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 Drupada seeks the help of a sage called Upayaja to perform yagna that would help get a son capable of killing Drona. The sage drives him away advising him from pursuing his ignoble aim. Drupada refuses to go away and waits, unmindful of the frigid weather. Taking pity on Drupada's plight, Upayaja suggests that he should seek Yaja's help to conduct the Yagnas, because Yaja, his brother, is less principled and highly interested in acquiring the wealth that Drupada is prepared to give. Scene 2 It is night, and the Pandavas prepare to go to bed. Bhima is about sneeze and stops himself when his brothers joke that it would have enough impact to shatter the lac house. Just then, a man stealthily enters the palace and is caught by Bhima. The man identifies himself as Kanaka, the messenger from Vidura who has come to help them. Purochana rushes into the chamber, but Yudhishtra sends him away, saying the commotion was caused by Bhima's sneeze! Kanika tells Yudhishtra that ...

Scene 1 Drona is busy with his morning prayers. Ashwaththama asks him to initiate him in the use of Brahmastra. Drona says he would do so at an appropriate time. Ashwaththama insists on it being done that day since it was an auspicious day for learning. Drona then explains Ashwaththama is as yet not ready for its instruction. This infuriates the son so much and he tells his mother that Dronacharya was partial to Arjuna even more than to his own son and has already taught Arjuna the use of the divine weapon. His mother Kripi asks him how he knows that and Ashwaththama reveals to her that he had once suggested to Arjuna about approaching Dronacharya, but Arjuna tells him he has already been taught this by Drona. Scene 2 Purochana takes the Pandavas to the new palace he has built at Varanavata. He introduces a middle-aged woman called Vanjikodi who is a cook. She and her five sons, he says, would take care of every need of the Pandavas. Yudhishtra observes the curious fact that each of t...

Scene 1 Kunti and the five Pandavas start on their journey to Varanavata. They seek the blessings of elders like Bhishma and Dhritarashtra. Finally, they bow before Vidura. Vidura tells Yudhishtra obliquely of the dangers ahead and asks him to be vigilant. Vidura : May God be with you. A warrior who understands and anticipates the moves of his adversaries can always protect himself. One need not be killed by sharp weapons alone. Even items not made of steel can cut the body. That which destroys the forests and protects one from cold does not hurt the mountain rat. A wild porcupine can dig tunnel and escape raging fire. By keeping in control the five senses we can conquer all the enemies. One can know the direction by watching the stars. Do you understand, Yudhishtra? Yudhishtra nods his understanding. Scene 2 Drupada totters his way in tattered clothes and disheveled hair. He reaches Yugabodha's ashrama where the sage is in deep meditation. When the sage opens his eyes, the ki...

Scene 1 After the meeting with Dhritarashtra, Duryodhana barges angrily into Shakuni's chambers. He is frustrated with his father for not acting decisively, and with Shakuni for not insisting on permission for killing the Pandavas. Shakuni assures Duryodhana he is always having his nephew's welfare in his mind. He explains the necessity for caution, because if Pandavas are killed in Hastinapura itself, all suspicion would fall on them. So it is important to get the Pandavas out of Hastinapura, and then plan their end. He would simply tell Dhritarashtra to send Pandavas to Varanavrata where consecration of an ancient Shiva temple is being organized. He has planned this with the help of Purochana, the Chief architect of the temple. He would instruct Dhritarashtra to send the Pandavas along with their mother Kunti under the pretext that he was too busy with the administrative affairs of the country. They then send for Purochana.

Scene 1 Continued from the last scene of the previous episode: Shakuni tells Dhritarashtra that Dushshasana's idea of killing the Pandavas was the only way Duryodhana could ascend the throne. Dhritarashtra opposes this vehemently, recalling Pandu's love for him and his selfless renunciation of the kingdom and leaving for the forest. Shakuni then suggests he should avail the counsel of an able administrator called Kanika who was wise in running political affairs. Scene 2 Arjuna goes hunting to a forest. A dog barks non-stop at him. Arjuna tries unsuccessfully to silence him, and in exasperation aims an arrow at him when a series of arrows arrests the dog's mouth in such a way that disables the bark without killing the animal. Impressed, Arjuna asks the hunter boy who shot the arrows who taught him this trick. The boy replies his Guru was Dronacharya. Arjuna is stunned.

Scene 1 After Arjuna's victory over King Drupada, the people of Hastinapur are excited about who is going to be the future king. Their favorites appear to be Yudhishtra and Arjuna, much to Duryodhana's and Karna's chagrin. Vidura reminds that Dhritarashtra that it was time he makes an announcement about the coronation of the next king. Dhritarashtra announces he is already contemplating on the coronation and would announce it soon, and the crowd thronging the court cheer Yudhishtra and Arjuna. Dhritarashtra : Why are they reacting this way even before I announce the name of the future king? Vidura : That only goes to show that the people of Hastinapur are already clear about their choice of the new king. Shakuni : It is monarchical form of government not people's republic that governs Hastinapur. So only the king gets to decide. Vidura : A king must respect people's opinion. And the prince of Gandhara must speak only when asked by the king.

Main highlights: * Defeat of Duryodhana: unable to capture Drupada * Arjuna defeats Drupada, chains and brings him as captive before Drona. * Drona says he is now the king of Panchala. Since Drupada had said that friendship had to be between equals and since he valued friendship, he would gift Northern half of Panchala to him and retain the Southern half himself and make his son Ashwatthama the king. Now that they were equals, Drupada could renew the friendship if he desired so. Drupada said the friendship would be decided by future, in future. * Drupada leaves in humiliation, but Arjuna follows him and asks for his pardon. He says he had done his duty, and had no personal enmity with him. Arjuna's politeness and his appreciation of the valor of the vanquished wins Drupada's heart. * Dhritarastra is inwardly upset over Arjuna's victory in a task that couldn't be accomplished by Duryodhana. Gandhari understands his predicament and consoles him, and orders A...

Scene 1 Karna asks for a chance to demonstrate his dexterity in archery which he says will surpass that of Arjuna. Kripacharya insists that Karna reveal his pedigree and Karna stands speechless. Kripacharya says Arjuna will fight only with whose ancestry matches with his. Duryodhana says Karna is a brave warrior and that alone should be the criterion for judging his worth. If Arjuna could fight only with those belonging to royal family, he would crown Karna that very instant, and with permission from Dhritarashtra crowns him as the king of Anga. Karna is overwhelmed with gratitude and promises lifelong allegiance to Duryodhana. Seeing Karna being crowned, his foster father Adhiratha rushes to the podium and hugs him affectionately. Now that everybody comes to know who his father is, Arjuna is derisive, but Duryodhana gives back a fitting reply. Before Arjuna can decide to fight with Karna, the sun starts setting, and Kripacharya announces the closure of the game as per the rules. Eve...

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...