Pañcarātram
This is based on the Virāta Parva of Mahābhārata where Bhāsa shows a fair-minded Duryodhana agreeing to give half his Kingdom to the Pāndavas as promised.
This drama is named after the period of five nights (Pañcarātram) that is referred in the plot of the drama. The Pāndavas were in exile for 12 years and were living in disguise in the thirteenth year as per their agreement with Duryodhana. Droṇa the Acharya of both Pāndavas and Kauravas knew about Duryodhana’s reluctance to give a portion of Kingdom to Pāndavas. And in order to avoid the catastrophic war, Droṇācārya was waiting for an opportune moment to advice Duryodhana about the destruction that may result from an eventual war between Pāndavas and Kauravas. Duryodhana performed a sacrifice and at the end of the sacrifice announced that he would give Droṇācārya anything that he would fix as Yajña Dakṣiṇā. Drona used this moment and asked Duryodhana to return half of his Kingdom to Pāndavas. Duryodhana promised to comply provided Droṇācārya would provide him with the news on the whereabouts of Pāndavas within five nights. Droṇācārya agreed and was successful in revealing the whereabouts of Pāndavas and thus half the kingdom was handed over to Pāndavas.
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