Shikhandini Becomes Shikhandi With The Help of Yaksha Sthulakarna : Episode 93

Yudhishtra overhears Vidura speaking to Sanjaya sent by Dritarashtra. He comes to know that Dritarashtra had sent away Vidura in an angry moment, but regrets it later. Realizing the deep love between Vidura and Dritarashtra, Yudhishtra asks Vidura to go back to Hastinapura, as it is his duty to help and guide the king. Vidura goes back to Hastinapura and is welcomed by an emotionally charged Dritarashtra and Gandhari. Dritarashtra chides Vidura for deserting them and asks him to promise that he'd never leave them in the future even if he finds fault with him or asks him to get out.

Sthulakana, the Yaksha, asks Shikhandini who she is, and Shikhandini tells him about her vow to kill Bhishma, the boon she received from Lord Shiva, her marriage with a princess, the shame she experiences when the bride realizes that she is a woman, which makes her ran away from the palace. The Yaksha is moved by her story and he tells Shikhandini that he could exchange his masculinity with Shikhandini for a short time till Shikhandi(ni) establishes his manhood and makes his wife happy. The Yaksha also warns Shikhandini that she has to come back within one week as his master Kubera would come to the palace to attend the Satyanarayana Puja on the New Moon day and would be greatly annoyed if he comes to know about the sex exchange. Shikhandi promises to come back within the stipulated time. Yaksha transforms Shikhandini into a male and accepts the feminine appearance for himself.

Balarama tells Krishna that Kauravas have not cheated the Pandavas and they played only a fair game bound by the rules. He also expresses his anguish that Krishna decided to give Subhadra to Arjuna who is now roaming in the forests, instead of getting her married to Duryodhana who is enjoying a royal life. Krishna says the wheel of time constantly reverses the fortunes of people and predicts that Subhadra would soon rule the world.

Balarama's wife Revati is surprised to find that the mirror that Krishna has brought in along with Subhadra showed Balarama's image whenever she stands before it. Soon everybody gathers around the mirror. When Balarama stands before the mirror, it reflects Krishna, and when Rukmini and Satyabhama stand before the mirror, it reflects Krishna. Krishna reveals that the mirror was presented by Lord Rama to Vibhishana at the time of his coronation, who subsequently presents it to Yudhishtra at the time of his Rajasuya Yagna. The specialty of the miror is that it reflects what is in the mind of its viewer. At this point, Revati becomes curious to know who is in Krishna's mind: Rukmini, Satyabhama or any of his other wives. Krishna stands before the mirror and everybody is astonished to find Shakuni's image in the mirror. Krishna explains that He and Shakuni as Kali Purusha are the key players at the end of the Dwapara Yuga. Just as Shakuni is always thinking of ways to break Krishna's plans, He too is always thinking of what possible moves Shakuni will take and how to counter them. That is why Shakuni is always in His mind.

Kunti is happy to see Vidura return from the forest. Vidura tells her that she met the Pandavas in the forest and that they have no problem obtaining food becase of the Akshaya Patra from the Sun god. And Draupadi has taken up the role of a devoted mother to the Pandavas. It was Pandavas' request that Kunti take care of her health and be prepared to give them an enthusisatic welcome when they returned after thirteen years.

Duryodhana is enraged to hear the news that at the suggestion of Sage Dhaumya, Yudhishtra taught Pratismriti Mantra to Arjuna which he had learned from Vyasa. Sage Dhaumya then advises him to go to Indraneel mountain(mentioned as Indrakeel mountains in some sites/texts) and meditate on Lord Shiva. Duryodhana asks Shakuni to think of ways of disrupting Arjuna's meditation. Shakuni tells him of demon Mukasura who could be instigated against Arjuna by mentioning that he is the brother of Bhima who killed Bakasura and Kirmira. Shakuni and Dushasana set out for Mukasura and reach the cave he is living in.