In the previous episode, we had witnessed the grand wedding taking place between Draupati and the five Paandava brothers. After Sage Vyaasa cleared the air that this marriage was bound to happen, King Drupada and Co. were convinced and extremely happy. He thus gave his daughter in marriage to the five Paandava brothers amidst a grand wedding ceremony. Post that, as the married couples come home, Kunthi Devi offers some important words of advice for her newly married daughter-in-law. She explains to Draupati as to how important it is for the lady of the house to take care of the guests (Atithis) who make a visit. Similarly, it is also important to take care of the children, aged people, etc. equally with love and affection. Moreover, as a chaste wife, Draupati should also support her husbands in all the spiritual practices that they perform, including the “Raajasuya Yaaga”, “Ashwamedha Yaaga”, etc. regularly. Saying all this, Kunthi Devi showered her divine “Anugraha” on Draupati to be gifted with enormous wealth, good health, name and fame in the days and years to come.
As Kunthi Devi was saying all this, Bhagawan Krishna made His way with all the gift items that need to be given as part of the marriage. Kunthi Devi accepts all the gifts with a lot of joy as it has come from none other than her own cousin brother. With this, the “Vaivaahika Parva” gets completed. We’ve already witnessed the “Svayamvara Parva” in a great detail. Subsequently we’re entering into the “Vidra-Aagamana-Raajya-Laabha Parva”. In this Parva, we’re going to witness how Vidura is going to start playing a crucial role in taking the lead of splitting the kingdom equally between the Paandavas and the Kauravas. This is something all of us know already, but let us witness the set of events in detail. As the marriage got over and people settled down, Duryodhana smelt something fishy. He understood that if there was one person in the world who could have won over the Svayamvara event, it should have only been Arjuna and nobody else. Also, he got some confirmed news from various sources that the Paandavas are alive and they had escaped the wrath of the “Laaksha Griha” episode. Duryodhana also understood that the Paandavas are leading a disguised life at the Vaaranaavatha Desha. As he came to know this, Duryodhana fumed in anger and frustration. He knew that whatever he plotted against the Paandavas were ending up in failure. This cannot go on like this. Duryodhana wanted to somehow put an end to this unprecedented growth story of Yudishtra and Co.
Thus, Duryodhana calls for a meeting of all his people one day. This team of people included Shahuni (Duryodhana’s uncle), Duchaasana, Karna amongst the others. During the meeting, Duryodhana burst out in anger thus, “Oh people! Come on! Let us invade the Drupada Desha immediately and take the Paandavas on the battlefield. Let us show our prowess in our warfare techniques and kill all the five of them mercilessly. This is the only way to stop them from growing any further in their stature. I don’t want to see them alive anymore. They’re ruining my future completely. Moreover, this is the best time to go and attack them. They would be in the state of desire because they’re newly married. With this, they wouldn’t be ready for a fight. We shall use this opportunity to kill them!” As Duryodhana fumed thus, the others including Shahuni, Karna, Somadatthi, etc. approved of Duryodhana’s words. They also felt that if an enemy is seen loitering around anywhere closeby, he should be completely finished and weeded off from this earth. This is the only way to be safe and secure in this world!
As this conversation was taking a dangerous turn thus, Bhishmaachaarya intervened in the middle. Till this time, he was also part of this team, listening silently to what was being discussed. However, when this conversation was taking a disastrous turn, he spoke out thus, “Oh Duryodhana and Co. Whatever you’re talking about at the moment is utterly foolish! Do you think you would be able to overcome Arjuna’s prowess just like that? You were not even able to win a Svamayvara event against him. Imagine how you would be able to succeed him in the battlefield? Moreover, the Paandavas are your own brothers. Why do you always want to feel jealous about them and their growth? If you wish to compete with them, please do so in terms of proving your worth equal to them, instead of trying to play tricks to pull them down!” As Bhishmaachaarya thundered thus, King Dhirdiraashtra asks thus, “Oh Bhishmaachaarya! Do you mean to say that we should bring the Paandavas back to Hastinapura along with their newly wed wife?” To this, both Bhishmaachaarya and Guru Dhronaachaarya said a resounding “Yes”! But as usual, Duryodhana fumed further!
So for today, let us understand till this point. In the next episode we shall witness how Duryodhana reacted to Bhishmaachaarya’s words and how the conversation went ahead further! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 