In the midst of the many schemes and wrongdoings devised against the Pandavas, the wise Vidura remained ever watchful, always seeking ways to free them from danger and to counteract harm. Just as Indra, seated in the heavens, brings happiness to all living beings, so too did Vidura bring joy and comfort to the Pandavas, ever attentive to their well-being. Yet, despite many attempts—both secret and open—their enemies could not destroy the Pandavas, for they were shielded by destiny and virtue. Frustrated, Duryodhana, after consulting with his ministers Vriṣasena and Duḥśāsana and securing Dhritarashtra’s approval, ordered the construction of a house made of lac, a deadly trap. King Dhritarashtra, the son of Ambika, seeking the advantage of his own sons, settled the Pandavas—who were possessed of immeasurable strength—into this house. But, desiring sole enjoyment of the kingdom, he exiled them under this pretense. Thus, the great-souled Pandavas, along with their mother Kunti, departed from the city of Hastinapura. Vidura, ever the wise minister and their well-wisher, accompanied them on their way. Thanks to Vidura’s intervention, the Pandavas escaped the burning house of lac at midnight and fled into the forest. From there, the sons of Kunti journeyed to the city of Varanavata. In Varanavata, these mighty Pandavas, destroyers of foes, stayed with their mother, as commanded by Dhritarashtra, in the house made of lac. For a year, Purochana kept a close watch on them. Yet, guided by Vidura’s wisdom, the Pandavas secretly had a tunnel constructed. When the time was right, they set fire to the house, burning Purochana within, and, gripped by fear, fled into the forest with their mother. In the forest, by a stream, they encountered the rakshasa Hidimba, who appeared like a block of wood. Bhima, with his immense strength, slew this lord of rakshasas, and the Pandavas, frightened, realized the perilousness of their situation. That night, still fearful of the sons of Dhritarashtra, the sons of Pritha fled again. There, Bhima met Hidimba’s sister, and from their union, Ghatotkacha was born. Continuing their journey, the Pandavas came to the city of Ekachakra. There, they lived as celibates, devoted to their vows and Vedic studies. During their stay in the house of a Brahmin, Bhimasena—also called Vrikodara, mighty-armed and tiger among men—encountered the ravenous man-eater Baka. Bhima swiftly slew Baka with his bare hands, bringing comfort and relief to the townspeople. Soon after, the Pandavas heard of the great self-choice ceremony of Krishnaa (Draupadi) among the Panchalas. They journeyed there, and by their valor, won Draupadi as their wife. With Draupadi, they dwelt for a year; but once their identities were discovered, the subduers of enemies returned to Hastinapura. There, King Dhritarashtra and the venerable Bhishma, son of Shantanu, addressed them, “O sons, how can there be conflict among brothers?” To resolve matters, they arranged for the Pandavas to reside at Khandavaprastha, a city endowed with people and well-laid roads. “Go, free from envy, and dwell in your own Khandavaprastha,” they said. Thus, accompanied by their friends, the Pandavas departed. Taking all their wealth, the sons of Pritha settled in Khandavaprastha, where they lived for many years. Through the might of their arms, they brought other kings under their sway, remaining devoted to righteousness and steadfast in truthfulness. Bhimasena, ever vigilant and patient, subdued many foes and conquered the eastern direction. Arjuna, heroic and skilled, conquered the north; Nakula conquered the west; and Sahadeva, slayer of enemy heroes, conquered the south. In this way, the five brothers brought the entire earth under their dominion, shining together like five suns accompanying the radiant Sun himself. The world, adorned by the valor of the Pandavas, appeared to gleam with the brilliance of six suns. Then, for a certain reason, Yudhishthira, the glorious and truly valiant king, sent his dear brother Arjuna into the forest—a brother dearer to him than life itself. Arjuna, steadfast and virtuous, spent a year and a month in the forest, undertaking a pilgrimage to holy places. There, he obtained the Naga maiden, and later, the daughter of the Pandya king, living with both. Eventually, Arjuna journeyed to Dvaravati, to Hrishikesha, where he won as wife Subhadra, the lotus-eyed sister of Vasudeva. Their union was as harmonious as that of Shachi with Indra, or Fortune with Krishna. With affection, Subhadra was joined to Arjuna, and together, the son of Kunti satisfied Agni in the Khandava forest. In this great task, Arjuna was not overburdened, for Krishna, the foremost of men, was his companion. With Krishna, who aided him as Vishnu aids in the destruction of enemies, Arjuna received from Agni the supreme bow Gandiva, quivers with inexhaustible arrows, and a chariot marked with the sign of Kapila. There, Arjuna also freed Maya, the great Asura. Maya, in gratitude, built for them a divine assembly hall adorned with all manner of gems. It was in this wondrous hall that Duryodhana, blinded by greed, became consumed with envy. Seeking to destroy the Pandavas, he deceived Yudhishthira at dice with the help of Shakuni, the son of Subala, and sent the Pandavas into exile for thirteen years—twelve years in the forest and one year in concealment. After completing their exile, the Pandavas spent a year incognito in the kingdom. In the fourteenth year, they sought to reclaim their rightful share of the kingdom, but were denied. Thus, war broke out. In the ensuing battle, the Pandavas destroyed the Kshatriya host and slew King Duryodhana, bringing to a close this chapter of their epic journey.