Vidura protests that the division of Hastinapura as delineated by Dritarashtra is unjust. Dritarashtra reminds Vidura that Hastinapura itself was a forest in the days of yore and had been cultivated by their ancestors. So Pandavas, being diligent, could do the same. He had entrusted them with the task of finding a solution and Vidura had suggested partition. He, as the king, has now accepted their solution and has devised a plan for the division of the country and it is their duty to obey their king's order.
Vidura expresses the fear that the Pandavas might not agree to this gross injustice, but Dritarashtra discounts it saying it was Vidura's duty as a chief minister to force Pandavas into submission. Vidura retorts that it was also his duty to warn the king of dire consequences that might result from his action: in particular, Drupada might send an army in support of the Pandavas. This infuriates Dritarashtra who declares that he is not worried about the threat from Panchala, as Bheeshma, who has sworn to protect Hastinapura, would fight off this threat.
Bheeshma understands that the only alternative left for them is to obey the king and he tells Vidura that they should carry out the king's order and not bother about its propriety. Once out of the king's chambers, Bheeshma is worried how to break the news to the Pandavas.
Kunti tells her sons that they should now decide on the next course of action while awaiting the decision arrived at by the elders. She commands them to be mentally prepared to accept without any hesitation or question whatever their great grand father Bhishma commands. Though the Pandavas are keen to rule the land, they have sworn to obey their mother's commands, and so they silently follow her to Bhishma's chambers where Bhishma and Vidura have congregated to convey to the Pandavas of their decision. Much to Bhishma's shocked surprise, the Pandavas accept the plan without any show of emotion. Vidura asks Kunti if she is not unhappy with the division. Kunti points out that only her acceptance is being sought, and not her happiness. This makes Bhishma go berserk with guilty feelings. He has been anticipating pointed accusations and irrefutable arguments against the decision, but the Pandava's calm and resigned acceptance throws him into a frenzied admission of helplessness. He explains that as a self appointed sentry of Hastinapura following the vow he has taken, he could only execute the king's orders despite knowing it to be unjust.
Once back to their rooms, Arjuna expresses the desire that he wants to see Yudhishtra being coronated in public in Hastinapura. He requests Kunti to grant this desire before they go to Khandavaprastha. Kunti agrees to talk to Bhishma about it. Bhishma agrees to this, and promises that he would do everything to carry out this wish of Kunti.
Vidura tells Kunti he has seen her determined fight for justice when she spoke resolutely in the court on an earlier occasion. But her calm surrender to Bhishma has surprised him. Kunti explains that earlier she had allowed her intellect to govern her action, but now let her soul make the decision. She talks highly of the sacrifices Bhishma has made for Hastinapura, but got nothing but 'shoonya' in return. This made her realize nobody ever wins anything. So she has decided that her sons should start their life with 'shoonya'. Vidura pays tribute to Kunti's sagacity and bows to her.
Krishna massages and presses Balarama's feet as the latter sleeps. Rukmini watches this silently, and later asks if it was appropriate for him as the Lord of the universe to do such a service for Balarama. Krishna explains about their eternal connection as Nara and Narayana. In Ramavatara, Lakshmana had served Rama without sleeping, eating or sitting for 14 long years. Rama had not realized this for a long time and finally asked Lakshmana about this. Lakshmana replied Rama had never ordered him to sit, eat or sleep. Rama had wanted to repay Lakshmana for such a loving service to him by massaging his aching feet, but couldn't do so as Lakshmana was younger to him. That is why in the present avatara, the Nara was born as his elder brother and he has no compunction in pressing his feet.
Dritarashtra expresses his happiness when Bhishma conveys the news of Pandavas acquiescence to their plans. Bhishma chides Dritarashtra for taking delight in others misfortunes and Dritarashtra is hurt by the accusation that he knows to be true. Bhishma then tells of the promise he has made to Kunti of holding Yudhishtra's coronation in public before their departure to Khandavaprastha. Dritarashtra asks what is the necessity of the coronation so soon and if they did not trust his words. Bhishma reminds him of a similar situation in the past when Dritarashtra had promised to crown Yudhishtra before sending them to Varanavata, but did not keep up the promise on their return. Trust had to be earned, not simply received, Bhishma asserts.
Shakuni is listening to the conversation going on. He chides Dritarashtra for being weak and indecisive. He has to give up allegiance to the Pandavas if he is to consider the welfare of his own sons, which is his duty anyway as a father. He compels Dritarashtra to think and act resolutely.
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