“Yes, this place is perfect, Purochana,” I heard Duryodhana’s voice, laced with a wicked glee that sent shivers down my spine.

Purochana replied, “As you ordered, I will build the Lakshagriha here, in this clearing I’ve created on the outskirts of Varanavata. I promise you it will be ready in six months, in time for Lord Shiva’s grand festival. But how will you get the Pandavas to come here? Will they accept your invitation? They are hardly going to believe that you have their welfare in your heart?”

Duryodhana smiled, his eyes glinting. “I have thought of a way for that, too. They can’t refuse their king, can they now, Purochana?”

Purochana’s evil giggle filled me with dread again. Duryodhana joining in the raucous laughter turned my insides horribly.

Varanavata and Lord Shiva

When they left, I heard a voice. “You are worried, aren’t you?”

I looked up and saw the benign face of Kailashnath looking down on me with compassion and gentleness. 

The trees in my realm rustled their leaves in respect, the birds in my trees tittered in happiness, the flowers bloomed in a riot of colours, the ducks in my pond quacked, the geese in my sky clucked, and the animals in my jungles let out happy howls and delightful sounds. Even the humans living in my city suddenly felt a strange sense of happiness, hugging strangers and friends with equal abandon. 

This always happens when Shiva looks down in his benign form. You see, it is very easy for the voiceless like me to talk to the Lord of Kailash or any other god or goddess, for that matter. Those with monkey minds, like humans, need to rely on prayer and worship to communicate with the divine. 

I looked at him, and he could easily feel my sadness. “You can see I am being used for deceit and deception, my Lord. Of course, I am worried.”

“Worry not, my dear Varanavata. You are free from the karmic effects of human actions on your soil. Yes, you have the misfortune to witness them. But like water off a duck’s back, you will not be impacted at all. Like all things in nature, your time will come and go. But your name will remain immortal. Varanavata – the holy place where my annual festival takes place with devotion, pomp, and glory.”

“But will the Pandavas be safe?” I ask, trying to mask my worry in a lighter voice. 

He smiled. “Of course, they will be safe. They have a lot more work to do on earth. And someone else is in Dwarka, following their moves, waiting for them to seek his help. So, sit back and watch the events unfold.”

“Still, how will they know this is a palace of lac created to kill them?” I persisted.

Shiva sighed, “You saw Purochana and Duryodhana talking?”

“Yes.”

“Did you see another man hiding behind the large oak tree at the end of the clearing?”

“No! Was there someone there?”

“Yes, hiding and listening to the evil plan.”

“Who was he?”

“A spy of Vidura, the Prime Minister of Hastinapur and the Pandavas’ well-wisher. That man will report back to his master, who will, in turn, warn the Pandavas. As I said earlier, sit back and watch.”

“Indeed, my Lord. That’s all I can ever do. Just be a witness to everything. Thank you for allaying my fears.”

Shiva smiled and returned to his abode in Mount Kailash.

The Pandavas Head to Varanavata

“It would be an honour to be the chief guests at Lord Shiva’s festival,” said Yudhishthira to Dhritarashtra. “I will get ready for the journey right away.”

The blind king’s eyes almost lit up with joy. 

I hope Duryodhana has his plans in place. May this plan work out well for him.  If we can keep the Pandavas in Varanavata permanently, then my son can become the heir.

“Of course. The people of Varanavata will be very happy to welcome you. I have heard that they are looking forward to your coming there.”

“You mean they already know we are going to be there, even before you asked me and I agreed? I thought we were the first to hear about it. What if we couldn’t go?”

Dhritarashtra was a bit flustered at this pointed question. 

“No… No… Duryodhana was there some time ago, and the city’s seniors had requested the presence of at least a few members of the royal family for this year’s festival. And he had promised them he would try to send you, his dear brothers.”

Yudhisthira hid his smirk behind a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. 

