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Showing posts from September, 2013

Vidura Suspects Conspiracy Against Pandavas : Episode 31 (22-09-13)

Scene 1 After the meeting with Dhritarashtra, Duryodhana barges angrily into Shakuni's chambers. He is frustrated with his father for not acting decisively, and with Shakuni for not insisting on permission for killing the Pandavas. Shakuni assures Duryodhana he is always having his nephew's welfare in his mind. He explains the necessity for caution, because if Pandavas are killed in Hastinapura itself, all suspicion would fall on them. So it is important to get the Pandavas out of Hastinapura, and then plan their end. He would simply tell Dhritarashtra to send Pandavas to Varanavrata where consecration of an ancient Shiva temple is being organized. He has planned this with the help of Purochana, the Chief architect of the temple. He would instruct Dhritarashtra to send the Pandavas along with their mother Kunti under the pretext that he was too busy with the administrative affairs of the country. They then send for Purochana.

Drona Asks Ekalavya His Right Thumb as Guru Dakshina : Episode 30

Scene 1 Continued from the last scene of the previous episode: Shakuni tells Dhritarashtra that Dushshasana's idea of killing the Pandavas was the only way Duryodhana could ascend the throne. Dhritarashtra opposes this vehemently, recalling Pandu's love for him and his selfless renunciation of the kingdom and leaving for the forest. Shakuni then suggests he should avail the counsel of an able administrator called Kanika who was wise in running political affairs. Scene 2 Arjuna goes hunting to a forest. A dog barks non-stop at him. Arjuna tries unsuccessfully to silence him, and in exasperation aims an arrow at him when a series of arrows arrests the dog's mouth in such a way that disables the bark without killing the animal. Impressed, Arjuna asks the hunter boy who shot the arrows who taught him this trick. The boy replies his Guru was Dronacharya. Arjuna is stunned.

Dhritarashtra's Dilemma Over Announcing His Successor : Episode 29 (08-09-13)

Scene 1 After Arjuna's victory over King Drupada, the people of Hastinapur are excited about who is going to be the future king. Their favorites appear to be Yudhishtra and Arjuna, much to Duryodhana's and Karna's chagrin. Vidura reminds that Dhritarashtra that it was time he makes an announcement about the coronation of the next king. Dhritarashtra announces he is already contemplating on the coronation and would announce it soon, and the crowd thronging the court cheer Yudhishtra and Arjuna. Dhritarashtra : Why are they reacting this way even before I announce the name of the future king? Vidura : That only goes to show that the people of Hastinapur are already clear about their choice of the new king. Shakuni : It is monarchical form of government not people's republic that governs Hastinapur. So only the king gets to decide. Vidura : A king must respect people's opinion. And the prince of Gandhara must speak only when asked by the king.

Arjuna Defeats Drupada; Episode 28 (01-09-13)

Main highlights: * Defeat of Duryodhana: unable to capture Drupada * Arjuna defeats Drupada, chains and brings him as captive before Drona. * Drona says he is now the king of Panchala. Since Drupada had said that friendship had to be between equals and since he valued friendship, he would gift Northern half of Panchala to him and retain the Southern half himself and make his son Ashwatthama the king. Now that they were equals, Drupada could renew the friendship if he desired so. Drupada said the friendship would be decided by future, in future. * Drupada leaves in humiliation, but Arjuna follows him and asks for his pardon. He says he had done his duty, and had no personal enmity with him. Arjuna's politeness and his appreciation of the valor of the vanquished wins Drupada's heart. * Dhritarastra is inwardly upset over Arjuna's victory in a task that couldn't be accomplished by Duryodhana. Gandhari understands his predicament and consoles him, and orders A...

Drona Demands the capture of the King of Panchala; Episode 27 (25-08-13)

Scene 1 Karna asks for a chance to demonstrate his dexterity in archery which he says will surpass that of Arjuna. Kripacharya insists that Karna reveal his pedigree and Karna stands speechless. Kripacharya says Arjuna will fight only with whose ancestry matches with his. Duryodhana says Karna is a brave warrior and that alone should be the criterion for judging his worth. If Arjuna could fight only with those belonging to royal family, he would crown Karna that very instant, and with permission from Dhritarashtra crowns him as the king of Anga. Karna is overwhelmed with gratitude and promises lifelong allegiance to Duryodhana. Seeing Karna being crowned, his foster father Adhiratha rushes to the podium and hugs him affectionately. Now that everybody comes to know who his father is, Arjuna is derisive, but Duryodhana gives back a fitting reply. Before Arjuna can decide to fight with Karna, the sun starts setting, and Kripacharya announces the closure of the game as per the rules. Eve...