"The mouse is the only creature who does not get harmed during a forest fire." Thus answered Yuddhistira to Vidura's question the night before Pandava's and Kunti were to leave for Varnavat for a festival.
Yuddhistira was crowned the Crown Prince of Hastinapur leaving Duryodhana fuming. Shakuni pulled up his plan at the right time. Shakuni and Duryodhana had a palace constructed out of flammable items in Varnavat. Then Duryodhana convinced his father to order the Pandavas to visit the Varnavat festival this time. Even Queen Kunti agreed to go with her sons. Duryodhana and Shakuni's plan were to set the palace in fire along with the Pandavas.
Vidura always had his doubts on Shakuni and Duryodhana. Through his spies, he came to know about their devious plan. Vidura wanted to warn the Pandavas before they leave for the palace. Finding Shakuni and Duryodhana already there in the Pandavas palace, Vidura asked this riddle to all, "Which animal is not harmed during a forest fire?" That is when Yuddhistira answered.
Also, just before leaving for their trip Vidura informed Pandavas to check the exits of the palace. The Pandavas deciphered that there was certainly something fishy here. Then once in the house, as per some folktales, Kunti saw some ants making holes in the walls and taking some items as food. On further investigation, they came to know that the house was made of lac and wax. It was not hard then to decipher what the plan was.
Vidura had sent a tunnel digger to the Pandavas. A tunnel was dug secretly. Vidura informed them about the date when Duryodhana had planned for the fire to take place. One night before the dooms day, Kunti invited a Shudra lady and five men to the palace. She offered them wine till they lost their consciousness. Then showing her political insight, instructed Pandavas to set the palace on fire and they escaped through the tunnel.
Duryodhana and Shakuni were thrilled on hearing this news. The elders were distraught and Vidura acted as if he is mourning. Now here Kunti (or maybe Vidura in some retellings) showed her political strategy. Kunti decided that this was not the correct time to go back. The Kauravas might kill them if they found out that they were still alive. Advising her sons (especially Bhim and Arjun) to be patient and show restraint. The correct time to return has not come yet.
The metaphor of the mouse is an excellent one over here. the mouse survives the forest fire as it lives in a burrow under the ground. So many times life brings us problems and issues. Maybe, it might make sense to not attack some problem head on but then wait and let it pass on. You might come unscathed if you are sensible.
Yuddhistira was crowned the Crown Prince of Hastinapur leaving Duryodhana fuming. Shakuni pulled up his plan at the right time. Shakuni and Duryodhana had a palace constructed out of flammable items in Varnavat. Then Duryodhana convinced his father to order the Pandavas to visit the Varnavat festival this time. Even Queen Kunti agreed to go with her sons. Duryodhana and Shakuni's plan were to set the palace in fire along with the Pandavas.
Vidura always had his doubts on Shakuni and Duryodhana. Through his spies, he came to know about their devious plan. Vidura wanted to warn the Pandavas before they leave for the palace. Finding Shakuni and Duryodhana already there in the Pandavas palace, Vidura asked this riddle to all, "Which animal is not harmed during a forest fire?" That is when Yuddhistira answered.
Also, just before leaving for their trip Vidura informed Pandavas to check the exits of the palace. The Pandavas deciphered that there was certainly something fishy here. Then once in the house, as per some folktales, Kunti saw some ants making holes in the walls and taking some items as food. On further investigation, they came to know that the house was made of lac and wax. It was not hard then to decipher what the plan was.
Vidura had sent a tunnel digger to the Pandavas. A tunnel was dug secretly. Vidura informed them about the date when Duryodhana had planned for the fire to take place. One night before the dooms day, Kunti invited a Shudra lady and five men to the palace. She offered them wine till they lost their consciousness. Then showing her political insight, instructed Pandavas to set the palace on fire and they escaped through the tunnel.
Duryodhana and Shakuni were thrilled on hearing this news. The elders were distraught and Vidura acted as if he is mourning. Now here Kunti (or maybe Vidura in some retellings) showed her political strategy. Kunti decided that this was not the correct time to go back. The Kauravas might kill them if they found out that they were still alive. Advising her sons (especially Bhim and Arjun) to be patient and show restraint. The correct time to return has not come yet.
The metaphor of the mouse is an excellent one over here. the mouse survives the forest fire as it lives in a burrow under the ground. So many times life brings us problems and issues. Maybe, it might make sense to not attack some problem head on but then wait and let it pass on. You might come unscathed if you are sensible.
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