Friday, January 22, 2010

Mahabharat: Episode 19 to 24



Episode 19: Vyas takes Satyavati, Ambika and Ambalika to Tapovan (forest). Before leaving, Satyavati tells Dhritarashtra to look after the Pandava children. The Kaurava and the Pandava children grow up together. They are educated under Kripacharya. Shakuni instigates Duryodhan against the Pandavas and rivalry develops between the Kauravas and Pandavas.

Episode 20: Adirath is released from the duties as blind-King Dhritarashtra's assistant. Sanjay takes over from Adirath as Dhritarashtra's assistant. Rivalry between Duryodhan and Bheem develops. Duryodhan plots to poison Bheem. After poisoning Bheem he throws him out in River Ganga. Bheem survives the attempt to kill him and he is returned safely to Kunti and his brothers.

Episode 21: Kunti forbids Bheem from saying anything about Duryodhan's attempt to kill him. Vidur suspects something is behind Bheem's silence. He goes to see Bheeshma to discuss his concerns. Bheeshma is worried about the development, but is helpless as he had vowed to protect the throne of Hastinapur and he cannot take sides. Duryodhan and Shakuni continue to plot against Bheem. Dhritarashtra is concerned about the development in Hastinapur but Gandhari is a sobering influence on him. Meanwhile, in Mathura at the Sandespani Gurukul Shri Krishna and Sudama become bosom friends. Also, in the episode Dronacharya (Drona) is introduced as one of the teachers of Kuru princes.

Episode 22: Dronacharya trains the Kaurva princes in the art of archery and other military skills. Arjun gets poised by his teachers, Duryodhan is often advised to control his arrogance. Shakuni rebukes his sister Gandhari for not seeing through all the plots of the Pandavas.

Episode 23: Drona trains the Kuru princes in the art of 'Gada Yudh' (Mace fighting). Bheem and Duryodhan specialize in it and exhibit their skills. Drona is specially delighted by Arjun's prowess and he loves him even more than his own son, Ashwathama. Drona informs Bheeshma that the education of Kuru princes is complete. They agree to hold a tournament to test the war-skills of the princes.

Episode 24: A special stadium is built to exhibit the feats of the Kuru princes in front of spectators. Members of the royal household are invited. Dressed in pure white, lending dignity and grace to his personality, Drona enters the stadium. His son Ashwathama accompanies him. The Kuru princes enter one by one in the arena, led by Yudhushtra - the eldest prince. The princes perform amazing feats with their bows, arrows, swords and javelins. There follows fight with maces between Duryodhan and Bheem. Drona asks Ashwathama to bring the duel to a close, when it gets too spirited. He then asks Arjun to perform his feats. A deafening cheer welcomes Arjun to the stage, and the blind King Dhritrashtra

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