FADE IN:

EXT. THE BURNING RUINS OF A PALACE - NIGHT

We see crackling flames - the sound is not pretty. Charred columns rise and crumble; blackened cloth lies haphazardly and a set of jewels sparkle ominously beside what appears to be bones. The vivid orange light grows, bright but not blinding. And suddenly, there is a blue lotus seemingly floating on the fire. The fire now seems protective, cradling the lotus like a mother.

There is a single, high-piercing womanly note. The crackling recedes.

UNKNOWN WOMAN (V.O.)

(in a whisper)

I am here. Where are you?

CUT TO:

INT. THE INTERIOR OF A HUT - EARLY MORNING

We see SAHADEVA, normally calm and logical, his eyes snapping open, his form still. He breathes raggedly for a few moments, and we pan out to the rest of his still sleeping family. We linger on each for a moment, Sahadeva doing a headcount. Wait. Someone's missing.

Sahadeva rises silently, careful not to wake his sleeping brothers and mother.

EXT. A THATCHED HUT - EARLY MORNING - CONTINUOUS

ARJUNA, sharp and focused, is stacking firewood. His eyes dart to the direction of the door, from where Sahadeva emerges. Sahadeva's shoulders relax minutely.

ARJUNA

Bad dream?

Sahadeva nods, but pauses, his body language uncertain.

SAHADEVA

(in a slow voice)

I... don't know. Perhaps.

A pause.

SAHADEVA

(cont.)

Why are you awake this early, Bhrata?

ARJUNA

(glances towards his brother briefly)

...I miss them.

There are many people Arjuna could be talking about. The early rays of the sun reflect on Arjuna's face, revealing a vulnerable expression.

ARJUNA

We've been wandering for so long. Will we never find a home?

Sahadeva has no answer to that.

CUT TO:

INT. THE COURTYARD OF A HUT - AFTERNOON

BHIMA

(with a menacing roar)

And the demon growled, "You stole my food! I will eat you for this!"

BHIMA, strong and enormous, chases a giggling child around, mimicking a clumsy demon. NAKULA walks in, carrying a cloth full of alms. He is narrowly avoided by Bhima.

NAKULA

(startled)

Bhrata!

KUNTI

Be careful, Jayanta!

BHIMA

(still engaged with the child)

Sorry, Ma!

Bhima continues to play with the child, and Nakula sighs, frustrated. He walks into the kitchen, where their hostess is cooking.

BRAHMANA WOMAN

Your brother is good with children.

NAKULA

(with a wistful expression)

His child grew up too fast for his liking.

Nakula's expression suggests this was also too quick for his liking.

BRAHMANA WOMAN

(takes the alms from Nakula)

He seems awfully young to be a father.

NAKULA

(caught off guard)

I - it's a strange situation, Aryae.

Nakula looks away. The situation is complicated. Their hostess hums and falls silent, understanding that Nakula doesn't seem comfortable talking about it.

BRAHMANA WOMAN

(after a pause)

I hope each of you gets to experience grihasta, dear.

It is one of the most cherished parts of life.

CUT TO:

INT. THE HUT - EVENING

YUDHISHTHIRA's gaze sweeps around the room. The five brothers are gathered, and the rest of the hut seems silent.

YUDHISHTHIRA

Was everything alright today?

There are a bunch of agreed murmurs throughout the room. Sahadeva seems anxious, his interlaced fingers twitching ever so often.

YUDHISHTHIRA

(concerned)

Deva, are you okay?

SAHADEVA

(uncertain)

I...don't know, Jyeshtha.

I had a weird dream yesternight.

Sahadeva narrates his dream. We focus on each of the Pandavas and their reaction to his narration: Yudhishthira is intent on his brother's words; Bhima's expression is complicated, he does not know what to feel; Arjuna holds the barest hint of recognition; Nakula's eyebrows are furrowed.

Silence hangs in the scene for a moment.

NAKULA

I feel like I should know more about this.

But it's so distant.

BHIMA

Exactly.

