In the previous episode, we had witnessed yet another event wherein Draupati (Sairandhri in this case) is being molested by someone – This time it is Keechaka, brother-in-law of the king of Viraata Desha. As we’ve witnessed, Keechaka falls in love with Sairandhri, only to be rejected by her on grounds that she is already married to five “Gandharvas” who are invisible in nature! However, Keechaka is not someone who is going to let go of his desires so easily. He tries to convince Sairandhri that there’s no use of being a wife to someone who is invisible, only to meet a dead-end in his pursuit, as Sairandhri rejects him completely. UNable to bare that insult thus, Keechaka wants his sister to make a plan for him to attain Sairandhri, again, to meet stiff resistance from her as well. Annoyed by this, Keechaka makes a plan and orders Sudeshna to ask Sairandhri to come to his chamber with a cup of alcoholic drink at night. Even though Sairandhri doesn’t approve of this, Sudeshna’s order is stronger in a way that she cannot reject. Thus, as Sairandhri enters into Keechaka’s chamber, he catches her hands and tries to pull her towards him.
At this juncture, Sairandhri prays to Surya Bhagawan, who has taken it upon himself to protect her all through the one-year-”Agnyaata Vaasam” period. Surya Bhagawan has already sent an invisible Raakshasa, who is always around Draupati to disguise her form. Unscathing in his attack thus, Keechaka tries more and more to pull her towards him. Sairandhri shrugs him off and runs to the middle of the courtroom and cries out loudly thus, “Oh! A gross “Adharma” is happening in Viraata Desha wherein a servant is being molested in public! Won’t anybody come and save me?” As Sairandhri cries aloud, she purposefully looks at Yudishtra and Bheemasena who are also standing there amongst all the people. At this time, Yudishtra beautifully explains the “Dharma” to Sairandhri thus, “Oh lady! Please do not cry out aloud! What is happening to you is highly atrocious! However, I can see a Raakshasa emerging from your shadows and is trying to protect you! Please calm down!”
Meanwhile, as Yudishtra says thus, the Raakshasa takes his visible form and a huge fight entails between Keechaka and the Surya Bhagawan-sent-Raakshasa. At the end, Keechaka is unable to continue the fight, as the Raakshasa emerges too powerful for Keechaka to handle! Finally, Keechaka falls on the ground, unconscious! The Raakshasa disappears again! As this happens, the entire courtroom celebrates with joy! This is because, Keechaka till date, was remote-controlling everybody with his wickedness and even the king wasn’t a respite. But now, Keechaka is dead and the entire kingdom rejoices in the freedom that Viraata Desha has obtained! At this point, when Keechaka is weakly trying to stand up once again, Vallabha (Bheemasena) looks at a hard tree trunk that is kept nearby and Keechaka together! The intention is very clear – Bheemasena is losing his temper and is urging to take that tree trunk to thrash Keechaka! However, a timely eye-gesture from Kanka (Yudishtra) saves Bheemasena from revealing his identity within a fraction of a second! Bheemasena too realizes his mistake of getting angry unconsciously and calms down a bit!
At this time, Yudishtra asks Bheemasena in the public courtroom thus, “Oh Vallabha! Is it wise for a kitchen servant to get so angry and take the tree trunk as a weapon in hand? What are you doing with that tree trunk? If at all you have anything to do with it, please take it outside and examine what can be done! The courtroom is not a place for looking at that tree trunk in the way you’re looking at!” These words from Yudishtra alert Bheemasena and he realizes that he was going a bit too far in his anger! Now, Sairandhri is going to let out an important appeal towards the king and this is going to be extremely important here. So what is that appeal? Let us wait till the next episode to witness! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 