Yudhistira returns back

Vyasa then asked Yudhistira to return back to Hastinapura.
Hearing this, the brothers greeted the elders and left for their kingdom reluctantly.

Yudhistira began ruling his kingdom, his mind always wondering what Dhritarashtra, Gandhari, Kunti and Sanjaya were doing in the forest.

One day Narada came to meet Yudhistira. Yudhistira greeted the sage. Narada said I have come to tell you something. In the forest, one day, Dhritarashtra was doing a fire sacrifice. After the worship, he forgot to extinguish the fire.
Dhritarashtra, Gandhari, Kunti and Sanjaya were all meditating.The fire from the sacrifice burnt the huts and in the fire, all four perished.  Perform their last rites.

Hearing this, Yudhistira fell on the ground. Then regaining himself, the last rites of the dead elders was performed.

The departed warriors descend

Vyasa called out to the Pandavas and others to come and meet the countless warriors who had come.
Bhishma came first, dressed in white and conch necklace around his neck and with weapons in his hand. Drona came dressed in white, with glowing skin and divine weapons in his hand.
With a cloth around his neck and clad in armor, Karna came there.
Jayadhrata and the hundred sons of Dhritarashtra came there. Shakuni, his sons and Susharma arrived. Ghatotkacha and Abhimanyu then came, followed by Drupada, Dhristadyumna and Shikhandi.
Vyasa gave divine vision to Dhritarashtra who was able to see his sons.
All met their dear ones. Dhritarashtra and Gandhadi greeted their sons. Kunti met and greeted Karna. Uttara met and spoke to Abhimanyu. Draupadi greeted her five sons, father and brothers.
Duryodhana and his brothers had no enmity left. They cordially greeted all.
It was time to leave. While leaving, the dead warriors asked their wives to accompany them. Uttara was ready to accompany Abhimanyu. Seeing this, Yudhistira said If Uttara goes, the young Parikshit will be mother less. Hearing this, Vyasa asked Uttara to stay back. All other women accompanied their husbands.

The night ended and soon it was dawn.

Vyasa consoles Dhritarashtra

The Pandavas were grieving for Vidura when Vyasa came there.  He said to Yudhistira - Why do you cry? Do you not know that Vidura and you are both sons of Dharma. It is the curse of the sage Mandavya that made Dharma be born as Vidura. The aura of Vidura left his body and entered you. Which is why you felt stronger. Discard your grief.
The Pandavas began preparations for the last rites of Vidura. They performed the ceremony with full honors and then came and informed Dhritarashtra.
Dhritarashtra fell on the ground and was helped up by Vyasa. Lamenting, the blind king said - Vidura left and the sinner that I am, I am still here. I am still grieving for Duryodhana and now this.
Vyasa began consoling Dhritarashtra. He said Let me tell you an old tale.
Once the earth was tormented by the daityas. Not able to bear this, the earth took the shape of a cow and went to the Gods for help. Brahma said he would do something.
Along with the other Gods Brahma went to the cosmic ocean where Vishnu was. Vishnu asked the Gods to be born of earth while He himself would be born as the son of Vasudeva.
Soon the snake Ananta was born as Balarama, son of Rohini and Vasudeva, and Vishnu was born as the eighth son of Devaki and Vasudeva. Dharma/ Yama was born as Yudhistira. Vayu was born as Bhima, Indra was born as Arjuna and the twin gods Ashwini Kumar were born as the sons of Madri. Agni was born as Dhristadyumna. Lakshmi was born in part as Draupadi and you, are Kubera born.
Your son Duryodhana was an incarnation of Kali (The pronunciation is different from Kali, the consort of Shiva. Here the A and I have a short sound. This Kali is a demon).
Karna was a part of the Sun and a Vasu was born as Bhishma. Dharma was also born as Vidura. Brihaspati was born as Drona. A part of Rudra was Kripa. Chandra was born as Abhimanyu.

While Vyasa was talking to Dhritarashtra, the Pandavas went to meet their mother. They met Gandhari and bowed down to her. They then met Kunti who hugged and kissed all.

Vyasa then came and said he would be going to Dwaraka and before that if something was needed from him, they needed to tell him now.

Gandhari said I have been grieving for my sons. I would like to see my sons once. Kunti said she wanted to see Karna once. Draupadi said she wanted to see her five sons and Abhimanyu.
Dushala said she wanted to see Jayadhrata.
Yudhistira said he wanted to see Bhishma, Drona, Shalya and the other dead warriors.

Vyasa closed his eyes and asked for the dead warriors to appear there. Hearing his prayer, the warriors started descending from heaven.  

Passing of Vidura

Yudhistira returned home with his brothers and Draupadi. He was feeling devastated. All were sad. No one had food that day. They were missing the elders. After talking, they decided to go to the forest and go to them.
They all started. The Pandavas, Draupadi, Subhadra, Uttara, Parikshit, wives of the Kauravas, Dushala all started their journey. A big army of people followed them.
They reached the banks of Ganga and had a bath in the waters. They then proceeded to the Dwaipayana forest. They saw Dhritarashtra sitting in front of his hut with folded hands.
They went and bowed down to him.
Dhritarashtra, not able to see, asked who this was.
Yudhistira identified himself. Dhritarashtra hugged the Pandavas. He asked if all was well.
Yudhistira said How will things be well when you are here? I do not see our mothers. Where are Gandhari and Kaunti? Where is Vidura?
Dhritarashtra said Your mothers are in an adjoining hut. Vidura, I do not know where he is. He has given up on food and spends his days on the banks of the river. I barely meet him.
Hearing this, Yudhistira went towards the river bank. There they saw Vidura sitting below a banyan tree, meditating.
The Pandavas went and called out to him. There was no response from him.
They wondered if Vidura was angry and that is why he is not responding.
Suddenly Yudhistira Vidura looking at him. Vidura then blinked his eyes and Yudhistira saw the soul of Vidura slip away from his body. Vidura fell lifeless.  The Gods started showering flowers.
He felt something had entered his body. He felt doubly strong and wise.

