Chapter 15: Duryodhana reveals his wicked disposition and desire to seize the kingdom by plotting Bhīma’s death; Yudhiṣṭhira takes control under Vidura’s guidance.

The Pāṇḍavas grow up with Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s sons, and the Pāṇḍavas—especially Bhīma—repeatedly overpower them in play, though without malice.

The Pandavas then received the rites prescribed by the Vedas, and they grew up enjoying the pleasures of their father’s house. (BORI: 1-119-13)

[PV-KDV:01_021_1] (Bharata)

While playing with the sons of Dhritarashtra in their father's house, the Pandavas excelled in all the games of childhood. (BORI: 1-119-14)

[PV-KDV:01_021_2] (Bharata)

In speed, target striking, eating, and dragging others through the dust, Bhimasena bested all the sons of Dhritarashtra. (BORI: 1-119-15)

[PV-KDV:01_021_3] (Bharata)

In his exuberance, the Pandava would catch them as they played hide-and-seek and, gripping them by the head, make them fight. (BORI: 1-119-16)

[PV-KDV:01_021_4] (Bharata)

Bhima alone would overpower all one hundred and one of those mighty princes without much difficulty. (BORI: 1-119-17)

[PV-KDV:01_021_5] (Bharata)

The strong one seized them by the feet, threw them down by force, and dragged them across the ground as they cried out, scraping their knees, heads, and eyes. (BORI: 1-119-18)

[PV-KDV:01_021_6] (Bharata)

While playing in the water, he would seize ten boys in his arms and remain submerged, releasing them only when they were nearly dead. (BORI: 1-119-19)

[PV-KDV:01_021_7] (Bharata)

When they climbed a tree to gather fruit, Bhima would shake the tree with a kick. (BORI: 1-119-20)

[PV-KDV:01_021_8] (Bharata)

Then the boys, sent reeling and shaken loose, came tumbling swiftly down along with the fruit from the tree struck by the force of the blow. (BORI: 1-119-21)

[PV-KDV:01_021_9] (Bharata)

Those princes, though competing with Vrikodara, could never surpass him in wrestling, speed, or athletic exercises. (BORI: 1-119-22)

[PV-KDV:01_021_10] (Bharata)

Thus Vrikodara, competing with Dhritarashtra’s sons, constantly acted in ways that displeased them, out of childishness and not with malicious intent. (BORI: 1-119-23)

[PV-KDV:01_021_11] (Bharata)

Duryodhana reveals his wicked disposition and desire to seize the kingdom by poisoning and drowning Bhīma.

Then the mighty son of Dhritarashtra, learning of Bhimasena’s renowned strength, revealed his wicked disposition. (BORI: 1-119-24)

[PV-KDV:01_021_12] (Bharata)

As he strayed from righteousness and contemplated evil deeds, an evil thought arose in him from delusion and greed for power. (BORI: 1-119-25)

[PV-KDV:01_021_13] (Bharata)

Let this Kunti-born Bhima, foremost of the strong and the middle of Pandu’s sons, be slain by treachery. (BORI: 1-119-26)

[PV-KDV:01_021_14] (Bharata)

Then I shall overpower and imprison his younger brother, as well as the eldest, Yudhishthira, and rule the earth. (BORI: 1-119-27)

[PV-KDV:01_021_15] (Bharata)

Having thus formed his wicked resolve, Duryodhana constantly watched for an opportunity against the noble Bhima. (BORI: 1-119-28)

[PV-KDV:01_021_16] (Bharata)

Then, O Bharata, he had large, elaborate pavilions of cloth and blankets built for water sports. (BORI: 1-119-29)

[PV-KDV:01_021_17] (Bharata)

Having reached a certain spot on dry ground at Pramāṇakoṭi, at the end of their games they all, clad in clean garments and finely adorned, leisurely ate the food, which provided everything they could desire. (BORI: 1-119-30)

[PV-KDV:01_021_18] (Bharata)

At the end of the day, after their sport had left them weary, the heroic scions of Kuru chose to spend the night in the pleasure pavilions themselves. (BORI: 1-119-31)

[PV-KDV:01_021_19] (Bharata)

Seated there, all the Pandavas and Kauravas enjoyed the many pleasures provided here and there. (KUMB: 1-138-13 (6197))

[PV-KDV:01_021_20] (Bharata)

Then, having gone to play in that splendid garden, they put various delicacies into one another’s mouths. (KUMB: 1-138-14 (6198))

[PV-KDV:01_021_21] (Bharata)

Then the wicked Duryodhana, intent on killing Bhimasena, had the poison Kalakuta mixed into his food. (KUMB: 1-138-15 (6199))

[PV-KDV:01_021_22] (Bharata)

Then, rising himself, he—razor-like at heart but nectar-sweet in speech, like a brother and a friend—... (KUMB: 1-138-16 (6200))

