Drupada's Fire Sacrifice and Jarasandha's Vow : Episode 37

Recap of the Previous Episode

: The palace feast ends with Kunti sending the cook-woman and her sons away, but they return secretly to join Purochana’s plan to burn the palace. The Pandavas, aware of the plot, pretend to be drunk while Bhima overpowers the cook and her sons. The palace catches fire, Purochana dies in the flames, and the charred bodies left behind lead everyone to believe the Pandavas have perished. The brothers escape through the tunnel as Hastinapura mourns their death, while Drupada begins a more powerful Yagna to gain children who can avenge his humiliation.

Grief and Suspicion in Hastinapura

Bhishma, Drona, and Kripacharya are devastated by the news of the supposed death of the Pandavas and Kunti. The Kauravas, however, receive the spy’s report with undisguised joy. Shakuni briefly considers killing the spy to erase evidence of their conspiracy but ultimately spares him.

Later in court, the citizen who reports the tragedy boldly accuses Dhritarashtra of orchestrating the Pandavas’ death. Overcome with guilt, Dhritarashtra admits responsibility for sending them to Varanavata and seeks forgiveness. Bhishma, enraged by the accusation, challenges the man to present proof and threatens punishment if he fails. His intervention protects the king, and the crowd disperses.

Drupada’s Fierce Resolve

Meanwhile, Drupada prepares to abandon the pacific Yagna and undertakes the harsh Rudragni Yagna to gain children capable of destroying Drona. His brother rushes to inform Drupada’s wife, and together they attempt to stop him. She pleads with Drupada to abandon the extreme ritual, but he refuses, standing firm amidst blazing fires and penance.

Who Will Perform the Rituals?

In Hastinapura, the question arises — who should perform the death rites for the Pandavas? Dhritarashtra hesitates, mindful of public blame. Bhishma refuses, citing his life as a non-householder. Vidura declines out of propriety, since elders like Dhritarashtra and Bhishma are present. Finally, they decide to call Sage Vyasa.

The messenger travels to his ashram, but Vyasa, already aware through intuition, instructs his disciple Vaishampayana not to let anyone disturb his meditation. The messenger returns without meeting him.

Jarasandha’s Vow of Revenge

Elsewhere, King Jarasandha, already holding eighty-six kings captive, expects praise from his daughters. But they remain cold. When he questions them, they lament that he has not yet avenged the death of Kamsa at Krishna’s hands. Stung by their reproach, Jarasandha vows to kill Krishna as soon as possible.