Pandavas Narrate Their Escape and Gain Drupada's Support
With the Pandavas' identity confirmed, a joyful Drupada asks the natural next question: how did you escape the city alive? Yudhishthira tells the story of the lac house, and the king's joy turns to fury—and a vow.
For a moment, King Drupada was so overcome with delight he could not properly answer Yudhishthira. Controlling himself with effort, the conqueror of enemies spoke again in the appropriate form. The one with virtue in his heart asked the practical question: how had they escaped from that city?
Yudhishthira narrated it in detail, from the beginning.
On hearing the full narration from Kunti's son — the plot, the flammable house, the secret tunnel, the forest exile — King Drupada censured Dhritarashtra, that ruler of men. The chief among all eloquent men then gave every assurance to Yudhishthira. He vowed that he would restore him to his kingdom.
The alliance was sealed not just in word, but in deed. On the king's invitation, Kunti, Draupadi, Bhimasena, Arjuna, and the twins took up residence in the great palace of Panchala. They continued to live there, treated with every respect by Yajnasena — Drupada. They were no longer fugitives. They had a powerful ally, a safe haven, and a king who had sworn to see justice done.