THE MAHABHARATA

The 1)44Iv O gita

A PLA Y
Based Upon the Indian Classic Epic
by JEAN-CLAUDE CARRIERE

Translated from the French

by PETER BROOK

A Cornelia & Michael Bessie Book

HARPER & ROW, PUBLISHERS, New York

Grand Rapids, Philadelphia, St. Louis, San Francisco
London, Singapore, Sydney, Tokyo
 For Marie-Helene Estienne
who has held the threads
of The Mahabharata together
through two languages,
four continents, eight years

This book is published in France under the title Le Mahabharata. Copyright 1985 by
Centre International de Creations Theatrales.

THE MAHABHARATA. English translation copyright © 1987 by Jean-Claude Carriere and Peter
Brook. All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. No part of this book
may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in
the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. For information
address Harper & Row, Publishers, Inc., 10 East 53rd Street, New York, N.Y. 10022.

First PERENNIAL LIBRARY edition published 1987. Reissued 1989.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Carriere, Jean Claude.

The Mahabharata.
Play adapted from the Indian epic.
"A Cornelia & Michael Bessie book."
1. Mahabharata. II. Title.
PQ2663.A78M3413 1989 842'.914 87-45025
ISBN 0-06-096453-7
89 90 91 92 93 MPC 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 I
 CONTENTS

Introduction by JEAN-CLAUDE CARRIERE vi

Foreword by PETER BROOK

THE MAHABHARATA

PART ONE The Game of Dice 1

PART TWO Exile in the Forest 75

PART THREE The War 153

 INTRODUCTION

by Jean-Claude Corriere

The Mahabharata is one of the world's greatest books. It is also the

longest poem ever written. It was written in Sanskrit, and is more
than a hundred thousand stanzas long—about fifteen times the length
of the Bible.
The first known written versions of it, made up of ancient stories,
go back to the fifth or sixth century B.C. These versions continued
to be made for seven or eight hundred years, until in the third or
fourth century A.D., they took on a more or less definitive form. All
during this time of composition additions of all kinds were made—up
until the twentieth century—with variations depending on the prov-
ince of origin, traditions, interpretations, or the various groups of
writers involved.
In the Indian tradition, The Mahabharata is simply called "The
Epic," and it is the masterpiece of the very rich literature of the
Sanskrit language. The poem is at the origin of thousands of beliefs,
legends, thoughts, teachings, and characters which even today are
part of Indian life.
Yet it was entirely unknown in Europe until the eighteenth cen-
tury. The first edition of the "Bhagavad Gita," a section of the poem,
was published in London in 1785 in a translation by Charles Wilkins,
and in Paris in 1787, translated into French by M. Parraud. The first
European to immerse himself in the entire poem was a Swiss Army
officer of French extraction, Colonel de Polier, who lived thirty
adventurous years in India, also in the late eighteenth century. In the
nineteenth century a French orientalist, Hippolyte Fauche, under-
took the colossal task of translating the whole epic into French. Only

vi
Introduction vii

two hundred people subscribed to buy the work. After many long
years of labor, Fauche died. His work was taken up by Dr. L. Ballin,
who also died before it was finished. But this translation, which is
very beautiful in many ways, is often incorrect or incomprehensible.
In any case, it is incomplete. There is no complete French version
of the world's greatest poem.
One evening in 1975 Philippe Lavastine, a remarkable professor of
Sanskrit, began telling the first stories of The Mahabharata to Peter
Brook and me. We were completely enchanted. For five years we
met regularly, Peter and I listening to the poem without reading it.
I took notes, and in 1976 I started a first version of the play.
Advice and encouragement came from a number of quarters, par-
ticularly from Madeleine Biardeau, author of several works on Hindu
culture, and finally we began to read. At first we read separately;
Peter Brook read in English and I read in French, and finally we
began a long, slow study together, comparing translations, with the
help of Marie-Helene Estienne. After these studies, which we pur-
sued for almost two years, we traveled to India a number of times.
We gathered all kinds of images and impressions—images of dance,
film, marionette theatre, village celebrations and plays.
Although, so far as we know, there has never been a complete
adaptation of The Mahabharata (the filmmaker Satyajit Ray worked
on one for many years, but had to give up for lack of funds), many
episodes of the epic poem are very alive today in both India and
Indonesia. They are often played, in a variety of fashions, and the
stories are told in picture form, which can be found all over the
country.
We read a great deal during this time of research, and some of it
was most revealing. I'm thinking particularly of several short plays
by Rabindranath Tagore, freely adapted from the epic, a brilliant
essay by Iravati Karve called "Yuganta," and a long series of the
Krishnavatara (the "descent" of Krishna) edited by K. M. Munshi,
all of which gave us precious keys to meanings, and made possible
viii INTRODUCTION

a more subtle, deeper and in a way more realistic development of

certain characters.
The Indians with whom we talked about our project responded
warmly, once they were over their initial amazement. The notion
that their great Indian epic would at last be played in the West
intrigued and interested them. We received the advice of professors
and the benediction of saints. In Calcutta we met a hospitable and
enthusiastic man, Professor P. Lal, who was finishing a complete
translation into English verse of The Mahabharata, which he called
a "transcreation." He too was most encouraging, convinced that the
great Indian poem could speak in different voices to the rest of the
world.
"Maha" in Sanskrit means "great" or "complete." A maharajah is
a great king. "Bharata" is first of all the name of a legendary charac-
ter, then that of a family or a clan. So the title can be understood as
"The Great History of the Bharatas." But in an extended meaning,
bharata means Hindu, and even more generally, man. So it can also
be interpreted as "The Great History of Mankind."
This "great poem of the world" tells the story of the long and
bloody quarrel between two groups of cousins: the Pandavas, who
were five brothers; and the Kauravas, of whom there were a hundred.
This family quarrel over who will rule ends with an enormous battle
where the fate of the world is at stake.

The events told in The Mahabharata most probably have a historic

source. Most specialists are agreed on this point. Indian tradition
places the great battle of Kurukshetra in the year 3200 B.C. Some
historians see in the poem a reasonably faithful reflection of the wars
between the Dravidians and the Aryans of the second millennium
B.c. Others maintain that the correct interpretation of the poem is
entirely mythological. Still others point out the importance of the
teaching books of the epic—political, social, moral and religious—
and see The Mahabharata as a long treatise of royal initiation.
Commentators point out that all the pages that maintain the superi-
Introduction ix

ority of the Brahman caste—and there are a great number of them—

were added in a much more recent time.
We didn't pay a great deal of attention to any of these comments,
however interesting they might be. As far as we were concerned, this
immense poem, which flows with the majesty of a great river, carries
an inexhaustible richness which defies all structural, thematic, his-
toric or psychological analysis. Doors are constantly opening which
lead to other doors. It is impossible to hold The Mahabharata in the
palm of your hand. Layers of ramifications, sometimes contradictory,
follow upon one another and are interwoven without losing the
central theme. That theme is a threat: we live in a time of destruc-
tion—everything points in the same direction. Can this destruction
be avoided?

I began the final draft in autumn 1982. I continued throughout

1983 as well as 1984, when research began with the actors, as well
as the music composition.
When rehearsals began, in September 1984, the play was written,
but there was as yet no definitive structure. Throughout the nine
months of rehearsal, incessant changes were made. For a long time
we had no idea how lengthy the play would be, how many playing
hours we would need, or how many plays were involved.
From the beginning it seemed obvious that we would have to set
aside most of the secondary strands of the story, although many of
them are very beautiful. The storytellers of The Mahabharata liked to
arrest the mainstream of the action for a while to tell another story,
like a little backwater, which illustrates or comments upon the main
action. Some of these stories go on for over fifty pages; for instance,
the rivalry between Drona and Draupadi, or the loves of Nala and
Damayanti. Some are shorter, such as the cunning and courageous
Savitri's snatching her husband from death. Some, on the other hand,
take only a single page—the loves of Arjuna and the daughter of the
king of snakes. The Mahabharata even contains a shorter version of
the other great Sanskrit epic, the Ramayana.
x INTRODUCTION

At various times we tried a very dramatic beginning, in the middle

of the conflict. But each time it seemed to us that the fabled origins
of the family, the adventures and desires of faraway mythic ancestors,
were absolutely necessary, even if that meant forty minutes of play-
ing time before the appearance of the principal characters. It became
obvious that we needed the storyteller/ author, Vyasa, even though
the characters he creates sometimes escape him (he is both their
author and their father), and even though Ganesha and later Krishna
dispute the reality of his inventions.
Eventually a clear line began to appear, which led from a mythic
tale of demigods told by a storyteller, to characters who became more
and more human and who brought with them the theatre as we
understand it.

In The Mahabharata there are sixteen main characters. Each of

them has a distinct and often complex personality and a particular
story which is part of the main action, with varying degrees of
importance. We left out only one of these, Vidura, half brother of
Pandu and Dhritarashtra, but a half brother born of a servant and
consequently unable to exercise royal power. Vidura is a wise, mod-
erate, sensible man whose effect on the plot is minor. What he brings
to the poem, and it is almost always a purely verbal contribution, has
been incorporated into other characters: Bhishma, Yudhishthira or
Vyasa himself.
Krishna presented us with a special problem. Today it is almost
impossible to separate Krishna from his immense later legend, which
kept developing up to the Middle Ages. But in The Mahabharata, at
least in those parts of the poem generally thought to be the earliest,
nothing clearly indicates that he is an avatar, one of the earthly
incarnations of Vishnu. He is a man who tires, who ages. Sometimes
he is "surprised" or "distressed" by the things that happen. Mysteri-
ous and bloody revolts destroy his city. And he dies killed by a hunter
in the forest—an abrupt death, briefly told.
Some commentators, such as Norbert Klaes in "Conscience and
Introduction xi

Consciousness," maintain that in the original Mahabharata Krishna

is simply Vasudeva, the best and highest of men, of whom only one
is alive at any given moment. Not a god.
Yet the poem describes some of his prodigious acts. Krishna
lengthens Draupadi's dress indefinitely. He creates an illusion which
makes his enemies believe that the sun has set before its time. He
possesses an invincible weapon, a disc, which he uses to decapitate
Sisupala. But above all, just before the battle he gives his friend
Arjuna the "Bhagavad Gita," the famous text where he appears as a
divinity and shows his "universal form."
Man or god? It is obviously not up to us to decide. Any historical
or theological truth, controversial by its very nature, is closed to
us—our aim is a certain dramatic truth. This is why we have chosen
to keep the two faces of Krishna that are in the original poem, and
to emphasize their opposite and paradoxical nature.

In order to adapt The Mahabharata, to transform an immense epic

poem into a play, or three plays, we had to draw new scenes from
our imaginations, bring together characters who never meet in the
poem itself. All this within the context of deep respect for the shape
and sense of the story. Each of these characters has a total commit-
ment, each probes in depth the nature of his actions, each considers
his dharma, and each confronts his idea of fate. So we had to make
it possible for each of these characters to go into his own deepest
places without interposing our concepts, our judgments or our twen-
tieth-century analysis, insofar as that is possible.
In the second play, which involves long years of exile, we had to
find some way of concentrating fast and fluid action in space and time
without destroying its energy or its mystery.
As far as the writing itself is concerned, we dropped the notion of
archaic or old-fashioned languages, because they carry with them a
trail of inappropriate images of our own Middle Ages or ancient tales.
On the other hand, it was impossible to tell this story in modern,
familiar or even slangy language. But the polish of French classic or
xii INTRODUCTION

neoclassic language was, of course, equally impossible. So we settled

on a simple, precise, restrained language which gave us the means to
oppose or juxtapose words which ordinarily are never used together.
This careful choice of language led us to a problem which would
be repeated in the stage decor, the music, the costumes, the colors,
and the props: one might call it "the Indian-ness." I had to write in
French without writing a French play. I had to open my language
to rhythms and images of the East without being caught in the other
trap, the opposite one, of providing local color or the picturesque.
While we kept the names of characters, we found equivalents for
most of the Sanskrit words. There were two exceptions: one was
Kshatriya. In ancient India it was the name of a caste, which is
untranslatable unless one attempts a kind of forcible assimilation
which would be a colonization by vocabulary—words like "noble"
or "warrior" and certainly "knight" simply would not do. The other
untranslatable word is dharma, a concept at the very heart of the
poem: "truth," "justice," or "duty" fall short of the mark. Dharma
is the law on which rests the order of the world. Dharma is also the
personal and secret order each human being recognizes as his own,
the law he must obey. And the dharma of the individual, if it is
respected, is the warrant of its faithful reflection of a cosmic order.
Indian tradition says: "Everything in The Mahabharata is else-
where. What is not there is nowhere."
 FOREWORD
F4111.111•■
■ •■
-

by Peter Brook

One of the difficulties we encounter when we see traditional theatre

from the East is that we admire without understanding. Unless we
possess the keys to the symbols, we remain on the outside, fascinated,
perhaps, by the surface, but unable to contact the human realities
without which these complex art forms would never have arisen.
The day I first saw a demonstration of Kathakali, I heard a word
completely new to me—The Mahabharata. A dancer was presenting
a scene from this work and his sudden first appearance from behind
a curtain was an unforgettable shock. His costume was red and gold,
his face was red and green, his nose was like a white billiard ball, his
fingernails were like knives; in place of beard and mustache, two
white crescent moons thrust forward from his lips, his eyebrows shot
up and down like drumsticks and his fingers spelled out strange
coded messages. Through the magnificent ferocity of the move-
ments, I could see that a story was unfolding. But what story? I could
only guess at something mythical and remote, from another culture,
nothing to do with my life.
Gradually, sadly, I realized that my interest was lessening, the
visual shock was wearing off. However, after the interval, the dancer
returned without his makeup, no longer a demigod, just a likable
Indian in shirt and jeans. He described the scene he had been playing
and repeated the dance. The hieratic gestures passed through the man
of today. The superb, but impenetrable image had given way to an
ordinary, more accessible one and I realized that I preferred it this
way.
When I next encountered The Mahabharata, it was as a series of
xiv FOREWORD

stories told to Jean-Claude Carriere and me with passionate enthusi-

asm by a remarkable Sanskrit scholar, Philippe Lavastine. Through
him we began to understand why this was one of the greatest works
of humanity, and how, like all great works, it is both far from us and
very near. It contains the most profound expressions of Hindu
thought, and yet for over two thousand years it has penetrated so
intimately into the daily life of India that for many millions of people
the characters are eternally alive—as real as members of their own
family, with whom they share the quarrels and the questions.
Jean-Claude and I were so fascinated that standing in the rue St.
Andre des Arts at three o'clock in the morning after a long storytell-
ing session, we made a mutual commitment. We would find a way
of bringing this material into our world and sharing these stories with
an audience in the West.
Once we had taken this decision, the first step was obviously to go
to India. Here began a long series of journeys in which gradually all
those preparing the project took part—actors, musicians, designers.
India ceased to be a dream and we became infinitely the richer. I
cannot say that we saw all its aspects, but we saw enough to learn
that its variety is infinite. Every day brought a new surprise and a
new discovery.
We saw that for several thousand years India has lived in a climate
of constant creativity. Even if life flows with the majestic slowness
of a great river, at the same time, within the current, each atom has
its own dynamic energy. Whatever the aspect of human experience,
the Indian has indefatigably explored every possibility. If it is that
most humble and most amazing of human instruments, a finger,
everything that a finger can do has been explored and codified. If it
is a word, a breath, a limb, a sound, a note—or a stone or a color or
a cloth—all its aspects, practical, artistic and spiritual, have been
investigated and linked together. Art means celebrating the most
refined possibilities of every element, and art means extracting the
essence from every detail so that the detail can reveal itself as a
meaningful part of an inseparable whole. The more we saw of Indian
Foreword XV

classical art forms, especially in the performing arts, the more we

realized that they take at least a lifetime to master, and that a foreigner
can only admire, not imitate.
The line between performance and ceremony is hard to draw, and
we witnessed many events that took us close to Vedic times, or close
to the energy that is uniquely Indian. Theyyems, Mudiattu, Yak-
shagana, Chaau, Jatra—every region has its form of drama and almost
every form—sung, mimed, narrated—touches or tells a part of
Mahabharata. Wherever we went, we met sages, scholars, villagers,
pleased to find foreigners interested in their great epic and gener-
ously happy to share their understanding.
We were touched by the love that Indians bring to The Mahab-
harata, and this filled us both with respect and awe at the task we had
assumed.
Yet we knew that theatre must not be solemn and we must not
allow ourselves to become crushed into a false reverence. What
guided us most in India was the popular tradition. Here we recog-
nized the techniques that all folk art has in common and which we
have explored in improvisations over the years. We have always
considered a theatre group as a multi-headed storyteller, and one of
the most fascinating ways of meeting The Mahabharata in India is
through the storyteller. He not only plays on his musical instrument,
but uses it as a unique scenic device to suggest a bow, a sword, a mace,
a river, an army or a monkey's tail.
We returned from India knowing that our work was not to imitate
but to suggest.
Jean-Claude then began the vast undertaking of turning all these
experiences into a text. There were times when I saw his mind
reaching explosion point, because of the multitude of impressions
and the innumerable units of information he had stored over the
years. On the first day of rehearsal, Jean-Claude said to the actors as
he handed them nine hours' worth of text: "Don't take this to be a
finished play. Now I'm going to start rewriting each scene as we see
xvi FOREWORD

it evolve in your hands." In fact, he didn't rewrite every scene, but

the material was constantly developing as we worked.
Then we decided to make an English version and I set out to
prepare a translation that would be as faithful as possible to Jean-
Claude's gigantic labor.
In the performance, whether in English or French, we are not
attempting a reconstruction of Dravidian and Aryan India of three
thousand years ago. We are not presuming to present the symbolism
of Hindu philosophy. In the music, in the costumes, in the move-
ments, we have tried to suggest the flavor of India without pretend-
ing to be what we are not. On the contrary, the many nationalities
who have gathered together are trying to reflect The Mahabharata by
bringing to it something of their own. In this way, we are trying to
celebrate a work which only India could have created but which
carries echoes for all mankind.
 PART I

--.•404.---

THE GAME
OF DICE
 THE BEGINNINGS

A boy of about twelve enters. He goes toward a little pool. Then a man
appears. He is thin, wearing a muddy loincloth, his feet bare and dirty.
He sits thoughtfully on the ground and, noticing the boy, he signals him
to come closer. The boy approaches, slightly fearful. The man asks him:
VYASA: Do you know how to write?
BOY: No, why? The man is silent for a moment before saying:
VYASA: I've composed a great poem. I've composed it all, but nothing
is written. I need someone to write down what I know.
BOY: What's your name?
VYASA: Vyasa.
BOY: What's your poem about?
VYASA: It's about you.
BOY: Me?
VYASA: Yes, it's the story of your race, how your ancestors were born,
how they grew up, how a vast war arose. It's the poetical history of
mankind. If you listen carefully, at the end you'll be someone else.
For it's as pure as glass, yet nothing is omitted. It washes away faults,
it sharpens the brain and it gives long life. Suddenly the boy points,
indicating a strange form approaching in the distance.
BOY: Who's that? It is someone with an elephant's head and a man's

body, who comes strutting toward them. He has writing materials in his
hand. Vyasa greets him warmly.

3
4 THE GAME OF DICE

VYASA: Ganesha! Welcome.

BOY: You're Ganesha?

GANESHA: Rumor has it that you're looking for a scribe for the
Poetical History of Mankind. I'm at your service.
Boy: You're really Ganesha?
GANESHA: In person.
BOY: Why do you have an elephant's head?
GANESHA: Don't you know?
BOY: No.
GANESHA: If I've got to tell my story too, we'll never finish.
BOY: Please.
GANESHA: Right. I am the son of Parvati, the wife of Shiva.
BOY: The wife of the great god, Shiva?
GANESHA: Himself. But Shiva's not my father. My mother did it
alone.
BOY: How did she manage?
GANESHA: It's not easy. You need some earth, a pinch of safran, a few
drops of dew. To cut a long story short, when I arrived in this world,
I was already a fine, sturdy boy, just about your age. One day, my
mother told me to guard the door of the house. She wanted to take
a bath. "Let no one in," she said. An instant later, Shiva was standing
in front of me, wanting to come into the house, his house. I blocked
the way. Shiva did not know me—I'd only just been born—so he said
"Out of my way! It's an order. This is my home." I answered, "My
mother told me to let no one in so I'm letting no one in." Shiva was
furious. He called up his most ferocious cohorts. He commanded
them to flush me out, but I sent them flying. My force was superhu-
The Beginnings 5

man. I blazed, I glittered, I exploded—horde after horde of demons

withdrew in shame, for I was defending my mother. Shiva had only
one way left: cunning. He slipped behind me and suddenly he
chopped off my head. My mother's anger had no limits. She threat-
ened to destroy all the powers of heaven and smash the sky into tiny
splinters. Shiva, to calm her down, ordered a head to be put on me
as quickly as possible, the head of the first creature to come by. It was
an elephant. So there we are. I'm Ganesha, the bringer of peace. He
positions himself with great care and says to Vyasa: I'm ready. You can
begin. But I warn you: my hand can't stop once I start to write. You
must dictate without a single pause.
VYASA: And you, before putting anything down, you must under-
stand the sense of what I say.
GANESHA: Count on me. A silence falls and lasts a few moments. We're
expecting someone?
VYASA: No.
GANESHA: So . . . ?
VYASA: There's something secret about a beginning. I don't know
how to start.
GANESHA: May I offer a suggestion?
VYASA: You're most welcome.
GANESHA: As you claim to be the author of the poem, how about
beginning with yourself?
VYASA: Right. A king, hunting in a forest, fell asleep. He dreamed
of his wife and there was a joyful explosion of sperm.
GANESHA: Very good start.
VYASA: When the king awoke and saw the sperm on a leaf, he called
a falcon and said, "Take my sperm quickly to the queen." But the
6 THE GAME OF DICE

falcon was attacked by another falcon, the sperm fell into a river, a
fish swallowed it. A few months later, a fisherman caught the fish, cut
it open and found in its stomach a tiny little girl, whom he called
Satyavati. She grew up. She became very beautiful, but unfortunately
she smelled most dreadfully of fish. This made her very sad; no one
would come near her. Then, one day, she met a wandering hermit
who said to her: "I like you. Let's make love, here, right away, and
I promise I'll turn your dreadful stench into a most delicious odor."
She cried: "Now! Here! In broad daylight! I can't!" So the hermit
drew a thick mist across the river and fields, he took her to an island,
she opened herself to him and as she did so she became fragrant,
irresistible. . . .
BOY: They had a son?
VYASA: Yes. I am that son. Vyasa. And Satyavati went back to the
fisherman, whom she called her father.
GANESHA: Keep going, son of the mist. We haven't yet started. What
happened at the beginning?
VYASA: In those days, the king was called Santanu. One day, he was
walking beside the river when suddenly there appeared before him
a woman of a beauty that beggars description. Vyasa himself bows to
a woman (Ganga) who has just appeared.
VYASA-SANTANU: "You take my breath away," he told her. Wonder
blows my mind. Whoever you are, creature of darkness or spirit of
the sky, be mine.
GANGA: Do you accept my conditions?
VYASA-SANTANU: At once. What are they?
GANGA: You will never challenge my actions, nor oppose them,
whether you find them good or bad. You will be neither curious nor
angry and you will never ask the slightest question, on pain of seeing
me leave you instantly.
The Beginnings 7

VYASA—SANTANU: I accept. Come.

GANGA: I come.
VYASA: They lived a year of boundless love. A child was born. His
mother wrapped him in a piece of cloth, cried:
GANGA: I love you!
VYASA: And laughing, threw him into the river. "Don't ask!" San-
tanu told himself "I must never ask a question." The next year they
had another child. She cried:
GANGA: I love you!
VYASA: And drowned it. "Don't ask!" Santanu repeated. And so
it went, for seven years. The eighth year, an eighth child was
born.
GANGA: I love you! Ganga prepares to drown her eighth child. Santanu
cannot hold himself back any longer. He cries out.
VYASA—SANTANU: Stop! Stop! Why these murders? Why are you
killing these children?
GANGA: Why? I am Ganga. I am goddess of this river. I didn't kill
these children, I saved them. Like me, they were of divine origin, but
condemned to be born and die again amongst men. I agreed to set
them free and that is why I laughed. Now I must go. This eighth
child will be called Bhishma. He will be infallible, invincible. Fare-
well.
VYASA—SANTANU: And the goddess vanished.
BOY: What happened to the child?
VYASA: She took him away. The world knew twenty years of happi-
ness. Santanu reigned with perfect justice, there was no war, no
misery—it was a golden age. One morning, twenty years later, he
was taking his customary walk beside the river when suddenly, bub-
8 THE GAME OF DICE

bling and churning, the water opened and out of it rose a resplendent
young man, armed to the teeth.
BOY: Bhishma?

VYASA: Yes. Santanu recognized his son and called the goddess:
"Ganga! Ganga!" She appeared, robed in a fountain of foam. The
goddess is there again, she says to Santanu:
GANGA: Here is Bhishma, our eighth child. I brought him up, taught
him everything and now his knowledge matches his strength. Take
him. He is yours.

VYASA: Santanu returned to the palace with his son. Everyone ad-
mired him and saw in him the future king, a wonder king. But
another day, when King Santanu was taking his melancholy prome-
nade by the river—for he went back there every day—all at once the
air was filled with an enchanting fragrance. The king followed the
scent and saw before him a woman of wondrous beauty. Once more,
Santanu finds a beautiful woman crossing his path.
VYASA-SANTANU: Who are you?
SATYAVATI: I'm Satyavati. My father is king of the fishermen.
BOY: Satyavati? Your mother?
VYASA: Yes, my mother.

GANESHA: Your mother's going to play a part in your story?

VYASA: Any objection?

GANESHA: No objection at all. Go on.

VYASA: So Santanu fell on his knees and said to the sweet-scented

maiden: Nyasa goes down on one knee and addresses the woman: "I've
been a widower for many years. I've held down my heart and
watched over my people. But now the blow of your scent sends me
The Beginnings 9

reeling, it blends with the blood in my veins. I'm caught in its silken
net. Satyavati, be my bride."
SATYAVATI: My hand belongs to my father. As she speaks, the king of
the fishermen appears.
KING OF THE FISHERMEN: Santanu, there's no doubt my daughter
needs a husband and you are a most worthy match. But in exchange
I need a promise: the child you make together will succeed to your
throne.
VYASA: That's not possible, said Santanu. I already have a son, a
perfect son. He's young, he's strong—he's the future king.
KING OF THE FISHERMEN: If that's the case, farewell. Go back to your
palace, forget my daughter. The king of the fishermen and Satyavati
begin to go. Bhishma calls after them.
BHISHMA: Wait! You have just killed my father. Accept this marriage.
At my request.
KING OF THE FISHERMEN: Bhishma, you are the best of sons, the
noblest of heroes. We see you everywhere, arms in hand and no one
dares say you no. Your enemies tremble for their lives. Whether I
give you my daughter or refuse her, the danger is the same.
BHISHMA: What danger?
KING OF THE FISHERMEN: If I refuse, I foresee your fury. If I give her
to your father, they will have children, children who will be your
rivals, whom you will grow to hate.
BHISHMA: I make a solemn oath; the son your daughter bears will be
our king.
KING OF THE FISHERMEN: You give up all your rights?
BHISHMA: Yes. Forever.
KING OF THE FISHERMEN: You surprise me.
10 THE GAME OF DICE

BHISHMA: I give you my word.

KING OF THE FISHERMEN: Bhishma, I speak to you from my heart, as

a father. Listen carefully. I do not doubt your word, not for a second,
but if one day you have children, what will they make of your vow?
They will be strong like you. If they want to conquer the kingdom
by force, who could resist them?
BHISHMA: I understand and I reassure you. To avoid all conflict, and
for love of my father, I swear the oath of absolute renunciation. I will
say it clearly. I abjure forever the love of woman.
KING OF THE FISHERMEN: Say again what you have just said.
BHISHMA: I abjure forever the love of woman.
BOY: He said that?
VYASA: He said just that, in all solemnity. At once, voices rang
through the sky, crying "Bhishma! Bhishma!" and flowers rained
upon the earth.
Bhishma takes Satyavati by the hand and leads her to his father.
BHISHMA: Climb on my chariot, mother. I will take you to the palace.
GANESHA: Did Bhishma like women?
VYASA: No one ever knew. But as a reward for his vow, he was given
the power to choose the time of his death.
BOY: Is it possible?
VYASA: It was possible in those days.
GANESHA: And then?
VYASA: Twenty years went by. Santanu and Satyavati had a son, but
the heir to the throne was a poor weakling. Santanu died.
GANESHA: Like us all. And Bhishma remained without a wife?
The Beginnings 11

VYASA: Yes. Passionately faithful to his vow. But you know, in the

olden days if a king wanted to get married, he had to win a wife in

a tournament. The little king was far too feeble to take part, so
Bhishma fought in his place. He swept everyone off the field and
came back with three wives instead of one.
Bhishma reappears leading three princesses.
GANESHA: What are you doing with three wives? Didn't you swear

to abjure all women?

BHISHMA:They are not for my narrow bed. No, I haven't broken my
vow. They are for the young king, my father's son.
BOY: What are their names?
BHISHMA: Amba, Ambika, and Ambalika.
BOY: Amba's crying. The boy points to one of the princesses who is indeed
crying.
BHISHMA: You're right. Amba, why these tears?
AMBA: Listen to me, Bhishma. Before you won me at the tournament,
I had already chosen a husband in secret. He knows it and he loves
me. It's King Salva. How can you—who so revere fidelity—how can
you marry me to your half-brother when I'm already bound by love
to another man? Salva is waiting for me. Let me join him.
Bhishma has a moment's reflection before replying:
BHISHMA: What you say is true, Amba. You can go. A young king is

there; Amba runs toward him. As he sees her, he starts laughing. Amba
is disconcerted.
AMBA: Salva . . .
SALVA: What?
AMBA: It's me, Amba. Why are you laughing?
12 THE GAME OF DICE

SALVA: So Bhishma let you go?

AMBA: Yes.
SALVA: Go back to him, Amba. I don't want you anymore.
AMBA: What are you saying?
SALVA: You're his prize. You're soiled. I couldn't for anything in the

world let someone else's woman penetrate into my palace.

AMBA: But I'm not his. He has never touched me. Not grazed me
with the back of his hand. He has not even wanted me. Salva, I'm
a virgin and my eyes know only you.
SALVA: Please leave.
AMBA: I can't. Where could I go?
SALVA: I repeat, I don't want you anymore. Bhishma scares me and

you are his prize. You no longer exist. Go away.

Amba calls wildly:
AMBA: Bhishma! Bhishma is there.
BHISHMA: What now?
AMBA: Save me. I've been rejected by the man I love and you are the

cause of my misery. You can't abandon me now. You won me. I'm
your wife. Marry me.
BHISHMA: You know I can't marry you, Amba. No women can come

into my life. As Salva has rejected you, you are free. Go back to your
father.
AMBA: No, I'm not free and I refuse to go back to my father, who
bartered me like an animal. Listen. Hear what I'll do. I will walk
straight ahead, in ripped clothes, begging my way, and I will live
with one thought, only one, night and day, only one, a thought like
a blade: how to find someone to fight you to your death.
The Beginnings 13

BHISHMA: No one can kill me. It's impossible.

AMBA: I will do so, all the same. Yes, I too pronounce a vow: in one
of the worlds, I will find your executioner. There's now on this earth
a woman who will always think of you. Never forget me, Bhishma.
I am your death. Amba leaves. Bhishma watches her go in silence. Now,
Satyavati reappears, she is sobbing.
SATYAVATI: Bhishma! Bhishma!
BHISHMA: What is it?
SATYAVATI: The king my son is dead. A moment's silence.
GANESHA: Did he die without children?
VYASA: Of course. He died on his wedding day.
GANESHA: So there are no more descendants.
VYASA: No. Not one.
GANESHA: But without children this story cannot go on.
VYASA: Exactly.
GANESHA: It's absolutely necessary to give children to the princesses.
VYASA: Yes. Legitimate children.
BHISHMA: Who could father these children?
GANESHA: Why, you, of course, Bhishma. You're the only one.
BHISHMA: No. I cannot break my vow.
GANESHA: The destiny of a race is at stake. You can surely forget your
vow, just for once.
BHISHMA: Ganesha, this vow is the pillar of my life. Night after night
I've fought against the temptation to break it and I have triumphed.
Today I'm over fifty. Breaking my vow would be worse than death,
it would kill my soul. I don't want another word on the subject.
14 THE GAME OF DICE

GANESHA: So the poetical history of mankind is already over. I'll

collect my bits and pieces and be off. Ganesha is starting to pack his
writing materials when Satyavati suddenly says:
SATYAVATI: No, wait a moment. Don't go. She goes to Vyasa. Vyasa,
you are forgetting someone who can give children to the princesses.
VYASA: Who?
SATYAVATI: You. You, Vyasa.
GANESHA: And why Vyasa? Where does this idea come from?
BHISHMA: Satyavati is right. Vyasa is her first son. Born in the mist.
In a way, he's part of the family.
GANESHA: But he's the author of the poem.
BHISHMA: Precisely. It's up to him to do the necessary.
GANESHA: Speaking as the scribe, I find this totally unacceptable.
SATYAVATI: Didn't you say when you got here: I am the bringer of
peace?
GANESHA: Yes, but he is dirty. Nauseating.
SATYAVATI: So much the better. If the princesses can accept his sickly
smell, his muddy skin, then their children will be all the more admira-
ble. She comes close to Vyasa: My son, are you in good health?
VYASA: Yes, mother, in very good health.
SATYAVATI: I am glad to hear it. She claps her hands. Quick! Tell the
princesses a new husband has been found for them. Bathe them,
perfume them, dress them in transparent silk! While the princesses—
delighted at the idea of a new husband—are being made ready, Satyavati
returns to Vyasa, saying: The destiny of a whole race is in your hands.
No weakness is permitted. Stiffen your resolve, my son, let your
great work proceed. Satyavati goes up to the first princess, who is
The Beginnings 15

putting the final touches to her appearance. Today, your brother-in-law

will take you tenderly to his breast. Bring your family back to life and
rejoice. Satyavati and Bhishma withdraw discreetly. Vyasa goes toward
the first princess, but the sight of him makes her cry with disgust. She
drops to the ground, closing her eyes. Vyasa takes her, then, as he gets up,
he says:
VYASA: Why did you close your eyes? So as not to see me? Because
my body is caked in mud, my beard yellow with age? The princess does
not reply. I have given you my sperm and you will have a son. He
will be called Dhritarashtra and he will be king. But as you closed
your eyes on seeing me, he will be born blind.
SATYAVATI: No. A king can't be blind. The first princess leaves; the
second enters. It's time for the second princess. Give us another son,
I beg you. The second princess now watches Vyasalc approach apprehen-
sively. She neither cries nor closes her eyes, but shudders at his smell. She
also drops to the ground. Vyasa takes her quickly and says, as he gets up:
VYASA: Why is your color draining away? Why the chalk in your
cheeks? Am I so loathsome? Is my odor so strong? The princess,
terrified, does not answer. You too will have a son, but he will be white
as milk and he will be known as Pandu the Pale. Vyasa returns to his
place. Ganesha greets him:
GANESHA: My compliments. But didn't you say when you arrived,
my poem is the story of a vast war?
VYASA: I did.
GANESHA: These children you've just created, you're going to lead
them to the slaughter?
VYASA: You made me promise, Ganesha, never to pause in mid-
stream.
GANESHA: True. As we were saying, two sons—Dhritarashtra the
Blind and Pandu the Pale.
16 THE GAME OF DICE

BOY: Go on with the story.

GANESHA: Quick!
VYASA: We skip twenty years.
Ganesha draws a long line across the page, saying:
GANESHA: Simple.
VYASA: Pandu and Dhritarashtra are now grown up.
GANESHA: Who is king?
BOY: Pandu, because his brother is blind.
A woman enters, her eyes turned toward the sun.
VYASA: You see this woman?

BOY: Yes.
VYASA: Her name is Kunti. She doesn't know it, but she's carrying
the fate of the earth in her belly. Her children will be glorious, and
without them you wouldn't be here.
GANESHA: Why's she looking so persistently at the sun?
VYASA: It's a secret.
GANESHA: What secret? Tell.
VYASA: No. It's the fundamental secret.
GANESHA: Ah . . . fundamental! Proceed.
BOY: King Pandu married Kunti? Pandu and Kunti come together. A
third woman joins them.
VYASA: Yes, he took another wife as well, called Madri. No sooner
married, Pandu went hunting. Who could have imagined that a
simple hunt could seal the fate of the world? He saw two splendid
gazelles copulating in a thicket. He shot them down, the male and
The Beginnings 17

the female. The two animals, locked together, fell to the ground
and the female with her dying breath gasped out these learned
words:
GAZELLE: Even devoured by lust and anger, men refrain from spill-
ing blood. But science does not destroy fate, fate destroys science.
PANDU: What are you trying to say?
GAZELLE: How could you, Pandu, a man of superior learning, how
could you kill my lover and myself?
PANDU: Men have the right to kill gazelles. Men, and especially kings.
Why do you blame me?
GAZELLE: I blame you for not respecting the joys of love. You struck
me down at a moment that all creatures find sweet. And you know
that a woman's pleasure is superior to all other pleasures. What had
I done to you? Pitiless man, I show you no pity. I curse you. You
will feel the fury of a love which you cannot appease. For, if one day
you take one of your wives in your arms, at that moment you will
die, as I do now. The gazelle dies. The two women run to Pandu, who
lays down his arms and princely clothes, crying out:
PANDU: I'm cursed. I must vanish without a trace in the forests. Tell
Satyavati, tell Bhishma that Pandu now decrees his own everlasting
exile. He goes over to his blind brother and puts a silk scarf ceremoniously
around his neck. Dhritarashtra, my brother, you are king. Pandu walks
away. His two wives follow him.
KUNTI: And Madri, and me? If you leave us, our lives are over.
PANDU: Let me go. I've nothing to offer you. Only poverty and the
lonely road.
MADRI: We'll follow yon. Pandu leaves with his two wives.
BOY: To Nyasa But you said Kunti will have glorious children. How
will she manage?
18 THE GAME OF DICE

VYASA: Now for the moment of truth! A sudden thunderclap. Angry

winds rise.
GANESHA: Why this icy wind? Who invoked the thunder? Pandu
and his two wives press forward, struggling against the wind and the
cold.
VYASA: Pandu has reached the roof of the world with his two wives;
the highest peak of the Himalayas, where the cold is brutal, where
there's no relief from the howling storm. Pandu stops. He is exhausted.
He looks for shelter. Constantly he mourns a life without children. He
even offers Kunti to make love with another man.
PANDU: To Kunti Yes, with another man . . .
KUNTI: No. We want you.
MADRI: Yes, you alone.
PANDU: If I give you my love, I will die. Suddenly Kunti says to him:
KUNTI: Pandu, I have a confession to make. I possess a magic power,
a mantra.
PANDU: Who gave it to you?
KUNTI: A saintly hermit, as a reward for serving him well. I was
fourteen.
PANDU: What power does this mantra give you?
KUNTI: The power to call down a god at will.
MADRI: And . . . to have a child by him?
KUNTI: Yes.
MADRI: How can you be so sure?
KUNTI: I am sure.
PANDU: Have you ever tried it? Kunti hesitates a little before replying.
The Beginnings 19

KUNTI: I told you, I am sure.

PANDu: Don't hesitate. Say your mantra.
KUNTI: Which god should I call down first?
PANDU: Evoke Dharma. Yes, Dharma. Beyond him all thought must
stop. Kunti says her mantra. Ganesha and Vyasa create an elaborate and
ferocious ceremony. The boy is caught up in it, he becomes part of the
ritual; Ganesha puts a sword in his hands. Shadowy figures appear in the
background. Pandu says to Kunti: I beseech you, give me another
child. Evoke Vayu, god of the wind. Kunti says her mantra a second
time. Ganesha puts a club in the boy's bands. Kunti then says:
KUNTI: Now I call on Indra, king of gods. Ganesha puts a bow and
arrow in the boy's hands. A flame leaps up. Madri then says to Kunti:
MADRI: Kunti, lend me your mantra, so that I can have children too.
PANDU: Madri, evoke the Ashwins, the twin gods with golden eyes.
Madri says the mantra. A last flame burns. Five men come forward.
Kunti names them:
KUNTI: This is Yudhishthira, our first born, son of Dharma-
irreproachable, flawless, Yudhishthira, born to be king. Here is
Bhima, son of the wind, strong as thunder. At his birth, he fell on
a rock and split it in two. Here is Arjuna, the perfect warrior, born
to conquer.
MADRI: Here are our two sons, Nakula and Sahadeva, as inseparable
as patience and wisdom. Pandu looks with pride at his five children.
PANDU: Five sons descended from the gods . . .
Vyasa says to the boy:
VYASA: They are the five sons of Pandu, the Pandavas. We will never
leave them, as they are the heart of my poem.
BOY: Then I have the same blood. I come from the gods?
20 THE GAME OF DICE

VYASA: That's what the story tells. The five brothers withdraw, along
with Kunti, Pandu, and Madri. Ganesha then asks:
GANESHA: If I understand rightly, Dhritarashtra became king despite
his blindness.

VYASA: Yes.

GANESHA: And he found a wife?

VYASA: Yes, a princess from the north called Gandhari. It's a beautiful
story. Write it well.

GANESHA: Don't worry.

A princess appears, carried high on a litter. She descends.

