The Digger Warns the Pandavas and Excavates an Escape Tunnel

A man came to the Pandavas in secret. He was a skilled digger, a friend of Vidura’s. He told Yudhishthira that Vidura had sent him to do whatever would please the Pandavas and ensure their welfare. To prove his trustworthiness, he revealed the plot: on the fourteenth night of the dark fortnight, Purochana would set fire to the door of their house. Duryodhana had decided to burn the Pandavas, bulls among men, together with their mother. The digger reminded Yudhishthira of the warning Vidura had given in the mleccha language — a coded exchange the brothers alone would understand. Yudhishthira, Kunti’s truthful son, replied. He now knew the digger was Vidura’s trusted friend. There was nothing that wise man did not know. “Just as you are his, you are ours,” Yudhishthira said. “Do not distinguish between him and us. We are yours as much as his. Protect us the way that wise man does.” He confirmed everything. He knew Purochana had built this inflammable house on Duryodhana’s command. That evil-hearted one, with his riches and allies, had always oppressed them. “Use all your efforts to save us from the fire,” Yudhishthira said. “If we are burnt to death, Suyodhana’s wishes will be fulfilled.” He pointed out the store of arms along the walls, the large house built around it. Vidura had foreseen this crime and warned him. The danger was now upon them. “Help us escape from that without Purochana knowing.” The digger promised to help. Carefully, he began the excavation. He dug a deep tunnel under the ground, right in the centre of the house. He built it with a narrow mouth, level with the floor, and covered the opening with wooden planks. Because they feared Purochana, they kept it hidden. The digger kept a constant watch on the gate of the house. At night, the Pandavas lived in the hole, their weapons ready. During the day, they went out hunting, moving from forest to forest. They deceived Purochana with a display of trustfulness and contentment. In truth, they were distrustful, discontented, and lived very unhappily. No one in the city knew, except for Vidura’s friend, the excellent digger.