'I am impartial.'
'So, I can say without mincing words..'
'..that a volcano can't be contained by under a lid.'
'But in Hastinapur, the kingdom's partition was used as a lid..'
'..to contain a volcano on the verge of eruption.'
'Yudhishthir, perhaps in the hope of peace..'
'..agreed to this losing proposition.'
'However, being Time..'
'..I'll tell you what I know.'
'Dhritirashtra's decision..'
'..isn't a decision for avoiding minor squabbles.'
'Dhritirashtra may not have thought of all this.'
'But Shakuni has made his plan with great care.'
'The land of Khandav is on the west of river Yamuna.'
'A hilly terrain..'
'..where dwelt the people of the Naga clan and demons.'
'So, Hastinapur on this side of Yamuna..'
'..was made the capital.'
'So, despite the land of Khandav being..'
'..a part of Hastinapur it was never considered a part of it.'
'The game being played was..'
'..that the Pandavas be given half the kingdom..'
'..so that Dhritirashtra couldn't be called unjust.'
'Yet in reality what the Pandavas were being given..'
'..was next to nothing.'
'Which is why Bheem, Arjun..'
'..Nakul and Sahadev didn't like..'
'..the proposal of division.'
Brother, elder father's sweet talk is a horrific mirage.
I'm not surprised at his suggestion.
He did usurp half the kingdom, if not the full, for Duryodhan.
Bheem, he's our elder.
It doesn't befit you to use such harsh words against him.
Brother, but the elder should be big-hearted, too.
Sahadev, is this the way to talk to your older brother?
Forgive me, mother, but..
Sahadev, there should be no 'but' while talking to mother.
Okay. I'll frame the question without a 'but'.
Who gave elder father the right..
..without asking us to divide the kingdom?
If you don't accept Yudhishthir's decision, then I..
Aunty, you may regret words spoken in anger.
Vasudev, you tell me.
Is this the way to talk to an elder brother?
Mother, there's no question of rejecting brother's decision.
But, it's also true, aunty..
..that speaking freely keeps the family together.
Speak, Nakul. Tell me. What were you saying?
All I wanted to say is that Hastinapur is ours by right.
Yudhishthir had been made crown prince.
They why did elder father divide our kingdom right down the middle..
..and give it to brother Duryodhan?
Did you hear that, Vasudev?
This is what he terms 'all'.
'All.' If this is 'all' then what more would he say without it?
Son Nakul..
..if grandsire is behind this plan then his decision must be right.
Why don't you all understand?
Everyone may go against you..
..but grandsire Bheeshma will never go against you.
Admitted that grandsire is always on our side.
So, the partition has some significance.
But I refuse to believe that he also suggested..
..that Hastinapur be given to Duryodhan..
..and that forest of stones named Khandav, to us.
We accept the partition but why should we leave Hastinapur?
Duryodhan is younger. Why isn't he sent to the land of Khandav?
Why should we always be exiled, mother?
If you permit, we can ask grandsire.
Our land was divided, but what did we get?
Yes. What did we get?
Even I can answer that question.
Then answer it.
The king has given you your land of action.
Land of action.
"Do your duty and shape your destiny."
"That is the secret of life."
"O man! Your own hands.."
"..hold your destiny."
"Hold your destiny."
Our respects, elder brother.
Come. Sit by my side.
Elder brother, is there something..
..that you didn't wish to say in front of mother?
Why do you say that?
It's because you've called us to your room for the first time.
Yes. I don't want mother to know..
..that my younger brothers are angry with me.
She'll be sad to hear this.
Elder brother, we're not angry with you, but we're certainly sad..
..that elder father took half your kingdom for brother Duryodhan.
You're taking brother Duryodhan's name..
..and accusing elder father of usurping half the kingdom.
Duryodhan is our brother, too.
Will you keep saying even after the experience of the wax house..
..that Duryodhan is our brother?
If he's ours, too, then tell me who isn't related to you?
Hastinapur was our father's capital..
..and this very city is our capital by right.
Right!
Younger brother, 'right' doesn't have such a simple meaning.
You have to pay the price for rights.
Every right brings with it innumerable duties.
The first duty of a king..
..is to ensure peace for his people.
If we don't go to the land of Khandav..
..there'll be no peace or good fortune in Hastinapur.
I've decided to leave Hastinapur for its own good.
Elder brother, doesn't this mean..
..that after your coronation..
..our ties with Hastinapur will snap?
Dear Arjun, why should our ties snap?
Do a child's ties with a mother snap after the umbilical cord is cut?
Dear brother, to keep bonds alive..
..sometimes one has to take the path of separation.
But, elder brother, none of us has opposed your decision.
My brothers will never oppose me.
