Drona Ignores Warning About Drishtadyumna : Episode 49 (09-02-14)

Scene 1

Dhrishtadyumna if worshipping Shiva Ling with flowers when Kripi and Ashwaththama enter. They ask him who he is. Drishtadyumna falls at Kripi's feet and seeks her blessings. When Kripi repeats the question, Dhrishtadyumna reveals his name. Ashwaththama flares up on hearing the name, because he and Kripi recognize him as the son Drupada obtained from the fire for wreaking vengeance on Drona. Ashwaththama pushes him out despite Dhrishtadyumna's protests that he cannot leave the place without Drona's permission.

Drona finds Drishtadyumna standing outside and asks him the reason. Drishtadyumna tells him Kripi and Ashwaththama had chased him out. Drona asks him to sit down for dinner and asks his wife to serve him food. When they object saying Drishtadyumna had taken birth to destroy Drona, Drona says that like the rain, a Guru was meant to disseminate knowledge equally to all. So it was his duty to teach martial weapons when an able and competent kshatriya requests him so.

Ashwaththama tells him he was offering refuge to Yama himself. Kripi reminds her husband about Drupada's insult and his unrepenting attitude even when Drona was gracious with his victory. Drona replies that was Drupada's problem, not his. Finding both his wife and son cold and unrelenting, he tells them to get out and himself serves food.

Scene 2

Kunti and her five sons take leave of the Brahmana. The hosts thank Bheema for ridding their city of the asura. It is emotional farewell for all.

Scene 3

[Continuation of the scene from previous episode]Duryodhana is very pleased with Karna's deep affection and loyalty to him. Karna continues to distribute money to the needy when a man waiting his turn tells Karna that he did not come to him for money but for justice. Duryodhana asks him what was the justice meted out to him. The man told his story and Duryodhana gets very serious suddenly and takes him to Shakuni and asks him to tell his story.

The man said he belonged to a place called Sadhuvana near Varanavata. He used to often go on pilgrimmage. On one such occasion, his wife Vanjikodi and his five sons went to Varanavata where they worked in the palace that the Pandavas lived. Nobody saw them after the fire at the palace.

Duryodhana asks Shakuni who died in the fire – Kunti and the Pandavas or the Nishada( hunter or bhil tribe) woman. Shakuni accepts the gravity of the situation. They decide to investigate themselves. Dushshasana offers to go to Varanavata under disguise, taking the man along with him. Duryodhana warns that this matter should become known to Vidura.

Scene 4

Jarasandha and his foster-son Shishupala come to Vidarbha and are given heart welcome by King Bhishmaka and the prince Rukmi.

Rukmi calls Rukmini to pay respects to the guests. While Sishupala looks (oogles?) at Rukmini, Rukmini just lingers for a little while and goes out with distaste written vividly on her face.

Rukmi asks Jarasandha why he chose Shishupala, the prince of Chedi kingdom as his foster son when he had other sons. Jarasandha said nobody became qualified to be called a true son just because of biological birth; only those who fulfill the ambitions of their father can be called so. Besides, Shishupala was the enemy of Krishna right from birth, and since Krishna was his enemy as well, Shishupala became his most favored son. Rukmi says he is delighted to give his sister Rukmini to Shishupala.

Just then Paundraka Vasudeva, the king of Pundra kingdom arrives there as well. He assumed himself as the real Vasudeva and dressed like Krishna. Rukmini's companion sees Paundraka and assumes him to Krishna. She goes and tells Rukmini that she had mistaken her brother Rukmi, for he had invited Krishna to the court. Rukmini comes running and, with one look at the imposter, realizes he was not her Krishna.

Paundraka Vasudeva dancing with the girls

Rukmini runs to her chamber and scolds her friend and calls the visitor a comedian. If Krishna played on the flute, the whole world would sway with the music. Rukmini's mother affirms Rukmini's assessment and narrates Paundraka's childhood. Paundraka was also named Vasudeva, the ruler of the world, by his loving father. Paundraka was surrounded by sycophants who pandered to his quirky demands and all this led to his imagining himself as the real Vasudeva and dressing himself like Krishna and playing the flute.