In this episode of Mahabharata, Krishna thwarts Jarasandh’s alliance building scheme by eloping with princess Rukmini of Vidharba.
In Hastinapur, Duryodhan is placed in charge of the royal treasury. He abuses that position to buy supporters among the citizenry. He also joins Shakuni in whispering in Dhritharashtra’s ear that Yudhistir plans to depose him to become king instead of waiting for him to die. Unfortunately popular sentiment desires the same outcome, putting pressure on Dhritharashtra to voluntarily abdicate. But Duryodhan insists that something be done to remove Yudhistir permanently, else he’ll commit suicide.
Duryodhan demands that Yudhistir be sent somewhere to attend a religious ritual. Because Shakuni is plotting to build a house of wax for the Pandavas to stay at for this ritual. And since Hindu rituals usually involve the lighting of a fire, there is a good chance a conflagration erupts in that house - and immolates the Pandavas with it.
Tropes found here are
- The Conspiracy: Shakuni plots to send Yudhistir to attend a festival, then make him stay in a house that can easily be burnt down.
- Elopement / Runaway Bride: Rukmini does not want to be married off to Shishupal, she desires Krishna instead. So, she runs away from her (rigged) swayamvar under the pretext of wanting to go to a temple to pray. Krishna meets her there in a chariot and takes her away.
- Made of Incendium: Shakuni has a house constructed entirely out of wax - solely for the purpose of enticing the unsuspecting Pandavas to temporarily stay there, then burn them all down.
- Pet the Dog: Duryodhan agrees to give away a poor fatherless bride, while on his spending spree. This is intentionally done to curry favor from Hastinapur’s citizens.
- Spanner in the Works: Jarasandh’s plan to build an alliance via Altar Diplomacy with which to attack Dwarka is thwarted by a princess choosing to run away and elope.
- Technical Pacifist: When Rukmi tries to stop Krishna from eloping with Rukmini, Krishna uses his Deadly Disc to just break Rukmi’s weapons and then casts a spell to leave Rukmi tied to his chariot. Krishna tells him that he did his duty trying to prevent Rukmini’s elopement, so he bears him no ill will and will spare his life.
- Uncle Pennybags: Duryodhan goes on a spending spree, lavishing Hastinapur’s citizens with monetary gifts. He is doing this to intentionally deplete the treasury, making it harder for Yudhistir to govern when he is eventually crowned king.
