Early Signs of Tension Between Pandavas and Kauravas

After the tournament at the arena was completed, the Pandavas and Kauravas had to offer a fee to Dronacarya. Dronacarya requested that the Kauravas capture the king of Pancala, Dhrupada, and bring him to Dronacarya. Kauravas, were very egotistical about this task so they went off trying to capture Dhrupada, but Dhrupada’s army was so vast that the army, that after hours of fighting, the Kauravas were tired away to flee back home. Dronacarya accepted their effort as an offering, despite their defeat. Dronacarya challenged the Pandavas to this task. The Pandavas, even though they were five people alone without an army, conquered the army and captured Dhrupada very quickly. Dhrupada was sent to Dronacarya. The reason why Dhrupada was captured, was because Dronacarya wanted to take revenge. Dronacarya and Dhrupada were very close childhood friends. When they moved apart, Dhrupada became a king. Dronacarya was very poor, and there was no cow to get milk for his child, Asvatthama. Even though he was an exalted brahmana, he went to beg for a cow from Dhrupada, but Dhrupada insulted him and said that “friendship only happens between equals.” Since they were not equals, they could not be friends. Dronacarya was very insulted and remembered the hardships faced because of this. Dronacarya made the conquered Dhrupada realize how the tables have turned. Dronacarya announced his decision to take a cow for himself, so he can finally give milk to his grown son, Asvatthama.

Dhrtarastra’s heart was impeding with fear as he wants to nominate his son, Duryodhana, as the new crowned prince. However, the people of Hastinapura, the ministers, Vidura, and Bhisma wanted Yudhisthira as the crowned prince, as he was not only the oldest but the wisest and most worthy person to be next successor. Dhrtarastra, in fear of public response, was forced to select Yudhisthira. Duryodhana was very upset and wanted to find a way to kill the Pandavas. Duryodhana, Duhsasana, Sakuni, and Karna would conspire ways to kill the Pandavas and find ways to make Duryodhana the new king of Hastinapura. There was a special Siva festival that was taking place at a nearby city of Varnavata. Per tradition, the king of Hastinapura attends this event. As the evil-minded Dhrtarastra did not want the Pandavas to claim ownership of the kingdom, Dhrtarastra, as well as Duryodhana, Duhsasana, Sakuni, and Karna,  wanted Yudhisthira to go to Varnavata. The Kauravas decided to hire an architect to build a house made of wax, so that while Yudhisthira is sleeping, they can burn the house on fire. Yudhisthira, not knowing of this treacherous plan, invited his four brother and his mother, Kunti, along. They departed with great celebration to their new home, which is made of wax. No one suspected any problems with their stay, except for Vidura. Through his spies, he learned of this plan and immediately informed Yudhisthira in subtle ways by sending spies to him. The Pandavas and Kunti realized that this is another way of Duryodhana trying to kill the Pandavas. They decided to leave the house by an underground tunnel the day before the burning of the house. The burning of the house yielded seven casualties, one woman, five sons, and the architect who built this house. Many people assumed the Pandavas to be dead at that point, as they saw the woman and sons dead bodies. The Pandavas left the house in time and stayed in the forest, in disguise. They stayed at Ekacakra serving brahmanas and killing demons harassing the citizens.