Veṇīsaṃhāra: First Act (summary)

This chapter deals with the drama Veṇīsaṃhāra which contains six acts. The drama is essentially a heroic play. It belongs to the class of “Nāṭakas”. The plot is mainly taken from Mahābhārata and covers the period which elapses between the return of the Pāndavas to Indraprastha after their 13 years” exile, and Yudhiṣṭhira’s accession to the throne after the Great War. Here all the six acts are dicussed below.

In the first (Act-I) of the drama Veṇīsaṃhāra, we find that the play starts with the speech of Sūtradhāra. Here Sūtradhāra remembers Lord Śri Kṛṣṇa as well as Lord Śri Hari and wishes that the drama would obtain a grand success by captivating the mind of the audience. In the front of the audience, he declares that he remember the sinless Kṛṣṇadvaipāyaṇa (Vedavyāsa).

Then behind the scenes somebody says that the Sir should make haste. These persons at the behest of the reverd Vindra announces to all the actors that all the musical instrument should be played in full swing. Because Lord Śri Kṛṣṇa accompanied by Vyāsadeva, Nārada, Tumbaru, Paraśurāma and others are entering in to the stage. On hearing the announcement the Sūtradhāra becomes glad. Behind the scene, it is again requested to play all the music.

Then enters Parī (Assistant) and assures the stage Manager to be coolminded. After that both of them returns back from the stage.

After that enters angry Bhīmasena followed by Sahadeva in the stage and out of rage curses Sūtradhāra for expressing such wish that Kṛṣṇa has undertaken to act as a mediator between the Kauravas and Pāndavas. Bhīma became angry and expresses his strong disapproval of the negotiation set on foot by Kṛṣṇa and of the policy meant to be pursued by his elder brother, Yudhiṣṭhira, Sahadeva tries to console Bhīma and to follow the path of his elder brother but on the contrary, the latter blames the former and his other brothers to decide the insult both physical and mental created by the Kauravas. He opines that he would not be satisfied if Śri Kṛṣṇa would success in bringing peace for them. On the other hand he announces that he would disobey the order of his elder brother once his life and would take revenge against Kauravas for misbehaving with Draupadī. He was so angry that he even forgot the path to enter into the arsenal and out of mistake he enters into the mansion of Draupadī. Sahadeva points out the mistake and both of them enter the mansion and waits till the arrival of Draupadī. In the meantime enters Draupadī along with a Maid -servant. The maid servant consoles Draupadī saying that Bhīma would remove her sorrowness. Both of them move on and Draupadī orders the maid to convey the news of her arrival. Without hearing this, Bhīma recites in wrath “that magnanimous” etc. Both Draupadī and the maid try to understand the situation and do thus. Again with full of rage Bhīmasena addresses Sahadeva regarding peace with five villages. He also adds that whether he would not destroy the Kauravas in war through rage; whether he will not drink blood from the chest of Duśāsana and whether he would not proud with his make the thighs of Duryadhana, Bhīma wishes that the king would agree on any of the conditions cited by him. Draupadī becomes glad on hearing this but Sahadeva tries again and again to console Bhīma which becames almost fruitless. Thereafter Bhīma enquires of the cause of grief of Draupadī, his wife. In her reply the maid tells him that a fresh affront was offered to her by Duryodhana’s wife with a sarcastic comment on her dishevelled hair and the proposed of the Pāndavas to be content with the grant of five villages. Bhīma consoles his wife and vows to kill Duryadhaṇa and to tie up her hair with his hand wet with his blood. Then a messenger arrives and fells the party that Kṛṣṇa’s embassy has failed and that he could effect his return only by using his divine power. The war dream then beaten and all chiefs asked to prepare for battle on heaving the summons, Bhīma and Sahadeva take leave of Draupadī and depart to take part in the battle.