The previous episode jerked the tears out, now it is time to watch the tears flow.
Time explains that the sun did not set immediately after Abhimanyu’s death, so there is still some war to be fought. In the remaining time, Arjun kills Susharma and his brothers, but then a feeling of dread washes over him. Far away in Dwarka, Subhadra (Abhimanyu’s mother) receives a letter he wrote about his first day in battle, but upon reading it, suddenly experiences a feeling of dread too. Dhritharashtra muses that the Pandavas will now reject all overtures for a truce, as they will not forgive Duryodhan for murdering Abhimanyu.
Arjun and Krishna return to a silent camp. Arjun is perplexed as to why Abhimanyu and the Uppa-Pandavas haven’t come to greet him. Even the soldiers avert their eyes. Upon quizzing him, all that a soldier can muster up, is that Dronacharya deployed the Chakravyuh and that Abhimanyu infiltrated it. Inside the tent, Arjun finds his brothers silent and morose, while Abhimanyu’s chair is empty. When none of them answer Arjun’s questions about Abhimanyu’s absence, Krishna informs him that Abhimanyu died as a warrior. When a weeping Arjun demands to know why Abhimanyu was left stranded inside the Chakravyuh, Bhim informs him that Jayadrath held them all off.
Krishna then reveals why Jayadrath was invincible that day. After his failed abduction of Draupadi and subsequent humiliation, Jayadrath performed penance to Shiva. The result of that penance was a boon which allowed Jayadrath to hold off all Pandavas except Arjun for one day. Arjun’s grief starts to turn to anger. He demands to see his son’s corpse.
After Krishna consoles a weeping Uttara, Arjun cradles his dead son’s head upon his chest one last time, and then swears an oath. He vows to kill Jayadrath by sunset the next day, failing which he will self-immolate. Arjun starts to prepare Abhimanyu’s corpse for cremation rites.
During the cremation, Duryodhan boasts that Arjun will die next, Dronacharya ashamedly confesses to Arjun that Abhimanyu foiled his plan that day, Karna gives a touching eulogy praising Abhimanyu, while everyone else pays respects by laying flowers. When Jayadrath approaches, Arjun banishes him from the rite and declares his intent to kill Jayadrath the following day.
After Dronacharya muses about his sin with Kripacharya, he declares that he will do his utmost to protect Jayadrath’s life tomorrow. Meanwhile Shakuni gloats that Arjun’s death is certain tomorrow, because even if he kills Jayadrath, a curse will ensure his downfall too. When asked to explain, Shakuni states that Jayadrath went to his aged father to ask for the same invincibility boon that Shantanu bequeathed Bhishma with. However, Jayadrath was given a “protective curse” instead. Whomsoever causes Jayadrath’s lifeless head to fall to the ground, will have his own head explode and die.
The stakes for tomorrow have been raised. Jayadrath prepares to flee back to his kingdom, but Duryodhan stops him, fearing mass desertions if Jayadrath leaves.
Tropes found here are
- As You Know: Krishna explains Jayadrath’s boon that allowed him to defeat the Pandavas. Shakuni explains the “curse” that will kill whoever causes Jayadrath’s death.
- Declaration of Protection: Dronacharya agrees to stay with Jayadrath and keep him safe.
- Dirty Coward: Jayadrath prepares to flee. Duryodhan fearing panic and desertions among his army, forbids him.
- Due to the Dead: Even the Kauravas show up to pay respects during Abhimanyu’s cremation rite. Both Dronacharya and Karna eulogize his bravery and skill.
- Five Stages of Grief: Realistically shown. Different characters are exhibiting different stages.
- Denial: Uttara, the other Pandavas (initially)
- Bargaining: Subhadra
- Anger: Arjun, eventually. His anger is directed towards Jayadrath.
- Depression: The other Pandavas, Arjun initially.
- Acceptance: Krishna
- Your Head Asplode: This will happen to whoever causes Jayadrath’s lifeless head to fall to the ground.
- Mutual Kill: Thereby ensuring that whoever kills Jayadrath will also die.
