Krishna Protects The Pandavas From Bhishma's Divya Astras : Episode 138

Bhishma is unable to sleep restfully. He is stricken with the grief of having to kill the Pandavas as constrained by the promise he has made to Duryodhana. The infallible divya astras he has acquired through materializing the intense practice of brahmacharya would surely kill the adversary it is aimed at. His mind is in a turmoil. His conscience blames him for the pride he has in his adherence to vows that compels him to side with adharma by acquiescing to Duryodhana's orders to kill the Pandavas.

Duryodhana too is unable to sleep peacefully. He dreams about Bhishma's breaking all the five powerful arrows reserved for the Pandavas. He goes to Bhishma's chambers and requests him to hand over the astras for safe-keeping. Bhishma tells him to take them away. Duryodhan feels relieved and brings the arrows to his camp.

Shakuni and Dushasana are wondering about Durodhana's sudeen disappearance when Duryodhana proudly announces about the accomplished mission. Shakuni doesn't approve Duryodhana's hasty act because he believes that the astras would be more safe in Bhishma's hands.

In the meanwhile, Pandavas' spies inform them about Bhishma's oath of killing the Pandavas and his acquiring five powerful arrows to kill them. Krishna instructs Arjuna to approach Duryodhana and tell him that Yudhishtra requested that the five arrows in his possession be handed over to him. Everybody is perplexed about the fruition of this assignment, but Krishna tells Arjauna to merely follow the instructions.

Arjuna asks Duryodhana to give him the five astras which he has, in accordance with Yudhishtra's directive. Shakuni and Dushasana try to stop him but Duryodhana happily hands over the five astras to Arjuna. Answering the disbelief in Shakuni's face, Duryodhana says he is happy to part with the divine weapons and is relieved to keep up the promise made to Yudhishtra when the latter saved his life from a Yaksha at Dwaitavana.

When Arjuna returns to the camp with the weapons, every one is awestruck. Yudhishtra feels relieved that their death by Bhishma's hands have been averted, but Krishna is dubious. He once again asks Draupadi to intervene and approach Bhishma.

In the dark vand early hours of the next day, Draupadi covers her face and approaches Bhishma who is offering his morning prayers. Hearing the sounds of the anklets approaching him, Bhishma looks away. Draupadi falls at his feet and asks him to bless her. Bhishma blesses her with a long life as a sumangali. Draupadi requests him to repeat the blessing five times. Then Draupadi reveals her identity and Bhishma is left speechless.

Draupadi tells the jubilant Pandavas about the mission accomplished.

Drona and Krupacharya ask Bhishma whether it is indeed justifiable to kill the righteous Pandavas to keep up the promise he has made to Duryodhana. Bhishma says everybody has to die eventually. Duryodhana arrives soon and Bhishma asks him to give the weapons in his custody. Duryodhana narrates the incidents leading to his giving away the weapons to Yudhishtra. Everyone showers praises on Duryodhana for keeping up the promise, despite the threat of defeat that his action entailed.