Father and Son

"Father, if you send the Pandavas out of Hastinapura on some pretext, we will have the opportunity to scheme against them," Duryodhana told Emperor Dhritarashtra. "Send them to Varnavata. Then we will have time to implement our plan."

Dhritarashtra was in a dilemma. He tried to oppose his son's demand. "Pandu never refused me anything. Once, he even gave me a kingdom he had won. His firstborn, Yudhishthira, is honest and qualified, and the citizens think the world of him. He cannot be expelled from the kingdom, nor can he be deprived of his legitimate right."

Duryodhana deviously refuted all of Dhritarashtra's arguments. "Father, not sending the Pandavas away could have dire consequences. As the king, you control the treasury, and the ministers are loyal to us. We are in a secure situation. If the Pandavas are not in the city, I will have the opportunity to earn the goodwill of the people, and the throne will be mine. After that, even if the Pandavas return, it will make no difference."

Dhritarashtra still didn't fully agree with his son. He wanted him to succeed but also expressed his apprehension. "What you're suggesting is a crime. Bhishma, Drona, and Vidura would never allow it—and would kill us if we somehow went through with it."

Duryodhana wasn't one to accept defeat so easily. He kept arguing, "As long as you're the king, Bhishma will remain on your side. Drona and Vidura will also have no other choice. Just send the Pandavas to Varnavata on the pretext of visiting the city. In the meantime, I will garner the support of the people."

Finally, Dhritarashtra reluctantly consented to his son's proposal. He got his chance on the eve of Shivratri, when everyone was present in court. At his signal, the ministers began describing the splendor of Varnavata. He then suggested to the Pandavas that they take an excursion there.