever you are saying about Paandav's actions, did they mean anything, Vidur?" Vidur said - "Yes, certainly. Yudhishthir knew that if he would look even once at the city, the whole city will be burned to ashes, that is why he hid his face. Bheem was looking at his hands to take revenge from your sons. Arjun's scattering dust meant that he would rain his arrows to destroy the whole Kuru family. Sahadev had darkened his face because he never wanted anybody to see his face. Nakul, the most handsome of the five did not want to be seen by women with full of desire, that is why he covered his body with ash and dust. Weeping Draupadee and her face covered with loose hair indicated that your family women will have their appearance like this after 13 years. And Dhaumya's actions were showing that Dhritraashtra's sons will be doomed." As Vidur said this Naarad came there.

Naarad said - "In another 14 years all Kaurav will be destroyed. Till then you can enjoy the kingdom. Your peace of mind is just a false assurance, because when your sons will not be alive how will you live in peace?" Both Vidur and Naarad went away.

For several hours the king sat there sad and in despair. Sanjaya, his Saarathee,said - "Why do you sit so sad now? Whatever you wanted you got it. You now own everything?" Dhritraashtra told him everything what Vidur and Naarad said to him, still Sanjaya said - "I am the lease worried about you, because your behavior was unforgivable in the hall. You were worse than even your son. Everybody was watching you but you were not listening to anything." After that day Dhritraashtra saw no peace.