Kunti at the meeting hall of the palace. Kunti is waiting for Pandu. He enters
Pandu
I am back from war!
Kunti
Your Royal Highness,
I am at your service.
Pandu smiles and occupies his throne; Ministers have
occupied seats. And in the centre, Pandu and Kunti are seated.
Pandu
Dear Ministers, meet
your new Queen Madri.
Madri enters. Kunti cries and gets up from her seat. Ministers
stand up and shower flowers on the King and Queen.
Ministers (in unison)
Hail to the King!
Hail to the Queen! Hail to the Hastinapur!
Pandu and Madri smile.
Pandu, Madri, and Kunti at the meeting hall of the palace. They
are sad.
Madri
But why are we going
to live in the forest?
Pandu
Because now my life
is cursed.
Kunti
Your royal Highness,
I am ready to live with you in the forest.
Satyawati
Then, who will rule
the kingdom?
Bhishma
Yes, our throne can’t
be empty for long.
Vidhur
Prince Dhristrashtra
can be our working king.
Prince Dhristrashtra smiles.
Prince Dhritarashtra
and Princess Gandhari are in the bedroom.
Princess Gandhari
Your Royal Highness,
I am at your service
Prince Dhritarashtra
I love you. Because of you, I am a king now.
I know you will become my eyes and make me a good king.
Princess Gandhari
Yes, my love
Prince Dhritarashtra
I love you, too
Princess Gandhari smiles.
Kunti and Pandu look at each other sadly.
Pandu
I wish we had children. Our days in the forest
would become joyous.
Kunti
I can give you a child. I was given a boon by my sage, Durvasa. To be blessed with a son, I must chant the mantra and call the Lord.
Pandu
Then please call the Lord of Justice for a
dutiful son.
Kunti chants the mantra.
Lord of justice comes.
Lord of justice
I bless you with a virtuous son. He will be
known for his justice.
Kunti gets a son.
She gives it to Pandu.
Pandu
My son, I name you Yudhishthir.
Kunti and Pandu
smile.
Prince Dhritarashtra
and Princess Gandhari are in the bedroom.
Prince Dhritarashtra
When will my son come? It’s been 14 months.
Princess Gandhari
I hope he comes soon.
Prince Dhritarashtra
I hate you. Why can’t
you keep me happy? Pandu’s son is the eldest now. He will become King. You
useless woman. You can’t give me a son.
Princess Gandhari falls unconscious. Sage Vyasa arrives.
Prince Dhritarashtra
and Princess Gandhari look at the vast 101 pots created by Sage Vyasa.
Sage Vyasa
From these pots, your
100 sons and one daughter will come out.
Prince Dhritarashtra
and Princess Gandhari become happy.
Kunti and Pandu look at each other happily.
Pandu
I wish Yudhishthir had a brother.
Kunti
Yes, Your Royal Highness.
Pandu
Then please call Lord of Wind for a powerful
son.
Kunti chants the mantra. Lord of Wind comes.
Lord of wind
I bless you with a powerful son.
Kunti gets a son.
She gives it to Pandu
Pandu
My son, I name you Bhim.
Prince Dhritarashtra
and Princess Gandhari look at the vast one-pot created by Sage Vyasa. It
burst open. Baby comes out. Sage Vyasa gives to Prince Dhritarashtra.
Sage Vyasa
Take your eldest son.
Prince Dhritarashtra
and Princess Gandhari become happy.
Prince Dhritarashtra
My son, I name you Duryodhana.
Kunti and Pandu look at each other happily.
Pandu
I wish we had one more son.
Kunti
Yes, Your Royal Highness.
Pandu
Then please call Lord Indra for a dutiful
son.
Kunti chants the mantra. Lord Indra comes.
Lord Indra
I bless you with a dutiful son.
Kunti gets a son.
She gives it to Pandu
Pandu
My son, I name you Arjun.
Madri looks at Pandu sadly.
Madri
It’s been five years in the forest. I don’t
have sons. I feel lonely.
Pandu
Kunti, can you give Madri two sons.
Kunti
Yes, Your Royal Highness.
Pandu
Then please call Lord Ashwin Kumar for twins.
Kunti chants the mantra. Lord Ashwin Kumar comes.
Lord Ashwin Kumar
I bless you with twins.
Kunti gets a son. She gives it to Pandu
Pandu
My twins, I name one Nakul and the other one
Sahadev.
Pandu smiles.
Moral: Children are like earthen pots. Shape them wisely.
Happy Reading!
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