Shakuni doesn't let Duryodhana become complacent and he keeps drilling the necessity of being on the guard against wounded tigers who may attack them any time. They decide to keep tabs on the Pandavas through spies and kill them at an opportune moment. Gandhari and Dritarashtra, who have come to meet Duryodhana and advise him to forsake enmity towards the Pandavas, are astonished and they return back dejected. Dritarashtra then decides to request Vyasa to advise Duryodhana.
Kunti receives a sage who has paid them a visit. The sage notices that Kunti is morose and tells her that he is aware of the concern for her sons who are wandering in the forest. He assures her that with Dhaumya's guidance and blessings from gods, Pandavas have received Akshaya Patra because of which they do not have to suffer hunger pangs. Kunti wants to know who the sage is, who then reveals himself as lord Krishna. He tells her not to worry over sons because he would always protect them. Kunti is overjoyed. She then tells Vidura and Sulabha that all her worries are gone and that she is hungry.
A spy tells Duryodhana that Pandavas are happy at Kamyaka forest where, with the help of Akshaya Patra, Drauadi is able to provide delicious food not only for themselves but anybody who visits them. Duryodhana is furious but Shakuni tells them that a cannibal called Kirmira lives in the Kamyaka forest. Kirmira is on the lookout for Bhima who has killed his brother Bakasura at Ekachakrapura, he tells them. Shakuni then decides to go to Kamyaka forest along with Dushshasana to meet Kirmira and inform them of Bhima's whereabouts.
Sage Vyasa arrives at Hastinapur palace along with Sage Maitreya on Dritarashtra's invitation. Dritarashtra apologizes for all his mistakes. Vyasa tells him that Fate is powerful and the course of events cannot be altered. Dritarashtra requests Sage Vyasa to advice Duryodhana, but Vyasa declines it and opines that Sage Maitreya might be a person better suited for this. However he warns Dritarashtra that Maitreya might get offended if his words are not respected.
Dritarashtra and Gandhari request Duryodhana to pay respects to the Sage and listen respectfully. Duryodhana not only dismisses Sage Maitreya's words, but haughtily slaps his thigh. The Sage cannot bear his insolent behavior, lewd gesture and disrespectful replies and he warns him that his thigh will be broken by Bhima one day. Dritarashtra and Gandhari plead with the sage to take away the curse on their son. The sage says it would have no effect if Duryodhana mends his relations with Pandavas by accepting his maistakes and restoring Indraprastha to them, else his words would come true.
Shakuni and Dushasana reach Kamyaka forest where a group of cannibal tribals capture and tie them to a pole and take them to their chief Kirmira. Just as Kirmira's assistant is about to bring down his sword on Shakuni's head clamped tightly on the sacrificial altar, Shakuni insists on speaking to the tribal chief first. He then asks him who he is and why he wants his head. The chief says he is offering a human head to Smashana Kali (cemetery Kali) so that he may successfully locate and kill Bhima who murdered his brother Bakasura. Shakuni introduces himself as a person who drove Pandavas to the forest and he could lead Kirmira to their dwelling place. In fact Duryodhana, his nephew and the prince of Hastinapura, has promised to perform gold abhishekam (Kanakabhishekam or ritual consecration with gold coins)on anyone who kills Bhima.
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