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.

Dhritarashtra hugs Iron Bhima

Sanjaya held the blind king and made him sit. The five Pandavas, Krishna and Satyaki sat in front of the king. This was all that was left of the Pandava camp.
Dhritarashtra said I want to see Bhima and hug him. He has been responsible for the death of all my sons. Come to me.
Saying this, he stretched his hands out.
Krishna knew this would happen and had already created an iron statue of Bhima. He brought that in front of Dhritarashtra. The king pressed the statue hard. The king was very strong and the statue crushed with his embrace. The king was happy. He had killed Bhima. He then had tears in his eyes.
Krishna then said Bhima is alive. I knew you would get enraged and this is the reason I had arranged for an iron statue of Bhima to be made. You will not get back Duryodhana by killing Bhima. You yourself said earlier that sons of Pandu are your sons. You yourself knew that this would happen. Your sons tried to kill the Pandavas on many occasions. Why do you want to be a sinner by killing Bhima?
Dhritarashtra said You have saved Bhima.
Saying this he stretched his hands and hugged and blessed the Pandavas.

The Pandavas then with Krishna where Gandhari was. Krishna knew that Gandhari would curse them. He said You yourself had told Duryodhana that the victory will be where there is justice. Your words have come true and justice has prevailed. Throw away your anger and accept the sons of Pandu as your own.

Gandhari said As your say Krishna, I will accept the Pandavas as my own but where do I throw my hurt? My hundred sons are dead.

Dhritarashtra goes to Kurukshetra

Vyasa said - Do not grieve for the departed. Let me tell you something. Once I was in the land of Brahma. There the earth came and said she wanted some relief. Vishnu said the demons that he had killed had been born as Kshatriyas. Brahma said Duryodhana will be born and will torment many.
Hearing this, the earth said how will be relieved.Brahma said Gods will born as sons of Pandu. Duryodhana will be born as son of Dhritarashtra. Vishnu as Krishna will be there to help the sons of Pandu when turmoil will start with who will gain the kingdom. Do not worry O Earth. You will be relieved off Duryodhana. This Duryodhana is your son. He had Karna as his friend and Shakuni as his adviser. Thus I tell you, do not grieve.

Sanjaya said Kings from many lands have come to pay their condolences.

Dhritarashtra asked Vidura to fetch the women. Vidura said Dhritarashtra is going to the battlefield where all your sons lie dead.

Hearing this, wails broke out. Vidura said Please control yourselves. The king wants you to come to the battlefield.
The women climbed on the chariots and left for the ground. They were crying away, cursing their fate and crying to their departed ones.

At that point, Ashwatthama, Kripacharya and Kritavarma came and met Dhritarashtra. They told him that all his sons were dead and Bhima had killed all of them. To take revenge they had killed the brothers and sons of Draupadi.

Hearing that Dhritarashtra was coming, the Pandavas decided to greet him. Yudhistira asked Krishna how should he face the King and Gandhari?
Krishna said Do not fear. I am the One who controls Life and Death. Do not fear for your life. I know Gandhari will not curse you. Please go and greet her and the king.

The five brothers and Krishna then went to meet the King. 

Dhritarashtra grieves for his sons

It was early morning when Sanjaya told Dhritarashtra about the death of Dhritarashtra. It was as if sky fell on him. He could not believe his ears. He was wondering why he was alive with all his sons dead. Taking the names of his sons, the blind king fell down. He cried out taking the names of Bhishma, Karna and Drona. He called out to Shakuni blaming him for all this. He said he was feeling like a bird whose wings had been cut. He said I had been told by all to control my sons else this would happen. I did not listen to anyone and see what has happened now. Sanjaya, it must be because of sins that I have committed that this happened to me. How will I tell people that the Bhishma who could not be defeated by Parashurama, and felled by Arjuna. This Arjuna defeated Drona and killed Karna.
Take me to the battlefield. I will go and kill the Pandavas. I will cut off Arjuna's head and then ask Yudhistira to rule.

Hearing this, Sanjaya said - You should be saying this. You are a learned person and these words do not do justice to you. You knew what would happen. Also remember, one who is born has to die. Your son was also advised many times but he too did not listen to anyone. He just listened to Dushshasana and Shakuni and Karna. He made fun of the elders. Pandavas asked for some villages and Krishna came and tried to mediate but that did not help. You yourself tried to talk to him. Did he listen? Get from the ground. Throw the fire of anger out before it burns you.

