Vaishampayana said: -
1-2. Hearing that the sons of Pandu were coming, all the citizens came speedily by thousands, out of the town of Varanavata with joy, on various conveyances, taking with them all the auspicious things as directed by the Shastras in order to receive those best of men.
3. Coming to the sons of Kunti, the citizens of Varanavata surrounded them and blessed them by uttering the word Jaya (victory).
4. Being thus surrounded by them, that best of men, the king of virtue, Yudhisthira, looked as effulgent as the thunderer (Indra) in the midst of the celestial.
5. Being welcomed by the citizens and welcoming them in return, those sinless ones (the Pandavas) entered the populous and ornamented Varanavata.
6. Entering the town, O king, those heroes first went to the houses of the Brahmanas engaged in their proper duties.
7. Then those best of men went to the houses of the officials in charge of the town; then they went to the houses of the car warriors, then to those of the Vaisyas and then even to those of the Sudras.
8. best of the Bharata race, thus adored by the citizens, the Pandavas went to their house with Purochana walking at the head (of the possession).
9. Purochana gave them first class food and drink, beds and carpets and seats.
10. Being served by Purochana and adored by the citizens, they (the Pandavas,) attired in costly robes, lived there.
11. When they had lived there for ten nights, Purochana spoke to them about the house, called “Blessed,” though really (it was) unblessed.
12. Thereupon those best of men, attired in (costly) garments, entered that house at the request of Purochana, as Guhyakas enter (those) in the Kailasa (mountain).
13. Inspecting that house, that foremost of all virtuous men, Yudhisthira, said to Bhimasena that the house was made of inflammable materials.
Yudhisthira said: -
14. O chastiser of foes, from the smell of fat and ghee mixed with lac, it is event, his house is made of inflammable materials.
15-16. By the help of trusted and well skilled artisans, the enemies have nicely built this house with hemp, health, straw and Purochana desires to burn me after inspiring me with confidence.
17. The wicked man, therefore, lives here, obedient to (the instruction of) Duryodhana. The greatly intelligent Vidura, knew this danger. Therefore, O son of Pritha, he told me of it beforehand. Knowing this, that well-wiser of ours.
18. The younger brother of our father, out of affection for us, has told us about this house, so full of danger and constructed by the wretches under Duryodhana (who is) acting secretly (from behind).
Bhima said: -
19. If this house is known to you as inflammable, then let us go to the place where we lived first.
Yudhisthira said: -
20. I think we should rather live here, seeming unsuspicious, but we must remain very cautious and keep our senses wide awake and at the same time we must seek for some means of escape.
21. If Purochana finds from our demeanour that we have learnt his design, he may suddenly bum us to death by taking immediately steps.
22. Purochana cares very little for obloquy and sin. The wretch lives here in obedience to (the instructions) of Duryodhana.
23. If we are burnt, will grandfather Bhisma be angry? Why would he make the Kurus angry with him by showing his anger.
24. It may be that if we are brant, our grandfather Bhisma and other best men of the Kura race may be indignant for the sake of virtue.
25. If we fly from this place from the fear of being brant, Duryodhana, covetous for kingdom, will surely bring about our death by means of spies.
26-27. The wicked Duryodhana has rank, power, friends, allies and wealth, but we have none. He can certainly destroy us by adopting many means. Deceiving this wretch and that wretch also, let us live in disguise for some time.
28. Let us lead a life of hunting, wandering over the earth. We shall then be aware of all the paths that exist for escape.
29. We shall dig in all secrecy, this very day a subterranean passage in our room. If we can keep it secret from others, fire will not able to consume us.
30. Therefore we shall live here (and act in such a way) as Purochana and the citizens of Varanavata may not know what we are doing.
Thus ends the hundred and forty eighth chapter, the coloquy of Bhima and Yudhisthira, in the Jatugriha of the Adi Parva.