Driven by intense jealousy, Duryodhana and Shakuni plotted to eliminate the Pandavas by inviting them to the city of Varanavata. They built a magnificent palace called Lakshagriha, ostensibly for the Pandavas' comfort, but secretly constructed it from lac, fat, and wax—materials that would ignite instantly. The plan was to burn the brothers and their mother, Kunti, alive in their sleep. However, the wise Vidura sensed the treachery. He warned Yudhishthira in a coded dialect, advising him that a man who knows the path of the rat can survive a forest fire. Understanding the hint, the Pandavas hired a skilled miner to dig a secret tunnel beneath the palace. On a moonless night, after a feast, the Pandavas set the house on fire themselves and escaped through the subterranean passage. The Kauravas, finding six charred bodies—actually a hunter woman and her sons who had sought shelter—rejoiced, believing their rivals were dead, while the Pandavas vanished into the forest to await their time.
Wisdom, alertness, and foresight are the greatest weapons against hidden treachery and malice.
Advertisement
Questions about this story
What is the moral of The House of Lac?
The story teaches that vigilance and wisdom are essential for survival. Even when surrounded by luxury, one must remain alert to hidden dangers and use foresight to overcome treachery.
Who warned the Pandavas about the trap?
The wise minister Vidura warned Yudhishthira using a coded message in a mleccha dialect. He used an analogy about forest fires and burrowing animals to hint at the danger and the solution.
What was the House of Lac made of?
The palace, Lakshagriha, was built using highly flammable materials including lac (resin), ghee, wax, and dry hemp. It was designed to become an inescapable inferno once ignited.
How did the Pandavas escape the fire?
They escaped through a secret underground tunnel that was dug by a miner sent by Vidura. This allowed them to exit the burning palace safely and disappear into the surrounding wilderness.
Advertisement
