Shantanu Marries Satyavati : Episode 4 (10-03-13)

Scene 1

Shantanu is touched deeply by Devavrata's incomparable sacrifice and hugs him.

The next day, Devavrata calls for a special meeting presided by Sages Vasishtha and Parasurama. He tells them of the oath of life-time celibacy he has taken and abdicates the crown as the future king of Hastinapura. In front of a packed audience, he invokes his mother Ganga and all the gods, and swears he would never accept any official position throughout his life. Sage Parasurama extols his renunciation as a virtue of the highest order. Sage Vasishtha blesses him and bestows the appellation of Bhishma on him. The court resounds with the reverberations of 'Bhishma as gods from the sky chorus 'Bhishma' and those assembled in the court join the chorus.

Parasurama reminds Bhishma of his duties toward Hastinapur as its custodian. He hands over to Bhishma a sword he had received from Lord Vishnu.

Shantanu meets Bhishma in his private chambers. He expresses his anguish over the many pleasures and dreams his son had to give up. He remains guilt-laden even as Bhishma reassures his full hearted happiness in making the vows. Then he confers a benediction on Bhishma that he had once received from Indra. Unlike mere mortals whose death is decided by Dharma Devata (god of dharma or Yama), Bhishma could choose the time of his own death; he could die by will.

Scene 2

Shantanu gets married to Satyavati. They have two sons. Shantanu is seen mock-fighting with a sword with his sons Chitrangada and Vichitravirya, when all of a sudden he collapses and dies.
After the funeral, Satyavati, dressed in white robes, reigns Hastinapur as a queen.
Bhishma gives military education to the princes, complete with horse riding archery and fighting with swords and maces.

However, he warns Chitrangada that his main enemy is his anger and he has to learn to conquer it.

Scene 3

Chitrangada tells his mother Satyavati he is going for hunting. As he leaves, Satyavati is filled with a foreboding, because Chitrangada says he is 'going' for hunting, instead of the customary 'going and returning' from hunting. Chitangada, followed by his companions, goes deep into a forest.

In the meanwhile several marriage proposals have come from neighboring kingdoms for Chitrangada. Many have sent portraits of eligible princesses which are seen displayed in the halls of the queen's chamber.
Chitrangada enters the forest that belongs to a Gangharva called Chitrangada, who warns him not to trespass into his region. The Gandharva also tells the Hastinapur prince that it was traditional for kings like him to bow before and show him respect. Chitrangada scoffs at the idea and insults him further by telling him to change his name.
The prince's companions advice him to turn back, and when he refuses to do so, head towards Hastinapur. They give Bhishma the news. Bhishma is alarmed and rushes to the forest.
In the meanwhile, the Gandharva, realizing that the prince would certainly meet death at his hands, retreats, but is hotly chased by the Hastinapur prince. The Gandharva is now forced into a fight, and Prince Chitangada meets his end in the hands of the Gandharva Chief, even as Bhishma arrives on the scene to help him.
A dying Chitrangada tells Bhishma he was sorry that he did not heed to his advice and gave vent to his anger.
Queen Satyavati wails over the dead body and is inconsolable.

Scene 4

Queen Satyavati is conferring with Bheeshma, Vichitraveerya, and a few trusted ministers.

Queen

: It is one year since Chitrangada died. Before the embers that burned Maharaja Shantanu cooled down, my son has become a victim to it. The darkness of death has started spreading around Hastinapur. There is no light anywhere. When is this orphaned country ever to witness happiness? I am turning insane. Bheeshma, it is your duty to guide me.

Bhishma

: Things will take a turn soon. Don't be dejected, mother.

Minister

: When a good tiding comes along, everything will be forgotten in the happiness.

Queen

: Yes, what the minister says is right. Let us arrange Vichitraveeya's marriage and then crown him the king.

Vichitraveerya

: Mother, knowing fully well the state of my health, you are planning my marriage. I am not going to marry. I am unfit for the married life.

Queen

: When a Khatriya marries, he always keeps in mind the welfare of his country.

Vichitraveerya

: Don't I have right over my body? You are speaking mercilessly.

Queen

: My son, Satyavati is not only your mother, she is also the queen of this country. This country has lost its king as well as his successor. We cannot become targets for our enemies. As a queen, I have to take certain decisions and you have to necessarily abide by them.

Vichitraveerya

: As Shantanu's heir, I am prepared to become the king. But I cannot marry.

Queen

: Vichitra, you don't understand. Our ancestors who framed the constitution have stipulated that one cannot become a king without getting married. Son, I understand that the state of your health is what is keeping you from wishing to get married. Do not worry. I will get the best physicians available in the country to treat you. Minister, please make the necessary arrangements for the prince's marriage.

Vichitraveerya

: You never understand my problems, do you? (stomps out)

Queen

: Bhishma, now you tell me what I should do.

Bhishma

: You are right. We must crown Vichitra as the king. And before that we have to fix his marriage.

Queen

: Minister, there were some marriage proposals from various kings, with portraits of eligible princesses. Why don't we select some suitable princess from among them for Vichitra?

Minister

: There is a small snag there. All the proposals were for Chitrangada, and none from those 53 kingdoms for Vichitraveerya.

Queen

: Why?

Minister

: The news of the Prince's illness has spread to other kings. In fact the king of Kashi has even the temerity to ask for the medical certificate of Prince's health.
Queen Satyavati stands up enraged.

Scene 5

Queen Satyavati is seen strolling pensively at night. As the morning dawns, she walks out resolutely and is met by Bheeshma whom she has invited for a quick consultation.
She tells him that the customary sending and receiving marriage proposals were time consuming and may even be counter-productive for Vichitraveerya. She says that the king of Kashi was going to hold a 'Swayamvaram' after two days to choose suitable grooms for his daughters. She says she has fixed her mind on the three daughters of Kashi: the beautiful and brave Amba; Ambika, well versed in painting, and Ambalika, a great dancer, as the ideal brides for her son, and eminently suitable future queens of Hastinapura.
Bhishma reminds her of the unwillingness of the Kashi king to give his daughters to Vichitraveerya. The queen says what is not received should be forcibly taken. She asks Bheeshma to go to the Swayamvaram and forcibly bring the brides for Vichitraveerya.
Bheeshma protests that this was not dharma, the queen counters saying it was kshatriya dharma to bring brides by fighting and winning them in a war war.
Bheeshma does not agree, saying it went against his swa-dharma, but the queen does not relent. She says the only other option would be that Bheeshma should marry, an option that was not acceptable to Bheeshma. She laments that there was no other alternative save all of them leaving for the forest and letting the waiting wolves to pounce and gobble up Hastinapura. She issues the ultimatum to Bhishma saying he should now decide the future of Hastinapura. He should decide whether they were to leave for the forest or conduct the marriage of Vichitraveerya and instal him as the future king.