Vidura also came and consoled the king. He said Get up O king. Do not grieve. Death is the ultimate reality. Be aware that all have gone to heaven, having fallen in Kurukshetra.

Vyasa also came there and tried to talk to Dhritarashta and console him. 

Bhima kills ninety sons of Dhritarashtra

Yudhistira was wondering how Arjuna was faring. With Satyaki also away, he called Bhima. He said Bhima, Arjuna is fighting somewhere. I sent Satyaki and he has not returned.
Bhima called Dhristadyumna and asked him to protect Yudhistira till he returned.
Saying this, Bhima climbed on his chariot and went into the middle of the battlefield.

Karna stopped Bhima. Bhima cut off his chariot and his weapons. Karna then fled.

Duryodhana seeing this, asked his brothers to attack Bhima.
Ten sons of Dhritarashtra came and started showering arrows at Bhima. Bhima jumped with his mace and smashed the brothers killing them.
Thirty more brothers of Duryodhana then attacked Bhima. With his mace, Bhima killed the horses and elephants on which they were riding. He then killed the thirty brothers.

Bhima then started his chariot and soon saw Satyaki. He asked him what was happening. Satyaki asked Bhima why he had left Yudhistira. Bhima said hearing no news, Yudhistira had sent him.

Karna came again, and Bhima began shooting arrows at Karna. Karna fled again.

Bhima then began killing off the soldiers. Fifty of Duryodhana's brothers, seeing this, came and attacked Bhima. Bhima killed all fifty of them.

Sanjaya told Dhritarashtra that ninety of his sons had died so far in battle. Dhritarashtra fell from his throne.
Gandhari, hearing this, fainted. Wails broke out in the palace when the wives heard of the loss of their husbands.

Sanjaya said You knew things would come to this. Many times it was asked to avoid the battle. Vidura said All Yudhistira had asked for was five villages. If that had been given, things would not come to this. 

SanatSujat comes to Dhritarashtra

After Krishna left, everyone left the court. Only Vidura and Dhrtrarashtra were left in the court. Soon the sage SanatSujat came there. Vidura told Dhritarashtra, who bowed down to the sage.
Dhritarashtra said My son has become evil. He is trying to harm the Pandavas who had never harmed him. All tried to talk sense to him, but he does not listen.
The sage said Your son will not listen. Listen to me.
Long ago when the asuras ruled the world, all they did was kill and loot. The earth, scared went to Brahma and said I cannot bear the asuras anymore.
Brahma decided to approach Vishnu.
Vishnu said He would take incarnations to kill the asuras. Brahma told his to Earth.
First Vishnu was born as the Fish. He killed Hayagriva and rescued the Vedas.
As the Boar he rescued the Earth and killed Hiranyaksha.
As the half Man half Lion, he killed Hiranyakashipu.
As the tortoise, he held the mountain on his back and helped the churning of the ocean. Taking the form of Mohini, he helped the Gods get nectar.
He then took care of Bali.
These form were in the Satya Yuga.
In the next cycle, Treta Yuga, Vishnu as Parashurama, killed the vain Kshatriyas. As Rama, he killed Ravana.
As Krishna, he has killed Kamsa, Putana and Bakasura.
He will take care of the rest. Soon the Yadava clan will also be destroyed.
In the next Yuga of Kli, he will be born again.

Saying this, the sage left and Vidura also went back to his house.

Dhritarashtra talks to Duryodhana

Vidura went to Dhritarashtra and said Krishna is coming to Hastinapura. All will be well if you listen to him.
Dhritrarashtra said I am blessed. Krishna is coming to me to save my clan. Fetch Bhishma, Drona, Karna, Kripa and Duryodhana and ask them to meet me.
Vidura left and went to call the elders.
Dhritarashtra said This is my good fortune. Krishna is coming for the good of all. Decorate the city. Welcome him.
Duryodhana said Krishna is like any other and why should he be given special treatment. He killed Jarasandha only because Jarasandha had addressed Krishna as a cowherd. The husband of Rukmini is very shrewd. I will not listen to him.
Bhishma said Duryodhana has lost his senses. Krishna is the supreme being. Saying this he left.
Dhritarashtra said to Duryodhana - Krishna is coming for our welfare. Be sensible.

