Word

Arakkillam

Sanskrit

In General

Durodhana is always jealous of Pandavas who were loved by everybody for their good conduct. While Pandavas were in exile Durodhana hatched an idea to kill the Pandavas. Arakkillam is one such plan Durodhana executed with his minister Purocana.

Purana

Arakkillam is the Palace of wax made by Durodhana at Varanavata for the use of Pandavas while later was in exile due to a loss at the play of dice. The original plan was to kill the Pandavas by fire, as the palace was built by a flammable material. Pandavas were doubtful in the first instance but they changed their mind as the palace was built by the consent of Dritharastra.

Vidura through his messenger Kanaka gave notice of the conspiracy to the Pandavas and managed to create an escape tunnel in the palace. Pandavas pretended ignorance of the whole affair and stayed back in the palace; not only that they found a chance to escape from the eye of Duryodhana for some time, though the idea is very risky.

One night, Duryodhana’s minister Purocana, saw to it that the Pandavas are sleeping in the palace, set fire on the palace. As Pandavas were very vigilant, they escaped through the tunnel, but on the fateful night, a huntsman, with his five children had taken shelter in the palace veranda were burned to death. Accidentally Purocana too were burnt to death. People, who gathered at the spot, thus saw seven corpses, and the news was spread all over that the Pandavas, including their wife Pancali and their mother Kunti had been burnt to death.

Reference

M.B. ( Adi Parva, Chapters 141-151)