Pandavas

Duryodhana turns away from his allies' counsel, dissatisfied. Karna sees it and his anger ignites. He proposes a direct solution: arm themselves, mount chariots, and ride to the forest to kill the Pandavas while they are still distressed, grieving, and without allies. The council applauds, and they set out as a body to do exactly that.

News reaches Duryodhana that Vidura has returned to court and been pacified by Dhritarashtra. The king's son burns with anger — Vidura is a well-wisher of the Pandavas, and his influence could undo everything. Duryodhana summons his allies and demands counsel, threatening suicide if the Pandavas ever return.

Exiled to the desert, the Pandavas endure the arrival of the rainy season — clouds, thunder, and endless torrents transforming the barren land. When autumn follows, they find the sacred Sarasvati river overflowing with clear water and roam its banks in delight before the dark fortnight sends them onward to Kamyaka.

Freed by the Pandavas he tried to humiliate, Duryodhana refuses to live with the shame. He formally instates Duhshasana as king, commands him to rule with Karna and Shakuni's counsel, and lies down to fast to death. Duhshasana weeps and refuses the throne. Karna argues that the Pandavas merely did their duty as subjects. But Duryodhana will not rise.

After the Pandavas free Duryodhana from captivity, Bhishma confronts him with the shame of being rescued by his enemies while Karna fled in fear. He urges peace for the sake of the lineage — but Duryodhana only laughs and walks away.

Surya reveals his identity and urges Karna to refuse Indra. But Karna declares that he will give his earrings and armour to Indra if he comes as a brahmana — because his vow of generosity and his hunger for fame outweigh his concern for his own survival.

Having finished his discourse on kingship, Vidura turns directly to Dhritarashtra and tells him what he already knows but refuses to see: that by entrusting the kingdom to Duryodhana instead of the Pandavas, he is steering everything toward ruin.