Balarama is angry with Duryodhana for his malicious behavior towards the Pandavas and the lewd and reprehensible treatment of Draupadi. He is waiting for the return of Krishna who has gone to fight Salwa king who had attacked Dwaraka to avanege Shishupala's death.
Balarama's wife Revati narrates to Krishna the abominable incidents that took place at Hastinapur, and Balarama suggests that they attack Hastinapur to seek justice for the Pandavas. Krishna's counter argument is that since Duryodhana hasn't harmed them directly and the Pandavas haven't sought his intervention and accepted their exile without a whimper, there is nothing that they can do. Krishna then suggests that Balarama could visit Hastinapur and chastise the Kuru prince, while he goes to meet the Pandavas and offer them support and comforting words. Balarama agrees to this.
Pandavas are trudging wearily through the forest. Draupadi, unused to walking bare foot on harsh and rugged terrains is exhausted. Bhima is frustrated and he repeatedly pounds a tree with his fist. Yudhishtra asks him why he is so furious and Bhima unleashes all his pent up frustations, holding Yudhishtra responsible for their present misery. Dhaumya intervenes and poses some questions to Bhima and Arjuna. He asks them why they didn't rise in protest when Draupadi was being dishonored. Bhima could have ripped Dushshasana instead of merely warning him. When Duryodhana asked them whether they agreed to Yudhishtra's action in staking Draupadi, they could have declared that Yudhishtra's words did not bind them. Just like they considered it their dharma to obey elder brother's commands, Yudhishtra too believed that it was his duty to follow kshatriya dharma. Then Sage Dhaumya cites several examples to show how Fate is all powerful. Yudhishtra had realized that simply letting the inexorable Fate guide them was the way to establish dharma and that is the reason why he acquiesced. The brothers realize their folly and apologize to Yudhishtra. Dhaumya them advises the brothers to always remain united as that was what their mother Kunti wanted most.
King Drupada is discussing the real intention of the Kauravas in inviting Pandavas to Hastinapur. Drishtadyumna comes rushing with the news of the disgrace to which the Pandavas were subjected to at Hastinapur. As he narrates how badly Draupadi was treated and how Bhima and Arjuna swore to destroy the Kauravas, Draupada's face glows with ill concealed happiness. His wife Prishata notices this and chides him. Drishtadyumna too notices this and in a private conversation with his father, correctly surmises the reason for his happiness. Dupada admits that as long as Pandavas and Kauravas are united there is no way he can fulfil his desire of defeating Bhishma and Drona. He believed that when Pandavas and Kauravas parted ways with each other, Drona and Bhishma would align themselves with the Kauaravas and he could seize the opportunity to bring about the death of the two elderly stalwarts Bhishma and drona.
On Sage Dhaumya's suggestion, Yudhishtra meditates on Surya. The sun god appears before him and asks what he wanted. Yudhishtra says that in the arduous journey they have undertaken, it is difficult to obtain food at all times for themselves and the sages who come to them as guests. Surya gives him an Akshaya Patra which would give them an inexhaustible supply of food for twelve years subject to certain conditions. It could give them food only once a day, at the end of which the vessel had to be cleaned well and placed on the altar for the next day's worship.
The Pandavas are happy over Yudhishtra's acquisition of Akshaya Patra and they have a hearty meal.
While Gandhari is offering prayers to Goddess Durga she hears evil laughter and is unable to continue her prayer. She expresses her fear to Dritarashtra who is equally worried about their son's avarice and animosity towards the Pandavas. They decide to counsel Duryodhana. But Duryodhana is being persuaded by Shakuni not to take life frivolously but be constantly prepared to tackle the threat from the Pandavas who have sworn to destroy them.
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