Duryodhana agreed to welcome Krishna. He ordered for the city to be decorated.  

Sanajaya goes to the Pandavas

Janmajeya asked What did Dhritarashtra then?
The sage said
Dhritarashtra seeing his son not listening called Sanajaya. He asked Sanajaya to go to the kingdom and meet the Pandavas. He said Give my blessings to the Pandavas. Give my blessings to Draupadi. Tell them what is in destiny will happen. My son has lost his mind. Tell Draupadi - He sent you to the forest and cheated you. Please forgive him. Tell the Pandavas that I have been worried when the Pandavas were away for thirteen years.

Sanjay went said to the Pandavas - All the elders tried to talk to Duryodhana but he would not listen. Dhritarashtra is anxious to see you.

Pandavas said What exactly did Karna and Duryodhana say?
Karna said He would kill Arjuna. Killing him, he would keep the rest of Pandavas as prisoners. War is inevitable and will happen.

Yudhistira said Sanajaya, Now go as my messenger and say that kingdom be divided as per the law else it will be a disaster. Bhima said - Remind Duryodhana that I have not forgotten my promise of breaking his thigh. Yudhistira said If Duryodhana comes to my refuge I grant him immunity. He and his brothers will not be harmed. Arjuna said - Tell the king that he should divide the kingdom equally. If he wants, I can go and fight and win it over. If not agreed to, the entire dynasty will be destroyed. Dhritarashtra is acting like the Vatapi bird.

Arjuna said Let me tell you the story.

Vidura advises Dhritarashtra

Vaishampayana said to Janmajeya - Listen King.
When Duryodhana left the court Bhishma, Drona and Kripa were quite then they too left.
Vidura then went to Dhritarashtra and said - Give half the kingdom to Pandavas else nothing will be left of the kingdom. Your son is cruel and there seems to be no one else like him. He is giving you a bad name also.Do not think of battle. Bhima, who can kill Hidimb, Jatasura and Baka with his bare hands is someone to be feared. Arjuna is a mighty warrior and a beloved of Indra. You know how Arjuna alone annihilated the enemy in the kingdom of Virata. Do as I say. Send messengers to the kingdom of Virata. Fetch the Pandavas and give back Indraprastha.

Dhritarashtra said You told me and I understand. Go and tell Duryodhana this.

Vidura said I have tried and he thinks ill off me, Saying this Vidura sat down.

Dhaumya said I know Duryodhana will not give up the land. They have tried to kill the Pandavas before using Virochana. Be aware that Krishna is with the Pandavas. This is the same Hari who was captured by Bali.

Dhritarashtra asked about the clash between Bali and Hari.

Dhaumya said This is a big story but let me summarize and tell you.

Sanjaya tells Dhritarashtra about the Pandavas

Janmajeya asked the sage , Did Dhritarashtra get to know about this? How did he react?

The sage continued.

Dhritarashtra sent for Sanjaya and asked him if he was aware of the travels of Arjuna, about which he had heard rumors. Sanjaya said - I know all this. Arjuna fought with Shiva and was blessed by him. Arjuna then went to the heavens where he was taught how to use amazing weapons.

Dhritarashtra was sad. How would someone be able to able to win over Arjuna.

Sanjaya told the blind king about Krishna's visit to Yudhistira, Sanjaya said Krishna was very angry when he heard of the exile of Pandavas and had said that all the lost wealth and kingdom would be back theirs.

Dhritarashtra said he had felt that the days of his lineage was ending, the day the hair of Draupadi had been touched. 

Dhritarashtra and Vidura talk

Dhritarashtra was anxious about the Pandavas leaving. He sent for Vidura. He asked Vidura with teh Pandavas not there, how would he be able to take full control over the people of Indraprastha and Hastinapura.
Vidura said - Stay on the path of truth. Think of the sons of your brother as your own. You kept quiet when the Pandavas were insulted by your son and Shakuni. You were quiet when your daughter in law was insulted. Now you want to make ammends, What can be done? But if you are really wanting to do something, bring the Pandavas back. Give back to them, what has been taken from them. Tell them that you are sorry for what had happened. Get Duryodhana and Karna to have a friendly relation with the Pandavas. If Duryodhana refuses to listen to you, jail him.
Dhritarashtra said - I do not agree with what you said. Why should I punish my son for the sake of other's sons. You are a well wisher of the Pandavas. Go and live where you want to.
Vidura got and while leaving he said - I see the end of the dynasty of Kuru.

