Confrontation Between Arjuna and Karna : Kunti Faints at the Games Arena; Episode 26

After Queen Satyavathi departs to the forest with Ambika and Ambalika, the Pandavas and Kauravas learn the use of martial weapons under Dronacharya and Kripacharya. A huge arena has been arranged wherein the princes may display what they have learned all these years. Apart from the courtiers, the entire population of Hastinapura has assembled to witness the grand spectacle.

His chariot driven by Vidura, King Dhritarashtra arrives first, as clarions and trumpets blow, drums roll and welcome panegyrics are orated. Queens Gandhari and Kunti, and Shakuni arrive and take their seats. On the dais are also seated the royal gurus Kripacharya and Dronacharya with his son Ashwatthama.

Each of the princes arrive in pomp and style and are greeted by the public warmly. They bow to the elderly and take their seats too.

The show begins. Yudhishtra comes first and begins by unfurling the flag by throwing a spear at it. The next is the wrestling bout between Bhima and Duryodhana. As both are equally matched in their capabilities, the ferocious fight continues relentless and long. As the fight continues, Dushshasana recalls how, in their younger days, Bhima would hold him and twirl him round, ignoring Duryodhana's pleadings to leave him alone. He is happy his brother is now having his revenge. Similarly, Sahadeva recalls how the Kaurava brothers had once poisoned Bhima and pushed him into water, and gloats that Bhima would now have his just revenge.

The elders are worried: Kunti, Gandhari and Bhishma voice their disapproval. Bhishma expresses concern that this fight would lead to mutual enmity and asks Dronacharya to put an end to it. Dronacharya asks his son Ashwaththama to intervene. Ashwaththama declares the combatants to be equally competent and says they have been ordered by their guru to stop the fight. Bhima and Duryodhana glare at each other and leave.

Arjuna enters the arena and astounds every one with his unrivalled prowess. He aims a powerful arrow into the sky that displays the ferocity of wind god in the form of tempests and aims another arrow that quells it. Fire rages around the podium and rain pours in an instant at the behest of his powerful arrows. He is able to raise a mountain with a Parvatastra. He aims his unfailing arrow at a fish hung on a revolving wheel. All are mesmerized by his prowess.

Just then a young man enters the arena. Kunti is able to recognize him by the congenital ear-rings and recalls how as a young maiden she had deserted and left him in a wicker basket afloat on a river. Bhishma and Vidura wonder who this young man who is as resplendent as the sun.

The young man boasts he could replicate all that Arjuna had displayed just then. He shoots at the fish on the revolving wheel, just as Arjuna did. He then seeks King Dhritarshtra's permission to repeat all that Arjuna had done.

Shakuni and Duryodhana are thrilled by the challenge thrown at Arjuna. Dhritarashtra permits the young man to proceed.

Duryodhana goes to the center stage and welcomes Karna.

He welcomes him into the Kaurava fold and grandiosely says all their country is his. Karna declares that his love, friendship and patronage alone were sufficient for him.

Arjuna mocks at Karna for being an uninvited guest and Karna retaliates by saying he was getting nervous about fighting with him and challenges him to fight. Moreover, the tournament was open to any participant, Karna declares. Provoked, Arjuna gets ready to fight and seeks his guru's blessings. Kripacharya asks him to wait. He turns to Karna saying he should be worthy of fighting with a prince born to noble Pandu. He then asks him to reveal his parentage. Karna falls silent and Kunti swoons on hearing this.