VYASA: While waiting for the wedding, she lived in seclusion. Every
day, her servant visited the city and described to her its thousand
wonders. The young girl-servant, who until then had been full of joy,
now returns sad and agitated.
GANDHARI: What's the matter? Why is your face so long? You usually
sparkle with joy.
SERVANT: Princess . . .

GANDHARI: Tell me everything. Where did you go? What did you
see?

SERVANT: I found my way into the prince's palace. . . .

GANDHARI: And?
SERVANT: I saw . . . I saw Dhritarashtra, your future husband.
GANDHARI: You saw him?
SERVANT: Yes.

GANDHARI: Make me see him. Is he handsome? Strong?

The Beginnings 21

SERVANT: Yes, he's strong. Very strong.

GANDHARI: Then why are you crying? Answer me.
SERVANT: Princess, you have been betrayed. Dhritarashtra is blind.
GANDHARI: What do you mean?
SERVANT: Born blind.
GANDHARI: That's impossible. A king cannot be blind. You must be
mistaken.
SERVANT: I asked an old guard. Dhritarashtra is blind. His eyes are
dead.
GANDHARI: And they've hidden it from me? My wedding's prepared,
it's announced. My hollow-eyed husband taps his way toward me in
the dark, someone leads him by the hand. . . . No, it's not possible,
they lied to you. If he's blind he could only reign over the night, over
monsters that thrive on darkness, amidst the desperate cries of a
diseased people, people who are no longer people. . . .
SERVANT: He's blind. I've seen him. For a moment Gandhari stays
motionless.
GANDHARI: What's the use of my paint, of my dresses, if my husband
will never see me? Why my hair? Why my red lips? Why my flesh?
And my eyes? Give me my veil. The servant hands a veil to Gandhari
who suddenly is very calm.
SERVANT: What are you looking at?
GANDHARI: At you. You are my last image in this world.
SERVANT: What are you doing? Gandhari ties the band over her eyes.
GANDHARI: I'm putting a band on my eyes. I'm tying it firmly. I will
never take it off. Give me your hand, lead me to my husband. Now
I can never reproach him his misfortune. The servant takes Gandhari
22 THE GAME OF DICE

by the hand. At this moment Dbritarashtra, the blind king, enters. Music
plays. Gandhari goes to join her husband. He passes his hand over Gand-
hari's face, touches the blindfold. Deeply moved, he takes her in his arms.
They move away together. Gandhari disappears for a moment behind a
curtain held by Vyasa and the boy.
VYASA: When Gandhari was pregnant, she bore her fruit for two
years. Nothing stirred. Her belly was heavy, very hard. Gandhari
reappears holding her enormous belly with two hands. The servant rushes
up to her.
SERVANT: Gandhari, Kunti has just given birth to a son. He is called
Yudhishthira. The people say he will be king. Gandhari stays silent
for a moment, then she says to the servant:
GANDHARI: Get an iron bar.
SERVANT: What?
GANDHARI: Obey me. Get an iron bar. The servant takes an iron bar.
Strike me on the belly. Hard! The servant hesitates. Do what I tell you.
Hit very hard! Strike! The servant hits Gandhari with the iron bar.
Harder! Harder, I tell you. The servant hits harder. Harder still! Go
on, strike! Yes. Again. I'm in labor. You're delivering me, strike!
Gandhari shouts out. The servant stops hitting her.
BOY: Is that how babies are born?
GANESHA: Not necessarily.
A large ball appears between the queen's legs.
GANDHARI: What has just come out of my womb?
SERVANT: A ball of flesh. Like metal.
GANDHARI: WS crying? It moves?
SERVANT: No, it's cold and hard.
The Beginnings 23

GANDHARI: Throw the ball into a well and leave me alone. The servant
takes the ball but Vyasa intervenes:
VYASA: No. Throw nothing away. Cut the ball into a hundred pieces,
put them into a hundred earthenware jars. Sprinkle them with fresh
water. Out of them will come a hundred sons. The servant goes out
taking the ball with ber.
BOY: A hundred sons?
VYASA: The first one burst into life with the blood-curdling bray of
an anguished ass. He was called Duryodhana, the Hard to Conquer.
Remember that name.
GANESHA: Duryodhana.
Frightful noises are heard as though to greet the birth of Duryodhana who
rolls on the ground screaming. Dbritarasbtra, the blind emperor, reap-
pears, still guided by Bhishma.
DHRITARASHTRA: Bhishma, what are these sounds?
BHISHMA: Winds, carnivorous animals, angry birds of prey, and the
screams of your son.
DHRITARASHTRA: The air is thick. It crushes me. I can't breathe. How
is the sky?
BHISHMA: On fire.
DHRITARASHTRA: YOU, who have seen so much, tell me. What do
these omens mean?
BHISHMA: They all point toward your son. They say, Duryodhana
comes to destroy. If you wish to preserve your race, sacrifice him.
Dbristarashtra and Gandbari catch bold of their son, who goes on scream-
ing.
DHRITARASHTRA: My newborn son? Sacrifice him?
24 THE GAME OF DICE

BHISHMA: That's what I hear.

DHRITARASHTRA: You've never held a child in your arms. You don't
know what it means to say, "I'll shed my own blood." Bhishma, I
can't kill my son.
GANDHARI: Even if he howls, even if he brings with him hatred and
terror, no one will kill my first-born child without killing me myself.
They withdraw. The chilling noises have stopped. All becomes peaceful
and luminous. Madri, almost naked, is now in a wood near a river.
Pandu reappears and goes over to Madri.
PANDU: Madri, hear how the forest whispers and sings. Can you taste
the honey in the breeze? The birds chuckle, the insects tremble with
joy, the flowers open, it's the first day of spring and the sun streams
through your dress. . . .
MADRI: Pandu, don't touch me. If you love me, you die.
PANDU: I know, but when I look at you, I prefer love to life. Not a
word. He wants to take her, she resists.
MADRI: Don't tempt death. Death is seducing you. Keep away.
PANDU: There's no risk for you, no danger. Lie down in the grass.
MADRI: No. You'll need to take me by force. As Pandu penetrates her,
he cries out and dies. Madri leaps to her feet, calling: Kunti! Kunti!
Come! Without the children. Kunti runs on and sees the king's lifeless
body. Kunti, Pandu died while trying to love me.
KUNTI: But weren't you there to watch over him? How could you
let him stir, grow hard, here, in this lonely place? How could he
forget the curse? What have you done?
MADRI: I wanted to save him but his destiny carried him away.
KUNTI: Ah, you are happier than I am, because you have seen his face
glow with desire. I will follow him to the other shore.
The Beginnings 25

MAnRI: No, as it's in my arms that he breathed his last breath, it is

I who will die. I will go to the land of death to calm his passion. I
give you my sons, who no longer have a father in this world.
KUNTI: They will be like my sons, they will share everything.
MADRI: Burn my body along with the king. Come. Help me to die.
The two women disappear. A pyre is lit. Satyavati goes up to Vyasa.
SATYAVATI: Vyasa, my son. Madri has thrown herself into the fire in

front of all the people. I am old, my heart is choked with ashes, and
I ask myself: why this death?
VYASA: Because the earth has lost its youth, which has gone by like

a happy dream. Now, each day brings us closer to barrenness, to

destruction.
SATYAVATI: What is this terrible struggle you foresee?
VYASA:A universal struggle without pity, an outrage to intelligent
man. The heroes will perish without knowing why.
SATYAVATI: Who will be the winner?
VYASA: I don't know, for all depends on the hearts of men and there
I can't see clearly.
SATYAVATI: Can I help you?
VYASA: You have helped me enough, mother. Go far away, into the
forest, disappear among the trees.
SATYAVATI: And you. You will go on?
VYASA: To the very end. Satyavati leaves.
 YOUTH

As Satyvati disappears, Vyasa asks Ganesha:

VYASA: Ganesha, you're writing everything?

GANESHA: I'm writing everything and I understand everything.

VYASA: Now we skip . . .

GANESHA: Twenty years?

VYASA: Twenty years.

GANESHA: So your heroes are now twenty.

VYASA: Exactly. Bhima appears at this moment.

GANESHA: Who's this?

BOY: Bhima, the strongest man in the world. Bhima, who suddenly
seems in pain, falls to the ground as though dead. Dushassana, one of
Duryodhana's brothers, appears and calls:
DUSHASSANA: Duryodhana! My brother! Duryodhana rushes in.

DURYODHANA: Yes, I'm here. What are you doing?

DUSHASSANA: Look at Bhima!

DURYODHANA: He's dead?

DUSHASSANA: He doesn't move. They go up to Bhima's body very

prudently as the boy asks:

26
Youth 27

BOY: Who's with Duryodhana?

VYASA: Dushassana, the most dangerous of the hundred brothers.
Dusbassana talks to Bhima's inanimate body:
DUSHASSANA: Bhima, big beast, wolf-belly, give you food and drink
and it's gobble, gobble . . .
DURYODHANA: Watch out, Dushassana.
DUSHASSANA: I slipped a poison into your wine and you gulped down
your death. Suddenly, as the brothers are leaning over him, Bhima
grabs them savagely by the throat. They try to get away. No, don't kill
me!
BHIMA: You wanted to kill me. You said so yourself . . . but a snake
bit me and its venom saved my life.
DURYODHANA: Let go! Bhishma! Quick! Help us. Yudhishtbira enters
with Arjuna and orders:
YUDHISHTHIRA: Bhima! Take your hands away!
ARJUNA: Let them go!
BHIMA: I'll only let them go dead. I'm cleaning up the earth. No one
can make Bbima release them. Duryodhana and Dusbassana are almost
suffocated.
At this moment a man appears. He is about fifty, poorly dressed, and
carrying a light bag. He goes up to Bbima and takes his wrist. Bbima
screams, doubling up with pain. He lets the two brothers go and wants
to bit the unknown person, who makes some lightning moves. Bhima
collapses on the ground. Humiliated, be gets to his feet again. Then, with
a great roar be leaves and comes back immediately, brandishing a tree that
he has just pulled out of the ground.
YUDHISHTHIRA: Bhima! Put down that tree!
BHIMA: No.
28 THE GAME OF DICE

ARjuNA: Look out! Bhima rushes forward. Everyone moves away except
the older man, who awaits Bhima calmly. Just as Bhima tries to hit him
with the tree, he moves away, the tree falls to the ground and Bhima is
as though paralyzed, then thrown to the ground by a single flash of the
newcomer's stick. Yudhishthira then asks:
YUDHISHTHIRA: Who are you?
DRONA: I'm the new teacher.
ARJUNA: What's your name?
YUDHISHTHIRA: Who has sent you?
DRONA: My name is Drona. No one has sent me. I'm here for your
education. Bhishma appears and goes up to Drona. He seems happy to
see him.
BHISHMA: Are you really Drona?
DRONA: Yes.
BHISHMA: I've heard much of you. They say that amongst the wise
you are the wisest, and among masters of arms you are supreme.
DRONA: Bhishma! They greet each other warmly.
BHISHMA: Is it true that you have mastered all the possible forms of
war?
DRONA: As well as you, Bhishma.
BHISHMA: And you also know sacred weapons that even the gods
hold secret?
DRONA: Yes, I know them too.
BHISHMA: I am happy you have come to our city. These are the sons
of Pandu and the sons of Dhritarashtra, the Pandavas and the Kaura-
vas. At the death of Pandu, I decided to raise them together, but since
childhood everything tears them apart.
Youth 29

DRONA: So I see.
ARJUNA: Duryodhana and all his brothers want to kill us.
DURYODHANA: No! Bhima hits first. He tries to strangle us. Day after
day.
BHIMA: Duryodhana is panting with greed. He wants the kingdom.
He wants to destroy us.
BHISHMA: Silence! The two groups of cousins who, once again, bad
almost come to blows, are quiet. Bhishma asks Drona: When do you
begin?
DRONA: I've begun. Drona gives a brief order. They all take their bows.
Then Drona raises a hand and says: On top of this tree I've placed a
vulture made of straw and rags. Yudhishthira, take your bow. Aim.
Yudhishthira obeys. What do you see?
YUDHISHTHIRA: I see the vulture.
DRONA: Do you see the tree?
YUDHISHTHIRA: Yes, I see the tree. I see the bow and the arrow, I see
my arm, I see my brothers, and I see you.
DRONA: Back to your place. Nakula, come here. You too, Bhima. You
too, Duryodhana. Aim at the bird. What do you see? They bend their
bows and take aim.
NAKULA: I see the bird, the sky . . .
BHIMA: . . . the branches of the tree, my hand . . .
DRONA: Do you see your brothers?
BHIMA: Yes, I see them.
DURYODHANA: I see the bird, I see my bow, I see the top of the tree.
BHIMA: I see a cloud in the sky.
30 THE GAME OF DICE

DRONA: Back. All of you. Useless to shoot. Arjuna, take your bow.
Aim. Arjuna obeys. Once in position, not a muscle moves. What do you
see?
ARJUNA: A vulture.

DRONA: Describe the vulture.

ARJUNA: I can't.

DRONA: Why?

ARJUNA: I can only see its head.

DRONA: Release your arrow. Arjuna shoots and the bird falls, pierced
through by the arrow. Drona takes Arjuna's hands and says to him: I'll
make you the finest archer in the world.

ARJUNA: You'll teach me everything?

DRONA: Yes, everything.

ARJUNA: Even sacred weapons?

DRONA: No. I keep for myself the secret of sacred weapons. They
must never be launched against men.

ARJUNA: Why have weapons if you cannot make use of them?

DRONA: Because even their dimmest glow could shrivel up the earth.
Arjuna, none of my pupils will be your equal. But I need you to make
a promise: if, one day, destiny places us face to face, if you see me
advancing menacingly toward you, you must fight me and you must
fight to kill. Arjuna is silent a moment before saying:

ARJUNA: Yes, I promise. Arjuna is about to withdraw when a young

man comes running in, throwing himself at Drona's feet and saying:
EKALAVYA: Drona, you are my master, I know it. My name is Ekala-
vya. I come from the other side of the world to receive your teaching.
Take me in your school.
Youth 31

DRONA: NO.
EKALAVYA: Why? Like you, Drona, I can give up riches and pleasure.
I only wish to learn.
DRONA: No. I've enough pupils. Go away. Vyasa takes up the story,
telling the boy:
VYASA: Thus rejected, the adolescent withdrew to the depths of a
wood and there, alone, he carved in stone the living likeness of
Drona. Each day, devoutly, he worshipped this idol and trained
himself under its gaze. Drona, suddenly motionless, becomes the statue
in front of which Ekalavya does his exercises. Watched over by the
statue, he acquired the most astonishing skills. He even managed to
plant seven arrows in the jaws of a dog in the space of a single bark.
Arjuna reappears and immediately Drona is himself once more, as though
in his own dwelling.
ARJUNA: Drona, you haven't kept your promise.
DRONA: In what way?
ARJUNA: You promised I'd be the best. None of your pupils would
be my rival. Ekalavya has planted seven arrows in the jaws of a
barking dog, and Ekalavya says he's your pupil.
DRONA: Come! Drona, accompanied by Arjuna goes into the forest. Here,
the young man is practicing with a sword. Seeing Drona, he is surprised
and delighted, and throws himself down on the ground.
EKALAVYA: Master, I kiss the earth before you. I am your pupil. Your
visit brings me unexpected joy.
DRONA: If you are my pupil, you must pay me for my lessons.
EKALAVYA: Ask what you wish. I owe you everything.
DRONA: Give me the thumb of your right hand.
EKALAVYA: Here it is. Ekalavya takes his sword, cuts off his thumb and
gives it to Drona who leaves at once.
32 THE GAME OF DICE

BOY: He cut off his thumb?

ARJUNA: Smiling. Without hesitation.
BOY: And he lost his skill?
ARJUNA: Yes, his skill and his strength.
BOY: And you are satisfied with such an act of cruelty?
ARJUNA: It's not cruelty. It's foresight. The stage lights go out except
for one lamp. Arjuna is seated, alone. He is eating by the light of the
lamp.
VYASA: To the boy Watch closely. Vyasa puts out the light. Arjuna
continues his meal in the dark. Suddenly be stops and says:
ARJUNA: The wind has put out my lamp. I see nothing. But nonethe-
less my hand• finds its way to my mouth. Why not aim my arrows
the same way, why not shoot in the dark? Arjuna puts down his bowl
and starts to shoot in the dark. The light returns. Arjuna has not stopped
shooting. The place has changed. The court is gathered for a tournament
and Arjuna is performing an extraordinary series of feats.
DRONA: He's incomparable. Even his thoughts are arrows. Dhrita-
rashtra and Gandhari are there. Bhishma tells them what is happening.
Dushassana, Duryodhana, the other Pandavas, Drona, and Kunti are all
present. Each of Arjuna's feats is applauded.
DHRITARASHTRA: How I envy those who have eyes! Then a voice calls:
KARNA: Son of Kunti! All are silent. An armed man appears.
GANDHARI: Who is that?
BHISHMA: A stranger.
DHRITARASHTRA: Who is he?
BHISHMA: I've never seen him before. The man stops in front of Arjuna
and says to him:
Youth 33

KARNA: Son of Kunti, I can do all that you have done as well as
you—even better. Watch. The newcomer shoots toward the sky. A bird
falls, pierced by the arrow. The feat is greeted by murmurs as, without
even looking at the bird, the newcomer says: I hit him in the left eye.
Duryodhana snatches up the bird and brandishes it.
DURYODHANA: What's your name?
KARNA: Karna.
DURYODHANA: Welcome. Come into my arms. The two men embrace.
Arjuna addresses Karna:
ARJUNA: You are here, but you haven't been invited. You speak but
you have not been addressed.
KARNA: Isn't this place of arms open to all? Prepare yourself, Arjuna,
we are going to fight. The two men prepare to fight. Kunti throws herself
at Dhritarashtra's feet.
KUNTI: Dhritarashtra, listen to me!
DHRITARASHTRA: Who are you? What do you want?
KUNTI: I am Kunti. Keep them apart. Prevent them from fighting.
DHRITARASHTRA: For what reason?
KUNTI: They're driven by hate. They will kill one another. I know
it.
DHRITARASHTRA: What's the reason for this hatred?
KUNTI: Dhritarashtra, I implore you, don't allow them to fight,
don't. . . . Kunti swoons at the king's feet.
BHISHMA: She's fainted.
GANDHARI: Kunti's fainted?
GANESHA: Vyasa, I don't understand what's going on. As a result, my
hand is frozen.
34 THE GAME OF DICE

VYASA: I stop all motion. Everyone remains motionless, heads bowed, as

Kunti slowly gets up. You remember Kunti's mantra, her magic
power?
BOY: Yes.
VYASA: From the age of fifteen, before her marriage with Pandu,
Kunti had already made use of it in secret.
BOY: With whom?
VYASA: With the sun.
GANESHA: Ah, the fundamental secret.
VYASA: Yes, she invoked the sun and at once the sun appeared. Kunti
mouths several short words. Immediately the sun appears in all its glory.
SUN: I am here, Kunti. I am the sun. You conjured me and I have
come. What is your wish, young lady?
Kumri: Oh, excuse me. I wanted to try out a mantra, that's all.
SUN: Ah, no, Kunti, it's not all. You can't have brought me down just
for that. It's unthinkable. You must come into my arms and I'll give
you a son.
KUNTI: A son! I can't, I'm a virgin, I am only fifteen. You must
always protect women, even when they're guilty.
SUN: I know all that, but one doesn't disturb the sun for nothing.
KUNTI: Go back to the sky. Forget what I did. I'm only a child.
Forgive me.
SUN: I'll say it again: it's impossible. The sun is going to be your
lover, the sun will give you a son, and I can reassure you, your
virginity will remain intact. Abandon all your fears and come into
my arms. Kunti allows herself to be loved by the sun.
Youth 35

VYASA: Instantly they had a son, a radiant son, wearing a golden

breastplate. But Kunti was afraid. She hid her fault, she put the child
in a basket and left him to a river's whim. He survived, a chariot
driver found him and brought him up.
The boy points to Karna and says:
BOY: It's him? It's Karna?
VYASA: Yes, it's him.
BOY: We must stop him fighting against his brother!
VYASA: No, I forbid it. Karna straightens himself. Kunti has left. The
inanimate figures move again.
KARNA: Arjuna, wherever you look, I'll always be ahead. Why are
you waiting? Take up your arms. I am ready. Duryodhana gives
Arjuna his sword. Karna and Arjuna prepare to fight. Then Drona says
to Karna:
DRONA: Arjuna comes from a Kshatriya family, he is of royal birth
and cannot fight an inferior person. Tell us your father's name. Karna
is silent for a moment. At least tell us your mother's name and I will
let you fight. Karna lowers his head without replying. You lower your
head. You don't reply.
GANDRARI: Karna, are you ashamed of your mother, or don't you
know her?
KARNA: I don't know her.
ARJUNA: To Karna Withdraw. This is not your place. Karna with-
draws. Arjuna tries to return Duryodhana's sword, but Duryodhana calls
Karna back.
DURYODHANA: Karna. If you have to be a prince to fight, I consecrate
you here. Come. I give you the land of Anga. I name you king. He
36 THE GAME OF DICE

places his band on Karna's head, his father nodding his consent. After an
astonished silence, Karna says to him:
KARNA: What can I give you in exchange?
DURYODHANA: Your friendship.
KARNA: It's yours. Forever true. The two men embrace, then Duryod-
hana declares:
DURYODHANA: Now the fight can begin. But suddenly an old man in
poor rough clothes comes in, very intimidated. He grasps Karna and says:
ADHIRATHA: Karna, I've been searching for you. Karna . . . I was
worried.
Drona asks the new arrival:
DRONA: Who are you?
ADHIRATHA: I'm a driver. My name is Adhiratha. I'm looking for my
son Karna.
DRONA: To Karna He's your father?
KARNA: Yes, my father.
BHIMA: The son of a driver! Give him a whip and a shovel for the

dung! And harness asses to his wagon!

DURYODHANA: Bhima, quiet! Or I'll cut out your tongue! Bhima goes
on jeering:
BHIMA: They've set a driver's son on the throne of Anga! Duryodhana

throws himself at Bhima, knocks him down. He, in turn, is checked by

Drona. Gradually Duryodhana grows calmer and he says to Bhima:
DURYODHANA: Shut your mouth and don't speak of birth. Birth is
obscure and men are like rivers whose origins are often unknown. I
look at Karna and I'm not mistaken. I see his power edged with
mystery and he'll forever be my friend. The setting sun seems to
Youth 37

whisper it's true. Come, Karna, the day is over. Duryodhana takes his
sword from Arjuna's hands. Karna says to Arjuna:
KARNA: Arjuna, you have rejected me. Inevitably, one day we will
fight and I will kill you. Karna and Duryodhana leave together. Gand-
hari, and Dhritarashtra guided by Bhishma, follow them. As Drona passes
in front of him, Yudhishthira says:
YuDHI5HTHIRA: That man has taught me fear. I feel deep down that
Karna is irresistible. What do you think?
DRONA: Only destiny is irresistible. They all leave.
 MARRIAGE AND KINGDOM

Arjuna comes in full of joy and joins his mother and brothers. He addresses
Kunti, who has her back turned. She is with his brothers.
ARJUNA: Mother, guess what I've won! Kunti replies without turning
around:
KUNTI: You must share everything with your brothers.
ARJUNA: But it's a woman! Kunti turns and sees Arjuna. Holding
herself modestly in the distance is a veiled woman. I won her in a
tournament, far from here. All the princes of the world wanted her.
But I won. And she chose me.
KUNTI: What did I say?
ARJUNA: You said, "You must share everything with your brothers."
KUNTI: I can't take back my word. You must do as I say.
BOY: Why?
It is Vyasa that replies:
VYASA: Because an untruth can never cross her lips. What Kunti says
is true. Kunti looks at the newcomer and asks:
KUNTI: What is her name?
ARJUNA: Draupadi. She's the paragon of women.
KUNTI: You must do what I said. You must share Draupadi among
you, but she mustn't suffer in any way. For a moment they ponder on
this. Vyasa says to the boy:

38
Marriage and Kingdom 39

VYASA: Watch closely what happens next—for the first time in the
history of the world.
YUDHISHTHIRA: There is only one question: do we all love Draupadi?
BHIMA: Yes, I already feel I love her.
ARJUNA: I love her deeply.
NAKULA: So do I.
SAHADEVA: So do I.
YUDHISHTHIRA: Yes, I love her too. All of a sudden love has appeared
among us, like a light. As our mother cannot tell a lie, as we all love
Draupadi, we will have to marry her, all five of us.
KuNTI: Yes, this is how it should be. Draupadi will have five hus-
bands.
BHIMA: Her father won't be outraged?
KuNTI: You must tell him that nothing must ever come between you.
NAKULA: But if Draupadi comes between us? If she likes one of us
more than another? If there's one she despises? If jealousy tears us
apart?
KuNTI: What I've said is said. Destiny slipped into my words without
warning. She must be your wife and she can be. For this first night,
may a common sleep unite us. Protect her well.
The five Pandavas, Draupadi, and Kunti make ready for the first night.
The five brothers lie down side by side and Draupadi lays herself at their
feet. Kunti goes to sleep too—on the other side. It is night.. The boy
approaches the sleepers and asks:
BOY: Vyasa, why did my family murder one another?
VYASA: Because they forgot the essential.
BOY: And nothing could save them?
40 THE GAME OF DICE

VYASA: Listen. A flute is heard. A flute draws near.

BOY: Yes.
VYASA: Krishna is going to make his entrance.
BOY: Krishna?
VYASA: Krishna himself.
BOY: Krishna is going to play a part in your story!
VYASA: He's going to play, as always, the leading role.
GANESHA: Listen to me. The boy listens to the night. The flute can be
beard in the distance. The Pandavas, their wife, and their mother all sleep
deeply. The worlds swarm with an infinity of creatures, those we see,
those we never see; Naga snakes who live in the depths of the earth
or in vast palaces on the sea's bed; Rakshasas, monsters of the forest's
night who live off human flesh; Gandharvas, frail creatures who glide
between us and the sky; Apsarasas, Danavas, Yakshas and the long
glittering chain of gods who live like all beings in the shadow of
death. Three gods rule the universe, three who are also one: Brahma,
the creator—we can never see him, but we are told he sleeps on the
limitless ocean; Shiva, the destroyer, the burning Shiva always pres-
ent when history ends—always there when he's least expected. The
third is Vishnu who is quite the reverse. It is he who maintains the
worlds, it is he who makes them endure. When chaos threatens, as
it does now, Vishnu takes on a human form and descends among us
to play his role. Some hint that he might have come down as Krishna.
BOY: Is it true?
GANESHA: One can never be sure. But you've heard of his extraordi-
nary feats?
BOY: Yes.
GANESHA: Of his sixteen thousand wives? Of his countless children?
Marriage and Kingdom 41

BOY: Of the mountain he held on one finger?

GANESHA: Of the terrifying disc which comes when he calls it and
which can destroy everything?
BOY: I'm going to see Krishna? It's his flute I hear? He's on his way?
GANESHA: Perhaps he's already here.
BOY: In what form?
GANESHA: In the form of a man, because he is a man. Watch carefully.
His action is subtle, mysteriously clear. At the same instant, they say,
he can be everywhere—here, there—he is water and the trembling
of a leaf, he's you, he's fire, he's the heart of all that's invisible.
BOY: He's you as well?
GANESHA: Naturally. Ganesba removes his elephant's bead and disap-
pears for a moment behind a curtain held by Vyasa and the boy. When
they lift the curtain, be is Krishna, asleep. Everything is flooded with
light. The Pandavas, Draupadi, and Kunti wake and greet Krishna, their
friend.
YUDHISHTHIRA: Krishna, why have you sent for us?
KRISHNA: I heard the earth complain.
YUDHISHTHIRA: What did she say?
KRISHNA: She said: "Men have become arrogant. Every day they give
me fresh wounds. There are more and more of them, ever more
violent, driven by thoughts of conquest. Foolish men trample me. I
shudder and I ask myself: 'What will they do next?' "
A moment's silence.
YUDHISHTHIRA: What can save the. earth?
KRISHNA: I sent men with huge ears into the crowd. This is what they
say: "The people want a king who will be calm and just, (Looking
42 THE GAME OF DICE

at Yudhishthira) a legitimate king." And the earth added: "I want this
king. I insist on him. Without him, I am lost."
YUDHISHTHIRA: Am I this king?
KRISHNA: Who else?
YUDHISHTHIRA: Krishna, what must I do now?
KRISHNA: All night the blind king thinks of you. A decision must be
made, the time has come, he knows it. He knows that all living
creatures call for you. That you are the only true king. But his heart
is racked with uncertainty. He loves his invisible kingdom and he is
besotted with his son. Yudhishthira rises and says to his brothers:
YUDHISHTHIRA: Our youth is over. We will go to the king. They leave.
At the last moment Krishna holds Arjuna back.
KRISHNA: Arjuna. Arjuna sits down next to Krishna. You are uneasy.
ARJUNA: The sun is scorching the earth, the heat is unusual; at night
the animals make human cries. Krishna, there's something I must ask
you.
A young woman (Subbadra) appears. She offers a tray with a drink and
fruits to Arjuna, saying to him:
SUBHADRA: This is to quench your thirst. Arjuna takes the tray and
his gaze follows the young woman as she moves away. He asks her:
ARJUNA: Who are you?
KRISHNA: She is Subhadra, my sister. She left this ring for you. I think
she loves you. Krishna takes a ring from the tray and shows it to Arjuna
wbo takes it.
ARJUNA: Can I stay a few days with you?
KRISHNA: Abandoning your brother just when his life becomes real?
Arjuna does not reply. Sometimes you frighten me. At any moment
your family, your friends, the entire earth may need you.
Marriage and Kingdom 43

ARJUNA: Yes, enemies are evolving all around us, in the shadows. I
can't forget them, not for an instant. But how can one ignore a
woman's smile when it beckons to you? Krishna remains silent. Subba-
dra withdraws. If war rumbles in the distance like a storm that never
breaks, must I waste all my life preparing for it and die thwarted and
useless?
KRISHNA: Arjuna, I tell you with absolute conviction, you won't have
a choice between peace and war.
ARJUNA: What will be my choice?
KRISHNA: Between a war and another war.
ARJUNA: The other war—where will it take place? On a battlefield
or in my heart?
KRISHNA: I don't see a real difference. Go back to your family. Arjuna
rises. Don't forget to greet my sister Subhadra before you leave.
Arjuna prepares to leave. Arjuna! Wasn't there something you wanted
to ask me?
ARJUNA: You've answered me. The two men leave.
The blind king enters, alone and pensive. A moment later Duryodhana
enters, accompanied by Dushassana and Karna.
DURYODHANA: Why did you agree to see them? Do you want to give
them a land of their own? Cut into pieces what should remain one?
Why treat the Pandavas as your sons when they are our enemies?
Our natural enemies.
DHRITARASHTRA: I am guided by Bhishma. Duryodhana turns to
Bhishma, who has just come in with Gandhari and Drona.
DURYODHANA: Bhishma has always been on their side. But how could
you have noticed it, you who see nothing? Dhritarasbtra tries to bit
his son who dodges.
DHRITARASHTRA: What should I do? Tell me.
44 THE GAME OF DICE

BHISHMA: Regain your calm.

DRONA: They are here.

The five Pandavas, accompanied by Krishna, enter and take their places.
DHRITARASHTRA: My sons—for you are my sons—are you there?

YUDHISHTHIRA: We are here before you.

DHRITARASHTRA: Greetings, Krishna. I know you come with them.

KRISHNA: Greetings. What have you decided?

DHRITARASHTRA: So that peace can always shine on our family, I am

giving away part of my kingdom.

ARJUNA: What lands are you giving us?

DHRITARASHTRA: I'm giving you the land of Khandava—Prastha.

BHIMA: What! Those stinking bogs! Those gruesome forests!

YUDHISHTHIRA: Silence, Bhima. To Dhritarashtra I accept and I thank

you.

BHIMA: Why take charity like a beggar? Yudhishthira, what demon

has invaded your mind? He rips up a nearby tree and brandishes it
threateningly. He is beside himself. Duryodbana, Dushassana, and Karna
are immediately on their guard. Yudhishthira tries to calm Bbima. Drona
protects the king.
YUDHISHTHIRA: Put that down.
BHIMA: No.
YUDHISHTHIRA: Put that back in its place and calm down.
BHIMA: Why grovel at their feet? They've only one thought, throw
us out of the kingdom where our rights are as good as theirs. And
Marriage and Kingdom 45

you, you say, "Thank you, I touch your feet, I'm most grateful."
What do you put above justice? Above our destiny? What?

YUDHISHTHIRA: Put that tree back where you took it from. Unwill-
ingly, Bhima lowers the tree but keeps it on his shoulder. Bhishma goes
up to Yudhishthira and says to him:
BHISHMA: Go, dry up the marshes. Plough the harsh earth that awaits

you, dig out lakes that reflect the sky, build a dazzling city and draw
the universe to it.

YUDHISHTHIRA: We take our leave. Krishna and the Pandavas with-

draw. Duryodhana then says to Dhritarashtra:
DURYODHANA: Father, you thought you had made peace. You have
launched a war. Bhima will never let us go.

DUSHASSANA: We must surprise Bhima and destroy him. We must

separate them from Krishna by cunning. They have one wife for five,
call in experts in erotics and ask them how to sow jealousy.

Karna intervenes to say to Dushassana:

KARNA: Don't despise them. We are what we are because pleasures

and sorrows were inscribed in our blood long ago. Our will comes
from far. Nothing can separate them from Krishna, no amount of
cunning can bring them down. And to Duryodhana: If you want to
destroy them—I've always said so—attack them head-on. Karna
draws Duryodhana along by the arm, still talking: I'm your friend.
Why are you afraid? They leave. Dushassana follows them. Dhritarash-
tra then asks Bhishma:
DHRITARASHTRA: Bhishma, have I done well?

BHISHMA: Yes.

DHRITARASHTRA: The sons of my brother Pandu are my sons.

46 THE GAME OF DICE

GANDHARI: But in your heart you have a secret preference.

DHRITARASHTRA: So have you, Gandhari.
GANDHARI: And when one prefers one's own children to the children
of others, war is near. They go to leave. Dhritarashtra asks again:
DHRITARASHTRA: Bhishma, in the event of war, which side will you
take?
BHISHMA: I will, unfortunately, be loyal to you.
DHRITARASHTRA: And you, Drona?
DRONA: I'm at your service. They all leave.
In the half-dark, a strange figure (Maya) enters, calling:
MAYA: Yudhishthira! I'm looking for Yudhishthira! Where is he?
YUDHISHTHIRA: I am here. Who are you?
MAYA: You don't know me?
YUDHISHTHIRA: No.
MAYA: All educated people know me. I am Maya, the supreme archi-
tect. Maya, master of every illusion. I wish to accomplish a marvel
for you. I want to build you a palace.
YUDHISHTHIRA: What sort of palace?
MAYA: Listen . . . my invisible workers, Rakshasas who fly through
the air, are already at work. It will be a palace unequaled in the three
worlds. A magic palace, where thoughts become real.
YUDHISHTHIRA: Where thoughts become real.
MAYA: Yes.
YUDHISHTHIRA: When will it be ready?
MAYA: It is ready. In fact the palace has appeared.
Marriage and Kingdom 47

YUDHISHTHIRA: Stay With us.

MAYA: I can't. I have to build a bridge.
YUDHISHTHIRA: Over which river?
MAYA: The ocean. Maya vanishes.
 THE KING OF KINGS

A picture of happiness.
Several years have passed. The five Pandavas are in their palace with
Draupadi and Subhadra, who is sitting close to Arjuna, a baby in her
arms. They are peacefully eating fruit and drinking while listening to
music. They welcome Krishna who is coming to visit them, saying as he
enters:
KRISHNA: Greetings, Yudhishthira, greetings to you all. Coming
here, I looked at the landscape with admiration and I said to myself:
"They have made the desert bloom, a deep fleece of wheat clothes
the fields." Is it true that a good king brings rain? That he chases
away disease?
YUDHISHTHIRA: I live in peace with my brothers. By her simple
presence, Draupadi binds us together. She has given us each a son.
Krishna greets Subhadra and looks at the baby in her arms:
KRISHNA: I greet you, Subhadra.
SUBHADRA: I greet you, my brother.
KRISHNA: You seem well and happy.
SUBHADRA: It's true. I've found my family.
KRISHNA: And this is my nephew, the young Abhimanyu. Arjuna,
your son is a jewel. Draupadi, my devoted greetings. How do you
get on with this new wife?
DRAUPADI: I love her like a younger sister.

48
The King of Kings 49

KRISHNA: That's rare and beautiful. As I arrived, I caught sight of

Vyasa. Yudhishthira seems worried at this and asks:
YUDHISHTHIRA: What does he want?
KRISHNA: Ask him. Vyasa has just appeared with the boy.
YUDHISHTHIRA: Vyasa, you are still there?
VYASA: Yes.
YUDHISHTHIRA: You haven't finished your poem?
VYASA: You imagined it finished?
YUDHISHTHIRA: We live in harmony. The poor are fed. Each man
helps his neighbor. Life is calm, death is peaceful. What more can you
want from a poem?
VYASA: You can't stop halfway up the mountain.
YUDHISHTHIRA: What's my destination?
VYASA: You must celebrate the great sacrifice and be crowned king
of kings.
YUDHISHTHIRA: No. I don't want that title. When I hear it, my heart
goes dry, all joy fades. Why ask other kings to pay me homage?
VYASA: The request comes from the kings themselves. They say:
"The golden age has reappeared on earth! Yudhishthira is the best
of kings. Let him be our king."
YUDHISHTHIRA: I am too unprepared. I have no desire for the crown.
VYASA: Don't deceive yourself. All creatures love you, you have
pondered deeply, you are the son of Dharma.
ARJUNA: And your brothers are your body. Bhima is your neck and
shoulders, Nakula and Sahadeva are your arms and legs, I am your
eyes and your hand.
50 THE GAME OF DICE

YUDHISHTHIRA: What do you say, Krishna?

