Following the wise counsel of Vidura, the Pandavas quietly launched their boat, taking with them the wealth that had been given, and slipped unharmed into the forest, their hearts steady and unafraid. Meanwhile, in the house they had left behind, a Nishada woman and her five sons—innocent souls who had come there for their own reasons—were consumed by the terrible fire, perishing together. Purochana, the wicked architect of the plot and lowest among men, was also burned in the blaze. Thus, the evil-hearted Dhartarashtras and their followers were deceived, believing their cruel plan had succeeded. Unknown to the people, the great-souled sons of Kunti, together with their mother, escaped the flames unharmed, their deliverance owed to Vidura’s secret guidance. In the city of Varanavata, the people gathered around the smoldering ruins of the house of lac, their hearts heavy with sorrow and grief at the apparent loss of the Pandavas. Messengers were sent to inform the king of what had happened, and those who had plotted against the Pandavas believed their desire had been fulfilled, thinking the brothers had perished in the fire. “Be satisfied, O Kaurava,” they said to King Dhritarashtra. “Enjoy the kingdom with your sons!” Yet, upon hearing this, Dhritarashtra grieved deeply alongside his son. He performed the funeral rites for the Pandavas, joined by his relatives, the charioteer, and Bhishma, the noblest of the Kurus. At this point, O best of the twice-born, the listener expresses a desire to hear again, in detail, the story of the burning of the house of lac and the Pandavas’ escape. He asks for the tale to be recounted faithfully, for his curiosity is great. In response, the sage offers to narrate, in detail, the events surrounding the burning of the house and the Pandavas’ deliverance. The tale turns back to the roots of the plot. Duryodhana, driven by envy, spoke to his father Dhritarashtra: “Let us have no fear from the Pandavas. By some clever means, let them be sent away from the city of Varanavata.” Dhritarashtra, hearing his son’s words, paused to reflect and then replied thoughtfully. He recalled that Pandu, his late brother, had always been devoted to righteousness, steadfast in virtue, and respectful to his kin, especially to Dhritarashtra himself. Pandu never undertook any action, not even a meal, without informing his elder brother, and always reported faithfully about the affairs of the kingdom. Yudhishthira, Pandu’s son, was just as steadfast in righteousness and virtue, admired among the people and highly esteemed among the Kurus. “How can we forcibly remove him from his ancestral kingdom,” Dhritarashtra wondered aloud, “especially when he has strong allies? The ministers and the army had always been maintained by Pandu, and their sons and grandsons too were supported. The citizens and townspeople, honored by Pandu in the past, might even rise against us for Yudhishthira’s sake.” Dhritarashtra confessed that he saw the fault as his own, for all the people, honored and enriched by Pandu, were now devoted to Yudhishthira. Surely, they would become his allies, especially the most influential and wealthy among them. Therefore, he advised, the Pandavas should be sent away quickly, but by gentle means, to the city of Varanavata. “When the kingdom is firmly established with me,” he said, “then Kunti and her sons may return.” Yet, Dhritarashtra admitted, this plan troubled his heart. He could not openly declare it, knowing the wickedness at its core. Neither Bhishma, nor Drona, nor Vidura, nor Kripa would ever approve of sending the Pandavas away, for they were righteous and would not wish for injustice. “We and they are both Kurus, great souls among our line. How can we not be destroyed in the world by such an act?” He reflected further: Bhishma was always impartial, and Drona’s son stood with him, but Drona would follow wherever his son led. Kripa would go with them as well, and Drona would never abandon his nephew. Vidura, though bound to the family, was restrained by others and could not overpower them for the Pandavas’ sake. Thus, with full confidence, Dhritarashtra resolved to send the Pandavas and their mother into exile, to Varanavata, so that the torment in his heart—a terrible, sleepless grief—might be extinguished. At this juncture, Vaishampayana, the sage, continues the narration. Duryodhana and his brothers, working gradually, won over all the people by giving them wealth and honor, even separating Yuyutsu, his own brother, from the sons of Dhritarashtra. Clever counselors, acting on Dhritarashtra’s orders, began to praise the city of Varanavata, describing it as a vast and delightful place, the gathering spot of the Lord of Beasts, filled with every precious gem and charm. As they continued to extol Varanavata’s beauty, the idea took root in the king’s mind to send the Pandavas there. Noticing the growing curiosity and interest among the Pandavas, Dhritarashtra, the son of Ambika, summoned them and spoke: “You have thoroughly studied all the scriptures here, and have learned the use of weapons from Drona and from Sharadvata’s son, Gautama.” Thus, the stage was set for the Pandavas’ journey to Varanavata, and for the unfolding of the fateful events that would follow.