Pritha

Vyasa finishes the story of Surabhi and Indra and turns its lesson directly on Dhritarashtra. Just as Surabhi's compassion was greatest for the oppressed son, Dhritarashtra's compassion should be greatest for the oppressed Pandavas. If he wishes the Kouravas to live, he must send Duryodhana to make peace.

Pritha arrives before her father with wide-eyed wonder, and Kuntibhoja places a great burden upon her: she must satisfy the angry brahmana without hesitation. He reminds her of her noble lineage — born to Shura of the Vrishnis, sister to Vasudeva — and warns that if she angers the brahmana, he will burn down the entire royal lineage.

King Kuntibhoja hands his daughter Pritha over to a visiting brahmana, instructing her to serve him without hesitation — for the king's welfare, the lineage's welfare, and her own. He provides the brahmana with a house, a seat, and food, and apologizes in advance for any transgression she might commit. Pritha sets aside laziness and pride and devotes herself entirely to serving the brahmana as if he were a god.

Kunti learns through a spy that her abandoned firstborn son wears celestial armour. Adhiratha sends the boy to Varanasahrya to learn weapons, where he studies under Drona, Kripa, and Rama, becomes Duryodhana's friend, and locks into a lifelong rivalry with Arjuna that makes Yudhishthira despair.