Mahabharata Festival

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The story of the Pandavas’ escape from the plot of Duryodhana and his henchman Purochana showcases recurring themes in Hindu mythology such as divine intervention, adherence to dharma, the strength of familial bonds, and the guidance of elders. The tale also exemplifies the cunning and resourcefulness often displayed by virtuous characters in the face of treachery.

The Completion of the Kuru Princes’ Education

The festival showcasing the talents of the Kuru princes marked the culmination of their training under Guru Dronacharya. Among the students, Arjuna stood out as the most gifted and disciplined. Recognizing this, Drona taught Arjuna the use of the supreme weapon, the Brahmastra. However, Drona warned that this powerful weapon was to be used only in the direst of circumstances, such as when facing celestial beings or supernatural foes. Drona’s blessing and caution set the stage for Arjuna’s future as the greatest warrior of his time.

Drona’s prophetic words, “Only Krishna, your cousin, and the son of Vasudeva, can defeat you in combat, but he will be your friend,” reflect the central role that Krishna would play in Arjuna’s life. This friendship mirrors other divine relationships in Hindu mythology, such as that of Vishnu and Garuda, and foreshadows Krishna’s guidance during the Mahabharata’s great war.

Duryodhana’s Jealousy and the Crown Prince Yudhishtra

After Yudhishtra was crowned as the heir apparent, Duryodhana’s jealousy reached new heights. Despite Yudhishtra’s popularity among the people and his righteousness, Duryodhana, with the counsel of his wicked uncle Shakuni, began plotting to eliminate the Pandavas. Dhritharashtra, although he had acted in accordance with his advisors’ guidance in crowning Yudhishtra, was still secretly partial to his own son, Duryodhana. This inner conflict mirrors the moral dilemmas faced by other characters in Hindu mythology, such as King Dasharatha’s internal turmoil over sending his son Rama into exile.

The Plot to Send the Pandavas to Varanavatha

Duryodhana, in his cunning, convinced his father to send the Pandavas away to Varanavatha under the pretext of attending a festival. His secret plan, however, was far more sinister. With the help of Purochana, Duryodhana arranged for a palace to be built for the Pandavas that was made of lac, wax, and other flammable materials. The goal was to burn the Pandavas alive while they were in the palace, thus eliminating his rivals without openly appearing to have a hand in their deaths.

Duryodhana’s scheme evokes other treacherous plots in Hindu mythology, such as the demon Ravana’s plan to kidnap Sita by distracting Rama and Lakshmana with the golden deer. The underlying theme of deceit and the eventual triumph of righteousness over evil is a recurring motif in many mythological tales.

Vidura’s Cryptic Warning and the Pandavas’ Strategy

Before the Pandavas left for Varanavatha, Vidura, who was aware of Duryodhana’s plot, subtly warned Yudhishtra through cryptic words. He spoke of the dangers of unconventional weapons and advised Yudhishtra to seek refuge, just as a rat takes shelter in its hole during a fire. Vidura’s wisdom reflects the archetype of the sagacious elder who provides guidance in times of crisis, similar to the counsel given by Vasishta to Lord Rama in the Yoga Vasishta.

Yudhishtra, understanding the hidden meaning of Vidura’s advice, immediately grasped the gravity of their situation. He began devising a plan to escape the inevitable attempt on their lives. Vidura’s comparison to a porcupine escaping fire by burrowing underground foreshadows the Pandavas’ strategy of digging a tunnel to ensure their survival.

The Pandavas’ Escape and the Burning of the Lac Palace

Upon arriving at Varanavatha, the Pandavas immediately noticed the danger posed by their new palace. Made of highly flammable materials, the palace was a deathtrap waiting for the right moment to be set ablaze by Purochana. The Pandavas, heeding Vidura’s advice, began familiarizing themselves with the surrounding areas while discreetly working on an underground escape tunnel.

Their eventual escape through the tunnel was aided by a miner sent by Vidura. This miner, much like the divine interventions seen throughout Hindu mythology, played a pivotal role in ensuring the survival of the Pandavas. In tales such as that of the churning of the ocean (Samudra Manthan), where divine assistance comes in unexpected ways, the Pandavas were also aided by forces working behind the scenes.

When the time came, the Pandavas seized their opportunity. A Nishada woman and her five sons, who had come to attend the festivities, were found in a drunken stupor inside the palace. The Pandavas decided to use this unfortunate family’s presence to their advantage. They set fire to the palace, and the bodies of the Nishada family were mistaken for the Pandavas and Kunti. The townspeople, unaware of the Pandavas’ escape, mourned the loss of the beloved princes and cursed Duryodhana for his treachery.

This moment of deception parallels Krishna’s later strategy in the Mahabharata war, where subterfuge and illusion are used for greater purposes. The Pandavas’ escape, like many stories in Hindu mythology, demonstrates the theme of survival through divine grace and human ingenuity.

The Aftermath in Hastinapura

Back in Hastinapura, news of the Pandavas’ supposed death threw the kingdom into mourning. Dhritharashtra, though outwardly expressing sorrow, was inwardly relieved at the thought that his son Duryodhana might now ascend the throne without challenge. His conflicted emotions mirror the moral dilemmas faced by many kings in Hindu mythology, such as King Harishchandra, who was torn between his duty and personal loss.

Bhishma, who had sworn to protect the throne of Hastinapura, was devastated by the loss of the Pandavas, whom he had seen as the future of the Kuru dynasty. Only Vidura knew the truth and secretly rejoiced at the survival of the Pandavas, even though he joined in the public mourning to maintain appearances.

Meanwhile, Duryodhana, Shakuni, and Karna celebrated what they believed to be the successful elimination of their rivals. This triumphant yet misplaced sense of victory mirrors Ravana’s initial joy upon capturing Sita, unaware that his actions would ultimately lead to his downfall.

Thematic Connections in Hindu Mythology

ThemeConnection to Story
Divine GuidanceVidura’s cryptic advice to Yudhishtra reflects the recurring theme of divine intervention and guidance, as seen in stories like Rama’s journey.
Deception and JusticeThe Pandavas’ use of deception to escape the burning palace parallels Krishna’s use of strategy in battle, showing that dharma sometimes requires cunning.
Sibling RivalryThe jealousy and rivalry between Duryodhana and Yudhishtra echo the stories of Vali and Sugriva, or Bali and Sugriva, where brothers vie for power.
Moral DilemmasDhritharashtra’s inner conflict over Duryodhana’s actions mirrors other kings in mythology, such as King Dasharatha’s turmoil over exiling Rama.
Survival through PenanceThe Pandavas’ ability to withstand and overcome adversities mirrors the power of tapasya (penance) in Hindu mythology, such as the endurance shown by sages in the face of challenges.

The escape of the Pandavas from Varanavatha sets the stage for their eventual return and the epic conflict of the Mahabharata. The themes of divine protection, dharma, and the role of fate continue to unfold as the Pandavas navigate the treacherous path laid before them by Duryodhana and Shakuni. Like many heroes in Hindu mythology, their resilience and adherence to righteousness allow them to survive even the most dire situations, with their destiny intertwined with both human decisions and divine will.

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