Dhritarashtra leaves the palace

When Yudhistira heard that Dhritarashtra was leaving, he along with his brothers and Draupadi came to stop them. They tried to convince them. They said they were willing to go off to the forest if that would please them.
Kunti said Please do not try to stop us.
Vidura said Please listen to me Yudhistira. You are thinking from your heart.
Dhritarashtra said I want to give some alms to the brahmins. As I have discarded everything, I ask Yudhitira to give me something that I can give away.
Yudhistira said All is yours. We are yours.
Saying this, he asked his brothers to get wealth to be given away. The four brothers went and got a lot. Happy Dhritarashtra and Gandhari gave that away to the brahmins.
Gandhari hugged and blessed the Pandavas.
Then holding Gandhari's hand, Dhritarashtra slowly walked away. Sanjaya went on their side. Vidura led the way. Kunti went along.

Leaving the land, they came to the river Ganga where they had a bath. They spent the night on the banks of the river. Early morning, they went northwards to the forest of Dwaipayana.

They went inside where they saw many sages living there. There they decided to stay. They built huts there. Vidura and Sanjaya helped to make sure Kunti, Gandhari and Dhritarashtra were comfortable.

The sages came and from them , Dhritarashtra and the others learnt how to meditate and lead their lives. They learnt mantras and how to recite them and how to do japa.

Thus, they stayed in the forest. 

Dhritarashtra prepares to leave

Dhritrarashtra stayed for five more years. He was constantly thinking of how to convince Yudhistira and leave the palace. He went to Gandhari and said - I am feeling imprisoned here. Every time I am here, I feel I could have done things differently and situations would have been different. What is the way in which I can be relieved?
Gandhari said A life away from family ties is what is needed. I want to retire to the forest and spend my life in meditation. This is a life that I want to lead and Yudhistira should not stop me.

The next day morning, Dhritarashtra sent for Vidura. He said he had decided to leave the palace and would not listen to Yudhistira anymore. Vidura said he would come along also.

Dhritarashtra and Vidura took off the royal robes and dressed in plain clothes. Gandhari did the same too. Sanjaya heard this and said he wanted to go with them too.

When Kunti heard this, she went to Dhritarashtra. She said she wanted to accompany them. Dhritarashtra accepted her. 

Yudhistira goes to Dhritarashtra

Vidura approached Yudhistira. He praised him for the way he was ruling the kingdom and then gave Dhritarashtra's message.
Yudhistira was shocked. Why did his uncle want to go to the forest? He decided to go and talk to Dhritarashtra himself.
He fell at his feet and said Why do you want to leave us? If you want your son to be crowned, I will make Yuyutsu the king.
Dhritarashtra hugged him and said You have not committed any wrong. You are ruling well and treating your subjects well. Yuyutsu was born off a maid and is not fit to be crowned. Take care of him as your own.
Yudhistira held on to Dhritarashtra's feet asking him to stay back. 

Dhritarashtra wants to leave the palace

Yudhistira thanked all who had participated in the sacrifice and gave them gifts.
Yudhistira began ruling the kingdom as a just and noble ruler. They took care of Dhritarashtra as their own father.
Dhritarashtra was constantly pained and hurt at the fact that he had lost all his sons in the hands of Bhima.
Gandhari tried to console the king. She said I know what you fell. Also remember, you were jealous of Bhima right from his childhood.
Dhritarashtra said Whenever I see Bhima, I think of my dead sons. I cannot fault Yudhistira.
When Dhritarashtra and Gandhari were talking, Vidura came there. He asked them the cause of their sorrow.
Dhritarashtra said I am regretting not listening to you, when you tried to advise me. I am pained when I see Bhima. His behavior towards me is different from the other brothers. He does not give the same respect as the others.
Vidura said Respect gets respect. If you treat Bhima with respect, you will get that from him. Yudhistira respects you a lot. He will do anything you say. If you tell him to leave the kingdom and retire, he will do that immediately.
Dhritarashtra said I like Yudhistira a lot. It is Bhima. I shudder when I think of him. He killed all my sons. I have seen a lot. I am planning to retire into the forest and lead the life of a mendicant, practicing yoga and meditation.
Vidura said How will you manage by yourself? You are old and blind. There are animals in the forest. Give gifts to the priests. Lead a cheerful life. You will feel happy. It is possible to meditate and practice an austere life while leading the life of a householder also.
Dhritarashtra said I trust you but I feel I will be at peace if I leave the palace. I am not afraid of the wild beasts. If that is my destiny, so be it.
Vidura said If you have made up your mind to leave, then allow me to come with you. I will be with you and serve you. We will need to take permission from Yudhistira.
Dhritarashtra asked Vidura to talk to Yudhistira.