Veṇīsaṃhāra: Fifth Act (summary)

The fifth Act of the drama starts with the entrance of Gāndharī, Sañjaya and Dhṛtaraṣṭra. Dhṛtaraṣṭra enquires of his son, Duryodhana. In his reply Sañjaya says that Duryodhana is seated under the shadow of a banyan tree. Both Gāndarī and Dhṛtaraṣṭra go there and embraces their son, Duryodhana. Duryodhana out of shame and sorrow does not want to speak to his parents as he has lost all his brothers along with kith and kins. Gāndarī consoles the king (son) wishing his long life. Dhṛtarāṣṭra says Duryodhana that if he does not speak to them, let Duhśāsana or some one else speak. Duryodhana considers himself an ill born son of the stainless Bharata family. But Gāndarī enough of lamentation expresses that Duryodhana is the only guide the blind couple. What is the good of kingdom or victory to her? Dhṛtaraṣṭra also suggests Duryodhana to console them. They wants Duryodhana to abstain from war with his cousins like Arjuna, Bhīma, etc. and so on. Dhṛtaraṣṭra wants that Duryodhana should at least make peace with Yudiṣṭhira on terms desireable to him. Thus all of the three tries to console Duryodhana in different ways. But Duryodhana does not agree with them on their points. He says to his father that when he has all his hundred brothers, inact, he discarded the peace move on the part of Vāsudeva. Now how possibly can Duryodhana simply out of affection for his mere body make with the pāndavas peace which is shameful to the noble man. Thus, a cruisial discussion continues amongst the three and a situation arises when all of them began to weep. Sañjaya, shedding his tears requests both father and mother to compose themself.

Thereafter a great din is heard behind the curtain. Gāndarī becomes frightened on hearing the great blast of trumpets mingled with lamentaticons. Duryodhana understands that fate, indeed, is not in favour of them. He tries to console his father. He opines to fight with Pandavas in an open way. But Gāndarī says that he is alone. In his reply he adds that if fate does not go against to him, he alone, will make the earth void of Pāndavas. All of a sudden enters the dipressed charioteer and says that they are undone. All of them including Duryodhana comes to learn that Karṇa is no more in this world. Dhṛtarāṣṭra becomes upseted on hearing the bad news of death of Karṇa as he was the only strength of Duryodhana, Duryodhana becomes fainted and after a while regains conciousness, feel himself ashamed of it. Both Gāndarī and Dhṛtarāṣṭra console him. Having embraced Duryodhana, Dhṛtarāṣṭra began to cry and say that his heart also melts at the thought of the ferocious Bhīma. Duryodhana, on the other hand says that let his arrows immediately fall on him who sinful as he is, has killed Karṇa. He orders the charioteer to get ready his chariot without any haste. He makes himself self-styled head of the army in spite of Aśvaṭṭhamān or. Duryodhana orders Sañjaya to help his parents to get into the chariot and start for their camp.

After a while enters both Bhīma and Arjuna with a chariot. Bhīma announces where is that Duryodhana, the perpetrator of the deceite in gambling, the igniter of the lac-made house, that extremely proud man, that wind to scatter and drag the hair and garment of Kṛṣṇa, to whom the Pāndavas are only slaves, the king, the elder brother of a hundred younger brothers, beginning with Duśāsana, the friend of the Aṅga King? Tell Not with wrath are we come to see him.”

Duryodhana orders Sañjaya to tell that he is seated there to tell the same to Bhīma and Arjuna. Both of them go to the said place and bow Bhima down to Dhṛtarāṣṭra who does not happy with the polite activities shown to him and on the other hand he addresses Bhīma as a wicked–souled one. Arjuna becomes angry with Dhṛtarāṣṭra. Bhīma does not feel the necessity of angry. Then a hot discussion took place amongst Bhīma, Arjuna and Duryodhana. Once wrathfully Duryodhana says Bhīma that he is the son of wind, why he is thus boasting of his consurable deed before the old king. He also adds that in his court, Yudhiṣṭhira, Nakula, Sahadeva and Draupadī were once insulted by him. So, is it the cause of the killing of Kauravas by them. Bhīma acts wrathfully in front of all and addresses Duryodhana as a bolt on the family of Bharata. Duryodhana addresses Bhīma as wicked souled, the wretch of the family of Bharata, the brute of Pāndava, he is (the former) not clever enough to indulge in boast like him (Bhīma). Bhīma laughs at and, says if so Duryadhaṇa is not worthy of belief.

Next to above, behind the curtain it is announced pointing to both Bhīma and Arjuna that the glorious Yudiṣṭhira is free from enemies. They awaits for the order of Yudiṣṭhthira. Again, behind the scenes, Yudhiṣṭhira orders Bhīma and Arjuna to burn the dead bodies who were killed in the battle. Both honours the order and exit.

Dhṛtarāṣṭra orders Duryodhana that Aśvaṭṭhāman who possessed of a prowess even superior to his father’s well-trained and resembling a god, should be honoured at least by rising up in reception. Gāndharī, also agrees with his husband. Duryodhana feels no necessity of Aśvaṭṭhāman. Then enters Aśvaṭṭhāman wishing the victory of the king. He says the king that he has come to joing the battle. Duryodhana hesitates to accept Aśvaṭṭhāman. Dhṛtarāṣṭra suggests Sañjaya to tell Aśvaṭṭhāman that he would not mind by the words uttered by Duryodhana. Sañjaya carries out the order. And moving about all exuent.