Instead of going home, Vidura went to the forest where the Pandavas were. Yudhistira was in the Kamya forest, clad in bark, along with his brothers. Seeing Vidura they wondered why he was coming. Was it for another game of dice? There was nothing to loose now except their lives, and was that something that was needed.

Yudhistira asked Vidura what the king had said. Vidura said he had tried to advise the king but he had been insulted. Thus, leaving the king, he had come to stay with the Pandavas.

Hearing that Vidura had left saddened the king. He was sorry for his words. He went to court but collapsed on the ground. Sanjaya and the others helped the king on his feet. The king said - Vidura has joined the Pandavas. Tell him to come to me at the earliest. Tell him I am sorry for what I had said.

Sanjaya started for the forest to fetch Vidura. Reaching there he said - O Vidura quickly. The king will not live if Vidura does not come.

Vidura and Sanjaya took leave of the Pandavas and reached Hastinapura. On meeting the king, Vidura and Dhritarashtra hugged each other.

Dhritarashtra said he was begging for forgiveness.
Vidura said - Sons of Pandu are the same at me, like your sons.

Hearing Vidura and Dhritarashtra talk, Duryodhana went to Shakuni and said a way had to be made to get rid of the Pandavas, if the king sent for them.

Shakuni said, the Pandavas would not come as Yudhitira would not go against his word. If he even comes back, he will go back again based on the promise, for another thirteen years.

Karna said - The Pandavas would be suffering in the forest. I want to see how they are. I want to see their suffering. They being vulnerable, this may be the right time to get rid of them for ever.

Duryodhana agreed and ordered for the army to get ready.

Vyasa was sitting in his meditation. He realized what was happening. He left for Hastinapura. There he met Duryodhana and his army, and told them to stop. The sage went and met Dhritarashtra.

He said - You are blind by eyes, and now you have lost sight of justice. What are you doing? Your son, in greed, grabbed what was belonging to the Pandavas. Send your son to the Pandavas and let him let them he is sorry for his behavior. Then your hundred sons will be saved.

Dhritarashtra said - The problem is, Duryodhana does not listen to me.
Vyasa said - Let me tell you something. Once, Surabhi, the mother of cows was crying. Seeing this, Indra asked her the reason. She said she was sad for a son of hers who was old, and was made to make in the fields. The farmers who were using him, were beating him, when he could not walk.
Indra said - he would have rain fall, which would cool the earth and make it easy to till.

Vyasa said, One has to be just to all.

Dhritarashtra said I am unable to talk to my son, if you can, please talk to him.
Vyasa said, I will not do that. The sage Maitreya will come and he will talk to Duryodhana. And if Duryodhana refuses to comply, he may get cursed.

Soon Maitreya came and said he had met the Pandavas who were suffering because of the conduct of Duryodhana.

Talking to Duryodhana, he said - Pandavas are no less superior than you and they deserve that respect. When Duryodhana refused to listen, Maitreya said - the thigh that you had shown Draupadi will be broken by Bhima.

The king asked the sage to withdraw his curse, but he refused.

Invitation for the game

Janmajeya asked the sage - Please tell me about the game of dice where my ancestors lost everything and went through lot of grief and trouble. Who all played the game? Who were in the all when the game was played?

The sage said Hearing the words of his son, disturbed the blind king. He called Duryodhana and said - Stop this game of dice. Vidura has not given his consent to this. Why are you jealous of the Pandavas? You gave the land the Pandavas have and they have made the best of it.

Duryodhana said - It was natural to admire what the other person had. Pandavas have prosperity which I do not have. Krishna and the kings listen to Yudhistira. I was in charge of the treasury during the sacrifice and I saw the wealth they have. I was also insulted in their palace. When I could not figure out where to go, I was laughed at when I tried to lift my clothes thinking the floor was water. When I saw water, thinking it to be crystal, i unknowingly stepped into it and I was laughed at by the Pandavas and Draupadi. I was then given dry clothes. I find this insulting. When I was trying to go out, I kept bumping my head into the crystal walls. The sons of Madri came and helped me. I desire what the Pandavas have.

