Kaurav Panic

A messenger brought the news that Draupadee was taken by Arjun, and Paandav were alive as all Paandav married Draupadee. Shakuni said to Duryodhan that Paandav were still alive. Karn said to Duryodhan - "You tried to kill Bheem by giving him poison, but he came back mightier than ever. You planned for Yudhishthir not to coronate as Crown Prince, but that also failed. You planned to burn them in Baaranaavat but they escaped alive." Then Shakuni suggested that why not to divide them, or empty the royal treasury, but both ways were not acceptable. Then Karn said - "Whether you agree or not, there should be a war now if we want supremacy." So an army was collected and Kaampilya Nagaree was attacked, but Kaurav again got defeated. Arjun again defeated Karn. (see "Arjunn Defeats Karn")

Although Duryodhan should have accepted that Paandav were too powerful in comparison to them but he was not ready to accept it. He said to Dushaasan - "It seems that Devtaa are favoring Paandav, otherwise how it was possible to defeat Karn by that Arjun twice. Strength and arms stand no chance against fate."

Vidur also heard all about Duryodhan's foolish steps. He came to Dhritraashtra and told him that it was a very good news that Kuru family was still flourishing. The eldest son has married the daughter of king of Paanchaal. Hearing this Dhritraashtra got very happy and said - "Then why didn't you bring her to me?" Vidur said - "Mahaaraaj, You are mistaken, when I said Kuru family, I meant Paandav, because they are also the sons of Kuru family; and when I said the eldest son, I meant Yudhishthir, because he is the eldest son of Kuru family. Arjun won her but now all five have taken her as their wife." Dhritraashtra was very sad in his heart but showed his happiness saying - "This is a very good news, that Paandav are alive and they are married too. I am indeed very happy."

As Vidur left the place, Duryodhan entered there with Karn. He said to his father - "So you are very happy that my cousins are alive." Dhritraashtra said - "I am more upset than you are, but how could I say this to Vidur? But what can we do now?" Duryodhan couldn't think of anything else than breaking this team. either by bribing Drupad, or instigating Draupadee, or by killing Bheem so that our Karn can defeat Arjun easily. But listen to this, Father, I cannot live with them when they come to Hastinaapur."

Karn said - "Friend, You are not thinking in right direction. You cannot divide them and rule. They are too good at heart to be jealous of each other. And Drupad also cannot be bribed, nor his daughter Draupadee can be won over. Do you know that by nature a woman will be happier to have more than one husband, Draupadee has five. You cannot kill Bheem either, you have tried it more than once. My suggestion is to fight. These rules of  Saam, Daam, and Bhed (see Saam, Daam, Dand, Bhed) are just ineffective, you should use only Dand (punishment)."

Dhritraashtra was very happy to hear Karn's words, he said - "There is a meeting of elders about the future of Kaurav and Paandav. I wish that they like your suggestion but I am afraid that they wouldn't agree with it. Let us go to the hall and see what happens there."

In the Hall

Bheeshm, Drone, Baahleek, Kripaa, Somdatt, Vidur and others were present there. Bheeshm started - "It is not right to nurture hatred towards Paandav. For me both Duryodhan and Yudhishthir are dear. I think this time you should do some justice with Paandav. Duryodhan, They have as much right over the Kuru kingdom as you. You should share the kingdom with them. Any other step towards this will be disastrous. Fate is usually strong. Like the spoken word, like the lost chance, like the shot arrow fate never comes back to redress a wrong done. But in your case you have got a chance so avail that opportunity." Drone was also of the same opinion, he said - "This is the best thing to do that the king should send the message of friendship along with gifts and call them here." But Karn was for fight which will decide who will rule the world. Now Vidur got up and said - "Mahaaraaj, We are all here for your good. They have Drupad and his sons to help them now by relation. they have full support of Balraam and Krishn. With Krishn on their side they will almost be invincible." Dhritrashtra said- "I am also of the same opinion what Bheeshm, Drone and Vidur are saying." So Vidur was sent to Kaampilya Nagaree to bring Paandav to Hastinaapur.