KRISHNA: For many, you are the only defense against all these dan-
gers.
YUDHISHTHIRA: What dangers? Do you see them clearly?
KRISHNA: Destruction never approaches weapon in hand. It comes
slyly on tiptoe, making you see bad in good and good in bad.
YUDHISHTHIRA: Now, suddenly, all I want is to withdraw to the
woods and live off nothing.
VYASA: If you withdraw, another king will take your place, because
there's a horde of pretenders.
KRISHNA: But none is ruler of himself, except you.
YUDHISHTHIRA: If I accept this title, my uncle and my cousins will
feel threatened, they will plunge us into war. To Krishna How can
you call me a legitimate king if I condemn the earth to a horrifying
death?
ARJUNA: Dhritarashtra calls us his sons. He will be proud to see one
of his sons on the highest throne.
KRISHNA: Invite him to your coronation.
VYASA: Decide.
KRISHNA: Resist what resists in you. Become yourself. Yudhishthira
ponders for a moment. Everyone respects his silence and awaits his deci-
sion. Then he speaks:
YUDHISHTHIRA: Yes, let them come! Let them all come! Let them
bring the fruits of the earth to the sacrifice! Invite all the kings; treat
them better than brothers! Music plays, the kings arrive. Yudhishthira
greets them: Bhishma, thank you for your presence. Drona, Karna,
stay close to me today. Duryodhana is the last to appear. Duryodhana,
thank you for being with me. You are especially welcome. They all
The King of Kings 51

take their places. Yudhisbtbira asks Bbishma: Bhishma, to whom should

I propose the place of honor?
BHISHMA: Offer it to Krishna. He is the light of this assembly.
At this point, a young king (Sisupala), who has not yet taken his place
like the others, asks:
SISUPALA: Why always give the place of honor to Krishna?
YUDHISHTHIRA: Sisupala, take your seat. But Sisupala continues, grad-
ually raising his tone:
SISUPALA: Bhishma, do you only wish to please? To flatter? Krishna
is not the oldest, nor the strongest. How can you compare him with
Dhritarashtra, with Duryodhana? Or Jayadratha, or Satyaki? You're
in the presence of Drona, of Karna—how can you put him above
them? How can you, Bhishma, put Krishna above yourself? Everyone
is silent. I am surprised. It's as though I see you naked. Have we been
summoned here to be insulted? And you, Krishna, why do you agree
to this? You're like a dog gnawing a bone he's stolen from a sacrifice.
Giving you this place is like giving a woman in heat to a eunuch, or
beauty to the blind. Farewell. Sisupala leaves. Yudhishtbira tries to hold
him back, in vain.
YUDHISHTHIRA: Sisupala, king of Tchedi! Everyone here accepts this
honor. Take your place with us. Bhishma then starts speaking. During
his narration, Sisupala slowly returns to listen to his own history.
BHISHMA: I will reveal to you Sisupala's secret; he doesn't know it
himself. When he was born, he had four arms and a third eye in the
middle of his forehead. He howled like a jackal trapped in a forest
fire. His mother and father were thinking of abandoning him when
they heard a voice say: "Your son will be prodigiously strong, but
one day a king will take him on his knee, his two superfluous arms
will drop to the ground, his third eye will disappear, and this king
will be the death of your son." The voice ceased. All the kings of the
52 THE GAME OF DICE

earth came to admire the extraordinary newborn child. His father,

trembling, placed him on their laps, one after the other. Nothing
happened. One day he was taken to see Krishna, who received him
affectionately. He was put on Krishna's knee. At once, two of his
arms fell to the ground and his third eye faded away. His mother,
terrified, said to Krishna: "I implore you, allow my son a hundred
offenses, a hundred offenses deserving death." Krishna in his good-
ness granted her wish. He is honored by all men of good faith, he is
a master and a friend.
SISUPALA: He is not my master and he is not my friend.
BHISHMA: I tell you, everything exists through him. He is the heav-
ens, the sky, the constellations. He is the movement of our lives.
SISUPALA: An old man's beautiful words.
BHISHMA: Sisupala, you are young and you don't want to learn. Can't
you see that behind Krishna's smile and his half-closed eyes, death is
waiting?
Bhima suddenly lifts his foot and shouts:
BHIMA: Come, whoever refuses Krishna the honor my brother has
offered, let him draw near. I will put my foot on his head. Silence. All
eyes are on Bhima. Sisupala addresses everyone:
SISUPALA: What are you all doing looking at a foot? What's so ex-
traordinary about it? It scares you? To Bhima Bhima, you think I'm
afraid of your foot? To Bhishma Bhishma, you are very old and very
tired. You always repeat the same weary theme. You have gone mad.
How can you reduce the entire universe to one man?
DRONA: Sisupala, this morning you rose from your bed to die.
Sisupala returns to Bhima:
SISUPALA: How long are you going to stay like a heron? Stop rolling
your big eyes, put your foot on the ground. One puff and you'll fall
The King of Kings 53

flat. Bhima wants to throw himself at Sisupala. His brothers hold him
back.
YUDHISHTHIRA: Bhima!
NAKULA: Not today, not here. Sisupala, who has drawn his sword, cries:
SISUPALA: Yes, release him. Let him come!
BHISHMA: Drop your sword!
SISUPALA: To Bhishma Don't give me orders! I don't admire you. You
talk all the time about justice, but I don't see you honoring an aged
wife. You're a storehouse of vows, exhortations, maxims, but as for
a son of yours, I keep looking, but I find him nowhere. Your life is
barren. You are an impotent old owl living off other birds' eggs, a
man who's no more than a woman. Dhritarashtra, the tragedy of your
race comes from him. He indicates Bhishma. From that idiotic vow of
which he is so proud. He has lived long enough. Rise up! Light a fire
and burn him, the root of your disease.
BHISHMA: Sisupala, you don't realize it, but your thoughts are sweep-
ing you to your death. You are provoking Krishna. You will end as
dust. Sisupala then turns to Krishna.
SISUPALA: Yes, I provoke you! Yes, I defy you! I will kill you, and
with you all the idiots who adore you and take you for a god. For
I adore no one. To your feet! Come and fight! Krishna, until this
moment, had remained smiling, with half-closed eyes. All the kings are
still and watch him. He slowly raises his eyelids and says to the assembly:
KRISHNA: Sisupala is my eternal enemy, my obstinate, faithful enemy.
I've had nothing from him—from his kingdom—but attacks, abuse,
and broken promises. My tenderness for him has remained un-
changed, but he never stops provoking me. He has killed my soldiers,
stolen my horses, abducted my wives. I have accepted the hundred
offenses I promised his mother. Today he insults me in front of you
all and I accept it no longer.
54 THE GAME OF DICE

SISUPALA: Accept or not accept, who cares? Your anger can't touch
me, nor your tenderness. As Sisupala is about to throw himself at him,
Krishna lifts his hand and a brilliant object appears in it.
ARJUNA: The disc! Everything stops. Krishna throws the disc. Sisupala
screams, clutches his throat, and falls. Silence. The boy asks Vyasa:
BOY: He killed him?
VYASA: He has cut off his head without stirring from his place.
BOY: And the other kings?
VYASA: They said nothing, for the earth shook, a thunderbolt shot
from the sky, and out of the body of young Sisupala emanated an
intense light. The light rose and bowed down before Krishna. Yes,
everyone present saw it.
BOY: I can see it.
Krishna takes up the narrative:
KRISHNA: Then the light moved toward Krishna and was as though
absorbed by him. The kings saw the light become the body of
Krishna. Some bit their lips, others wrung their hands, they were all
struck dumb. Krishna pointed to the body of Sisupala and said:
"Prepare him an honorable burial." Rain fell, then the sky became
blue once more. The kings leave. Arjuna stays by Yudhishthira. Vyasa
prepares to withdraw. Yudhishthira keeps him back:
YUDHISHTHIRA: Vyasa, why this fury in Sisupala? Why did he die so
senselessly? What does this mean?
VYASA: Death has entered the heart of kings. We must now expect

suffering, madness. You, ponder deeply, don't be afraid of your

dreams and watch over the earth.
YUDHISHTHIRA: I should no doubt die myself instead of destroying
others. Arjuna stops Vyasa who is about to leave.
The King of Kings 55

ARJUNA: Vyasa, do you know the end of your poem?

VYASA: I'm not sure it has an end.

ARJUNA: Are you sure, at least, if death catches up with us all, that
someone someday will survive?

VYASA: Yes, I am sure. I even have the proof: this child who accompa-
nies me and questions me, and to whom I relate the chaos of the past.
 THE GAME OF DICE

Duryodhana bursts onto the stage in fury. As he speaks, his monologue

comes to life, the Pandavas appearing and playing their parts in his
story.
DURYODHANA: Everything I saw there drives me mad. . . . I saw their
palace, it was divine, sublime—unequalled anywhere—because the
architect was a god, Maya himself. A palace no one could rival.
Arjuna said to me:
ARJUNA: Look at the crystal walls, the turquoise ceiling, those streaks
of sunlight are golden beams.
DURYODHANA: And I saw them. Yes, I saw the sand of pearls, the
terraces carved in moonstone, and suddenly I ran into an invisible
wall! Arjuna laughed and said:
ARJUNA: That's Maya's masterpiece, you think of a wall and the
wall's there.
DURYODHANA: I go farther, suddenly Bhima shouts:
BHLMA: Watch out! There's a pool in front of you!
DURYODHANA: A pool! I don't see any pool. Yet my feet are wet! I
run, I open a door, there's no door, I crash into a wall, I hurt myself
and Draupadi cries out:
DRAUPADI: He's blind. Blind father, blind son! At this moment, Gand-
bari appears and Duryodhana continues bis narrative for her to
bear.

56
The Game of Dice 57

DURYODHANA: I roll down a staircase and fall into a cistern. With a

splash! And a splash of laughter, cruel laughter! Bhima, wolf-belly,
jeered at me. Draupadi laughed; her laugh cut me to the heart. All
that . . . He does not complete his sentence, it is as though he comes out
of a dream. Now he is back in his own palace. Someone new (Sakuni) has
just entered.
GANDHARI: Who is it?
SAKUNI: It's Sakuni. Your brother.
GANDHARI: What are you doing here?
SAKUNI: I've come to see my nephews.
GANDHARI: They are bitter and restless. Duryodhana, my eldest son,
doesn't eat, doesn't sleep. . . .
SAKUNI: Why?
DURYODHANA: Because I've seen all the kings of the earth surround
Yudhishthira. I've seen his people happy, even the aged, even the
children. . . . I've seen a head sliced from a body with a flick of
Krishna's wrist. Sisupala decapitated; Yudhishthira, king of kings,
respected, loved . . . while I, I love nothing, I am nothing. I've
nothing left but to throw myself into the fire, or take poison.
SAKUNI: There is a way to ruin Yudhishthira, and I know it.
GANDHARI: What are you hatching?
DURYODHANA: Tell me your way.
SAKUNI: Yudhishthira is a virtuous man—incapable of the tiniest
lie—but he has one weakness: he loves gambling. Double weakness,
because he loves gambling, but he doesn't know how to play. Chal-
lenge him to a game of dice, he won't be able to refuse. But I am here
and I know every throw, every dangerous combination. No one can
beat me. Let me play in your place, my nephew, and I will win.
58 THE GAME OF DICE

DURYODHANA: We must play high.

SAKUNI: We will play high.

DURYODHANA: You think Yudhishthira will accept?

SAKUNI: I'm sure. Dhritarashtra has just entered. Sakuni addresses him:
Dhritarashtra, I greet you. It's me, Sakuni.

DHRITARASHTRA: Welcome, Sakuni. What do you want?

SAKUNI: To distract your son, let's arrange a game of dice and invite
Yudhishthira.

DHRITARASHTRA: They say he plays badly.

SAKUNI: I don't know. I've never seen him play.

DHRITARASHTRA: What do you intend to stake?

DURYODHANA: Whatever he proposes.

DHRITARASHTRA: Gandhari, what do you think of a game of dice?

GANDHARI: Don't touch the game, my son. You have found nothing
but love in this palace. You are the eldest, you rule over everyone.
What more do you want?

DURYODHANA: A man says: "I've enough to eat and wear, I need

nothing more." Shame! He says: "I don't know anger." Shame! No,
I am like a dried-up stream; like a wooden elephant, useless and
rejected. All because my father was born blind, because one doesn't
give a throne to a blind man. I'm not a man, not even a woman.
Everything I've seen there drives' me mad. The massive gold vases,
the arms, the chariots, the precious stones, the long lines of cattle
before the gates, the thousands of women. The savage kings come
tamely, bearing treasures and bending the knee. The best of all exis-
tence is there. The agony of it tore me from life—I lost my senses,
I fell to the ground. . . .
The Game of Dice 59

GANDHARI: Calm yourself. Send for your wives.

DURYODHANA: But I want to be discontented! Dissatisfied! A man's
body grows from birth and everyone is delighted. In the same way,
his desire grows, his desire for power. I have doubts about myself.
Sometimes I even question my value. I must resolve these doubts.
GANDHARI: You have a shadow in your mind. It sweeps you away
with incredible force.
SAKUNI: To Dhritarashtra Why refuse a simple game of dice? The
gods created the world as a game. Insects play with flowers, the stars
dance their secret patterns in the sky. Why, Dhritarashtra, must you
always frown on pleasure? Dhritarashtra turns and calls:
Dual' r AaAsuTRA: Dushassana is there? Dushassana! Dushassana ap-
proaches:
DUSHASSANA: I am here.
DHRITARASHTRA: Take a horse. Go invite Yudhishthira—tell him we
are playing dice amongst friends.
SAKUNI: Tell him we're playing the Gate of Paradise. It's his favorite
game.
DUSHASSANA: I leave at once.
DHRITARASHTRA: When Bhishma and Drona are at my side, I'm safe
from harm.
They leave and it grows dark. Bhishma appears, carrying a lamp. He
watches them move away, sits down. All is quiet. Bhishma then speaks,
as though to himself.
BHISHMA: Why do you wish to see me in secret? At this moment
Krishna can be seen. He goes to Bhishma, saying:
KRISHNA: Bhishma, you have lived more than four-score years. You
have seen generations come and go. But you have no wrinkles, your
60 THE GAME OF DICE

flesh stays firm, your voice is strong, your clear mind reflects the
depth of your thought.
BHISHMA: Where are you leading me Krishna?
KRISHNA: A game of dice is being prepared.
BHISHMA: I know.
KRISHNA: Yudhishthira will not turn down the invitation.
BHISHMA: He should not come.
KRISHNA: Whatever his reasons for playing, he will come.
BHISHMA: This game of dice hides storms that I distinguish badly.
KRISHNA: So do I.
BHISHMA: What do you want?
KRISHNA: Bhishma, here your authority is not disputed. If I come like
a shadow to speak with you, it is to ask a favor: whatever you see in
the course of the game, whatever you hear, you must not interrupt
the match.
BHISHMA: In no circumstances?
KRISHNA: In no circumstances.
BHISHMA: If, like me, you have difficulty in determining the conse-
quences of this game, wouldn't it be better to avoid the worst?
KRISHNA: What is the worst? Bhishma reflects before replying.
BHISHMA: Destruction.
KRISHNA: Destruction of what?
BHISHMA: Of the way of truth, of the order of the world—destruction
of dharma, that's the worst.
The Game of Dice 61

KRISHNA: And if your race has to be destroyed, so as to save dharma?

Bhishma stays silent. Krishna insists: Would you be ready to sacrifice
your race? What is your answer?
BHISHMA: That question is with me always—sharpening my
thoughts, destroying my sleep, making my heart pound all night
long.
KRISHNA: That's why I ask you not to intervene. Let each one go to
his limit.
The lights return. As Krishna disappears into the shadow, the other cha-
racters reappear. Yudhishthira, accompanied by his four brothers, enters
Dhritarashtra's palace. They exchange greetings and the game is prepared.
Sakuni takes his place opposite Yudhishthira. All the court are present.
SAKUNI: Let us agree on a covenant before the first throw.
YUDHISHTHIRA: Sakuni, it's you who are going to play?
SAKUNI: Yes, I'm playing for my nephew.
YUDHISHTHIRA: You spend your life playing. People have seen you
perform unbelievable tricks, but cheating is a crime. You are not
going to lead us like a thief into a crooked lane?
SAKUNI: The powerful player who knows how to play and who
ponders calmly is not worried by cheating. Here there is no crime,
only the game, nothing but the game. A wise man debates with fools.
Do you call that cheating? A seasoned warrior fights against begin-
ners; you call that cheating? Science is not cheating. You always enter
a game with a wish to win. That's how life is. No cheat can ever
defeat a master. Withdraw from the match if you are afraid. Yudbisb-
thira takes a necklace from his neck.
YUDHISHTHIRA: Here is a gold necklace, and pearls without equal
churned in the vortex of the ocean. Duryodhana takes a necklace
himself and throws it beside the one from Yudhishthira.
62 THE GAME OF DICE

DURYODHANA: Sakuni, win me this game. Yudhishthira and Sakuni

throw the dice.
SAKUNI: I have won.
DURYODHANA: I have pearls and gold. That's not what I want.
YUDHISHTHIRA: I have immense treasures—gold and jewels locked in
four hundred coffers. This wealth is mine. I play it against you.
Duryodhana assents. They throw the dice.
SAKUNI: I've won.
YUDHISHTHIRA: I have a hundred thousand female slaves; young,
beautiful, perfumed, trained in sixty-four skills, expert in song and
dance. I play them against you. Duryodbana indicates his agreement.
Sakuni and Yudhishthira throw the dice.
SAKUNI: I have won.
YUDHISHTHIRA: Swift-fingered Sakuni, I have as many male slaves;
obedient, adroit, dressed in the finest silk. I now play them against
you. They throw the dice.
SAKUNI: I have won. Gandbari then says to Dhritarashtra:
GANDHARI: The dice have turned their heads. Stop them! Bhishma,
stop this game. One word from you will suffice.
DURYODHANA: I know your mind, Bhishma. You are with our ene-
mies.
BHISHMA: You think you are winning, but you are the loser.
GANDHARI: Command them to stop! Everyone awaits Bhishma's reac-
tion. He remains silent. You say nothing? Why? Give the order!
Duryodhana then asks Yudhishthira:
DURYODHANA: Yudhishthira, do you want us to stop the game?
YUDHISHTHIRA: No. Let's proceed.
The Game of Dice 63

SAKUNI: What's your stake?

YUDHISHTHIRA: I have sixteen thousand chariots with golden shafts,
harnessed to splendid steeds. I add two Gandharva stallions mottled
like partridges, given to me by a demigod. This wealth is mine. I play
them against you. Yudhishthira throws the dice. Sakuni plays his turn.
SAKUNI: I've won again. What have you left?
YUDHISHTHIRA: My studfarms, my stables, my cows, my bulls, my
goats, my ewes. They throw the dice.
SAKUNI: I have won.
YUDHISHTHIRA: My capital, my lands, my forests, my kingdom, my
people, all that I possess. They throw the dice.
SAKUNI: I have won. I have won everything. They all start to leave.
Yudhishthira is silent, motionless.
DURYODHANA: You still have something left?
YUDHISHTHIRA: I still have my brothers Nakula and Sahadeva, the
twins with golden eyes, the sons of Madri. They are beyond all value.
I play them against you. Duryodhana signals to his brother Dushassana
who comes beside him as his stake. Sakuni and Yudhishthira throw the
dice.
SAKUNI: I have won. Madri's sons are ours.
YUDHISHTHIRA: I still have Arjuna, he who can never lose, Krishna's
friend, his brother by marriage. For him the snakes opened up their
secret world. He was loved by a Naga queen in a great palace under
the sea. When he plucks the cord of his bow, Gandiva, every living
creature trembles. No man, no woman can resist him. He's as pre-
cious to me as life. I now play him against you. Dushassana remains
as Duryodhana's stake. The two players throw the dice. Arjuna makes a
sharp accusing sign as though he has seen Sakuni cheat. Sakuni plays
again.
64 THE GAME OF DICE

SAKUNI: won.
YUDHISHTHIRA: I still have Bhima, built like a lion, the mightiest of
men. He tears out trees by the roots, he makes the earth shake, he has
carried his four brothers and his mother on his shoulders, he is
strength itself. I play him against you. Yudhishthira plays. Sakuni puts
the dice into Bhima's hand and indicates that he should play for himself.
He throws the dice.
SAKUNI: I've won. Have you still something left?
YUDHISHTHIRA: Of all my brothers, I remain alone. I play myself,
Yudhishthira. I stake myself. Sakuni looks at Duryodhana, who places
himself next to Sakuni. Sakuni is ready to play when Yudhishthira takes
the dice and puts them in Duryodhana's hand, to force him to play for
himself. After a moment of panic, Duryodhana returns the dice to Sakuni,
who plays.
SAKUNI: I have won, and nothing is worse than to lose oneself for,

when one loses everything, freedom is the only wealth that remains.
But you have one last possession and you forget it.
YUDHISHTHIRA: What?
SAKUNI: You possess a wife. She is the only treasure I have not won.
Stake Draupadi and win back everything, thanks to her.
YUDHISHTHIRA: She's a woman who is neither too short nor too tall,
neither pale nor dark. Her hair falls in blue-black waves; no lotus
shines like her eyes. She is the earth's most perfect creation and the
pole of all men's desire. The last to sleep, the first to wake, before the
shepherds. Under the glistening sweat, her skin is smooth. I play her
against you. Sakuni and Yudhishthira throw the dice.
DHRITARASHTRA: Who has lost? Who has lost?
SAKUNI: Once again, Yudhishthira has lost.
The Game of Dice 65

DURYODHANA: Dushassana, quick, bring Draupadi here. Hurry.

We'll put her in the scullery to scrape the dishes. Dushassana goes to
find Draupadi who is waiting in another room of the palace.
DusuAssANA: Draupadi . . .
DRAUPADI: Yes, what do you want?
DUSHASSANA: The game of dice is over.
DRAUPADI: And?
DUSHASSANA: You are requested to come to the palace.
DRAUPADI: Who requests me? Why?
DUSHASSANA: Because Yudhishthira has lost you.
DRAUPADI: What do you mean, he has lost me?
DUSHASSANA: He has lost you at dice.
DRAUPADI: Had he nothing else to play?
DUSHASSANA: He played all he had and lost it all—his wealth, his

cattle, his kingdom, his brothers. He even played and lost himself.
DRAUPADI: He lost himself?
DusHAssANA: That's what I said.
DRAUPADI: Before losing me, or after?
DusHassANA: Before losing you.
DRAUPADI: Return to the hall and ask him this: is it true that you

lost yourself first, before losing me? And if you yourself were already
lost, had you the right to play me? Dushassana tries to grab hold of
Draupadi:
DUSHASSANA: You were staked and lost. You are ours. Come!
66 THE GAME OF DICE

DRAUPADI: Allow me to dress! I have only one robe and it is stained

with blood. I'm in my period. Don't show me in this state to the
kings.
DUSHASSANA: That it's your period, that you only have one dress,
who cares? We have won you at dice, you are now no more than a
slave. Enough, come! He takes her by the hair and drags her to the hall.
DRAUPADI: What does this mean? What have I done? I despise you,
I hate you. Madman, let me go! Don't drag me in front of all those
men! They arrive in the hall and Dushassana throws her on the floor.
Duryodhana and Karna laugh noisily. The Pandavas do not move.
Bhishma and Drona are expressionless.
DUSHASSANA: Here is the new servant! Draupadi lifts her face and looks
around her.
DRAUPADI: There isn't even a breath of life in Bhishma, in Drona?
They see this shame and do nothing. Yudhishthira, had you the right
to lose me? If you were lost before playing me, I was no longer yours.
Can one belong to someone who has lost himself? Who can answer
me? Bhishma, answer me!
BHISHMA: I am troubled. The question is obscure.
BHIMA: Yudhishthira, one plays for women in a brothel, but one still
has pity for them. Bring me fire and I'll burn your hands!
NAKULA: Bhima, be calm and listen.
DRONA: When Yudhishthira made this wager, he had already lost his
self, so he could not play his wife.
DURYODHANA: Error! She was designated by name, and well and
truly won.
KARNA: Draupadi satisfies five men, she is clearly public property.
Everyone agrees, she has been fairly won.
BHISHMA: If a man loses what isn't his, he loses in a dream. . . .
The Game of Dice 67

DHRITARASHTRA: Gandhari, what do you say?

GANDHARI: Draupadi, like all women, made no distinction between
her husband and herself. She was part of him, she was him. Whether
he lost her before or after, I don't see the difference. Draupadi has
been won. I regret to have to say it, but it is so.
DURYODHANA: Everything has been won—their clothes down to the
last clasp. Come, strip them naked! All of them! Tbey start to remove
their clothes.
KARNA: And Draupadi as well, we want to see her naked.
DURYODHANA: Dushassana, take off her robe. Dushassana starts to pull
at her robe. She implores Krishna:
DRAUPADI: Krishna, Govinda, wherever you are, you see a woman
treated with contempt. Janardana, Mahayogi, help me, my reason's
failing. Krishna, raise your hand to save me. I know you can. Krishna
appears and holds out his hand toward her.
BHIMA: Listen to what I say. May the way to heaven be closed to me
forever if I break my word. When the battle comes, I will smash
Dushassana's chest and I'll drink his blood. I swear I will. I will eat
his guts and drink his blood.
DURYODHANA: Don't bellow! You only frighten the flies. Dushassana
pulls savagely on the robe, but the robe, as it unfolds, seems interminable,
infinitely long. A heap of material is growing in the middle of the room.
Bhisbma cries:
BHISHMA: Silence. Watch. A miracle is taking place under our eyes.
DHRITARASHTRA: What? What is it?
GANDHARI: Bhishma, what is this miracle?
BHISHMA: Her dress is endless, impossible to strip her naked. It's a
prodigy of Krishna.
68 THE GAME OF DICE

DURYODHANA: A prodigy? Where do you see a prodigy? She's wear-

ing layers and layers of cloth. Stop, Dushassana, let her go! Dushas-
sana falls to the ground, exhausted, while Duryodhana adds: Take her
away! I've already told you, put her with the slaves to scrape dishes.
Duryodhana takes Draupadi by the arm. She resists.
DRAUPADI: Wait! Let me go! You can't do that to me! The wind has
never seen me. The sun has never seen me in my own palace. And
here I am, exposed before you all. Where is dharma? Where is the
truth? What has been violated? Nothing is clear. Tell me whether I
am, or whether I am not, a slave, a gambler's prize. If I am a slave,
say so and I submit, but say so clearly.
BHISHMA: There's only one person who can answer you: Yudhish-
thira himself.
DURYODHANA: Good idea. Ask him. Let him say if he was or if he
wasn't your master. If he wasn't your master, I let you free. To
Yudhishthira You don't answer? Yudhishthira stays silent.
KARNA: Draupadi, go down to the kitchens. Your new masters are
here. Choose a new husband. To Bhima, who wants to intervene: And
you, hold your tongue. You don't own yourself anymore. You ha-
ven't even the right to be angry.
DURYODHANA: Draupadi, you want another man. Look at my thigh!
DHRITARASHTRA: Bhishma, speak to me! What should I do?

BHISHMA: A doomed man gradually loses his reason without noticing

it; he no longer sees things as they are. Death has already cut into his
life.
DuRyonHANA: These words are aimed at me?
BHISHMA: Yes, at you as well.
DRAUPADI: Duryodhana, Dushassana, and all your brothers—and
you also Karna, you also Sakuni—you are lost. A savage death will
The Game of Dice 69

drag you to the ground and your blood will drench the earth. Du-
shassana, my hair will stay unbound until your death. I will wash my
hair in your blood. And you, Duryodhana, death will strike you in
the thigh. Somewhere, an animal cries. They all shiver.
GANDHARI: A jackal cried.
BHISHMA: Yes, near the temple.
DHRITARASHTRA: Draupadi, come close. Choose a favor; whatever
you wish and I grant it. What do you choose?
DRAUPADI: That Yudhishthira be free.
DHRITARASHTRA: He is free. But you deserve a second favor. Choose.
DRAUPADI: That Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula, and Sahadeva be free.
DHRITARASHTRA: They are free. But you deserve a third favor.
Choose.
DRAUPADI: No. I don't wish for a third favor.
DHRITARASHTRA: Why?
DRAUPADI: Because greed devours all beings and is dharma's ruin. I
refuse greed. Save my husbands.
GANDHARI: You ask nothing for yourself?
DRAUPADI: No. I want nothing, above all no favor.
KARMA: Her husbands were drowning. Draupadi is the raft that saves
them.
YUDHISHTHIRA: To Dhritarashtra Now, what should we do?
DHRITARASHTRA: Look at me. I agreed to this match so as to meet my
friends and also to measure the weakness of my children. You didn't
answer insult with insult, that is good. Have no fear, Yudhishthira.
Go toward happiness; take back your clothes and leave in freedom.
70 THE GAME OF DICE

The Pandavas and Draupadi pick up their clothes and leave.

DURYODHANA: Don't let them go—otherwise it's war. We cheated,
they know it, they can never forgive us. Arjuna tightens his bow,
Bhima raises his club. They want to recover everything; they are
already preparing a massacre. Call them back, let's play a final round.
If they lose, let them spend twelve years in the forest, we will have
time to fortify. Father, call them back, they are marching toward our
death.

DHRITARASHTRA: Yes, call them back. My son is right. Better a game

than a war. Dushassana goes to call back the Pandavas. Gandhari ad-
dresses the blind king, her husband:
GANDHARI: Reject that son who wishes to ruin you. Re-establish your
authority. Don't vacillate. You will destroy your family.

DHRITARASHTRA: Very well. My family will be destroyed. I cannot

prevent it any longer. Dushassana catches up with the Pandavas who are
leaving the palace.
DUSHASSANA: One moment.

YUDHISHTHIRA: What do you want?

DUSHASSANA: You are recalled for a final match. The hall is ready.
Yudhishthira stops, seems to think. His brothers and Draupadi press him
to continue.
DRAUPADI: You hesitate?

YUDHISHTHIRA: What does this call of destiny conceal?

ARJUNA: Leave destiny alone. We need to make ourselves strong, to

recover our possessions, all that we have lost.

NAKULA: Come. Give me your hand.

YUDHISHTHIRA: To Dushassana You say the hall is ready?

The Game of Dice 71

DUSHASSANA: Yes, for the final round. The carpet, the table, the dice,
all is ready. With one throw you can win back your wealth, your
kingdom, and more besides. With one throw. Yudhishthira seems
uncertain.
BHIMA: Leave this place. Trust me.
ARJUNA: Yudhishthira, you're in a dream. It leads to darkness.
DRAUPADI: Come with us.

YUDHISHTHIRA: No. I must play.

DRAUPADI: Why?
YUDHISHTHIRA: I can't refuse my rivals a last chance of salvation.
AlkJUNA: What are you saying?
YUDHISHTHIRA: If they take everything from us, they will be the
losers. Draupadi, you said so yourself. Sakuni condemns to death
those who asked him to cheat. I repeat, I cannot deny them a chance
of salvation. To Dushassana I follow you. Instantly, Yudbishthira, his
brothers, and Draupadi are back in the hall.
SAKUNI: We will play one single throw. Listen carefully: if we lose,
we will spend twelve years in the forest clothed in rags, and a thir-
teenth year in an unknown place, hidden and disguised. If, during
the course of the thirteenth year, we are discovered, we will spend
a further twelve years in the woods. If you lose, the exile is yours.
At the end of thirteen years, the one or the other will regain his
kingdom.
YUDHISHTHIRA: Let's play.
SAKUNI: All our treasures, all our women, all our lands, all our herds
against exile in the forest.
YUDHISHTHIRA: Let's play. They throw the dice. Sakuni's gesture shows
that he has won.
72 THE GAME OF DICE

DUSHASSANA: They have lost, the Pandavas! They thought they were
on top of the world and now they are cast out into the forest, into
the desert. They will gnaw roots and chew weeds, with shriveled skin
and filthy beards. Draupadi, choose a husband amongst us. Yours are
now trees without sap, animals stuffed with straw.
BHIMA: One day I will remind you of your words and I'll drink your
blood, vile-swine. Dushassana goes around him, imitating his heavy gait
and mocking him.
DUSHASSANA: The big beast! The great ox! Oo! Oo! Duryodhana and
Karna laugh with Dushassana.
BHIMA: Dushassana, I will open your belly, and Arjuna will kill
Karna. Arjuna advances toward Karna.
ARJUNA: Yes, I'll kill Karna. I said so and I will do it.
KARNA: I will always be ahead of you. Don't forget to take your bow
into the woods and practice.
ARJUNA: I won't forget.
KARNA: And each day I will think of your death.
ARJUNA: Death, Karna . . . each of your thoughts, each breath brings
you nearer to death. I made a vow, I'll say no more. Karna, Duryod-
hana, and Dushassana withdraw, accompanied by Sakuni. Kunti then
appears going to Yudhishthira and asking:
KUNTI: My son, answer me, for everyone is asking the same question:
why did you agree to play? Yudhishthira does not reply. What drew
you? Pleasure? Vice? Fear? To avoid war at all costs?
YUDHISHTHIRA: Now we must go.
KUNTI: But what was the cause of this calamity? Who could have
imagined it? Such a disaster, in so short a time. To Arjuna And you?
The Game of Dice 73

Why this obsession with Karna? Why do you need to kill him? What
happened? I don't understand. Arjuna does not reply.
BHISHMA: Kunti, you can't follow them into exile. You will live with
me. As the Pandavas leave, Kunti is still saying to them:
KUNTI: Starving, naked, what will you live off in the woods?
The Pandavas have left with Draupadi. Kunti also leaves, on Bhishma's
arm. Only Dhritarasbtra, Gandbari, Vyasa, and the boy remain. Gane-
sha reappears.
DHRITARASHTRA: VyaSa!
VYASA: I am here.
DHRITARASHTRA: Describe their departure.
VYASA: They walk barefooted. The whole city watches them in
silence. Yudhishthira walks ahead. Then comes Bhima, with staring
eyes fixed on his two arms. With each step he takes, Arjuna stirs up
clouds of sand. Sahadeva and Nakula are soiled with dust and mud
from head to foot. Draupadi is last, her head bowed toward the
ground.
DHRITARASHTRA: Why? What do these attitudes mean?
VYASA: Bhima is contracting his arms, the most powerful arms in the
world. In the grains of sand he scatters, Arjuna sees a thousand
arrows fly. The twins hide their beauty so that no woman should be
tempted to follow.
GANDHARI: And Draupadi murmurs, in her blood-stained robe, "One
day we will see widows, their children dead, their hair unbound, on
the day of their period, honoring cold corpses with their cries."
VYASA: I can't see them anymore. The king and queen leave. Ganesha,
alone with Vyasa and the boy, picks up the dice. They play together.
 PART II

EXILE IN
THE FOREST
 THE PANDAVAS IN DANGER

Duryodhana is seated on bis bed in his palace. His brother, Dushassana,

asleep in the same room, wakes abruptly and runs over to him. It is dawn.
DUSHASSANA: Duryodhana!
DURYODHANA: Yes, what?
DUSHASSANA: My dreams are poisoning me. I've seen Yudhishthira
and his brothers, out of all proportion, huge, clutching winged de-
mons and swarming toward us. Arjuna became a tower, sneering and
belching smoke. Bhima had red teeth, I saw blood-stained words
streaming from his mouth and he cried "You dragged my wife by the
hair. I will tear open your belly, I will eat your guts."
DURYODHANA: Calm down. Give me your hands.
DUSHASSANA: Our enemies are growing stronger. We must attack
them, now. We must destroy them; otherwise very soon it will be too
late.
DURYODHANA: Dushassana, my brother, their exile protects them.
The game they lost protects them. I am bound by its rule.
DUSHASSANA: Yes, but the Pandavas are stamping the rules into dust.
I know it; they are preparing for war. Night and the forests are on
their side. You must preserve your empire. You must kill them.
Announce a hunt. You can say they died in an accident. I will help
you. Dbritarashtra and Gandhari appear at this moment. Seeing them,
the two brothers stop speaking.

77
78 EXILE IN THE FOREST

DHRITARASHTRA: I hear breathing. Who's there?

DURYODHANA: Your sons. I'm with Dushassana.

GANDHARI: Up so early? Duryodhana embraces his mother and an-

nounces:
DURYODHANA: We're preparing a hunt.

DHRITARASHTRA: What game?

DURYODHANA: Stag. Fowl.

DUSHASSANA: Boar.

DHRITARASHTRA: I know your voices. What's disturbing you?

DUSHASSANA: A bad night.

DHRITARASHTRA: Yes . . .

GANDHARI: We wander through the palace from room to room. But

even sleep's been banished.

DHRITARASHTRA: All the time I think of them, out there, miserable,

wretched, ravaged by fever, pining for the past. . . .

DURYODHANA: I think of nothing else. I spend all my nights with

them. I see them in the dark, close to me, like shadows—but strong,
stronger and stronger. Exile strengthens them, I know it. Friends and
allies are rallying. They are stocking arms, all they speak of is my
death.

DHRITARASHTRA: My son, your reign is a good reign. Don't let your

anguish destroy it.

DURYODHANA: If my reign is a good reign, where is your sleep?

Power is brief. Yes, I'm disturbed, anguished. . . . Duryodbana and
Dusbassana leave. Alone with Dhritarashtra, Gandbari says to him:
The Pandavas in Danger 79

GANDHARI: He's right. You have given him your power because you
can't rule the world in the dark. Well, if your son is your king, let
him rule. Trust him and stop pacing through the palace all night
long.
DHRITARASHTRA: In his heart, he's blind and he attracts disaster.
GANDHARI: If danger is approaching the Pandavas in the forest, warn
them, send them a secret message. Dhritarashtra hesitates an instant,
then goes out saying:

DHRITARASHTRA: No, I can't betray my son. No. Not that.

 IN THE FOREST

The five Pandavas and Draupadi, barefooted and ill-clothed, appear in

the forest. Draupadi constructs a little altar with flowers and sticks.
Bhima breaks wood.
A young woman (Amba) enters. Her clothes are in tatters, her hair wild
and dusty. As she appears, a heavy stake in her hand, she cries:
AMBA: Where is Bhima? I'm looking for Bhima! Where is Bhima?
Bhima!
BHIMA: I am Bhima. What do you want?
AMBA: I was told I would find you in the forest and that you are the
strongest man in the world.
BHIMA: It's true.
AMBA: You must fight for me.
BHIMA: Against whom?
AMBA: Against an old man, a proud and ferocious old man, against
Bhishma!
BHIMA: Bhishma? Impossible! I love and respect him. No one would
risk himself against him.
ARJUNA: He can only die if he wishes for death. He is invincible.
Yudhishthira asks the young girl:
YUDHISHTHIRA: Who are you?

80
In the Forest 81

AMBA: I am Amba. Because of Bhishma, long ago the world rejected

me.
DRAUPADI: You are really Amba?
YUDHISHTHIRA: It was more than forty years ago. . . .
AMBA: Hate keeps me young. I live only to kill Bhishma. I swore it.
But all the men to whom I turn, even you Bhima, even you Arjuna,
you all tell me he can't be killed. Nonetheless, I will kill him. To find
the moment that ends his life, I have all eternity.
YUDHISHTHIRA: Rest. Free yourself from this wish to kill.
DRAUPADI: To Yudhishthira Why do you always propose peace,
forgiveness?
To Amba
Amba, don't search only in this world. Pray to the demigods, call on
invisible forces.
AMBA: For forty years I have been searching everywhere. No force
can outwit death. Somewhere in the forest, a voice calls:
VOICE: Except death itself.
AMBA: Who spoke? Who said "except death itself"? Who is hiding
behind the trees? No one answers. Amba asks again:
AMBA: How can death outwit death? Explain, don't leave me in this
void. The voice stays silent. Then Draupadi asks Amba, who prepares to
resume her wandering:
DRAUPADI: Would you like to eat?
AMBA: I only eat what the wind brings. I never sleep. All my life I
walk and question. I need nothing. She goes. Draupadi says:
DRAUPADI: Someone is laughing at us.
YUDHISHTHIRA: What are you saying?
82 EXILE IN THE FOREST

DRAUPADI: A magician has made us blind, he's torturing us.

YUDHISHTHIRA: What magician?
DRAUPADI: We had a kingdom. Or did I dream it? No one answers her.
Addressing Yudhishthira, she resumes:
DRAUPADI: Yudhishthira, I saw you on a throne, you were perfumed
and radiant, and now I see an anxious man squatting on a heap of
weeds. And with you, your brothers, my husbands. Look at them.
The other brothers have ceased all activity. They listen motionless, heads
bowed.
DRAUPADI: I was dragged in front of everyone clothed in a single

robe, stained with my blood. The sight of a woman made men laugh.
My husbands were there. I had given each of them a son. I needed
their aid and Duryodhana is still alive! I despise your strength. No
one answers her. She adds: I have another question. . . . Yudhishthira
raises his eyes and watches her.
DRAUPADI: You are just, you have no pride, you only speak words
of truth. How did the idea of the game take hold of you? How could
you agree to play? And lose everything? Even your brothers? Even
your wife? I don't understand. Yudhishthira does not reply. He is
absorbed in drawing a pattern on the ground. Draupadi comes over to
him.
DRAUPADI: Sometimes I tell myself a man is nothing, he has his nature

imposed upon him, nothing comes from himself. He is like a tree that
falls into a river and is swept away; like a bull led by a string of pearls
threaded through the nose. All that we think, all that we say is just
a game, just moving shadows. Yes, I suspect a magician. Destiny is
vicious. It plays tricks on us and the creator himself takes sides. I
condemn him.
YUDHISHTHIRA: I have the same questions as you, Draupadi. Why is
this act rewarded and this one not? No one can answer, it's the secret
of all time.
In the Forest 83

DRAUPADI: And you bow down before this monster?

YUDHISHTHIRA: Whether there is a reward or not, with all my
strength I do what I must do. That is my dharma. It's my only raft.
Without this obligation, nothing would be stable anymore and the
world would lose its honor—in darkness.
DRAUPADI: Your dharma forced you to play? Yudhishtbira does not
answer. I have more than love for you, I have respect, since the very
first day. But something in your heart eludes me and saps my
strength. A man who doesn't know why he is alive, where is his will?
What hope sustains him? Happiness is for the man who acts.
YUDHISHTHIRA: And if silence was necessary for the harmony of the
world. Silence, solitude, thought . . . Nakula takes up the argument:
NAKULA: The peasant tends the earth with his plough, next he
sows, then he waits, arms folded. The crop will come from the
clouds. If the rains don't fall, he won't blame himself, he will say,
"I worked like the others, the rain did not come, it's not my fault."
But if he hadn't worked, if he hadn't sown, what fruit could he
expect?
DRAUPADI: Rise up! Take your weapons! Don't leave us in this
desert! Bbima, who has been listening attentively, now intervenes and
says to his brother:
BHIMA: Yudhishthira, we all want what is good, that's natural.
Money, for example, wealth, all the abundance of the earth, that's
good, that's excellent; and love, that's delicious, sometimes that's
divine. One says it softens the brain, but I say: my brother, there's
nothing like love, it's honey, it's bliss, it's the rarest of fruits, love
well-made can lead to wisdom. You, you know dharma better than
anyone. Your thought follows dharma like a shadow. But wealth?
Will you hold out a begging bowl and enjoy wealth? And love? Will
you sit alone in a bush and enjoy love? Get up! You must protect the
earth. That's the truth and to defend the earth by fasting and moan-
ing is like hoping to gallop by scratching the ear of a mule.
84 EXILE IN THE FOREST

YUDHISHTHIRA: The truth, Bhima, is that I played dice to take away

Duryodhana's kingdom.
NAKULA: I don't believe you. Yudhishthira, you can't answer lies
with silence. Our kingdom and our power are in the hands of a thief!
BHIMA: You've made a pact with death.
YUDHISHTHIRA: Me?
BHIMA: Yes. It's clear, you take death around with you everywhere.
He is one of the family, in front of your eyes.
YUDHISHTHIRA: What are you talking about?
BHIMA: Your energy is dissipated. Death is sitting beside you. You
are like an invisible man, a useless burden on the earth. If you have
such a taste for misery, why impose it on your wife, your brothers?
As for me, I just run around aimlessly for the sake of running. At
night, no sleep. Look at Arjuna, his head bowed, his arms flabby.
Nakula and Sahadeva turned to stone, and you withered, wild-
eyed, like a poor idiot crawling round his chair. I've an idea: it is
said that for a man in meditation a year goes by like a day. We've
been rotting here for thirteen months. Let's say these thirteen
months have gone by like thirteen years! Arise! Yudhishthira gets to
his feet.
YUDHISHTHIRA: The sons of Dhritarashtra cannot be beaten. Their
coffers are full and they have many kings on their side. We are five
beggars with hardly the rags we wear. Draupadi and Bhima remain
silent. Yudhishthira goes toward Draupadi.
YUDHISHTHIRA: One day, Draupadi, wolves and birds will laugh
while eating our enemies' flesh, the flesh of those who laughed when
they saw you played for and lost. Vultures and jackals will drag away
their limbs, the limbs of those who dragged you by the hair. One day,
in twelve years, when the time is ripe, but not before. All remain
silent, touched by the firmness of his words. At this moment, Arjuna, who
In the Forest 85

has said nothing, rises. All turn toward him. He goes to embrace Bhima
who asks:
BHIMA: Why do you embrace me?
ARJUNA: Because I am going. He embraces Nakula and Sahadeva,
adding: I cannot wait here any longer. My arms are weak and my will
is slackening. A sickness creeps toward my heart.
YUDHISHTHIRA: Where are you going? Arjuna embraces Yudhishthira
and answers:
ARJUNA: Somewhere in the north there are weapons. I am going to
find them as those we have will not be sufficient.
DRAUPADI: You leave me here?
ARJUNA: Yes, with my brothers. I must go alone.
NAKULA: Where are these weapons?
ARJUNA: Humans do not know them. They are buried deep in the
mountains. They say that to obtain them you must forget everything,
even your body, even your life. I am ready. He collects himself for a
moment, then adds: I am going, because ever since childhood I have
been marked for war. All the gifts I have received, all the secrets I
have learned, have only one aim, one end: war. And now I know that
one day this war will come and I will lead it. I know it. I won't miss
out on my life. Nakula gives him his bow.
DRAUPADI: How long without seeing you?
ARJUNA: I don't know. I've said all I know. I will be back. He embraces
Draupadi and goes. When he has gone, Yudhishthira takes Draupadi in
his arms.
YUDHISHTHIRA: I know you love him in particular. When the time
came to be alone with him, your eyes had a special glow, we all
noticed it. But he couldn't stay inactive any longer, and however far
he goes, we will see him again, even stronger than before.
86 EXILE IN THE FOREST

The Pandavas and Draupadi lie down while Bbima announces:

BHIMA: I will watch over your rest. Sleep in peace. They are all asleep
except Bhima, on guard by the fire. Strange cackles and grunts come from
the forest and two vague yet frightening shapes emerge from the depths
of the night. They are two Raksbasas, hideous demons, a male and a
female. The male Rakshasa sniffs the wind and says in a deep, hoarse voice:
RAKSHASA: Hidimbi, my sister, I think I'm dreaming. . . .
HIDIMBI: What about?
RAKSHASA: Don't you taste tiny droplets of flesh in the wind?
HIDIMBI: Yes, brother, I smell them, I smell human flesh. . . .
RAKSHASA: Look! They catch sight of the sleepers.
HIDIMBI: MMM. . . . My tongue slips smoothly across my lips.
RAKSHASA: Mine, too. I'm split with hunger. Mmm . . . I can already

feel the globs of grease in my mouth. . . .

