Scene 1 Ashwathama hurls hysterically all the weapons and is about to set fire to them. Drona stops him and asks him for the reason. Ashwaththama says he is frustrated because his father has voluntarily taught Arjuna the Brahmastra, whereas he did not teach his own son despite several entreaties, and has said that he does not consider him ready for learning it. The real reason why Drona did not teach him the art was because he wanted Arjuna to excel in archery. That was sufficiently demonstrated in the case of Ekalavya whose right thumb he had usurped just to ensure Arjuna's supremacy in archery. Ashwathama further accuses his father of having no true affection for him. Drona explains why he taught Arjuna the technique of using Brahmastra, as Arjuna had once saved him from the fatal clutches of a crocodile . Even though he hated to ask anyone for favors, it was only the love for his son that drove Drona to beg Drupada for wealth. His Guru Parashurama had told him not to teach ar...

Scene 1 Bhishma, Satyavati and Vidura are talking together when a messenger informs them of Pandu's death in the forest. Satyavati swoons on hearing the shocking news. Pandu is laid on the pyre and the Rishis in the forest are sitting ready for the cremation, while Kunti, Madri and their five children are crying in uncontrollable anguish. Urged by the sages, the women go around the pyre. Kunti : As the senior wife of Pandu, I will burn with our beloved husband and you take care of all the children. Madri : Sister, Pandu expressed his passion to me, but he left this abode without my fulfilling it. How can I rest in peace with that knowledge? I know you can look after my children as your own: you are indeed magnanimous. But I lack that kind of magnanimous soul. Please permit me to ascend the pyre. Rishi : Both of you have sons and none of you need to undergo this. Dhritarashtra is power hungry and is not going to take very kindly to the children. But Kunti has the support of Yadav...