In the previous episode, we had witnessed Vallabha (Bheemasena) crushing Keechaka to death with his raw muscle power. This was done as part of a plot planned by both Bheemasena and Draupati to kill Keechaka for his alleged misbehaviour. Since the king did not want to take any action on Keechaka for obvious reasons, Bheemasena took it upon himself to punish him. Of course, Bheemasena had the vengeance burning him upon Ducchaasana for a similar misbehaviour with his wife during the infamous gambling game at Hastinapura, and at that point in time, he was not able to do anything. However now, since that sort of a restriction wasn’t there, Bheemasena decided to teach Keechaka and his detractors a befitting lesson as to what would be the dire consequences if women are manhandled in a wrong way. Thus, Keechaka fell to the ground dead, and subsequently the next day, news started spreading about it. It was widely believed that the five “Gandharva” invisible husbands of Sairandhri (Draupati) had killed Keechaka for his alleged misbehaviour with her!
Moving on further thus, as Keechaka’s last rites are being prepared the next day, the “Upa-Keechakas” who are the brothers of Keechaka come to know of his death. The “Upa-Keechakas” are 105 in number! This means that Keechaka had 105 brothers, who were as strong and invincible as him. Hearing the story that Keechaka was murdered by Sairandhri’s invisible husbands, they decided to hold Sairandhri responsible for this cold-blooded killing! However, rather than confronting Sairandhri in public, the Upa-Keechakas plan a plot. They decide to attack her straightaway, tie her to Keechaka’s pyre and burn her alive along with Keechaka’s dead body! Thus, without anybody knowing, the Upa-Keechakas rush to the Viraata Desha, catch Sairandhri by her hands and as she squeals aloud helplessly, they lift her up, tie her to Keechaka’s pyre secretly and take it along to the burial ground as a procession.
As nobody hears Sairandhri’s appeals, it is Bheemasena once again who hears it! In fact, he is the only one to know that such a disaster is happening to Sairandhri again! So what does Bheemasena do now? He quickly thinks of another plan and rushes towards the burial ground. He ensures that he reaches that same burial ground much earlier than the Upa-Keechakas. Thus, as the Upa-Keechakas arrive there, Bheemasena is ready with a huge tree trunk in his hands! Even before the Upa-Keechakas could realize who is standing in their way, Bheemasena unleashes his attack on them! He starts smashing each of the “Upa-Keechaka” brothers with the huge tree trunk and unable to bear the heaviness of it, they start falling on the ground dead! Thus, within minutes, all the 105 Upa-Keechakas are on the ground! With this, Bheemasena releases Sairandhri from the pyre and takes her out of it! This also happens secretly without anybody knowing and with this, all those who had tried to misbehave with Sairandhri are dead!
As this news starts spreading amongst the kingdom, on one hand, people are happy that all the evil heads are finally starting to roll! However, on the other hand, since these deaths are extremely mysterious in nature, people have a sense of fear in them as well! Meanwhile as Draupati walks free once again, Arjuna comes in the front and enquires what had happened. Brihannala (Arjuna), as we know, is amidst the king’s daughter and her servants and is teaching music and dance to them. Upon hearing what had happened to Sairandhri, Arjuna is shell-shocked! However, he is happy that atleast this time, Bheemasena had come forward to protect her, although feeling bad that he couldn’t do anything at that time, given his role.
Meanwhile, Sudeshna Devi, who is the queen of Viraata Desha calls Sairandhri for a discussion. She is now terrified that her brother, who was a terror for everyone till now, had been easily killed by Sairandhri’s invisible husbands! Now, Sudeshna decides that Sairandhri is a huge danger for her and her kingdom and decides to send her off! With this intention, Sairandhri is called in, and Sudeshna Devi speaks thus, “Oh Sairandhri! Whatever happened till now with my brothers are extremely unfortunate! With this, I’m now having a huge fear that if you’re staying put here any longer, there would be a huge danger for our entire kingdom! Hence, I order you that you should leave the Viraata Desha kingdom with immediate effect! I do not want you anymore here. You may go somewhere else and seek fortune!”
As Sairandhri listens to this, tears flow down her eyes! She initially doesn’t know what to reply! So for today, let us understand up to this point and in the next episode, we shall witness what Sairandhri’s reply is going to be! Stay tuned for more updates! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 