The Pandavas Depart Hastinapura for Varanavata
Ordered to Varanavata, the Pandavas prepare to leave Hastinapura. They pay their respects to the elders and bid a painful farewell to the citizens. A group of Brahmanas, outraged by the injustice, declare they will abandon the city to follow Yudhishthira into exile.
The Pandavas yoked excellent horses, swift as the wind, to their chariots. The order had been given; they were to go to Varanavata. Before leaving, they performed the rituals of departure.
They sorrowfully touched the feet of their elders: Bhishma, King Dhritarashtra, the great-souled Drona, Kripa, and Vidura. They paid homage to all the senior Kurus, embraced their equals, and even said farewell to the children. They took leave of all the mothers of the household, circling them with respect. Finally, they said farewell to the citizens and set out.
But the city would not let them go so easily. The immensely wise Vidura, other bulls among the Kurus, and many citizens followed those tigers among men, their hearts heavy. Then a group of Brahmanas stepped forward. They were fearless and aggrieved over what had happened to Pandu’s sons.
They gave voice to the injustice everyone could see. “The evil King Dhritarashtra isn’t impartial and is immersed in darkness,” they said. “Dhritarashtra doesn’t follow the path of dharma.” They defended the Pandavas’ character: Yudhishthira had no sin in his heart; Bhima and Arjuna could not commit a sin; nor could the wise sons of Madri. The reason was plain: “Dhritarashtra cannot bear that they have inherited the kingdom from their father.”
Their anger turned to Bhishma. “How could Bhishma have allowed such a great act of adharma,” they asked, “so that Kunti’s sons, bulls of the Bharata lineage, have been banished to another city without reason?” They spoke of their own loyalty: Vichitravirya and the rajarshi Pandu had been like fathers to them. Now that Pandu was gone, Dhritarashtra could not bear his brother’s young sons.
They reached a conclusion. “We cannot sanction this. Therefore, let us leave this supreme city and our houses and go to the place where Yudhishthira is going.”
Dharmaraja Yudhishthira heard this dangerous offer — a mass exodus of the city’s learned men in protest. He thought for a while, then sorrowfully addressed the sorrowing citizens.
He framed their duty. “The lord of the earth is like our father, he is our greatest preceptor. It is our duty to unhesitatingly obey whatever he commands.” He acknowledged their support. “O illustrious ones! You are our well-wishers. Circle around us and make us happy with your blessings. Then return home.”
He gave them a future task, a way to channel their loyalty without sparking immediate rebellion. “When the time comes for you to do something for us, do that which is pleasing and is good for us.”
Having been thus addressed, the citizens circled the Pandavas, gave them their blessings, and then turned back to the city. The road ahead was now clear.