Neev (excited):
 Hey there, myth-lovers!
 Welcome back to Mythical Masala with Neev!
 This episode? It’s next-level intense.

Co-host (teasingly):
 Let me guess... there's going to be more royal drama?

Neev:
 Oh, you have no idea.
 The rivalry between the Pandavas and Kauravas is about to get seriously heated.
 Like… flaming heated!

Co-host:
 Wait, what?

Neev (grinning):
 But before fire, there’s a showdown.
 A big one.

Co-host:
 Ooooh! This sounds like the moment we’ve been waiting for.

Neev:
 And that’s just scene one!
 Today, we’ve got:

• A dramatic archery contest,
• A surprise guest 
• A request for guru dakshina that sparks a mission for revenge,
• And a deadly trap designed to wipe out the Pandavas once and for all.

Co-host:
 Okay, I’m officially sitting up straight for this one.

Neev:
 Grab your armor, your arrows, and your snacks —
 because Episode 7 of Mythical Masala with Neev is about to begin!

Neev:
 Welcome… to the grand arena of Hastinapura!

The crowd was buzzing. The sun blazed over a royal canopy.
 Princes from the Kuru dynasty were lined up, gleaming in armor, bows on their backs, swords at their sides.
 This wasn't just a contest — it was a display of years of training under Kripacharya and Dronacharya.

Co-host (excited):
 Oooh, is this like the Olympics… but with celestial weapons?

Neev:
 Exactly!
 It was time for the royal family to show the world just how powerful their future kings were.

And one by one, the princes stepped forward — demonstrating their skills.

There were cheers, applause…
 But then came Arjuna.

Neev:
 With perfect grace, Arjuna strung his bow.
 He hit targets no one could even see.
He split arrows mid-air.
He controlled flaming weapons, water weapons, even a spell that made it rain arrows!

Co-host (impressed):
 Whoa! Okay Arjuna, we get it. You're basically an action movie.

Neev (laughs):
 Yup.
 The whole arena erupted in applause.

Except for one person…

Cohost: Duryodhana.

Neev:  His jealousy? Boiling.
 His face? Storm cloud.
 His fists? Clenched.

And then…

From the far end of the arena… a stranger appeared.

Golden armor on his chest.
 Earrings that shimmered in the sun.
 Confidence in every step.

Co-host (gasps):
 Wait… is that…

Neev:
 Karna.

He walked into the arena and raised his bow.

Cohost: 
He challenged Arjuna… to a duel?

Neev:
Yes! The crowd gasped.
 Duryodhana’s face lit up like a lamp!

Duryodhana smirked.
 Finally… someone who can shut Arjuna up.

Co-host:
 Oh man. This is going to be epic.

Neev:
 But right before the duel could begin…Kripacharya stepped forward.
 With calm authority, he raised a hand and said sternly
 “Only a prince — a man of royal blood — may fight a Kuru prince.”

Co-host: Party-pooper! 

Neev:
 A hush fell over the arena.

Everyone looked at Karna.

His fists trembled.
 His heart pounded.
 And before he could reply… someone in the crowd collapsed.

Co-host (gasping):
 Wait — someone fainted?!

Neev:
 It was… Kunti.

She had recognized him.
 Her firstborn son.
The baby she had left in a basket long ago.

But she couldn’t say anything — not yet.

Co-host (whispering):
 Oh no… she knows that’s her son.
 But he doesn’t know!

Neev:
 Meanwhile, Duryodhana had a brilliant idea.

He stood tall, turned to the priests, and declared:

Duryodhana (royal voice):
 “I now crown Karna… as King of Anga!”

Co-host:
Wow! In a flash, Karna went from commoner to royalty.

Neev: Yes, But just then…
 A man from the crowd shouted:

Adhiratha came calling out:
 “My son! My son!”

Co-host: Adhiratha, the charioteer who had raised Karna.?

Neev:
Yes, He rushed into the arena with tears of pride —
 but unknowingly shattered Karna’s secret.

Co-host (quietly):
 Oh no. That’s going to change everything…

Neev:
 Bhima couldn’t help himself. He laughed mockingly: 

Bhima (sarcastic):
 “A prince raised in a chariot? Maybe next time we’ll have a cook challenging us!”

Neev:
 Karna’s face turned red.
 His fists clenched.
 But before anyone else could speak…

Duryodhana stepped in.

