This chapter turns the narrative on its head, directs it on a somewhat different trajectory.
Just before the start of the encounter between the Pandavas and the Kauravas, Duryodhana visiting his father had overheard at the entrance, Vidura advising Dhritarashtra inside, to put his foot down on his vagrant son, banish him from the Kingdom and make amends for the injustice done to the Pandavas.
Duryodhana abuses the uncle Vidhura in the harshest language, calls him an ungrateful wretch, orders him out. Dhritarashtra kept mum all the while. Piqued, Vidura laid down the royal insignia on him and silently walked out of the chamber and out of the kingdom itself.
The chapter begins with his return to the palace, after knowing the course of the battle and the end. The Pandavas are excited, welcome him and enquire about his experiences. Vidura narrates them but mentions nothing about the Yadus or even Sri Krishna, although he was aware of the extinction of that kingdom and the ascension of Sri Krishna to his abode in Vaikunta.
Vidura then visits the brother who seemed to be enjoying life with the Pandavas in command. He chastised the brother, asked him how he could lead a despicable life, like a watch-dog, eat food served by Bhima even after so much injustice was done to that son. He warned that the future was bleak and, he had indications of this.
Dhritarashtra leaves the palace at night, Gandhari accompanying him and, Vidura himself in toe.
As part of his morning routine, Dharmaputra comes calling on his uncle, finds the room empty. Sanjaya when asked says he had no idea whatsoever. Just then, Narada walks in , lectures on the transitoriness of life and relationships, reveals that Dhritarashtra had left towards the Himalayas with his wife and Vidura, and was focussed on his future. He also prophesied that, over the week, a forest-fire would consume the couple and Vidura will return to his abode, Yamaloka, from where he had been banished for a transgression, to live as a sudra for a hundred years. Narada leaves.