Something is definitely up. Uncle Vidura’s warning rings true. He told me not to accept this invitation. But how could I refuse the king, especially for an event as important and sacred as Lord Shiva’s festival? We must just keep our eyes and ears open and ensure we don’t get trapped in whatever evil scheme Duryodhana has hatched. 

Varanavata Welcomes the Pandavas

“Welcome, welcome, my dear lords and Lady Kunti,” said Purochana, as he garlanded the five brothers. The Pandava brothers, with their mother, had reached Varanavata and received a warm welcome from the city’s people, led by Purochana.

I knew the evil that lurked in the architect’s heart, but the poor Pandavas seemed oblivious to it as they happily greeted the welcoming party. They mingled with my city’s citizens, enjoying their hospitality. My citizens were beyond thrilled at receiving the highly popular Pandava brothers. 

They cheered, “Long Live the future king of Hastinapur!”

Only I noticed Purochana’s face darken as he heard the shouts ring through the air of my city. I was happy, very happy, although my worries about the safety of the five brothers and their mother continued to nag me in the background. 

I imagined that horrible house going up in flames, engulfing the bodies in its hungry licks. The picture this thought evoked churned my insides. Some of my more sensitive citizens seemed to notice my discomfort. They cried.

“Why is the earth shaking?”

“An earthquake?”

I settled myself quickly, and the discomfort passed. The festival of Lord Shiva was a big success. He came down from Kailash, though none but I could see him, to share the joy, smiling at the deep faith of his devotees as they worshipped him while enjoying the delicious food and fun-filled festivities cooked and played in his name. 

He nodded and acknowledged my presence. Again, he tried to allay my growing worries with a thoughtful gesture, laying his hand over his heart. 

At the end of the festival, Purochana took the Pandavas to a big feast in a huge mansion. After a sumptuous meal and rest, he told them, “There is another huge palace I have built for you. It’s bigger and more beautiful than this humble abode, my home.”

The brothers exchanged glances, their hearts racing, knowing Uncle Vidura’s warning was right. Keeping a straight face, Yudhisthira replied, “Yes, King Dhritharashtra told us about this beautiful house that you have built for us here in Varanavata. It seems Duryodhana instructed you to do so?”

“Yes, yes, my dear prince. Prince Duryodhana wanted to make sure you are as comfortable here as in Hastinapur. So, he spared no expense to get the luxurious palace built for you. Come, let me take you there.”

The seven of them took a chariot to the outskirts of my city. My heart raced too, crazily. 

Will they die today itself? I needn’t have worried.

When the brothers, Mother Kunti, and Purochana reached the new palace, Yudhishthira said, “What a lovely palace! I think we would like to stay here for a year. It would be a pity not to live in this mansion for a while after you have taken so much pains to build it, right?”

Purochana looked pleased, happy that the brothers didn’t notice the line of ants that crawled through the walls of the palace, drawn by the smell of ghee and other animal fats used to construct it, perfect for flaming up the building when the time was ripe. 

I must make sure the servants clean the palace much more thoroughly before Prince Duryodhana’s plans can be put into practice!

I smiled in satisfaction because I knew the brothers knew. They hadn’t missed the ants! No, not at all. But they seemed so calm about it; it certainly looked like they had something up their sleeves.

And I saw their plan take shape that first night itself. 

When all the servants were fast asleep, the five brothers began building a tunnel beneath the palace, a tunnel to escape.

I was beyond thrilled. Deceiving the deceit! Now that’s what I call genius. They did come prepared to escape.

During that year in my city, the Pandava brothers had a great time. They interacted with my citizens and solved many of their problems. By the time the tunnel was ready, the people of my city were rooting for Yudhishthira to become the Crown Prince of Hastinapur.

I could almost hear the angry crunching of Duryodhana’s brains as news of his cousins’ popularity reached him. I giggled joyously. 

Pandavas’ Plan to Escape from Varnavata

I could feel the anticipation growing, both in my heart and in the Pandavas’. I sometimes heard them whisper as they worked on the tunnel. One particular conversation about a month ago stood out in my mind. 

