FIFTY-THREE
Vidura came to Kampilya and Krishna was already there, with Balarama and the Yadava army. When he saw Vidura came laden with gifts from the Kuru king, Drupada came out of his palace to welcome him. The Panchala king led the visitor into his sabha, where Vidura's nephews waited for him like five young lions. With them was a Dark One whose presence filled the palace and Vidura's heart as soon as he saw him.
Yudhishtira ran to his uncle and embraced him. The others followed. Vidura wept as he clasped them to him. He loved them like his own sons; he had missed them and been anxious for them. Talking all at once, in excitement, the Pandavas and their uncle, who had saved their lives, were re-united. Krishna stood by thoughtfully, watching them.
Vidura was introduced formally to Krishna, who bowed to him as an elder. The sage Kuru had the most inexplicable feeling that he knew the Dark One before him: that he had always known him, in dreams and lives gone by. He felt a mysterious surge of joy; Krishna's black eyes shone at him and they were so knowing.
Vidura ordered the servants who had come with him to fetch the lavish gifts he had brought from Dhritarashtra. Yudhishtira received his quietly, as did Drupada and Dhrishtadyumna.
Vidura said, "I bring Dhritarashtra's best wishes. My brother asks me to remember him fondly to you all. Bheeshma and Drona send their greetings and their blessings. They say it is our great fortune that you, O Drupada, have become our relative."
He paused for just a moment, then said blandly, "The Kaurava princes send their greetings as well. Most of all, the people of Hastinapura are overjoyed the Pandavas are alive and married to the most beautiful young woman in the world! They are impatient to have the sons of Pandu return to their father's kingdom, with their bride. The king is also delighted that you escaped death. He says he cannot wait to see his beloved nephews again and embrace them."
It took all Vidura's long experience in the Kuru sabha to keep a straight face as he said this. Krishna, who saw no need for such restraint, smiled broadly at the lie. Bheema's face was a picture. Arjuna bit his lip and his eyes glittered. Yudhishtira was composed, but when he glanced at Krishna a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. Balarama gave a short, cynical laugh, which the rest ignored. Drupada remained impassive, as he had to, being the host.
Vidura went on easily, his eyes also smiling, if not his lips. "The noble Kunti and her sons have been away from their home for many months. Hastinapura eagerly awaits their return. Persuade them to come home with me, my lord."
Drupada bowed to Vidura. Formally, he said, "The alliance between our two kingdoms brings me also joy. However, dear Vidura, it is not for me to tell the Pandavas if they should return home with you or remain here with us, where they are more than welcome. I think the decision is for Yudhishtira to make. And his cousins, Krishna and Balarama, are here to advise him better than I can."
Turning to Krishna, who had been silent until now, Drupada asked, "Krishna, what do you say?"
"I think they should go back to Hastinapura."
The Pandavas were startled. Arjuna stared at Krishna; Yudhishtira seemed troubled. Krishna said, "That is my opinion. But let Drupada decide what you should do."
Drupada said, "I agree with Krishna. You should return to Hastinapura and see what the future holds for you. Discover what Dhritarashtra truly intends. Besides, Krishna's concern for the Pandavas is even greater than Yudhishtira's!"
Krishna was still smiling. "My cousins fear for their safety. I will go with them to Hastinapura and guarantee their wellbeing."
"If you come with us, we will return to Hastinapura," said Yudhishtira at once.
Vidura went in to meet Kunti. She cried, "Ah, Vidura! We would have been dead but for you. I say a prayer for you every day."
Vidura said, "Bheeshma and Drona want your sons back in Hastinapura. The people are ecstatic that the Pandavas are alive. Dhritarashtra has relented, at least since circumstances exposed him. Krishna and Drupada endorse the idea: you and your sons must come home."
Kunti was grave with concern. "I am not sure it is the wise course. Dhritarashtra and his sons hate my princes. Won't they try to kill them again?"
"They dare not; the people will rise up against them. They did not expect the people to speak out as they did after the house of lac burned down. They did not think fingers of blame would point at them as openly as they have. Dhritarashtra, at least, has learnt his lesson.
Now Drupada's daughter is your sons' wife and Krishna is with them. You must not be afraid. Your sons are princes of destiny; no harm will come to them. They shall soon be lords of the earth."
And so the Pandavas set out from Kampilya, with Kunti, Krishna and Balarama and with two armies, one of Panchalas and the other of invincible Yadavas. With Draupadi and Vidura, they set out for Hastinapura.