[PV-KDV:01_021_23] (Bharata)

Acting as cook, he himself served Bhima a large quantity of food, and Bhima devoured it, unaware of the poison. (KUMB: 1-138-17 (6201))

[PV-KDV:01_021_24] (Bharata)

Then all of them together—the Pandavas and the sons of Dhritarashtra—played in the water, their hearts joyful. (KUMB: 1-138-19 (6203))

[PV-KDV:01_021_25] (Bharata)

But mighty Bhima, weary then from having exerted himself more than the others, carried the princes who had gone to play in the water. Seeking a place to rest at Pramanakoti, the powerful hero climbed onto that spot and fell asleep. (BORI: 1-119-32)

[PV-KDV:01_021_26] (Bharata)

Having found a cool place to rest, the weary Pandava, stupefied by intoxication, lay motionless and slept, O king, as though dead. (BORI: 1-119-33)

[PV-KDV:01_021_27] (Bharata)

Then Duryodhana quietly bound Bhima with cords of creepers and threw him from the bank into the deep water with its fearsome current. (BORI: 1-119-34)

[PV-KDV:01_021_28] (Bharata)

Vaiśampāyana said: (KUMB: 1-139-0क्ष् (818))

[PV-KDV:01_021_29] (Bharata)

Then the wicked Duryodhana, having thrown Bhima into the lake of venomous snakes, considered himself to have accomplished his purpose. (KUMB: 1-139-1 (6228))

[PV-KDV:01_021_30] (Bharata)

When night gave way to dawn, he entered the city, saying, “Bhimasena has gone on ahead of us.” (॥KUMB: 1-139-2 (6229))

[PV-KDV:01_021_31] (Bharata)

The Pāṇḍavas panic over Bhīma’s disappearance; Vidura urges secrecy for their safety and reassures them that Bhīma will return.

But the righteous Yudhishthira, knowing no evil in himself, judged another by his own measure and regarded him as virtuous. (KUMB: 1-139-3 (6230))

[PV-KDV:01_021_32] (Bharata)

Then Pārtha, devoted to his brothers, approached his mother, saluted Kuntī, and said, “Mother, has Bhīma come here?” (KUMB: 1-139-4 (6231))

[PV-KDV:01_021_33] (Bharata)

Where could he have gone, Mother? I do not see him here, gracious lady. The gardens and the forest have been searched on every side. (KUMB: 1-139-5 (6232))

[PV-KDV:01_021_34] (Bharata)

for him; but we did not see the hero Vrikodara. Then, all of us thinking that he had gone on ahead of us… (KUMB: 1-139-6 (6233))

[PV-KDV:01_021_35] (Bharata)

We came, noble lady, with troubled hearts. After coming here, where did he go, or where was he sent by you? (KUMB: 1-139-7 (6234))

[PV-KDV:01_021_36] (Bharata)

Tell me about mighty-armed Bhimasena, illustrious lady, for my mind is uneasy about that hero, fair one. (KUMB: 1-139-8 (6235))

[PV-KDV:01_021_37] (Bharata)

“For I do not think Bhima is asleep; he has been killed.” Thus addressed by the wise Dharmaraja, Kunti then… (KUMB: 1-139-9 (6236))

[PV-KDV:01_021_38] (Bharata)

Crying “Alas!” in alarm, she replied to Yudhishthira, “No, my son, I do not see Bhima, and he has not come to me.” (KUMB: 1-139-10 (6237))

[PV-KDV:01_021_39] (Bharata)

“Quickly make every effort to find him, together with his younger brothers.” The Pandavas hastened to the palace garden and searched for him. (KUMB: 1-139-11 (6238))

[PV-KDV:01_021_40] (Bharata)

As they searched, the Pandavas all called out, “Bhima! Bhima!” but could not find their brother. (KUMB: 1-139-12 (6239))

[PV-KDV:01_021_41] (Bharata)

Returning home, they then said to Pritha, “Mother, mighty-armed Bhima has not been found, though we searched for him in the forest.” (KUMB: 1-139-13 (6240))

[PV-KDV:01_021_42] (Bharata)

We have searched all the gardens and the rivers as well. (KUMB: 1-139-14 (6241))

[PV-KDV:01_021_43] (Bharata)

Vaiśampāyana said: Then Kunti, having summoned Vidura to her own residence... (KUMB: 1-139-14क्ष् (819))

[PV-KDV:01_021_44] (Bharata)

She said, “O Kshattr, the mighty Bhimasena is nowhere to be seen.” (KUMB: 1-139-15 (6242))

[PV-KDV:01_021_45] (Bharata)

All the brothers left the garden together, but mighty-armed Bhima alone has not returned to me here. (KUMB: 1-139-16 (6243))

[PV-KDV:01_021_46] (Bharata)

