“How did such terrible division arise among those who were themselves without fault? How did that great war, which brought such destruction, come to pass?” The question echoed with longing for truth. “Tell me in full, O best of the twice-born, about all the ancestors whose minds were seized by fate, just as it happened. I wish to hear the truth, revered one, for you are skilled and wise.” Hearing these earnest words, the sage Krishna Dvaipayana Vyasa turned to his disciple, Vaiśampāyana, who sat close by. With gentle authority, Vyasa instructed him, “Tell him everything, as you have heard from me, about how the division arose between the Kurus and the Pandavas in ancient times.” Obedient to his teacher’s command, Vaiśampāyana, foremost among Brahmanas, prepared to recount the entire ancient history. In the presence of the king, the assembly, and all the gathered rulers, Vaiśampāyana narrated the story of the division and the utter destruction that befell both the Kurus and the Pandavas. “Listen, O King,” he began, “to how the five heroic sons of Pandu came into conflict with the evil-hearted sons of Dhritarashtra. First, I bow to my teacher with a composed mind and intellect, and I duly honor all the Brahmanas and learned men present. I shall now declare, in full, the view of the illustrious sage Vyasa, renowned throughout the worlds for his wisdom and immeasurable brilliance. You, O King, are worthy to hear this tale of the Bharatas; the very movement of my teacher’s lips stirs my heart. Hear now how the division arose between the Kurus and the Pandavas, caused by the game of dice for the sake of the kingdom, and about their exile to the forest. And I shall also recount how the war occurred, bringing about the destruction of the earth itself, as you have asked, O best of the Bharatas. After their father’s death, those heroic sons of Pandu returned from the forest to their home. Before long, they became learned in the Vedas and in the art of archery. The Pandavas, endowed with courage, strength, and energy, won the esteem of the people and were adorned with prosperity and fame. This the Kurus could not tolerate. Then Duryodhana, cruel by nature, together with Karna and the son of Subala, began various schemes to restrain and exile them. Following the counsel of Shakuni, Duryodhana oppressed the Pandavas by many means, all for the sake of the kingdom. The wicked son of Dhritarashtra even gave poison to Bhima; yet that hero, wolf-bellied, digested it along with his food. When Bhima was asleep on the riverbank, they bound him and cast him into the waters of the Ganga, then returned to the city. But when the son of Kunti awoke, he broke his bonds; the mighty-armed Bhimasena, free from pain, rose up unharmed. Even when they made him, while he slept, to be bitten by black serpents and venomous snakes all over his body, that slayer of foes did not die. In all these many acts of wrongdoing, the wise Vidura was constantly attentive to their release and to countermeasures. Just as Indra, dwelling in heaven, brings happiness to the world of the living, so Vidura always brought happiness to the Pandavas. But when, by every secret and open means, they could not destroy those whom destiny and virtue protected, Duryodhana, after consulting with his ministers—including Vriṣasena and Duḥśāsana—and having obtained Dhritarashtra’s approval, ordered the construction of the house of lac. There, the king, son of Ambika, desiring the welfare of his own sons, settled the Pandavas, who possessed immeasurable energy; but then, out of a desire to enjoy the kingdom, he exiled them. Those great-souled Pandavas, together with their mother, departed from the city of Hastinapura; and at their departure, Vidura, the wise minister, accompanied them. By Vidura’s intervention, they escaped from the house of lac at midnight and fled into the forest. Thus the sons of Kunti reached the city of Varanavata. There, those mighty Pandavas, destroyers of foes, dwelt with their mother, as commanded by Dhritarashtra, in the house made of lac. Carefully watched by Purochana for a year, they, prompted by Vidura, had a tunnel constructed. Then, setting fire to the house of lac and burning Purochana as well, those tormentors of enemies, seized by fear, fled with their mother. In the forest, they encountered the rakshasa Hidimba, who was like a block of wood; after Bhima slew that lord of rakshasas, the frightened Pandavas became aware of their perilous situation. At night, afflicted by fear of the sons of Dhritarashtra, the sons of Pritha fled. There Bhima met Hidimba, and from their union, Ghatotkacha was born. Then, having slain the rakshasa Baka, the Pandavas, firm in their vows and accomplished in Vedic study, lived as celibates in the city of Ekachakra. There, these best of men spent some time with their mother in the house of a Brahmin, observing discipline. It was there that Bhimasena of mighty arms, called Vrikodara, encountered the hungry man-eater named Baka, who possessed great strength. That tiger among men, the Pandava, swiftly slew Baka with the strength of his arms, and then comforted the townspeople. Then they heard of Krishna’s self-choice ceremony among the Panchalas. Having heard, they went there and obtained her as their bride. Having obtained Draupadi, they dwelt for a year; then, recognized, those subduers of enemies returned to Hastinapura. There, King Dhritarashtra and Bhishma, son of Shantanu, addressed them: ‘O sons, how can there be conflict among you brothers? We have arranged for your residence at Khandavaprastha, which is endowed with people and well-laid roads.’ Thus, O King, began the division and the path that would lead to the great war.