The question is not of your opposition.
The question is of your co-operation.
We must make the land of Khandav into the land of Indra.
Didn't Vasudev Krishna say..
..that elder father has given us our land of action?
Success will be ours..
..and so will failure.
But I can't undertake this work alone.
Because you four brothers are my hands and feet..
..my eyes and ears.
If you aren't with me, then I can't even walk.
As Bheem is my feet.
I can't lift the weight of my responsibility.
As Arjun is my hands.
I can't see as Nakul and Sahadev are my eyes.
I don't want Hastinapur's throne.
I want my brothers.
If you're with me..
..we can turn that hilly, rocky and thorny terrain of Khandav into heaven..
..so that even Lord Indra will leave heaven to live in our city.
Besides, mother doesn't want to stay in Hastinapur.
If you still don't agree with my decision..
..I'll tell elder father..
..that my brothers want Hastinapur, not peace.
Don't ever think..
..that I accepted this partition out of fear.
But I want to avoid war as long as possible.
If there is war..
..another river of blood will flow alongside the river Ganga.
The chapter of this river of blood..
..will be far longer than that of the river Ganga.
Here, our time will be spent..
..amid whisperings of uncle Shakuni's conspiracies.
Here, is war. There, is peace.
Here, is destruction. There, is progress.
Here, the palace foundation is crumbling.
There, we'll build a new city and new palace.
If disc-wielder Krishna could leave Mathura to go to Dwarka..
..then why can't we leave Hastinapur for the land of Khandav?
To tell the truth, what worries me..
..is whether Gandhar king Shakuni will allow us to live in peace even there.
"The cursed snake has bitten.."
"..the Kuru family."
"The partition has shaken.."
"..the very confidence of the Kurus."
"The very confidence of the Kurus."
How long will you stay awake, Lord?
You've already decided to divide the nation now.
At least sleep now.
Gandhari, sleep isn't my maid..
..that I order it and it'll come running..
..to do my bidding.
Sleep is such a bird..
..that it comes when it wishes..
..and perches in the flock of the eyelids.
Dear, sleep is a recluse..
..which rarely frequents palaces of kingly eyes.
As for me, it seems as if sleep has forsaken the black caves of my eyes.
That's what I'm asking. Now what's the reason?
You narrated a poem.
However, you didn't answer my simple question.
If I had the answer to this simple question..
..I'd have surely told you.
But it's as if I have no answers to any questions.
It's as if I am the question..
..wandering in search of an answer.
I am the battlefield and I am my own rival.
I am at war with myself.
I don't know..
..who'll win this war.
These statements can mean only one thing.
Lord, you're hiding something from me.
Yes.
There are many more things..
..which I wish to hide from myself as well.
What have you got in Hastinapur apart from darkness?
Why should I make my darkness fall to your lot?
You're doing me a grave injustice.
Maybe.
Are you happy with Hastinapur's partition?
- No. - Noticed!
You didn't even have to think to answer this question.
Even after dividing my ancestors' kingdom..
..I still don't know whether I'm happy or not in doing so.
Duryodhan's arrogance has made you..
Gandhari, his arrogance is the fruit of my ambition.
Gandhari, never forget this.
He is the heir to my ambition.
I wish to attain through him..
..all that was my innate right..
..but which I couldn't attain.
This entire kingdom belongs to Duryodhan.
However, this entire kingdom belongs to Yudhishthir, too.
I've done injustice to both, Duryodhan and Yudhishthir.
I've done injustice to both.
Uncle, why is your forehead still creased in worry?
Yes. Even the five-pronged spear of the Pandavas is out of our way.
Yes, but clinging to that five-pronged spear..
..is half of Hastinapur's kingdom that slipped out of our hands.
Uncle, even I didn't like that but what could I do?
Father's loyalty is a divided one.
He's mine, no doubt. But the pity is, he's of the Pandavas, too.
He cannot say anything in younger mother Kunti's presence.
So, let that half of the kingdom go, uncle.
Entire earth is left to conquer.
I can expand this kingdom all by myself.
I don't doubt it at all, Duryodhan.
But we lost a part of Hastinapur after all.
Until that part is united with Hastinapur again..
..it'll remain a thorn in my side.
Start thinking about this problem, nephews.
Uncle, brother Yudhishthir's coronation hasn't even taken place..
..and you've already started drawing the battle lines.
Dushasan, the earlier the better so that we may rest tomorrow.
Don't laugh. Think. Ponder.
It's important to befriend the Yadavas.
From where did the Yadavas come?
From Dwarka, Son. From Dwarka.
It's impossible to fool Vasudev Krishna..
..because he himself is a major player.
But Balram. Pay him your respects.