HIDIMBI: MMM I'm going to plunge my teeth into this flesh, drink
. . .

their young, hot, steaming, delicious blood. . . .

RAKSHASA: Go and see who they are and bring me their corpses.
Hurry! When we have eaten, we'll dance in the moonlight. Hidimbi
goes toward the sleepers but suddenly stops before Bhima. He senses a
presence in the shadows and is on his guard. Hidimbi asks him in a quiet
voice:
HIDIMBI: Who are you, you I see?
BHIMA: Bhima. And who are you, you I don't see?
HIDIMBI: My name is Hidimbi, this forest is my kingdom.
BHIMA: You are a Rakshasa?
HIDIMBI: Yes.
In the Forest 87

BHIMA: Show yourself.

HIDIMBI: No, I don't want to.
BHIMA: Why?
HIDlivIBI: I'm not what humans like. I'm black and hairy, and I
stink.
BHIMA: I want to see you.
HIDIMBI: No, wait! First I must give myself the face and the body
of a gorgeous woman.
BHIMA: You can do that?
HIDIMBI: Look! She draws herself up and appears as a woman in front
of Bhima.
HIDIMBI: You find me beautiful?
BHIMA: Like the night.
HIDIMBI: Then tell me where you come from, splendid young man.
Tell me how you live, what you do.
BHIMA: I watch.
HIDIMBI: This forest is ruled by a terrifying Rakshasa, my brother,
who sent me to take your life, but at the sight of you love grasped
my soul. You've bewitched me, I love you, I can't kill you. Love me
as I love you and be my husband. I fly in the air, I do what I please,
I will save you.
BHIMA: I can't be your husband. I already have a wife.
HIDIMBI: Who is she? Bhima indicates Draupadi asleep in Yudbish-
thira's arms.
BHIMA: There.
HIDIMBI: But she's sleeping beside another man. Who is he?
88 EXILE IN THE FOREST

BHIMA: He's my brother. He's also her husband.

HIDIMBI: She has two husbands?
BHIMA: She has five.
HIDIMBI: Five? And you refuse to make me your second wife? What's
this riddle? I don't understand.
BHIMA: In any event, I can't follow you. I can't leave them to die.
Flummai: I will save them all.
BHIMA: I don't count on you to save them. No Rakshasa can ever beat
me. The cry of a Rakshasa is heard coming closer.
HIDIMBI: I hear him. He's running toward us. Quick! Jump on my
back, all of you. I'll carry you far from here. You don't know him.
He's wild.
BHIMA: I've absolutely no fear of your brother, Hidimbi. Don't look
down on me because I'm just a man. . . . The screaming Rakshasa comes
into view. He is huge and terrifying. Those who were asleep, waken. The
Rakshasa sees his transformed sister and is furious.
RAKSHASA: Hidimbi, it's disgusting. You look like a woman. Ah, I
understand everything, you vile, depraved pervert. I'm going to kill
you and all these slugs as well.
BHIMA: Stop! Before killing this woman, fight with me. With me
alone. The Rakshasa gets ready to attack Bhima. His yells are horrible.
BHIMA: Yes, yell! I'm going to sew up your horrible jaw. And in a
moment, you won't yell anymore.
RAKSHASA: And I will cut you into tiny bits! I will open your belly!
I will suck your marrow! I will crunch every crumb in your bones!
The Rakshasa hurls himself onto Bhima, yelling. They fight. Sometimes
the Rakshasa has the upper hand, sometimes Bhima.
Hidimbi calls to Bhima:
In the Forest 89

Hummst: Dawn is near. It's just before day that the Rakshasa are
strongest. Lift him off the ground. Squeeze the wind out of him.
Now! Bhima manages to lift the Rakshasa from the ground.
BHIMA: I'm going to restore this wood to happiness! For a moment,
Bhima holds the Rakshasa, then throws him to the ground. The demon
stops moving little by little. The other Pandavas and Draupadi draw
near.
DRAUPADI: He's dead?
BHIMA: Yes, his monster heart is still. Hidimbi addresses Yudhishthira:
Hu:1mm: You are the eldest?
YUDHISHTHIRA: Yes.
HIDIMBI: Listen to me. I know that love is woman's affliction and the
time has come for me to suffer. I have chosen your brother, Bhima.
If he rejects me, I die. Call me a poor idiot, but grant me this man.
To Draupadi You have other husbands, give me this one. I want him.
If you give him to me, I'll do everything for you, I'll protect you all
my life. Yudhishthira exchanges a look with Draupadi, then replies to
Hidimbi:
YUDHISHTHIRA: Yes! Enjoy my brother Bhima from sunrise to sunset.

As long as there's light in the sky, he's yours. But don't forget to
bring him back with the dark. Hidimbi gets up and turns to Bhima:
HIDIMBI: Are you still afraid of me?
BHIMA: I've never been afraid.
Hinnvist: What can you still refuse me?
BHIMA: Nothing. He holds his arms open to Hidimbi. The sun is rising.
Carry me away. I'll stay with you until we're given a son. They remain
immobile in each other's arms while the night's shadows fade and Hidimbi
says:
90 EXILE IN THE FOREST

HIDIMBI: So, transfigured by joy, Hidimbi became a woman of almost

incredible beauty. She caught hold of Bhima, she swept him up into
the air, and everywhere—on mountain peaks, on sky-blue beaches,
in the secret lairs of gazelles, on the shores of forgotten lakes, every-
where—she gave him her love.
BHIMA: They had a son?
HIDIMBI: An enormous son, called Ghatotkatcha. Here he is. Ghatot-
katcha, huge and frightening, has just come out of the night. He takes
awkward, tripping steps. Bhima asks Hidimbi:
BHIMA: It's him? He's our son?
HIDIMBI: Yes, isn't he beautiful?
BHIMA: Already so big? So black?
HIDIMBI: He's a magnificent boy. He has red eyes.
BHIMA: He doesn't seem to know how to walk.
HIDIMBI: He's only just been born. But he'll be very strong, a great
magician. I can already feel his power. Bbima holds out his arms to his
son.
BHIMA: Son, come into my arms! Ghatotkatcha speaks for the first time,
hesitantly:
GHATOTKATCHA: Father . . .
BHIMA: Yes, it's me. Come . . .
GHATOTKATCHA: Father . . .
BHIMA: Yes, my son. Abruptly, Ghatotkatcha starts to leave. Ghatot-
katcha, my son, stay with us! Ghatotkatcha stops for a moment.
GHATOTKATCHA: I can't.
BHIMA: Why?
In the Forest 91

GHATOTKATCHA: I live in another world and I must go back with my

mother. But if one day you need me, I'll hear your call, I'll be there
by your side.
BHIMA: Hidimbi, why not . . . Hidimbi has returned to her original
form, horrifying and repulsive. She interrupts Bhima, hiding her face:
Hinny's': No. Don't look at me. I'm leaving.
BHIMA: Hidimbi! Hidimbi and Ghatotkatcha leave. Bhima follows them
out.
Duryodbana appears with his brother, Dushassana, accompanied by
others, all very menacing men. They encounter Yudhishthira, then the
other brothers and Draupadi.
YUDHISHTHIRA: Duryodhana . . . What brings you here?
DURYODHANA: I was told that I'd find the king of kings, the supreme
ruler in the forest. Could it be you? Caked in mud, with matted hair
and leprous hands? To Dusbassana Dushassana, your dream lied to
you. They're impotent, everyone's abandoned them.
DUSHASSANA: No! Don't be deceived! They hide their strength. I feel
it in my bones, it's in the air. And Arjuna? Where is Arjuna?
YUDHISHTHIRA: He is on a journey.
DURYODHANA: Wasn't he bound to spend twelve years in the
woods? Why has he broken his word? Where is he traveling? With
whom?
YUDHISHTHIRA: He is traveling alone. No word has been broken.
Dusbassana leaps up, seizes Yudhishthira, puts a dagger to his throat and
shouts to Bhima:
DUSHASSANA: If you come closer, I'll cut your brother's throat.
Where is he going? Is he looking for allies? Answer me! Vyasa appears
at this moment, accompanied by the boy. He speaks authoritatively to
Dushassana:
92 EXILE IN THE FOREST

VYASA: Put down that weapon, Dushassana. Obey! Dushassana looks

to Duryodhana who indicates that he should obey. He releases Yudhish-
thira.
VYASA: No crime should corrupt this poem. Yudhishthira straightens,
relieved:
YUDHISHTHIRA: Vyasa, it's a joy to see you again. Thank you. Are you
well?
DRAUPADI: What do people say about us? Are we missed?
VYASA: Some miss you, others forget you. I am quite well.
DurtyoDHANA: Who is this child who accompanies you?
VYASA: I met him on my way. He never leaves me. I'm telling him
your story.

DRAUPADI: Vyasa, have you condemned us to stay all the time in the
same place? To watch our life ebb away in this forest?
VYASA: No. Nothing compels you to stagnate here. Go. The forest
land is vast. Profit from exile to see and listen. Walk. Pause beside
wise men. Question savages and madmen. Listen to stories; it's al-
ways pleasant and sometimes it improves you. To Duryodhana Du-
ryodhana, go back to the city, today's hunt has not been very good.
The Panda vas collect their few belongings while the Kauravas leave
reluctantly. At the last minute, Bhima says to Dushassana:
BHIMA: Dushassana, do me a favor: as you go back through the forest,
be very careful. Keep your throat well away from tigers and wolves.
Stay alive. Save your blood for me. They all leave except Vyasa and the
boy who says:
BOY: If you can stop crimes, you could prevent the war?
VYASA: There are acts that a word can check, others nothing can
block.
BOY: And Krishna? Why doesn't he help his friends?
In the Forest 93

VYASA: He's caught up in a war far from here.

BOY: In a war? He has enemies?
VyAsA: Of course.
BOY: Vyasa, don't want to stay in the forest anymore. I'm afraid.
I
A moment before, a servant appeared. She prepares a bed. In turn, Gand-
hari appears. Vyasa says to the child:
VYASA: You're no longer in the forest.
 THE SEARCH FOR ARMS

Gandbari leans over a bowl of boiling water, undoing her long hair and
passing it through the steam. Suddenly, she raises her head and asks:
GANDHARI: Who is there? Kunti has just appeared and says:
KuNTI: Kunti.
GANDHARI: What do you want?
KuNTI: Uncover your eyes, Gandhari. Gandhari does not reply, stay-
ing on her guard.
KuNTI: Your son has launched a hunt against my sons. Not satisfied
with their exile, he wants their death, he wants to touch their corpses.
GANDHARI: He is defending his kingdom.
KUNTI: Take off your veil, come out of your dark hiding place.
GANDHARI: To each one his darkness, Kunti. I am used to the night.
KUNTI: You never look at the earth, the palace, nor the colors of the
sky. That I understand, but how can you live without ever seeing
your sons? Gandhari does not reply. A spark of courage, that's all you
need. Look around you, see things as they are. I'm going to tear off
your veil. Kunti moves to remove the veil and Gandhari pulls back.
GANDHARI: Don't touch me. Kunti does not move.
KUNTI: You don't like me, Gandhari. My first son was born before
yours and you haven't forgotten.

94
The Search for Arms 95

GANDHARI: I suffered for a long time, it's true. I even asked myself
what fathers could have given you your sons, but I don't think of it
anymore. Listen to me, Kunti. Your children are united and they're
strong enough to protect themselves. It's for mine that I fear the
worst. The rage in Duryodhana's heart makes a weakling of him.
KUNTI: He's a blind man's son. He lives blindly.
GANDHARI: He's his own threat, he's bringing death upon himself. I
see it clearly. You must help me to keep him alive. Even if you hate
him, even if the earth fears him, he's my son. Suddenly they stop as
Karna has just entered carrying a lance. His secret mother, Kunti, says
to him at once:
KUNTI: Come, Karna. Karna approaches the two women. Karna, each
day I feel the breath of war come closer. I know your power and your
influence. If you wished, you could avert it.
KARNA: It's not me who decides if there'll be a war. But if the day
comes, I will fight. Your sons are my enemies. They have despised,
soiled, and rejected me.
KUNTI: You can never beat them.
KARNA: You see this lance? Touch it, feel how it vibrates. He presents
the lance to Kunti who touches it lightly. When I was born, I had a
golden breastplate like a second skin that nothing could pierce. One
day, a god disguised as a beggar said to me, "Give me your breast-
plate." I heard a voice in the sky crying, "Don't part with that
breastplate." But I couldn't refuse. I can never refuse anything. With-
out the least hesitation I tore it off and gave it, dripping with blood.
It was then that the god held out this lance to me, with these words:
"It will kill a living being, whomever you choose—man, god, or
demon.
KUNTI: But it will only kill once.
KARNA: How do you know that?
96 EXILE IN THE FOREST

KUNTI: I just know.

KARNA: Kunti, your sons are afraid of me. Duryodhana has given me
a kingdom and I owe him my life—more than my life. One day,
when the sun is high, I will bring him victory.
KUNTI: If you had brothers, if you had a mother, would you still
speak of victory? Karna is quiet for a moment, then, indicating Gand-
hari, says:
KARNA: I have a mother and I have a hundred brothers. Leave us,
Kunti. Kunti is about to leave when Duryodhana comes in with Dushas-
sana. Karna asks him:
KARNA: Did you see them?
DURYODHANA: Yes, but Arjuna has left the forest.
KARNA: I know. My spies saw him, heading north, alone. Vyasa
reappears and Duryodhana asks him:
DURYODHANA: Vyasa, where is he going?
VYASA: I sent him to look for weapons.
DURYODHANA: What weapons?
VYASA: Sacred weapons, those that bring all existence to its end.
KARNA: How does he expect to find them?
DURYODHANA: Speak quickly!
VYASA: By penitence, abstinence.
DURYODHANA: Where is he? I must know exactly.
VYASA: I'm unable to tell you. Karna then says to Duryodhana:
KARNA: You can see him! Concentrate your thoughts on him, be
calm, pronounce the necessary words. Evoke him! Duryodhana
calms down and concentrates. His lips move. Everyone is silent. Dubsa-
The Search for Arms 97

sana helps him with his preparation. Kunti and Gandhari have stayed.
There is music. Time seems to stop. Long lines of fire spring out of the
earth. Through the flames, Arjuna appears. Kunti is the first to speak:

KuNTI: Arjuna!

GANDHARI: Arjuna is here? You see him? Where is he?

DURYODHANA: He is seated in a thorny wood on the back of the

Himalayas. He has been there for months, without food, without

sleep. Seeing an animal, Arjuna takes his bow, shoots, and kills it. As he
goes to pick it up a voice says:

HUNTER: Don't touch that boar!

ARJUNA: Who are you? A man leaps into sight, dressed in furs, carrying

a bow. He seems formidable. He says to Arjuna:

HUNTER: I hunt in these vast mountains. This boar is mine. Why did
you shoot it down?

ARJUNA: This boar is mine. I hit it first.

HUNTER: It was I who hit it. Before you! What brings you here alone,

in the icy wind? The hunter moves toward the boar.

ARJUNA: Don't go near that boar!

HUNTER: I take the boar, I lift it onto my shoulders, it is mine. Arjuna

lif ts his bow.
ARJUNA: If your hand touches the skin of this animal, you won't
escape alive.

HUNTER: You can't frighten me. The earth here knows my step. You
shot at the boar and you missed. Don't put your clumsiness onto
others. I'm taking my boar. The hunter takes the boar. Arjuna shoots
his arrow but the hunter dodges it, laughing. Arjuna shoots a second and
third arrow. The hunter avoids them. He mocks Arjuna.
98 EXILE IN THE FOREST

HUNTER: Again! Again! More! More! Use up all your arrows! You
can't touch me! Gandhari asks Kunti:
GANT:a-1Am: Arjuna has missed his target?
KARNA: Who called him the finest archer in the world? A simple
hunter can avoid his arrows?
DURYODHANA: Who is this laughing man? Arjuna throws himself onto
the hunter and they fight barehanded. But all Arjuna's efforts fail against
the hunter's strength and cunning. As the bunter repulses him he says:
HUNTER: You can do nothing to me. I master you. I block your lungs.
You can't breathe. Look, I lift you in my arms. The hunter, having
lifted Arjuna in his arms, lets him go. Arjuna falls senseless to the ground.
KUNTI: My son isn't breathing anymore. He's lying rigid on the
ground.
GANDHARI: Who has brought him down? Arjuna slowly comes round.
DURYODHANA: He recovers. He molds a handful of earth into an
homage to Shiva. He covers it with a crown of flowers. He turns
round. The hunter is there and on his head he wears the same crown
of flowers. Arjuna looks at the hunter and recognizes him.
ARJUNA: Shiva . . .
KUNTI: Shiva . . .
KARNA: Shiva . . .
DURYODHANA: Shiva . . . They all bow in front of Shiva. Then Arjuna
rises and says to the hunter who now appears as Shiva:
ARJUNA: Shiva, you, the most subtle of beings, blue-necked Shiva
with your third eye, I came to these mountains, drawn by a longing
to see you. In this thorny wood on the back of the Himalayas, where
I have lived for two years, with ice and wind straining my spirit, I
The Search for Arms 99

reached the farthest frontier of pain. I fought without recognizing

you. I am confused, forgive me.
SHIVA: You are forgiven. I am pleased with you. Ask me a favor,
whatever you wish.
ARJUNA: What I wish is an absolute weapon that you possess.
SHIVA: Pasupata?
ARJUNA: Yes.
SHIVA: It can destroy the world.
ARJUNA: I know.

SHIVA: You can launch it with your bow, but also with your eye, your
word, your thought. It's a weapon you can't recall. It's without limit,
without mercy.
ARJUNA: I know that too.
SHIVA: You could never dispose of it, nor give it back.
ARJUNA: I need this weapon.
SHIVA: I give it to you. Shiva gives the weapon to Arjuna as Dusbassana
cries:
DUSHASSANA: He's giving him Pasupata! Karna and Duryodhana are
silent.
DUSHASSANA: The mountains quiver when they hear that name. The
trees, the wind, the whole earth shakes.
KARNA: Arjuna will never dare use it. He doesn't know how. Arjuna
steps toward Karna and, as Shiva disappears, he says:
ARJUNA: Karna, you are mistaken. Listen to what happened to me;
listen carefully: when Shiva disappeared I heard a tumult in the sky,
100 EXILE IN THE FOREST

like a hundred thousand claps of thunder and an immense chariot

appeared, scattering the clouds. Flaming air came screaming from the
chariot, its blazing mirror-weapons shone unbearably through the
dense vapors.
KARNA: Who are you in the form of Arjuna? An apparition? A
phantom?
ARJUNA: The voice of the driver said to me, "Mount!" My heart beat
wildly, I asked the driver to control his invisible horses, then I bid
farewell to the mountain, I said to it: "My eyes have rested on your
snow and your streams. I have drunk the clear water flowing from
your sides and I have seen the gods draw near. I thank you and I
leave." I climbed onto the immense chariot. Drawn by a prodigious
force, it bore me to the regions of light, which the earth calls stars.
Yes, Karna, I saw thousands of fiery spheres, making music in endless
space.
KARNA: You can't frighten me by talking of the sky.
ARJUNA: I saw bodies glowing with their own light. Spirits streaked
and dissolved before my eye. I saw Airavata, the enormous white
elephant with four tusks. I passed beyond the world of men, I arrived
at Amaravati, the indescribable city where Indra, my father, lives. He
took me on his knee, yes Karna, he caressed me with his hand, a hand
burnt black with tracks of thunder. And for five years with him, I
deepened my understanding of the use of this weapon.
KARNA: You don't exist. I don't believe you.
ARJUNA: I will find you again. As Arjuna moves away, disappearing,
Duryodhana says to Karna:

DURYODHANA: It is night.

KARNA: Yes.
DuRvoDHANA: You still dread the night?
The Search for Arms 101

KARNA: I don't like it. I like the sun, when it wraps me in its warmth,
when it scorches me. Every evening, when shadows lengthen, I feel
cold, I look behind me, I sleep badly. But when the first rays touch
me, my strength returns intact, the sun kills night's terrors and
darkness takes flight.
DURYODHANA: Karna, you have often promised me victory—total
victory. This limitless weapon, Pasupata; you, too, must acquire it,
whatever the cost. Otherwise, what good is your promise?
KARNA: We will have it.
At this moment a woman (Urvasi) runs in lightly. Duryodhana and
Karna look at her. She stops and calls:
URVASI: Arjuna! Arjuna reappears.
ARJUNA: Who are you?
URVASI: My name is Urvasi. I am an Apsaras. I dwell in the rivers
of paradise.
ARJUNA: What do you want of me?
URVASI: Indra, your father, sent me word: "My son Arjuna is here,
but he is alone, without a woman for five years. Prepare to go to his
room this evening." I circled my eyes with shadow and my arms with
gold; I scented my skin. I drank a little wine. I came rapidly through
the gardens.
ARJUNA: I admire you, Urvasi. Beauty is your shadow.
URVASI: One day you looked me long and straight in the eyes. You
made me love you.
ARJUNA: But you are an Apsaras. I am a man.
URVASI: We Apsarasas are free to choose; we are not tied to a hus-
band. What I offer you is neither frightening, nor dangerous. It is
only love.
102 EXILE IN THE FOREST

ARJUNA: I am too far from the earth. I have forgotten pleasure's

shape, even her scent. . . .
URVASI: Love is the same in all the worlds.
ARJUNA: Go away Urvasi. We cannot love each other.
URVASI: I came to you, don't reject me. I love you.
ARJUNA: I love you too and I respect you, like a mother. I bow to
you. Treat me as your son.
URVASI: Look at my skin. It is seething with fury. Treat you as my
son! Remember my words: because you have insulted a woman who
came to love you, you will live like a woman, you too, amongst
women. You will be despised and you will be deprived of your
virility. Urvasi leaves quickly. Karna speaks directly to Arjuna:
KARNA: Why did you reject her? Did she frighten you? Have you lost

your manhood in the sky? Arjuna looks at Karna then leaves without
replying. Duryodhana says to Karna:
DURYODHANA: What is this new mystery? Why this lost virility? She

did not say for how long.

KARNA: That's the moment to attack him, when he's like a woman.
GANDHARI: Stop talking of your manhood, your weapons, your
wars!
DURYODHANA: Our enemies are consolidating their positions; they
threaten us. We can't wait like children, unprotected. Vyasa! Vyasa,
who had disappeared, reappears at once with the boy.
VYASA: I am here.
DURYODHANA: Vyasa, I need to know. Arjuna, when he came back
from the sky, did he find his brothers again?
VYASA: Yes.
The Search for Arms 103

DURYODHANA: Tell me, what lands did they visit? What did they see?
What did they hear?
VYASA: Their walk was long, their adventures magnificent, and the
secrets they learned were infinite. They even experienced death.
DURYODHANA: Death? At this point Nakula and Sahadeva appear. They
seem exhausted and are going toward a lake. As they are about to drink,
a voice (Vyasa's disguised voice) says to them:
VOICE: No! Don't drink! Answer my questions before drinking!
NAKULA: Where did that voice come from? They look all around. No
one answers. The twins lean once more toward the lake.
VOICE: Don't drink! First, answer my questions!
NAKULA: I'm parched with thirst. I must drink. The twins lean over,
drink, and fall down dead. Duryodhana and Dusbassana watch in aston-
ishment. They move away as they see Arjuna appear. Arjuna goes to the
twins' motionless bodies.
ARJUNA: The sons of Madri are dead. Who has killed them? Suddenly
he seems to be seized by thirst and leans over to drink from the lake.
VOICE: Why are you so avid for water? Answer my questions be-
fore you drink! Arjuna straightens up and shoots arrows in all direc-
tions.
ARJUNA: Where's this invisible enemy hiding? Show yourself!
VOICE: Don't excite yourself for nothing. First answer my questions.
ARJUNA: No! I'm devoured by a thirst I can't explain. Arjuna drinks
and falls down, dead.
Bhima then arrives carrying his heavy club. He sees his brothers' bodies.
BHIMA: Who has killed my brothers? What terrible battle is waiting
for me? Where does this thirst come from? In turn, he leans toward
the lake.
104 EXILE IN THE FOREST

VOICE: Don't drink! First answer my questions!

BHIMA: The thirst is too strong. I must drink. He drinks and falls
down, dead. Then Yudbishthira appears. He goes to his brothers' bodies
and looks at them in anguish.
YUDHISHTHIRA: Who has struck them down? I see no trace of blows.
I don't understand. A brutal thirst grabs me by the throat. . . . He
bends toward the lake. The voice comes:
VOICE: First, answer my questions. Then I'll let you drink. Yudbish-
thira looks in every direction.
YUDHISHTHIRA: Who are you? I don't see you! Are you in the water?
Are you in the air?

VOICE: I am neither fish, nor bird. I struck down your brothers

because they wanted to drink without answering my questions. Yud-
hishthira does not move, overcoming bis thirst.
YUDHISHTHIRA: Examine me.

VOICE: What is quicker than the wind?

YUDHISHTHIRA: Thought.

VOICE: What can cover the earth?

YUDHISHTHIRA: Darkness.

VOICE: Who are the more numerous, the living or the dead?

YUDHISHTHIRA: The living, because the dead are no longer.

VOICE: Give me an example of space.

YUDHISHTHIRA: My two hands as one.
VOICE: An example of grief.
YUDHISHTHIRA: Ignorance.
The Search for Arms 105

VOICE: Of poison.

YUDHISHTHIRA: Desire.

VOICE: An example of defeat.

YUDHISHTHIRA: Victory.

VOICE: Which animal is the slyest?

YUDHISHTHIRA: The one that man does not yet kno w.

VOICE: Which came first, day or night?

YUDHISHTHIRA: Day, but it was only a day ahead.

VOICE: What is the cause of the world?

YUDHISHTHIRA: Love.

VOICE: What is your opposite?

YUDHISHTHIRA: Myself.

VOICE: What is madness?

YUDHISHTHIRA: A forgotten way.

VOICE: And revolt? Why do men revolt?

YUDHISHTHIRA: To find beauty, either in life or in d eath.

VOICE: What for each of us is inevitable?

YUDHISHTHIRA: Happiness.

VOICE: And what is the greatest wonder?

YUDHISHTHIRA: Each day, death strikes and we live as though we

were immortal. This is the greatest wonder. Vyasa returns among
them.
VYASA: Then the voice from the lake said: "May all your brothers
come back to life, for I am Dharma, your father. I am rightness,
106 EXILE IN THE FOREST

constancy, the order of the world. The dead brothers rise. Draupadi
comes to join them. The wish to know you drew me here. Yudhish-
thira, I am very satisfied." And Dharma added, "Choose a favor."

YUDHLSHTHIRA: Our stay in the woods is coming to an end. We must

now spend a thirteenth year unseen, unrecognized. Tell me what our
disguise should be.

VYASA: Dharma answered him: "Choose the disguise of your most

secret desires."

YumistrrxmA: Where can we hide?

VYASA: For the thirteenth year, you must hide so skillfully that no

one could recognize you, not even me. The Pandavas and Draupadi
leave, as do Kunti and Gandhari.
DURYODHANA: Karna, too many enigmas surround me. I'm losing all

my confidence. I will send thousands of spies to the corners of the

world to find them, but I must have this absolute weapon—Pasupa-
ta—very quickly. I must have it.

KARNA: I leave at once.

DUSHASSANA: Do you know where to find it?

KARNA: Yes, I know. Dushassana, stop trembling for your life.

DURYODHANA: Karna, I am naked, threatened. Don't disappoint me.

The three men leave. Vyasa stays with the boy who says to him:
BOY: I'm afraid of Pasupata.

VyAsA: So am I.

BOY: Do you think Karna will succeed?

VYASA: There's nothing he can't do. Come.

BOY: Vyasa, why are you inventing this poem?
The Search for Arms 107

VYASA: So as to engrave dharma in the hearts of men.

BOY: Is that possible?
VYASA: It will be long and difficult. It will even be dangerous. But
the earth is listening to my poem. It's wondering: will he find a way
to help me? They start walking.
BOY: Where are we going?
VYASA: I don't know yet.
BOY: Are you really the author of this poem?
VYASA: Do you doubt it?
BOY: At times you hesitate. I get the feeling you don't know anything
anymore.
VYASA: I've composed everything, but nothing is written down. Yes,
there are moments when my thoughts escape me.
BOY: And Krishna? Did you invent him as well? Krishna appears.
KRISHNA: Vyasa, which of us has invented the other?
BOY: Krishna . . .
VYASA: Greetings. What are you looking for in this land?
KRISHNA: Vyasa, I was looking for you. I'm troubled.
BOY: You?
KRISHNA: I'm a little cold. The boy puts a blanket around Krishna's
shoulders.
VYASA: What's troubling you?
KRISHNA: At times, I am calm. I feel traversed by a luminous force
and everything seems clear. Then a man runs up to me, bleeding. He
is afraid; he tells of cries, of massacres. He says: "Everyone wants
108 EXILE IN THE FOREST

your death." I have to brace myself, stamp out all that rises against
me and I wonder: why this chaos, why these tears?
VYASA: You expect me to reply?
KRISHNA: Perhaps.
BOY: Who are you? People say Vishnu has come down to save the
world and some say he has taken your shape. Is it true?
KRISHNA: What would you say, Vyasa? Vyasa replies with a vague
gesture.
KRISHNA: You who are narrating me, haven't you already traced out
my path?
VYASA: No path is traced completely, as well you know. You are in
life and you live.
KRISHNA: The days of my youth passed joyfully and I tasted many
wonders.
VYASA: Now your hairs go gray and all is in question.
KRISHNA: Deep in myself I see a black lake. Often in the dark I hear
calling and cries of pain.
VYASA: I hear them too.
KRISHNA: And what do you do?
VYASA: At night, I sleep, and in the morning I wake. I wait.
BOY: But you must know what is being prepared? One of you must
know? Terrible but human cries are heard, startling Vyasa, Krishna, and
the boy. The cries are chilling.
BOY: Who's shouting?
KRISHNA: Qgick. Hide. It's Parashurama. All three hide.
A ghastly person appears; a hermit covered in ashes. His furious cries
The Search for Arms 109

are threatening invocations. A modestly clad servant, who is not instantly

recognizable, follows at a distance. He is carrying an axe and a cloth. The
boy asks Krishna:

BOY: Who is it?

KRISHNA: An extraordinary hermit, as powerful as time. The man

with the axe.

BOY: Look at his servant. He's another Karna.

KRISHNA: It is Karna.

BOY: He's disguised as well?

VYASA: Silence. The boy is quiet.

Parashurama calms down; he sits. Karna, his servant, comes toward
him in a servile manner and puts the axe on the ground. He then wipes
Parashurama's face and body with a cloth he is holding.

PARASHURAMA: For many months you have lived in these forests,

silent and willing. You have prepared my rice, you have watched
over my sleep, you have washed my body. I want to grant you a
favor. Tell me your desire. Karna remains silent, humble. I don't know
the color of your eyes, for you have never raised them to me. I don't
know the sound of your voice, I don't know your name, but I tell
you, you deserve a reward and I have many well-hidden secrets.
What is your wish?

KARNA: Pasupata . . .

PARASHURAMA: What?

KARNA: Give me the secret of Pasupata. . . . A moment's silence, then

the hermit shouts threateningly:

PARASHURAMA: Who are you?

KARNA: I am your servant.

110 EXILE IN THE FOREST

PARASHURAMA: Liar. You want a weapon—that means you are a

warrior. You belong to that arrogant caste that I detest, the Ksha-
triyas!
KARNA: Why do you detest them? The hermit stands up brandishing
the axe.
PARASHURAMA: There's nothing to explain. I hate them. I felled
twenty-one generations of Kshatriyas with my axe. I came down
from heaven to destroy them.
KARNA: I'm not of that caste. I'm a simple man.
PARASHURAMA: That's the truth?
KARNA: I'm called the driver's son. I swear it. Parashurama thinks for
a moment, then hands Karna a piece of bark that he has just picked up
from the ground.
PARASHURAMA: Here, I'm a man of my word. The formula's written
here. Learn it by heart. Karna reads the piece of bark. Quick! Hurry!
Karna reads very carefully. The formula will fade away. Finished. ft's
only a scrap of bark. You remember what was on it? Karna nods.
Parashurama throws away the piece of bark. When you utter those
words, a creature will come down from the sky and will give you the
weapon that you wish. The hermit yawns and stretches. Now I will
sleep a little. I'm more than a thousand years old and I'm beginning
to grow tired. He lies down, putting bis bead in Karna's lap, and goes
to sleep. Karna stays motionless.
A worm approaches Karna and bites his thigh. Karna's suffering is
terrible, but he does not move, he does not complain.
The hermit wakes. He sees blood on his hand and, very annoyed, asks
Karna: Where does this blood come from? Is this your doing?
KARNA: A worm bored a hole in my thigh while you slept, a tiny
worm. Forgive me.
PARASHURAMA: Why didn't you yell?
The Search for Arms 111

KARNA: I didn't want to wake you. Parashurama grabs the axe and
threatens Karna.
PARASHURAMA: You have tricked me. Only a Kshatriya could display
such idiotic courage. Any intelligent man would have yelled. You're
a Kshatriya. You lied to worm out my secret, but listen to me,
whoever you are: at the last minute—listen to me carefully—the
secret will slip from your memory, you will forget it entirely and that
will be the moment of your death. Karna wishes to speak, but the hermit
prevents him, brandishing the axe. Go! Karna leaves rapidly.
Parashurama then addresses Vyasa and Krishna without looking at
them: Krishna, I saw you. And you too, Vyasa. Don't hide from me.
The whole world is putting on masks. You too. Don't stay naked.
Farewell. Parashurama goes.
 THE COURT OF KING VIRATA

The forest has vanished. The scene has changed; there is an atmosphere of
Oriental grace and charm. A king, Virata, enters with members of his
court, musicians, and servants. He consults a tablet he is carrying and
asks:
VIRATA: Where's my head attendant?
HEAD ATTENDANT: Your head attendant's here.
VIRATA: What's this I read on my block? Five new servants! What-
ever for? My servants already stretch from here to the ocean. Why
make a river with my gold?
HEAD ATTENDANT: These five men, 0 great Virata, seen, to my poor
eyes superior to all those who have served you up to now.
VIRATA: Truly?
HEAD ATTENDANT: Truly. That's why I engaged them. Would you
like to see for yourself?
VIRATA: Yes. Let the first one in. What's his name? Kanka? The head
attendant claps his hands and calls:
HEAD ATTENDANT: Kanka! Yudhishthira enters dressed as a brahmin.
VIRATA: Who are you?
YUDHLSHTHIRA: I am a brahmin, cast down by fate, led to your doors
by desperate need. My name is Kanka. In better times, Yudhishthira
was my friend. With him I wandered far and wide, we visited seven

112
The Court of King Virata 113

hundred holy places and I could tell you sixteen thousand essential
fables. Besides, I play at dice.

VIRATA: You play at dice?

YUDHISHTHIRA: Yes, in the course of my journeys a wise man taught

me the science of dice and I can pass it on. If you follow my advice
you will never lose.

VIRATA: Never?

YUDHISHTHIRA: I told you, never. Virata, delighted, claps his hands and
calls:
VIRATA: Uttara, come here. Come, my son. To Yudhishthira Good
players are always my friends.

YUDHISHTHIRA: I know. A young man has just appeared.

VIRATA: This is my son, Uttara, the light of my life, handsome as the

sun, brave as a lion. Take him in hand. Uttara bows to the false
brahmin. Virata returns to his block: And this one? Balhava? Who is
he?

HEAD ATTENDANT: A colossus, a mountain of strength, a walking

volcano. This morning he passed the time lifting horses in the court-
yard.

VIRATA: He lifted horses? All by himself?

HEAD ATTENDANT: All by himself.

VIRATA: With his hands?

HEAD ATTENDANT: With one hand.

VIRATA: I want to see him! The head attendant claps and calls:

HEAD ATTENDANT: Balhava! Bhima enters.

VIRATA: Who are you?

114 EXILE IN THE FOREST

BHIMA: I'm Balhava, the cook, the terrible cutthroat of sheep, the
master of four thousand sauces. In the past I worked for King Yud-
hishthira, who set me above all his other cooks. He called me the
prince of pots.
VIRATA: I've a weakness for good cooking. As of tonight, I want to
taste one of your dishes. At this moment a new character enters, a
general called Kichaka. He is vain, ostentatious, and agitated.
VIRATA: What is it, Kichaka? You're in a terrible state. What's on
your mind?
KICHAKA: The Pandavas have disappeared!
VIRATA: Well?
KICHAKA: Duryodhana is furious. His spies are scouring the earth for
them. If I find them, he will give me gold.
YUDHISHTHIRA: I think you should search in remote hamlets.
KICHAKA: Yes.
BHIMA: In faraway mines, caves . . . grottoes . . .
KICHAKA: Yes. I will track them down, even if it takes me to China.
Who are these men?
VIRATA: My new servants. They served Yudhishthira in the forest.
KICHAKA: Yudhishthira? To Bhima Where is he now?
BHIMA: No one knows. Perhaps he died from shame.
VIRATA: What else? A groom? The twins are introduced.
NAKULA: I know all the desires and secrets of cows.
VIRATA: The secrets of cows? Very good. And who else? A musician?
Good. I'll take them all. What do I see? A eunuch? I've already got
too many eunuchs. I've more eunuchs than wives. The head attendant
The Court of King Virata 115

claps and Arjuna enters completely transformed, dressed as a woman,

wearing bracelets and earrings, accompanied by music. His bearing and
mannerisms are very effeminate.
VIRATA: Who are you?
ARJUNA: My name is Vrihannala. I teach music, dancing, singing. I
was leading dancer to a queen.
VIRATA: Are you a man or a woman?
ARJUNA: I am a man and a woman. I kept guard over the harem for
the great King Yudhishthira and now I sing wherever I'm allowed
to sing.
VIRATA: Then you can teach music to my wife and daughter.
ARJUNA: 0 great king Virata, I am very satisfied. Your wives have
nothing to fear from me.
VIRATA: SO I see. Very suspicious, Kichaka counts the five new musicians.
KICHAKA: One, two, three, four, five. They are five like the Pandavas!
To Bhima Come! Bhima approaches. Kichaka feels his muscles. This one
is very strong. To Yudhishthira And this one . . . What have you got
in your hand? Yudhishthira opens his hand.
YUDHISHTHIRA: Dice.
KICHAKA: You play at dice?
YUDHISHTHIRA: Yes, very often.
KICHAKA: So tell me: you win or you lose?
NAKULA: He wins every time.
KICHAKA: Then you can't be Yudhishthira. The five brothers breathe
again.
Kichaka stops abruptly in front of Draupadi who has just come in. She
is very poorly clad. Gudeshna, Virata's wife, introduces ber:
116 EXILE IN THE FOREST

GUDESHNA: I met this woman in front of the palace. She told me she's
called Sairindhri and she's looking for work.
VIRATA: Indeed! I've already enough servants to make a women's
army! Why still one more?
GUDESHNA: Look at her. Look what a noble head rises from her
shabby clothes! How she holds herself! And what force is in her gaze!
Virata looks closely at Draupadi.
VIRATA: You are absolutely right. Who are you?
GUDESHNA: She won't answer you. To me, a woman, she said this:
"I am only a servant. I know how to plait hair, blend perfumes. I
served Queen Draupadi. I went in the forest with her and now I go
where the wind blows." Since Draupadi's entrance, Kichaka is as
though hypnotised by her.
KICHAKA: If you don't want this woman, give her to me. I will take
her for my house.
VIRATA: I never said I didn't want her, though this woman frightens
me, for beauty is always a danger.
BHIMA: Who wouldn't lose his mind for her? Even the trees bow
down when she passes.
KICHAKA: You know her?
BHIMA: No, I was just thinking out loud.
UTTARA: You who know Yudhishthira and his brothers, tell. . . .
VIRATA: Yes. Tell us. We've heard so many travelers' tales.
UTTARA: Is it true that Bhima met Hanuman?
YUDHISHTHIRA: Yes, it's true.
UTTARA: Hanuman? The miraculous monkey?
The Court of King Virata 117

VIRATA: How did it happen? Kanka, do you know?

