Drona Helps Drupada Devise a Challenging Swayamwara Contest : Episode 55 (23-Mar-14)

Scene 1

Drupada comes to Drona's ashram. As he walks towards Drona, a thorn pokes into his feet and he cries out in pain. Drona rushes to him and takes out the thorn. Drona is embarrassed that an acharya of stature should touch his feet, but Drona recalls their earlier days of friendship and says he always considers Drupada as his friend. Drupada thanks him for training his son despite knowing the purpose and objective of his birth. Drona smiles and asks whether he came that far just to thank him.

Drupada and Drona

Drupada is hesitant to broach the subject but Drona insists he speak up without any hesitation. Drupada then tells him that he desires to design Draupadi's swayamwaram contest, keeping in mind Arjuna's unique strength. Drona recalls arjuna's special talent for aiming accurately at the target without looking at it. This he had come to know when he saw Arjuna practicing archery in the dark. Drona had been surprised when he saw this and Arjuna told him he got the idea when one day he continued eating in the pitch dark when a gust of wind had extinguished the light in the dining room. Drona gives Drupada some idea of devising a challenging contest for the swayamvaram.

Scene 2

Vidura and Bhishma discuss whether they should announce that Pandavas are alive, but decide to stall it for the time being.

Bhishma offers worship to Pandavas

Shakuni brings Duryodhana and Dushasana to receive elder's blessings before they leave for Panchala. Then he says Duryodhana and Dushasana should also receive blessings from the departed ancestors, including Kunti and the Pandavas. Bhishma tries to talk Shakuni out of it, but Shakuni insists that the Kuru princes offer salutations, which is suitable for dead ones, to Pandavas. Bhishma doesn't want to do it, but he does it nevertheless, so as to allay all suspicions.

Scene 3

Drupada and Drishtadyumna are supervising the arrangements made for the stay of guests, artistes and kings from various kingdoms. He takes special care for the accommodation of Arjuna. He has not only found out the food preferences of Arjuna but has also ordered a special crown studded with the most precious stones for him.

Draupadi is curious to know why Drupada wants her to marry Arjuna. Drupada says nobody can understand what Arjuna's words meant to him when he was reeling under the shame of having to touch the feet of Drona after being defeated in the war with Arjuna. Arjuna said he is a monarch himself and to be shamed into falling at somebody's feet is not only humiliating but against kshatriya dharma as well. Ashwathama said he was no longer a monarch as he had lost his crown. In that case, Arjuna pointed out, Drupada was Drona's friend and compelling his friend was not appropriate either. Drona thanked Arjuna for saving him from this unethical act. Arjuna said he was obliged to obey his guru's command and personally asked for Drupada's pardon for his part in this episode.

Drupada's minister points out Drupada had political motives as well. Drupada admitted to that and recalled the occasion when Bhishma had attacked and defeated him following the imprisonment of Vichitraveerya for taking away the royal cows. This was galling to the kshatriya spirit in him.