“Hearing this, Bhima replied, ’If, sir, you know this house to be so inflammable, it would then be well for us to return thither where we had taken up our quarters first.’  Yudhishthira replied, ’It seems to me that we should rather continue to live here in seeming unsuspiciousness but all the while with caution and our senses wide awake and seeking for some certain means of escape.  If Purochana findeth from our countenances that we have fathomed designs, acting with haste he may suddenly burn us to death.  Indeed, Purochana careth little for obloquy or sin.  The wretch stayeth here acting under the instruction of Duryodhana.  If we are burnt to death, will our grandfather Bhishma be angry?  Why will he, by showing his wrath, make the Kauravas angry with him?  Or, perhaps, our grandfather Bhishma and the other bull of Kuru’s race, regarding indignation at such a sinful act to be virtuous, may become wrathful.  If however, from fear of being burnt, we fly from here, Duryodhana, ambitious of sovereignty will certainly compass our death by means of spies.  While we have no rank and power, Duryodhana hath both; while we have no friends and allies, Duryodhana hath both; while we are without wealth, Duryodhana hath at his command a full treasury.  Will he not, therefore, certainly destroy us by adopting adequate means?  Let us, therefore, by deceiving this wretch (Purochana) and that other wretch Duryodhana, pass our days, disguising ourselves at times.  Let us also lead a hunting life, wandering over the earth.  We shall then, if we have to escape our enemies, be familiar with all paths.  We shall also, this very day, cause a subterranean passage to be dug in our chamber in great secrecy.  If we act in this way, concealing what we do from all, fire shall never be able to consume us.  We shall live here, actively doing everything for our safety but with such privacy that neither Purochana nor any of the citizens of Varanavata may know what we are after.’”

SECTION CXLIX

(Jatugriha Parva continued)

“Vaisampayana continued, ’A friend of Vidura’s, well-skilled in mining, coming unto the Pandavas, addressed them in secret, saying, ’I have been sent by Vidura and am a skilful miner.  I am to serve the Pandavas.  Tell me what I am to do for ye.  From the trust he reposeth in me Vidura hath said unto me, ’Go thou unto the Pandavas and accomplish thou their good.  What shall I do for you?  Purochana will set fire to the door of thy house on the fourteenth night of this dark fortnight.  To burn to death those tigers among men, the Pandavas, with their mother, is the design of that wicked wretch, the son of Dhritarashtra.  O son of Pandu, Vidura also told thee something in the Mlechchha tongue to which thou also didst reply in same language.  I state these particulars as my credentials.’  Hearing these words, Yudhishthira, the truthful son of Kunti replied, ’O amiable one, I now know thee as a dear and trusted friend of