YUDHISHTHIRA: Yes, I know. It was because of Draupadi. Bhima
loved her more than all in the world. He would have done anything
for her. One day, the northeast wind brought with it a thousand-
petaled lotus, the very image of the sun. Draupadi picked it up and
showed it to Bhima saying, "Look at this heavenly flower, this rarest
of flowers. Go, for love of me, gather me a bouquet."
NAKULA: So Bhima turned his face toward the wind and set off
carrying his bow and his arrows. He crossed plains and mountains
in all his magnificence, full of joy, making the ground thunder with
his stride. He breathed the scent of flowers wafted toward him by his
father, the wind. He saw birds whose wings glistened with moisture,
and following them he found himself beside a lake. He plunged into
it, swam for a long while in the clear water, clambered up the oppo-
site shore, and blew his conch. Arjuna, still in woman's clothing,
intervenes:
ARJUNA: This sound reached the ears of Hanuman, his brother, who
was dozing amongst the banana leaves. Hanuman said to himself:
"My brother is approaching me on the road to heaven, he mustn't go
any farther." So he laid down on the ground and put his tail—his
long, hairy tail—across the path. When Bhima tries to pass, Arjuna,
laying a belt or stick on the ground, says to him:
ARJUNA-HANUMAN: Who are you? Where are you going? We who
have animals for mothers don't know too well what is right and what
isn't. But you, a man, blessed with reason, why have you come so far?
This road is forbidden to humans. Turn back! Bhima in turn joins the
narrative.
BHIMA: "Who am I?" Bhima answered, taking him for an ordinary
monkey. "I am Bhima, son of Kunti and son of the wind. Let me
pass! Out of my way!"
118 EXILE IN THE FOREST

ARJUNA-HANUMAN: I can't stand. I'm ill. Very ill. If you really want
to pass, jump over my body.
BHIMA: No, I won't jump over the body of a monkey. My own
brother is a monkey, the splendid Hanuman, the most powerful of
monkeys. He crossed the sea with a single leap. I'm like him.
Strength is in our family. Stand up or I'll catapult you to your
death.
ARJUNA-HANUMAN: Forgive me. I am old and I cannot get up. Lift
this tail which is across your path and pass. Bhima continues, combin-
ing actions with words:
BHIMA: Bhima took the monkey's tail in his left hand; he pulled but
he could not lift it. He seized it with his right hand; he pulled but
he could not lift it. He braced himself, took a deep breath, clenched
his teeth, wrinkled his forehead till it gleamed with sweat, but he
couldn't lift that tail. So he dropped to his knees before the monkey
and said to him: "Forgive me. Who are you in the shape of a monkey?
If it's not one of heaven's secrets, tell me."
ARJUNA-HANUMAN: I am your brother, Hanuman. This path must
not be used by mortals, that's why I stopped you.
BHIMA: You are Hanuman?
ARJUNA-HANUMAN: Yes, have no doubt.
BHIMA: This meeting fills me with joy, son of my father. But there's
a special favor I'd like to ask you: let me see you in your other form,
in all its gigantic, incomparable, sacred splendor.
ARJUNA-HANUMAN: "No one can see that form," replied Hanuman
in his deep and gentle voice. "In the older days, yes, mortals could
contemplate it, but this age is the age of destruction. The earth, the
trees, man, gods all follow the movement of the times. Bodies die,
spirits die, even forms die. My form is dead."
The Court of King Virata 119

VIRATA: He said that? He said, we are living in the age of destruction?

Yudhishthira takes up the story:
YUDHISHTHIRA: And this is what he added: "I see the coming of
another age, where barbaric kings rule over a vicious, broken world;
where puny, fearful, hard men live tiny lives, white hair at sixteen,
copulating with animals, their women perfect whores, making love
with greedy mouths. The cows dry, sterile; trees stunted, lifeless; no
more flowers, no more purity; ambition, corruption, commerce, it's
the age of Kali, the black time. The countryside a desert, crime stalks
the cities, beasts drink blood and sleep in the streets, all the waters
sucked up by the sky, scalded earth scorched to dead ash. The fire
rises borne by the wind, fire pierces the earth, cracks open the under-
ground world, wind and fire calcinate the world, immense clouds
gather—blue, yellow, and red—they rise like deep-sea monsters, like
shattered cities. Forked with lightning, the rains fall, the rains fall and
engulf the earth; twelve years of storm, the mountains split the wa-
ters, I no longer see the world. Then the primary god—when all that
remains is a gray sea, without man, beast, or tree—the creator, drinks
the terrible wind and falls asleep." They stay silent for a moment, then
the young prince asks:
UTTARA: And what did Bhima do?
BHIMA: Bhima said to Hanuman: "I am stubborn, I won't go without
seeing your ancient shape!" So the monkey, smiling, to please his
brother, began to grow bigger, and bigger. His chin rose above the
clouds, his eyes became red suns, his teeth gleamed like glaciers. He
rose to his full height, enormous, filling all the corners of infinite
space. Bhima, stupefied, said to him: "Come down. Stop. That's
enough! Become yourself again! I can't look at you anymore!"
ARJUNA: Hanuman became a monkey once more and said to his
brother, "Go on your way to the lotus flowers. Gather them gently;
120 EXILE IN THE FOREST

be humble and patient. I love you, may this kiss wipe away your
fatigue." They embrace.
NAKULA: Bhima set off again, he found a lake covered with thousand-

petaled lotuses and returned to Draupadi with her bouquet.

VIRATA: I'm delighted with your story, but it's time to sleep. May

your night be rich in dreams. They all leave except Kichaka, who detains
the queen, and indicating Draupadi, asks:
KICHAKA: Who's this beauty? What's the story?
GUDESHNA: I don't know. I met her in the street.
KICHAKA: I beseech you, beloved sister, send her to me. Think of a
way. I must have her. I'll give you emeralds.
GUDESHNA: Return to your palace. Kichaka leaves at once. Sairindhri!
DRAUPADI: Your Majesty?
GUDESHNA: Go to Kichaka. He is preparing me a special drink. Bring
it to me.
DRAUPADI: I beg you, send another servant.
GUDESHNA: Why?
DRAUPADI: I see lust in his eyes. He's drunk with pride. He'll stop
at nothing and I'm married, Majesty.
GUDESHNA: You?
DRAUPADI: A powerful husband protects me. Something terrible
could happen to your brother.
GUDESHNA: Take this jug. Do as I say. The queen leaves.
At his palace Kichaka awaits Draupadi. He is very excited and calls
a musician to him:
KICHAKA: Quick! Bring flowers, jewels, silken robes! Prepare a

couch, the ivory couch! Draupadi arrives. Kichaka greets her with
The Court of King Virata 121

flowers and a song. He then dismisses the musician and says: Come, give
me your hand, come. . . .
DRAUPADI: The queen sent me to fetch . . .
KICHAKA: Sit down, sit down. . . . From now on, all my wives are
your servants. Ah, there's no one like you. You shine like the moon,
your two breasts, your lips, the way your dress folds at the waist,
hiding the door to the cavern in your secret forest of love. . . . Sit
down, come! He tries to draw her to his couch.
DRAUPADI: I'm nobody. I dress hair and I'm another man's wife.
KICHAKA: Don't push me away. You'll regret it. Virata is feeble, he
depends on me. I'm in charge of everything. Come!
DRAUPADI: You're sick. I already see you in ashes.
KICHAKA: In ashes? Just the reverse! I'll burn you with love, like a
dragon. Come, come into my fire.
DRAUPADI: You're just a stupid child who thinks he can walk on a
river.
KICHAKA: And who do you think you are to say no to me? Come,
open your arms and close your mouth. He seizes a weapon and threat-
ens her. King Virata appears and commands:
VIRATA: Kichaka, let that woman go! Come and play dice!
KICHAKA: This servant resisted me! She threatened me!
VIRATA: A game will calm you down. Come! Kichaka leaves reluc-
tantly. Draupadi flees.
Meanwhile, Bhima is asleep in his room. Draupadi enters and goes up
to him in the shadows.
DRAUPADI: Bhima? It's me. . . . You're asleep? He has difficulty in
waking up. How can you sleep? Wake up, Bhima! Bhima wakes and
takes her in his arms.
122 EXILE IN THE FOREST

BHIMA: Draupadi, you're pale. What is it? Tell me quickly before

anyone sees us.
DRAUPADI: I don't care anymore. I'm alone, lost. I think your broth-
ers are dead.
BHIMA: What do you mean?
DRAUPADI: Your elder brother only lives for his dice. He once nour-
ished the earth and now he eats from a stranger's hand. She looks
tenderly at Bhima and adds: And you, chopping cabbage in the
kitchen. . . . And Arjuna, hidden like a fire at the bottom of a well!
The great conqueror teaching a king's daughter to dance! Yes, I'm
sad, I'm ashamed. I can't sleep anymore. Look at this miserable dress,
these chapped hands. I know some people are beginning to suspect
us, but I'm in agony, my heart's racing, listen to it. . . . She draws
Bhima's head to her breast. I can still feel Kichaka's violence burning
me. He'll attack again, I'm sure, but I'd sooner swallow poison than
fall into his hands. Bhima, very moved, says:
BHIMA: You know the new dance hall?
DRAUPADI: Yes.
BHIMA: Tell Kichaka that he has won you, that you will wait for him
there tomorrow when night approaches, alone. . . . Draupadi hugs him
and leaves. Bhima stretches out and conceals himself under a sheet.
Kichaka enters the empty dance hall cautiously. He is magnificently
dressed. As he enters, he calls:
KICHAKA: Sairindhri? Are you there? Not receiving any reply, he moves
forward trying to find his way in the dark. I received your message,
night approaches, I am here. He bumps into the form lying on the floor
wrapped in a sheet. He smiles. You see, I've spent hours dressing and
scenting myself for you. It's a very expensive scent. . . . He lifts the
sheet and slides gently down beside Bhima. When I left, all my servants
gasped, they said I was the king of beauty. Ah, I'm happy. . . . It's
The Court of King Virata 123

like a dream. . . . My feet don't touch the ground. . . . I'm in ecstasy.

Yes, yes, caress me, I see you know the ancient art . . . again! His whole
body trembles. I've never been caressed so strongly! My whole body's
tingling. He slides completely under the sheet. It's jangling! Speak to
me, tell me something! Bhima's voice is heard saying:
BHIMA: It's true, you are the king. Kichaka reappears abruptly,
alarmed.
KICHAKA: What?
BHIMA: It's true, you are the king of beauty. No wonder women
adore you.
KICHAKA: What's this voice? Kichaka tries to stand up and flee. The
effort is wasted. Bhima takes him in his arms and suffocates him. Kichaka
utters his last cries.
BHIMA: I take you in my arms now. Yes, I seize your hair, crushing
the delightful spray of flowers. You didn't know, did you, that you
came here looking for death. My fingers sink into your flesh. I feel
your bones snapping with pleasure. I will grind you to powder, my
love. Bhima crushes Kichaka, who stops screaming as Bhima reduces him
to a pulp. Then Bhima runs away.
Two men appear and stare in amazement at the heap on the floor. They
are Kichaka's brothers. They turn the ball over in all directions.
KICHAKA'S BROTHER: What's this? Is it Kichaka, our brother? These
are certainly his clothes, and his perfume. . . . But where's his neck?
Where are his feet? Where's his head? Who turned him into a ball?
They leave pushing the ball which rolls out in front of them.
 THE WAR OF THE COWS

Members of the court are gathering. A messenger runs in calling:

MESSENGER: Alas, Majesty, alas, Majesty! The King appears with his
courtiers.
VIRATA: Well, what is it?
MESSENGER: Spare me, Great King! I have a mother, two wives and
several children! Grant me my life!
VIRATA: What do you want?
MESSENGER: Spare me, I bring bad news. Your lands have been
invaded, your crops carted away.
VIRATA: What are you saying?
MESSENGER: They have taken your cows! Your thirty thousand
cows!
VIRATA: They've taken my cows! Quick! Muster my elephants, my
chariots, all my warriors! Let war ring through my kingdom!
They've taken my cows! My thirty thousand cows! So who will
command my armies? Since the terrible Kichaka was ground into
dust by a demon, I've nobody! Where's my son?
UTTARA: Here. Uttara comes forward rather timidly.
VIRATA: You are my true blood, you are strength and daring incar-
nate. Take command of my troops and bring back the cattle.

124
The War of the Cows 125

UTTARA: Me in command?

VIRATA: One day or other a man must fight. The day has come.

UTTARA: Yes, father, I will fight. I would fight with heart and soul
if I had a driver for my chariot.

VIRATA: You haven't a driver?

UTTARA: He's ill. I need an expert at handling horses. I can't see

anyone. If you find me a good chariot driver, I'll bring back the cows.
At this point, Draupadi starts talking despite Yudhishthira's signals to
her to keep quiet.

DRAUPADI: I know an excellent driver.

VIRATA: Ah?

DRAUPADI: There's no one like him. He can make horses fly like the
wind, twist like snakes, and stop dead in their tracks. He used to be
the Pandavas' driver.

UTTARA: Who is he? Draupadi points to Arjuna.

DRAUPADI: Him. Everyone seems stunned, including Arjuna.

ARjuNA: Me?

VIRATA: A singer? A eunuch?

DRAUPADI: There's no one in the world to touch him. If he's your

driver, you're sure to win.

UTTARA: But he's a half-and-half. You've only to look. She's trem-

bling. She's scared to death. He scares Arjuna, who does seem easily
frightened, and says to his father: No, you can't send me to war with
that!
DRAUPADI: I said what I know.
126 EXILE IN THE FOREST

ARJUNA: How could I ever drive a chariot? How could I hold the
reins? I'm terrified of horses.

DRAUPADI: He's lying. He was Arjuna's driver. Everyone is silent.

UTTARA: Arjuna's driver?

DRAUPADI: Yes, they were inseparable. You never saw one without
the other.

UTTARA: Then agree to drive for me. Arjuna is my idol. Come, let
the women giggle. Bring him a breastplate and some weapons!

ARJUNA: A breastplate? Weapons? For me? Someone hands him a

breastplate. He puts it down and tries to put it on feet first. He falls
over. Everyone laughs, the women in particular. He is given a sword.
He takes it by the blade and drops it. Then bow; he handles it awk-
wardly, pointing the arrows toward himself, then toward the others.
They fling themselves on the ground in mock terror as though trying to
protect themselves: A sword? What can you do with a sword? A
bow? Arrows? I've never held a bow in my life! A battle? Blood?
Sweat? Dirt? What horror!

UTTARA: Were you Arjuna's driver, yes or no?

ARJUNA: Yes, but since then, II. . .

VIRATA: It's settled. You'll be my son's driver.

UTTARA: And we'll bring you victory.

GUDESHNA: Laughing, to Arjuna Don't forget, when you return in

triumph, to bring us back some pretty materials.

VIRATA: Off you go! Uttara and Arjuna go off together. Everyone leaves
except Nakula and Draupadi.
NAKULA: The thirteenth year is not yet over. Why did you push him
into the battle?
The War of the Cows 127

DRAUPADI: Do you know who's behind this attack? Duryodhana,

with Karna.
NAKULA: You're giving them a good pretext for refusing us the
kingdom. Draupadi, are you only interested in war?
DRAUPADI: Yes, Nakula, the war has already begun. I won't go back
with my head bowed and my tongue tied. I swore I'd never forget.
And you'll see all water drain from the earth and all color from the
sky before my word loses its power.
 ON THE BATTLEFIELD

Uttara and Arjuna, advancing on the battlefield, suddenly stop at the

sight of the Kauravas and the young Uttara takes fright.

UTTARA: What do I see? Duryodhana, Drona, Bhishma himself! And

Karna! Vrihannala, stop, stop!

ARJUNA: You told me to be your driver. I'm driving.

UTTARA: But it's me alone against this immense army! Alone with a
eunuch! I can't! Stop!

ARJUNA: You bragged and boasted in front of the women. If you turn
back, they'll die of laughter.

UTTARA: Stop! Let them keep the cows! So I'm ridiculous, I don't
care. I'm scared. I want to go home! The young prince flees, terrified.
Arjuna follows him. The Kauravas watch the scene in astonishment.

DURYODHANA: Who's that, over there, running?

DRONA: It's Uttara, Virata's son.

DURYODHANA: Yes, but behind him, in a long dress?

KARNA: IS it a man or a woman?

DRONA: I'd say a woman.

DUSHASSANA: Why's she running after the boy?

KARNA: Oddly enough, she's got something of Arjuna.

128
On the Battlefield 129

DURYODHANA: Arjuna?
KARNA: Look at her back, look at the arm muscles.

DUSHASSANA: Arjuna dressed as a woman?

KARNA: Who else would dare approach us?

DuRyonHANA: Arjuna here? No, it's not him.

DRONA: The woman's running quickly, she's caught up with the

king's son. Arjuna has caught up with Uttara and is holding him back
carefully. Uttara says to him, out of breath:
UTTARA: I'll give you embroidery, rings, necklaces, but leave me, let
me go. It's sheer madness.

ARJUNA: Listen to me. You'll drive the chariot now and I'll do the
fighting.

UTTARA: You? Fight?

ARJUNA: Yes, me. Arjuna.

UTTARA: You are Arjuna?

ARJUNA: Yes. You've nothing to fear. Come.

UTTARA: You're Arjuna?

ARJUNA: Stop goggling. Take the reins and don't tremble. The Kaura-
vas see the two men advance.
KARNA: Yes, it's Arjuna, it's him!
DURYODHANA: The thirteenth year isn't yet up and he dares to face
us. He's come out of hiding! He and his brothers must do another
twelve years in the forest; they haven't observed the pact. That's true,
isn't it, Bhishma?
BHLSHMA: If Arjuna shows himself, he knows what he is doing.
130 EXILE IN THE FOREST

DURYODHANA: Answer me directly. Have they respected or rejected

the pact?
BHISHMA: It's hard to know the true nature of things. Books of ethics
often give us fresh illusions.
DURYODHANA: Answer me!
BHISHMA: And the worst of these illusions—as the wise well know—
is war.
DUSHASSANA: What's the use of wise men? They tell long tales in cool
palaces, but here in the heat of battle, what can they bring?
BHISHMA: To Duryodhana I'm sorry I came with you. One doesn't
fight over cows.
DURYODHANA: Answer me clearly for once: is the thirteenth year
over, yes or no?
KARNA: To Duryodhana Let me fight Arjuna, me alone! Bhishma turns
away.
DURYODHANA: You're leaving?
BHISHMA: I won't take any part in this battle.
DRONA: Nor will I. Bhishma and Drona leave. At that moment the sound
of Arjuna's bow can be heard.
DURYODHANA: It's the sound of his bow.
KARNA: Yes, it's Gandiva.
DURYODHANA: Let's fight.
 THE MASKS FALL

Virata, members of his court, and Yudhishthira await news of the battle.
VIRATA: Wasn't I mad to let him go?
YUDHISHTHIRA: No, have no fear. He has Vrihannala as driver, he'll
bring back the cows.
VIRATA: He's so young, so tender.
YUDHISHTHIRA: Don't worry. With this driver he could take on the
entire earth. A messenger enters and announces:
MESSENGER: The troops return! The battle is won!
VIRATA: 0 happiness! You're sure?
MESSENGER: Yes. Your son is approaching the city, surrounded by
cows mooing with joy.
VIRATA: Let his victory be proclaimed at the corner of every street!
Send musicians and dancers to greet him! Let all the women offer
themselves to him! Bring water for the horses! And for the cows!
Then, addressing Yudhishthira: Your turn!
YUDHISHTHIRA: It's wrong to play with a happy gambler.
VIRATA: Nonsense. Play.
YUDHISHTHIRA: Gambling is the mother of misfortune. Remember
Yudhishthira.

131
132 EXILE IN THE FOREST

VIRATA: I told you to play. It's my day of bliss. The queen comes in
smiling. Virata takes her in his arms and says: The robbers laid low by
my son! What news!
YUDHISHTHIRA: With Vrihannala as his driver, he couldn't be beaten.
VIRATA: My son a conqueror! I roll the word on my tongue.
YUDHISHTHIRA: With this driver, his victory was guaranteed.
VIRATA: What are you saying?
YUDHISHTHIRA: I'm telling you the truth. With this driver he could
have conquered the earth.
VIRATA: Have you finished talking about this half-and-half? And
insulting my son? Can't you see you're getting on my nerves?
YUDHISHTHIRA: He could even vanquish gods and demons with such
a driver.
VIRATA: We'll rip out your tongue. That's enough. Not another
word! He throws a die in Yudhishthira's face, whose nose begins to bleed.
Draupadi rushes over and catches the blood.
GuDEsHN A: What are you doing?
DRAUPADI: I'm catching his blood, for it mustn't touch the ground.
At that moment, Uttara and Arjuna enter in triumph.
VIRATA: My son! Come into my arms! Come and tell me all about
your battle! Uttara notices Yudhishthira:
UTTARA: Who wounded this man?
VIRATA: I did and he deserved it. I was singing your praises and he
could only talk about your driver.
UTTARA: Ask his forgiveness, hurry.
VIRATA: Me, his forgiveness?
The Masks Fall 13 3

YuninsimnRA: You're already forgiven. But if my blood had touched

the earth, you would have been in mortal danger—you and your
kingdom.
GUDESHNA: Why?
UTTARA: Because this man is Yudhishthira. Because my driver is
Arjuna. Because this servant is Draupadi; because here are Bhima,
Sahadeva, and Nakula. The Pandavas reveal themselves to Virata and
the others.
VIRATA: I have to close my eyes. Is it true?
UTTARA: Arjuna fought in my place at the head of your armies. Our

enemies hadn't a chance.

VIRATA: You have honored my palace in secret. What can I do for
you? Arjuna, take my daughter as your wife.
ARJUNA: No, I'm too old. But I'll take her for my son, Abhimanyu.
He gives some materials to the queen: Here are the materials you asked
for. They're slightly bloodstained, but you can clean them easily.
YUDHISHTHIRA: Virata, we'll soon be leaving, for the period of exile
is almost over.
VIRATA: One thought disturbs me, it obsesses me. Answer me before
you go: is it true that this world will be destroyed? Silence. Into the
silence comes Vyasa's voice:
VYASA: It has happened already. They all listen to Vyasa, who has just

come in with the boy. A long time ago, all living creatures had
perished. The world was no more than a sea—a gray, misty, icy
swamp. One old man remained, all alone, spared from the devasta-
tion. His name was Markandeya. He walked and walked in the stale
water, exhausted, finding no shelter anywhere, no trace of life. He
was in despair, his throat taut with inexpressible sorrow. Suddenly,
not knowing why, he turned and saw behind him a tree rising out
134 EXILE IN THE FOREST

of the marsh, a fig tree, and at the foot of the tree a very beautiful,
smiling child. The boy takes up his position. Markandeya stopped,
breathless, reeling, unable to understand why the child was there.
BOY: And the child said to him: "I see you need to rest. Come into
my body."
VYASA: The old man suddenly experienced utter disdain for long life.
The child opened his mouth, a great wind rose up, an irresistible gust
swept Markandeya toward the mouth. Despite himself he went in,
just as he was, and dropped down into the child's belly. There,
looking round, he saw a stream, trees, herds of cattle. He saw women
carrying water, a city, streets, crowds, rivers. Yes, in the belly of the
child he saw the entire earth, calm, beautiful, he saw the ocean, he
saw the limitless sky. He walked for a long while, for more than a
hundred years, without reaching the end of the body. Then the wind
rose up again, he felt himself drawn upward; he came out through
the same mouth and saw the child under the fig tree.
BOY: The child looked at him with a smile and said, "I hope you have
had a good rest."
 DURYODHANA AND ARJUNA
WITH KRISHNA

Krishna is asleep. Duryodhana comes in first and goes to a raised seat at

the head of Krishna's bed. Then Arjuna comes in. More modestly, he seats
himself at Krishna's feet.
Krishna opens his eyes. He sees Arjuna first, seated directly before him.
Then he turns to Duryodhana.

KRISHNA: Welcome to you both. Why this visit?

DURYODHANA: The earth is throbbing with men on the march. War

is drawing near. Krishna, I come to ask you to be our ally.

ARJUNA: I make the same request, in the name of my brothers.

KRISHNA: I've no reason to fight. This is not my war. I was asleep.

DURYODHANA: The whole universe is engaged. No creature can say,

"This is not my war." Who can sleep while others die?

KRISHNA: Duryodhana, what is the reason for this war?

DURYODHANA: The Pandavas showed themselves before their time

was up. They should go back to the forest for twelve more years. But
my father has pardoned them. Let them give up all claim to the
kingdom and stay free. Krishna turns to Arjuna who says to him:

ARJUNA: My brother Yudhishthira asks for his kingdom. What is

his unshakable right, he demands resolutely—now--and he won't
wait.

135
136 EXILE IN THE FOREST

DURYODHANA: He will see his elephants with smashed skulls, retch-

ing blood. Yudhishthira must be crushed. It's a necessity and it's
predicted by every astrologer.
ARJUNA: And I say, I can feel victory walking by my side. My aging
eyes see the future clearly. Every night, hungry creatures rise from
the underworld and surround me in the hope of a slaughter.
KRISHNA: I love you all. I cannot take sides.
DURYODHANA: It's true. You've shown the same friendship to Arjuna
and me. Our family bonds are the same. But I was the first to enter
here, I have priority.
KRISHNA: Yes, you were the first to enter. But when I opened my
eyes, they fell on Arjuna. It's for him to say what he would prefer.
To Arjuna On one side I set the mass of my warriors, fully equipped,
ready for war. And on the other side, myself, alone, unarmed, taking
no part in the battle. Which do you choose?
ARJUNA: I choose you.
KRISHNA: Me, alone, unarmed?
ARJUNA: Yes.

DURYODHANA: That means I have the entire mass of your warriors?

KRISHNA: They are yours.
DURYODHANA: Fully equipped? Determined to fight?
KRISHNA: Determined and faithful.
DuRyonHANA: Even to fight against Arjuna?
KRISHNA: Yes, even against him.
DURYODHANA: You yourself won't fight? You won't use your disc?
KRISHNA: I will not fight. Duryodbana shouts victoriously and leaves.
Duryodhana and Arjuna with Krishna 137

KRISHNA: When you chose me, what was in your mind?

ARJUNA: I am strong, I don't need your strength. But I need you to
drive my chariot. This thought never leaves me. Be my driver.
KRISHNA: I will drive your chariot. I promise.
 THE EMBASSIES

A council of war composed of Dhritarashtra and his wife Gandhari,

Kama, Duryodhana, and Dushassana. Bhishma and Drona return from
a mission.
DHRITARASHTRA: Bhishma, what did they say? What is the Pandavas'
answer to our offer?
BHISHMA: Death is now watching your children. He is already here,
observing us, intrigued.
DRONA: They are preparing for war.
BHISHMA: Hundreds of kings accompany them. Each one has chosen
his prey.
DHRITARASHTRA: They will come to inform me of the death of my
children, of my children's children.
BHISHMA: I don't understand you. Everyone is afraid, everyone suf-
fers!
DURYODHANA: And I am the cause of this suffering. Everyone says
so, it's all because of me. But in the past, Bhishma, unaided, con-
quered all these kings. No one can kill him, we know that. He can't
die unless he chooses and we are at his side. Our friends laugh at your
fears. They would throw themselves into the fire for us.
DHRITARAsHTRA: It's Bhima above all who frightens me. Every night,
I wake with this fear. I see his mace above my head.

138
The Embassies 139

DURYODHANA: Bhishma, Salva, Jayadratha, Drona, and his son As-

watthaman are there with terrifying weapons. And Karna! We have
eleven complete armies against seven. Victory is a fruit in my hand,
it's the truth, and I will govern the earth or else I will measure my
length in the dust.
DUSHASSANA: Your reign was rich and calm.
DURYODHANA: Yes, so the poets say. All around me I saw happiness.
To Bhishma Is it true, Bhishma?
BHISHMA: It's true.
DURYODHANA: To Drona Is it true, Drona?
DRONA: It's true.
DURYODHANA: Nobody is calling for our enemies to return. I was
given a kingdom which I stamped with a number: One. I won't
mutilate this kingdom, I won't skin it alive. I will leave it intact as
it was given. I will never share it, I yield nothing.
DHRITARASHTRA: To Bhishma And Krishna? You've seen him?
BHISHMA: He is with them.
DURYODHANA: You're afraid of Krishna?
GANDHARI: It's him above all that I fear.
DURYODHANA: He has given me his powerful armies. Is that a way
to destroy me?
DUSHASSANA: No one knows what Krishna intends.
DURYODHANA: People say he's close to the gods. I am too. My powers
are divine, they are irresistible, magical. Yes, I can sing the wind and
the rain into submission, I can harden water. No demon, no sorcerer
can harm me. No storm nor fire can protect those I hate!
140 EXILE IN THE FOREST

KARNA: If the gods were on Yudhishthira's side, he would never have

lost at dice.
DURYODHANA: I never lost.
KARNA: I will kill Arjuna. I learned this in a dream and my dreams
are true.
BHISHMA: Karna, this earth that you despise and walk on with such
pride will strike you one day. It will drag you down and you will
cry to heaven in vain.
KARNA: To Bhishma You always treat me like an imbecile and a
coward. Is it because of your great age?
BHISHMA: Old I may be, as you enjoy repeating, still I don't know
a warrior anywhere who is my equal.
KARNA: Not even Arjuna? Not even me?
BHISHMA: No one.
KARNA: Not even Drona?
BHISHMA: Not even Drona. Drona nods in agreement.
DURYODHANA: To Bhishma In that case, I ask and you can't refuse:
take command. Be our general.
BHISHMA: Me?
KARNA: Aren't you the best? The invincible? The incomparable? The
one who is impossible to kill?
BHISHMA: Duryodhana, I've always lived without a kingdom. Don't
impose this burden on me.
KARNA: Everything that's threatening us, everything that's tearing us
apart comes from you, from the lunatic promise you made long ago,
long before we were born—never a woman, never a child. Your
interminable, useless life you have spent here, eating and drinking
The Embassies 141

from the king's hand. If you shrink from the battle, your white life
will be stained. You can't refuse. I wouldn't hesitate. What I owe, I
pay.
DHRITARASHTRA: Bhishma, accept the commandment. With you and
Drona, there'd be no more risk and I'd never again be afraid. Who
knows, perhaps they'll give up the thought of war.
DURYODHANA: YOU accept?
KARNA: Or you're afraid of death, after all?
BHISHMA: I'm afraid of everything except death. Yes, I accept, but on
one condition: Karna must not fight.
DURYODHANA: Why?
BHISHMA: I can't say why.
DURYODHANA: Are you afraid his light might outshine yours?
BHISHMA: No. That's not what I fear.
DURYODHANA: Then why leave Karna idle? Bhishma does not answer.
He stays silent. In the silence, Karna seizes his sword and throws it at
Bhishma's feet saying:
KARNA: Here. I will only fight after your death. He leaves, followed

by Duryodhana and Drona. Bhishma is alone with the royal couple,

Dhritarashtra and Gandhari. He picks up Karna's sword and looks at it.
Night is falling. Dhritarashtra asks:
DHRITARASHTRA: Bhishma, are you there?
BHISHMA: Yes.
DHRITARASHTRA: IS it night?
BHISHMA: Yes, it's already dark.
DHRITARASHTRA: I'm reassured. I thank you. They say the blind are
not made to lead the world, but those who see tear one another apart
142 EXILE IN THE FOREST

and kill. Bhishma says nothing. He is still looking at Karna's sword.

Gandhari?
GANDHARI: I am here.
DHRITARASHTRA: I dread the moment of sleep. Something keeps me
awake, every night. Sometimes I open my eyes and sense the pres-
ence of evil.
GANDHARI: Hate burns your sons and the same hate clouds your
reason. You want to keep what isn't yours.
BHISHMA: A single one of your thoughts could destroy the world.
You haven't the right to be foolish.
GANDHARI: Give your nephews back their kingdom.
DHRITARASHTRA: A deathless boy, very young and very old, once said
to me: "Death doesn't exist." What did he mean?
BHISHMA: Ask him. He is here. An ageless ascetic has appeared in the
dimly lit room.
DHRITARASHTRA: Are you the deathless boy?
ASCETIC: Yes.
DHRITARASHTRA: You said "Death does not exist"?
ASCETIC: I did.
DHRITARASHTRA: Yet even gods make sacrifices so as not to die.
ASCETIC: Both things are true. Poets pay homage to death, they
glorify it in song. But I tell you death is negligence. It is ignorance,
and vigilance is immortality. Death is a tiger crouching in the brush;
we create children for death. But death cannot devour a man who has
shaken off his dust; it is powerless against eternity. The wind, life,
flow from the infinite, the moon drinks the breath of life, the sun
drinks the moon, and the infinite drinks the sun. The wise man soars
The Embassies 143

between the worlds. When his body is destroyed, when no trace of

it remains, then death itself is destroyed and he contemplates infinity.
I said farewell to myself and I see myself in all beings. I am all that
is not yet here, all that is still to come. I am the ancestor. I am space.
The cause of my birth is myself. I am the limit of everything; tireless,
indestructible. The ascetic sits down a little to one side.
BHISHMA: Above this world and below this world there is nothing but
darkness, and so it is in the mystery of your heart.
DHRITARASHTRA: Stay close to me all night. A moment's silence. Then
Duryodhana and Dushassana enter.
DuRyonHANA: Krishna is on his way.
DHRITARASHTRA: Krishna?
DURYODHANA: He comes in embassy, sent by Yudhishthira. Dushas-
sana says to his brother:
DUSHASSANA: This is the perfect moment. Let's seize Krishna and put
him in irons.
DURYODHANA: To Dushassana Yes. I like your idea. I already have all
his armies. I'll keep him prisoner.
GANDHARI: No! Krishna brings danger, don't touch him!
DHRITARASHTRA: Quick! Prepare him a palace. And perfumes, pre-
cious stones! Let the whole city gaze upon him! Send him young
naked girls! Sprinkle water before him!
KRISHNA: It's not worth the trouble. I'm here. They turn toward
Krishna, who has just come in.
DHRITARASHTRA: The seat of honor, quick! Refreshments, fans!
Krishna waves away the seat of honor that is presented to him and sits
on the ground. He stops the music. Drona offers him refreshments which
he refuses too.
144 EXILE IN THE FOREST

DRONA: Why do you refuse?

KRISHNA: Ambassadors only receive honors at the end of their mis-
sion. These refreshments must be eaten in joy.
DHRITARASHTRA: Yudhishthira has sent you?
KRISHNA: Yes.
DHRITARASHTRA: We don't understand why.
DURYODHANA: What is your purpose?
KRISHNA: To Dhritarashtra Dhritarashtra, my words are for you. You
haven't forgotten that the Pandavas, your five nephews, were raised
by you, they are like your sons. You must give them what is theirs.
There is nothing more to say.
DHRITARASHTRA: Krishna, I'm not the master. I can't answer for
myself. Speak to my son.
KRISHNA: To Duryodhana You wish to listen?
DURYODHANA: I'm listening.
KRISHNA: You're of noble blood, you are learned, your qualities are
real. You raise your voice and you're obeyed. But you are destroying
your life. The man who scorns advice burns his stomach as though
with green fruit. His friends groan for a moment, then disaster
catches him up. The earth loathes and rejects him. You long for
omnipotence, for total splendor, but stay master of yourself and don't
despise others.
DHRITARASHTRA: To Duryodhana Bow down before Yudhishthira,
lay your pride at his feet. He will raise you up, he will put his hand
on your shoulder. Bhima will clasp you in his arms.
BHISHMA: Don't oblige me to kill my family.
DRONA: Don't compel me to fight Arjuna.
The Embassies 145

DHRITARASHTRA: Enjoy the earth like brothers.

DURYODHANA: To Krishna When you speak, it's always me you
blame. And the others as well, everything falls on me, always me. You
all hate me and yet I've never committed the least fault, never! It was
Sakuni who won; it wasn't my doing. I have one question to put to
you, Krishna: do you believe in the possibility of peace?
KRISHNA: I think what I say is possible, otherwise I would not say
it.
DURYODHANA: But in the depths of your heart, if you listen without
lying, don't you hear the growl of war?
KRISHNA: Can a war without a winner be a war? Could a man with
his eyes open plunge into war knowing that everyone will die?
DURYODHANA: Everyone keeps telling me I can't win. Very well,
death by arms is a grand death, the best of deaths. I will never bow
down.
KRISHNA: As I was leaving, Yudhishthira called me back and said, "I
have chosen five villages: Avisthala, Vrikartala, Makandi, Varanavata,
and Avasaba. Let Dhritarashtra leave us these five villages and there'll
be no war."
DURYODHANA: A king does not stake his kingdom. A king does not
stoop to ask for five villages. I will not give five villages. I will not
give one village. I will not give the point of a needle of earth.
Krishna speaks very forcefully:
KRISHNA: Let one thing be certain: you will have your grand death!
If the earth is clamoring for victims, we will see a splendid massacre.
The game of dice was a fraud, as well you know! Draupadi was
dragged in public and you say: "I haven't committed a single fault"?
Duryodhana and Dushassana storm out, furious. To the king Quick, call
them back. They want to take hold of me!
146 EXILE IN THE FOREST

BHISHMA: Like madmen, like children.

KRISHNA: Your son wants to make me his hostage, so much the worse
for him.
DHRITARASHTRA: To Krishna Wait! Don't go!
GANDHARI: Krishna, spare him! Duryodhana has reappeared with Du-
shassana. They are armed and threatening. Gandhari tries to calm Du-
ryodhana: My son, your hatred's for yourself. After thirteen years of
anger, try to be calm.
KRISHNA: Duryodhana, you think I'm alone?
DRONA: You want to take hold of Krishna? You don't know who he
is?
BHISHMA: You think he's defenseless? Look—look carefully. Everyone
looks at Krishna, who is smiling. Vyasa and the boy hold a thin curtain
in front of him. Music rises. When he laughs, thirteen tongues of fire
spring from his mouth. Brahma sits on his bow; the guardians of the
world stand on his arms. I see the Adityas, the Sadhyas, the Vasus;
above him vast armies are assembled. From his eyes, his nose, his ears
billow fire and smoke—heavenly, universal, terrible form. Rays of
light stream from his skin. . . . Most are prostrate, except Duryodhana
and Dushassana.
DHRITARASHTRA: Lighten my eyes for a moment, I beg you, let me
see you!
KRISHNA: Yes, here are eyes. Krishna gestures toward Dhritarashtra.
DHRITARASHTRA: I see you. A moment's silence. All are watching in
wonder.
Mumma: Out of chaos, a miracle . . .
DHRITARASHTRA: My son, can you see as I do?
The Embassies 147

BHISHMA: To Duryodhana Can you see? Duryodhana does not reply and
leaves abruptly with Dushassana.
DHRITARASHTRA: Where are you going? Come back. Listen to us!
Look!
BHISHMA: The flames slowly die down, the universe vanishes, the
light fades. He resumes the form of a man.
DHRITARASHTRA: Darkness covers me again. I can no longer distin-
guish anything. Krishna, Krishna, I did what I could.
KRISHNA: So did I. Krishna rises. Dbritarasbtra and Gandbari leave
together.
 KRISHNA'S LAST EFFORTS

Krishna stays alone with Bhishma who is deep in thought.

KRISHNA: Where are your thoughts, Bhishma?
BHISHMA: Fixed on what I must do.
KRISHNA: You have agreed to take command. You will fight.
BHISHMA: Yes.

KRISHNA: Withdraw. Nothing ties you to this war.

BHISHMA: I cannot betray those who have fed me.
KRISHNA: Close your eyes. Descend into the secret recesses of your
heart. Are you sure, despite your love of peace, that you are not
following an obscure desire to show your supremacy?
BHISHMA: My place is here. You know it. With these words, he leaves.
Kunti appears and asks Krishna:
KuNTI: Krishna, are you leaving?
KRISHNA: Yes, Kunti. What shall I say to your sons, whom you
haven't seen for so many years? That I found you sad and silent? That
you burn with desire to see them again?
KuNTI: No, don't say that. Tell Yudhishthira that a bad king is a
contagious disease, that he perverts his age. Tell him he was not born
for a meager life. Say to him awake, arise, or else you are just a hole
infested with rats, a contented worm.

