The Sinister Plot: Shakuni, Purochana, and the Construction of the House of Lac

Shakuni’s Plan to Eliminate the Pandavas

Shakuni, the brother of Dhritarashtra’s wife Gandhari and the king of Gandhara, had long harbored animosity toward the Kuru dynasty. His personal resentment toward Hastinapura fueled his support of Duryodhana’s ambitions. When Duryodhana approached him with his grievances about the Pandavas, Shakuni saw an opportunity to both assist his nephew and weaken the Kuru dynasty. He devised a plan to remove the Pandavas in a way that would raise no suspicion against Duryodhana or the Kauravas.

Instead of confronting the Pandavas directly, Shakuni planned to lure them away from Hastinapura under the pretense of a royal invitation. He suggested that the Pandavas and their mother, Kunti, be sent to Varanavata, a town under the jurisdiction of Hastinapura, to attend a festival in honor of Lord Shiva. Shakuni believed that sending the Pandavas to a distant place would make it easier to eliminate them without alerting the people of Hastinapura. The plan was to construct a house in Varanavata that would become a deadly trap.

The Construction of the House of Lac

With the Pandavas’ departure secured, Shakuni moved on to the next phase of his plan: constructing a deadly trap. To execute this part of the scheme, he enlisted the help of Purochana, a loyal and ruthless servant of the Kauravas who was known for his willingness to do whatever was necessary to please Duryodhana. Purochana was instructed to oversee the construction of a special house for the Pandavas in Varanavata.

Under Shakuni’s direction, Purochana began building a grand mansion, which appeared luxurious and inviting from the outside but was constructed using highly flammable materials. Lac, a type of resin that is easily ignited, was used as a primary component for the walls and structure. In addition to lac, Purochana incorporated other combustible materials like ghee, oil, wax, and dry hay within the walls and floors. The structure was meticulously designed to look like a royal residence, blending luxury with the deadly potential to be set aflame at a moment’s notice.

Purochana, knowing that the house needed to look convincing, ensured that it was spacious and well-decorated, appealing to the senses and fit for the Pandavas. However, hidden within its construction were layers of flammable materials that would ensure the house would be consumed by fire quickly and leave no trace of the occupants inside.

The Arrival of the Pandavas and Kunti in Varanavata

When the Pandavas and Kunti arrived in Varanavata, they were welcomed warmly by the townspeople, who were eager to host the royal family members. Purochana, acting as a devoted servant, guided them to the grand house, introducing it as the “House of Joy” and explaining that it had been specially prepared for their stay. He emphasized its beauty and comfort, assuring them that every detail had been considered to ensure their comfort during their time in Varanavata.

The Pandavas, impressed by the grandeur of the house, accepted Purochana’s hospitality with gratitude. However, Vidura, the wise advisor of Hastinapura and Dhritarashtra’s half-brother, suspected that Duryodhana and Shakuni were behind this invitation. He knew their ambition and had long feared that they would resort to any means to eliminate the Pandavas. Although Vidura could not openly oppose the king’s decision or reveal his suspicions directly, he sought a way to warn the Pandavas.

Vidura’s Coded Warning

In a secretive manner, Vidura met with Yudhishthira before the Pandavas’ departure and offered him a veiled warning, speaking in symbolic language to avoid arousing suspicion. Vidura said, “There are many ways to escape a fire, and those who dig their own path may yet survive.” He advised Yudhishthira to remain vigilant, subtly hinting at the potential danger in Varanavata without explicitly revealing the plot.

Yudhishthira, known for his wisdom and discernment, sensed that Vidura’s words carried a deeper meaning. He shared this cryptic warning with his brothers, urging them to be cautious during their stay. Although they could not fully understand the extent of the danger, the Pandavas became more vigilant, especially toward Purochana, whom they began to suspect had ulterior motives.

The Pandavas’ Growing Suspicion

As days passed, the Pandavas observed peculiarities in the construction of the house. Arjuna and Bhima noticed the strange smell of the walls and floors, which seemed to emit an unusual, pungent scent. Upon closer inspection, Yudhishthira and his brothers began to suspect that the house was made of materials that could easily catch fire. Recalling Vidura’s cryptic warning, they realized that their suspicions might be true and that the house had been designed as a death trap.

Though they were troubled by the realization, the Pandavas kept their knowledge to themselves, pretending to enjoy their stay in the house while secretly planning their next move. They understood that any overt action might alert Purochana and lead to immediate consequences. Instead, they remained calm, gathering clues and thinking of an escape route.

The Calm Before the Storm

The Pandavas’ time in Varanavata became a tense waiting game as they balanced their public demeanor with their secret suspicions. Kunti, their mother, was informed of the danger, and together they began preparing for the possibility of an escape. Meanwhile, Purochana continued to carry out his orders, unaware that the Pandavas had seen through his facade and were devising a plan to evade the deadly trap.