Dhritarashtra said - It is not good to desire what the other has. Organize a sacrifice like Yudhistira did. Invite kings. All kings will come. You will also get a lot of wealth and gifts. Do not look for short roads to success.

Duryodhana refused to listen.

Seeing his son would not listen, Dhritarashtra sent for Vidura. Vidura said - The entire clan will be destroyed because of this game. Stop this.
When Vidura saw the king was going to listen to his son, he set forth for his journey.

He went to Indraprastha where he was heartily welcomed. Vidura said to Yudhistira that the king, Dhritarashtra wanted him to come to Hastinapura along with his brother for a game of dice.

Yudhistira said Dice is known to be a game that destroys all. Please advise what I should do.

Vidura said I know of the evils of Dice. I told the king to not have the game but the king did not listen.

Yudhistira said the game of dice was like war and if invited, a kshatriya would attend the same.

Along with his brothers , Yudhistira started for Hastinapura.

They reached Hastinapura in the evening and went greeted Gandhari and all women of Hastinapura. 

Dhritarashtra agrees to bring back the Pandavas

Dhritarashtra called Bhishma and Drona. He sat with them and his ministers. He said he had come to know that Pandavas and Kunti were alive. He had no idea where and why they had been hiding. They have married the daughter of Drupada but did not inform me about that. He then wanted to know what was to be done in this case.

Bhishma said For you Pandavas should the same as your own sons. There was a time when you used to proud of the achievements of the Pandavas. Not sure what happened suddenly and you sent the Pandavas to Varnavrata. You should be glad that the Pandavas along with their mother are alive. Do as you used to do earlier. Send for the Pandavas immediately. For me Gandhari and Kunti are the same, and so are the sons of Pandu and your sons. If Pandu was alive today, this kind of a situation would not have arisen. What I suggest is, divide the kingdom into two and give one portion to the Pandavas.

Drona said he was in agreement with what Bhishma had said. He said  Send someone to Panchala to fetch the Pandavas. Also get ready to welcome the newly weds and greet Draupadi with jewels and gifts. To Kunti, ask her to forget the past. Send gifts for Drupada. Send someone who is loyal and truthful and someone whom the Pandavas can trust.

Karna said he did not agree of this and said the ideas of Bhishma and Drona were not to listened to.

Drona said he knew all about Karna and how he performed in the swayamvara in Panchala. Drona reminded Karna about how he had run and leave the field, when confronted by Arjuna.

Vidura then told Karna, Bhishma and Drona had wisdom and their words should be listened to. Krishna and Balrama were cousins of the Pandavas. Drupada was now their father-in-law and the Pandavas were now to be feared. He too asked Dhritarashtra to bring the Pandavas over.

Dhritarashtra agreed and Vidura to go and bring the Pandavas back.

The fox and the doe

Dhritrarashtra wanted a crown prince appointed. Yudhistira was the eldest and also beloved of the people. He decided to go with the people. Bhima and Arjuna went around canvassing for their brother. They had fights with kings who refused to accept Yudhistira and defeated them. Nakula and Sahadeva acted as advisers.
All was going well when one day Dhritrarashtra thought that his sons were getting neglected and no one was bothering about them. This got him thinking. He gave up food and sleep, thinking of all the time. His advisers asked him to be silent and wait for the right opportunity. The advisers told him a story. In a forest where the animals rules, a fat doe entered. A fox said he would catch his animal and have a feast. He told a mouse to observe where the doe slept and to build a tunnel silently which would open up near the animal. Once the tunnel was built, the mouse was to come out of it near the doe and bite it on its feet. Once the doe was wounded, it would not be able to run and the lion would easily catch up with it.
It happened as was plotted and the lion caught the doe. The fox now started thinking how to get its share. He went to the lion and told him it was a very auspicious day and he should not be eating without having a bath. He said he would sit guard.
The lion and other animals went to have a bath. When they came back, they saw the fox sitting with a sad face.
The fox said he was saddened by what the mouse had said. The mouse had said as it had had wounded the animal first, it had the right to eat the flesh and not the lion. The lion went away angry. When the lion left, the tiger came. The fox told the tiger that the lion had gone to look for him, to kill him and eat him. The tiger hearing this went away grumbling. He told the mouse that a mongoose had also come to have a share and when the fox had told him that the mouse deserved the first bite, the mongoose had gone to look for the mouse. The mouse hearing this fled.
When the mongoose actually came, the fox challenged him to a duel. Because of his strength and size, the fox easily won and he easily feasted on the animal.