148
Krishna's Last Efforts 149

KRISHNA: Your son could answer me. What could a piece of land
mean to me, or pleasure, or life?
KUNTI: Answer him, he is not alone. For all the creatures around him,
he is the center. If he is lacking in resolution, his great opponent,
misery, will grow rich from his weakness. Tell him I was once a
young and beautiful sovereign laden with garlands. He never knew
me, but he will know me starving. He will see me broken and
demented.
KRISHNA: And if he says to you you have shut your heart to pity?
KUNTI: Kindness has no power and its taste is bitter. Forge yourself
a heart of iron, for pity is a poison.
KRISHNA: And my body? I feel tenderly toward my body.
KUNTI: I would tell my son: your body is beautiful, your body is
noble, but if you live with the fear of death, why were you given life?
Burn like a torch, if only for an instant, rather than smolder for a long
while. Tell him this besides: be the enemy of your enemies; send spies
to watch over them. Be strong and the strong will come to you, or
else my words have lost their light. Speak to Arjuna, speak to Madri's
children, whom I regard as my own, speak to Draupadi—she under-
stands me—speak to Bhima, tell him it is for this moment that a
woman bears a son. If he lets it pass, he will be sterile and I will reject
him for ever.
KRISHNA: And Karna? Kunti remains silent for an instant. She lowers
her voice to answer:
KUNTI: He has thrown down his sword. I know it, he will not fight.
KRISHNA: And if Bhishma eventually meets his death? If Karna joins
the battle? Kunti says nothing. I am going back to your sons. Have
you anything else to say to them?
KUNTI: Tell them I am keeping well. Kunti leaves. Karna's voice is
heard, saying:
150 EXILE IN THE FOREST

KARNA: That was Kunti?

KRISHNA: Yes, that was Kunti. You were looking for me?
KARNA: No, I was walking by myself in the palace. Sometimes I like
to be alone. I go my own way, you know, closed, confused, plagued
by rumors. Him whom I call father and her whom I call mother are
not my father and mother.
KRISHNA: Karna, you are the son of Kunti. Karna receives this revela-
tion, but says nothing. You were born before her marriage, but when
a woman already has a child, he becomes the child of the man she
marries. You know that. Karna nods his head. You are therefore
Pandu's son. That's why Bhishma wished to prevent you from
fighting. Because your enemies are your brothers.
KARNA: They know it?
KRISHNA: No, but if I reveal your birth to them, they will bring you
perfumes and gold, and on the sixth day Draupadi will be your wife.
Bhima will carry your fan, Arjuna will drive your chariot, I myself
will follow you. Your brothers, your friends, your mother will be
happy. Duryodhana will no longer dare to fight.
KARNA: My mother abandoned me, abandoned me to chance, to a
river's whim. A chariot driver found me and took me home. His wife
washed away my urine and my excrement, the driver gave me his
warmth. Neither the earth itself nor mountains of gold, neither joy
nor fear could make me change my feelings. I have given my word.
I won't take it back. Don't reveal my birth. As I was born before him,
Yudhishthira would want to give me his crown and 1 would pass it
on to Duryodhana, because I am the son of a driver. May Yudhish-
thira have a long reign. Everything I've said to wound him I regret.
Krishna, we are going to celebrate the great sacrifice of arms and the
eye that lights on everything will be yours. We will have drums and
cries of war; we will have blood, and skulls in which to drink the
blood. The sacrifice will invade the night. When you see me
stretched out dead, when you see Bhima devour Dushassana's guts,
Krishna's Last Efforts 151

when Bhishma and Drona are destroyed, when you hear the women
wail, the sacrifice will be over. Dispose of everything. I know what
you want.
KRISHNA: I give you the earth and you reject it.
KARNA: Put Arjuna in front of me and do not tell him I'm his
mother's son.
KRISHNA: The victory of the Pandavas is assured. Tell your friends,
"Look, it's spring, the buds are sweet, the water sparkles, everyone
is joyful. We are going to die."
KARNA: You who know me so well, why do you trouble me? If you
are here to bring the earth to its end, very well, the time has come.
KRISHNA: No, I'm not here to destroy.
KARNA: Flesh and blood rain from the sky. Bodiless voices cry in the
night. Horses weep. One-eyed, one-legged monstrosities hop across
the land. Birds perch on flags with fire in their beaks crying "Ripe!
It's ripe!" A cow gives birth to an ass, a woman to a jackal. Newborn
babies dance. Sons learn to be men between their mothers' thighs.
Statues write with their weapons. Torches no longer give light.
Cripples laugh. The different races merge. Vultures come to prayer.
The setting sun is surrounded by disfigured corpses. Time will de-
stroy the universe. I'm racked all night by my dreams. I dreamed of
you, surrounded by bleeding entrails. I dreamed of Yudhishthira,
radiant, mounted on a pile of bones, drinking from a golden goblet.
I know from where victory will come.
KRISHNA: You must be right. If I can't touch your heart, the ruin of
the earth is near.
KARNA: One thing is certain, Krishna. We will make a great journey
together.
KRISHNA: Yes, and we will find each other again, one day. They
embrace.
 PART III

■
*11).■
-

THE WAR
 THE BHAGAVAD-GITA

All the armies are assembled for battle. The kings and their warriors are
facing one another. There is a roll of drums. Yudhishthira goes toward
Dhritarashtra, saying:
YUDHISHTHIRA: Dhritarashtra, you have chosen war. It is here. Now,
all is ready—my warriors, my horses, my chariots, my elephants,
many millions of weapons, convoys, food stores, forges, tents for the
wounded, logs for the funeral pyres, musicians, soothsayers, prosti-
tutes, poisonous snakes. My orders are given, my armies shake the
earth. Listen, Bhima is blowing his conch, you recognize his breath?
Arjuna, with Krishna at his reins, will give the signal and the battle
you wish for will begin.

DHRITARASHTRA: We must fix the rules of war.

YUDHISHTHIRA: Speak!

DHRITARASHTRA: Never fight at night. Never strike a man who has

withdrawn from the fray, nor a man fighting with words.

YUDHISHTHIRA: And never strike in the back, nor on the legs.

DHRITARASHTRA: IS Vyasa here?

VYASA: Yes, I am always here.

DHRITARASHTRA: You who are composing this poem, do you know

who will win?

155
156 THE WAR

VYASA: The future does not exist, Dhritarashtra. But I can give you
eyes to see the battle.
DHRITARASHTRA: No, I don't want to see my children die. Sanjaya
will tell me everything.
VYASA: Sanjaya, you will be the king's eye. I will give you a spe-
cial power: without moving you will see every detail of the battle-
field.
SANJAYA: Yes, I see the north and the south, the east and the west.
I see many millions of men, as far as the horizon, and I see the look
on every face.
DHRITARASHTRA: Stay by my side.
Dhritarashtra and Gandhari stay with Sanjaya. Opposite them, Kunti
is sitting with Draupadi. Vyasa moves away. Gandhari calls him back:
GANDHARI: Vyasa, are you leaving?
VYASA: Yes, I'm going to prepare for the dead.
GANDHARI: Who is going to die? Who will be your victims?
KUNTI: Vyasa, you find too much beauty in men's death. Blood
decorates your poem, and the cries of the dying are your music.
VYASA: Don't throw this growing horror onto me. Each of you could
have made this war impossible.
BOY: I don't want to see people die. Can I stay with the king? Vyasa
nods and leaves.
In the Pandava camp, Arjuna is alone, in prayer. Draupadi comes up
to him.
DRAUPADI: Arjuna, the two armies are face to face, their great lines,

glittering with pride, seem without end. All the peoples of the world
are there, hungry for the earth, ready to hurl themselves on one
another like dogs on a scrap of flesh. For fourteen years I've been
waiting for this moment. Arjuna says nothing. He looks at her.
The Bhagavad-Gita 157

DRAUPADI: Krishna has prepared your chariot. He is checking your

weapons. He is speaking to your horses. Everything is in your hands.

You know it. Arjuna nods gently.

DRAUPADI: What god have you chosen to protect you today?

ARJUNA: I've chosen the black goddess, she who wears a chain of
deaths round her neck. I have chosen Kali.

DRAUPADI: And if one of these deaths should be yours? Arjuna, when

I think of you, my skin goes dry and I shake. My confidence goes.
They embrace. As they do so, Krishna appears. Krishna and Arjuna leave
together. Draupadi goes out on the other side. All the warriors except
Arjuna now appear, ready for the confrontation. At this moment, Yud-
hishthira leaves the Pandavas' ranks, lays down his arms, and walks alone
toward the Kauravas. Bhima follows, trying to hold him back.
BHIMA: Yudhishthira, where are you going, alone and unarmed? Are
you afraid at the last moment? What do you want with our enemies?
Yudhishthira comes to where Bhishma stands and says:
YUDHISHTHIRA: Bhishma, I touch your feet. We are going to fight
against you, you whom no one can kill. Grant me leave to strike you.

BHISHMA: If you hadn't come to me, Yudhishthira, I would have

hated and despised you. I am chained to your enemies. Commit

yourself to the struggle and fight until you win. Yudhishthira crosses
to Drona:
YUDHISHTHIRA: Drona, I touch your feet. We will fight against you;
you who made us. Grant me leave to strike you.

DRONA: If you hadn't come to me, I too would have despised you.
I too am chained to your enemies. I too wish for your victory.

YUDHISHTHIRA: Fight with them, but think of me.

DRONA: You cannot be beaten.

158 THE WAR

YUDHISHTHIRA: YOU promise us victory?

DRONA: So long as Bhishma and I are alive, that victory is impossible.
YUDHISHTHIRA: Victory and defeat are impossible?
DRONA: That's what I say.
YUDHISHTHIRA: Is there a way of killing you?
DRONA: No, not unless I lay down my arms to prepare for death.
YUDHISHTHIRA: Before whom could you lay down your arms? Drona
is silent for a moment, then he answers:
DRONA: Before a man of truth, the day he chooses to lie. Yudhisbtbira
returns to bis camp, saying to himself:
YUDHISHTHIRA: Now, the battle begins. The warriors take their posi-
tions for the battle.
GANDHARI: I hear a chariot.
SANJAYA: Arjuna, led by Krishna, is advancing between the two
armies. They stop. Arjuna grasps his conch to launch the battle. He
looks one way then the other, he sees Bhishma, he sees Drona, he sees
his cousins, his friends.
ARJUNA: Krishna, my legs grow weak, my mouth is dry, my body
trembles, my bow slips from my hands, my skin burns, I can no
longer stand. What good can come from this battle? My family will
be massacred. If this is the price, who can wish for victory, or pleas-
ure, or even life? Uncles, cousins, nephews, and Drona, my teacher—
they are all there. I can't bring death to my own family. What
happiness could that give? All pleasure would be stained in blood.
No, I prefer not to defend myself. I will wait here for death.
DHRITARASHTRA: What's he doing?
SANJAYA: He has thrown down his bow and his arrows.
The Bhagavad-Gita 159

GANDHARI: He has thrown down his bow and his arrows.

DURYODHANA: Arjuna has thrown down his bow and his arrows?
DUSHASSANA: Arjuna refuses to fight?
YUDHISHTHIRA: Why does he bow his head? Where is his pride?
Where is his wish to fight?
KRISHNA: What is this mad and shameful weakness? Stand up.
ARJUNA: How can I aim my arrows at Bhishma, at Drona? I am in
anguish, my resolution's gone. I'm shaking, I can't see where my
duty lies. Teach me.
KRISHNA: Victory and defeat, pleasure and pain are all the same. Act,
but don't reflect on the fruits of the act. Forget desire; seek detach-
ment.
ARJUNA: Yet you urge me to battle, to massacre. Your words are
ambiguous. I am confused.
KRISHNA: Renunciation is not enough. You must not withdraw into
solitude. You must not stay without action, for we are here to serve
the world.
ARJUNA: Yes, I know.
KRISHNA: You must rise up free from hope and throw yourself into
the battle.
ARJUNA: I cannot. Krishna murmurs in his ear. How can I put into
practice what you're demanding of me? The mind is capricious,
unstable; it's evasive, feverish, turbulent, tenacious. It's harder to
subdue than taming the wind.
KRISHNA: WS true.
You must learn to see with the same eye a mound of earth and a
heap of gold, a cow and a sage, a dog and the man who eats the dog.
The mind is greater than the senses. Above the mind there is pure
160 THE WAR

intelligence, freed from thought. Beyond pure intelligence there is

being—universal being. That is where you live, where we all live.
ARJUNA: All the time, we are swept away. How can I decide? How
can I choose? With what will? We are dragged toward evil, as though
compelled. Why?
KRISHNA: There is a way to rid oneself of this poison.
ARJUNA: What is this way?
KRISHNA: changing his tone To reply to his question, Krishna led
Arjuna through the tangled forest of illusion. He began to teach him
the ancient yoga of wisdom and the mysterious path of action. He
spoke for a long time, a very long time, between the two armies
preparing to destroy themselves.
ARJUNA: All men are born into illusion. How can one reach the truth
if one is born in illusion?
KRISHNA: Slowly Krishna led Arjuna through all the fibers of his
spirit. He showed him the deepest movements of his being and his
true battlefield where you need neither warriors nor arrows, where
each man must fight alone. It's the most secret knowledge. He
showed him the whole of truth; he taught him how the world un-
folds.
ARJUNA: I feel my illusions vanish, one by one. Now, if I'm capable
of contemplating it, show me your universal form.
I can't count your mouths, nor your eyes, nor your jewels, your
clothes, your weapons. Astonishing vision, all-penetrating form,
magnificent, endless, as though a thousand suns rise in the sky. I see
you, in one point I see the entire world. All the warriors hurl them-
selves into your mouth and you grind them between your teeth.
They wish to be destroyed and you destroy them. Through your
body I see the stars, I see life and death, I see silence. Tell me who
are you. I am shaken to the depths and I'm afraid.
The Bhagavad-Gita 161

KRISHNA: Matter changes but I am all that you say, all that you think.
Everything rests on me like pearls on a thread. I am the earth's scent
and the fire's heat. I am appearance and disappearance. I am the
trickster's hoax. I am the radiance of all that shines. All beings fall
in the night and all beings are brought back to daylight. I have already
defeated all these warriors, but he who thinks he can kill and he who
thinks he can be killed are both mistaken. No weapon can pierce the
life that informs you; no fire can burn it; no water can drench it; no
wind can make it dry. Have no fear and rise up, because I love you.
After a short silence, Krishna continues: Then Krishna resumed his
kind and benevolent form. He said to Arjuna: "Now you can domi-
nate your mysterious, incomprehensible spirit, you can see its other
side. Act as you must act. I myself am never without action. Rise up."
ARJUNA: My illusion is dissolved, my error destroyed. Thanks to you
my understanding has returned. Now I am firm. My doubts are
dispersed, I will act according to your word. Suddenly Duryodhana
cries out:
DURYODHANA: When will they stop talking? If Arjuna refuses to
fight, if he's paralyzed with fear, let him go back to the woods with
his brothers and let me reign. Arjuna blows on his conch, giving the
signal for battle. The battle begins. Bhishma leads the Kauravas, who seem
to be winning.
GANDHARI: Already, torn flesh, stomachs ripped, stamping elephants
crushing chests; fathers can't recognize their sons. The dying cry:
"It's me! Do I know you? Don't move! Don't leave me!" Enemy
hooked to enemy, bolted together with iron.
DHRITARASHTRA: Sanjaya, can you see Bhishma?
SANJAYA: Yes, he bestrides the battle. He plays it like a dance. He's
fire without smoke, irresistible energy. He cuts off hundreds of heads
without emotion.
DHRITAxAsHTRA: These cries, what do they say?
162 THE WAR

GANDHARI: It's Bhima shouting at Dushassana: "I'll kill you, I'll kill
you!"
DHRITARASHTRA: He will kill him. Nothing can save my son.
GANDHARI: You permitted the game of dice. What you sowed, you
reap.
The Pandavas launch a counterattack. Night falls and a bugle halts the
battle. The fighters retire.
Bhishma is being massaged in his tent. Drona, Duryodhana, Dushas-
sana, and Karna (who has not been fighting) enter. Duryodhana says to
Bhishma:
DURYODHANA: Bhishma, you launched these attacks and you have
been thrown back. By what sorcery? You, whose strength is leg-
endary. You, the only stranger to death—are you on our enemies'
side?
BHISHMA: I have Arjuna and Bhima against me. I've already told
you—my voice is hoarse from telling you—Krishna's their guide.
Karna says to Duryodhana, without directly addressing Bhishma:
KARNA: Bhishma loves battles—the cries, the frenzy, the warm smell
of death. Blood feeds his pride. Yet he pities those he fights. Let him
withdraw and I will take his place.
DURYODHANA: Yes, if you have fear or pity, withdraw.
BHISHMA: Why do you lacerate me when I'm killing my family for
you? Your thoughts are like ashes, your mind gropes in the dark. The
man who is about to die sees all the trees covered with gold. You are
going to die.
DUSHASSANA: I saw Bhima hurl himself toward me, crying: "I'll kill
you! I'll kill you!"
DURYODHANA: Bhishma, you have failed me. Now, instantly, I de-
mand victory.
The Bhagavad-Gita 163

BHISHMA: Tomorrow. Tomorrow will be my greatest battle. Leave

me alone. Duryodhana, Karna, and Dushassana leave. As Drona is about
to go, Bhishma calls to him: Drona. Drona stops. His son Aswatthaman
remains behind him. Ask your son to leave.
DRONA: Aswatthaman . . . Aswatthaman withdraws.
BHISHMA: You love your son?
DRONA: He's all I have.
BHISHMA: I saw a stranger in a dream. He cried out: "I bear Drona's
death."
DRONA: Did he say why he wanted to kill me?
BHISHMA: He said you know. Drona thinks for a moment, then says:

DRONA: No one knows why he has to die, except you. He goes.

Bhishma is alone, pensive.

BHISHMA: Yes, that's true. Then he becomes aware of a woman who has
just appeared. It is Amba. Her clothes are tattered, she is very pale.
Bhishma is the only one to see her.
BHISHMA: IS it you, Amba?

AMBA: As you see.

BHISHMA: I wait for you every night.

AMBA: I know.

BHISHMA: Give up this madness. Stop hunting me across the earth;

accept being at peace at last.

AMBA: I bring you strange news. I am dead. Bhishma remains silent.

She continues: No one wished to fight against you. Alone, I climbed
to the snows that cover the roof of the world, seeking to know how
death can outwit death. In the icy fog and the biting wind, for twelve
164 THE WAR

years, I stayed upright and rigid on one toe, waiting for the voice of
a god. I turned into rock, I became snow. After twelve years, a voice
rang out, commanding: "Gather bark, twigs, moss." I did so. "Make
a pile of dry wood." I did so. "Rub flints together, light the wood,
wait until the flames hide the sky." My eyes open, I threw myself
onto the fire. My skin crackled, the smell reached my nostrils, I
choked. I was in pain, I cried out, I am dead.
BHISHMA: You are dead?
AMBA: Yes.
BHISHMA: So you've lost your desire to kill me?
AMBA: No. Bhishma says nothing. Amba resumes. In death's gray zone,

I waited for my new strength. I was neither above nor below, neither
in nor out—sweating, ice-cold, with one single image before my eyes:
yours Bhishma. I had burnt myself for you and now I knew another
birth. Here is my second surprise. I'm taking part in this battle and
I'm now a man.
BHISHMA: What is your name?
AMBA: I've a man's shape, a man's sex. One thing is sure, it never

wavers: in the depths of my heart—a woman's heart—there's only

you, Bhishma, you alone for all time. My name is now Sikhandin.
Sikhandin. She goes.
Then Arjuna, Krishna, and Yudhishthira enter, coming to visit
Bhishma in his own camp under cover of night. He gestures to them to
sit.
ARJUNA: After nine days of battle, victory eludes us. Our banners are
tattered, our chariots smashed, our finest horsemen beheaded. Death
and blood spurt from your hand and we are drowning in them.
Bhishma, how can we defeat you? You must tell us.
BHISHMA: As long as I'm alive, that is impossible. You must kill me
first. If I die, everything dies.
The Bhagavad-Gita 165

YUDHISHTHIRA: But you can choose when to die. How can we kill
you?
BHISHMA: No one can kill me, so long as I carry my arms.
KRISHNA: And if you laid down your arms?
BHISHMA: Yes, if I laid down my arms and I accepted to die, yes, then

you could kill me.

ARJUNA: Who could make you lay down your arms?
BHISHMA: An unarmed man, a cripple, the father of an only son, a
woman. He addresses Yudbishthira: You want me to die, Yudhish-
thira? You are asking me to die?
YUDHISHTHIRA: You brought us up. How could I want you to die?
ARJUNA: Yet you must understand, as no one can kill you, the massa-
cre will continue until no life remains.
YUDHISHTHIRA: I've made my decision. I must stop the war. A mo-
ment's pause.
BHISHMA: No. There's a man fighting in your ranks, the only man

capable of killing me.

KRISHNA: Who?
BHISHMA: Sikhandin. Yes, if I saw Sikhandin before me, I could not
fight and he could kill me.
KRISHNA: Why?
BHISHMA: No. I'll say no more. Kill me if you wish, but grant me the
secret of my death. Arjuna, put Sikhandin in the lead tomorrow, tell
him to raise his bow and strike.
ARJUNA: When I was a child, you used to take me on your knee. I'd
soil your clothes with my dusty feet. I called you father. How can
I tell someone to strike you?
166 THE WAR

BHISHMA: It's lawful to kill an old man, however virtuous, when he

comes toward you bearing your death. Bhishma straightens. Arjuna,
Krishna, and Yudhishthira leave. Dawn is breaking, Bhishma returns to
battle. Dhritarashtra asks Sanjaya:
DHRITARASHTRA: Has the SIM risen?
SANJAYA: Yes, it's misty and red.
DHRITARASHTRA: IS Bhishma back in the field?
SANJAYA: Yes, he's the first to advance. He strikes without seeming
to move, his hands launch columns of air and the shattered armies
retreat. Amba, who has become the warrior Sikhandin, appears.
BOY: A man is coming toward him, alone.
DHRITARASHTRA: Alone?
GANDHARI: A young warrior. He walks. He stops.

BOY: He hesitates. He goes back again.

DHRITARASHTRA: Who is this young madman? What does he want?
Hasn't Bhishma already killed him?
SANJAYA: No. Bhishma has just seen him. He doesn't move.
BOY: He lowers his arms.
DHRITARASHTRA: Bhishma? Why? Has his chariot been broken? Has
his bow been snapped?
SANJAYA: They are facing one another. Amba is now a man. She is
Sikhandin. She carries arms and wears men's clothes. Arjuna is behind
her/him. Krishna is not far from them. The young warrior asks Bhishma:
AMBA—SIKHANDIN: Do you recognize me?
BHISHMA: You are Sikhandin.
AMBA—SIKHANDIN: Yes, that's my name. Your long life has reached
its end. Take a last look at this world you'll see no more.
The Bhagavad-Gita 167

BHISHMA: I've still got my weapons. I can't leave without one last

fight. Attack me. Bhishma challenges Sikhandin who lifts his bow.
ARJUNA: Go close to him. Only you can kill him. Suddenly Amba-
Sikhandin hesitates.
AMBA-SIKHANDIN: At the very last moment, my hand shakes. How

can I kill this immense old man? My mind is darkening.

ARJUNA: His spirit has already left him. He's just a twitching bag of
flesh. Attack him!
AMBA—SIKHANDIN: Who was I before I became a man?
ARJUNA: Go close to him! Look him in the face! Attack!
AMBA-SIKHANDIN: I can't raise my arm. Arjuna pushes Sikhandin, who
now faces Bhishma. Bhishma drops his fighting pose.
BHISHMA: Amba, in memory of a long-past day, I now bring the
slaughter to its end. Arjuna and Yudishthira, listen to me. My body
drops away. It's wounded and dismayed. The day and the moment
have come.
ARJUNA: To Sikhandin Shoot your arrow! You threw yourself into
the fire to kill him.
AMBA—SIKHANDIN: Why does he call me Amba? Why such hate?
Where was it born? I can't remember. Krishna says to Arjuna:
KRISHNA: You, quick, shoot an arrow! Don't let him take back his
life!
ARJUNA: I can't.
KRISHNA: Shoot an arrow. Sheltered by Sikhandin, Arjuna shoots an
arrow at Bhishma. The arrow moves through the air with infinite slowness
and hits the old man. He staggers.
BHISHMA: The precise arrow that kills me, Sikhandin, is not yours.
You didn't shoot it. It enters my flesh like a snake. It's Arjuna's arrow.
The warriors prepare a bed of arrows. Bhishma is laid on it.
168 THE WAR

DHRITARASHTRA: Has Bhishma fallen?

SANJAYA: He's not dead. His chest still rises and falls. A thousand
arrows pierce him.
DHRITARASHTRA: Bring me to him. Stop the battle. Krishna goes up
to Arjuna, who is looking dejected, and says to him:
KRISHNA: You didn't kill him. He decided to end his life.
ARJuNA: I loved him.
KRISHNA: You are my best friend, yet no doubt you'll see me die.
Sanjaya leads Dhritarashtra and Gandhari to Bhishma, who is sur-
rounded by the warriors.
DHRITARASHTRA: Can you hear my voice? Bhishma replies in a feeble
voice:
BHISHMA: Yes, I hear the blind man's voice. My head is falling back-
wards. Arjuna, give me the pillow I need. Arjuna shoots two arrows.
Bhishma leans his head on them.
DHRITARASHTRA: Bhishma, without you my confidence goes. I've
known you all my life, you've been my guide. Can you really die?
BHISHMA: I will stay on this bed until the sun reaches its zenith. At
that moment I will die. I will reach the eternal region. I'm already
on the other bank and it's from there that I speak.
Karna has just appeared. He goes to the bed of arrows.
BHISHMA: I hear Karna's steps.
KARNA: I've always been an object of hate for you.
BHISHMA: Give me your hand. Karna hesitates then places his hand in
Bhishma's. You betray your nature. You detest those who have the
qualities you lack. But you are strong and profound, as strong as
Arjuna. I ask you, Karna, unite, paralyze the war, live peacefully on
this earth.
The Bhagavad-Gita 169

KARNA: Duryodhana gave me everything, I will keep faith with him.

BHISHMA: One is only faithful to death. I too kept faith. I too am dead.
KARNA: They say the Pandavas can't be defeated. I say I will defeat
them. Grant me your permission to fight.
BHISHMA: If you wished, you could be like an ocean to the rivers, you
could be the cloud that brings rain.
KARNA: I beg you, speak to me favorably before you enter the world
of the dead.
BHISHMA: Can you fight without anger, without pride?
KARNA: Yes. Give me your leave.
BHISHMA: Go then, join the battle, since life seems to you so trifling,

and set me facing the east, toward the rising sun. Karna stands motion-
less, erect, while Bhishma is carried away.
KARNA: Prepare my weapons, bring out my chariot, raise my flag!
Duryodhana takes Karna in his arms.
DURYODHANA: My army has found its protector.
KARNA: Give me your orders.
DURYODHANA: For ten days Bhishma has been our chief. Who can
follow him? Choose. Karna's eye falls on Drona who is still prostrate
on the ground.
KARNA: You must name Drona, the finest of us all.
DURYODHANA: Aswatthaman, raise your father. Aswatthaman helps his
father to his feet. Drona, take command. I request victory of you.
DRONA: To Karna Why not you, Karna?
KARNA: Because I could not give you orders.
DRONA: You will accept mine?
170 THE WAR

KARNA: Yes, I will obey you. But you do not love me.
DuRyonHANA: Drona, I order you to lead us.

DRONA: The wheel stops on me. It's my turn now. Yes, I will lead
you. At once, Duryodhana cries out in joy:
DURYODHANA: Call the musicians! It's the last night of the war! He
goes.
Asw ATTHAmAN: Father, do you really know the way to destroy the
Pandavas?
DRONA: Yes, I know it.
KARNA: I don't believe you. Sometimes I tell myself your science is
just a lie, a dead leaf blown in on the wind.
DRONA: I know the way. The only way.
KARNA: Then speak, as I'm now under your command. What secret
formation will you use tomorrow, when you draw up your armies?
DRONA: There's only one formation that can destroy the Pandavas.
The disc. Rotating on itself, advancing remorselessly, it crushes ev-
erything in its way. No one knows how to break it open. No one,
except Arjuna.
KARNA: If we can draw Arjuna away from the battle, will you guaran-
tee us victory?
DRONA: Yes, I guarantee it.
AswATTHAmAN: How can you draw him away?

DRONA: By a ruse. We must launch an attack from the north, just

before the end of the night, an attack led by determined men. Sworn
to die by thousands of millions. The Trigarttans, for example. A
savage attack that no one but Arjuna could repel.
ASWATTHAMAN: But Bhima and the other brothers will fight us. How
can we stop them?
The Bhagavad-Gita 171

DRONA: I know the man to stop them. His name is Jayadratha. He

calls. Jayadratha! Jayadratha enters.

DRONA: Tomorrow I will need you. When the Pandavas attack, you

will place yourself here, to stop them. He indicates a position that he

has drawn in the earth.
JAYADRATHA: I lived for two years without eating, to obtain a favor
from the gods. The power to stop the Pandavas once, only once. All,
except Arjuna.
DRONA: Go and prepare. Jayadratha leaves.
Asw ATTHAmAN: And who will beat Arjuna, when he returns?
DRONA: Karna said he could beat him.
AswArrHAmAN: These men whom you formed, whom you trained
and brought up, whom you said were amongst the most beautiful
flowers of the earth—are you ready to trick and slaughter them?
Drona does not speak.
KARNA: Your son has asked you a question. You don't answer? You

said you loved the Pandavas, that you wished for their victory. Now
you must organize their death. Is your loyalty and your commander's
pride strong enough for this?
ASWATTHAMAN: What's your decision? Duryodhana enters.
DURYODHANA: Drona, the night is wearing thin. You are now master
of all our lives. We await your orders. They all leave, except Karna,
who lies down to rest.
 KUNTI AND KARNA

From the surrounding darkness, a woman's voice calls.

KuNTI: Karna . . . He replies without getting up:
KARNA: Who is there? Kunti comes out of the shadow and draws near.
She speaks softly.
KuNTI: It's me, Kunti. I remember that day long ago when, in the
middle of a tournament, you appeared, glowing, radiant, and you
said: "I alone can conquer Arjuna, I alone in all the world." At that
moment, a woman's heart throbbed in silence. She couldn't speak.
Later, you swore, "One day I'll kill him."
KARNA: What do you want?
KuNTI: I've come to find you, to hold you by the hand, to take you
with me. Karna replies, as he slowly gets to his feet:
KARNA: Your voice draws me deep into the past, back to my child-
hood; the sound of your voice . . . I feel a hand on my forehead. Is
it a dream? Or simply the memory of a shattered truth? All my life
I've heard rumors—my mother abandoned me, my mother aban-
doned me. Often, in my sleep, a veiled woman would come to me.
Are you still a dream? Why does the mother of my enemies suddenly
make me a child?
KuNTI: Come with me.
KARNA: Rage, hate, passion for victory—all seem false, like fevers at
night. Where do you want to lead me?

172
Kunti and Karna 173

KUNTI: Over there, to the other camp, toward those lights.

KARNA: Toward my enemies? Toward Arjuna?
KUNTI: Yes.
KARNA: And there I'll find my mother again?
KUNTI: Yes.
KARNA: She rejected me from the very first. She put me in a cradle,
gave me over to a river. The cruelest enemy couldn't have done me
so much harm. She never gave me a mother's tenderness, her
warmth. Kunti, tonight, for the first time, you're concerned with me.
Why?
KUNTI: I want to give you back your rights, your position.
KARNA: It's not true. You know that I intend to fight and you're
afraid I'll kill Arjuna.
KUNTI: Karna, you are my son; you are my eldest son. You are born
of me. Your mother asks your pardon—I was so young. Go and join
Arjuna. When you are reunited, everything will be possible. Give me
your hand, come with me toward the lights. They walk a few paces
together then Karna stops, turns back.
KARNA: I am the son of a driver. What you have torn, nothing can
repair. They are silent a moment. Karna adds: The day is bloody.
Suddenly the night is almost peaceful; this sad adventure bursts my
heart. Leave me alone, naked once again, on this great red river. Go.
She goes. He calls her back: Kunti . . . She stops. I can do one thing for
you. I will not kill Yudhishthira, I promise you. I will not kill Bhima,
I promise you, nor the twins, sons of Madri. I will not kill them. I
will only kill your son Arjuna; for one of us must die, him or I. In
this way, after the battle, you will keep the same number of sons.
She looks at him for a moment. Not another word. Go.
 THE DEATH OF ABHIMANYU

In the morning, Arjuna and Krishna are hurriedly leaving for battle
when a youth (Abhimanyu) places himself in front of them and says to
Arjuna:
ABHIMANYU: Father, where are you going?
ARJUNA: The Trigarttans have made a ferocious attack. I'm going to
throw them back.
ABHIMANYU: Take me with you.
ARJUNA: Abhimanyu, you aren't old enough for war. We're going to
swim in blood. Abhimanyu stops his father.
ABHIMANYU: I'm your son and I'm strong—as strong as you. Are you
afraid you'll grow old in my shadow? Why leave me yawning in a
tent, surrounded by women? I need to fight. Take me with you.
KRISHNA: Abhimanyu, your place is here! Out of the way.
Krishna forces Abhimanyu to move aside and the two men leave. Ab-
himanyu remains alone. Draupadi enters and sees him.
DRAUPADI: Abhimanyu, your mother and your young wife are look-
ing for you. What are you doing here, dressed for war?
ABHIMANYU: I couldn't sleep. All night long my skin burned and my
heart kept knocking on my chest. There is a sound of distant warfare,
drums. Draupadi looks ahead.

174
The Death of Abhimanyu 175

DRAUPADI: The earth has vanished. There is only dust and men, a
giant wheel of men grinding toward us. Abhimanyu, what is it?
ABHIMANYU: Drona has just launched his great offensive. At this
moment, Yudhishthira and Bhima appear, very agitated.
YUDHISHTHIRA: Drona is advancing. He's in the center of his iron
disc. He's crushing everything, he'll grind us to dust.
BHIMA: Our elephants panic, they're fleeing in every direction.
YUDHISHTHIRA: Listen, the disc is advancing on us like a machine
bolted with rivets of death. Who can break it open?
DRAUPADI: Only Arjuna.
ABHIMANYU: No. I can do so, too. Abhimanyu goes toward them.
YUDHISHTHIRA: Abhimanyu . . . you know how to force the disc?
ABHIMANYU: Yes, I know how.
DRAUPADI: Arjuna gave you the secret?
ABHIMANYU: No, but before my birth, as I lay in Subhadra's belly,
I heard my father speak of this secret.
DRAUPADI: And you remember what he said?
ABHIMANYU: Word for word.
YUDHISHTHIRA: Abhimanyu, we're lost. The disc will destroy us.
Your father is far away. I appeal to you.
DRAUPADI: He's almost a child.
ABHIMANYU: Child I may be, but I'll attack Drona's iron wall. I'll
crack it apart. Only, in my mother's womb I didn't hear all the se-
cret.
DRAUPADI: What exactly did you hear?
176 THE WAR

ABHIMANYU: I heard how to force a way into the disc, but if the disc
closes, I don't know how to come out.
YUDHISHTHIRA: Open up a breach, that's all we need; a breach and
we'll follow you!
BHIMA: Open a breach, I'll be at your heels.
DRAUPADI: If you succeed, you'll be your father's equal.
YUDHISHTHIRA: Quick! The disc's approaching!
ABHIMANYU: Yes. I'll open a breach! Where's my driver? Bring
me my arms! As he says these words, his mother, Subhadra, runs up to
him:
SUBHADRA: What are you doing? Where are you going, my son?

Why these weapons?

ABHIMANYU: Victory calls me. I'm going to fight.
SUBHADRA: You're going to fight? Why? Are all our men dead?
ABHIMANYU: The living need me. My family, the entire earth today
needs me. Yudhishthira has asked for my support! Tie on my weap-
ons! A driver runs in. He helps Abhimanyu to prepare.
SusHADRA: Who is your enemy?
ABHIMANYU: You hear what's making the earth growl? That's my
enemy!
SUBHADRA: The iron disc, commanded by Drona? Abhimanyu, your
words are not your own, the thought of glory makes you blind. You
forget your mother. Your death is here!
ABHIMANYU: Without me, it's death for everyone. But I know the

special secret and I'll have miraculous powers. Don't be afraid,

Mother, be proud and attentive. Watch how I walk. I'll lead the
troops like a flame; all the armies will follow me! Arjuna is my father
The Death of Abhimanyu 177

and the thought of him comes to my aid. Kiss me. Abhimanyu kisses
his mother and is ready for the battle.
The enemy army, formed like a disc and commanded by Drona, ap-
proaches. On seeing the child, Drona calls to him:
DRONA: Abhimanyu, out of the way!
ABHIMANYU: Drona, I'm going to break open your disc. Your slaugh-
ter ends here! The battle begins. Abhimanyu manages to force his way
into the disc, breaking it apart. Your disc is in pieces! The heads of
your men will roll in the dust! He fights vigorously, repulsing his
opponents. Duryodhana cries furiously to Drona:
DURYODHANA: All my army shattered by a child! Drona, where is
your promise? Are you in love with our enemies, too? Dushassana,
go ahead! Dushassana obeys. Kill this arrogant child! This lackey of
death who smiles and despises us! Kill him! Dushassana is in front of
Abhimanyu.
ABHIMANYU: I see you! My fist will crush you, Dushassana! Come
nearer! The two warriors fight violently. Dushassana is losing. He is
wounded and carried off Take that! Fall! Who wants to die now? I
blaze, I'm dancing with strength! Karna, I've killed your eldest son!
Duryodhana, I've killed your eldest son! I fly between the armies!
Follow me, I've opened the disc! Throw yourself into the breach!
Drona then calls:
DRONA: Jayadratha! Where is Jayadratha? Jayadratha appears at once.
Quickly, in position! This is your moment. Bar the Pandavas' way!
Jayadratha positions himself. Bhima and Yudhishthira surge forward but
seem stopped by an irresistible force.
ABHIMANYU: Bhima! Yudhishthira! Over here! You'd think the air
itself is blocking you! Quick! Why are you hurling yourselves against
a wall of air? With their men, Duryodhana and Drona gradually sur-
round Abhimanyu, while Jayadratha effortlessly keeps the Pandavas at
bay. Abhimanyu, surrounded, is still fighting. I'm alone in the middle
178 THE WAR

of the disc! And the disc is closing again! They're all around me.
Karna, Drona, Aswatthaman, they're all against me! Come closer!
The men move round him.
KARNA: To Drona You seem fascinated by his extraordinary strength.
DRONA: Break his chariot! Karna breaks Abhimanyu's chariot.
KARNA: His chariot is broken.
DRONA: Break his bow!
KARNA: His bow is broken.
DRONA: Break his sword!
KARNA: His sword is broken!
ABHIMANYU: Drona, you've broken my sword. But I've still this
enormous club which no two men can lift. Abhimanyu fights a mo-
ment with the club. The warriors break it.
KARNA: His club is broken! Abhimanyu seizes the wheel from his char-
iot.
ABHIMANYU: I've still got my chariot wheel. I'll crush you under this
wheel!
DRONA: Karna, break the wheel! Kama breaks the wheel. The young
warrior still tries to defend himself but he is hit. He cries:
ABHIMANYU: Father! Then he stops moving. He falls to the ground. He

is dead. Drona, Karna, Duryodhana, Dusbassana, Aswatthaman all sur-

round the child's body. They are quite still and they drop their weapons.
Everything is quiet.
Then Gandhari and Dhritarashtra appear, guided by Sanjaya. The boy
is with them.
GANDHARI: Is Abhimanyu dead?
SANJAYA: He's lying on the ground.
The Death of Abhimanyu 179

BOY: He looks surprised. Gandhari kneels beside the body and says to
Dhritarashtra:
GANDHARI: He's like the wind when it dies down. Those who killed
him let their weapons drop. They weep in silence and they say, "It's
just a child lying on the ground. Was this our duty?"
The Kaurava warriors withdraw in silence. The royal couple follows.
Yudhishthira, Bhima, Subhadra, and Draupadi draw near the body.
In the silence, Arjuna appears, tired and wounded, led by Krishna.
They come forward slowly.
ARJUNA: No music, no one sings, and as they see me my men draw
away, looking at the ground. Why am I greeted in silence? Krishna,
my body's limp and it's not from fatigue. Normally my son, Ab-
himanyu, runs eagerly to meet me. . . . He discovers Abbimanyu's body:
I see him. He's lying unprotected on the ground. He isn't breathing.
He touches his son's arm and chest. Cruel wounds cover his body like
bites. He fought, and he's dead. Who killed him? Why, Abhimanyu?
I could never grow tired of seeing you. You thought of me at the last
moment, you cried out "Father, help me!" But I didn't hear you. I
was far away and they struck you to the ground. These heroes have
killed a child. He straightens and says to Krishna: Krishna, you knew
it and you said nothing. Krishna does not reply. Who sent him to his
death?
YUDHISHTHIRA: I did.
BHIMA: Only he knew how to force the iron disc.
ARJUNA: Where is Vyasa?
SUBHADRA: Vyasa has abandoned us. We are alone and my son is
dead. He was an idol to women, a theme for poets. . . .
DRAUPADI: He was bewitched by war.
ARJUNA: You didn't defend my son.
180 THE WAR

YUDHISHTHIRA: We were all behind him, he was leading us to victory,

but Jayadratha barred our way.
ARJUNA: Jayadratha?
BHIMA: Yes, with you away he had the power to stop us—only once.
YUDHISHTHIRA: Impossible to break past him.
ARJUNA: You sent my son to his death.
DRAUPADI: They're telling you the truth. Jayadratha has turned all
his hate toward us. He killed your son.
ARJUNA: Now, I make a vow. Tomorrow I will kill Jayadratha. I will
kill him before sunset. If I don't keep this promise, I'll throw myself
into the fire and I myself will join the world of the dead. Jayadratha
appears. He listens to Arjuna from a distance. Gods and men, listen to
me! What I say is true. Just as water is part of the sea, so Jayadratha
already belongs to death. May my chariot be ready at dawn! Ab-
himanyu is carried away. Arjuna stays with Krishna who says to him:
KRISHNA: You have made a terrible promise.
ARJUNA: Yes, I know.
KRISHNA: Tomorrow Jayadratha will be solidly protected.
ARJUNA: He will have eleven armies all around him.
KRISHNA: If you don't keep your word, you must die. And they know
it. Tomorrow every cry on the plain will be your life.
ARJUNA: Krishna, did you let my son die so as to push me deeper into
the fight?
KRISHNA: I'm crossing the great era of darkness with you. This
struggle is absolute. You and your brothers are the world's only light.
Every moment, remember what I told you: if your heart breaks or
closes up, if it becomes bitter, dark, or dry, the light will be lost.
The Death of Abbimanyu 181

Tonight you spoke in grief. Your promise opens you to death. No

one is dearer to me than you. I'm in anguish.
ARJUNA: Advise me.
KRISHNA: I will go to my tent to think. Tonight, neither of us will
be able to sleep. Jayadratha goes to Duryodhana. He is very agitated.
JAYADRATHA: Duryodhana, I'm leaving. Arjuna has sworn to kill me.
DURYODHANA: Yes, so my spies tell me.
JAYADRATHA: He said: "Jayadratha is already dead. I will kill him
tomorrow, before the sun goes down." I'm afraid. I'm sweating, my
legs shake.
DURYODHANA: But he also said, "If I don't kill him, I'll throw myself
into the fire."
JAYADRATHA: Yes.
DURYODHANA: It's an extraordinary opportunity. Arjuna has allowed
sorrow to get the better of him and tomorrow his pride will be his
death. We will surround you like a living ring of armor.
JAYADRATHA: Terrible winds whirl in the plain; the mountains shake
and the night sky burns. Arjuna has sworn my death!
DURYODHANA: I've prepared everything, everything. No one will
come near you. I'm telling you the truth. Shake off your fears and
rejoice like me, because Arjuna has brought about his own death.
Tomorrow he'll enter the fire and victory will be ours. Jayadratha,
I forbid you to leave me. Drona adds sadly:
DRONA: Yes, Everything is against Arjuna. Dhritarashtra and Gand-

hari wake up. The boy and Sanjaya are with them.
DHRITARASHTRA: Sanjaya!
SANJAYA: I am here.
182 THE WAR

DHRITARASHTRA: IS it light?
SANJAYA: Yes, dawn has come. Those who are going to die get up
and eat.
DHRITARASHTRA: Gandhari, what day is it?
GANDHARI: The fourteenth day of the war. Duryodhana's voice says:
DURYODHANA: And the last. He has just appeared, smiling, a rose in his
hand. He pays his respects to his father and mother.
GANDHARI: It's you, Duryodhana.
DURYODHANA: Yes, Mother, I'm bringing you a budding rose. To-
night the battle will be won.
GANDHARI: Is Jayadratha well protected?
DURYODHANA: He's surrounded by thousands of elephants, thou-
sands of chariots, thousands of men. For his battle order today, Drona
has chosen the needle. He himself is on the point of the needle.
Nothing will resist him. This evening, prepare to celebrate our vic-
tory. The sound of drums and shouts. Sanjaya cries out:
SANJAYA: Arjuna has begun the attack! He's advancing like a whirl-
wind.
GANDHARI: What are those terrible cries?
SANJAYA: The painted monkey on his flag is shrieking. Arjuna has
pierced the Cambodgean army. Duryodhana dashes out to join the
battle.
DHRITARASHTRA: I feel the earth shake. Who's approaching? Sud-
denly, Bhima looms up in front of the royal couple. He is armed and
impressive.
BHIMA: It's me, Bhima! Dhritarashtra is frightened. He tries to bit
Bhima but does not manage to touch him.
The Death of Abhimanyu 183

DHRITARASHTRA: Bhima!

