Duryodhana's soldiers report to him that the gandharva Chitrasena not only refuses to vacate Dwaita vana but also threatens them with dire consequences for having trespassed into his land. Dushshasana offers to teach the Gandharva a lesson but gets imprisoned by the Gandharva.
Chitrasena then comes in his aerial chariot to where Duryodhana is sitting along with Karna and Shakuni. He demands to know who Duryodhana is and informs them that he has held his brother captive. Despite Shakuni's advice not to engage in a fight with Gandharvas who were powerful enough to have killed their grandfather Chitrangada, Duryodhana enters into a fight, but finds that he is no match for the Gandharva who has mystical powers and can become invisible. In a few minutes of fight, the gandharva causes grave injury to Karna and holds Duryodhana and Shakuni captive. Duryodhan's wife Bhanumathi begs the Gandharva to show mercy, but the Gandharva huddles them into his chariot and flies away.
Yudhishtra and his brothers continue their yagna after the brief spat with Duryodhana and others who mocked at their austere life. Sage Dhaumya notes that they are unable to concentrate on the worship. Just then, Bhanumathi comes running and asks for Pandavas' help in releasing her husband and others from the gandharva's custody. Bhima taunts her saying the Kauravas were only reaping the fruits of their own evil actions. Draupadi sympathizes with Bhanumathi's lot and tells her husbands that she and Gandhari were the only persons who empathized with her when she was being molested by Dushshasana at the Hastinapur assembly after defeat at the dice game. She also says it is their duty to go to Kauravas aid, especially when somebody seeks their refuge. Yudhishtra orders Bhima and Arjuna to go to their brother's aid.
Drupada goes to meet Drona along with Shikhandi and Drishtadyumna. Even though Drona's eyes are closed in meditation, he recognizes that his friend has come to meet him. Drona enquires about Shikhandi and Drupada says it is his son Shikhandi. Drone is surprised, as Hiranyavarman had made public that Shikhandi was a girl. Drupada explains that Shikhandi has become a man with the Yaksha Sthulakarna's help. Drupada requests Drona to teach Shikhadi the martial arts. Drishtadyumna tells his father that he would not permit him to teach a woman. Shikhandi protests he is a man, and Drona explains that women were manifestations of Parashakti who wielded weapons. Drishtadyumna reminds his father that Drupada was a mean and cunning man who obtained a son to kill him and another to kill Bhishma. None of these assertations disturb Drona and he promises to make Shikhandi a worthy warrior.
Bhima and Arjuna ask the Gandharva to release their brothers. Chitrasena, the Gandharva, reveals that he was sent by Indra to protect and help the Pandavas against Duryodhana and Shakuni because he came to know they had evil plans to kill the Pandavas, and he had to obey the orders of his master. Arjuna thanks Chitrasena for his help; however, he persuades the Gandharva to release the Kauravas as his brother Yudhishtra had commanded to do so. Bhima says the fate of Duryodhana and others would be decided by Yudhishtra and he takes them to Yudhishtra with their hands hands chained at the back.
Yudhishtra is shocked to see the Kauravas in chains; he chides his brothers for bringing them thus. Bhima unchains Durryodhana, Shakuni and Dushshasana. Bhanumathi is relieved to see the Kauravas safe.
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