The Envoy- Summary and Question-Answers

 

“The Envoy” Summary

 

“The Envoy” is one of the thirteen plays of Bhasa discovered by T. Ganpati Shastri during the early decades of the twentieth century. The original Sanskrit name of this play was DuteVakya. It is based on a momentous episode from the Mahabharata. It presents an important moment in the progress of the epic. The warring factions of Kauravas and Pandavas are getting ready to fight each other at Kurukshetra. However, the Pandavas decide to make a last bid for peace. They send Krishna as their envoy to the Kanrava camp. They want Krishna to plead on their behalf and convince the Kauravas that war can be avoided if the Kauravas agree to give the Pandavas their inheritance. The play depicts Krishna's dignified entry into the Court and his graceful advice to Duryodhana. But the villainous Kaurva King behaves very insolently and insulting while talking to Krishna. Enraged at this, Krishna at once calls for Sudarshana who at once appears with his deadly disc. Duryodhana would have been pilled there and then had it not been for the softening words of Sudarshana to Krishna. Krishna sends away Sudarshana and himself leaves for the Pandavas Camp. However, before he leaves Dhritrashtra comes there and begs Krishna to be forgiven for the offensive behaviour of his son.

Short Answer Type Questions

Q1. Who convenes the meeting of princes?

Ans Duryodhana was a Kaurava. He convenes the meeting of the princes to discuss the impending war between the Kauravas and the Pandavas.

 

Q2. How does Duryodhana busy himself during the entrance of the envoy?

Ans Duryodhana keeps himself busy by gazing at a painting in which Draupadi is being dragged by her hair in the Kaurava court.

Q3. Why are Duryodhana’s warriors confused at the entrance of Krishna?

Ans Duryodhana ordered his warriors not to get up in the honour of Krishna. But the warriors want to show their respect for Krishna. So they are confused at the entrance of Krishna.

Q4. What is the purpose of the meeting?

Ans The Kauravas are going to have a war with the Pandavas. So Duryodhana calls the meeting to decide who the commander–in–chief of his eleven armies would be.

Q5. What is Duryodhana’s response to the Pandava plea for the division of inheritance?

Ans Krishna comes with a peace proposal. He tells Duryodhana that the Pandavas want the division of inheritance. But, Duryodhana rejects the proposal sent by the Pandavas.

Q6. What do the Pandava brothers seek from the Kuru clan?

Ans The Pandavas do not want to fight against the Kauravas brothers. They want to make reconciliation with them. So they want their due share in the inheritance of the Kuru clan.

 

Q7. Why does Duryodhana call Krishna a cowherd?

Ans There are two reasons for it. Firstly, Krishna loved cows and took them for grazing. Secondly, he was brought up by Nanda who belonged to a tribe of cowherds.

Q8. According to Duryodhana, Krishna had no pity for whom?

Ans According to Duryodhana, Krishna had no pity for king Kansa, his material uncle and the brother-in-law of his father.

Essay Type Questions

Q1. How does Bhasa personify Sudharshana?

Ans Sudharshan chakra was the divine discus that had been given to Lord Vishnu by Lord Shiva. Krishna was the incarnation of Lord Vishnu. So he too had this weapon. The Puranas state that the Sudharshan chakra is the most powerful weapon that can annihilate the strongest enemy. The divine chakra ends sins, practitioners of evil and sorrows of all sorts and dimensions. Being a divine weapon it could assume human form also. When Krishna become angry with Duryodhana at his insult. He wants to kill him. So, Krishna orders Sudharshan Chakra to destroy Duryodhana. But Sudharshan requests Lord Krishna to show mercy on wretched Duryodhana. At this Krishna controls his anger. He tells Sudharshan to go back to his abode.

Q2. Why does Dhritarashtra apologise to Krishna?

Ans There is every possibility of war between Kauravas and Pandavas. Krishna comes to the Kaurava camp as an envoy. He wants to make reconciliation between them. He does not want that the brothers should fight against one another. He conveys the message of Pandavas that they should be given their due share in the inheritance of Kuru clan. But Duryodhana starts insulting him by calling him a cow herd. At this, Krishna decides to leave his comp but Duryodhana tries to arrest him. He even mocks at Krishna when he assumes his universal form. At this, Krishna becomes angry and wants to kill him. Dhritarasthra comes to know that his son has behaved him badly. He knows that Krishna’s anger can bring destruction to the whole kingdom. So he apologizes to Krishna. Krishna forgives him.

Q3. Krishna’s visit as an envoy stands for peace and reconciliation between the Pandavas and the Kauravas. Explain.

Ans There is every possibility of war between the Pandavas and Kauravas as Pandavas seek the inheritance from the Kuru clan. But Duryodhana was adamant not to give them their due share. Krishna does not want that the brothers should kill one another. He wants to avoid war as it can bring death and destruction from the both sides. He wants reconciliation between them. So he visits to the court of Duryodhana as a messenger on the behalf of Pandavas. He conveys the message of Pandavas should be given their due share in the inheritance of the kuru clan. At this, Duryodhana says that he is not ready to give anything to the Pandavas. In this way, he rejects the peace proposal of the Pandavas.

Q4. Who is referred to as the” Lotus- eyed- Lord”? Why is he angry?

Ans Lord Krishna is reffered to as the” Lotus- eyed- Lord”. He is angry because Duryodhana has insulted him. Firstly of all Duryodhana warns all the princes not to get up from their seats in the honour of Krishna. Secondly, he rejects his proposal of peace. Krishna does not want that the brothers should fight against one another. He tells Duryodhana that the Pandavas want their due share in the inheritance of the Kuru clan. At this, Duryodhana tells him that he will not give them even a blade of grass. So Krishna becomes angry and decides to use his Sudharshan Chakra to kill Duryodhana. But he changes his mind at Sudharshan’s suggestion. Then Dhritarashtra comes there and apologises to forgive him.