BHIMA: I won't strike you, I've come to tell you that I'm annihilating
your family. I've killed five of your sons since dawn! Soon you'll be
alone in the dark. Bhima moves away.

DHRITARASHTRA: He's gone?

SANJAYA: He's returned to the battle.

DHRITARASHTRA: My hope's draining away, hour after hour. My son

will destroy my people.

GANDHARI: Don't put the blame on your son! You don't know what
justice is. Your heart has deserted you and your political sense is
weak. They leave, guided by Sanjaya. Duryodhana and Drona suddenly
find themselves face to face.

DURYODHANA: Drona, your heart is with them, I know it. Arjuna is

burning up my armies, and you, what are you doing? You live with
us, but you love those we can never love. I've promised to defend
Jayadratha and you are leading him to his death.

DRONA: I can't change my battle order. The game we're playing here
knows no pity and the stake today is Jayadratha. I'm only thinking
of him.

DURYODHANA: And the weapon that's worth all the weapons and
whose secret you know?

DRONA: I haven't the right to use it and Arjuna possesses a superior

weapon.

DURYODHANA: But if you strike first? Karna appears at this moment,

tired and wounded. He sits for a while. Karna! Looking for shelter!
Then who will stand by me? I have always said that Karna has no
rival! But you give up! You withdraw! Karna gets to his feet.
184 THE WAR

KARNA: No! This is the final lull before victory! If we hold out till
nightfall, then without fail Arjuna will enter the flames. They organize
Jayadratha's defense.
Arjuna appears. All his efforts fail against this defense. He is wounded
and Krishna supports him.
ARJUNA: Krishna, I'm losing all my blood. I've no more breath. For
each man I kill, another takes his place. I can't beat Drona, the sun
goes down, daylight fades. Jayadratha is still alive and I am sure to
die.
KRISHNA: Find a last atom of strength. Stand up again!
ARJUNA: I can't stand.
KRISHNA: And the weapon that Shiva gave you?
ARJUNA: No, I don't want to devastate the earth. I'll die alone.
KRISHNA: I will come to your aid. Take your bow.
ARJUNA: What can you do?
KRISHNA: I will darken the sun. It's the moment. I will make it
disappear. Krishna holds out his hand and the sun's light disappears. The
surprised Kauravas look at the sky then give shouts of victory.
ARJUNA: It's not really night?
KRISHNA: No, not yet, but they believe it. You hear them shout in

triumph? They think you haven't kept your promise; they're singing
your death. Look, they're putting down their weapons, the living
armor parts.
ARJUNA: Jayadratha lifts his face, he looks at the sky.
KRISHNA: No one thinks of defending him. Take your bow, pick an

arrow, you know how to shoot in the dark. Arjuna takes his bow
and sets an arrow. He aims. He's advancing unprotected. He smiles,
he thinks he's saved. Cut off his head! Arjuna releases his arrow.
The Death of Abhimanyu 185

Jayadratha falls. The shouts of joy cease at once. Dhritarashtra moves

forward.
DHRITARASHTRA: Why this brutal silence? Krishna himself replies:
KRISHNA: Jayadratha is dead.
GANDHARI: But isn't it already night?
KRISHNA: No, now I lift darkness from the sky. He gestures and the
light returns. He says to Dhritarashtra: You can't see it, but the sun
is still dazzling, the battle isn't over and your disappointed son weeps.
Krishna's gaze follows Arjuna. Arjuna and Bhima return to their
camp. Yudhishthira tells them, "Seeing you again brings me back to
life." The light fades again, more slowly, and Krishna continues: And
the sun sets for the second time.
 THE DEATH OF GHATOTKATCHA

Around Duryodhana are gathered his principal chiefs: Karna, Dushas-

sana, Drona, and his son, Aswatthaman.
DURYODHANA: I watch the fall of kings and I see contempt rise in
their place. Drona, I thought you were my pillar, but you've spared
Arjuna because you love him. And I feel •'m loathed. I'm vicious,
hypocritical, I'm sick with greed, even my friends say so. My ambi-
tion is dragging them to death.
DRONA: Once more you attack me in the presence of Karna and of
my son Aswatthaman. This is my answer: the dice that Sakuni rolled
were not true dice, they were our enemies' arrows. You didn't under-
stand this language. How can you still hope for victory? Yes, we are
dying, we are dying because of you. I know it too, my end is near.
DURYODHANA: Karna, I turn to you, as you are the only one not to
hate me. Save me and save us all.
KARNA: You offer me the command? You take it away from Drona?
DURYODHANA: No, I ask you simply to fight; to fight with all your
strength and to win.
KARNA: Yes, I'll fight.
DURYODHANA: I can put my life in your hands?
KARNA: I have my iron lance given to me by a god. This lance bears
Arjuna's certain death.

186
The Death of Ghatotkatcha 187

DRONA: You boast all the time. Go and fight.

KARNA: Drona, you are old and feeble. All that you love is over there,
on the other side, and in the depth of your heart you hope for defeat.
Aswatthaman springs toward Karna, weapon in hand.
ASWATTHAMAN: You insult my father, I'll tear off your head. Drona
himself seizes his son and overcomes him.
DRONA: Stop, Aswatthaman, throw down your weapon!
KARNA: To Drona Why not let him approach? Are you afraid for
your son's life?
DURYODHANA: Karna, Aswatthaman, what madness is possessing
you? If our unity breaks, if you abandon me, I'll no longer be worthy
of our poets' songs. Without your promises of victory I would never
have launched this war.
ASWATTHAMAN: You suspect us of being other than we are. We
accept to die for you.
DURYODHANA: To battle, everyone!
ASWATTHAMAN: To battle? At night?
DURYODHANA: Take torches!
The Kauravas go out. Only the royal couple, Sanjaya, and the boy
remain. Kunti draws near.
GANDHARI: It's you, Kunti?
KUNTI: Yes, it's me. I tread this damp earth all night long.
DHRITARASHTRA: What do we hear? What's this noise?
KUNTI: The never-ending roar of battle.
DHRITARASHTRA: They're even fighting at night?
188 THE WAR

KUNTI: In the dark, the blows are monstrous. The earth is covered
with a bloody slime. They no longer recognize their friends; they kill
them. They kill fugitives, they kill men already bleeding from their
wounds, they fight with nails, teeth, tearing out hair, they kill with
stones.
DHRITARASHTRA: They must be stopped! They must be told to re-
spect the rules! Sanjaya, go and tell them!
KUNTI: Useless. They'll kill Sanjaya! Nothing can calm such chaos.
SANJAYA: They've put three torches on each elephant and five lamps
on each chariot. The army lights up the night. Thousands and thou-
sands of flames. The shining rises from the earth. It's as though the
trees of a forest were covered with glittering flies.
GANDHARI: The earth is burning. It's like the last night of the world.
Arjuna, Krishna, and Yudhishthira appear—exhausted, alarmed—with
torches.
YUDHISHTHIRA: Krishna, Karna is going to destroy us. He seems to
be everywhere. If a bush shakes I think he's there. My men don't even
recognize their severed limbs; they're delirious, all my army is going
mad.
KRISHNA: Yes, tonight Karna is walking savagely across the war.
YUDHISHTHIRA: These cries tear my heart. The smell makes me sick.
I hate this war. It destroys the mind.
KRISHNA: Arjuna, where are you going?
ARJUNA: I'm returning to the fight. Krishna holds him back.
KRISHNA: No, I don't advise you to face Karna tonight. The iron
spear he clasps in his hand is for you. He's been keeping it in reserve
for you for a long time. It's a divine spear that cannot fail to kill.
YUDHISHTHIRA: What can save us?
The Death of Ghatotkatcha 189

KRISHNA: It's a trick of darkness we need. No one can stop Karna,

except . . . He stops as though struck by an idea.
YUDHISHTHIRA: Who?
KRISHNA: I'm thinking of Ghatotkatcha, the son of Bhima and the
Rakshasi. He swore that one day he would arise to save his father.
The words are scarcely spoken before Ghatotkatcha appears out of the
dark.
GHATOTKATCHA: Here I am. Where's my father?
KRISHNA: He's fighting, but he's wounded and threatened.
GHATOTKATCHA: Who's threatening him?
KRISHNA: Karna. Listen carefully, Ghatotkatcha, your valiant hour
has come. You know magic weapons. No one other than you can stop
the driver's son. Be worthy of your father and your uncles. Karna's
power is terrifying, but it's not equal to yours. Demon of eclipses and
illusions, you are your family's last defense. In the secret of darkness,
offer Karna to the gods.
YUDHISHTHIRA: I will protect your rear.
GHATOTKATCHA: No. I'm enough for Karna. I will save my father and
my human family. The earth will speak of my battle as long as there
are men to hear. Step aside. I must prepare. Ghatotkatcha starts his
magic preparations as Dhritarashtra asks:
DHRITARASHTRA: Describe Ghatotkatcha to me. Ghatotkatcha replies:
GHATOTKATCHA: My eyes are blood, my beard green, my mouth a
gash like the gate of death. Cross-eyed, vast-bellied, sharp-toothed, I
ride on a great eight-wheeled chariot, its black iron covered with
bearskins, drawn by monster horses whose color is ever on the
change. My flag is drenched in blood, it is crowned with a wreath
of guts, and its pinnacle is a vulture, whose wings touch the sky.
Night increases my power. Elephants piss with fear.
190 THE WAR

DHRITARASHTRA: And Karna, where is Karna? Karna has just appeared

opposite Ghatotkatcha.
KARNA: Karna is here. He prepares to fight.
GHATOTKATCHA: The demon seizes a savage circle of steel. . . .
KARNA: Karna splinters it with a shower of arrows. The fight begins
in the night lit by torches.
GHATOTKATCHA: You won't escape from my hands alive! I leap, I
howl into the clouds. I call down a rain of trees, a hail of rocks. At
one moment I have a hundred bellies, a hundred heads, then I shrink
into a finger. Suddenly I drop down dead; my father's enemies shout
with joy! But once again I'm borne aloft. I thunder with laughter.
I grow, I'm measureless, I exceed all excess.
DHRITARASHTRA: And Karna! Where is Karna?
KARNA: Karna stays where he is. He shoots razor arrows, reptile
arrows.
GHATOTKATCHA: But the demon opens his cavelike chops and, laugh-
ing, swallows the cloud of arrows! Then I become a mountain! From
this mountain tumbles a cascade, an enormous cataract of arms.
GANDHARI: And what is Karna doing under this avalanche?
KARNA: Calmly, he takes an arrow, he fixes a celestial weapon—an
astra—to it and the mountain explodes!
GHATOTKATCHA: Then Ghatotkatcha becomes a cloud of blood. . . .
KARNA: But Karna clears it away with the astra of wind.
GHATOTKATCHA: Ghatotkatcha dives toward the earth! The earth
splits, he plunges in; even the gods can't see him anymore! Then he
multiplies the ferocious animals, the fire-headed snakes, the iron-
beaked birds, the twisted-jawed hyenas.
The Death of Ghatotkatcha 191

KARNA: Karna exterminates them all.

GHATOTKATCHA: This voice you hear has pledged your death! Has
pledged your death! He now rains down a torrent of blood, streaked
with lightning and meteors, a hurricane of axes and uprooted trees!
Ghatotkatcha has reached the eye of the vortex of his frenzy. He is
dripping with blood and sweat! Your son's armies are crushed, heads
smashed, horses anatomized, elephants torn joint from joint. Duryod-
hana and Dushassana, still sheltering, bring Karna's magic lance and say
to him:
DUSHASSANA: Karna, kill him! Kill him with your lance! Otherwise,
he will destroy us all.

DHRITARASHTRA: No, he must save his lance for Arjuna, for he can
use it only once, only once.

GANDHARI: What's he doing? Is he going to let his lance go?

DUSHASSANA: Quick! Kill him! Nothing can resist this vicious rain,
men are dying by millions! Hurry!

DURYODHANA: If you hesitate for one more moment, we're lost!

Quick! Even Drona's begging you!

DHRITARASHTRA: No! He must keep his lance!

SANJAYA: He lifts his arm, the lance gleams in the night, it streaks
from his hand like a burning snake.

GANDHARI: What is Ghatotkatcha doing? Ghatotkatcha sees the lance

coming toward him.
GHATOTKATCHA: He sees it, he recognizes it. He wants to flee, he's

terrified, but the lance strikes him and pierces his heart. His heart
explodes. The lance goes on to the end of the sky to vanish among
the stars.
192 THE WAR

SANJAYA: Ghatotkatcha gives his last cry, he's forced to let go of his
life. His body swells up, it's gigantic. He raises himself as high as he
can in the air, then he crumbles, crushing thousands of warriors
under his mountainous corpse. Karna leaves with the Kauravas amidst
shouts of joy. Ghatotkatcha collapses. Bhima rushes forward to take him
in his arms.
BHIMA: Ghatotkatcha, my son! Hidimbi appears at the same time. She
helps Bhima carry their son's body. They go out chanting as for a burial.
Krishna seems joyful. He dances.
ARJUNA: Why are you rejoicing? Ghatotkatcha is dead. Tonight we
grieve, and you, you dance and laugh. Why?
KRISHNA: Ghatotkatcha has just killed Karna.
YUDHISHTHIRA: What are you saying?
KRISHNA: No one could resist Karna so long as this lance was in his
hands. Now you can hurl him into the other world. Yes, Arjuna, you
can kill him.
ARJUNA: Did you thrust Ghatotkatcha into the fight knowing he was
going to die?
KRISHNA: Karna is like the sun. You can't fix your eyes on him, his
arrows are his rays. But now he's reduced to the simple condition of
a man. I think I know the way to kill him. Watch him carefully and
when you see his chariot sink in the mud, then strike. Yes, Ghatot-
katcha has saved you. To preserve your life, I sent him to his death.
Tonight I'm breathing in joy. I was born to destroy the destroyers
and I became your friend out of love for the world.
 THE DEATH OF DRONA

Drona appears with his son, Aswatthaman.

ASWATTHAMAN: The men are blind with fatigue. They fight as in a
dream, their eyes shut, striking their own bodies, giving themselves
wounds. Father, let's all sleep an hour here on the battlefield.
DRONA: Yes, let's sleep.
Aswatthaman gives a sign to the distant army and lies down beside his
father. A figure draws near to Drona and Aswatthaman, who leaps up,
weapon in hand.
AswATTHAmAN: Halt! Don't go near my father!
VYASA: I am Vyasa.
ASWATTHAMAN: What are you looking for?
VYASA: I'm not looking for anything. I'm watching over your father
in his last sleep.
ASWATTHAMAN: What are you telling me? Why do you wish to kill
my father?
VYASA: I don't know why I speak, nor what shadows move my
tongue. I make no decisions.
AswArrmAmAN: Who will kill him? Tell me!
Vyasa points to a red, menacing shadow, moving slowly in the distance.

193
194 THE WAR

VYASA: You see that red shadow? It's a man, born from fire. His name
is Dhristhadyumna. Your father knows him.

ASWATTHAMAN: No one can kill my father.

VYASA: And yet each time he sleeps, the red phantom enters his
dream and it says to him: "It's for this that I am born. And you know
it, because you are afraid."

ASWATTHAMAN: My father has no fear, not even in secret. He has

never committed the slightest error. The man with the face of blood has
sat down next to Drona, who still sleeps.
DHRISTHADYUMNA: He has committed the error that can destroy a
life. Your father was a brahmin, without possessions, wretchedly
poor. He couldn't even buy you milk.

ASWATTHAMAN: Yes, I remember.

DHRISTHADYUMNA: He was ashamed of his poverty and used all his

force to become a terrible warrior, the hardest of men. He was born
for peace, but chose war. That was his error. The apparition disap-
pears after a short, menacing dance. Drona wakes, sees his son and asks
him:
DRONA: Why don't you sleep?

ASWATTHAMAN: Father, why did you tell all those chiefs you are
going to die? Aren't you he whom no one can defeat?

DRONA: Aswatthaman, this is the point of the needle and death's eye
is fixed on me. Duryodhana appears suddenly:

DURYODHANA: Drona, why did you agree to rest? Why not follow
your advantage?

DRONA: Because I'm tired, I'm old. I've often told you so.

DURYODHANA: Where is Kama?

The Death of Drona 195

DRONA: Worn out by his fight against the demon. He's been treated
and now he's asleep.
DURYODHANA: Aswatthaman, I'm giving you the northern army.
Your men are waiting. Aswatthaman leaves quickly. Drona, day
breaks, the fight is yours. Take up your arms, Arjuna is coming this
way. The sound of the bow, Gandiva, is heard.
DRONA: I know the sound of his bow. I'm ready for him. Drona and
Arjuna face each other. The single combat begins. When Arjuna strikes
successfully, Drona congratulates bim.
YUDHISHTHIRA: Master against pupil!
BHIMA: It's the fight of my dreams! Drona and Arjuna move away, they
disappear from sight, still fighting.
DRAUPADI: Arjuna will never kill the man who taught him every-
thing.
BHIMA: Arjuna's weakening. He's backing away!
YUDHISHTHIRA: I'm losing all hope of beating Drona. Arjuna returns
to the Pandavas' camp to rest and bandage his wounds. Drona must lay
down his arms. Nothing can stand up to this ancient fury; he'll
massacre everyone. He has become war itself. How can we make him
lay down his arms?
KRISHNA: There's just one way. Drona's only son is his whole life.
He must be told that Aswatthaman is dead. He'll be so discouraged,
so desperate, that he'll drop his weapons.
ARJUNA: But Aswatthaman isn't dead. It'd be a lie.
KRISHNA: I know.
YUDHISHTHIRA: I don't agree. Find another way.
BHIMA: Wait. Bhima grabs an enormous club and goes out. There is a
loud thud. Bhima returns and says: There. It's done. I've killed Aswat-
thaman.
196 THE WAR

ARJUNA: Whom?
BHIMA: Our elephant called Aswatthaman, I've killed him.
KRISHNA: You've an elephant called Aswatthaman?
BHIMA: Yes, and I've killed it. He shouts toward the enemy lines: Drona,
can you hear me? Drona! Drona's voice can be heard in the distance:
DRONA: What do you want Bhima?
BHIMA: I've killed Aswatthaman! Silence. Then Drona's voice asks:
DRONA: Whom have you killed?
BHIMA: I've killed Aswatthaman! Drona appears. Bhima says again:
Aswatthaman is dead.
DRONA: I can't believe my son is dead. I suspect a lie. Yudhishthira,
you who can only tell the truth, I ask you: has Aswatthaman been
killed?
Yudhishthira hesitates.
BHIMA: He doesn't believe me, answer him. The red dancer appears at
this point and takes several steps toward Drona who appears stunned at
the sight of him.
DRONA: Dhristhadyumna, why are you advancing on me? Has day-
break brought me my death? To Yudhishthira: Has Aswatthaman
been killed? Yudhishthira still refuses to lie. Dhristhadyumna moves
slowly toward Drona. Has Aswatthaman been killed, yes or no?
Yudhishthira decides to reply:
YUDHISHTHIRA: Aswatthaman . . . He lowers his voice and turns his head
the elephant . . . He raises his voice again has been killed. A silence
follows his words. Drona moves away and becomes motionless. Arjuna
says to Yudhishthira:
ARJUNA: Your greed for victory has corrupted you. You've slipped
into a lie like the rest of mankind.
The Death of Drona 197

KRISHNA: From now on, he's part of the earth. Perhaps this weakness
will bring him victory. Look at Drona, he would like to fight still,
but he can't. Drona seems unable to move. Bhima moves toward him.
BHIMA: All at once, I see you clearly. You've no love in you. Your
only love is killing, burying your iron deep in men's flesh. Your life
is a long procession of corpses.
KRISHNA: Dhristhadyumna, strike quickly. You were born for this
act. Dhristhadyumna seems to hesitate as though still afraid of approach-
ing Drona. Don't be afraid, his energy is leaving him and you alone
can take his life. Dhristhadyumna, his sword drawn, moves toward
Drona.
ARJUNA: His death is inconceivable.
KRISHNA: His death is natural. Watch. His eyes are already closed,
his breath quiets, it stops. All eyes are on Drona.
BHIMA: He's shining with light.
KRISHNA: He has reached the farthest fringe of life. His breath leaves
him and rises into the air. This is what we see. Only his body stays.
Dhristhadyumna will cut off a dead man's head. Dhristhadyumna cuts
off Drona's head and leaves shouting:
DHRISTHADYUMNA: Drona is dead! Drona is dead! Yudhishthira has
fallen to the ground. Bhima, staring into the distance, says to the others:
BHIMA: They scatter! They flee! Duryodhana tries to check the rout,
but panic spreads.
DRAUPADI: To Yudhishthira Rise up! Rejoice!
ARJUNA: We've committed a crime. Victory is meaningless now.
YUDHISHTHIRA: Yes, I killed him with my lie.
DRAUPADI: I hear you calling our enemies' death a crime. I don't
understand. Did Drona leap up to forbid Sakuni to cheat? And
198 THE WAR

Dushassana to drag me by the hair? I've endured shame and exile with
you and you kept on repeating: "I'll destroy them, I'll destroy them."
BHIMA: And now you despise us; you sow glass in our wounds.
DRAUPADI: Listen. When Dushassana dragged me by the hair, he was
dragging dharma. All my life I've heard wise people say, when
dharma is protected, it protects. When it is destroyed, it destroys.
Our enemies will be destroyed. Yes, you lied, your distress made you
lie. But sometimes the only way to protect dharma is to forget it. Ask
Krishna. He knows. Suddenly Yudhishthira lifts his head and asks:
YUDHISHTHIRA: What's that noise? There is the sound of battle cries and
music. Their courage has returned. Arjuna goes to survey the battlefield
and announces:
ARJUNA: Yes, they're advancing.
YUDHISHTHIRA: Who's leading them?
ARJUNA: Aswatthaman! He chases the deserters, he blocks their way,
he calls them to order.
YUDHISHTHIRA: Quick!
The Pandavas leave. Aswatthaman rushes forward, furious, accompanied
by Duryodhana and Dushassana. They stop in front of Drona's bloody
body.
DuRy c:pi-JANA: They've assassinated your father!
ASWATTHAMAN: His eyes were always fixed on death. I've no right
to cry for him, but my angry body howls.
DURYODHANA: You couldn't defend him. You must take your re-
venge. Aswatthaman says nothing. Duryodhana resumes: Aswattha-
man, I'm asking for the truth. Your father knew the secret of a
weapon of extermination. Did he give you this secret?
ASWATTHAMAN: Yes.
The Death of Drona 199

DURYODHANA: This weapon is sacred. Do you possess it?

ASWATTHAMAN: My father's orders were to let it sleep for eternity.
Even at the end of his life, he did not wish it used.
DURYODHANA: But your father is dead, killed by a lie.
ASWATTHAMAN: Arjuna has an even more terrible weapon, Pasupata.

If I launch my weapon, he will unleash his.

DuRvoDHANA: Unless he's dead already.
ASWATTHAMAN: The secret of this weapon has never been revealed.
It could pierce the heart of the world, it could even kill the gods.
DURYODHANA: They cut off your father's head.
ASWATTHAMAN: The earth shudders, the winds draw back in fear.
Duryodhana, I will launch my weapon only once, with all my
strength—I will extirpate my father's killers. All our men take cover!
Aswatthaman, Duryodhana, and their men go to take cover. Dhritarash-
tra cries out:
DHRITARASHTRA: No! He mustn't launch that weapon! We'll all
perish! Sanjaya, stop him!
SANJAYA: Too late, the weapon is launched! The lights change. The

horrified Panda vas appear on the battlefield with Krishna, Draupadi, and
Subhadra. There is a burst of light.
YUDHISHTHIRA: What's this flame that's devouring the world? Ele-
phants are howling in terror, snakes are hurling themselves into the
sky.
BHIMA: Aswatthaman has just released his father's sacred weapon.
YUDHISHTHIRA: What can we do? Men, animals, the earth itself—all

are shriveling to ashes.

GANDHARI: I see a white heat.
200 THE WAR

BHIMA: To Arjuna Arjuna! You have Pasupata. Turn it against him,

quick!
DRAUPADI: Exterminate them! Don't let one of them remain to re-
joice over our death! Arjuna, disturbed, asks Krishna:
ARJUNA: Krishna . . .
KRISHNA: Lay down your weapons. Quick, lie on the ground, don't
move, empty your minds, make a void. One mustn't resist this
weapon, not even in thought. Otherwise it will hook on to you
relentlessly, it will become more ferocious still. They all lie down
except Bhima, who straightens up and throws himself at the flame shout-
ing:
BHIMA: I can fight it, I can stop it!
KRISHNA: Bhima! Come back! Bhima fights with all his force against
the approaching flame but the more he fights, the more the weapon's
strength increases. Dhritarashtra, Gandhari, and Sanjaya have stretched
out on the ground. Krishna forces Bhima to lie down: Bhima, throw
down your weapons! Lie down, don't look at anything. Empty your
mind and think of the time when you didn't exist. They are all lying
on the ground. The flame passes over without burning them. They don't
move for a moment, then Krishna lifts his head and looks: It's over, the
flames die down. A calm wind rises. I hear a bird sing. They all get
up and embrace one another. We're alive. They leave the battlefield.
 KARNA TAKES COMMAND

Duryodhana appears on the battlefield accompanied by his brother Du-

shassana, Karna, and Aswatthaman. They watch the sacred weapon van-
ish. Duryodhana asks Aswatthaman:
DURYODHANA: Why did you fail?
DUSHASSANA: Order the weapon back and release it a second time!
ASWATTHAMAN: I can't. If I call it back again, it will return with our
death.
DURYODHANA: Drona has betrayed me even in death. His sacred
weapon is ruined; it's disintegrating uselessly in the great emptiness.
Have you other weapons?
ASWATTHAMAN: I've only my ordinary weapons. Duryodhana, I
don't understand: in the same instant I saw the earth burnt and saved,
whole armies dead and alive. The ruin of the world, is it such a great
thing, or is it nothing at all? Duryodhana addresses Karna:
DURYODHANA: Karna, your day has come. Bhishma and Drona have
fallen, two old men who spared Arjuna—you said so yourself. But
you, your hate is pure, your strength intact. Drive away our darkness.
KARNA: Are you clearly offering me the command?
DURYODHANA: Yes.
KARNA: Of all your armies?
DURYODHANA: You hesitate?

201
202 THE WAR

KARNA: Duryodhana, I've given you my life and at last you give me
what I've been waiting for: danger of death. I thank you. Arjuna
against me, I against Arjuna. I will only return in victory. But he has
Krishna as his driver. Where can I find someone with his power?
At this moment, a man comes forward and asks Karna:
SALYA: You're looking for a driver, Karna?
KARNA: Who are you?
SALYA: I'm King Salya.
KARNA: I don't need a king. I'm looking for a driver.
SALYA: All the horses in the world obey me. You won't find a better
driver anywhere. I heard you say, "I am superior to Arjuna." Well,
I am superior to Krishna.
KARNA: Krishna is sometimes guided by a force we can't understand.
He is perhaps a form of Vishnu.
SALYA: But the gods share the world, just as men do. There are those
who have seen Shiva fighting in the half-light of dawn, driving one
army against the other.
KARNA: Shiva only wishes to destroy. He gave Arjuna the final
weapon.
DURYODHANA: You too, Karna, you too know its secret. Shiva's forms
elude us, his desires escape our understanding. Oppose the subtle
with the even subtler and the dark with darker still.
SALYA: Entrust me with your horses and I can make you win the
battle.
DURYODHANA: Have the whole army assembled the moment the sun
rises. See that everything is prepared.
Duryodhana, Dushassana, Aswatthaman leave. Only Salya and Karna
remain. They prepare the chariot for the fight. After several moments
silence, Salya says:
Karna Takes Command 203

SALYA: Aren't you afraid?

KARNA: No one can ever say: "I'll see the sun rise tomorrow." Noth-
ing in this world is lasting and you are going to drive me toward my
destiny. But I alone can defeat Arjuna.
SALYA: You boast and brag, but you're deceiving yourself. No one
can defeat Arjuna.
KARNA: I'll give whoever places Arjuna before me gold, villages,
dancing girls.
SALYA: He'll be before you soon enough. Why waste your fortune?
At this very moment his weapons are being prepared. He is calm. His
brothers and Draupadi are with him. His father, Indra, watches him
secretly and listens. Krishna is waiting. And you? Who's supporting
you? Who wants your victory? Karna, your time is up. Can't you feel
it?
KARNA: You just said, "I can make you win the battle."
SALYA: What deceptive battle are you fighting? Who do you think
is your enemy? Nobody's bastard, haven't you a single friend to open
up your eyes? You're a poor, miserable jackal howling at a lion, a frog
in a monsoon bawling itself blue.
KARNA: Why get under my skin? Why needle away my courage? Are
you my enemy? I know Arjuna better than you. I know who he is.
I'm not a brainless insect throwing itself into a fire. I know what I'm
doing. Look at this spear, shaped like a snake, full of venom. It could
even pierce a mountain. With this spear I'll kill Arjuna, after which
I'll open up your stomach, malicious idiot, trying to make me afraid.
A silence. Salya prepares the weapons, the harness, the chariot. Karna is
immobile.
SALYA: What are you thinking about?
KARNA: A curse.
SALYA: The one made by Parashurama, the man with the axe?
204 THE WAR

KARNA: How do you know?

SALYA: I heard the story of the worm that pierced your thigh;
how you resisted the pain so as not to wake Parashurama, who was
asleep.
KARNA: When he woke, he burst with anger and cried: "You lied
to me about who you are! At the moment of your death, you will
lose your memory and suddenly you'll forget the secret I taught
you."
SALYA: Have you forgotten it? Karna is silent for a moment. His lips
move.
KARNA: No, not yet.
SALYA: The worm in your thigh was probably some god trying to
protect Arjuna.
KARNA: Irresistible, incomparable Arjuna. You are coming toward
me with your extraordinary weapons, with your godlike hands. But
I will kill you. I will lift your head from your body. I will kill you.
SALYA: If you are so sure of killing him, why are you afraid?
KARNA: Salya, or whoever you are, I'm shrouded in omens, menaced
by darkness. Another time, walking in the country, I accidentally
killed a brahmin's cow. He also cursed me. He shouted: "The mo-
ment fear enters your flesh, your chariot wheel will plunge into the
earth." I can't get this ambiguous phrase out of my head. Yes, I think
I am afraid. A bell rings. Karna rouses himself and says: The troops are
assembled. Day is breaking. The moment has come. Karna, driven by
Salya, engages the battle.
Dhritarashtra reappears with Gandhari, Sanjaya, Kunti.
Karna and Yudhishthira are face to face. They fight a moment and
Karna laughs, easily parrying Yudhishthira's blows. Then he disarms
him. Yudhishthira tries to flee but Karna follows him and threatens him
with his spear:
Karna Takes Command 205

KARNA: You want to run away? You wish to save your life? Yudhish-
thira does not reply. He is on the ground. Don't be afraid. I promised
your mother not to kill you. Go and hide and keep away from the
fight. Get someone to sew up your dress and don't play at war with
real men. Karna goes with Salya to continue the battle elsewhere. Yud-
hishthira, wounded and shamed, returns to his camp. Draupadi tends his
wounds. In the distance, the furious sounds of battle can be heard. Yud-
hishthira is delirious.
YUDHISHTHIRA: Is Karna here?
DRAUPADI: Rest.
YUDHISHTHIRA: Where is he? Where's Karna?
DRAUPADI: Arjuna is hunting him down and Bhima is fighting As-
watthaman.
YUDHISHTHIRA: Spread the word. Everyone must be told I'm not
dead. What's the time?
DRAUPADI: Midday.
YUDHISHTHIRA: My life is a frozen field. . . . Ignorance is ice and truth
throws no shadow... . I'm a toy in Karna's hand. . .. This forest sucks
me dry.
DRAUPADI: Hush.
YUDHISHTHIRA: We must harvest the seeds of war and destroy them.
Go, give the order. He sits up. Who's there?
DRAUPADI: Arjuna.
YUDHISHTHIRA: Arjuna returns?
DRAUPADI: Yes.
YUDHISHTHIRA: If Arjuna quits the battle, Karna is dead. Arjuna
returns with Krishna. They are exhausted. As soon as he sees them, Yud-
206 THE WAR

hishthira says to Arjuna, talking very quickly: Arjuna, come here.

Describe Karna's death. I can talk about it now. For fourteen years,
every night I thought of Karna, I sweated with fear and shook with
hatred. Awake, asleep, I saw Karna everywhere—in the gardens, in
my room, by the river, wherever I went I saw him. Karna filled the
universe. Today he caught me and I fled. Sit down. Tell me in detail
how you killed him.
ARJUNA: Karna is not dead. No one can kill him. He's like a mad blaze
that devours everything in its path and he draws fresh heat from the
midday sun. No, I haven't killed Karna and even Bhima is in danger.
YUDHISHTHIRA: You haven't killed Karna and you return? You aban-
don your brother? But you always said to me, always, "I will lead the
war and I will kill Karna. I swear it. I am born to kill him." And I
believed you. Yet, when the moment comes, you betray me. The
world's greatest archer, the legendary conqueror whom none can
eclipse. With what horses! What prodigious weapons! And Krishna
himself as driver, what more could you need? If you yield to Karna,
if you are a coward, give your bow to someone else! And go! Better
never to have been born, or born in the sixth month, an abortion, than
to end as a deserter, panting with fear. Furious, Arjuna grabs his sword
and hurls himself at his brother. Krishna and Draupadi bold him back.
DRAupAni: Arjuna!
ARJUNA: I'll kill you!
KRISHNA: Quiet! Calm down! I can see no one here you should kill.
ARJUNA: Whoever calls me a coward, whoever says to me, give your
bow to another, I'll kill him, I tell you, I'll kill him.
KRISHNA: You are lost. You no longer know what you're doing. How
can you say "I'll kill my brother"?
ARJUNA: He wished me dead before I was born. He's no longer my
brother.
Karna Takes Command 207

KRISHNA: He's suffering, delirious. Karna frightened him and he's

wounded.
DRAUPADI: He says Karna can only be eliminated by you. With

Karna gone, the battle would come to an end. Arjuna addresses Yud-
hishthira:
ARJUNA: Don't reproach me for anything, you who always keep well
out of harm's way. Bhima could reproach me, yes. He's out there, on
a mountain of corpses. But you, you are cold, you live in terror, your
heart is hard. I've given you everything and you insult me, lying in
Draupadi's arms. You are cruel, you wear a mask. No good to me has
ever come from you. It's you who played at dice, you who lost
everything; the origin of the disaster is you. You hide, but you are
devoured by your dream of perfection. You are ready to sacrifice
everything—yes, our lives and all the lives around you—so that you
can be the purest of all men.
KRISHNA: Your sword is still in your hand. Whom do you wish to
kill?
ARjuNA: I wish to kill myself.
KRISHNA: Do you know who you are? Do you know whom you
might kill? Arjuna is silent a moment before replying:
ARJUNA: Yes, I know who I am.
KRISHNA: At this moment, it's not only your life that's at stake. The

whole earth is watching your sword. Arjuna calms down and says to
Yudhishthira:
ARJUNA: Forgive me. I'll join Bhima. Today I'll kill Karna. He wants
to leave, but Yudhishthira calls him back:
YUDHISHTHIRA: Arjuna, all that you've said is true. You must now
break your allegiance and turn your back on me. Bhima will make
a very good king.
208 THE WAR

KRISHNA: No. You must stay firm.

DRAUPADI: You heard Arjuna's promise. Before the day ends, he will
send Karna to his final rest.
KRISHNA: The war draws to its close.
DRAUPADI: And you are the winner. Arjuna bows before Yudhishthira.
ARJUNA: Forgive me and stay. I beg you.
YUDHISHTHIRA: To Arjuna If you don't kill him today, you destroy
my life.
ARJUNA: I will kill him. To Krishna Guided by you. Yudhishthira
seems very tired. Krishna says to Draupadi:
KRISHNA: Take him away and give him good care. Draupadi helps
Yudhishthira to leave. Krishna and Arjuna watch them go and Krishna
says to Arjuna: Where would you be now if you had killed your
brother and your king? What pain! What hell!
ARJUNA: For a moment, I could have killed him.
KRISHNA: SO I saw.
ARJUNA: I have sworn Karna's death.
KRISHNA: Yes, the long-awaited day is here. Karna will rise before
you, ablaze, steaming with blood, fighting mad.
ARJUNA: Am I really stronger than he is?
KRISHNA: If you are afraid of him, don't despise him. See him as he
is.
ARJUNA: I don't despise him. I'm wet with fear. Krishna, who is
Karna? You must tell me.
KRISHNA: I will tell you now. Karna's father is the sun.
ARJUNA: I'm lost. Nothing can outshine the sun.
Karna Takes Command 209

KRISHNA: You asked me, "Am I stronger than he?" It's a false ques-
tion. It's not your strength against his. It's one immense force against
another, because we have, I think, secret allies. Don't give in to
despair. You are not alone.
ARJUNA: Let's get my chariot ready. Stay with me. Tbey leave together.
 DUSHASSANA'S DEATH
KARNA'S DEATH

Vyasa reappears. The boy calls to him and catches up with him.
BOY: Vyasa, I'm very tired.
VYASA: Let's sit down.
BOY: Will the war end one day?
VYASA: Yes, it will end.
BOY: I'm afraid. I thought I was going to die when Aswatthaman
launched his weapon.
VYASA: So did I.
BOY: But you told me: "I'm the author of this poem." Could your
poem kill you? Before Vyasa can reply, Bhima staggers in, covered in
blood and mud.
BHIMA: Vyasa, is it you?
VYASA: Yes, Bhima.
BHIMA: My eyes are streaming with blood, all my body is mashed and
mangled, I'm nothing but holes.
BOY: Where've you been?
BHIMA: I haven't stopped fighting for three days. Now I'm ready to
drop. Vyasa, I'd like to plunge into a river and let the clear current
wash my blood.