Sahadeva asked, “Will this tunnel be ready in time?”

Yudhishthira consoled him, “Of course, look at us working so hard. How can we not finish it? Don’t worry, my dear brother. All will be fine.”

“But what are we going to do after we escape? Return to Hastinapur and tell everyone about Duryodhana’s devious plans?” Nakula chimed in.

This question brought worry lines to Yudhishthira’s face. “I am not sure about the answer to that question yet. Will the people believe us? Will our elders punish the powerful, influential Duryodhana? Whose side will they take? Moreover, Uncle Vidura thinks it is better for us to remain hidden for some time and let the Kauravas believe we are dead. He said we could use this time to reflect and find ways to enhance our political power and influence.”

“That sounds like a good plan. Anyway, I am not in any mood to return to Hastinapur. I hate Duryodhana and his bullying brothers!” Nakula chimed.

Sahadeva brought the focus back to what happens after the escape. “So how will we fake our death?”

Yudhishthira avoided eye contact while answering this question. “Arjuna has already befriended a Nishada family of five brothers and their widowed mother. They will take our place.”

While Sahadeva gasped at the import of this news, I gasped louder. Are they going to sacrifice an innocent family to escape?

“Yes, the deed seems as murderous as what our cousin planned for us. But I believe as Kshatriyas and future rulers, strategy and self-defence are big parts of our lives. Moreover, the people Arjuna chose for this plan are hardened criminals. They have killed and maimed many people during their lives as dacoits and robbers. They deserve to die.”

The brothers kept working, all avoiding eye contact with each other. 

I looked up and saw Shiva staring at me from his enormous cave home in Mount Kailash. 

How does he know I need him?

He smiled and mouthed, “Remember, you are nothing more than a witness.”

I nodded, although my insides churned, as much as they did when I heard the discussion between Duryodhana and Purochana.

Varanavata’s Lakshagriha Flames Up

The fateful night arrived. Arjuna, pretending to be a servant in the palace, brought the five Nishada brothers and their mother on the pretext of robbing it. Arjuna left them in a room in the basement, telling them to hide there and that he will come once the family retired for the night. He left them food and drink. 

“Enjoy yourselves. It’s going to take time, anyway,” Arjuna said, smiling. 

As expected, the Nishada family ate and drank to their hearts’ fill, unaware that a sedative had been added to their food. Soon, they fell into a deep, peaceful sleep.

Purochana was invited for dinner, too, separately, completely unaware of the Pandavas’ plan. He came thinking it might be the last dinner the brothers might host. Just that morning, he received a message from Duryodhana giving him a date next week to set the palace on fire, now that the Pandavas were complacently comfortable in Varanavata.

Well, I knew otherwise. The Lord of Death was waiting at the door of the Lakshagriha for Purochana, not the Pandavas.

At midnight, the architect was woken by the strong smell of ghee and animal fat burning. He jumped out of bed, rushed to the door, and tried to open it. It was locked from the outside.

The truth hit him like a bolt from the sky!

They always knew. They were always a step ahead!

Whoosh!

Roooaar!

Thud!

Crackle!

The Lakshagriha burnt down leaving a huge mound of ashes. Seven bodies were recovered. Duryodhana was thrilled that his plan had worked although he wondered who was the seventh dead person.

Where the hell is Purochana? Moreover, why did he advance the date? I told him to do it on Poornima! It doesn’t matter, of course, as long as the wretched brothers and their mother are gone forever!

I was happy, very happy to see the Pandavas and Mother Kunti running through the tunnel towards freedom, far away from the dangers of fire. But I could see Yudhisthira’s eyes filled with unshed tears for the Nishadha family. 

Yes, they were criminals. But who am I to decide their fate? What consequences will I face for these choices? Damn you, Duryodhana!

Author’s Note:

This blog post is part of ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla in collaboration with Ratna Prabha.

This post is a part of Blogchatter Half Marathon 2.0