Play on Mahabharat episode highlights importance of peace

Lucknow: The play, ‘Dutvaakyam', based on one of the episodes of the Mahabharat, was staged at the International Buddhist Research Centre on Monday.Organised by Safar Foundation in collaboration with UP Sanskrit Sansthan, the play highlighted the importance of peace, destruction of ego and victory of ‘dharma'.
Based on a work of 4th century playwright, Bhasa, the plot revolved around Mahabharat's episode in which Lord Krishna goes to Hastinapur to meet Kauravas as a peace envoy of Pandavas.Krishna seeks share in the kingdom for Pandavas after the latter's return from exile as promised by Duryodhan earlier.However, Duryodhan goes back on his promise to give half of the kingdom, even rejects the proposal to give five villages to five Pandava brothers. An arrogant Duryodhana also orders the arrest of Krishna. At this, Krishna reveals his divine form and summons his celestial weapons, including the Sudarshan Chakra. But, when Krishna is about to punish Duryodhana, Sudarshan Chakra appears in personified form and reminds Krishna about the real purpose of taking reincarnation. Krishna forgives Duryodhyana when latter's father Dhritarashtra apologises.Play's director Mohammad Anwar Beg said, "The original play was of single act. We added a few more scenes to make it effective. We were helped by Sanskrit scholar Mamta Pandey."