Narada Devises Conjugal Arrangement Between Pandava Brothers and Paves Way for Arjuna's Marriage to Subhadra : Episode 78

The priest who saw Satyavati, Ambika and Ambalika perish in the forest conflagration informs King Dhritarashtra, Bhishma and others about the incident. Bhishma offers the ancestors the prescribed final rites. The priest meets Bhishma privately and informs him about Satyavati's meeting with Shikhandi and how the queen pleaded with Shikhandi on behalf of Bhishma.

Jarasandha's son Sahadeva seeks Krishna's help in ending the atrocities of Jarasandha. He says he loves his father dearly, but Jarasandha doesn't understand his concern. Krishna assures him of doing his best to end Jarasandha's evil reign, but he says he cannot guarantee his life.

Shakuni and Dushasana speak to Balarama at Dwaraka, and Balarama suggests that Duryodhana could come to Dwaraka and learn the art of fighting with mace from him. During his stay, he could interact with Subhadra and find a place in her heart. Subhadra as usual rushes to Krishna. She is dismayed by Krishna's indifference despite Shakuni's arrival and his parleys with Balarama regarding Subhadra's marriage. Krishna replies he is unable to act against his elder brother, and Subhadra issues an ultimatum that she would rather die than marry Duryodhana.

Shakuni shows Rukmini's portrait to Duryodhana and Duryodhana is highly intoxicated by Subhadra's looks. Shakuni tells him to go to Dwaraka to learn mace fighting from Balarama, warning him that he needs to be careful in dealing with Krishna who doesn't favor them. Neither was he to get too friendly nor too aloof from Krishna. Duryodhana reaches Dwaraka and talks to Balarama, who tells him to get started with mace lessons. Subhadra does not like the lecherous looks Duryodhana gives her. She once again begs Krishna to save her from having to marry Duryodhana. Rukmini intercedes on Subhadra's behalf and Krishna reveals that Narada has already set out to initiate the necessary actions to get Arjuna out of Indraprastha and into Dwaraka.

Narada reaches Indraprastha. He suggests that the brothers should arrive at a suitable agreement regarding how they should apportion their time with their common wife. He tells them that each of them could spend one year with Draupadi and at that time, none of the other brothers should visit Draupadi. If they do visit, they would have to go away on a pilgrimage for one year, in which time they would be free to marry another person. The brothers agree to this.

One day, a Brahmin comes wailing that his cows have been stolen by dacoits and so the princes should help him recover his cows. Narada suggests that Arjuna should fetch his bows and arrows to capture the bandits. Arjuna enters the palace to get his weapons when Yudhishtra is enjoying his private moments with Draupadi. Since this was in contravention to the oath the brothers have taken, Arjuna dresses himself as a sanyasi and goes away on a pilgrimage. Narada leaves the palace, having accomplished what he had set out for.

Vyasa who is dictating the Mahabharatha story to Lord Ganesha talks of the important incidents that took place during the one year of Arjuna's exile. During this period, Arjuna marries thrice. One of the princesses he marries is Subhadra whom he kidnaps on Krishna's suggestion. There is one hitch, though. Narada had stipulated that Draupadi would be the crown queen of Indraprastha. Having married Subhadra as per Gandharva rites, the newly wed enact a drama to secure Draupadi's approval to make Subhadra too the crown queen. Subhadra disguises herself as a milkmaid, and tells Draupadi that she has married a man through Gandharva rites, but his first wife doesn't approve of this. Draupadi offers to speak to the first wife and Subhadra reveals that Draupadi herself is the first wife. Arjuna comes forward and explains why he had to resort to this kind of drama. Draupadi learns that Subhadra is Krishna's sister and accepts her as her own sister as well.