THE WAX PALACE

The wax palace was built under the orders of Duryodhana and Shakuni in a plot to kill the Pandavas along with their mother Kunti. The architect Purochana was employed in the building of Lakshagraha in the forest of Varnavrat.

Yudhisthira apart from learning archery from Drona was regularly going to Vidura the reputed philosopher of the times to seek enlightenment on polity and social sciences. Yudhisthira was a source of inspiration and guidance to all his brothers. Bhishma and Drona had the highest regard for Yudhisthira who acquired wisdom worthy of advanced age in spite of his youth. The extraordinary love and affection bestowed by Yudhisthira and Kunti on Nakula and Sahadeva, who were doubly orphaned on account of death of both their parents, endeared Yudhisthira and Kunti to the citizens of Hastinapura as persons of extraordinary fair play and justice. Yudhisthira, popular as a philosopher prince, Bhima known for his invincible physical prowess, Arjuna very famous for his dexterity in the art of archery; Nakula and Sahadeva with their unflinching co-operation to their brothers formed into a well knit brotherhood known as 'Pancha Pandavas' , their monolithic solidarity becoming proverbial.

The formidable combination had its natural repercussions and counter reactions in the minds of Kuaravas headed by Duryodhana. Dhritarashtra of course was very much attached to his sons but never lagged behind in public demonstration of his love for his brother's sons, the Pandavas. The poor blind king did not know what to do when the two were divided into opposite teams. While he was on the horns of dilemma Duryodhana approached him to plead his case. "Dear father," he said, "something must be done to solve this problem. All of our brothers feel orphaned while you are alive. Look at the public image the Pandavas have for themselves with relentless assiduity. They are instigating the people against you. Now the people are saying in open streets that it is high time that the doting blind King abdicates in favour of Yudhisthira.

They have already given him the epithet of Dharmaraja, the righteous King, in anticipation of his early installation on the throne. You are elder to Pandu and it is your mistake to have allowed him to rule as an independent sovereign. The second mistake you have committed is to proclaim Yudhisthira as the Yuvaraja – to be the heir apparent to the throne. Then what about us? Are we to live as second rate princes dependent entirely on the benevolence of the Pancha Pandavas? Owing to your so called goodness you have unwillingly betrayed the interests of your own children. We cannot expect Bhima or Vidura or anybody else to champion our cause when we are betrayed by our own father. Yudhisthira will soon become the King. We will then have to be at the mercy of the Pandavas. Hell will be better than such a life."


Dhritarashtra argued with his son, "My dear Duryodhana, I quite see your point. As it is, Yudhisthira is the eldest of all the princes. His father was the ruler of the kingdom for a pretty long time and he was held in high esteem by all the people as an able and just monarch. Most of the officers in the realm and in the army were people appointed by him and are bound by ties of loyality to the sons of Pandu. As you yourself have said, the Pandavas are quite popular with the people who are sure to raise in rebellion if they are disinherited. Bhishma, Drona and Vidura and other notables are on their side. After all Yudhisthira is a virtuous man, who I am sure, will treat you with an affectionate regard. Anyway there is no other option for us." But Duryodhana did not agree with his father and offered counter arguments – "Dear father, Yudhisthira is a weaklink and not a virtuous hero. He is good for nothing. The so -called uprightness is a diplomatic superimposition to cover up the apparent imbecility. Even supposing that he is good, the real ruler of the realm will be Bhima who evinces nothing but contemptuous hatred towards us. So it is imperative to send away the Pandavas from Hastinapura to some other place, preferably Varanavata.

Public memory is proverbial short and people will soon forget them. As for Bhishma he will never assert himself against the authority of the King in view of his vow. Asvatthama psychologically will be on our side in spite of his apparent neutrality and Drona cannot openly champion their cause in view of his extraordinary attachment to his son. "Vidura is too much attached to you to defy you. The sermonizing chatter box is not a man of action. His irrelevant prattle is mistaken for philosophy by ignorant multitude. Anyway he is too cultured to engineer any open harm to anybody. On my side the ever dynamic Duhasasana, my brother, uncle Sakuni of unfailing intellect, are there. Last but not the least, Karna, the unique hero in the universe has been the most remarkable reinforcement to our side. We the four can act decisively.

