117. Pandavas Get Ready For Another Sojourn In The Forest

Recap of Previous Episode :

Kunti refuses to attend the wedding respecting Duryodhana’s command. Abhimanyu marries Uttara. Karna sacrifices his divine armour to Indra and receives the Shakti weapon. Shakuni insults Karna, creating tension in the Kaurava camp. Krishna advises the Pandavas to seek clarity before choosing war.

Duryodhana Regrets Shakuni’s Insult to Karna

Duryodhana is deeply disturbed by Shakuni’s harsh words to Karna the previous day. He cannot bear to see his dear friend insulted as a sutaputra—the son of a charioteer. Even though Karna has lost his strategic advantage by giving away the kavacha kundala, Duryodhana refuses to let friendship be sacrificed for politics.

Karna’s Anguish Over His Birth

Karna sits alone on the stone steps beside a temple tank, grieving. The lifelong humiliation of his unknown parentage becomes unbearable and he cries out in agony, “Amma! Who am I? Why was I abandoned?”

Kunti happens to be there and overhears his cry. Her heart trembles. She says softly that his mother will come to him one day, and he should hold on with strength.

Karna Accepts the Nagastra

Duryodhana and Shakuni approach Karna and apologize for the insult. They urge him to accept the Nagastra crafted by Ashwasena, son of the Naga king Takshaka, whose mother was killed by Arjuna in the Khandava forest. Karna finally agrees.

The next day, through intense meditation, he summons Ashwasena. The serpent spirit appears and expresses joy at the opportunity to avenge his mother. Ashwasena transforms into the deadly Nagastra, and Karna lifts the weapon with resolve.

Pandavas Demand the Return of Indraprastha

Dhritarashtra summons Duryodhana privately and urges him to return Indraprastha to maintain peace and preserve the kingdom. Gandhari also pleads for wisdom. But Duryodhana is adamant—he will obey any command from his father except the restoration of the Pandavas’ kingdom.

A messenger from the Pandavas arrives in the royal court. Vidura reads the message announcing that the Pandavas have successfully completed twelve years of exile and one year of hiding, and the kingdom must now be returned as promised.

Duryodhana refuses, claiming they were discovered early, since he recognized Brihannala as Arjuna during battle. Somadatta supports him with the suryamana calculation. Bhishma counters that Hastinapura has always followed chandramana, under which the period ended three days earlier. The court is divided, and the messenger is asked to return the next day.

Dhritarashtra Consults Vidura

Dhritarashtra privately asks Vidura what righteousness dictates. Vidura declares that dharma was violated on the day of the gambling game, and the only moral resolution is to return Indraprastha. But he also recognizes that Dhritarashtra has already made up his mind. Dhritarashtra reveals his plan—he intends to send Sanjaya to instruct Yudhishtra to renounce kingship and embrace ascetic life.

Kunti Confronts Duryodhana

Kunti attempts to reason with Duryodhana herself. He remains unmoved. Kunti’s anger blazes—she reminds him that Pandu voluntarily gave up the throne for Dhritarashtra, and by right both Indraprastha and Hastinapura belong to her sons. “My sons will rule this land one day—that is my promise!” she declares fiercely.