Chapter 202
“Vaisampayana said, ‘The news was carried unto all the monarchs (who hadcome to the Self-choice of Draupadi) by their trusted spies that thehandsome Draupadi had been united in marriage with the sons of Pandu.
Andthey were also informed that the illustrious hero who had bent the bowand shot the mark was none else than Arjuna, that foremost of victoriouswarriors and first of all wielders of the bow and arrows. And it becameknown that the mighty warrior who had dashed Salya, the king of Madra, onthe ground, and who in wrath had terrified the assembled monarchs bymeans of the tree (he had uprooted), and who had taken his stand beforeall foes in perfect fearlessness, was none else than Bhima, that fellerof hostile ranks, whose touch alone was sufficient to take the lives outof all foes. The monarchs, upon being informed that the Pandavas hadassumed the guise of peaceful Brahmanas, wondered much. They even heardthat Kunti with all her sons had been burnt to death in the conflagrationof the house of lac. They, therefore, now regarded the Pandavas in thelight of persons who had come back from the region of the dead. Andrecollecting the cruel scheme contrived by Purochana, they began to say,’O, fie on Bhishma, fie on Dhritarashtra of the Kuru race!’
“After the Self-choice was over, all the monarchs (who had come thither),hearing that Draupadi had been united with the Pandavas, set out fortheir own dominions. And Duryodhana, hearing that Draupadi had selectedthe owner of white steeds (Arjuna) as her lord, became greatly depressed.Accompanied by his brothers, Aswatthaman, his uncle (Sakuni), Karna andKripa the prince set out with a heavy heart for his capital. ThenDuhsasana, blushing with shame, addressed his brother softly and said,’If Arjuna had not disguised himself as a Brahmana, he could never havesucceeded in obtaining Draupadi. It was for this disguise, O king, thatno one could recognise him as Dhananjaya. Fate, I ween, is ever supreme.Exertion is fruitless; fie on our exertions, O brother! The Pandavas arestill alive!’ Speaking unto one another thus and blaming Purochana (forhis carelessness), they then entered the city of Hastinapura, withcheerless and sorrowful hearts. Beholding the mighty sons of Pritha,escaped from the burning house of lac and allied with Drupada, andthinking of Dhrishtadyumna and Sikhandin and the other sons of Drupadaall accomplished in fight, they were struck with fear and overcome withdespair.
“Then Vidura, having learnt that Draupadi had been won by the Pandavasand that the sons of Dhritarashtra had come back (to Hastinapura) inshame, their pride humiliated, became filled with joy. And, O king,approaching Dhritarashtra, Kshattri said, ‘The Kurus are prospering bygood luck!’ Hearing those words of Vidura, the son of Vichitravirya,wondering, said in great glee, ‘What good luck, O Vidura! What goodluck!’ From ignorance, the blind monarch understood that his eldest sonDuryodhana had been chosen by Drupada’s daughter as her lord. And theking immediately ordered various ornaments to be made for Draupadi. Andhe commanded that both Draupadi and his son Duryodhana should be broughtwith pomp to Hastinapura. It was then that Vidura told the monarch thatDraupadi had chosen the Pandavas for her lords, and that those heroeswere all alive and at peace, and that they had been received with greatrespect by king Drupada. And he also informed Dhritarashtra that thePandavas had been united with the many relatives and friends of Drupada,each owning large armies, and with many others who had come to thatself-choice.
“Hearing these words of Vidura, Dhritarashtra said, ‘Those children areto me as dear as they were to Pandu. Nay, more. O listen to me why myaffection for them now is even greater! The heroic sons of Pandu are welland at ease. They have obtained many friends. Their relatives, and otherswhom they have gained as allies, are all endued with great strength. Whoamongst monarchs in prosperity or adversity would not like to haveDrupada with his relatives as an ally?’
“Vaisampayana continued, ‘Having heard these words of the monarch, Vidurasaid, ‘O king, let thy understanding remain so without change for ahundred years!’ Having said this Vidura returned to his own abode. Then,O monarch, there came unto Dhritarashtra, Duryodhana and the son ofRadha, Karna. Addressing the monarch, they said, ‘We cannot, O king,speak of any transgression in the presence of Vidura! We have now foundthee alone, and will, therefore, say all we like! What is this that thouhast, O monarch, desired to do? Dost thou regard the prosperity of thyfoes as if it were thy own, that thou hast been applauding the Pandavas,O foremost of men, in the presence of Vidura? O sinless one, thou actestnot, O king, in the way thou shouldst! O father, we should now act everyday in such a way as to weaken (the strength of) the Pandavas. The timehath come, O father, for us to take counsel together, so that thePandavas may not swallow us all with our children and friends andrelatives.'”