ARJUNA

...I had a similar dream a few days ago. A woman standing alone beside a river, rain falling and thunder alight. Before she could fully turn to me, I woke up.

Everybody shares a look.

YUDHISHTHIRA

(cautiously)

It appears as though somebody is trying to tell us something.

BHIMA

(somewhat annoyed)

But what could that somebody have to do with fire? Haven't we had enough of burning conspiracies?

Tension is apparent. It is evident that they've had some bad experiences with fire.

NAKULA

We have no way to figure out the meaning of these dreams. I think we should keep it in mind but not think too much about it.

YUDHISHTHIRA

Good idea, Nakula.

SAHADEVA

But no one tells Ma about this.

There are unanimous nods around the group. No one wants to worry Kunti.

CUT TO:

INT. THE HUT - NIGHT

The scene is homely. Arjuna is serving rice to his family and their host family.

ARJUNA

(serving a big heap on Bhima's plate and teasing)

I hope this is enough to satiate you, Raja Vrikodara.

Bhima glares at Arjuna, who chuckles.

YOUNG GIRL

Vrikodara? Just like the second Pandava, Mahodaya?

ARJUNA

(smiling)

Yes, Dhatri.

KUNTI

(chiding)

Vijaya, when will you brothers ever stop teasing your elder brother about his appetite?

The three younger Pandavas share a hasty laugh, but bite it away when Kunti glares at them. Bhima ignores the scene, while Yudhishthira chuckles. The brahmana and his wife watch the scene with fondness, while their children giggle.

YUDHISHTHIRA

(fondly)

Ma, the day they stop teasing Jayanta is the day Surya Deva rises in the west.

BRAHMANA WOMAN

Let them be, Charulata. They're still young. Only Bhagavan knows what I and Svami will do when our children are grown.

CHILD

(indignantly)

Amba, I am grown!

Laughs echo around the room. They go through the familiar motions of praying and then eating. Silence falls on the room for a while.

BRAHMANA

Putra Jaya, have you begun considering whom to wed?

Yudhishthira stills. The other's gazes dart to him.

YUDHISHTHIRA

I.. haven't thought about it, Arya.

BRAHMANA

(gently admonishing)

Putra, you are of marriageable age already. You have to establish your own household soon enough, to provide for your mother.

Yudhishthira looks down. The other Pandavas and Kunti avert their gazes; their expressions vary from sorrow to vexation.

BRAHMANA

(cont.)

Your mother is now like my own sister, vatsa. All of you are my sons by extension.

Yudhishthira's expression softens and he inclines his head.

YUDHISHTHIRA

We will always be in your debt for your love, Arya.

BRAHMANA

Vatsalya demands no debts, vatsa.

UNKNOWN MAN (O.S.)

Is there anyone here?

The occupants of the room share a look. Nakula, as the one closest to the door, gets up and goes outside.

EXT. A HUT - NIGHT - CONTINUOUS

Nakula finds a BRAHMANA standing outside the doorway. He joins his palms in greeting and bows deferentially.

NAKULA

Pranaam, Acharya. Is there anything you may desire?

BRAHMANA 2

Ayushman bhava, vatsa. I have been travelling a long way, and I require some shelter for the night.

The Pandavas' host exits the hut. He greets the other Brahmana with a smile.

BRAHMANA 1

You are most welcome to reside in our humble abode for as long as you desire, great one.

Nakula leads the guest into the room; everyone gets up to greet him and touch the Brahmana's feet. The guest blesses all of them.

The hostess serves some food to the guest and everyone settles back down to eat.

CUT TO:

INT. A ROOM - NIGHT.

Everyone is sitting close together in a circle. We zoom in on the guest Brahmana, all gazes directed towards him.

ARJUNA

Arya, you must have seen wondrous things in your travels throughout the country. If it pleases you, please tell us a tale to satiate this curiosity.

BRAHMANA 2

(laughs)

Why, vatsa, we are people of Bharatavarsha. Storytelling is in our blood. But yes, there is one magnificent tale which I have heard of from others. The story of Maharaja Drupada's great Yajna and the birth of his children.

