Duryodhana Plots to Humiliate Krishna : Episode 120

Yudhishtra is pensive when Krishna goes to take leave of him. Krishna wants to know if He could declare war in case His peace mission is unsuccessful. Yudhishtra says that war should be resorted to only as a last resort; however, he will abide by whatever decision Krishna takes on his behalf, as he has surrendered fully to His will.

Draupadi is teary when Krishna visits her. She says that though Yudhishtra desires peace, her mind bristles with thoughts of revenge and would find no peace until she smears her hair with the blood of Dushasana. Krishna reminds her that Yudhishtra desires peace, but Draupadi gets furious. She retorts that Yudhishtra was only an onlooker when Draupadi was disrobed, but she had experienced it in flesh and blood and it wasn't easy to forgive. Krishna insists that her personal issues of dishonor should not be the cause of the bloodshed of innumerable innocent lives. In fact, Krishna says, she should have settled the scores then and there when the incident happened. That would have averted this kind of crisis. However, He assures Draupadi that His visit would not be able have any effect on Duryodhana's obduracy and the mission might not succeed. Krishna also warns Draupadi that this can have disastrous consequences for her as well, but Draupadi says she is prepared to face them.

Dritarashtra convenes a meeting to discus the impending visit of Krishna and the arrangements to be for this event. Bhishma, Drona and Kripacharya advocate a grand reception to be made in His honor but Vidura feels that it is more important to give Krishna what He wanted to get, that is, peace. Duryodhana cannot understand why so much of fuss is being made to any messenger and the event doesn't merit any special celebration. However, Dritarashtra overrules him and asks for elaborate arrangemts to be made to receive Krishna in a befitting manner.

Accordingly, Dritarashtra, Gandhari, Drona, Bhishma, Vidura and others receive Krishna at the entrance and accord him due respects. All along, Duryodhana, Dushshasana, Karna and Shakuni remain indoors. As Krishna walks into the hall, they continue to remain rooted in their seats and look contemptuously at the proceedings. Krishna gives a knowing smile and presses the ground with his toe. In an instant, the three of them fall to the ground at His feet. Shakuni is surprised and asks them why they did not fall at His feet in turns. Krishna tells Dritarashtra that He would like to rest after a tiring journey and they could meet the courtiers the next day. Dritarshtra asks Him to stay at his palace and Duryodhana promises a luxurious stay that He would have never seen in His lifetime. Krishna declines the offer with a smile, saying that it would go against the protocol to be followed by a messenger who is a neutral representative attached to both Pandavas and Kauravas. Duryodhana is annoyed that Krishna did not bother to accept his invitation despite repeated requests and considers it a personal humiliation. Krishna then reveals that He has a home in Hastinapura where He would like to spend the rest of the day and walks out with Vidura following Him.

Krishna tells an inquisitive Brahmin who follows Him why he has chosen Vidura's residence for his sojourn. Vidura replies that nothing he possesses is his own, they are all Krishna's as he has surrendered everything to Him. Kunti is happy to see Krishna.

Duryodhana is smarting under the memory of his falling at Krishna's feet. He now plots to make Krishna fall at his feet. He tells Shakuni that he would dig under the throne intended to seat Krishna. When He is about to sit, Duryodhana would signal so that Krishna topples and falls down at his feet. Shakuni promises to make the necessary preparations.

Kunti asks Krishna whether He would be able to persuade Duryodhana to give up the throne that belongs to Yudhishtra. Krishna says that Kunti, in spite of being the Queen, couldn't get Duryodhana to fall in line, how could He the accomplish it? He had come there only on Yudhishtra's personal request. Besides, He also wanted to assess the situation. Then He asks Vidura pointedly whose side he would take if there is a war. Without blinking an eyelid, Vidura says he would be on the side of Kauravas. Krishna smiles and Kunti gives Vidura a shocked look.