CUT TO:

EXT. THE POTTER'S HOUSE - MORNING

The sun has fully risen now, and everyone is awake. Yudhishthira is off to one side, performing chores, and Nakula and Arjuna come onscreen, carrying water pots. Kunti is not to be seen, but her chants are heard in the background.

Krishnaa is sitting on the ground, her knees drawn to her chest, face upturned to the trees, though her eyes are closed.

Bhima and Sahadeva return carrying firewood. Each of the brothers stop, if only for a moment, to look at Krishnaa, bathed in the morning rays of the sun, her long hair streaming down her back.

They look away quickly.

Someone walks in, and all attention snaps to that direction.

The man is wearing saffron robes, but Krishnaa grins as she recognises him. She rises and walks to him, bending to touch his feet.

KRISHNAA

Pranaam, Acharya!

PRIEST

Saubhagyavati bhava, Putri.

The Pandavas and Kunti walk towards the PRIEST.

KRISHNAA

(to Kunti)

Mata, this is my Kulaguru. Pitashri must have sent him.

Everyone seeks their blessings from him, and Bhima washes his feet, and leads him to a seat inside.

PRIEST

May Bhagavan always be with you, children! Maharaja Drupada wishes to know who you are. Gladden his heart and tell us the details of your family and lineage, vatsa. Maharaja Pandu was dearest to Maharaja Drupada, and he has all along desired that his daughter be given to Arjuna, and wed to him according to dharma.

Yudhishthira looks at Kunti, but she does not meet his gaze. He lowers his eyes for a moment and then he speaks.

YUDHISHTHIRA

Maharaja Drupada set a price and gave his daughter away accordingly. My brother has won her according to dharma, and there is no reason to ask any questions about his lineage. Acharya, Maharaja Drupada's eternal desire will come to fruition, because his daughter was unattainable otherwise! He need not grieve for his daughter.

As he speaks, another man enters. There is the sound of horses outside.

MESSENGER

Pardon me for interrupting! But for the wedding, the Maharaja has prepared a great feast! He has asked you all to come with the Rajakumari after the daily rituals. I have been sent with these chariots, which will be awaiting to carry you to Panchala.

YUDHISHTHIRA

We will be there.

(to the priest)

Acharya, please go with the messenger. We will come to the palace soon.

The messenger and the priest leave.

NAKULA

Oh, I had almost forgotten how hectic royalty is! All in the span of two ghatis, everything has changed!

ARJUNA

Everything changed the moment we stepped into the svayamvara, Nakula. Or perhaps when we first heard Krishnaa's story.

Krishnaa lowers her gaze.

BHIMA

(to Kunti)

Mata, if we go there, our secret will finally be open to all. Are you sure you wish to do this?

KUNTI

(nods)

I would not have you hide away in the forests forever, Bhima. Besides, we owe everything to Krishnaa and Maharaja Drupada now.

KRISHNAA

It will take some convincing for Pitashri to agree to our marriage, Mata.

Everyone shares concerned looks. Krishnaa notices this.

KRISHNAA

(firmly)

But we will convince him, somehow. We can face it together.

EXT - THE POTTER'S HOUSE - MORNING - CONTINUOUS

All of them walk out, and the chariots with their attendants stand waiting. Krishnaa climbs up first, and then Kunti onto the same chariot.

The horses nicker, and the chariot moves. The brothers look to Yudhishthira first, who takes a deep breath before climbing onto the chariot. The rest of them do so in the same way onto their respective chariots, each acutely aware that their life is going to change irrevocably after this.

CUT TO:

INT. A RESTING ROOM - MORNING

Servants run about hither and thither, the entire palace in motion for preparations for the feast. Drupada and Prishati stand, conferring.

DRUPADA

I am almost certain they are the sons of Pandu, Prishati! I only wish to confirm, with a test of sorts.

PRISHATI

Bhagavan's will can never go astray, Parshata! Perform whatever test you will, I will go and supervise the wedding preparations, in the meanwhile.

Prishati's face is radiant with joy.

DRUPADA

Ah, my Priyaa, your excitement is contagious.

PRISHATI

How could it not be? Our darling daughter is to be wedded to Arjuna, just as all of us always wished!

Drupada smiles fondly at her as she leaves.

He then calls a few men over.

DRUPADA

Have various items brought to this room. Fruits, garlands, shields, armour, weapons, cattle, ropes and agricultural tools, whatever you can find.

The men bow and leave in various directions to collect whatever their king ordered.

CUT TO:

EXT. THE STEPS TO THE PALACE - MORNING

The chariots stop in front of the steps to the palace. The Pandavas get down first. Bhima helps Kunti get down, and Arjuna holds a hand out to Krishnaa, and helps her get down.