Duryodhana (angrily):
 “If he’s a charioteer’s son… so what?!
 Karna is noble in skill and spirit.
 And from this day — he is my brother.”

Co-host (softly):
 That one moment… probably made Karna loyal to Duryodhana for the rest of his life.

Neev:
 Exactly.
 Because when the world mocked him…
 only Duryodhana stood by him.

Co-host:
 I mean — he still turns evil, but that loyalty? It’s complicated.

Neev (nods):
 The duel didn’t happen that day.
 But the stage was set.
 Arjuna vs Karna.
 Fate vs family.
 Honor vs ambition.

And from this moment on…
 the fire between them would only grow stronger.

Neev (warm, reflective):
 Long before he was a famous teacher…
 before princes bowed before him…
 Dronacharya was just Drona, a young boy at the gurukula.

Co-host (curious):
 Wait, you mean even legendary warriors went to school like us, and stayed there? And even had roommates?

Neev (laughs):
 Yup! And Drona had one who was more than that —
 a best friend named Drupada, a Kshatriya prince.

Back then, they studied together, ate together, trained side-by-side under the same guru.

Co-host:
 Like dorm buddies?

Neev:
 Exactly!
 And Drona was already an expert with weapons, while Drupada struggled.

But Drona helped him. Patiently. Kindly.

And one day, Drupada said something big:

Drupada (noble voice):
 “When I become king of Panchal…
 I’ll share half my kingdom with you, my friend.”

Co-host:
 Okay, okay… that’s HUGE. I’d take half a pizza from a friend, but half a kingdom?

Neev:
 It meant the world to Drona.
 But kingdoms are tricky things…
 and so are people.

Time passed.
 Drona’s life… wasn’t easy.

He married Krupi, and they had a son — Ashwatthama.
 But they were poor — painfully poor.

Neev (quietly):
 So poor that Drona couldn’t even afford a glass of milk for his child.

Co-host (softly):
 That’s heartbreaking.

Neev:
 In that moment of sadness, he remembered something…

A promise.
 From a friend.
 A kingdom — or even just a warm welcome.

So Drona set out to Panchal, hopeful.

He imagined… Drupada would spot him, run up to him with tears of joy, and say—

Co-host (dreamily):
 “My brother! You’ve come at last!”

Neev (sharp tone):
 But reality? Was ice cold.

When Drona reached the palace and introduced himself…

Drupada (mocking):
 “A beggar? My friend?
 Friendship is only between equals.”

Co-host (stunned):
 Wait… WHAT?! After everything?!

Neev:
 Drupada didn’t just reject Drona…
 He humiliated him.

In front of guards.
 In front of ministers.

Drona turned away with nothing…
 except a bruised ego and a heavy heart.

Co-host:
 Okay, I can feel a revenge plot coming on.

Neev (quietly intense):
 You’d be right.

From that day on, Drona made a silent promise:

One day…
 he would teach Drupada the meaning of true equality.

Neev (reflective):
 Years had passed.
 The young princes had grown into strong, confident warriors — trained in every weapon, every tactic.
 And standing quietly in the courtyard, Dronacharya watched them all.

Co-host:
 I bet he was proud!

Neev:
 Proud… and ready.

Because today wasn’t just about pride.
 It was about something much older, deeper, and darker…

Co-host (leaning in):
 A grudge.

Neev:
 Exactly.

Drona called the princes together — all of them.
 The hundred Kauravas. The five Pandavas.
 They bowed to him respectfully, waiting for their guru to speak.

Drona (calm but intense):
 “My beloved students…
 your education is complete.
 Now, it is time… for guru dakshina.”

Co-host (whispering):
 That’s the tradition, right? A gift for the teacher?

Neev:
 Yup!
 In ancient gurukulas, it was the student’s way of saying “thank you.”
 Some gave cows. Some gave gold. Some just offered prayers.

But Drona? He wanted something very specific.

Drona (firmly):
 “I want you to go to the kingdom of Panchal…
 Defeat King Drupada.
 And bring him to me… alive.”

Co-host:
 Wait, whoa. That’s… a lot more than a fruit basket.

Neev:
 You’re telling me!
 But the princes didn’t ask questions.
 In those days, if a guru asked — you obeyed.

Co-host (mocking):
 Of course Duryodhana jumped up, didn’t he?

Neev (grinning):
 Oh, totally.

Duryodhana (boastfully):
 “Don’t worry, Gurudev! I’ll handle this personally.”

