Balarama reminds Krishna that he has to go to Hastinapur to seek the alliance of Duryodhana for their sister Subhadra, a job he has been constantly postponing on some pretext or the other. Just then, a messenger from Hastinapura brings him a message from Kunti informing him that the coronation of Yudhishtra has been fixed, after which they would move to Khandavaprastha, a region they have been assigned to rule. Balarama expresses the concern that this meant the division of Hastinapura, which is neither a matter to rejoice nor the opportune time to talk of marriage alliances; hence Balarama doesn't want to participate in the coronation ceremony. Krishna says he has promised to Draupadi to come whenever they are in trouble; hence he would go down to Hastinapur.
Vidura tells Dritarashtra that he has decided to go to Khandavaprastha to lead his life with dignity. When Dritarashtra prods him to explain the reason, Vidura says he was asked to move out by Duryodhana and Shakuni. Dritarashtra is aghast, and both he and Gandhari prevail on him to change his decision, considering his inability to function alone because of his blindness. Dritarashtra makes Vidura promise that he would never leave his side, whatever be the provocation.
Duryodhana is highly upset over the planned coronation ceremony of Yudhishtra. Eager to please Duryodhana, Gandhari suggests simultaneously conducting his coronation crowning him the king of Hastinapur. Duryodhana is vexed by the suggestion. He says he is not greedy for the kingdom and he merely desired that his father should get the entire kingdom without yielding any part of it to Yudhishtra. He vows that he would never become the king of Hastinapur as long as his father lived.
As a prelude to the coronation, Sage Vyasa, the Pandava brothers and Kunti have assembled before Pandu's portrait. Kunti asks Vyasa to invoke the blessings of queens Satyavati, Ambika and Ambalika who are currently on Vanaprastha. Vyasa tells Kunti that merely remembering and seeking their blessings would be enough.
Satyavati, Ambika and Ambalika are trudging wearily across the forest.
Vyasa crowns Yudhishtra and blesses that he would rule the entire earth and perform Rajasuya yagna. Dritarashtra and Gandhari also bless him similarly. Duryodhana is unable to participate in the festivities. Shakuni approaches him and tells him not to worry. He tells him that Khandavaprastha is like a burial ground for the Pandavas, as it is the land of the Nagas. Takshaka is the deadliest serpent whose mere breath would burn the Pandavas. Duryodhana surmises that Pandavas could kill the Nagas easily. Shakuni tells him that Khandavaprastha belonged to the Kuru ancestors, but Indra had already gifted it to the Nagas. If Arjuna chose to fight with the Nagas, he would incur the wrath of Indra, his own father. Shakuni knew of all this, but purposely kept away Dritarashtra from these facts.
Pandavas reach Khandavaprastha. The land is barren and deserted and is infested with serpents. Krishna advises the Pandavas to do 'bhoomi puja' before settling down there. Sahadeva, being very knowledgeable in shastras, begins the rituals. In the meanwhile, several serpents go to the Naga palace and inform their king of the intrusion of humans into their territory. Vasuki, the Naga guard and one of the Naga chief called Aryaka come to meet them. They tell the Pandavas to leave the forest area belonging to them. The Pandavas tell the Nagas that the territory was ruled by their ancestors. Aryaka recognizes them and tells Kunti that he is her great grand father and had once saved Bhima when he was poisoned and thrown into the Ganges. Aryaka is happy to see Krishna and hugs him. He then tells them to continue the worship and build the city, but they should take care not to enter the forest area. Krishna protests that it is not possible but Kunti agrees that they would not disturb the serpents. Vasuki does not approve of the proceedings and says serpents and humans could never dwell together and leaves in a huff.
Yudhishtra wonders how they could construct a city in a deserted place and asks for Krishna's guidance. Krishna invites the celestail architect Vishwakarma to build a city and a palace in Khandavaprastha that should equal the stature of Indra's Indraloka. In a trice, the buildings come up. Sage Vyasa asks Krishna to crown Yudhishtra. He then names the city 'Indraprastha'. Drupada blesses Yudhishtra that his kingdom should exceed Hastinapur and Panchala in terms of strength. Yudhistra starts to remonstrate that he would always be subservient to Hastinapur, but Draupadi tells him that as a true kshatriya, they should do everything possible to make their country prosper and excel.
Krishna takes leave of the Pandavas, saying his brother Balarama and sister Subhadra would be waiting to hear from him about the happenings here. Kunti asks him about Subhadra's marriage and Krishna reveals that she wants to marry a man of her choice. Arjuna asks him to name him and he would bring him before Subhadra. Krishna says that the astrologers have said that a woman was likely to oppose this marriage. Promptly, Draupadi offers to convince the girl and make her agree for Subhadra's marriage. Krishna seizes the opportunity to tell Draupadi that she shouldn't retract from her promise and that he would remind her of this promise at an appropriate time.
A painter who has seen Indraprastha comes to see Shakuni, Duryodhana and Dushshasana. He shows them the drawings of the city. he tells them how Krishna requested Vishwakarma to build a city equal in grandeur to Indraloka. Duryodhana is seized by fury, and as usual shakuni tells them he has further plans to bust the enemies.
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