Veṇīsaṃhāra: Third Act (summary)

The third Act starts with the entrance of Rākṣasī in an odious dressed, prays to last the battle for a hundred years. She began to dance saying that if Arjuna takes up the engagement in the battle everyday as on the day in which the king of Sindhu was slain, her home will have its store-rooms stocked up with flesh and blood in plenty. Then enters Rākṣasa, Rdhirapriya and becomes very happy after having found a plenty of flesh and blood. Regarding their Queen Hiḍimbā, whose heart is sorrowing at the loss of her son Ghatotkaca. In a query by Demoness (Rākṣasī), Demon (Rākṣasa) gives the news of slaying of Dronācārya by Dhṛṣṭadyumna with a sword. The Demoness invites the Demon to drink the blood of Droṇa, Rākṣasa out of fear, refuses to drink the blood of Brāhmaṇa, as it may cause of burn in his throat.

Therefore, a bustle behind the scenes in heard. Both of them go away from the stage.

Then enters Aśvatthāmā with a drawn sword, hearing the bustle. He very proudly explains the valour of his father, Droṇa. He hopes, certainly his father, the devourer of enemies, is commenced that activity which is worthy of the espousal of the cause of Duryodhaṇa, which is befitting his wielding of arms, which is commensurale with the Prowess, mighty owing to all the missiles being obtained from Rāma (i.e. Parṥurāma) and which is appropriate to the wrath of the over-lord of all the bow-wielders in the world. Looking back, announces to bring his chariot, at the same time feels no necessity of chariot rather he wants to joint the battle with his strong and shiny sword. His left eye throbs, which he imagines a obstacle in going to the battle, in spite of which he does not stop him to attend the battle. He hears the bustle of people and sees that the great warriors like Karṇa, Kṛpa, etc. are flying away from the battle. But he does not loss his heart as Aśvathāmān is over confident regarding his father’s valour. And comes to learn the bad news of death of his father from the charioteer of his father. He becomes fainted. When regains sense, he laments for his beloved father and knows the reason of his father’s death is Yudhiṣṭhira. He also cries for his deceased father. The charioteer and others try to console him. He blames his maternal uncle Kṛpa and wants to follow the path of his father i.e. to die. Aśvathāmān again and again remembers his loving father, Droṇa and blames all other warriors who were present in the batlle. He criticies the truthful Yudisthira the head of the Pāndavas for the death of his father, because of the pronounciation of the word “Gaja” in a very low voice by Yudhiṣṭhira. Aśvathāmān decides to take charge of the Head of the Army.

At the same time enter both Karṇa and Duryodhana. The later repents for Droṇa and considers that it were not appropriate on the part of Droṇa to leave his arms on the battle just on hearing the death news of Aśvatthāmā from Yudhiṣṭhira. At last Duryodhana opined that due to Yudhiṣṭhira, his father choosed the path of death. On hearing this Aśvatthāmā could not but burst out with tears.

After that the quarrel starts between Karṇa and Aśvatthāmā as who amongst two would be the Head of the Army or Senāpati. Aśvatthāmā out of proud and grief insults Karṇa in different ways in different times during the time of discussion in front of Duryodhana and Kṛpa. Even, once he out of rage insulted Karṇa sayin that he is nothing but the son of a charioteer. Karṇa becomes too much angry with the words uttered by Aśvatthāmā and he also lags no far behind to say that a charioteer or the son of a charioteer, who-soever he may be. Birth in a family is dependent on destiny; but dependent on him is valour.

Prody Aśvatthāmā addresses Karṇa as low, idiot etc. He makes up his mind to step his left foot on the head of Karṇa. Both Kṛpa and Duryodhana prevents him to do so. Under this circumstances, Karṇa also cannot control himself and addresse Aśvathāmān as wretched Brāhmana, self-boaster etc. He adds that by caste, Aśvatthāmā is not to be killed. But this leg raised by him he would see fallen on the ground eat off by this sword of him (Karṇa). And Aśvatthāmā wrathfully throws away his caste by cutting off his sacred thread. Then both draw out their swords and prepare to strike one another. Again, Kṛpa and Duryodhana prevent them. But both Karṇa and Aśvatthāmā do not stop to excite one another by their speech. Both, again wants to strike each other but they were prevented by Kṛpa and Duryodhana.

Next to above, behind the curtain it is heard by all that someone announces saying that the human beast by whom the daughter of the king of Pāñcālas was dragged by the hair, by whom her cloth too was removed in the presence of kings and elders and from whose chest he has taken the vow to drink the wine of blood he has fallen into the cage of his arms. The Kauravas are invited to save him.

On hearing this Aśvatthāmā suggest Karṇa, commanderin-chief, Parsurama’s pupil to protect Duśāsana from Bhīma. Karṇa assures the king that he would be able to save Duśāsana and exits. Duryodhana also exits saying that nothing would be able to do harm of Duhśāsana.