When Shakuni heard all this, he suggested - "Now Duryodhan has to do some childish obstinacy." He sent Duryodhan to Dhritraashtra again to ask why was he calling Paandav to Hastinaapur?" Dhritraashtra said - "I had no other alternative, what could I do? Although I also want that you should be the king, but circumstances are not favorable. I am scared that by now Paandav must have known that it was our planning to burn them in that "Laakshaa Grih" in Baaranaavat. This is not good for us." The then an idea came to Shakuni's mind that how these Paandav escaped? Shakuni prescribed death sentence to his secret envoy as his planning failed.

When Duryodhan attacked Kaampilya Nagaree after knowing that Paandav were alive, Krishn also came to know this. So He also came to Kaampilya Nagaree with Balraam. Krishn said - "We are not for fight, if they want to fight, let them come in battlefield first. We are only for our rights. Now Yudhishthir should ask his rights only." Thus both brothers were also present there when Vidur arrived there.

The then Vidur came from Hastinaapur as royal messenger. Drupad made the arrangement of his stay with respect and sent the message that he should get fresh from the travel discomfort and he would see him next day. Yudhishthir expressed his wish to see Vidur at the same time, but Krishn stopped him doing so telling that this time he had come as the messenger of Hastinaapur not as his uncle. Therefore it would be better if he met him next day along with other people.

Dhritraashtra was concerned lest he does any injustice with Paandav, Shakuni was concerned that why Dhritraashtra sent Vidur to bring Paandav and not him, otherwise he could play some trick.

Next day Vidur arrived to see Drupad in his court, Dhrishtdyumn welcomed him. Vidur broke into tears seeing Paandav alive. He offered the gifts which Dhritraashtra sent for Drupad, Paandav and Draupadee. Then he asked permission to take Paandav to Hastinaapur along with Draupadee. Drupad said - "I am extremely happy to have an alliance with Kuru family. About taking Draupadee to Hastinaapur, I cannot say anything, I leave this on Yudhishthir, his brothers and Balaraam and Krishn. Whatever they like."

Krishn suggested that they should go home. Then Vidur went to see Kuntee. He fell on her feet and cried a lot. Kuntee said - "Vidur, Only because of your wisdom and love your sons are alive today. I always remember you. I don't know whether it is safe to go to Hastinaapur." Vidur said - "No evil can come to Kuntee's sons until Vidur and Bheeshm are alive, don't be afraid. Soon your sons will rule the Earth."

Drupad gave 1,000 elephants decorated with gold ornaments, 10,000 chariots, 5,000 horses and 10,000 maids to Draupadee and saw her off to Hastinaapur. Krishn Himself also wanted to go to Hastinaapur with Daaoo, so they also accompanied Paandav.

Preparations were at height at Hastinaapur to welcome Paandav. But in the palace, everybody was thinking something except Bheeshm. In fact Bheeshm was also thinking that there cannot be two swords in one place, then how can Duryodhan and Yudhishthir be together at one place, and Dhritraashtra will again do some injustice with Paandav.

Paandav came to Hastinaapur along with Kuntee and Draupadee and Balraam and Krishn. They were welcomed very heartily by two sons of Dhritraashtra - Vikarn and Chitrasen. Kripaa and Drone were also there. Paandav touched the feet of Bheeshm and Dhritraashtra. Krishn asked Bheeshm's blessings, Bheeshm turned the topic. Inside the palace, Duryodhan's wife, Kaashee's princess, welcomed Draupadee. Then they came to Gaandhaaree's palace. Gaandhaaree embraced both. When she embraced Draupadee she, who had the power to see into the future, said to herself "this is the woman who will be the cause of death of my sons".She made their arrangements to stay in Paandu's palace.