In the previous episode, we had witnessed Bheemasena single-handedly killing Keechaka and the 105 Upa-Keechakas for the alleged misbehaviour of Keechaka towards Draupati (Sairandhri). As all these 106 people are killed overnight without the knowledge of anyone, news spreads rapidly that Sairandhri’s “invisible Gandharva” husbands are solely responsible for this mass killing. This brings both cheer and shivers in people’s minds as Sudeshna calls up Sairandhri to express her opinion. She says that ever since Sairandhri came into the kingdom, all sorts of strange happenings and deaths have been taking place, which is detrimental for the kingdom. Hence, Sudeshna Devi orders Sairandhri to immediately vacate the palace and leave Viraata Desha once and for all. Sudeshna Devi takes this decision hastily because her brother had been killed and this is attributed to Sairandhri’s “invisible” husband. Now Sairandhri has to make a decision whether to leave or not. She still has only one more month of “Agnyaata Vaasam” left, and somehow eleven months have passed by already. Hence, what is Sairandhri going to reply to Sudeshna Devi? Let us witness in today’s episode.
As Sudeshna Devi instructs thus, Sairandhri replies back politely after a thought – “Oh Sudeshna Devi! I understand your pain of losing your dear brother. However, please note that your brother had to meet this fateful end only because of his wrong act of misbehaving with me. I had already warned you and your brother that if someone harms me or if someone allegedly misbehaves with me, he would be killed on the spot by my Gandharva husbands who are invisible in nature. However, inspite of this warning, if Keechaka had to behave like this, who else is responsible for this mishap other than himself? I had already warned Keechaka too, not to misbehave with me, but he did not pay heed to my words. Hence, Keechaka had to meet a ghastly end to his life. So, how can you squarely blame me for Keechaka’s death? I’m no way responsible for it! However, if you still want me to leave the palace, I shall do so, but if you ask me to leave immediately, where will I go now to seek fortune? Hence, please give me a month’s time and within this time period, I shall leave Viraata Desha completely. I request you to grant me permission to stay here for just one more month and in the meanwhile, I shall seek fortune in some other place!”
As Sairandhri requests thus, Sudeshna Devi goes into a thought process – “Oh! This lady is quite dangerous! Now if I do not pay heed to her request, maybe some other danger might crop up. Moreover, Keechaka’s death is not her fault. It is his misbehaviour that cost him his life. Even though I had warned him not to touch Sairandhri, he never listened to my words either. Keechaka deserved this end anyway! Hence, let Sairandhri live with her for some more time until she herself wants to leave!” Thinking thus, Sudeshna Devi conveys her decision to Sairandhri that she can continue living here as much as she wants. With this, we come to the end of this “Keechaka-Vadha-Parva”.
Next, we move into the important “Go-Harana-Parva”. Here, we are going to witness how the cows of Viraata Desha are going to be stolen and how they are going to be recovered. We had commenced with the “Paandava-Pravesha-Parva” and then we moved into the “Keechaka-Vadha-Parva”. Now we move into the “Go-Harana-Parva”, wherein, Duryodhana and Co. are sitting and planning the next course of action. Duryodhana is concerned that the thirteenth year is already going on, and if the Paandavas finish their “Agnyaata-Vaasam” successfully, then they would come back to Hastinapura and claim their Indrapastha kingdom again. Duryodhana wants to somehow stop this from happening and hence, he once again calls up all his aides including Sahuni, Ducchaasana, Karna, etc. for a meeting to plan the next course of action. He somehow wants to find out the whereabouts of Yudishtra and Co. and claim that he had seen them! This would once again lead the Paandavas to the next round of “Vana-Vaasam” isn’t it?
So for today, let us understand up to this point. We shall formally commence the “Go-Harana-Parva” in the next episode. Stay tuned for an interesting update! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 