Feed him well and serve him Soma juice.
Touch his feet and hold them fast.
- Hold them fast. - His feet?
Uncle, I don't even like touching your and my father's feet.
I know.
Balram is neither your father nor your uncle.
Whether you want to touch our feet or not..
..our blessings are always with you.
Grow out of your childhood, Duryodhan.
Here, everyone will have to kiss someone or the other's feet.
If you want to be successful in life..
..learn to touch someone's feet.
If you can't do this, then I'll return to Gandhar.
Uncle, has it ever happened..
..that I've turned a deaf ear to what you said?
Balram. Okay, Balram it is.
Very good, children.
What's this, Krishna?
Brother, it's Subhadra's letter from Dwarka.
What's written?
Nothing much. All's well.
The Crown Prince is here.
Yudhishthir?
Brother, I'll bring him in.
I was talking about crown prince Duryodhan.
Oh, yes. I recall. He's the crown prince now..
..as Pandu's eldest son will now be called Khandav land's king.
- Bring him in. - As you wish.
But, brother, does Duryodhan wish to see you alone?
Don't I matter?
If you matter, does it mean..
..that no one can come and see me at all?
People come to meet elders, don't they?
Who comes to meet the young?
You can only be given blessings of course.
Undoubtedly, brother. Undoubtedly, brother.
- My respects, brother. - Greetings.
Come. Sit near to me.
- Do you know Krishna? - No, brother.
I'm meeting him only today.
How could we meet?
He was so rapt in the arrival and welcome of his brothers.
Greetings, brother Duryodhan.
My greetings, too.
Greetings.
I, too, was eager to meet you, Vasudev.
When I heard that you were accompanying younger mother..
..I thought I could hear you play the flute to my heart's content.
It means you thought only about your heart's content, Duryodhan.
But I left that flute in Nandgaon.
That's a great injustice to those outside Nandgaon, Vasudev.
- Right, brother? - Of course.
He alone understands what he says.
He can be friendly and detached by turn.
He has no fixed place.
He's without attachment.
But, brother. I've never left you, have I?
I won't let you go, that's why.
Come, brother, let me show you around Hastinapur.
My city isn't as beautiful as Dwarka but it's worth seeing.
Yes, brother, do go.
Won't you come?
No, brother.
I'll go to Vidur for a while, first..
..and then visit sage Drona and grandsire.
Crown Prince, these are the very people..
..who make Hastinapur worth visiting.
Okay.
You meet them.
I'm going.
Here, brother.
Come, brother.
Let's go, dear Duryodhan.
I've never tasted such delicious mustard leaf.
This corn flat bread.
I'm really content.
Did you hear that?
Look who is content eating your mustard leaf.
That's the truth, uncle.
I was bored of eating palace food.
If I ever come to Hastinapur, I'll be your guest.
This house will be blessed, Vasudev.
Will you remember your promise?
He never forgets, dear.
"The Lord of the three worlds.."
"..eats at Vidhur's house.."
"..had the taste of love."
"Even the simple food.."
May I ask a question, Vasudev?
Why not? Do ask.
I'm here to answer questions.
Hastinapur isn't on the way from Kampilya to Dwarka..
..or is it?
Vidur, no path in India today can by-pass Hastinapur.
Even you know this secret.
Whatever is happening, let it happen..
..and await what is to happen.
My Hastinapur has fallen on bad days, Vasudev.
Why else would..
..a worthy prince like Yudhishthir be exiled from his home?
Aunty, days can never be good or bad.
Action alone is good or bad.
Action alone.
If that is the norm, Vasudev..
..then why is Yudhishthir being penalized for his virtuous action?
Sage, why do you take it is as a penalty?
Is it misfortune to get the opportunity to build a new city?
Do you think crown prince Duryodhan could take on this responsibility?
If not, then whatever is happening is meant to be.
Crown prince Yudhishthir and his younger brothers..
..are to start their journey on the path of progress.
But Duryodhan is helpless.
He can't undertake this journey.
But why?
Because, sage..
..Duryodhan by himself is nothing.
He's a mere branch of the tree that is king Dhritirashtra.
Trees are bound to the earth by their roots.
They can neither advance nor retreat.
Sage, they can only break and fall.
Or they can be cut down to provide the fuel for circumstances.
Vasudev.
Sage, if you want to ask a question..
..you must not fear the answer.
Sage, you're quarrelling with your own self.
You're both Duryodhan and Arjun.
But, sage, always try and recall your statement..
..that Arjun is that man who'll give a glimpse of God.
Grandsire.
Is this tree an enemy of yours, child?
Son, this is anger's biggest vice..
..that it can't differentiate between the innocent and guilty.
