The prudent counsel of Vidura pierced the crooked mind of King Dhritarashtra and forced from him a decision that his heart had long resisted. Bowing at last to reason, the blind monarch declared, “In obedience to your counsel I shall grant the sons of Pandu half the kingdom.” Before the gathered elders—Bhishma, Vidura himself, Drona, and the ministers—he appointed Vidura as envoy to bring the Pandavas back to Hastinapur.
Vidura journeyed to the court of Drupada, where, amid kinsmen, Sri Krishna, and the Pandavas, he presented gifts of high esteem to each. Turning then to Drupada, he said, “O illustrious king, renowned alike for wealth and noble conduct, your alliance with our house is a glory applauded by Bhishma, Dhritarashtra, Kripa, and Drona. The absence of Queen Kunti and her sons has caused the elders of Kuru grief; the king and the citizens of Hastinapur yearn to behold again the virtuous sons of Pandu, the very light of the Kuru race. Draupadi, jewel among wives, and Kunti the devoted mother, is likewise entreated, with humble prayer, to come to Hastinapur at the summons of Dhritarashtra. The Pandavas await only your leave to set forth.”
Drupada replied with measured grace: “Dhritarashtra, radiant as the sun, has sent a messenger of wisdom and impartial judgment. I am assured that the hopes of the Pandavas shall be fulfilled, for both Krishna and you, O Vidura, stand ever as their steadfast friends. Let the welfare of these sons of Kunti rest in your care; with the good intent of Krishna, Dhritarashtra, Drona and yourself, whatever is bestowed upon them is rightly given.”
Sri Krishna, smiling, added with subtle weight, “When Vidura stands by the Pandavas, who shall dare to wrong them? Consider not beyond this presence; follow their wish.” Though spoken with the air of casual ease, his words were woven with a hidden depth, for Krishna and Drupada had artfully entrusted to Vidura the guardianship of the Pandavas’ destiny. Vidura was no common counsellor: a philosopher of the highest order, master of ancient wisdom, and minister of unshaken righteousness.
Dharmaraja Yudhishthira then said, “The elders of the Kuru house—Dhritarashtra, Bhishma, and Vidura—are to us as venerable guides; King Drupada is as our own sire; and Sri Krishna is elder to the world itself. Blessed by such august spirits, we can meet only pious fortune.” With their consent, he resolved to journey to Hastinapur.
Thus, the Pandavas, with Kunti, Draupadi, and Krishna, set forth, their march led by Dhrishtadyumna and guarded by a fourfold army. By Dhritarashtra’s command, they were met and honoured on the road by Vikarna, Chitrasena, Drona, and Kripacharya. Before they entered the city the citizens themselves poured forth in joy, saying, “The sons of Dharma have returned! Yudhishthira comes back with his brothers for our sake. It is as though Pandu lives again to give us a just rule. Fortune and the favour of gods and men alike are theirs; how could wealth and power ever slip from such hands? Our prayers and charities have borne fruit—this son of Dharma shall reign over earth without end.”
Amid these blessings, the princes of the Puru line entered the royal court and bowed with folded hands before Bhishma and Dhritarashtra, who were revered in the hearts of all. For five years, they dwelt in Hastinapur, sharing in the affairs of state beside Duryodhana and his brothers.
Then one day, Dhritarashtra, in the presence of Bhishma, Vidura, Drona, Duryodhana, and the assembled nobles, spoke with solemn authority: “Before the eyes of Krishna, of our elders, of vassal kings, ministers, and learned men, I now bestow upon you half the realm. Accept the wealth of Pandu as your heritage; let Khandavaprastha be your capital. Rule there in freedom and found your dynasty.”
At the command of Dhritarashtra and with the blessings of Bhishma and Vidura, the Pandavas departed for Khandavaprastha with Vasudeva Krishna. Thus, was turned a luminous page in the chronicle of ancient Bharat, and a mighty civilization advanced upon the strength of this single decision.
