Somadatta Advises Duryodhana Not to Wage War Against Pandavas (Episode 64)

Recap for the Previous Episode :

Vidura keeps Dhritarashtra hopeful by cleverly redefining “Kaurava,” while secretly coordinating the Pandavas’ return through Drupada. In the forest, Duryodhana, Karna, and Shakuni battle frustration and seek new allies. In Panchala, Kunti insists on waiting for Vidura’s guidance — which soon arrives through a coded message. Hastinapura now waits for Drupada’s formal approach.

Kunti’s Counsel and the Question of Response

Kunti, her sons, and Drupada gather to decide their next step. Bheema speaks first — he wants to fight the Kauravas and drive them out of Hastinapur.
Kunti reminds him of Pandu’s deep affection for Dhritarashtra. Pandu once gave up the throne willingly for his elder brother; how then can they now think of pushing Dhritarashtra’s sons into the forest? She firmly tells Bheema that, whatever the provocation, she will never allow him to be disrespectful to his uncle.
Arjuna, restless and frustrated, feels compromise is weakness. In his view, the kingdom is rightfully theirs — should they not assert it clearly?
Kunti replies that such a demand will lead only to bloodshed, and unnecessary war must be avoided.
Sahadeva adds calmly that even a letter written to an enemy must follow the shastras: one may caution, but one must never wound the enemy’s self-respect.

Drafting the Letter to Dhritarashtra

Drupada believes Kunti’s political wisdom should shape the message. Kunti, however, asks Nakula to draft the letter while she dictates. She begins with Drupada’s respectful greetings to Emperor Dhritarashtra. Then she continues:

“Pandavas have married my daughter and are now under my refuge. While this raises my honour, I am aware that it diminishes the prestige of Hastinapur, and I trust you feel the same. I hope you will make suitable arrangements to receive them back in Hastinapur with royal dignity. Panchala stands ready to serve.”

Drupada is pleased.

Arjuna feels the wording quietly asserts their strength without stating it openly — exactly the tone he wished for. Draupadi, too, praises Kunti’s well-known shrewdness.

Somadatta’s Visit to Duryodhana

Bahlika king Somadatta arrives at Duryodhana’s camp, where Shakuni and Dushasana await.

He pledges support — but also cautions restraint.

He advises Duryodhana not to rush into war without fully weighing the enemy’s strength and fortresses. A premature war, he warns, may end in disaster. Peace, for now, is wiser. There will be a time in the future when fortune may favour Duryodhana.

Duryodhana is irritated by the advice, but in the end he understands the sense behind it.

Balarama Questions Krishna

Narada visits Balarama and tells him of Draupadi’s marriage to all five Pandavas. Shocked, Balarama takes Narada to Krishna.

Balarama asks Krishna bluntly whether he deliberately sent him away from Panchala after the swayamvara. Krishna acts surprised and denies playing any role in the marriage. Subhadra, listening nearby, asks whether Arjuna had no objections. Krishna teases her — she seems more worried about Arjuna’s marriage than the Pandavas’ survival.

Subhadra insists she is simply glad the Pandavas are alive. Krishna then explains that he only visited Kunti for a short while and was not present when the marriage took place. He adds that the marriage happened in the presence of Veda Vyasa.

The moment Vyasa’s name is mentioned, Balarama relaxes. If Vyasa supervised it, no scriptural rule could have been broken.

Vidura Prepares the Court

Vidura convenes a meeting of the ministers with Dhritarashtra. Bhishma asks the reason. Vidura explains that a messenger from Drupada is on the way and he wants the letter to be heard in the royal assembly. Bhishma is pleased with this development, and Vidura requests his support when the letter is read.