This intrigues the Pandavas, they share a look, and lean in to listen, enraptured.

BRAHMANA 2

Panchala's princess is going to have her svayamvara soon. The preparation is grand, unlike anything this land has ever seen.

NAKULA

Please, tell us about Maharaja Drupada's yajna. Why did he seek to perform such a yajna? Why is Panchala's princess's svayamvara so grand?

BRAHMANA 2

All in time, vatsa.

The guest pauses for a moment. The anticipation builds.

BRAHMANA 2

There was once a Maharshi named Bharadvaja, and from him was born Drona. He and Prishata's son, Drupada were bosom friends in their childhood, having studied in the same gurukula.

The guest's voice transitions to a voiceover, and the hut fades to two BOYS dressed in simple clothes. It appears like an image.

BRAHMANA 2 (V.O.)

Once, Drupada, out of childish affection, proclaimed to Drona that when he inherited the throne, half his kingdom would be Drona's.

The boys onscreen hug, one of them proud in his declaration, and the other shocked but moved immensely.

BRAHMANA 2 (V.O.)

The years passed, and the two of them went on their separate paths. Drupada was now king of Panchala, and Drona a simple Brahmana, surviving on alms. One day, Drona went to Drupada.

The scene transitions to an older but still young DRONA looking around in awe at the palatial wealth his friend owned. He walks into the throne room , and we zoom in on DRUPADA sitting on the throne, bedecked with jewels and fine clothes. Drupada begins to speak, but we hear no voice.

BRAHMANA 2 (V.O.)

Drupada greeted Drona as he would any other Brahmana. Drona was surprised, but still smiled and said, "Know me to be your friend, Drupada."

Drupada's expression is undecipherable as Drona says these words. He speaks in response, as the Brahmana's voice narrates the dialogue.

BRAHMANA 2 (V.O.)

Drupada was not pleased with this, despite remembering Drona. He responded by saying, "There can no more be friendship between us than an elephant and an ant, O Brahmana. Ask anything you may desire, but do not name me friend."

Drona's happiness is gone in an instant. The atmosphere shifts uneasily; Drupada says nothing.

We transition back to the simple hut, focusing in on the guest as he continues to narrate the story.

BRAHMANA 2

Drona was angered, and he left Drupada's palace vowing vengeance. He wandered for long, bearing the insult in his heart until he came to Hastinapura.

The Pandavas know where the story is going and shift uncomfortably.

BRAHMANA 2

Bhishma requested Drona to teach his grandchildren, and Drona agreed. Once the Kuru princes' studies were done, Drona, remembering the insult, demanded that Drupada be defeated and brought to his feet as gurudakshina. The Kauravas failed to defeat Drupada, but the Pandavas, the shining crown jewels of his students, managed to do so.

He takes a breath. Arjuna looks down, his lips twitching downward.

BRAHMANA 2

The poor Pandavas! Drona saw Drupada at his feet and offered half of Panchala back to him. Drupada accepted, angered and shamed. He returned to his new kingdom, but being distressed, wandered amongst the many ashramas of Brahmanas.

This part of the story finally gains their attention; it is unknown to them.

BRAHMANA 2

A fire had been lit in Drupada's heart. He had long desired more offspring, but now that desire was fueled by the need to quench his vengeance. He began to search for a Brahmana who would be willing to perform a putrakameshti yajna.

Onscreen, we see Drupada kneeling, his hands joined towards a Brahmana sitting under a tree. Drupada's expression is desperate despite being lined with respect, it is easy to tell that he is nearly out of options. The SAGE is looking at Drupada, his expression devoid of emotions.

BRAHMANA 2 (V.O.)

After a long time spent searching, Yaja agreed to perform the yajna. His younger brother Upyaja also joined him, having been the one who directed Drupada to seek Yaja. And thusly Drupada had found someone willing to aid him in his desire for revenge.

The guest Brahmana's voiceover fades away, as YAJA raises his hand, and Drupada's expression shifts the slightest bit to reveal a smile and hope.

YAJA

So be it!