Dhritarashtra was inconsolable after the death of his sons. Sanjaya had little comfort to offer him, except that grief could not change the past. Vyasa always came when one of the Pandavas or Kauravas had to be comforted. He told Dhritarashtra to treat the Pandavas as his sons. Dhritarashtra embraced Yudhishthira without any love. When he went to Bhima, Krishna placed an iron figure before him. Dhritarashtra had great strength in his arms, Krishna knew. He embraced the iron figure smashing it to bits, thinking he had killed Bhima, his son’s enemy. But Krishna told him it was only a statue. The Pandavas went to Gandhari, who was being comforted and advised by Vyasa. She said the Kauravas had died because of their pride, but she blamed Bhima for breaking the rules of combat in killing Duryodhana. Bhima recalled all the dishonour and deceit the Pandavas and Draupadi had suffered.
Grief
