Pandu Plans Digvijaya to Appease Dhritarashtra : Episode 15

Debate Over Succession

The palace is preparing for the coronation of Pandu scheduled for the next morning. Bhishma and Queen satyavati oversee the arrangements, ensuring that sages like Vyasa and Parasurama have been personally invited.

Vidura arrives quietly, bowing.

Vidura

: Has anyone informed Dhritarashtra that Pandu will be crowned king?

Bhishma expresses surprise. He has assumed Dhritarashtra understood succession by tradition and scripture.

Vidura explains that Dhritarashtra is convinced he will be crowned and has long harboured ambitions for the throne.

A minister recalls a childhood incident: eight-year-old Dhritarashtra insisted on being addressed as "Prince." The minister complied and started to leave, but when he muttered something about the future of Hastinapura, Dhritarashtra snapped his own pearl necklace and commanded him to gather the fallen pearls — an early flash of entitlement.

Concerned, Satyavati summons the royal astrologer. He affirms that the scriptures disqualify a king with physical deformities, adding that even if consulted again, learned elders would give the same verdict.

Now, they must break the news to Dhritarashtra—without igniting his anger.

Bhishma:

Mother, only you can speak to him.

A Dream Shattered

Dhritarashtra dresses for what he believes is his coronation. Gandhari helps him fasten ornaments while he imagines himself seated on the throne.

Gandhari enters the room.

Dhritarashtra :

Look at me, Rajamata. Do I not look like an emperor? Even Indra cannot rival me!

Satyavati is silent. Tears gather in her eyes. When she finally speaks, her voice trembles.

Satyavati :

Dhritarashtra ... Pandu will be crowned today.

The words strike like thunder. Dhritarashtra drops his crown, rages, throws objects across the chamber, and accuses everyone of betrayal. Even when told that his children will rule someday, he refuses consolation.

He pushes Satyavati away in fury; her cry brings Bhishma, Pandu, Vidura, and Shakuni to the chamber. No one can pacify him — until Shakuni steps forward, sending all others away with the assurance that he would handle the situation himself.

A Brother Torn

Elsewhere, Pandu sits disturbed. Kunti urges him to eat; Madri watches in silence.

Shakuni enters, greeting him with false warmth.

Shakuni

: Dhritarashtra is my elder sister's husband, but I would not say what he did is right.

Pandu firmly defends Dhritarashtra, even warning Shakuni not to speak against him. Shakuni pretends to be moved by Pandu’s affection and offers a “solution”:

Shakuni :

The newly crowned emperor must go on digvijaya — conquest in all directions. While you expand the empire, your brother will rule Hastinapura in your name.

Kunti intervenes cautiously: “Do not decide in haste.”

Shakuni dismisses her concern, glorifying the conquest tradition and invoking the legacy of Shantanu and Bhishma. Pandu, inspired, agrees enthusiastically.

Pandu :

I will begin the digvijaya immediately after the coronation.

Shakuni chuckles to himself, thinking this plan would effectively keep Pandu away from Hastinapur for a long time, in which interval he could gain a foothold in Hastinapur administration.

Dritarashtra Accepts Pandu's Coronation

Shakuni now approaches Dhritarashtra, who is sitting morosely, not wanting to speak to anybody. Shakuni breaks this barrier with soft talk and gets his confidence. He talks of his role in getting his sister married to Dhritarashtra despite his father being not happy with the proposal. He talks of his sister's sacrifice in blindfolding her eyes for the sake of Dhritarashtra. Coming from the same soil of Gandhara, Shakuni's sole aim was to work for the welfare of Dhritarashtra. After gaining the confidence, Shakuni explains his game plan to Dhritarashtra who now agrees to it.

Slowly, Dhritarashtra softens.

Pandu later enters to apologize, stating that he intends to leave the throne to Dhritarashtra during his conquest. Dhritarashtra pretends reluctance, while Shakuni orchestrates reconciliation between them.

The tension dissolves — outwardly.