
In the previous episode, we had witnessed Viraata Desha being attacked from both the northern and the southern ends by Duryodhana’s army. Even though the southern end was neutralized by Vallabha (Bheemasena) singlehandedly, danger looms large on the northern end, wherein Bhishmachaarya, Guru Dhronachaarya, etc. along with Duryodhana are jointly launching an all-out assault. As this happens, the entire kingdom goes into a frenzy and panic starts spreading. Uttharan (Son of the Viraata Desha king) is determined to go and give a valiant fight against the enemies, but he feels that he needs a good charioteer. This is where Sairandhri (Draupati) gives a suggestion that maybe Brihannala (Arjuna) can be handy! Thus, as Utthara goes and convinces Brihannala, he reluctantly accepts the request as he is scared of his identity being revealed. Thus, Brihannala readies himself to sit upon the chariot and drive it towards the enemy camp.
As this happens, Uttharan’s assistants come to Brihannala and provide him with the “Kavacha” (Protective equipment) to wear. As Brihannala receives it, he pretends to not know how to wear it, and hence wears it upside down! 🙂 Upon seeing this, all the ladies around Brihannala start to laugh out loud! They make fun of Brihannala that he doesn’t even know how to wear a “Kavacha”! Upon seeing this, Arjuna is internally happy, because till date, there are so many people who get scared even upon hearing his name and run away! But here, people are laughing and making fun as they see him. This is a welcome change, isn’t it? 🙂 Hence, Arjuna takes this opportunity to enjoy this moment of fun and frolic that is going on. Finally, upon seeing Brihannala struggling with the “Kavacha”, Uttharan himself comes directly and helps Brihannala wear the “Kavacha” properly. Thus, with the “Kavacha” on, Brihannala sports a completely different look and even this is being admired by all the women around him! This again makes Arjuna laugh! Thus, we can see here that Arjuna is enjoying this moment, even though he is made fun of!
Thus, both of them get into the chariot, and Brihannala is about to catch the rope that is tied to the horses. By the way Brihannala is trying to hold the rope, Uttharan is not really convinced. He once again says thus, “Oh Brihannala! Let me teach you how to hold the rope and conduct the horses!” With this, Uttharan gives a big “demo” on how to ride and conduct the chariot during war time. Brihannala listens very carefully to all that Uttharan is teaching him! 🙂 Again, we should understand here that Arjuna is just pretending not to know anything here, and is enjoying all these moments! Meanwhile, as the demo session is going on, all the women in the queen’s “Antahpura” come and meet Uttharan. They put up a request to Uttharan thus, “Oh Utthara Kumara! All of us know how powerful you are and you can take down any enemy with ease! Now as you go and defeat the enemies from the northern end, as a token of victory, please take all the top garments (Vasthrams) of the enemies and bring them to us. We shall use all those clothes for our play every day!
We should imagine here – Winning over Bhishmachaarya, Guru Dhronachaarya, etc. and bringing their top garments – And that too by a small boy called Uttharan! Is this really going to be possible? We might think that these women are so crazy! Or, perhaps, they do not know the might of the enemy cohort which Uttharan is going to fight with! In reply, Uttharan also says thus, “Oh friends! I shall definitely bring their garments to you if they are alive after the fight! I’m determined to finish them off in the war! Perhaps if they are alive, I shall definitely pay heed to your request!”
This sounds a bit overconfident and arrogant, isn’t it? So for today, let us understand up to this point and in the next episode, we shall witness how the fight unfolded between the two camps! Stay tuned for an interesting accord! 🙂