Dhritarashtra gave a patient hearing to his son but could not make up his mind quickly. However the gang of four hatched a conspiracy with meticulous care. Varanavata was extolled indirectly in the presence of Pandavas for its verdant fields and virtuous people, commendable climate and cultural atmosphere. A pre-arranged deputation of the people of Varanavata came to Hastinapura and extended an invitation to the Pandavas to witness the annual festival to be celebrated there shortly in honour of Lord Shiva. Kanika the minister of Sakuni was chosen for brain washing Dhritarashtra. Kanika who was known as an astute politician went to Dhritarashtra ostensibly to discuss the principles of polity and state craft dinned into the ears of the blind king choosing appropriate opportunities that the interests of the sons must be safeguarded by the father. He said to Dhritarashtra finally "The Pandavas may be good but their goodness will be a menace to your sons. They may be the sons of your own brother but authorities on polity declare that potentially fire is less dangerous than the kith and kin, who are as a rule deadlier if dearer.

A small spark can cause a devastating fire and wipe out the whole forest. Beware of the powerful Pandavas who will destroy your sons, if you show suicidal mercy to them. You must send them to Varanavata where they will be annihilated according to a specific secret schedule." Duryodhana added his voice to the advice of Kanika, "Oh father, this is the time to act. Send them to Varanavata. After we have consolidated our position here you may get them back to this palace, as then they will have no supporters." All the while Dhritarashtra was listening what he liked to believe and gave his assent to the plan. He asked Pandavas to go and live at Varanavata for some time in the interests of political expediency as the people there have invited the princes to their place.

The Pandavas were prepared to go to Varanavata in accordance with the directions of king Dhritarashtra and took leave of Bhishma, Drona, Kripa and others. Bhishma who desired that the Kauravas as well as the Pandavas should live in peace and harmony thought a temporary separation might ease the tension between the two groups and gave his blessings for their depature. Drona, who was quite apprehensive of the designs of the gang of four, thought Varanavat might be a safer place for Pandavas than Hastinapura. However Vidura knew fully well that imminent danger awaited the arrival of the Pandavas there. Vidura proved to be a practical idealist instead of a philosopher of Duryodhana's miscalculation. On the departure of the Pandavas to Varanavata Vidura spoke to Yudhisthira in detail about the conspiracy hatched by Duryodhana in the Mleccha language. Vidura gave all the details of the plot. Purochana, the minister of the state, was sent to Varanavata already and he is constructing a palace of wax using the most combustible materials. On a suitable date after lulling everybody to complacency the palace of wax will be set to fire. All precautions were being taken to give it an appearance of a random accident. You must behave as if you know nothing taking all counter precautions. Of course I will try to help you in every way but I am confident of your resourcefulness." Pandavs followed by Kunti Devi went to Varanavata. But the exhilarating excursion they once contemplated turned out to be a dangerous journey into a dismal death trap.

Yudhisthira apprised his mother and all the brothers with all the details of the death trap and cautioned about Purochana. The Pandava princes recollected the philosophical discourses given by Vidura on the eve of their departure. Vidura enunciated the philosophical truth pregnant with meaning. "The conflagration that consumes the whole forest cannot hurt a rat hiding securely in its hole or a porcupine which burrows the earth." The Pandava brothers decided to be extremely vigilant and escape from the death trap, so ingeniously laid for them. The citizens of Varanavata gave a rousing reception to the Pandava Princes and temporary accommodation was provided to them till the palace under construction was ready for occupation. Purochana the minister sent in advance by Duryodhana met Yudhisthira and told him, " Your Excellency, I am asked to supervise the construction of the palace to be occupied by the princes. It is almost ready and final touches are given." Yudhisthira thanked Purochana profusely and treated him with exceptional cordiality and utilized his services to get all the sundry jobs done. Purochana never knew that the Pandavas were secretly supervising the work done by him.