Nor is he ever pleasing in Duryodhana’s sight. That cruel, wicked-minded, petty, shameless man, greedy for the kingdom… (KUMB: 1-139-17 (6244))

[PV-KDV:01_021_47] (Bharata)

In a fit of rage, Suyodhana might even kill that hero. Therefore my mind is troubled, and my heart seems to burn. (KUMB: 1-139-18 (6245))

[PV-KDV:01_021_48] (Bharata)

Vidura said: (KUMB: 1-139-19क्ष् (820))

[PV-KDV:01_021_49] (Bharata)

Do not speak so, gracious lady. Protect those who remain, for that wicked man, if rebuffed, might attack even the rest of your children. (KUMB: 1-139-19 (6246))

[PV-KDV:01_021_50] (Bharata)

Your sons will be long-lived, as the great sage said. Your son will come and bring you joy. (KUMB: 1-139-20 (6247))

[PV-KDV:01_021_51] (Bharata)

Vaiśampāyana said: (KUMB: 1-139-21क्ष् (821))

[PV-KDV:01_021_52] (Bharata)

Having said this, the wise Vidura went to his own residence. Kunti remained at home with her sons, absorbed in anxious thought. (KUMB: 1-139-21 (6248))

[PV-KDV:01_021_53] (Bharata)

Bhīma returns unharmed, and Yudhiṣṭhira orders secrecy and mutual vigilance in close consultation with Vidura.

Unconscious, the Pandava sank headfirst to the bottom of the water, landing upon young Nagas in their abode. (KUMB: 1-138-25; NILA: 01.128.055)

[PV-KDV:01_021_54] (Bharata)

Then many highly venomous, exceedingly fierce serpents with great fangs gathered and bit Bhima savagely. (KUMB: 1-138-26 (6210))

[PV-KDV:01_021_55] (Bharata)

Although those fanged serpents sank their fangs even into his vital points, they could not pierce the skin of the broad-chested man because of its toughness. (BORI: 1-119-37)

[PV-KDV:01_021_56] (Bharata)

Then Kunti’s mighty son Bhimasena rose and swiftly returned to his mother. (KUMB: 1-139-31 (6258))

[PV-KDV:01_021_57] (Bharata)

Then, after respectfully greeting his mother and his elder brother, the crusher of foes kissed his younger brothers on the head. (KUMB: 1-139-32 (6259))

[PV-KDV:01_021_58] (Bharata)

He in turn was warmly embraced by those best of men and by his mother; in their mutual affection, they exclaimed, “Thank heaven! Thank heaven!” (KUMB: 1-139-33 (6260))

[PV-KDV:01_021_59] (Bharata)

Then Bhimasena, mighty in strength and valor, told his brothers everything Duryodhana had done. (KUMB: 1-139-34 (6261))

[PV-KDV:01_021_60] (Bharata)

Then King Yudhishthira spoke these meaningful words to Bhima: “Be silent. You must never speak of this matter.” (KUMB: 1-139-36 (6263))

[PV-KDV:01_021_61] (Bharata)

“From now on, carefully protect this son of Kunti and one another.” Having said this, mighty-armed King Yudhishthira, the lord of dharma… (KUMB: 1-139-37 (6264))

[PV-KDV:01_021_62] (Bharata)

Together with all his brothers, he then remained vigilant. But when the Pandavas learned of that deed of his… (KUMB: 1-139-38 (6265))

[PV-KDV:01_021_63] (Bharata)

But they made little of it, taking care to keep the matter secret. The wise and righteous Vidura gave them counsel. (KUMB: 1-139-39 (6266))

[PV-KDV:01_021_64] (Bharata)

Duryodhana again poisons Bhīma’s food; despite Yuyutsu’s warning, Bhīma consumes and digests the deadly poison unharmed.

Duryodhana too, seeing that Pandava returned, sighs and broods in this way, tormented day after day. (KUMB: 1-139-40 (6267))

[PV-KDV:01_021_65] (Bharata)

Once again, he had poison put into Bhimasena’s food—fresh, virulent Kalakuta poison, gathered in a quantity that made the hair stand on end. (BORI: 1-119-39)

[PV-KDV:01_021_66] (Bharata)

The son of a Vaishya revealed this out of concern for the sons of Pritha; but Vrikodara ate it and digested it without suffering any ill effects. (BORI: 1-119-40)

[PV-KDV:01_021_67] (Bharata)

For even that extremely potent poison had no effect on him. Bhima, with his formidable constitution, then digested it as well. (BORI: 1-119-41)

[PV-KDV:01_021_68] (Bharata)

The Pandavas too, those subduers of foes, were aware of all this, but, following Vidura’s counsel, they gave no sign of it. (BORI: 1-119-43)

[PV-KDV:01_021_69] (Bharata)