Duryodhana Orders Drona To Capture Yudhishtra Alive : Episode 145

Duryodhana tells Drona that he need not kill Pandavas, but he should bring Yudhishtra as a hostage. Drona is taken aback and wonders why Duruyodhana wants him alive, and not dead. He asks Duryudhana whether he is thinking of brokering a peace deal. Duryodhana explains, "It's not logical to believe that Yudhistira's death will cause the end of the war. If Yudhishtira were slain, Partha or any of the Pandava who survives, will exterminate us. If Yudhishthira, is captured and brought here alive, and defeated once more at dice, the Pandavas will once more go to the woods, for they are all obedient to Yudhishtira. It is evident that such a victory will be an enduring one." Drona agrees to the plan.

Kripacharya warns Drona that he would have to face the same problems as Bhishma did: Duryodhana would always speak cruel words, suspect his integrity and belittle all his achievements. Drona replies that as soon as he accepted the leadership of the Kaurava army, he has prepared himself to face any kind of situation; after all he has seen Bhishma's predicament in the past. He expresses relief at not being asked to kill the Pandavas.

On the 11th day of Kurukshetra war, the Kauravas align their army in garuda vyuha and the Pandavas opt for krauncha vyuha. Karna stands in the battle as a maharathi. Karna and Virata fight with swords. Karna topples Virata's crown and keeps the sword menacingly at Virata's neck but spares his life. He also spares the life of Sahadeva, son of Kamsa's father-in-law Jarasandha who was slain by Bhima. Sahadeva was installed as the king of Magadha after Jarasandha's death.

Karna overpowers Sahadeva in a sword fight, but spares his life. He praises Sahadeva's valour and also recalls how he earned the praise of Jarasantha, at the swayamvaram of Bhanumati, daughter of the Kalinga king Chitrāngada. Jarasantha was one of the suitors for Bhanumathi, and Karna had to fight him to help his friend Duryodhana who had abducted Bhanumati.

Drona battles with Yudhishtra. Yudhisthira tries to ward off Drona's attack but Drona cuts off Yudhisthira bow. Seeing the helplessness of Yudhisthira, Dhristadhymna rushes to help him. He is able to check the attacks of Drona, which are falling on Yudhisthira incessantly. Satyaki and Virata too came to aid Yudhisthira. Drona fights with all the warriors of the Pandavas side single-handedly. The situation becomes very critical.

If Drona could capture Yudhisthira the war would come to an end.

Arjuna wants to seek and fight with Karna. A messenger tells Arjuna about Drona's decision to capture Yudhishtra alive.

Arjuna rushes to help Yudhishtra. There is a fierce fight between the two. Drona admires and praises Arjuna, who has constantly strived and achieved newer heights in archery and diligently obtained newer weapons.

Abhimanyu wants to capture Duryodhana's son Lakshmana before Drona can capture Yudhishtra. King Drupada tries to dissuade Abhimanyu, citing his tender age, but Abhimanyu is undaunted. He captures Duryodhana's son Lakshmana. Duryodhana asks Drona to free Lakshmana from Abhimanyu's grasp. Drona is very much impressed by Abhimanyu's dexterity in archery. Finally Drona is able to free Lakshmana. The sun sets before he can continue his fight with Arjuna. His plans of capturing Yudhishtra is thwarted.

Duryodhana is highly critical of Drona as he failed to fulfill his promise of capturing Yudhisthira. Drona explains the reasons for his failure and says the mission would be successful only if Arjuna is prevented from confronting Drona. Somadutta suggests taking Arjuna far away from Yudhishtra so that Drona can capture Yudhishtra. The king of Trigartadesa, Susharma is willing to do this with the help of Samsaptaka, the suicide squads. He wants to settle scores with Arjuna who, as Brihannala, had defeated him and Duryodhana when they attacked Viratadesa. He asks Duryodhana to give him the country of Virata if he is successful in his mission, and Duryodhana happily agrees to this condition.