Ved Vyasa consoles Dhritarashtra

Episode#80

"Why should we weep for them? Those who die in battle after a heroic fight go as a guest to be received in the heaven! By grieving for what is past, you cannot gain anything back in the form of Dharma, pleasure, wealth." Thus, and in many more ways, did the wise and noble Vidura try to assuage the King's grief.

Vyasa also approached Dhritarashtra for consolation and said: "Dear Son, there is nothing that you do not know and which you have to learn from me. You know very well that all living beings must die. This great battle came to reduce earth's burden as I have heard from Lord Vishnu. Under no circumstances, this calamity could have ever been prevented and hence weep no more. Henceforth, Yudhishtira is your son; you should try and love him! In this way, bear the burden of life, giving up grief. "

Making his way, through the crowd of weeping women Yudhishtira approached Dhritarashtra and bowed before him. Dhritarashtra embraced him but there was neither love nor affection in that embrace! Then Bhima was announced to the blind king who extended his hands saying "Come, my son." But Vasudev Krishna knew what was going on in the mind of the ill-gotten king! He gently pushed Bhima aside and placed an iron figure before the blind Dhritarashtra, knowing the old King's destructive anger, Dhritarashtra hugged the metal statue to his bosom in a powerful crushing embrace with full hatred just imagining how Bhima may have killed all his sons - especially Duryodhana who was his favourite, and his wrath increased to a destructive level wherein the iron-image was crushed into pieces in his embrace!
He heard the crushing noise and thought it was the crumbling sound of Bhima's bones, he was immensely happy but outwardly he feigned grief and cried "Oh God! My anger has deceived me" cried Dhritarashtra. "Have I killed  dear Bhima?" Then Vasudev Krishna said to the blind king: "Oh King, I knew this would happen  and I prevented the disaster, you have not killed Bhima, you have crushed only an iron image that I placed instead, may your anger appeased with what you have done to this image, Bhima happens to be alive." The King seemed to be composed but it was to cover his embarrassment since his real intentions were exposed - and with prejudiced mind, he blessed Bhima. The other Pandavas after taking his leave proceeded to meet Gandhari.

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