210
Dusbassana's Death/Karna's Death 211

VYASA: Arjuna is going to fight against Karna. This is the fateful day.
BHIMA: Where are we?
VYASA: The battle has mixed up everything. The killing is chaotic.
BHIMA: Vyasa, I'm finished. If you're still in charge, why are you
forcing us to die?
VYASA: Bhima, if I stop the war now, where would be the victory?
Vyasa and the boy build a sort of shelter for Bhima. Take shelter here
and rest. Dushassana appears suddenly, axe in hand.
BHIMA: Who's coming toward me? My eyes are full of blood. I can
only see a moving shape.
DUSHASSANA: It's me.

BHIMA: Who, you? Bring your body over here.

DUSHASSANA: Try to see who I am. It's Dushassana!
BHIMA: Dushassana! They've told you I've been wounded and you're
coming on tiptoe to kill me. Dushassana knocks down Bhima's shelter
and pushes away his club.
DUSHASSANA: Can't you get up anymore?
BHIMA: No, I'm so tired I'm falling apart. I'm blind and I'm talking
in my sleep. Dhritarashtra and Gandhari have drawn near. Gandhari
calls out to her son:
GANDHARI: Dushassana, what's brought you here? Don't go near
him! Dushassana ignores his mother's advice.
DUSHASSANA: You're slow and heavy. I'm not afraid of you.
BHIMA: I'm heavy with dead men's blood. Dushassana seizes his axe and
strikes. Bhima avoids the blows as best he can. Spare me, I'm defense-
less. . . .
212 THE WAR

DUSHASSANA: I'm going to save myself and save my brothers! Dushas-

sana dances lightly around Bhima. He hits and wounds him. Bhima
clutches his wounded arm.
BHIMA: You touched me, your friends will be happy. Dhritarashtra
shouts to his son:
DHRITARASHTRA: Keep away, Dushassana!
DUSHASSANA: To Bbima You sweat like an old elephant and you can't
move anymore. Think of your life which ends here!
BHIMA: Dushassana . . . Suddenly, as Dushassana is about to deliver a
mortal blow, Bhima relaxes. His hand shoots out and grabs his opponent's
ankle. Dushassana falls. Bhima pounces and overcomes him. Miserable
abortion, who do you want to kill? Dushassana struggles, thrashes about
wildly in all directions.
DUSHASSANA: Help!
BHIMA: Stop crying! Your black hour has come, Dushassana. This is
where it all ends! Now! He raises his voice and calls: Draupadi! Can
you hear me? Come! Draupadi appears. Look! I will drink his blood,
just as I promised. It's your turn, Dushassana. You've a gasp or two
still left. Think back over your wretched life and remember Draupadi
drawn by the hair. Look at her. Let her be the last thing you see.
He forces Dushassana to face Draupadi.
DUSHASSANA: My brothers! Save me! Where is Karna? Karna!
BHIMA: Karna can't hear you. There's no one to help you. And I rip
out your life. Go. Enough. Die. He plunges his hands into Dushassana's
belly and kills him. Then he crouches down to drink his blood and eat his
entrails, fulfilling his promise. Hmm . . . my enemy's blood is more
delicious than my mother's milk, better than honey, than wine,
sweeter than the sweetest drink on earth. Dushassana dies in horror,
as he watches Bhima eat his intestines. Draupadi turns ay--y abruptly.
Draupadi, don't go away! Watch what I'm doing for you! You can
Dushassana's Deatb/Karna's Death 213

wash your hair now. He looks around. Don't look at me in horror,

through half-closed eyes; don't mutter through your teeth "this one
isn't human." I suck his life's blood from his guts. And he beseeched
me to drink it. He begged for death, he humiliated our wife. He made
fun of me. He danced over me, crying, "The great ox! The great ox!
The beast!" Now it's my turn to dance! He stands up, covered in blood,
and dances around the corpse. His dance makes the earth shake. He looks
at Dushassana for the last time and says to him: We weren't born to
be happy. Farewell. He leaves in silence, leaning on Draupadi.
Duryodhana and Gandhari are by Dushassana's body. Gandhari
touches Duryodhana and asks him:
GANDHARI: Duryodhana, will you spare me just one son? Aswattha-
man appears.
ASWATTHAMAN: Enough murder. Enough blood. Stop the war today.
DURYODHANA: Bhima has torn out my brother's guts and you want
me to stop the war? Karna! Dhritarashtra and Gandhari carry off
Dushassana's body as Duryodhana says to Aswatthaman: All my spies
tell me their men are tottering with fatigue. Even Arjuna can hardly
stand. Karna's well rested. Disaster is changing its course, it's turning
back on our enemies. How can you tell me to give up, you who tried
to wipe out everything with your giant flame? You whose father was
killed by a lie? Karna arrives ready for battle, attended by Salya. Karna,
this is the moment. All our lives are in your hands.
ASWATTHAMAN: Here is Arjuna. Arjuna appears, driven by Krishna.
Draupadi and Yudhisbthira stay in the background. Karna and Arjuna
are face to face. A moment's silence. Karna says to Arjuna:
KARNA: Here I am, Arjuna. I, the bastard, the obscure; you, the
prince, the conqueror. But the sky has opened up for nie and the sun
fills me with strength. You won't end this day alive. Arjuna does not
reply and at a signal from Krishna, is the first to attack. Karna laughs,
easily parrying the first blows. Suddenly Kunti rushes in, crying:
214 THE WAR

KUNTI: Stop them! Stop them from fighting one another! Vyasa
prevents her from intervening.
VYASA: Kunti, go back. One of them must die. You know it.
KUNTI: Why? Who said so? Who needs this death? Stop them,
Vyasa, they don't know who they are.
GANDHARI: Who are they? Kunti, tell me!
KUNTI: They are, they are . . .
KARNA: Kunti! Karna motions to Kunti. She is silent and withdraws.
The combat resumes. It becomes more and more furious. Suddenly Arjuna
wounds Karna. He falls but gets up immediately, laughing. In turn, be
strikes Arjuna. Krishna and Salya direct and assist the two combatants.
Karna breaks Arjuna's chariot; his victory seems assured. Suddenly be
stops as though paralyzed. His chariot does not move despite his and
Salya's efforts. A cry rises from the warriors.
GANDHARI: What's this cry? What can you see?
SANJAYA: Karna's chariot wheel has just plunged into the earth. He
can't go on. Karna, suddenly helpless, cries to Arjuna:
KARNA: Wait! Wait until I free my wheel! You haven't the right to

strike, you know it. Arjuna, respectful of the rules, stops. But Krishna
urges him to attack.
KRISHNA: Strike! This is the moment! Don't listen to him! Don't

wait! Karna endeavors to free his wheel while saying to Arjuna, who still
does not move:
KARNA: I stand before you unarmed, threatened, weak. Law and
honor protect me. Let me free my wheel. It is Krishna who answers
him:
KRISHNA: You speak of honor now, but when Sakuni threw the dice,

where was your honor? What hole did you hide it in? Don't scorch
Dushassana's Death/Karna's Death 215

your mouth with that word; you won't escape alive. He's crying with
anger, he's yours. Salya comes between Arjuna and Karna.
SALYA: A chariot wheel doesn't stick without reason. Who's caught

hold of this wheel? Who is playing this final trick?

KRISHNA: To Arjuna I'll tell you who's caught hold of this wheel: it's
the earth herself with her muddy hands. Suddenly she's taking part
in the battle. She's defending herself and she's come to your aid. It's
she who's grasping his chariot wheel and she won't let go. Strike!
Yes, finish the war! Just as Arjuna lifts his weapon, Salya says to Karna
with great urgency:
SALYA: Karna, don't let yourself be killed like a driver! Rise up. Call

your irresistible weapon and release it. This is the moment! Quick!
DURYODHANA: Yes, Karna, refuse to die!
SALYA: Launch the final weapon! Karna looks at the sky.
KARNA: I know the secret formula. If I pronounce it, a heavenly

creature will come and place the weapon in my hand. Krishna tries
very hard to make Arjuna strike:
KRISHNA: What's paralyzing you? Strike! Salya pushes Karna to call
up the final weapon:
SALYA: Call! Say the words! Save us all!
KARNA: Yes, I call, I call this distant creature . . . He holds out his hand,
open as though to receive the weapon and I say to her . . . Suddenly his
voice stops, his mouth half-open.
DURYODHANA: What's happening? Speak!
KARNA: What do I have to say? Deeply troubled, Karna searches for lost
words: It was a simple phrase. Suddenly I don't remember it any
more. . .. Why has the sun fled? What's this shadow? Nobody answers.
My wheel is buried in the mud, my head is dark, and an ancient
216 THE WAR

mystery kills me. What do I have to say? Krishna then says to Arjuna,
this time without violence:
KRISHNA: All the signs are against him. Take his life. Arjuna kills
Karna who no longer defends himself. Duryodhana collapses in a faint.
 DURYODHANA'S DEATH
THE END OF THE WAR

A moment's silence. Kunti has also fainted. The Pandavas leave. Gand-
hari stands and takes a few steps.
DHRITARASHTRA: Gandhari, where are you going?
GANDHARI: I want to touch my son and speak to him. Vyasa, show
me the way. Vyasa takes Gandhari's hand and leads her to Duryodhana.
He comes to and sees Karna's body. My son . . .
DURYODHANA: Karna, your look still imposes fear, your cold mouth
seems ready to command.
GANDHARI: My son . . .
DURYODHANA: When you asked him for anything, he always an-
swered: "Yes, here it is." He didn't know how not to give. Lifeless,
glorious man . . .
GANDHARI: Everything bleeds, everything weeps, stop this war. Yud-
hishthira will have pity on you and you can live in peace.
DURYODHANA: Yudhishthira will never forgive me. He and his broth-
ers will track me as far as the abyss where the world ends. I will not
live like a puppet king. I must enter the last, the harshest part of my
journey. He stands up and prepares for the fight.
GANDHARI: Your brothers are cold, your shattered troops desert.
The rout has emptied your camp, everyone thinks you're already
dead.

217
218 THE WAR

DURYODHANA: I call my last warriors—wounded, bleeding—I call

them. As though seeing warriors rise, ghostlike, he exhorts them: Rise
from the ground, gather your broken weapons, surround me for the
last time. We are going to fight. He kisses Karna and goes out. Dhrita-
rashtra calls:
DHRITARASHTRA: Sanjaya?
SANJAYA: I am here. They go to Karna's body.
DHRITARASHTRA: My heart must be made of stone, not to have broken

by now. Help me carry Karna's body. Dhritarashtra, groping, takes the

body under the shoulders and Sanjaya takes the legs. They leave. Gandhari
goes with them.
Kunti remains unconscious on the ground.
Vyasa and the boy reappear holding a light, brilliant cloth to suggest
water. Duryodhana stretches out under the cloth with his club. At this
moment, two hunters with bows enter hurriedly. They seem to look for
something.
FIRST HUNTER: This way, softly, come . . . The second hunter moves
forward.
SECOND HUNTER: There are always ducks on this lake. Creep over
to the other side. Not a sound. The two hunters go cautiously to the edge
of the lake. Duryodhana begins to sing. Do you hear? It's like a voice
speaking from the bottom of the lake.
FIRST HUNTER: What's the voice saying?
SECOND HUNTER: It's singing. It's bewailing a lost kingdom. It's
Duryodhana's voice, he's there!
FIRST HUNTER: Can you see him?
SECOND HUNTER: Yes, there! Touch the water, it's hard and cold as
stone. Yudhishthira appears, accompanied by Arjuna, Bhima, and
Krishna. He is injured and leaning on Draupadi.
Duryodhana's Death/The End of the War 219

YUDHISHTHIRA: What's the name of this lake?

SECOND HUNTER: Dvaipayana.
YUDHISHTHIRA: And the water's hardened?
SECOND HUNTER: Yes, like transparent rock. Feel it. Yudhishthira
kneels at the edge of the lake, touches the hardened water and calls:
YUDHISHTHIRA: Duryodhana! Are you there? No reply. Krishna leans
over the surface of the water.
KRISHNA: Yes, he is there, I see him. He's there with his club.
YUDHISHTHIRA: He passed through the water?
KRISHNA:Yes, by magic. The waters opened and let him in, then he
made them hard. No one could break them now.
YUDHISHTHIRA: Duryodhana? Do you hear me? No reply. Can you
hear me? Duryodhana's voice replies:
DURYODHANA: Don't disturb my peace. I'm resting.
YUDHISHTHIRA: What are you doing in these icy waters? Get up,
leave your conjuring, come out and fight.
DtatvorniANA: My body is weary. I need to rest.
YUDHISHTHIRA: You'll have all the rest you need after the fight.
DURYODHANA: Tomorrow; I'll fight tomorrow. I want to stay here
all night and sing.
YUDHISHTHIRA: You're afraid? Duryodhana waits a moment before re-
plying.
DURYODHANA: Does it surprise you that fear can soak into a man? No,
it's not fear that's drawn me into this lake, it's fatigue. It's good down
here in the clear, clean water. I give you this earth, ruined, clothed
in corpses. All I want is to wrap myself in an animal skin and
disappear into the woods.
220 THE WAR

YUDHISHTHIRA: The earth you give me isn't yours. The bodies that
cover it have been butchered by your greed. You respected your
greed more than all these lives. Now, it's your life I want.
DURYODHANA: Very well, I'll come out. I accept the challenge to
break through the waters and fight—but one against one.
YUDHISHTHIRA: You're a Kshatriya. You are entitled to fight accord-
ing to our rules. Come out of the lake.
DURYODHANA: Can I choose my weapon?
YUDHISHTHIRA: Choose your adversary and your weapon! Krishna
then says to Yudhishthira:
KRISHNA: Why take the risk? I can hear him puffing and swelling like
a serpent.
DURYODHANA: I choose clubs! Duryodhana suddenly springs from the
lake, club in hand.
KRISHNA: To Yudhishthira What will you do? He's been training with
clubs every day for thirteen years. Every day! Against an iron statue!
Bhima then comes forward and says:
BHIMA: I will fight you and I'll finish the war today. I will put an end

to your life.
DURYODHANA: Come nearer! Bhima goes up to Duryodhana and the two
men begin to fight ferociously. Bhima tries to strike his adversary but
Duryodhana skillfully avoids his attacks and strikes in return. He turns
around Bhima, who is injured and moving heavily. Suddenly, after a
feint, Duryodhana strikes Bhima who staggers and falls. Instead of killing
him, Duryodhana says: You're heavy, you can't keep up any longer.
I could smash your skull, but one doesn't strike a fallen adversary.
Get to your feet! Krishna and Arjuna help Bhima up while Duryodhana
moves away to regain his breath.
KRISHNA: Are you wounded?
Duryodbana's Death/The End of the War 221

BHIMA: Yes.
KRISHNA: Badly?
BHIMA: Yes.
KRISHNA: Don't show it. Stay on your feet, you must convince him
you're strong. Attack and aim low, hit his legs.
BHIMA: His legs? I can't, it's not allowed.
KRISHNA: I said hit his legs!
DRAUPADI: Break his thigh!
Bhima returns to the fight. Duryodhana is as skillful as before and
Bhima!s club strikes the air. In a last effort, Bhima swings round and
suddenly throws his club at Duryodhana's legs. Duryodhana screams and
falls, his thighs smashed. Bhima crushes his bead with his foot.
YUDHISHTHIRA: To Bhima Bhima, take away your foot! This man has
the same blood as you and he was a king. The war is over. Don't
insult him. In pain, Duryodhana calls Yudhishtbira:
DURYODHANA: Yudhishthira, listen to me, come. . . .
YUDHISHTHIRA: What do you want?
DURYODHANA: I've been hit, shamefully, on the legs, against all
the rules. Krishna intervenes at once. He wants to draw Yudbishthira
aside:
KRISHNA: Come, he's neither a friend nor an enemy. You don't waste
tears on a block of wood. Let's go.
DURYODHANA: Krishna! You advised Bhima to aim at my legs. Do
you think I didn't hear? You are the origin of evil! Sikhandin—that
was your idea! And who tricked the sun? And the lie: Aswatthaman
is dead? And who threw Ghatotkatcha against us to force Karna to
give up his lance? And when Karna's wheel stuck in the mud, you
222 THE WAR

said to Arjuna, "Take his life!" You! Always you! Death's cunning
slave!
KRISHNA: All that you say is false and your only assassin is yourself.
To Yudhishthira Your victory is complete. Let's go and celebrate.
DURYODHANA: Yes, go your way, stay in this unhappy world, I'm
going to another world. Who is happier than I? I reigned on earth,
I was just. I laughed, I sang, I loved my friends and my wives, I
protected my servants, I held out my hand to the afflicted, I knew
all human joys. Go and eat and dance. Go.
KRISHNA: No good man is entirely good. No bad man is entirely bad.
I salute you, Duryodhana. I don't find any pleasure in your suffering.
But your defeat is a joy. Duryodhana stays alone, clinging to life as
night draws near. Aswatthaman approaches him. In the distance, songs
and music.
ASWATTHAMAN: Your enemies are singing their victory. Can you
hear them? Duryodhana lifts himself onto his elbow.
DURYODHANA: Aswatthaman . . . Aswatthaman supports him and lis-

tens. The five brothers won't stay in the camp tonight. They've
already left. The others will drink, drink, then they'll sleep heavily,
sleep. . . . Aswatthaman has understood. He stands up briskly and leaves.
Krishna then appears. He goes to Kunti who is still unconscious.
KRISHNA: Kunti, get to your feet. Your sons are waiting for you in

the town. Kunti comes to. Krishna helps her stand up and walk.
KUNTI: The night is not yet over?
KRISHNA: No, not yet.
KUNTI: Krishna, somewhere in my heart I'm uneasy, as though death
hasn't yet finished its work. At this moment in the distance, the festive
music stops. Kunti and Krishna do not move. They are troubled. The
feast is over.
Duryodhana's Death/The End of the War 223

KRISHNA: The victors sleep.

KUNTI: Who of the Kauravas is still alive?
KRISHNA: Duryodhana isn't yet dead.
KUNTI: And who else?
KRISHNA: Aswatthaman's escaped. Death is at work in him and he
can't rest.
KUNTI: Krishna, we must find them. It's not a victorious silence.
Krishna leaves quickly. Kunti follows him. Then Aswatthaman appears
holding a bloody sword. He goes to Duryodhana still lying on the ground
in the night.
ASWATTHAMAN: If you still have breath, listen to me. . . . Duryodhana
lifts himself and listens. When I left you, I hid in the forest and there,
in the darkness of a vast tree, I saw an owl, ruthlessly exterminating
baby crows in their sleep. I said to myself, my hour has come. As I
approached the camp, brutally, an enormous being burst from the
earth, a creature of horror spitting fire, sweating blood, crying, "You
won't enter! You won't enter the camp!" The colossus had a thou-
sand jaws, a thousand arms whirling fire and steel. I tried to fight him,
but this monster phantom was a barrier I couldn't cross. Then I
realized that what rose before me was my fear. I drew back, made a
sacrifice. The god welded this sword to my hand and infused my
body with his power. I went in again. Deformed and terrifying
denizens of the night seeped from the watery soil and glued them-
selves around me. They had bears' heads, camels' heads, turtles'
heads, potlike paunches. They were somber, twisted, green with
slime; a whole army of monsters at my command. I entered into the
camp, slipping softly toward Dhristhadyumna's tent where, on rare
carpets, my father's killer lay asleep. I kicked him awake, he tried
to scream. I threw him to the ground, I crushed his throat with
my knees. He tore at me with his nails. I killed him as one kills
cattle.
224 THE WAR

DURYODHANA: Good, that's good. . . .

ASWATTHAMAN: Then I hurled myself into the camp. My force was

superhuman, I massacred everyone. I killed Bhima's son, Arjuna's

son, Yudhishthira's son, I killed the twins' sons. Draupadi hasn't one
son left.
DURYODHANA: Yes, good, very good.
ASWATTHAMAN: I killed Sikhandin—I chopped him in two with my

sword. I tore throats, I stabbed backs, I amputated heads, arms, ears.

The joyful beasts of the night, their bellies swollen, crunched flesh
and gulped down blood, repeating: "It's delicious, succulent, su-
perb!" Then I withdrew in silence. I met Abhimanyu's young
widow, I killed the fetus in her womb. The Pandavas have no more
descendants. There. I have done what I needed to do. I am calm.
DURYODHANA: Good, very good. We will see one another again.
. . . Now, I die.
After the death of Duryodhana, the boy enters, alone, and approaches the
body, not without fear.
BOY: Vyasa . . . Vyasa . . .
VYASA: I am here.
Vyasa appears. The boy goes up to him, reassured.
BOY: Is the war over?
VYASA: Yes. The sun is slowly rising over eighteen million corpses.
Birds of prey drag heroes by the feet. With cruel beaks they hack at
mangled faces till the last mark of recognition goes. The beauty of
a man leaves no trace in the beasts' jaws. Karna, Abbimanyu, and
another man appear, mutilated. They lie on the ground. They are dead.
Vyasa says to the boy:
VYASA: Don't be frightened. They don't see you anymore. Women
appear in the distance, looking for the bodies of their relatives.
Duryodbana's Deatb/Tbe End of the War 225

VYASA: The women stagger blindly in all directions. They grope for
their children in the mud. Draupadi and Gandhari know that they
will grow old without children. Tbe young wife of Abhimanyu goes and
sits beside bis body.
VYASA: The young wife of Abhimanyu says to him: "For me, you
are like riches in a dream. I see you; you are gone." At this moment
Bbisbma enters. He is carried on bis bed of arrows by the Pandavas and
by Dbritarasbtra who surround him, along with Sanjaya.
BOY: Bhishma is still alive?
VYASA: Yes. He spoke for a long time to Yudhishthira from his bed
of arrows. At the gate of death, he taught him the hard profession of
kingship and the secret of the movements of mankind. He told him
all that he had to tell. Then, the sun was ready to touch its zenith and
Bhishma felt that his end was near.
Kunti appears. She goes toward Karna's body.
VYASA: As the sun pierced the bloodstained mist, Kunti, watched by
everyone, went close to Karna's body. Arjuna comes up to her.
ARJUNA: Why are you kneeling beside Karna?
KUNTI: Karna—whom you killed—Karna was your eldest brother,
my first son. I was fifteen years old.
ARJUNA: Karna was our brother?
KUNTI: Yes, Arjuna.
ARJUNA: He knew it?
KUNTI: Yes, he knew it.
ARJUNA: Why did you hide this from us?
KUNTI: Constantly hated by you—rejected, despised—he swore not
to kill you, to spare you all, except you, Arjuna, so that after the battle
I would have the same number of sons.
226 THE WAR

ARJUNA: You knew it, Krishna?

KRISHNA: Karna forbade me to reveal Kunti's secret to you. His
promise was absolute.
ARJUNA: He preferred his word to his brothers?
KRISHNA: And you must respect his choice.
BHIMA: To Kunti He had the same feet as you. I often wondered why.
DHRITARASHTRA: To Bhishma This world is savage. How can one
understand the savagery of this world?
BHISHMA: You are part of it.
DHRITARASHTRA: How can one escape? Bbishma draws himself up.
BHISHMA: A man is walking in a dark, dangerous forest, filled with
wild beasts. The forest is surrounded by a vast net. The man is afraid,
he runs to escape from the beasts, he falls into a pitch black hole. By
a miracle, he is caught in some twisted roots. He feels the hot breath
of an enormous snake, its jaws wide open, lying at the bottom of the
pit. He is about to fall into these jaws. On the edge of the hole, a huge
elephant is about to crush him. Black and white mice gnaw the roots
from which the man is hanging. Dangerous bees fly over the hole
letting fall drops of honey. . . . Then the man holds out his finger—
slowly, cautiously—he holds out his finger to catch the drops of
honey. Threatened by so many dangers, with hardly a breath be-
tween him and so many deaths, he still has not reached indifference.
The thought of honey holds him to life.
DHRITARASHTRA: And you? Do you still wish for honey? Bhishma does
not reply. Bhishma, answer me.
SANJAYA: His breath has left him. Everyone bows down in grief. Then,
suddenly, Yudhishtbira rises and moves away.
DRAUPADI: Where are you going?
Duryodbana's Death/The End of the War 227

YUDHISHTHIRA: I led my brother to his death. Now I'm going off into
the woods.
DRAUPADI: And you give up your kingdom?
YUDHISHTHIRA: Yes, I will eat fruit and roots, I will wash twice a day,
alone, without tears, without joy, an idiot, calm in the face, deaf and
blind, wandering aimlessly, seeking neither death nor life.
ARJUNA: What's the sense, then, of this great battle?
DRAUPADI: Poverty is not glorious. Nor is sadness. Even deprived of
my sons I want to live. What can I say to you, Yudhishthira? Must
we tie you to the throne like a mad king?
YUDHISHTHIRA: Yes, Draupadi, I am mad, no one is madder than I
am. I've killed your sons, I've killed millions of men.
DRAUPADI: Now I see you clearly. You were happy in the forest, you
relished the taste of exile. You knew you were going to lose the game
of dice—secretly you wanted to lose, you wanted to lose everything.
When we left the city, barefoot, dragging ourselves behind you in
misery, you were radiant, you had won.
DHRITARASHTRA: Yudhishthira, don't go. Don't despise this earth. I
want you to revive our crippled kingdom.
VYASA: You are the most upright, you are the truest of men. And it
needed exile, long suffering, this desperate war, and this harsh battle
in yourself—and your lie and your anger and your delirium—it even
needed wishing for your brother's blood for you now to be him
whom the city awaits with all its garlands.
DHRITARASHTRA: Come into my arms. Come, have no fear. Yudhish-
thira goes forward. Dbritarasbtra embraces him asking: Is Bhima there?
BHIMA: Yes, I'm here.
DHRITARASHTRA: Come, I want to embrace you too. Come to me.
228 THE WAR

DHRITARASHTRA: Come, I want to embrace you too. Come to me.

Bhima goes toward the aged king but Krishna suddenly holds him back.
He looks around him and picks up a dead body with Bhima's help. They
carry it while Dhritarashtra gets impatient. Where are you? Come, I
want to hold you in my arms!
BHIMA: I am here.
DHRITARASHTRA: Where?
BHIMA: Here, before you. At the last moment Krishna substitutes the
dead body for Bhima. Dhritarashtra takes it in his arms.
DHRITARASHTRA: Bhima, how hard you are. I was afraid of you for
so long. Dhritarashtra squeezes with all his strength. Ah, Bhima . . .
Dhritarashtra drops the body. He totters with fatigue, overcome by his
effort. Almost unconscious, he sobs: I've killed him, I've killed him.
KRISHNA: No, you haven't killed him; I saw deep anger burning in
you and I kept him away.
DHRITARASHTRA: I felt his bones break.
KRISHNA: It was a dead man you crushed in your arms. Bhima raises
Dhritarashtra. Krishna then says to Gandhari: You too Gandhari, take
care. Wipe away the words you're about to utter.
GANDHARI: I can only think through pain. Bhima killed my son
ignobly. I can't understand his treacherous blow.
BHIMA: I hadn't an atom of strength left in me.
GANDHARI: And Dushassana's blood? How could you drink it?
BHIMA: The blood never got past my lips and teeth.
GANDHARI: Why not have left me one son? Just one son? Where is
Yudhishthira?
YUDHISHTHIRA: Here.
Duryodhana's Death/The End of the War 229

YUDHISHTHIRA: Don't blame Bhima for your son's death. I am re-

sponsible. Ah! He gives a cry of pain and holds his foot.
DRAUPADI: What hit you?
KRISHNA: It's the look in Gandhari's eyes. It passed under her band;
it fell on his foot and was so charged with grief that it burned him.
Gandhari then addresses Krishna:
GANDHARI: Krishna, you didn't keep your word. You took part in the
battle with weapons more terrible than all the others. You rejoiced
in our misfortune; you watched my son die like a spectator. Krishna,
I curse you: one day, all that you are building will crumble; your
friends will be massacred by your friends; dry blood will coat the
walls of your dead city where only vultures reign; your shattered
heart will mourn; you will leave, solitary; a passerby will kill you.
KRISHNA: Yes, Gandhari, what you see is true. I know. But even if
you can't see it, a light has been saved. Yudhishthira makes a sudden
decision:
YUDHISHTHIRA: Come with me. He leaves first. The living and the dead
follow him.
 KRISHNA'S DEATH

Watching Yudbishthira leave, Krishna asks Vyasa:

KRISHNA: Vyasa, they're all leaving. Do you want me to stay with
you?
VYASA: You must stay.
KRISHNA: What role have you in store for me now?
VYASA: You know well.
BOY: To Krishna Are you going to die too?
KRISHNA: Yes, of course. Like any other life, time has fixed my limit.
BOY: To Vyasa Are they all going to die without children?
VYASA: Yes, all of them.
BOY: But you told me, "This poem tells the story of your race." Am
I born from a dead race? Abhimanyu's young widow has held back for
a moment. She goes out slowly. Krishna indicates her to the boy:
KRISHNA: Look at this woman. She was Abhimanyu's wife and she
bears his child. At his birth he will be dead, but I will restore him
to life because his blood is the blood of Arjuna, my friend. Centuries
and centuries will go by and you will come from this woman. They
watch the woman who is looking at them. She leaves. Krishna says to the
boy: This will be my last action. Later—thirty-six years later—
terrible convulsions will tear my kingdom apart. Then I'll remember
Gandhari's words and I'll say to myself: "The moment has come. I

230
Krishna's Death 231

must go into the forest alone and die on the spot where I drop with
fatigue." He has started walking. Exhausted, he falls to the ground and
lies on his back. He sleeps. At once, a hunter enters. He sees Krishna's feet
and shoots an arrow at them. Krishna sits up with a cry. The hunter
approaches and recognizes him.
HUNTER: Krishna, is it you? In the gloom of the forest, I mistook
your feet for the ears of a deer. Forgive me.
KRISHNA: There's no cause for concern. I die, it's as it should be. The
boy rushes to Krishna:
BOY: Krishna, I've so many things to ask you.
KRISHNA: Tell me, quickly.
BOY: Why all your tricks? And your bad directions?
KRISHNA: I fought against terrible powers and I did what I could.
BOY: What was it you said to Arjuna before the battle?
KRISHNA: I showed him the path of freedom, of true, right action. But
he's forgotten it all.
BOY: What freedom, what path?
KRISHNA: These are very difficult questions and I can never say
anything twice.
BOY: Please! Krishna does not answer. He is still. Vyasa moves the boy
away saying:
VYASA: Krishna's no longer with us. They carry Krishna away.
 BY THE RIVER

Kunti, Gandhari, and Dhritarashtra appear, covered in the dust of a long

journey.
GANDHARI: Are we in the forest?
KUNTI: Yes.
GANDHARI: I hear a river.
KUNTI: Yes, there, close by.
GANDHARI: No one has followed us?
KUNTI: I see no one.
GANDHARI: We're going to live our last days here, without any fear
of death.
DHRITARASHTRA: It's good when kings finish their lives in solitude.

GANDHARI: Thirty-six years have gone by since the great battle and
I still hear the crash of steel and the cry of flesh.
KUNTI: Krishna's dead. Last night there were rings of light around
the moon.
GANDHARI: And what else?
KUNTI: An iron sky struck with lightning; rivers twisting out of
course.
GANDHARI: Winds stronger each day.

232
By the River 233

KuNTI: Rats multiply, they chew people's hair in their sleep. Food
in the kitchens is crawling with worms. Flames curve to the left.
Gandhari sighs. Dhritarashtra asks her:

DHRITARASHTRA: You sighed, Gandhari. Are you sad?

GANDHARI: It wasn't a sigh of sadness. All the odors here bring back
my childhood.

DHRITARASHTRA: Each day you must have regretted the fair land of
your birth.

GANDHARI: No, the day I married you I killed every other thought.

DHRITARASHTRA: I don't believe you. Gandhari remains silent and

Dhritarashtra says: You were cheated. You were married without
being told I was blind. I destroyed your life.

GANDHARI: At first you thought that I couldn't hold out, that I'd take
off the band. You could have ordered me to take it off. You were the
king, you could have said to me, "At least look at your children." But
you never said it.

DHRITARASHTRA: I felt your anger. I always felt it close to me. I still

feel it. Gandhari says nothing. Our life is nearly over. Take off your
band.

GANDHARI: No.

DHRITARASHTRA: You can't die with your eyes closed. Take off your
band. It's an order. Gandhari stands but does not take off the band. Have
you taken it off?

GANDHARI: Yes.

DHRITARASHTRA: What can you see?

GANDHARI: I can't see anything clearly. My eyes must get accus-

tomed to the light.
234 THE WAR

DHRITARASHTRA: And now?

GANDHARI: Yes, I begin to distinguish shapes, trees, the sky, two birds
go by. She goes to Kunti. It's you, Kunti?
KUNTI: Yes, it's me.
GANDHARI: I've never seen you.
KUNTI: I've never known the look in your eyes. Gandhari cries:
GANDHARI: Ah!
DHRITARASHTRA: What?
GANDHARI: I've just seen a whole army rise out of the river. All my
sons, smiling, their wounds healed, reconciled. An immense wave of
men, all white, mounting into the air. I can't see them anymore. The
river is quietly closing again.
DHRITARASHTRA: There's a fire somewhere in the forest.
GANDHARI: Yes, since morning I've felt the smoke. I hear animals
crying as they run away.
KUNTI: The fire's coming toward us. A short silence. Fire rises.
GANDHARI: It's easier than I thought to hold your hand up to the end.
DHRITARASHTRA: Dive into the river.
GANDHARI: I feel the fire's breath.
DHRITARASHTRA: Cross the river, save your life! Gandhari draws him
toward the forest.
GANDHARI: Come, let's both walk toward the flame. Put your hand
on my shoulder. Dhritarashtra follows her without speaking. She says
to Kunti: And you, Kunti, if you wish, come with us. Kunti accompa-
nies them.
All three go to meet the fire.
 THE LAST ILLUSION

Yudbisbtbira appears, aged, shivering with cold, exhausted by a long

climb. He holds a dog in his arms. An imperious voice, that of Vyasa,
asks:
MESSENGER: Who has come as far as this? Who are you?
YUDHISHTHIRA: I am Yudhishthira. I am looking for the gate of
paradise.
MESSENGER: It's here. Are you alone?
YUDHISHTHIRA: Yes, we decided to leave the earth, my brothers and
Draupadi, but while climbing the mountain they slipped. One after
the other they fell into the abyss—the twins, Draupadi, even Arjuna,
even Bhima. I've come here alone.
MESSENGER: Your kingdom has known thirty-six years of happiness.
You have proved yourself to be the best of kings, your place is
amongst us. Leave this dog and enter.
YUDHISHTHIRA: I can't leave this dog.
MESSENGER: Why?
YUDHISHTHIRA: He's followed me ever since I left the city.
MESSENGER: Dogs don't enter here. Leave him.
YUDHISHTHIRA: No. He's come all this way with me, we go in to-
gether.

235
236 THE WAR

MESSENGER: Paradise isn't open to dogs! Leave him behind, it's no

cruelty. Your brothers are here already. Enter, come and join them
leave this dog.
YUDHISHTHIRA: Abandon a creature who loves me, who's alone and
defenseless? I can't.
MESSENGER: You've given up everything, give up this dog. Other-
wise you won't pass this door.
YUDHISHTHIRA: I'll stay outside in the icy wind with this dog. The
Guardian–Messenger--who is, in fact, Vyasa—invites Yudhishthira to
enter saying:
VYASA: Enter. The dog is another form of Dharma, your father.
Once, a long time ago, he took the shape of a lake, you remember?
He has always followed and observed you. Enter the inconceivable
region with him.
YUDHISHTHIRA: Can I go in with my body?
VYASA: Yes, come. Yudhishthira steps over the threshold of paradise.
Suddenly Duryodbana appears before him, smiling, splendidly dressed,
accompanied by Dushassana, also smiling. They are holding cups of wine.
YUDHISHTHIRA: Is that Duryodhana?
VYASA: Yes.
YUDHISHTHIRA: He's here?
VYASA: He's here with his brothers, with all his family.
YUDHISHTHIRA: Millions of men died because of him and he's here?
He drinks? He smiles? He seems happy?
VYASA: He is happy. He's calm. Here, all hates vanish. Kiss him!
YUDHISHTHIRA: Don't ask me to kiss him. I can't. If this murderer is
here, where are my brothers? Where is our wife? What is paradise
if I'm separated from my family? I want to see them!
The Last Illusion 237

VYASA: I'll show them to you, follow me. Yudhishthira follows the
Messenger who draws him into ever deeper darkness.
YUDHISHTHIRA: Where are you taking me?
VYASA: To where your brothers are. Come.
YUDHISHTHIRA: Where is this pathway leading? The stench is dread-
ful, it's all black, the mist smells of putrefaction.
VYASA: Follow me.
YUDHISHTHIRA: I see scraps of flesh, blood. . . .
VYASA: Be very careful, one can meet enormous bears here and birds
with iron beaks.
YUDHISHTHIRA: They're like amputated limbs, bleeding guts. Where
are we? Where are my brothers?
VYASA: Farther still. I'm stopping here. Go on a bit. If the smell
upsets you, you can turn back with me. Lamentations rise from the
shadow. Yudhisbtbira listens.
KARNA'S VOICE: Yudhishthira, don't go.
DRAUPADI'S VOICE: Stay with us!
limmik's VOICE: You bring us a fresh breeze.
ARJUNA'S VOICE: Stay!
DRAUPADI'S VOICE: Our pains are lighter when you are here.
YUDHISHTHIRA: Who are you? Who's speaking?
KARNA: Don't you know me? I'm Karna. Your brother.
ARJuNA: I'm Arjuna
BHIMA: I'm Bhima
NAKULA: I'm Nakula
238 THE WAR

SAHADEvA: I'm Sahadeva

DRAUPADI: I'm Draupadi. We're all here. Yudhishthira sees them, recog-
nizes them.
YUDHISHTHIRA: You! Here! Tortured! In this rotten smell of corpses!
Who decided this? Am I awake? Am I conscious or unconscious? Is
this a disorder of the brain? What act have these beings commited to
be thrown down into Hell? I will stay here, since I've seen that my
presence brings comfort to my family. I condemn the Gods. I con-
demn Dharma. Tell the Gods I will never go up there again. Vyasa
gently goes to Yudbishthira while Ganesha reappears with his writing
materials.
VYASA: Then the keeper of the last dwelling said to Yudhishthira:
"Stop shouting. You've known neither paradise nor hell. Here, there
is no happiness, no punishment, no family, no enemies. Rise in
tranquillity. Here, words end, like thought. This was the last illu-
sion." Ganesha repeats as he finishes writing:
GANESHA: This was the last illusion. Yudhishthira looks around bim in
astonishment. He sees his brothers, Draupadi, and Kunti smiling, intact.
The other characters reappear, calm and relaxed.
Dbritarasbtra has gained his sight and Gandhari has taken off her band.
For an instant they wash in the river, then sit beside the musicians, who
play as the story comes to its end. Refreshments are handed around. They
are slowly enveloped by the night.
 About the Author and Translator
Jean-Claude Carriere has written some forty films, fifteen
books and twelve plays, and worked closely with direc-
tors Jacques Tati, Louis Malle, Pierre Etaix, Marco Fer-
reri, Milos Forman, Volker Schlondorff, Andrey Wajda,
and Luis Buimel. His films include The Discreet Charm of
the Bourgeoisie and The Tin Drum (both of which won
Oscars for Best Foreign Film), Belle de Jour, The Milky
Way, That Obscure Object of Desire, Taking Off, Danton,
and The Return of Martin Guerre. He has worked with
Peter Brook since 1974, collaborating on seven plays,
including The Conference of the Birds, The Tragedy of Car-
men, and The Mahabharata.
He lives in Paris and is president of the New French
School for Cinema and Television (FEMIS).

Peter Brook has been a director of the Royal Shakespeare

Company, and currently heads the International Centre
of Theatre Research in Paris. Among over fifty produc-
tions, he has directed Love's Labours Lost, The Tempest,
and King Lear in Stratford upon Avon; Ring Around the
Moon, Oedipus, A View from the Bridge, and Hamlet in
London; The Visit, Marat/Sade, A Midsummer Night's
Dream, and The Tragedy of Carmen in New York; Ser-
geant Musgrave's Dance, The Conference of the Birds, Timon
of Athens, and The Cherry Orchard in Paris. His films
include Lord of the Flies, King Lear, and Meetings with
Remarkable Men, among others. His operas include The
Marriage of Figaro and Boris Gudonov at Covent Garden,
and Faust and Eugene Onegin at the Metropolitan Opera.
He has written many articles, and The Empty Space,
published in 1968. He currently lives in Paris.