Dhritarastra was king of Kurus. But he was a king in name only. Pandu won all the territories of his kingdom. Conduct of Pandavas was highly appreciated by all, except the Kauravas. Yudhisthir, being eldest among the princes was to succeed him. So, he was appointed the crown prince and the people were very happy.

In the mean time, Duryodhana and Bhima had become disciple of Balarama, the elder brother of Krishna. Balarama was the greatest wielder of the mace. His skill was unique. Both, Bhima and Duryodhana tried their best to master the art of mace fighting under the tutorship of Balarama. Strangely, Duryodhana, became a favourite of Balarama like Arjuna was of Drona. Arjuna also finished his lessons of archery. Drona called him and declared, " You are the greatest archer on earth, only with the exception of Krishna. Krishna is something beyond the ability of the greatest of gurus and deans to fathom. He is your cousin, befriend him. Then no man or god will be able to harm you."

The appointment of Yudhisthir as the crown prince came as a shock to Duryodhana. He confronted his father, the blind king. He asked him how could he ignore his claim. It was he, who was the son of the king. Dhristarastra told that Yudhisthira and Pandavas were too popular among the people of the kingdom and Bhishma, Vidur, Drona also favoured Yudhisthira. Then Duryodhana pleaded with his father that the Pandavas be asked to go away to some far off place for a year. During the year he should be appointed the crown prince. He hoped that with a year he would become even more popular then Yudhisthira. When Pandavas return after a year, Yudhisthira could be re-appointed as the crown prince. Dhritarastra agreed to the suggestion. Duryodhana, aided and abetted by his evil minded uncle Shakuni got busy to hatch a conspiracy.

Dhritarastra called Yudhisthira after a few days. The king said, "I hear that the city of Varnavata is very beautiful. Why don't' you go there and spend a year in the company of your brother to relax and enjoy? After a year, you should come back to Hastinapura. What is your view? Yudhisthira saw through the whole thing. But he was obedient to the elders. He agreed. While taking leave of his elders Drona and Kripa and Vidura, he was advised to keep his eyes open and to be very careful, by Vidura. Vidura had the power to see through the past and the future. Yudhisthira his four brothers and their mother Kunti started for Varnavata.

Duryodhana and Shakuni called Purochana, a minister in the court. They decided to build a house of wax and lac in Varnavata and to burn the Pandavas alive in it during their stay. Purochana reached Varnavata by the swiftest possible means and by the time, Pandavas and their mother he had got a palatial house of lac and wax built.

THE BURNING OF THE HOUSE OF LAC:

In the Varnavata, a city dedicated to Lord Shiva and made famous by the legendary king. Harishchandra, of solar race, who had stayed in the city, for a while during his bad days. The citizens of the city were extremely happy to find Pandavas among them. They were always coming to them to pay their respects. Amidst these festivities, Purochana approached Pandavas full of false modesty and made request that Pandavas should stay in the grand house specially built for their stay at the command of king Dhritarastra. Pandavas agreed and while entering the house they noticed the strange colour of lac, wax, oils and other inflammable materials. Yudhisthira asked Bhima to check the entire house carefully. Bhima reported that a lot of oil and other inflammatory substances were concealed in the secret chambers of the house. Purochana a model of servility always was at their back and call.

A miner sent by Vidura came to Yudhisthira and gave his message to him, in coded language. Yudhisthira being much relieved, asked the miner, What was to be done. The miner said that he would dig out a tunnel from the house, which would take them on the bank of river Ganga. As the year was coming to close, Yudhisthira organised a big celebration. All citizens were offered excellent food and drinks. A maidservant close to Purochana, her five sons and Purochana having taken their fill of the drinks and food were sleeping in the house. During the night, Pandavas, their mother Kunti left by the tunnel to the banks of Ganga while Bhima set the house on fire. Purochana the maid and her five sons were burnt to death in the fire. When Pandavas reached the banks of Ganga a boatman, sent by Vidura was there, ready to take them to other shore. His men informed Vidura that the Pandavas and Kunti were safely conducted out of the house of lac and had crossed the river Ganga.

In Hastinapura, the news of the tragedy caused acute agony to the people and to Bhishma, Kripa etc. Vidura knew the truth. All gathered on the banks of Ganga to perform funeral rites and to pay oblation to the departed. Vidura took Bhishma aside and told him about the conspiracy and how Pandavas escaped.

Pandavas after crossing Ganga travelled towards South. They reached Siddhavata. All Pandavas were very tired, Bhima carried them on his shoulders. After travelling through the night, they all, specially, Kunti felt very tired, thirsty and hungry. While they all rested under a tree, Bhima went in search of water. He came to a beautiful lake full of lotus flowers. Bhima took bath and drank the cool water. He made a cup of lotus leaves and carried water in it to his brothers and mother. They drank water and fell down to sleep. Bhima was keeping watch.

The forest where they were sleeping was named Hidimbavana and belonged to rakshas named Hidimba. He and his sister Hidimbi lived in that forest eating all human beings who, strayed there. Hidimba smelt human beings. He told his sister to go and kill them. She went there, she saw the sleeping Pandavas and their mother and also Bhima who was awake and keeping a watch. Seeing Bhima She fell in love with him. She became so overcome with love that she forgot all about her brother's command. She assuming the form of a beautiful woman approached Bhima. Bhima was surprised to see such a beautiful woman in the forest. Amazed he asked, "Who are you? You are such a beautiful woman, what are you doing in this dreadful forest at such an hour?" She asked in a very sweet voice, " Who are you? " So handsome and brave? Who are these sleeping over there? Don't you know that this forest belongs to a cruel rakshasa called Hidimba? He is very fond of human flesh. I am his sister Hidimbi. He sent me here to kill you but after seeing you, I have fallen in love with you. I cannot live without you. Be my lord and master. Please marry me. Bhima said this is my mother and here is my elder brother and there are my younger brothers sleeping. I cannot think of marrying you.

The rakshasa hearing the dialogues between his sister and Bhima was very furious. He came there with intent to kill him. An awe some fight ensured between them. Each intent upon killing the other. Hidimbi sat there watching the fight. The noise woke up the Pandavas and Kunti. They found Bhima engaged in a duel with a rakshasa and a beautiful woman watching Bhima full of love. Kunti asked her,"who are you" Are you the goddess of the forest? Why are you here? Tell me. She told everything to Kunti and about her love for Bhima. After a long fight Bhima was able to kill the rakshasa.Then Yudhisthira said,: It seems there is a city nearby and lets go there. They started their journey. Hidimbi walking with them approached Kunti and pleaded that she wanted to marry Bhima. Kunti and all Pandavas listened to her. Kunti reading her thoughts and also of Bhima, gave her permission.