Krishnaa looks up to see all her family gathered, and she beams at her parents.

The Panchala royal family climbs down to greet them, and Dhrishtadyumna embraces Krishnaa, who giggles and burrows into his arms.

DRUPADA

(smiling)

Please, come this way! The feast awaits you.

They follow Drupada.

INT. A HALLWAY - MORNING - CONTINUOUS

Prishati speaks up just as they enter a hallway.

PRISHATI

(to Kunti)

Devi, if you would like, I would be happy to introduce you to my daughters-in-law with Krishnaa and get to know you better. Let your sons rest, we shall take care of you.

KUNTI

I would be honoured, Maharani.

Prishati looks at Drupada who nods, and then she takes Krishnaa's hand and guides Kunti away from the rest of them.

The others continue on.

INT. A RESTING ROOM - MORNING - CONTINUOUS

Drupada leads the brothers to the same room where he was a few minutes ago. The room is scattered with various items, all which he had requested be brought to them.

DRUPADA

Please rest here for awhile. I will have the servants bring food and we may confer later.

YUDHISHTHIRA

Thank you, Maharaja.

DRUPADA

Think nothing of it.

Drupada and his sons walk away.

Sahadeva sinks onto a seat, almost sighing in relief at the soft cushion. Nakula snickers, but bites it away when Arjuna pokes him into a seat of his own. He sinks into the seat.

NAKULA

Ahhh, now this is something I sorely missed.

(groans)

I could get used to this again.

BHIMA

I can't wait to have good food again.

Bhima's stomach rumbles in tandem. Everyone else laughs uproariously.

YUDHISHTHIRA

Royals do get a lot of privilege.

ARJUNA

Jyeshtha, please don't go into one of your spiels about serving the citizens and all.

Yudhishthira sighs and looks at Arjuna, who is grinning impishly.

Servants bring food in, dishes steaming and on bronze platters. They serve the brothers, and Bhima gets extra of each. They leave quickly.

NAKULA

Now no one can stop Bhrata Bhima from doing anything. Bhagavan, have mercy on us!

Sahadeva snickers. They then eat in silence. Eventually, everyone but Bhima is done.

BHIMA

(through a mouthful of food)

I haven't had food as good as this in such a long time.

YUDHISHTHIRA

(chuckling)

You said that of the berries we found a few days ago, Bhima.

Bhima shoots a betrayed look at him, which causes his younger brothers to burst out laughing.

BHIMA

(defensively)

They were good! Besides, the intention of the cook matters too, Jyeshtha, and I haven't had such a welcome in a... long while.

His tone has turned wistful by the end of his sentence. To break the awkward silence that festers in the room after Bhima's words, Arjuna gets up and runs his hand over the weapons.

SAHADEVA

I wonder why all these items are in the room. Surely the Maharaja has cleaner rooms?

NAKULA

All of this is very short notice, Deva. Perhaps all the preparations for the svayamvara left them exhausted.

ARJUNA

Jyeshtha?

(he turns to Yudhishthira, holding a javelin)

This looks almost exactly like your own javelin.

Yudhishthira rises and grasps the spear once he is beside Arjuna. It slots nearly into his grasp; years of warrior instinct are not easily forgotten.

NAKULA

I wonder what happened to our weapons...

BHIMA

They burned, you halfwit.

Nakula rolls his eyes at Bhima. Later, each one of them wanders over to the weapons, inspecting them.

Drupada and Satyajita peep into the room through a side window. Seeing the brothers talking about weapons, Drupada's face breaks into a smile.

DRUPADA

(softly)

Now I am certain they are Kshatriyas. The only thing left is to ask them.

They walk away before any of the Pandavas see them.

CUT TO:

INT. ANOTHER ROOM - AFTERNOON

Drupada and Yudhishthira sit facing each other. The rest of his sons and the younger Pandavas sit fanned out amongst the room.

Drupada is eager, his eyes flickering between the brothers, scanning them.

DRUPADA

Should we know you as Vaishyas or Shudras? Or perhaps Brahmanas or Kshatriyas? Please tell us who you are, we will make preparations for the marriage in that way!

Yudhishthira spares a glance his brothers' way. They nod to him.

YUDHISHTHIRA

You need not worry, Maharaja! Know that we are Kshatriyas, of the Kuru dynasty! We are the sons of Pandu, your dear friend.

(gestures to Arjuna)

This is Arjuna, he who won your daughter and the others are my younger brothers.

On hearing Yudhishthira's confirmation, Drupada is elated. He stills, tears forming in his eyes as he looks at the brothers. He cannot speak.