You're taking out your anger at Dhritirashtra's injustice..
..on this helpless tree that can't even protect itself.
When as a warrior, your first duty is to aid the helpless.
Grandsire, if you were aware..
..that an injustice was done to us by elder father..
..then why didn't you oppose it?
Maintaining silence knowing an injustice is being done..
..is the same as condoning it, isn't that so, grandsire?
Of course, son. Of course.
There was no other way out to save Hastinapur from ruin.
If elder father didn't stand in my way..
..then this bow of mine can solve this problem.
Can solve this problem.
That may very well happen.
Don't be surprised, son.
I'm getting old.
I'm three generations behind you.
My vision has blurred.
The day on the other side of the night to come..
..perhaps I can't clearly see over there.
I'm sure..
..that Kunti has never told you..
..that I'd wanted Dhritirashtra to be Hastinapur's king.
It isn't that I don't know..
..that a blind man can't have any right to the throne.
I didn't want Dhritirashtra..
..to be king merely because he's the eldest son.
But, because he's also my student.
I knew if he wasn't made king..
..he'd begin to think a grave injustice had been done to him.
This very thinking would make him a complex personality.
It wouldn't be in Hastinapur's interest.
But at that time..
..Vidur came with his new ethics and I could do nothing.
I had to remain silent.
That day, had mother Satyavati not declared..
..Pandu as Hastinapur's king, this problem..
..wouldn't have arisen at all today
..because Dhritirashtra would have been satisfied.
He'd have begun to realize today..
..that Yudhishthir alone is worthy to reign.
But why lament over what never came to pass?
We should look to the future and peace.
Alright.
Come along with us, grandsire.
We can sacrifice this kingdom..
..but we can't sacrifice you.
We can't sacrifice you.
Grandsire.
Son, it isn't in my power to go with you. It isn't in my power.
Like a cow tied to its stake in the same way..
..I'm bound to Hastinapur's throne.
The king has ordered that all noted sages and scholars..
..are to be invited for crown prince Yudhishthir's coronation.
Brahmin mahouts numbering 1008..
..under the supervision of a priest..
..be appointed to bring Ganga water on the elephants.
The king's own elephant is to be decorated for Yudhishthir to ride.
Behind this elephant..
..will walk brahmins and other citizens singing auspicious songs.
All prominent citizens..
..are to be invited for the coronation.
Okay, go on now and begin preparations for the coronation.
- My respects, grandsire. - Blessings.
Any news, Vidur?
Duryodhan is showing Balram, Hastinapur.
What does he want now?
Grandsire, he isn't happy with the kingdom's partition.
He'll always aspire to get back..
..the other half of the kingdom that he lost.
What kingdom does he have now that he dreams..
..of expanding his kingdom?
Grandsire, brother Dhritirashtra uses Duryodhan's eyes to dream.
Oh, God.
Will this fire of jealousy never be extinguished?
My respects, grandsire.
Come, Devaki's son. Come.
My respects to you, too.
Since when do elders pay respects to youngsters, grandsire?
What arithmetic rule has made me older to you, Devaki's son?
Age, grandsire.
Vasudev, you're a guest.
I can't even prove you wrong.
Please sit.
You, first.
Please be seated, grandsire.
Please be seated.
You, too, be seated.
What's your plan after the coronation?
Grandsire, I'm thinking of going with the Pandavas..
..to the land of Khandav.
Won't Balram accompany you?
Only he knows.
Duryodhan has taken him for a spin.
Looks like he's sent him spinning.
He hasn't returned as yet.
So, it's possible he may stay for a few more days.
He's older. I can't say anything.
Brother, you didn't eat anything.
No, how much do you want me to eat?
Enough.
I can't eat any more.
Just a little more pudding.
- Dushasan. - Yes.
Give him some pudding.
- Dushasan, give him some more. - Enough. Enough. Enough.
Brother, which is the best weapon in your opinion?
For me, it's my plough.
But the best weapon is the mace.
You're disciples of a respected guru like sage Drona which is a great honor.
It's no less honorable to be your disciple, brother.
No. I'm hardly a guru.
I merely brandish the mace.
But you did teach Bheem, brother.
But you're not brother's cousin like Bheem, are you?
Blood is thicker.
What are you saying?
Duryodhan is like Bheem to me.
I'll send Krishna back to Dwarka from the land of Khandav..
..and return here for a few days.
Brother, few days isn't enough.
I'll learn mace warfare to my heart's content.
Okay. Learn to your heart's content.
I'll teach to your heart's content.
Let the coronation be over.
""Innocent Balram fell victim.."
"..to Duryodhan's sweet talk."
"Duryodhan's plan.."
"..trapped Balram."