Ending their story, the advisers told the king that he needed to act cunningly. He told the king to act as if he was a friend and well wisher of his enemies, but internally scheme.

Marriage of the Kuru Princes and birth of Karna

When the three boys grew up they were sent for their education. Along with the scriptures they learnt the art of warfare. When they were of age, it was time to get them married.
In the clan of Yadavas there was a king called Subala who had a daughter called Gandhari. She had a boon that she would give birth to hundred sons of great strength.
Bhishma sent a proposal to Subala for the marriage of Gandhari with Dhritarashtra.
The king thought over the proposal. The only hitch was that Dhritarshatra was blind. Apart from that, the Kurus were a strong clan.
Agreeing to the proposal, Subala agreed to give Gandhari to Dhritarashtra. Along with Gandhari, many maids and a lot of wealth was sent. Gandhari's brother, Shakuni also came along with his sister.
When Gandhari heard that her husband was blind, she decided to follow her husband, Taking a clean white cloth, she tied it over her eyes thereby she also became blind.
Handing over his sister to Dhritarashtra, Shakuni returned back to his kingdom.

After the wedding of the elder prince, Bhishma started thinking of a bride for Pandu.
Shura was a Yadava king, the grandfather of Shri Krishna. Seeing that the king Kuntibhoja, his cousin,  was childless, he gave his daughter Pritha to her, for bringing her up as his own.He named her Kunti.

One day the sage Durvasa came visiting the land where Kuntibhoja lived. Seeing Durvasa, Kunti washed his feet with her own hands and welcomed him. She looked after the sage and was there to serve him, with folded hands.
Pleased with her devotion, Durvasa gave her a mantra. He told her whenever she uttered the mantra with any God in mind, that God would appear before her. Saying this and blessing her, the sage left.

Kunti wanted to try out the mantra. She uttered the mantra thinking of Surya.
Surya appeared and Kunti bowing down, said she was just testing the mantra. She said she had called him without any reason and she begged forgiveness.

Surya said the mantra is powerful and will not go futile. Surya said Kunti needed to sleep with with him.
Kunti said she was a virgin and all would be ashamed if she performed a act like that. Surya said, with his boon, her virginity would remain intact. A son was born of Kunti and Surya and Surya left.
The child was born with an armor on his body and earrings on his ears.

Kunti was not sure what to do and what people would say to her. Taking a large copper vessel, she placed the child in that. She carefully placed the vessel in the waters of Yamuna and watched it float away.

A Suta (charioteer) was bathing in the waters of Yamuna when he saw the floating vessel. Curious to know what was inside, he got the vessel to the shore. Seeing a beautiful boy inside, he called out to his wife Radha.

The couple was childless and they adopted the boy. They named the boy Vasusena. The boy grew up learning all he could. He would always give alms away to any brahmana who came his way. All that was asked off him, he gave. Such was the case that when later Indra asked for his armor and earrings, he cut them off his body and gave it away. As he had cut off his body to give away what was asked for, he was also known as Karna. In lieu of the armor, Indra had a given to Karna a ferocious weapon called Ekagni, which would mean sure death of the one on whom this was hurled.

Going back, Kunti's swayamvar was organized. All kings came there and among then was Pandu, looking regal like Indra himself. Kunti chose Pandu as her husband. Pandu came back to his land along with Kunti.

None of the princes had any children. Bhishma thought of marriage again.

Shalya, the king of Madra had a beautiful sister called Madri. Bhishma asked for Madri's hand for his brother's son. Shalya said in their land they had a custom of receiving dowry from the groom, to which Bhishma agreed. Bhishma came back with Madri and got her married to Pandu.

Pandu wanted to expand the kingdom and he went on an expedition towards the West. Pandu defeated many kings and made them his subordinates.

Pandu was greeted by Bhisma when he arrived. Pandu gave all the wealth that he had got, to Dhritarashtra.

There was a king called Sudeva who had a beautiful daughter called Parashari, who was known for her beauty. Bhishma got this princess married to Vidura.