Śakuni' advised the Dhāṛtarāṣṭras to join with all the Kṣatriyas and destroy them immediately. This is a golden opportunity and they won't get another chance like this. The fact that the Pāṇḍava escaped the death trap of wax house by itself creates fear in us.

Shāntanu's brother's son, Saumadatti (aka Bhūriśravas) listened to Śakuni's advice and he said that one should evaluate one's own strengths and weaknesses against enemy's. This would include kings, ministers, friends, wealth, physical security, armies, strengths and weaknesses of the kingdoms. As Pāṇḍavas were excelling in all of these, he said he had known of none who could win them. More so with the support of Krishna and Balarāma.

Vidurar having completely learnt all the happenings in the Svayamvara, how the Pāṇḍavas won Draupadī and that the humiliated sons of Dhṛtarāṣṭra were returning back to Hastināpur, was ecstatic.

When Vidura told him that the Kaurava clan has expanded by the alliance with Drupada by winning Draupadī, the blind king misunderstood that Duryodhana had succeeded in the Svayamavaram. Therefore he ordered several ornaments to be made for Draupadī. He commanded that Duryodhana and Draupadī should be given a grand reception.

After Vidura left their presence, Duryodhana started to speak. He gave several suggestions to weaken the Pāṇḍavas. These included creating dissension among them, corrupting Drupada with riches so he abandons Yudhiṣṭhira, make Draupadī suspect and hate Pāṇḍavas, weaken them by killing Bhīma etc. Listening to all this, Karṇa said these were all poor reasoning.

When Duryodhana and Karṇa were plotting the downfall of the Pāṇḍavas, Dhṛtarāṣṭra asked them to consult with Bhīṣma, Droṇa and Vidura. This was because they were the key people in case the Dhāṛtarāṣṭras decided to fight the Pāṇḍavas. To this Bhīṣma who spoke first said that he was impartial to both the groups and therefore he wanted them to enter into a pact with the Pāṇḍavas and give half of the kingdom to them which is their rightful share.

After Bhīṣma and Droṇa spoke, Karṇa responded. His response was openly and directly disrespectful of them. He said they were pampered by wealth and goodness showered on them by Dhṛtarāṣṭra and in reality they were wicked at heart. He cited the story of Magada King Ambuvīcha to conclude that the sovereignty of Hastināpuram solely belonged to Dhṛtarāṣṭra and it should continue with him.

Vidura completely agrees with Bhīṣma's and Droṇa's advice and asks Dhṛtarāṣṭra to make amends to their past wrong doings against the Pāṇḍavas. Make peace with them and Drupada, as the Pāṇḍavas are invincible especially as Krishna is there with them. Vidura compares Bhīṣma and Droṇa to great and truthful rulers of the past, Sri Rāma of Surya Vaṃśa and King Gaya of Chandra Vaṃśa.

The Pāṇḍavas accepted Dhṛtarāṣṭra's offer and moved to Khāndavaprastha after Yudhiṣṭhira's Rājyābhishekam. At that time the place was a dry desert land. With the help of Sri Krishna they made the place beautiful, rivalling in beauty to Indra's Amarāvati. Hence it was called Indraprastham.

Sage Nārada visited the Pāṇḍavas and narrated the story of Sunda and Upasunda to illustrate how the brothers who we once inseparable got separated and went to the extent of killing each other for the sake of a woman. In order for the Pāṇḍavas to stay united always, he advised them to establish a rule among themselves. When they made the rule, Narada was happy and he left Indraprastham.

As the brothers' atrocities exceeded all limits, the Devas, Siddhas, Munis, Maheśvara and many other Rishis went to Brahmāji and requested relief. Brahmaji summoned Viśvakarmā and commanded him to create a woman of extraordinary beauty. Viśvakarmā made a woman who dazzled like a mass of fine, glittering gems. Therefore, She was called Tilottama. Sunda and Upasunda fought against each other to win her hand and in the fight they both perished.