Hi everybody, it's me!! Now I know you're all excited for this month's newsletter and you're probably on your tippy-toes and biting your nails, so let's get started. There will be eight parts to this summary to stay tuned and enjoy (I suggest some popcorn with butter ... mmm butter ... because this month's collection of episodes will have you jumping with joy, trembling with tears, and slapping someone so many times.)
Parte 1: \Khandavprasth becomes Indraprasth/
Khandavprasth + Pandavas + Mr. Toad-faced Takshak who is not very happy. Pandavas + villagers from HP + Vrushali watch Draupadi pour water on the ground and flying snakes begin to appear. The Pandavas grab their weapons and begin to fight, heck, Draupadi grabs a sword to save the loony Vrushali who's holding a snake and having a panic attack. After all things come to a rest, Vrushali has jumped off a cliff, all the villagers that came have been bitten by snakes, Arjun shoots one arrow at Takshak (who was in the form of a many headed large snake - think Kaliya Naag) and the latter runs away, and Draupadi is extremely upset because of all the dead people. Bhim tries to consol her, but it's Yuddhi who sets her straight by telling them the reason behind Takshak's stray from the proper path. Takshak, injured by Arjun's arrow, calls upon Indra to take his son (Arjun) down. Indra fights with Arjun, Krishna interferes and ends it. Indraprasth is built, and Arjun receives his Gandhiva from Agnidev.
Parte 2: \Vrushali and her future in HP/
Adirath finds Vrushali; Dhritarastra blocks moving from HP to IP and Karna is placed in charge. Vrushali protests and almost gets arrested, but Kunti saves her. She commands him to release Vrushali and Karna obliges and tells Dushashan that it's a mother's order. Kunti then tells Karna that adharma doesn't reside in the mukut but in the greed of having the mukut. Karna decides to give up Anga and ask that Kunti also be allowed to leave and when he tells Duryodhan about this, Duryodhana calls him a traitor and SUTA PUTRA and refuses to talk to him. Karna decides to go to IP with Vrushali and Kunti gives a message for her sons and when they reach IP, Karna delivers his message, Vrushali realizes her love, Krishna gives her permission to go, and Vrushali runs off chasing Karna through a field of yellow flowers. DDLJ's flower scene happens over and Karna accepts Vrushali. As they walk back home, he clears the path of flowers ahead of his new soon-to-be-wife. How sweet.
Parte 3: \Arjun in Dwarka/
Arjun successfully rescues the cows stolen by Takshak, punishes Takshak, and departs from IP with a heavy heart because he entered Draupadi's chambers (to get his Gandheeva). It was exile time. He finally lands in the Somnath Temple near Dwarka as per Krishna's orders. Arjun is convinced to get eloped by Subhadra. They go back and get married, but Balaram forces Arjun to choose between being a ghar-jamai or to take Subhadra to IP. Arjun chooses option 2.
Parte 4: \Arjun and Subhadra are back home in Indraprasth/
Draupadi, meanwhile, has been surviving on one meal a day like her Arjun (since it's his year). She accepts the laddoo Bhim sends for her to taste and laughs when the dasi begins to tell her the recipe. She's angry that Arjun brought Subhadra to IP, but Subhadra goes to Draupadi and after much convincing tells her that her goal is to be the queen of the High-Queen of IP (PanchaalI). She claims Arjun said it was possible, but Draupadi catches her lies and tells her that surely it was Govind who told her that. Subhadra agrees and Draupadi's anger is calmed.
Parte 5: \The Kauravas take a trip to Magadha/
The Kauravas take a trip to Magadha to convince him to be an ally, but end up getting arrested. Shakuni calls out Shukra to send a message to Karna. It is revealed that Vrushali is pregnant. As Jarasandha prepares to have the Kauravas and Mamashree beheaded, Karna appears and fights and defeats Jarasandha; he accepts both Malini and Anga. Bhim, Arjun, and Krishna disguise themselves as Brahmins and challenge Jarasandh to a wrestling match. Bhim wins with Krishna's guidance and they return home. Draupadi announces that Subhadra is pregnant and Bhim declares him to be the heir. Vrushali sees the mukut on Karna's head and is disappointed. But Karna assures her that he will never commit an incorrect deed.
Parte 6: \Rajsuya Yagna/
Duryodhana, Karna, Shakuni, and Dushashana make their way to IP and enter the maya sabha where they meet talking flowers, mystical butterflies and Sisupala, who uses his favorite word "Napunsak" and throws the peacock feathers from his waist. Sisupal's goal is the thwart the yagna, and he gets the chance when Krishna is being honored as the primary guest. Sisupal insults and finally Krishna kills him with his Sudharshan Chakra when he raises the question of Draupadi and Krishna's sakha/sakhi relationship. Duryodhan doesn't like this and raises his weapons. Draupadi suggests to take away his weapons. Duryodhana is insulted by this and returns home in a rage of emotions and lights a palace on fire, after getting drenched in a pool and laughed at. He is finally convinced to get out of the fire. They plan their revenge.
Parte 7: \The Invitation/
Krishna is flying the kite, and cuts his finger. Draupadi sees this and tears her sari as a bandage. He promises her that he will protect her. In HP, Vidura is summoned to send an invitation of dice to the Pandavas. In IP, Subhadra flirts with Arjun and listens to him talk about the chakravyuh, but falls asleep before he gets to the part of exiting the vyuha. Vidura tells the message and the court is dismissed and Vidura (as the beloved Kaka of the Pandavas) tells his opinion of the dice game and tries to persuade Yuddhistir to decline. The younger Pandavas and Draupadi also jump in to dissuade Yuddhistir. The Pandavas make their way to HP and are welcomed. The dice game begins.
Parte 8: \The Dice Game/
Rules are set by Bhishma (equal stakes only), and it is revealed that Shakuni will be tossing the dice. The first stake is a bunch of wealth, but the second stake becomes Vikarna from Duryodhan. Nakul himself declares that Yuddhi stake him first, but Draupadi's symbolic message hidden in a flower shows Yuddhi the light and he stands up and declares the end of the dice game. But Shakuni stops him by asking if they were brothers before the marriage. Nakul is lost and forced to sit in the slave's section without his crown. Cry not friends, the worst is finally over. I will share the tragedy of the Dice Game in next month's NL. Until then, be strong, be brave, be just.
Anupamaa
