15. FRANTIC SEARCH FOR BHIM, NO RESULT

In the dying sunlight, Yudhisthir and his brothers were frantically searching for Bhim on the bank of the Ganges. The bonhomie, the celebration, and the feasting that enlivened the place hours ago were now replaced by an eerie silence. On that vast expanse of land there was no soul other than they four. Even servants had left after cleaning the site. Soon, the last trace of the day was devoured by the enigmatic night, which would not approve of any further searches. The brothers too were realizing it was pointless to keep groping in the darkness, yet they could not abandon their mission. But when the face of the lone, helpless, anxious mother flashed in their mind they decided to give in. Back home, the family huddled together discussing what was to be done now.

 All these days Kunti had a nagging fear that Duryodhan and some of his brothers might harm her sons, especially Bhim, whom they hated as they could never match his strength. Now that the search failed to trace Bhim, Kunti started feeling nervous. She suspected Duryodhan to have played a grave mischief but she also knew it would be of no use telling Dhritarashtra or Gandhari of her suspicion. The couple were blind in their affection for their son. Yudhisthir agreed to Kunti’s assessment. The family then brooded for some time as to what should be done now. Then they stumbled on the idea of meeting Bidur whom they reckoned was genuinely concerned about their welfare.