Sun TV Mahabharatham

Scene 1 Drupada is standing in the fire and performing the penance. A strong, fully armoured man emerges from the fire. The sky resounds with the prophecy that this strong man would be called Drishtadyuma and would fulfill Drupada's dream of killing Drona. At the very moment, Drona is sleeping, and a sword hung on the wall, disentangles and speeds to Drona's throat, but is stopped by his son Ashwaththama. Kripi, Drona's wife, is alarmed and thinks it is a bad omen. Drona closes his eyes in meditation and sees the birth and emergence of Dhrishtadyumna. He tells his wife and son that the adversary who is destined to bring about his death has just taken birth. Back to the scene of Drupada's sacrifice. A beautiful girl now emerges from fire. It is Draupadi and a disembodied voice prophecies that this woman would be known as Panchali and bring about the destruction of the kshatriya clan. She is an embodiment of the goddess Durga; she has taken birth to assist the work of

Scene 1 An apparition or phantom appears before Jarasandha, father-in-law of Kamsa, and tells him that both share the same asuric (demon-like) nature, Jarasandha, by nature, and he, by birth. Then the phantom narrates the past incidents. He says that he was Tirumilan, Kamsa's real father . Ugrasena was Kamsa's father only to the external world. Once Tirumilan had assumed the form of Ugrasena and dallied with Ugrasena's wife's Aryanari (Padmavathi in most texts). When Aryanari realizes the truth, she curses Tirumilan that a son born of Yadava will kill the asura race. Krishna has now taken birth with a vow to kill the asuras. And Jarasandha has taken a vow to kill Krishna. Therefore it was his duty to help Jarasandha in killing Krishna. Jarasandha scornfully tells Tirumilan that he could kill Krishna single-handedly without anybody's help and gratify his widowed daughters. Thirumilan says Krishna was not a mere cowherd; even as an infant he had killed Putana and

Bhishma, Drona and Kripacharya are shocked by the news of the death of the Pandavas along with Kunti. The Kauravas are jubilant to hear the news from the spy. Shakuni threatens to kill the spy to prevent the leak of their own involvement, but decides to spare his life. The citizen who brings the news to the attention of the king's court does not mince words but directly accuses the king of plotting the Pandavas' death. Dhritarashtra is full of remorse for sending the Pandavas to Varanavata and, to that extent, he accepts his role in their death and asks for pardon. But Bhishma is furious with the accuser and threatens him with dire consequences unless he substantiates his accusation with proof. He effectively protects the king, and the crowd disperses. Drupada has decided to intensify the penances and perform the harsh Rudragni Yagna instead of the more pacific Yagna he has been performing so far. Drupada's brother comes running to Drupada's wife and informs her

A special feast has been organized by Purochana at the end of which Kunti rewards everyone with gifts. She offers presents to Vanjikodi, the tribal cook-woman, and her five sons and tells them they could go home and relax. The woman prevails on Kunti to allow her to stay, but Kunti doesn't relent. They leave the palace, but decide to return on the sly and proceed to Purochana's apartment. The Pandavas, who watch their return, now feel their suspicions have been well founded after all. Purochana is happy that the cook has returned. He tells them to lock all the exit doors and gates and to torch the palace after midnight. Pandavas learn of their intentions.

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