Sun TV Mahabharatham

Scene 1 Drupada is standing in the fire and performing the penance. A strong, fully armoured man emerges from the fire. The sky resounds with the prophecy that this strong man would be called Drishtadyuma and would fulfill Drupada's dream of killing Drona. At the very moment, Drona is sleeping, and a sword hung on the wall, disentangles and speeds to Drona's throat, but is stopped by his son Ashwaththama. Kripi, Drona's wife, is alarmed and thinks it is a bad omen. Drona closes his eyes in meditation and sees the birth and emergence of Dhrishtadyumna. He tells his wife and son that the adversary who is destined to bring about his death has just taken birth. Back to the scene of Drupada's sacrifice. A beautiful girl now emerges from fire. It is Draupadi and a disembodied voice prophecies that this woman would be known as Panchali and bring about the destruction of the kshatriya clan. She is an embodiment of the goddess Durga; she has taken birth to assist the work of

Scene 1 An apparition or phantom appears before Jarasandha, father-in-law of Kamsa, and tells him that both share the same asuric (demon-like) nature, Jarasandha, by nature, and he, by birth. Then the phantom narrates the past incidents. He says that he was Tirumilan, Kamsa's real father . Ugrasena was Kamsa's father only to the external world. Once Tirumilan had assumed the form of Ugrasena and dallied with Ugrasena's wife's Aryanari (Padmavathi in most texts). When Aryanari realizes the truth, she curses Tirumilan that a son born of Yadava will kill the asura race. Krishna has now taken birth with a vow to kill the asuras. And Jarasandha has taken a vow to kill Krishna. Therefore it was his duty to help Jarasandha in killing Krishna. Jarasandha scornfully tells Tirumilan that he could kill Krishna single-handedly without anybody's help and gratify his widowed daughters. Thirumilan says Krishna was not a mere cowherd; even as an infant he had killed Putana and

Bhishma, Drona and Kripacharya are shocked by the news of the death of the Pandavas along with Kunti. The Kauravas are jubilant to hear the news from the spy. Shakuni threatens to kill the spy to prevent the leak of their own involvement, but decides to spare his life. The citizen who brings the news to the attention of the king's court does not mince words but directly accuses the king of plotting the Pandavas' death. Dhritarashtra is full of remorse for sending the Pandavas to Varanavata and, to that extent, he accepts his role in their death and asks for pardon. But Bhishma is furious with the accuser and threatens him with dire consequences unless he substantiates his accusation with proof. He effectively protects the king, and the crowd disperses. Drupada has decided to intensify the penances and perform the harsh Rudragni Yagna instead of the more pacific Yagna he has been performing so far. Drupada's brother comes running to Drupada's wife and informs her

A special feast has been organized by Purochana at the end of which Kunti rewards everyone with gifts. She offers presents to Vanjikodi, the tribal cook-woman, and her five sons and tells them they could go home and relax. The woman prevails on Kunti to allow her to stay, but Kunti doesn't relent. They leave the palace, but decide to return on the sly and proceed to Purochana's apartment. The Pandavas, who watch their return, now feel their suspicions have been well founded after all. Purochana is happy that the cook has returned. He tells them to lock all the exit doors and gates and to torch the palace after midnight. Pandavas learn of their intentions.