And so… Duryodhana, along with his ninety-nine brothers, charged into Panchal.

They expected victory.
 But what they got… was a royal smackdown.

Co-host:
 Oof. That went well.

Neev:
 Not really.
 King Drupada was no fool.
 He outmaneuvered them with his army’s strength and his own strategy.

Before they could blink, Duryodhana was captured.

Co-host (laughing):
 Well… that’s awkward.

Neev:
 Meanwhile, Arjuna had held the Pandavas back.
 He wanted to learn from the first attack — and plan better.

Arjuna (commanding):
 “Bhima, take the front line. Break their formation with your mace.
 Yudhishthira, Nakula, Sahadeva — cover the flanks.
 I’ll go for their general… and then the king.”

Neev:
 And the Pandavas struck like a thunderstorm.
 Bhima smashed through lines of soldiers.
Arjuna’s arrows flew like lightning — sharp, fast, unstoppable.

He knocked out the general, shattered his chariot, and turned his eyes to the king.

Co-host (in awe):
 This is Arjuna in full superhero mode, right?

Neev:
 Totally.

He charged at King Drupada like a falcon diving from the sky.
 The king tried to block, dodge, counter… but it was no use.

Arjuna captured Drupada and marched him straight to Drona.

Drona (calmly):
 “Well done, Arjuna. You have given your guru exactly what he asked for.”

Co-host:
 So… did Drona go full villain here?

Neev:
 Not quite.
 He did savor the moment — a little.

But Drupada? He realized how the tables had turned.

Drupada (gritted teeth):
 “I was wrong to insult you, Drona. Please forgive me.”

Neev:
 Drona gave a slow, cold smile.

Drona:
 “You once said friendship is only between equals.
 Well now… I am king of Panchal.
 But… I’ll give you half your kingdom back.
 Because I was your friend.”

Co-host (quietly):
 Yikes. That’s like revenge with a side of sarcasm.

Neev:
 Exactly.

Drupada bowed and left, but inside… he was burning.

That humiliation? That defeat?

He would never forget it.
And one day, he would strike back.

Neev (lower voice):
 There are villains who cackle and make speeches…
 And then there are villains like Duryodhana.
 Silent. Jealous. Calculating.

Co-host (suspicious):
 Uh-oh. Sounds like someone’s up to no good again.

Neev:
 Yup. Duryodhana couldn’t stand it anymore.
 Every time he tried to outshine the Pandavas… they won.
 Every contest. Every mission.
 Even poisoning Bhima hadn’t worked.

Co-host (mock sarcastic):
 Yeah, and Bhima came back stronger! Like… “thanks for the snake juice, bro!”

Neev (grinning):
 Exactly!

So Duryodhana decided:
 If trickery and poison didn’t work…
 There was only one option left.

Co-host (shocked):
 Don’t tell me—!

Neev (serious):
 Yes.
 He plotted… to kill them all.

He joined forces with two dangerous people:

• His evil uncle, Shakuni — who was always whispering nasty ideas in his ear
• And his own father, King Dhritarashtra — who secretly wanted his son on the throne, no matter the cost

The plan?

Send the Pandavas and Kunti to a faraway city called Varnavat…
 on the excuse of attending a festival.

There, they’d be given a grand house to stay in.
 A very special house.
 One made not of bricks…
 but of lac.

Co-host:
 Lac It’s like… hardened wax or resin. Back then, it was used to make shiny decorations.
 But it was also super flammable.
So looks like they were gonna… light the whole thing up?

Neev:
 Exactly.
 Burn the house with the Pandavas inside.
 And make it look like an accident.

That way, no one would suspect the Kauravas.
 And Duryodhana would be crowned king.

But someone did suspect something.

Neev:
 Vidura.
 Uncle to the Pandavas. A wise man. A silent protector.

Co-host:
 I like Vidura. He’s like the cool uncle who always knows what’s up.

Neev:
 Right? His network of spies told him everything.

And when he heard of the burning house plan…
 he was heartbroken.

Co-host (quietly):
 He must’ve felt helpless.

Neev:
 He knew the palace had ears.
 He couldn’t speak openly.
 But he had to warn them somehow.

So when the day came for the Pandavas to leave for Varnavat,
 and the court gathered to send them off…

Vidura stepped forward.
 And whispered one final message to Yudhishthira.

