This episode of Mahabharata begins with Kunti crying without knowing why, as news of Abhimanyu’s demise hasn’t reached her yet. Arjun tearfully informs Bhishma how Abhimanyu died, at which an incensed Bhishma declares that the Kauravas don’t deserve to be called “warriors” anymore, and that Jayadrath in particular should never be forgiven. Uttara emerges from Denial only to go straight into Depression. Draupadi realizes this war’s true cost in blood.
After Krishna admonishes Arjun for swearing an oath and thereby forgetting the lesson on duty that the Bhagavad Gita taught, the two of them head out towards Jayadrath. Dronacharya has assigned his soldiers into a defensive “lotus” formation. Dhritharashtra anticipates Arjun’s death as well as him answering for it to Pandu in Heaven.
Arjun begins his assault on the Kauravas to reach Jayadrath. Dronacharya rides out front to stop him, but after a perfunctory battle, lets Arjun bypass him. A different unnamed warrior prince is killed by Arjun’s arrows, Dushasan’s chariot is destroyed, Shalya and Ashwathama are pinned to their chariot’s pole by Arjun’s arrows while Duryodhan and Karna are knocked unconscious. Dhritharashtra starts to despair and blames Krishna.
Arjun has to stop because his horses are exhausted. Duryodhan demands to know why Dronacharya let Arjun bypass him, to which Dronacharya reveals that it was part of his plan. With Arjun targeting Jayadrath, Yudhistir is unprotected and vulnerable to capture. Duryodhan rides back towards Arjun and catches him, dismounted. After some protestations about Duryodhan violating the Rules Of Engagement, Arjun renders him unconscious with his arrows once again. Arjun and Krishna toot their conches loud, as they get closer to Jayadrath. Jayadrath frets about not having run away. Krishna informs Arjun about Jayadrath’s “protective curse” and instructs him how to counter it.
The following tropes were observed before sunset
- Cooldown: Not Arjun, but his chariot’s horses are exhausted and need to stop and rest for awhile.
- Curb-Stomp Battle: Duryodhan (twice), Dushasan, Ashwathama, Kripacharya, Shalya and Karna can’t even last a minute against Arjun.
- Five Stages of Grief: Uttara goes from Denial to Depression.
- Implacable Man: This time, it is Arjun. Dronacharya is one too, but Arjun bypasses him.
- Paper Tiger: Karna is now 0-3 in all his battles with Arjun.
- Rules Of Engagement: Duryodhan declares them void. Boy, will this bite him severely now onwards.
- Someone to Remember Him By: Draupadi reveals that Uttara is pregnant with Abhimanyu’s child.
- This Is Unforgivable!: Bhishma agrees with Arjun that Jayadrath’s actions are unforgivable.
- Xanatos Gambit: Dronacharya only puts up token resistance to Arjun before letting him go by. While this seems to go against the plan for the day to obstruct Arjun, Dronacharya realizes that Arjun’s pursuit of Jayadrath is yet another way to distract him while Dronacharya attacks Yudhistir.
