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Pandavas Escape Lac House Through the Tunnel : Episode 36 (03-11-13)

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.

The cook and the sons consume toddy and crash down in an inebriated state. The Pandavas pretend to be drunk to fool Purochana who, finding them intoxicated, wakes the cook and the five sons and tells them to proceed. Bhima fights and overpowers the cook and the sons and the cook gets killed too. The Pandavas remove their personal ornaments and leave them on the woman and the sons, so that when the bodies are found later, people would believe them to be Kunti and her sons.

As a result of the fight, fire breaks out. Purochana is trapped in his room and gets burnt.

The Pandavas escape through the dark tunnel.

Seeing the burning palace, the citizens of Varanavata cry and wail. They notice that the palace is built of inflammable material. A messenger rushes to Hastinapura. He tells King Dhritarashtra that the Pandvas have perished in the fire and that he could now rejoice. Dhritarashtra is furious but Vidura calms him down.

King Drupada concludes the Yagna with the help of Yaja and Upayaja. When Upayaja asks Drona to ask his wife to come, he reveals that his wife does not approve of this Yagna and would not be interested in partaking the Prasada or the sanctified offerings. The Sage is angry, but Drupada pleads that they should help him in obtaining a fully grown son and daughter who could fulfill his mission of destroying Drona. The sages tell the king that this called for a more powerful Yagna to be performed that would call for the king to do severe penance and offer himself as sacrifice. The king is willing for anything that would avenge his humiliation.

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