(Jatugriha Parva)

“Vaisampayana said, ’Then the son of Suvala (Sakuni), king Duryodhana, Duhsasana and Kama, in consultation with one another, formed an evil conspiracy.  With the sanction of Dhritarashtra, the king of the Kurus, they resolved to burn to death Kunti and her (five) sons.  But that wise Vidura, capable of reading the heart by external signs, ascertained the intention of these wicked persons by observing their countenances alone.  Then the sinless Vidura, of soul enlightened by true knowledge, and devoted to the good of the Pandavas, came to the conclusion that Kunti with her children should fly away from her foes.  And providing for that purpose a boat strong enough to withstand both wind and wave, he addressed Kunti and said, ’This Dhritarashtra hath been born for destroying the fame and offspring of the (Kuru) race.  Of wicked soul, he is about to cast off eternal virtue.  O blessed one, I have kept ready on the stream a boat capable of withstanding both wind and wave.  Escape by it with thy children from the net that death hath spread around you.’

“Vaisampayana continued, ’Hearing these words, the illustrious Kunti was deeply grieved, and with her children, O bull of Bharata’s race, stepped into the boat and went over the Ganges.  Then leaving the boat according to the advice of Vidura, the Pandavas took with them the wealth that had been given to them (while at Varanavata) by their enemies and safely entered the deep woods.  In the house of lac, however, that had been prepared for the destruction of the Pandavas, an innocent Nishada woman who had come there for some purpose, was, with her children burnt to death.  And that worst of Mlechchhas, the wretched Purochana (who was the architect employed in building the house of lac) was also burnt in the conflagration.  And thus were the sons of Dhirtarashtra with their counsellors deceived in their expectations.  And thus also were the illustrious Pandavas, by the advice of Vidura, saved with their mother.  But the people (of Varanavata) knew not of their safety.  And the citizens of Varanavata, seeing the house of lac consumed (and believing the Pandavas to have been burnt to death) became exceedingly sorry.  And they sent messengers unto king Dhritarashtra to represent everything that had happened.  And they said to the monarch, ’Thy great end hath been achieved!  Thou hast at last burnt the Pandavas to death!  Thy desire fulfilled, enjoy with thy children.  O king of the Kurus, the kingdom.’  Hearing this, Dhritarashtra with his children, made a show of grief, and along with his relatives, including Kshattri (Vidura) and Bhishma the foremost of the Kurus, performed the last honours of the Pandavas.’

“Janamejaya said, ’O best of Brahmanas, I desire to hear in full this history of the burning of the house of lac and the escape of the Pandavas there from.  That was a cruel act of theirs (the Kurus), acting under the counsels of the wicked (Kanika).  Recite the history to me of all that happened.  I am burning with curiosity to hear it.’