Scene 1
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| Drona Blesses Drishtadyumna |
Vyasa asks Kunti if she knew Gandhari's inner mind. Kunti says she doesn't. Vyasa says it is Kunti's illusion that Gandhari is really happy. How could anyone know the inner turmoil that goes on in others minds, he asks Kunti. Life is a drama and before the final end, how can one decide the climax? That is in the hands of God. He cannot reveal the significance of Bhima's marriage with Hidimbi, or for that matter, other similar incidents that she might consider as sufferings in her life. The killing of Bakasura has also been significant; for it is the divine secret that of the five equally strong warriors Bheema, Bakasura, Keechaka, Duryodhana and Jarasandha, the one who kills one of the others will eventually slay the other three. Since Bheema has slain Bakasura, Kunti could infer the rest.
Kunti is dumbfounded.
Vyasa continues, "It is the same with Chitratha. Only one who is strong in his celibacy would be able to conquer Chitratha. One might say the encounter with Chitratha is a test which Arjuna has passed successfully.
Scene 2
Drona is offering his daily prayer. Drishtadyumna comes in. Drona tells him it is his last day at the Gurukula and he has successfully learned all that he had to learn and blesses him.
Drishtadyumna extols Drona's large heartedness in teaching him archery and weaponry despite protests by his wife and son. Kripa and Ashwaththama enter. Ashwaththama sarcastically asks if it was not in the tradition of Panchala to offer Guru Dakshina to him.
Drishtadyumna says he is ready for any dakshina his guru may ask. Drona says that Ashwaththaama should behave like a true kshatriya in the battle field and keep all passion and familial bondage of love out of the mind. Even if he was to fight against, he should only aim to defeat the adversary. That was the dakshina Drona desired. Drishtadyumna says Drona knew the purpose of his life and could have demanded his life; yet he chose to see him victorious. This had touched him so deeply that he was prepared to forego the objective of his life.
Drona says love can dilute one's ambitions. This was not the dakshina that he desired. The reward that he desired was receiving a victorious death (வீர மரணம்)at his hands.
Scene 3
Drupada watches happily as Drishtadyumna canters on his steed after completing his martial education under Drona. He now wants to test his son's proficiency in archery.
Drona points to a group of three birds flying one below the other. He tells Drishtadyumna to shoot just the middle bird. Drishtadyumna does as he is told. Drona then points to a tree full of fruits and asks him to shoot it down with an arrow but before it touches the ground, aim another arrow to split it. This task too Drishtadyumna accomplishes neatly. Drupada then points to a rocky mound which he tells Drishtadyumna to pierce into pieces and then with another arrow assemble into a whole as before. Drishtadyumna beams as this job too is done, but is surprised when Drupada slaps tightly a man standing next to them and watching Drupada's performances.
Drishtadyumna asks his father the reason for what he considered a strange behavior. Drupada says that the man had been entrusted with devising a few tests which only Arjuna could do. If Drishtadyumna could do this easily, there would possibly be many suitors who would pass the tests. Drupada reiterated that he wanted only arjuna to win the hands of Draupadi.
Drishtadyumna suggests that Drupada consult Drona once again to devise tests in which only Arjuna could succeed. Drupada feels it would be embarrassing to seek Drona's help once again, considerably how he, intoxicated by power, had once insulted Drona when he approached him seeking monetary help. Dristadyumna says time changes everything, the circumstances and the nature of people. And Drona was a great soul who had forgiven and put behind the bitter past and would definitely help him without hesitation. Finally Drupada has to agree to bite his own ego and seek Drona's help once again.
Scene 4
Kunti and the Pandavas are watching groups of people scurrying along. Vyasa tells them they are going to attend Draupadi's swayamvaram. He describes the beauty of Draupadi, which exceeded the beauty of the celestials. He tells them they too should attend the function as there would be plenty of good food and wholesome entertainment for a number of days. Yudhishtra is worried that they could be discovered by Drupada. Vyasa assures them it was unlikely to happen as Drupada would be too busy to notice.
Scene 5
Karna is playing dice with Duryodhana and Shakuni. Dushshasana has just come from Varanavata and comes to meet them. He confirms the death of Pandavas and substantiates it with what he saw and heard from the people of Varanavata. All of them rejoice the death of Pandavas and get ready to perform Duryodhana's coronation. Karna as usual is unhappy over the news of the death of Pandavas; however, he is happy for Duryodhana.
Just then, a messenger tells them that Dhritarashtra wishes to see them. They go to see Dhritarashtra with some trepidation that Dhritarashtra got wind of Dushshasana's secret mission. However, Dhritarashtra is unaware of Dushshasana's movements; he has summoned them only to convey the news of Draupadi's self-choice wedding. He is optimistic about Duryodhana's ability to win any contest leading to Draupadi's hands. This would strengthen Kuru kingdom as Panchala was as powerful as Hastinapura. Duryodhana is still worried about his coronation, and Dhritarashtra assures his son that his coronation would take place soon after his wedding with draupadi. Duryodhana assures his father that one of the brothers would certainly win Draupadi's hands.
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