Duryodhana Seeks Sahadeva's Help in Fixing Muhurat For The Kurukshetra War : Episode 125

Drona is offering prayer to Lord Shiva when Kunti comes to meet him. She asks him pointedly if he would kill her sons in the war.

Drona protests saying the Pandavas are like his sons, but Kunti is not satisfied with the answer. She persistently argues that he should stay away from the war just as Vidura had done. Drona explains that Vidura was only bound by the promise he had made to his brother Pandu to counsel and protect Dritarashtra and being the son of Vichitraveerya, had his own royal status. But Drona was bound by the indebtedness towards Dritarashtra whose refuge he had sought to alleviate the abject poverty he was in. Even if Dritarashtra hadn't been a king, he would still have served him, being bound to him by gratitude. Kunti, however, extracts a promise from Drona that he wouldn't kill her sons.

Shakuni is pondering over how to entice King Shalya to join them. Dushshasana, who had heard part conversation between Kunti and Drona, tells Shakuni that Drona had expressed his inability in refusing to take up arms against the Pandavas because of the indebtedness towards the master who fed him. This gives Shakuni an idea. He tells Duryodhana to provide food and accomodation to the weary Shalya who were on their way to Upaplavya to join the Pandavas. Accordingly, Duryodhana's men welcome Shalya and inform that a great feast has been organized by his nephews. Thinking it was a treat offered by Yudhishtra, Shalya accepts the grand reception, and promises to do anything for the host who had so graciously taken care of all his neeeds. Duryodhana and Shakuni appear and reveal it was they who had arranged the feast, and as a reward, request that Shalya join and fight on their side. Shalya is now forced to give his word to join their side; however, he says he would return to them after taking leave of Yudhishtra.

Great assembly ...probably at Upaplavya??? Krishna and Bhishma at the head of the assembly, and Pandavas and Kauravas on either side have assembled with their allies. The assembly has been convened to discuss the venue, time and rules regarding the war.

Bhishma convenes the meeting and asks that they fix the date and venue for the war. Yudhishtra and Duryodhana agree to second whichever location Bhishma has to suggest. Bhishma suggests Kurukshetra as the venue and Krishna applauds its importance as the karma bhumi which dispenses justice impartially. Next, Krishna's name is suggested for fixing the date of commencement of the war, but Shakuni expresses disagreement over this choice. Duryodhana suggests Sahadeva as the most suitable person for fixing the date, and everybody expresses satisfaction with this choice. Sahadeva chooses 11th lunar day (ekadashi) of the fortnight of the waxing moon in the month of Margashirsha and everybody seconds this choice.

Once again,Krishna and Pandavas in a private meeting to which kings from friendly countries join. A messenger announces the arrival of a young lad. It is Aravan, Arjuna's son through Ulupi, the princess of Manipur where he had adjourned during the twelve-year exile. Yudhishtra is happy to see him and Krishna tells everyone how valorous he is. Aravan informs everyone that his mother has sent him to be of help to the Pandavas during the war.

Just then, Shalya enters the room looking crest-fallen. He tells everyone how he has been forced to join the Kauravas by deception. Krishna consoles him, saying everything happened for the good. He tells Shalya that they can prove to be smarter than the Kauravas by making it an opportunity to serve their own agenda. He whispers a few words and tells him to carry on according to his instructions.