And here’s exactly what he said:

Neev (solemn voice):

“My children, look after yourself because the body can be destroyed by weapons other than made of steel.
 If you know this fact, you can checkmate your enemies.
 A forest fire is powerful but it is incapable of destroying a mouse that lives in a hole.
 A porcupine too escapes by digging a tunnel underground to escape a fire.
 And at night, one can find the way with the help of stars.
 These are some basic principles that will always help you.”

Co-host (softly):
 Whoa… that sounds like… poetry and code at the same time.

Neev:
 It was code.

Vidura was telling Yudhishthira:
 Be alert.
 Don’t trust the palace.
 Fire might come.
 But if you dig deep, you’ll survive.

And Yudhishthira understood every word.

Because now… the real danger was only beginning.

Neev (calm, thoughtful):
 Vidura’s message may have sounded like riddles to others…

But Yudhishthira?
 He knew better.

Co-host (curious):
 Yeah, that mouse and porcupine stuff definitely wasn’t bedtime poetry.

Neev:
 Not at all.
 It was a code.
 A warning.
 And a plan.

Yudhishthira realized the danger:
 This “honor trip” to Varnavat…
 was actually a death trap.

They were walking straight into a house made to burn.

But the Pandavas didn’t panic.

They smiled, nodded politely, and quietly got to work.

Neev:
 The people of Varnavat gave them a grand welcome.
 Colorful flags, flower garlands, drums and cheers — it was a celebration!

Their host was a man named Purochan, sent personally by Duryodhana.

Co-host:
 Let me guess — he was way too helpful?

Neev (nods):
 Too helpful… too friendly… and just a little too curious.

He led them to their palace —
 a gorgeous building covered in gold, flowers, and carvings…

but secretly made of lac, wax, and dry oils — all stuff that burns in seconds.

While the world smiled…
 The Pandavas prepared.

They explored the grounds.
 They acted like tourists.
 And they waited.

Neev:
 Because thanks to Vidura…
 they had help.

A tunnel digger, sent in secret, began his work beneath the palace —
 digging day and night toward the River Ganga.

Co-host (quietly):
 So they were building their escape right under Purochan’s nose?

Neev (grinning):
 Exactly.

Then… came the festival night.

Music. Lights. Food. Dancing.
 People came from nearby villages.
 The Pandavas were perfect hosts.

Purochan was exhausted.
 So was another visiting family who stayed back that night.

When all was quiet…
 the Pandavas made their move.

Neev:
 A tiny spark.
 That’s all it took.

The lac walls burst into flame.
 The roof caved in.
 In moments — it was an inferno.

But the Pandavas?

They were already in the tunnel, with Kunti close behind.

Co-host (awed):
 Vidura’s plan worked…

Neev:
 They reached the other side safely — near the Ganga.

They looked back as the fire lit up the sky, and silently thanked the man who had saved them all.

Meanwhile, in Varnavat…

The next morning was a disaster.

People wept.
 The palace was ash.

They found skeletons — likely the poor guests who stayed the night…

and assumed… the Pandavas were dead.

Co-host:
 Oh no… the city thought they’d lost their crown princes?

Neev (somber):
 They mourned deeply.
 And back in Hastinapura… the news arrived.

Duryodhana?
 He clapped with joy — in private.

But in public?

Co-host (mocking):
 “Oh no… how tragic. Let me put on my sad face.”

Neev (chuckles):
 Exactly!

Even Dhritarashtra wore a mask of sorrow.

But someone else was mourning with a full heart —
not for the Pandavas… but for the lies being told.

Vidura stood quietly in the shadows.

Pretending to be shocked.

Pretending to be crushed.

But deep down…
 he smiled.

Because the Pandavas…
 were very much alive.

Neev (calm, reflective):
 So… the world believed the Pandavas were gone.

Duryodhana thought he had finally won.
 But in the shadows, the real story was just beginning.

Because the fire didn’t destroy the Pandavas —
 it only lit the spark for something bigger.

Co-host (teasing):
 Let’s just say… if you thought this was intense, wait till you see what happens when they come back.

Neev (grinning):
 Yup! You do not want to miss what’s next.

A new city, a mysterious swayamvara, and a warrior with a secret identity. 👀

Co-host:
 Oooh I love a good disguise!

Neev:
 Thanks for listening, masala fans.
 Don’t forget to follow, rate, and share Mythical Masala with Neev —
 because the Mahabharata is just heating up!