The third Act closes with (1) the falling of Duhshasana into the grip of Bhima behind the scene, (2) the hastening of Karna and Duryodhana to Dahshasana's rescue in response to the open challenge shouted out by Bhima from behind the scene, and (3) the slaughter of Duhshasana by Bhima which also takes place behind the scene, instead of on the stage, in accordance with the rules of dramaturgy which prohibit the representation of slaughters, among other things, On the stage. (' दूराव्हानं वधो युद्ध राज्यदेशादाविप्लवः । स्नानानुलेपने चैभिर्वर्जितो नातिर्वस्तरः ॥') While the third Act ends thus, the fourth Act opens with Duryodhana's charioteer bringing away his royal master in his chariot to a retired place in order to rest him till he should recover from the swoon into which he has fallen from the effects of a heavy wound received in the fight, Duryodhana. is not aware yet that Bhima has already slaughtered his brother, Dushasana. Thus the fourth Act takes up the thread of the story where the third Act leaves it and there are no events intervening between those two Acts necessitating a विष्कम्भक or a प्रवेशक for intimating therm, as is the case with the first and the second Act and, still more markedly, with the second and the third.
P. 48. भो भो &c. is a. call from Kripa behind the scene.
बाहुबलावलेप......दोहदाः–बाहुबलस्य सम्बन्धी अवलेपः, तेन प्रबतितः महासमररूपी देहदः यैः ते (You Kings !) who, in the pride of the strength of your arms, set going this great war as a thing of your heartfelt wish, देहदः:-(I) Desire or longing ; hence, (2) the thing desired or longed for.
कौरवपक्षपात......संचयाः-कौरवाणा पक्षे पातः तेन पणीकृतः प्राण रूपः इविणसंशयः यैः त. Who, irnpelled by partisanship with the Kauravas, staked or waged your highest hoards of wealth, namely, your lives.
Both this adjective and the preceding one are intended for taunts at at the ridiculous contrast between the proud, aggressive and boastful attitude of the kings at the commencement of the war and their present attitude of cowardice and flight; 'पण' in the दिव form ‘पणीकृत' means a wager ' or ' a bet.'
