Kaitava: The House of Lac

Pandavas escape the burning palace

Duryodhana's poisoning failed. His humiliation at the rangabhumi festered. Now he turns to his most elaborate murder plot yet, a beautiful palace built entirely of lac and other inflammable materials, designed to become a funeral pyre. But Vidura's cryptic warning and a secret tunnel offer the Pandavas a desperate chance at survival. The world will believe them dead, and in that death, their true journey begins.

Kaitava: The House of Lac

After the tournament at the rangabhumi, the rivalry between the cousins could no longer be concealed. Yudhishthira's popularity among the citizens grew daily, they saw in him a righteous king, a worthy successor to the great Bharata. Duryodhana watched this admiration with mounting fury.

"Father," he pleaded with Dhritarashtra, "the people love Yudhishthira. If he is crowned, we will be reduced to nothing. Do you want your own sons to become beggars in their own kingdom?"

Dhritarashtra, torn between duty and love for his sons, made no decision, which was itself a decision. His silence gave Duryodhana permission to act.

The Plot Takes Shape

With Shakuni's counsel and Karna's support, Duryodhana devised his most ambitious scheme yet. In the town of Varanavata, a grand festival was to be held. The Pandavas would be sent to attend, ostensibly as royal representatives, actually as sacrificial lambs.

Duryodhana summoned Purochana, a skilled architect utterly loyal to him. "Build a palace in Varanavata for my cousins," he instructed. "Make it magnificent, the most beautiful structure anyone has seen. But build it of lac, hemp, straw, and other materials that burn easily. Soak the walls in oil and ghee. Let it smell of sandalwood and seem like paradise."

"And when the time comes?" Purochana asked.

"Set it ablaze. Let my cousins sleep their last sleep within those fragrant walls. When the fire dies, tell the world it was an accident, a lamp overturned, a spark from the kitchen. Who will question a tragedy?"

Purochana traveled to Varanavata to begin construction. The Pandavas, meanwhile, received an invitation that was really a command. Dhritarashtra, speaking words that Duryodhana had composed, suggested that the Pandavas attend the Varanavata festival.

"The people there wish to see Pandu's sons," the blind king said. "It would please me if you went."