Shakuni Suggests to Dritarashtra To Give Infertile Khandavapratha to the Pandavas : Episode 73

After Bheeshma's outburst over Vidura's suggestion of partition of Hastinapura, Vidura pleads with Dritarashtra to try and understand him, but Dritarashtra says he is helpless against the senior's wrath. Vidura returns to his suite utterly shaken. He tells his wife how for the first time he had earned his uncle's displeasure.

Bheeshma cannot contain his fury. He goes to the Ganges river and shoots a shower of arrows at the river. He pleads with his mother to appear before him and release him from the dilemma he is stuck in. Seeing her son so desperate, Ganga appears before him.

Vidura conveys the happy tidings of Bheeshma's acquiescence to Dritarashtra, who is visibly disturbed and angry. He accuses Vidura of plotting for Yudhishtra's coronation and coercing Bheeshma to agree to his plans. Bheeshma enters and explains to Dritarashtra the consequence of not partitioning Dritarashtra, because it could lead to bloodshed between the cousin brothers. He then tells the king that he and Vidura have completed the task entrusted to them and that they would await his decision. Gandhari convinces the king that the partition is inevitable and Dritarashtra gives his consent to the proposal.

Bheema is not happy with the proposal suggested by Vidura as they feel the Pandavas are the sole holders of the right to the Hastinapura throne. Vidura prevails on them to acquiesce and assures them that he has their welfare foremost in his mind. Finally, the Pandavas yield in to the proposal.

Similarly, Duryodhana too doesn't support the plan. But Shakuni reassures the plan would still work to Duryodhana's benefit. He suggests giving the forest regions west of the Yamuna river and the barren lands in the south western territory to the Pandavas and keep for themselves the fertile and the most populous parts of Hastinapura for themselves. Duryodhana is elated with this scheme.

Shakuni approaches Dritarashtra and apprises him of their deliberations. Dritarashtra is at first worried Bheeshma and Vidura might object, but Shakuni advises the king to use his prerogative as a king and establish his will over those of others.

Bheeshma and Vidura deliberate for several hours and arrive at an equitable partition. But when they approach Dritarashtra, he pre-empts their proposal with the one suggested by Shakuni. Vidura and Bheeshma turn speechless.