Scene 1
Nilavan asks Shakuni why he exposed Duryodhana's misdeeds and made Dhritarashtra angry. Shakuni explains his strategy – of pinching the baby and rocking the cradle – saying he wanted Dhritarashtra to know the extent to which duryodhana would go to achieve his goals and his own goal was, no doubt, to see Duryodhana as king.
 |
| Shikhadini's marriage to a girl |
Yudhishtra and others return from their rounds of collecting alms and find a bullock cart laden with food and Bheema standing next to it. A large crowd has gathered, some of the people moaning the lot of Bheema and some questioning the ethics of putting the life of an atithi in danger. Yudhishtra goes inside and calls out for his mother.
Dhritarashtra and Gandhari meet Shakuni. Gandhari expresses disbelief that her son would act on his own will and fancy without consulting elders. Shakuni says this was to be expected; after all, he was the son of Dhritarashtra who had behaved similarly in the past. Then he suggests that they conduct the coronation of Duryodhana as Pandavas were dead. Dhritarashtra is visibly happy, but he wants to consult others. He dismisses the idea of speaking to Vidura but plans to speak to Bheeshma, as the most elderly statesman. Shakuni is reluctant, but agrees, nevertheless.
Scene 2
(continuation of flashback of Drupada from previous episode)Drupada and his wife Prishata are watching their daughter Shikhandin fight other warriors and are pleased with her prowess. But Prishata is worried about Shikhandin's marriage since she has been trained to fight like a man and in fact behaved like a man. Shikhandin is not worried as much about her marriage. She remembers her previous birth where, as Amba, she obtained boon from Shiva that she would bring about the death of Bhishma.
Many proposals come from different kings asking for Shikhandin's hand in marriage. Drupada is worried, and prays to God. Sage Narada comes in and Drupada welcomes him. Drupada tells Narada about his daughter and also about Lord Shiva's directive that his daughter be brought up as a boy. Yet as a father, Drupada says that he is confused whether to get her married to a man or a woman.
Narada says that there is no doubt that they should follow the Lord's instructions and get her married to a girl. But they should be prepared to accept whatever problems they may have to face as a result. Narada then offers to speak to King Hiranyavarman and ask for his daughter's hand for Shikhandin.
Shikhandin marries the girl but avoids any contact or intimacy with her for four days. On the fifth day, the girl offers milk to Shikhandin but it spills over Shikhandin. The girl tries to brush off from the dress and accidentally touches her bosom. Immediately she realizes that Shikhandin is a girl. She rushes out screaming and brings her parents. King Hiranyavarman looks for Shikhandin, but she hides herself and watches the proceedings. The king now calls out to his generals and prepares for a war.
Shikhandin rushes to her parents and informs them of the approaching king. She then tells her parents she would go out in search of the masulinity hidden in her. King Hiranyavarman accuses Drupada of cheating but Drupada denies it. Narada appears and says that King Hiranyavarman should prove Shikhandian is a boy, but Hiranyavarman is unable to do so as they cannot find Shikhandin. Narada declares that the matter will be settled once Shikhandin is found out.
Comments
Post a Comment