Shikhandi and Dhrishtadyumna are smiling widely. Satyajita, Yudhamanyu and Uttamaujas are grinning too.

After a few minutes, Drupada gathers himself.

DRUPADA

How did you escape from the fire, vatsa?

BHIMA

We were the ones to set fire to the palace, Maharaja.

Drupada is confused at that.

YUDHISHTHIRA

Pitrivyah Vidura knew of the conspiracy beforehand, Maharaja. He warned us, and we spent a while there to lull everyone into quiescence, and we escaped after setting the palace ablaze.

Drupada's face darkens with every word.

DRUPADA

Curse wretched Dhritarashtra and Duryodhana! I will never forgive them for this crime!

(takes a deep breath)

All this for greed of a kingdom. I knew they were unfit to rule.

(looks at Yudhishthira)

I promise you, Putra, you will be restored to your kingdom. It is the least I can do for the children of my dearest friend.

ARJUNA

(softly)

We took half your kingdom away, Maharaja. How can you not hold that against us?

Drupada looks at Arjuna, upon whose face is writ faint lines of guilt and self-remonstrance. His expression gentles in response.

DRUPADA

You were bound by your Gurudeva's orders, Arjuna. You were mere instruments in Drona's hands; I would never hold it against you.

Arjuna lowers his head.

DRUPADA

But no matter of past grievances. Today is an auspicious day, Putra! If you wish, let Arjuna accept Krishnaa's hand in marriage today.

Arjuna and Yudhishthira share a nervous look. Yudhishthira takes a steadying breath.

YUDHISHTHIRA

I am yet unwed, Maharaja.

Drupada's eyebrows furrow at that, wondering why Yudhishthira mentions it. He quickly improvises, though there is the slightest hint of consternation on his face.

DRUPADA

If you would desire then, take her hand in marriage.

Yudhishthira looks more nervous. He clears his throat and then speaks.

YUDHISHTHIRA

What I mean to say, Maharaja, is that we desire Krishnaa to be the wedded queen of us five. It is the order of my mother, to keep us five tied together.

Abject shock dawns on the Panchala royals. They do not bother concealing the shock and horror. Dhrishtadyumna's face is lined with anger as well as shock. Drupada is simply dumbstruck.

CUT TO:

INT. PRISHATI'S CHAMBERS - AFTERNOON

Prishati is likewise struck with shock, spine stiff as Krishnaa looks at her mother.

PRISHATI

(whispers)

All—all five of them?

Krishnaa nods. It does not take long for Prishati to recover some voice. She rises and begins to pace.

PRISHATI

What were you thinking, Krishnaa? Five husbands! Do you not know what society will say?

KRISHNAA

Ma, do you not have faith in me?

PRISHATI

(looks at Krishnaa)

I do, my child. But I cannot in good conscience say yes to this marriage.

Society will call you a veshyaa! Men already have a low opinion of women, if you do this, you will be mocked everywhere. No Krishnaa, I will not have this.

Krishnaa appears mildly distressed. She rises and clasps Prishati's hands.

KRISHNAA

Ma, I care not one whit about what society may say. I asked for them in my previous life; they are the only ones I will accept as my life-partners!

Prishati is devastated. She caresses her daughter's face. Krishnaa leans into her touch, a sad expression on her face.

KRISHNAA

I am sorry, Amba. But I was born for them, and you have always taught me to chase after my dreams. I cannot ignore my life's purpose so easily, all for some discomfort.

PRISHATI

Putri...

The Pandavas are good, I know. But what if the day comes when they cannot protect you or love you?

KRISHNAA

(firmly)

That day will not come. Even if it does, I am my mother's daughter, Ma! I will not stand for the disrespect offered me.

I promised you, remember?

Prishati takes a deep breath, closing her eyes.

PRISHATI

(softly)

Your mind will not be changed, will it, Krishnaa?

KRISHNAA

No, Ma.

PRISHATI

(after a pause)

I never wish to be that mother who denies her daughter's wishes. You are not mine alone, besides!

(sighs)

If this is what destiny wills, what you choose, far be it me to be the one who stands in your way, my child.

Krishnaa looks hopeful.

KRISHNAA

You agree then, Amba?

PRISHATI

...yes, Putri.

Krishnaa's smile is like the rain upon parched earth. She throws her arms around her mother with a giggle. Prishati kisses her temple.

PRISHATI

My flame, our guiding light. You will be known forever.

I fear your father will not be as easy to convince, Krishnaa.

KRISHNAA

I have faith in my grooms, Ma!

Prishati stares at her daughter, recognition flickering in her face.

PRISHATI

(with a laugh)

You tried to tell us before, didn't you, you little minx!

Krishnaa giggles.