01.135
Core:Skilled digger sent by Vidura builds tunnel secretly.
Vaiśampāyana said:
A certain skilled miner, a friend of Vidura, once said this to the Pāṇḍavas in private, O king.
I am a skilled miner, sent by Vidura. Tell me, what shall I do for you that would be for your welfare?
Vidura has secretly instructed me to ensure the welfare of the Pāṇḍavas here out of trust—so what shall I do for you?
On the night of the fourteenth day in the dark fortnight, Purocana will set fire to the door of this house of yours.
I have heard that it is resolved by the son of Dhṛtarāṣṭra that the Pāṇḍavas, bulls among men, are to be burned along with their mother, O son of Pṛthā.
Vidura also once spoke in a foreign tongue, O Pāṇḍava, and you replied accordingly—this has become a reason for my trust.
Yudhiṣṭhira, son of Kuntī and true in resolve, said to him: “O gentle one, I indeed recognize you as a friend of Vidura.”
One who is pure, trusted, dear, and always firmly devoted—such a person needs no sign of recognition from the wise.
As he was ours, so are you; we are one with you. Be to us what he was, and protect us as the wise would do.
This shelter, I believe, is flammable and built for my destruction by Purocana under the command of Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s son.
That wicked, wealthy, and evil-minded man with allies, constantly torments us, O evil-souled one.
May you deliver us with effort from this fire; for if we are burned here, Duryodhana will have his desire fulfilled.
This great and well-stocked armory of that wicked one has been built defenselessly on the outskirts to ensnare us.
This indeed is the evil act he intended; Vidura already knew this, and thus warned us.
This danger foreseen long ago by the wise Vidura has now arrived; rescue us from Purocana’s notice.
Having promised thus, the miner undertook the task and dug a large tunnel, like a moat.
In the center of that house, he made a concealed, not-too-large door-level opening with a door, hidden and level with the ground, O Bhārata.
Out of fear of Purocana, he made a concealed entrance. And that evil-minded Purocana always dwelt at the house entrance.
There, all the armed Pāṇḍavas stayed through the nights, O king, and roamed the forests for hunting by day.
Though distrusting, they acted as if trusting, deceiving Purocana; though deeply troubled, they appeared content, O king.
No one among the city dwellers knew their plans—except the minister Vidura and that excellent miner.
