117. Dritarashtra To Send Message Through Sanjaya That Pandavas Get Ready For Another Sojourn In The Forest

Duryodhana is upset with Shakuni for sullying Karna's parentage and calling him the 'son of Suta' or 'son of a charioteer'. Duryodhana doesn't want to lose Karna's friendship even if his strategic importance has been compromised by his gifting away the kavacha kundalas to a mendicant.

Karna is moaning his fate on the stony steps of a tank near a temple.

The secret surrounding his birth has been haunting and throwing brickbats at him. Unable to bear the pain, Karna lets out a loud sob 'amma!! who am I? why did you desert me?' and Kunti, who comes there accidentally, is moved. She assures Karna that his mother will come to him one day.

Duryodhana, and Shakuni apologize to Karna for Shakuni's harsh words. They request Karna to make use of Nagastra, a poisonous shaft, painstakingly made by Ashwasena, the son of the Naga King Takshaka, whose mother Was slain by Arjuna in the Khandava forest. (It appears in this narration of Sun TV that Karna has refused Ashwasena's help in the past) Karna agrees to Duryodhana's request.

The next day, Karna summons Ashwasena through meditation.

The serpent Nagasena appears, and Karna tells him that he has decided to accept him. Ashwasena is delighted that he can now take his long-waited revenge on Arjuna.

Ashwasena assumes the form of Nagastra and Karna picks it up.

Dritarashtra calls Duryodhana for a private conversation. Duryodhana expresses willingness to obey any command of his father except that of returning Indraprastha back to the Pandavas. Gandhari tries to reason with him, and Dritarashtra warns him of dangers lying ahead beacuse of his obstinacy, but Duryodhana doesn't relent. Dritarashtra even tells Shakuni not to 'pour ghee into a blazing fire' when the latter supports Duryodhana.

The messenger from the Pandavas arrives at the Hastinapur court the next day. Vidura reads out the message, which informs Emperor Dritarashtra that the Pandavas have successfully completed twelve years of exile and one year of living in disguise. Hence, in accordance with the agreement, they should be given back Indraprastha. Duryodhana protests that Indraprastha is now an integral part of Hastinapur and cannot be returned. Bhishma reprimands Duryodhana and asks Dritarashtra to answer. Dritarashtra replies that he has no objection to return Indraprastha back to the Pandavas, but is unable to swing Duryodhana into agreement.

Vidura asks Duryodhana to explain his stand. Duryodhana says that Pandavas have been identified before the end of one year of disguised life, as Duryodhana recognized Brihannala as Arjuna on the battle field. Hence Pandavas have to go for the second term of 12-year exile. Corroborating the claim that the stipulated one year of Ajnatavasa was not over on the day of Arjuna's 'discovery', Somadatta explains the calculation as being based on the 'suryamana'calender. Bhishma points out that Hastinapura traditionally followed the 'chandramana' calender, according to which the ajnatavasa has ended well before three days of Pandavas revelation. Duryodhana refuses to budge from his stand, and the messenger is asked to come the next day for a reply message to the Pandavas.

Dritarashtra calls for Vidura and asks him about the righteous and ethical way of dealing with the situation. Vidura minces no words in pointing out that dharma was already breached with the gambling game and the subsequent years of exile. The only upright and corrective way will be to return Pandavas kingdom back to them. But Vidura is fully aware that Dritarashtra has already made a plan and is consulting him only as a formality. Dritarashtra reveals that he has planned to send his minister Sanjaya as a messenger to convey the message that Yudhishtra, being pious and patient, would benefit by taking to a life of penance and renunciation.

Kunti attempts to soft-talk Duryodhana into returning Indraprastha to the Pandavas. Duryodhana is unyielding and adamant. Kunti is furious and reminds that Pandu had magnanimously abdicated the kingdom in favor of Dritarashtra and not only Indraprastha, even Hastinapur is theirs by right. Her sons will eventually rule it and 'that's my promise' she blazes.