In the previous episode, we had witnessed King Dhridiraashtra taking a drastic decision to sideline Duryodhana and giving back the Indraprastha kingdom to Yudishtra. As Draupati was insulted in the public courtroom and after this unprecedented “Adharma” that took place, King Dhridiraashtra was under extreme pressure from all corners. Vidura on one hand was trying his best to highlight this plight into which Duryodhana was getting into, and at the same time, Bhishmachaarya and Dhronachaarya, even though they were silent, were expecting King Dhridiraashtra to make a decisive move so as to stop this nonsense from happening. Thus, Yudishtra obtained back all his wealth, kingdom, army, etc. and his slavery to Duryodhana too was nullified. However, anger was still simmering amongst the other Paandava brothers – Bheemasena and Arjuna vowed to kill Duchaasana, Duryodhana and Karna for all what they’ve done. Draupati on her part took an unprecedented pledge that her hair would be untied till the day she washes her hair with Duchaasana’s blood. As the situation was dozed down a bit by King Dhridiraashtra, Yudishtra and Co. got into their chariot and left for Indraprastha. Even though they might have got their kingdom and wealth, the mental agony that they had to face was still fresh in their minds!
As Yudishtra leaves thus, Duryodhana is in all fury and directly storms into Sahuni uncle’s chamber! Their plans worked so well until the last moment when King Dhridiraashtra spoiled the entire plot with one decision! Duryodhana fumes in anger, as Sahuni says thus, “Oh Duryodhana! Why are you fuming in front of me? I’ve given you a clear plan of action, and we’ve executed it well so far. If your father has a problem with it, go and ask him! Why are you coming to me?” As Sahuni says thus, Duryodhana fumes further! Sahuni makes this irritating statement on purpose, so that Duryodhana’s anger will increase! With this, he straightaway goes to King Dhridiraashtra and says thus, “Oh father! What kind of a king are you? Just because Vidura said some nonsense, would you change your mind just like that? Did you even think for a second about your son? How much of an effort have I put in, to plan this gambling game and execute? You said to me that there should be no war and bloodshed, didn’t you? You said to me that I can abduct Yudishtra’s kingdom without going to the battlefield. That is exactly what I did. So what is Vidura’s problem here? Why can’t he keep quiet and mind his own business? With your decision to send Yudishtra back to Indraprastha, you’ve ruined your son’s life completely! All my efforts have gone in vain! Yudishtra will now become even more arrogant and will enslave me and my brothers very soon. Bheemasena is in a savage resolution to kill me and Duchaasana. If he does so, who will be responsible? Do you want to see your son dying in that worthless Bheemasena’s hands? Do you want to see your son to be a slave of that Yudishtra who is so cunning and dumb? Hence, when Bheemasena and Arjuna took vows, you should have stepped in and stopped them from doing so! Instead of doing that, you acted in support of them! By doing so, everything is doomed for me! You’ve single handedly spoilt your son’s life!”
As Duryodhana comes up with the same emotional blackmail, King Dhridiraashtra gets angry. He replies furiously to Duryodhana thus, “Oh Duryodhana! Do you even understand what you’re talking? Whatever you and Duchaasana did amidst the courtroom was blatant “Adharma”! Hastinapura has never seen such unprecedented heights of “Adharma” ever! Do you even realize the extent of damage that you’ve done to the kingdom by your actions and behaviour? When the mistake is on your side, why blaming Yudishtra for it? You were the one who called him for the gambling game. The idea was to just win over his wealth and kingdom. You should have stopped with that and sent him back. Instead, you chose to go several steps forward by insulting Draupati in public! This was something that is unwarranted! If you have a grudge against someone, you should deal with that person directly, rather than targeting someone else! Don’t you know this basic aspect of “Raaja-Dharma”? If there is any sort of trouble that comes to the Paandavas and Draupati, I would not tolerate it. This is my firm stance! I shall not dance to your tunes everytime! Yes, of course you’re my son. But that doesn’t guarantee that you would take me for a ride!”
Saying thus, King Dhridiraashtra blasts Duryodhana for his wrongdoing and tries to correct his course of action. However, as all of us know, Duryodhana is not going to listen to anything of this sort! His agenda is firm and clear – To somehow dethrone Yudishtra at any cost! He is least bothered whether the path that he is taking towards it is legitimate or illegitimate! He would go “all out” to fulfil his agenda! Thus, as King Dhridiraashtra tries to advise, Duryodhana walks out of the chamber in anger and frustration! He doesn’t reply a word back to his father! Duryodhana now directly goes to Sahuni uncle and explains all what had happened with his father! He explains to Sahuni how King Dhridiraashtra justified his stance of giving back the Indraprastha kingdom to Yudishtra.
Now the ball is in Sahuni’s court once again! As Duryodhana narrates his father’s mindset, Sahuni also concludes that this strategy doesn’t work henceforth. Something has to be tweaked! Now what does Sahuni tweak? What is Sahuni’s new strategy going to be? Let us wait till the next episode to find out! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 