In this episode of Mahabharata, Sanjay returns, bringing Yudhistir’s reply.
In court, Duryodhan screams for war, but Bhishma reminds him of their defeat at Arjun’s hands. When Sanjay states that Yudhistir will be happy with Indraprasth being returned to him, Dhritharashtra says that since Duryodhan won Indraprasth in the dice game, only he has the right to decide whether it shall be returned or not.
As Duryodhan starts preparing for war once again, Shakuni implores him to somehow get Dwarka and Krishna on their side, as it is the only way to avoid defeat.
Over in Dwarka, both Duryodhan and Arjun arrive simultaneously and await Krishna to wake from the night’s sleep. Krishna asks them to choose between having him at their side, albeit unarmed, or having Dwarka’s powerful army. And since Krishna saw Arjun first, he gets first dibs.
What will Arjun choose?
Tropes found here are
- Batman Gambit: Krishna doesn’t actually want to help Duryodhan, but social mores at the time dictate that he must help him somehow. Krishna devises a “choice” that Duryodhan predictably flubs - and thereby ends up in Arjun’s camp. He relied on Duryodhan’s greed for power and strategic myopia to ensure that all he got was a horde of soldiers - a small “prize” compared to having Krishna himself as an advisor.
- Bystander Syndrome: Balaram flat out refuses to take any side during this conflict.
- Loophole Abuse: Dhritharashtra sidestepped having to make a decision about the Pandavas and owning it, by stating that since Duryodhan won Indraprasth in the dice game, any decision is the latter’s to make.
- Secret Test: Krishna asks Arjun and Duryodhan to choose between him and Dwarka’s formidable army. This is a test to see who would recognize and thereby benefit from having Krishna at his side, not as a combatant but as a trusted advisor. Duryodhan who is power hungry but immature and shortsighted, chooses the army, but Arjun chooses Krishna and even asks him to be his charioteer. Arjun displays his wisdom in foreseeing Krishna’s true worth.
- You Fool!: Shakuni lays into Duryodhan for not picking Krishna, stating that he is worth a lot more than a few more soldiers.
