INDRAPRASTHA

So the daughter of Drupada has become our daughter-in-law. Well, well, very good."

Duryodhana's jealousy and hatred redoubled when he found that the Pandavas had somehow escaped from the wax palace and after spending a year incognito had now become even more powerful on account of the aIliance with the mighty king of Panchala.

Duryodhana and his brother Duhsasana went to their uncle Sakuni and said in sorrow: "Uncle, Ave are undone. We have been letdown by relying on Purochana. Our enemies, the Pandavas, are cleverer than ourselves, and fortune also seems to favour them.

Dhrishtadyumna and Sikhandin have become their allies. What can we do?" 

Karna and Duryodhana went to the blind Dhritarashtra. Duryodhana said: "You told Vidura that better days were ahead of us. Is it 'good time' for us that our natural enemies, the Pandavas, have so waxed in strength that they win certainly destroy us?

We could not carry out our plot against them and the fact that they know about it is an added danger. It has now come to this-either we must destroy them here and now or we shall ourselves perish. Favour us with your counsel in this matter."

Dhritarashtra replied: "Dear son, what you say is true. We should not, however, let Vidura know our mind. That was why I spoke to him in that manner. Let me now hear your suggestions as to what we should do."

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