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"Varnavata is breathtaking, with spectacular groves and gardens," said Dhritarashtra. "The Shivaratri celebrations will only enhance the city's beauty. You will most certainly enjoy your vacation there. My children, you will have to handle the administrative affairs here in the future. During this annual festival, it is imperative that someone from the royal family be present there. Go to Varnavata with your mother and have a good time."

The city of Varnavata was situated on the Ganga riverbank. Journeying there from Hastinapura would take eight days. Varnavata was, in fact, a part of the Kuru kingdom. Its citizens were also eager to see the Prince of Hastinapura. Yudhishthira was noble-minded and peace-loving, but he wasn't stupid. He had some doubts about Dhritarashtra's insistence that the Pandavas go to Varnavata but did not refuse out of respect for the Emperor.

Vidura accompanied the Pandavas up to the outskirts of Hastinapura. He then took Yudhishthira aside and, in a solemn tone, said to him, "When one learns that the enemy is plotting against them, it is important to be cautious—this is the first rule of politics. A person who pays close attention to his five senses can never be defeated. There are some weapons—apart from the primary ones—that are equally destructive. Wild animals know perfectly well that hay and sticks can catch fire." Yudhishthira was sharp and fully grasped what Vidura was trying to say. 

After Vidura departed to return to Hastinapura, Kunti wished to know what he had told Yudhishthira. The latter replied, "He said that the mansion built for us in Varnavata is flammable. He advised that we take a lesson from the fox, which makes more than one exit from its den." Kunti and Yudhishthira decided to keep this secret for the time being.