Veṇīsaṃhāra: Sixth Act (summary)

In the sixth Act of the Drama there enters Yudhiṣṭhira, seated Draupadī, a maid and a man. Yudhiṣṭhira thinks that after the great ocean in the form of Bhīṣma has been crossed, the fire in the form of Droṇa is somehow extinguished, the poisonous cobra in the form of Karṇa is quelled, and Śalya had gone to heaven, and when victory was as good as won, they all (Pāndavas) here have been thrown into speech by Bhima, who is fond of adventures. Draupadī imagines that the speech of Yudhiṣṭhira is only for her. Yudhiṣṭhira opines that fro the wrath and promise of Bhīma, the king orders to search Duryodhana and find out him by any means from any place for which the founder would be rewrded in the form of wealth and honour. They carries the order. He also adds that Sahadeva should make aware pf the fact. The man carries the order and exits. Then, again enters the man with Pancālaka. Pancalaka whises the victory of the king and wants to communicate a good news to the king and the queen. And the news is that the wicked souled Duryodhana is found. Yudhiṣṭhira enquired of Duryodhana that how he was found and where he fled away. The Pañchalakā began to give information all about Duryodhana.

Prima facie, Pañchalakā says that when Kṛpa, Karṇa and Aśvatthāmān had disappeared, coming to know that vow of Bhīma which was not remain unfulfilled overnight, it is not known where that wicked souled wretch of a Kaurava lay hidden. And then prince Bhīma and Arjuna, mounted in a chariot guided by Vāsudeva, began wandering about in Samantapancaka and could not find him out. On the bank of a great lake there are two tracks of foot-prints having their impression clearly imprinted. And going to the bank of the lake and found the track where the marks of Suyodhana’s feet were perceptible. Hearing the speech of that younger brother of Balarāma, prince Vrkodara agitated the water so violently that the water overflowed the banks, filling the bowers in all quarters. In another query by Yudhisthira, the Pancala says that Vṛkadara got down and stirred up that huge tank all around in the force of furry with club in hand such that the banks were over flown all on a sudden, lotous plants destroyed, with the sheet of water turned round with a terrific noise as a result Duryadhaṇa quit the water in a hurry and rose up playfully with an outburst of the fire of rage emitting sparks of poison as the Kālakuta prison from the mil-ocean at its churning. Yudhiṣṭhira appreciated Bhīma for his heroic ded. Then Draupadī asks Pāñcālaka whether any fight took place or not. In his reply the later says that Duryodhana comes out of the lake terrible mace with his hands and summons Bhīma that he is not afraid of them, he is ready to fight. In the meantime, Vāsudeva and Kiritin managed Duryodhana to get to dry land. Both Bhīma and Duryodhana, who had started the Duryodhana terrific duel with an altercation of harsh words fall of angry taunts at each other and whose club-like arms were shining bright with the mace brandished all around in varied ways, began to move about in circles. Then the Divine wielder of the discuss in hand and the son of Devakī sents him to Yudhiṣṭhira says that the entire earth has been free from all enemies. And let ceremonies proper for such prosperous events be commenced and continued without break.

Draupadī also doubts about the matter. Yudhiṣṭhira orders that out of quest respect for the Divine son of Devakī, let proper festivities be commenced for celebrating the auspicious victory of his dear brother, Bhīma. The chamberlain was ordered to please Pancalaka with a reward.

Thereafter centers a thirsty demon in the guise of hermit who is Carvaka by name in the hope of misguiding both Yudhiṣṭhira and Draupadī and others. The demon in course of his discussion gives the news of fighting among Arjuna and Duryodhana in front of them he added that Duryodhana took revenge against Bhīmasena. On hearing this both Draupadī and Yudhiṣṭhira lost their conscious. After regaining consciousness, he learnt from the demon the bad news of death of Arjuna. Yudhiṣṭhira blames his fate. They laments for Arjuna and Bhīma. Out of grief, both Draupadī and Yudhiṣṭhira make them ready to enter in the lightened pyre and dedicated their lives. The demon exits.

Suddently a bustle is heard behind the scenes which Draupadī took for another bad news for them. She suggestes the Chamberlain to do something in their absence i.e. after their death. The chamberlain leaves the place crying and crying. A fire was lightened. Looking at the fire, joyful Yudhiṣṭhira and Draupadī get them ready to enter into the fire. But before that Yudhiṣṭhira advised the chamberlain that if Arjuna survives, he should not angry with Balarāma, the brother of his friend Śri Kṛṣṇa if he is the really cause of death of Bhīma. Before his death, Yudhiṣṭhira wants to do some heavenly deeds for his anscestors and others.

In the meantime, a bustle is heard behind the curtain. It is heard that Duryodhana whose body is covered with blood is approaching towards Draupadī with mace in his hand. Both Yudhiṣṭhira and Draupadī become fainted. After regaining consciousness Yudhiṣṭhira makes up his mind to kill the wicked souled Duryodhana with his bow. At the same time enters Bhīmasena, mace in hand, with whole body sprinkled with blood. He announces aggressively that there is no cause of fear as he is not a demon, not a ghost, only his body is sprinkled with the blood of his enemy; he only a angry Kṣatriya crossed the difficult ocean of promise kept by him earlier. He enquires of Pāñcālī. The charmberlain suggests Draupadī to bind the disheveled hair as she has to go near the fire. But Yudhiṣṭhira prevents her to do so until the wicked souled Duryadhaṇa is killed. Again, Bhīmasena tells Draupadī so far as Bhīma is alive, she would not bind her hair disarranged by Duhśāsana. He also assures her saying that he would personally tie it up. Then Yudhiṣṭhira with full strength embraces Bhīma considering his great foe Duryadhaṇa but later on he comes to know through chamberlain that the embraced person is no other than his beloved brother Bhīma sena. Draupadī, also does not believe that Bhīma, her husband is still alive who is in a mood to fulfill his promise by tying up hair.

After a while, both Draupadī and Yudhiṣṭhira came to recognize Bhīma, Yudhiṣṭhira with full affection embraces Bhīma, his favourite younger brother. Bhīma, then request Draupadī to tie up her hair but the later opines that she has forgotten to do it. There after the hair of Draupadi was tied up by Bhīma. Behind the scenes it is heared that the killing of subjects should be stopped and wished well of the kingdom.

At last enter Vāsudeva and Arjuna. Kṛṣṇa (Vāsudeva) approaching Yudhiṣṭhira wishes that Yudhiṣṭhira together with his brothers, with all the circle of enemies killed, be victorious. Arjuna also wishes victory of his elder brother. Yudhiṣṭhira embraces Arjuna. They discusses how they were deceived by the demon, Carvaka, Bhīma becomes very angry with the demon who misguided and created a sorrowful situation for his holy elder brother. Bhimasena shaking Draupadī’s braid disheveled by Duśāsana tied up. Kṛṣṇa says that learning the trouble created by Carvaka, he together with Arjuna comes to Yudhiṣṭhira’s place before long. Bhīma wrathfully wants to kill the wicked demon. But he learns from Kṛṣṇa that the demon is captured by Nakula and punised. Yudhiṣṭhira becomes happy upon Kṛṣṇa for his activities. After the usual mnner the play ends with the Bharatvakya. Vāsudeva wished well and all exit.