Sahadeva Ties Krishna With The Rope of Love : Episode 124

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Recap of Previous Episode :

Karna recounts moments of Duryodhana’s loyalty and refuses to abandon him. Kunti asks him to spare her sons, and Karna promises to protect all except Arjuna and to use the Nagastra only once. Kunti learns she cannot save all her children without stopping the war. Bhishma vows to compel Krishna to wield weapons in battle.

The Decision for War

Duryodhana convenes a council to declare his decision to wage war against the Pandavas. Vidura and Bhishma urge him to state his agenda plainly rather than pretending to seek discussion, since their advice will be ignored anyway.

Duryodhana claims the Pandavas broke the conditions of their exile by revealing themselves before the completion of the final year of ajnatavasa. Instead of returning to the forest, he says, they sent Krishna on a peace mission, and therefore the Kauravas must respond appropriately. Vikarna, virtuous and honest, protests. He begs his brother to return the kingdom that rightfully belongs to the Pandavas. Duryodhana silences him with a threat to kill him on the spot. Dhritarashtra, helpless and torn, declares the final decision: the Kauravas will wage war and must begin gathering allies.

Krishna Returns to Pandavas

In Virata, Krishna announces—much to the astonishment of the Pandavas—that His mission has succeeded. He then explains how Duryodhana rejected every appeal for peace, refusing even the offer of five houses. Except Yudhishtra, and perhaps Sahadeva, everyone rejoices at the declaration of war. Virata and Drupada pledge full support and promise to gather allies quickly.

Suspicion in the Kaurava Camp

Meanwhile, Duryodhana visits Karna, who is watching his son Vasanthasena and Duryodhana’s son Lakshmana practicing sword and mace combat. Duryodhana informs Karna of the council’s decision. Shakuni asks whether Kunti really met Karna. Karna confirms it, saying she asked him not to participate in a war between cousins. Duryodhana dismisses it lightly, mentioning that Kunti also visited him, but Shakuni remains uneasy. He suspects a hidden motive behind her visit.

Draupadi Thanks Krishna

Draupadi expresses gratitude to Krishna for declaring war. Krishna gently corrects her — He did not cause the war; Duryodhana’s obstinacy has brought it upon himself. If she wishes to thank someone, she must thank Duryodhana.

Sahadeva Attempts the Impossible

Krishna finds Sahadeva absorbed in ancient texts. Sahadeva playfully accuses Krishna of provoking war and insists He could have stopped it. Then, he lists five ways peace could still be restored:

  • Bhima’s mace destroyed,
  • Arjuna’s Gandiva broken,
  • Draupadi’s head shaved,
  • Karna crowned king,
  • Krishna tied with a rope.

Krishna laughs and challenges him to attempt the fifth. Sahadeva tries physically, but then sits in deep meditation and ties Krishna mentally with a rope. Krishna finds Himself unable to break free.

He pleads with Sahadeva to release Him, arguing that war is necessary to restore dharma. Sahadeva agrees, but only if Krishna blesses that the Pandavas will not die in battle. Krishna grants this boon.

Shakuni Weighs the Strength of Both Sides

Shakuni sits immersed in thought, shuffling conch shells as he calculates the relative power of each alliance. Karna lists the territories joining the Pandavas and the Kauravas. Shakuni notes that Virata is balanced by Jayadratha of Sindhu; Drupada is balanced by Somadatta of Dasarna; and Duryodhana’s father-in-law, Chitrangada of Kalinga, will balance the forces from Karna’s father-in-law’s kingdom.

When evaluating Shalya, ruler of Madra and brother of Madri, Shakuni places three conch shells to represent Shalya against one conch shell for Krishna’s army. Karna and Duryodhana are astonished. Shakuni explains Shalya’s deep resentment over Dhritarashtra depriving Pandu—his sister’s husband—of the crown, driving him to the forest, and causing Madri’s self-immolation. Shalya’s fury will make him a fierce and dangerous ally, and the Kauravas must win him to their side.

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