Vidura Informs Dhritarashtra of the Pandavas' Fortune

Vidura learned what had happened in the court of King Drupada. Droupadi, at her swayamvara (a ceremony where a princess chooses her own husband), had chosen the Pandavas — the five sons of Pandu, his nephews, whom everyone believed had perished in the fire at the house of lac. Dhritarashtra’s own sons, Duryodhana and the other Kauravas, had attended the ceremony hoping to win her hand. They had returned instead in shame, their pride broken. Vidura was very happy. The kshatta — the wise minister, half-brother to the king — went to Dhritarashtra. He spoke in great wonder: “The Kurus are prospering from good fortune.” Hearing this from Vidura, Dhritarashtra, the son of Vichitravirya, was overjoyed. He exclaimed, “What great fortune!” The blind king, who possessed only the eyesight of knowledge, had misunderstood. In his ignorance, he thought the good fortune Vidura spoke of was his own. He believed Droupadi had chosen his eldest son, Duryodhana. Immediately, the king of men began to act on his mistaken joy. He ordered that many ornaments be made for Droupadi. He sent word to his son Duryodhana that Krishna — Droupadi — should be brought to Hastinapura. It was then that Vidura clarified the truth. He told the king that it was the Pandavas who had been chosen. Those warriors — Yudhishthira, Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula, and Sahadeva — were all in good health. They had not died in the fire. They had been duly honoured by Drupada, who was now their father-in-law. They had many allies and relatives now, and they commanded large armies. The news hung in the air between the half-brothers: the lost sons were found, they were stronger than ever, and they had just formed a powerful new alliance through marriage. The king’s brief, mistaken joy was over.