There aren't many Hindu homes in Kerala where Nizhalkkuttu Pattu is not
conducted at least once a month to annul the effect of abhicara etc."
Characters in the order of appearance: Yudhishtira, Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula, Sahadeva, Sages, Draupadi, Garthavakthra, Duryodhana, Bhanumati, Messenger, Susharma, Bharata Malayan, Malayan' s wife, his son, Kunti, Krishna.
Summary:
After the burning of the house at Varanavata, the Pandavas wander in the forest. They marry Draupadi; receive half of the kingdom from Dhritarashtra and Yudhishthira rules over it. Duryodhana tries to create trouble. Bhima comes to know about this and is enraged. He seeks permission from Yudhishthira to go to Hastinapura and kill the Kauravas. Yudhishthira consoles Bhima saying that Krishna will always protect them.
Some sages from the forest come to meet Yudhishtira. A rakshasa named Garthavakthra (One with mouth as deep as a pit) is preventing them from doing penance. The sages request Yudhishthira to protect them. Yudhishtira promises to send Bhima to the forest to protect them. Bhima meets Draupadi and tells her that he has to go to the forest. In the forest, Bhima challenges Garthavakthra. They fight and Bhima kills Garthavakthra. The sages bless Bhima.
Meanwhile, Duryodhana converses with his wife, Bhanumati. Then a messenger deputed by Duryodhana to bring the tantric Bharata returns and informs that the tantric will report in two days. Duryodhana directs the messenger to ask Susharma, king of Trigarta, to reach Hastinapura immediately.
Shortly, Susharma, the ferocious king of Trigarta arrives. Duryodhana informs Susharma that all his attempts to kill the Pandavas have failed. As advised by Sakuni, he has now summoned a great tantric, Bharata Malayan. Susharma should assess the power of this tantric.
Bharata Malayan, a performer of abhicara reports. At the gate, Susharma stops Bharata Malayan. Malayan tells him that he has killed a few kings earlier by nizhalkkuttu (piercing shadow). When Susharma challenges, Malayan makes him unconscious and enters the fort. Malayan approaches Duryodhana after adopting the disguise of a civilized man. He thinks it is inappropriate to enter the palace otherwise.
Duryodhana orders Malayan to kill Pandavas by piercing the shadow. Malayan refuses saying that both Pandavas and Kauravas are kings to him. Also Krishna is with the Pandavas, hence he will not be able to do so. Duryodhana threatens to kill him. To avoid the work, Malayan demands things such as lamp of sun, plate of moon, measure of darkness, eggs of elephant, arrows of Rama, twentyone leaves of water etc., which are impossible to get. He also demands that Dussala (Duryodhana's sister) should be sacrificed in the abhicara. This enrages Duryodhana. He suspects that Malayan is trying to avoid the work by giving excuses. He repeats the threat to kill him if Malayan does not perform the task. Malayan promises to perform the abhicara using available things.
While performing the abhicara of shadow piercing, the Malayan looks at the black (Anjanam) stone. He is surprised that the shadows are not visible on the black stone! Realising that if this abhicara is not successful, the king will kill him, he prays to the gods to help him. Then he sees the shadows along with Krishna. He is deeply worried and prays to have mercy on him. Then Krishna's shadow disappears. Malayan realizes that his aim is accomplished. He prays for pardon saying that he was forced to do the task.
After killing the Pandavas by shadow piercing, Malayan is praised by Duryodhana who gives him many gifts. On the way back, Malayan thinks that he has committed a sin and how he can face his wife.
Seeing him unhappy, his wife asks the reason.
Malayan tells her that on the way he saw a deer with five does and he killed the does by em abhicara. The worried wife further questions him. Malayan admits that he was forced by Duryodhana to kill the Pandavas by nizhalkkuttu (piercing the shadow).
Hearing this, the wife is devastated and enraged. She tells Malayan that he will also experience Kunti's grief now. She kills her own son and rushes to see Pandavas. Seeing this Malayan falls unconscious.
Kunti finds her sons dead, suddenly. She cries out and prays to Krishna to help her.
Krishna appears. Kunti is relieved to see Krishna. Krishna touches the Pandavas and revives them.
Then Malayan's wife arrives. Krishna asks her why she has come. She tells Krishna that Malayan was threatened and forced by Duryodhana to kill the Pandavas by nizhalkkuttu (shadow piercing).
Krishna tells her that he knows everything. Killing her own son was an extreme step. Her son will live again. There will not be any hatred towards Malayan. All these were caused by Duryodhana.
Yudhishthira and Kunti praise Krishna. Krishna assures Kunti that he will always protect Pandavas.
Krishna further says that those who listen to this story will not be affected by abhicara.