Pandavas Escape Lac House Through the Tunnel : Episode 36

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Recap of Previous Episode : Drupada secures the help of Yaja and Upayaja to begin a yagna that will yield a son destined to challenge Drona. In Varanavata, Vidura’s agent secretly starts tunneling beneath the lac palace for the Pandavas' escape while they pretend to trust Purochana completely.

The Feast and Kunti’s Gifts

A grand feast marks the evening. Kunti distributes gifts to all attendees, including Vanjikodi, the tribal cook-woman, and her five sons. She advises them to return home and rest, but the woman insists on staying. Kunti refuses gently, and they leave — only to return secretly to Purochana’s chambers. The Pandavas watch and feel their suspicions harden.

Purochana’s Plan Takes Shape

Purochana welcomes the cook and her sons back. He instructs them to seal all exits and set the palace on fire at midnight. The Pandavas overhear the plan and lie low.

Drunken Chaos and Deception

The cook and her sons drink heavily and collapse. The Pandavas pretend to be drunk to mislead Purochana. When he rouses the group to carry out the plan, Bhima attacks and overpowers them. The cook dies in the struggle.

To mislead future investigations, the Pandavas remove their ornaments and place them on the woman's body and her sons, ensuring the charred remains will be mistaken for Kunti and the Pandavas.

The Palace Burns

The fight triggers flames. The inflammable palace catches fire rapidly. Purochana is trapped in his chamber and burns alive. The Pandavas escape through the hidden tunnel into the darkness.

Shock in Varanavata

Citizens wake to a palace engulfed in flames and lament the supposed death of Kunti and her sons. A messenger rushes to Hastinapura and announces that the Pandavas have perished. Dhritarashtra reacts with anger, but Vidura calms him, masking the truth he already knows.

Drupada Seeks Retribution

Meanwhile, Drupada’s Yagna concludes with the guidance of sages Yaja and Upayaja. When asked to summon his wife to partake in the sanctified offerings, Drona reveals she opposes the Yagna and will not attend. The sages are displeased, but Drupada pleads for a more powerful ritual—one that will grant him a son and daughter capable of destroying Drona.

The sages declare this requires a greater sacrifice, demanding austerity and total surrender—even Drupada’s own body if necessary. The king agrees, fueled by his desire to avenge his humiliation.

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