Mahabharat

After the mourning period is over, Krishna leads Yudhishthir to the throne. Yudhishthir crowns Bheem the Yuvraj and appoints Vidur as the Prime Minister of Hastinapur. Arjun is made the commander of the army, Nakul is made Arjun's assistant and Sahadev is made the personal protector of the King. After the affairs of the state are in order, Krishna takes the Pandava brothers to Bheeshma. Bheeshma gives them a discourse on Dharma and his soul leaves for the Heavens.

Duryodhan commands Ashwathama, the new commander-in-chief, to kill the Pandavas. Ashwathama, Kripacharya and Krit Verma arrive at the Pandava camp in the middle of the night as Dhristdyumna and Draupadi's five sons are sleeping. They kill all the sleeping warriors and set fir to the camp. Believing that they have killed the Pandavas, they return to Duryodhan and discover that he has died. They light Duryodhan's pyre, and go to save Vyas's Ashram. The Pandavas find Ashwathama with Sage Vyas and take their revenge.

Kunti visits the battlefield in the middle of the night to grieve over the dead body of her son Karna. Yudhisthir finds her and learns that Karna was his brother. "Had I known, I wouldn't have fought this war," says Yudhishthir. Arjun does also feel guilty about killing Karna but Krishna consoles him and convinces him that it was his "Dharma" (duty). The Pandavas plan to perform the last rites of Karna, but Duryodhan claims the body and lights Karna's pyre by himself.

On the battlefield, Dushasan attacks Bheem with his arrows. Bheem remembers what Dushasan had done to Draupadi and anger blazes within him. Bheem jumps from his chariot and attacks Dushasan. Bheem fulfills the oath he had made thirteen years ago and kills Dushasan. Gandhari looses another one of her sons.

Bheem and Hidimba’s mighty son, Ghatotkach, joins the Pandavas in the war. Duryodhan realizes that Ghatotkach must be destroyed and encourages Karna to use his “shakti” (divine weapon). Karna resists because he is saving the weapon to use it against Arjun, but Duryodhan persuades him. Karna destroys Ghatotkach with his “Shakti”.

On the battlefield Arjun tells Krishna to take his chariot to Jayadhrath. “There is a wall of Kaurav army between you and Jayadhrath” says Krishna.” I have to break the wall to complete my oath”. Declares Arjun. Krishna is amused. He remarks that members of the Royal House of Bharat are very impulsive. On the slightest pretext they take an oath. Bheeshma bound himself with an oath, and now you have taken an oath”.

Yudhisthir learns about Drona’s plan to arrange the Kaurav forces in the Chakra-Vyuha. Unfortunately, Yudhisthir cannot depend on Arjun for Susarama has lured him away from the battlefield, but Arjun’s son, Abhimanyu offers his assistance. Abhimanyu succeeds in penetrating the Chakra – Vyuha but he gets trapped inside it and is eventually killed.

The Kaurav warriors sit in council and decide to have Drona capture Yudhisthir alive. Duryodhan says, “ I will end the war as soon as Yudhisthir is in our hands. Drona agrees to the plan after Duryodhan promises that Yudhisthir would not be sentenced to death after he is captured.

The Pandavas are faced with a huge problem, victory continues to elude them. They were blessed by Bheeshma to achieve victory but they could only achieve victory after they kill Bheeshma and Bheeshma could not be killed unless he willed himself to die. Yudhisthir and Arjun go to Bheeshma and inform him of their predicament. Bheemshma tells them that only a woman could bring his death for he would not raise his hand against a woman. The Pandavas decide to use Shikhandi in their fight against Bheeshma and the stage is set for the fall of the grandsire from the battlefield.

During the afternoon of the first day of battle, Abhimanyu attacks grandsire Bheeshma and brings down his chariot’s flag. The Kauravas warriors retaliate with a combined attack on the youthful warrior. Bheeshma’s chariot continues to create havoc and Duryodhan instructs all of his warriors to protect Bheeshma. The Pandava army fares poorly, Yudhisthir worries, but Shikhandi consoles him by saying, “Righteousness will win eventually and we are of righteousness. As the battle continues, Drona brings down Shrishadyummna’s flag and Salya slays Uttar, the Price of Virat.

Krishna says to Arjun, “I am birthless and changeless. I am the Lord. I take birth through the power of my Maya”. Unable to satisfy Arjun’s hopeless conscience, Krishna grants divine eyesight to Arjun and stuns him with his “Viraat Roop” (divine manifestation). Arjun is consoled and enlightened. He understands that the pure seek the spirit while the impure are trapped in “Prakrit (Matter). He agrees to do his duty selflessly, lifts his “Gandeev” and prepares to fight the Kauravas.

Arjun refuses to fight and kill his relatives and friends. Krishna tell him that “Atama (Soul) cannot be killed” and advises Arjun to be strong. Krishna’s teachings to Arjun at the battlefield form the basis of the “BHAGAWAD – GITA” (the song of God).

Shikhandi, who was Amba in the previous life, is anxious for the Kurukshetra war because he wants to fight with Bheeshma. Bheeshma had insulted Amba by refusing to marry her after he had abducted her. Amba had sworn to take revenge on Bheeshma, so she was reborn as Shikhandi, the elder brother of Draupadi. The opportunity for Amba’s revenge has come.

Yudhishtir holds a meeting and Drishtadyum, Drawplate’s brother, is appointed Supreme Commander of the Pandora army. Drupad, Shikhandi, Bheem and the other prominent warriors take command of the various divisions. The stage is set for the Kurukshetra war. Vyas visits Dhritarashtra and offers to bestow divine eyesight unto him but Dhritarashtra is reluctant to see the destruction of his sons. Vyas grants divine eyesight to Sanjay, Dhritarashtra’s charioteer.

Krishna’s peace mission has failed. Krishna goes to Kunti and tells her what has happened at the Court. He asks her if she has a message for her sons. “The time has come”, she says, “for which a Kshatriya woman brings forth sons”. Before leaving for Upaplavya, Krishna meets with Karna and tells him to be true to Dharma and not to support sinful Duryodhan. Karna says, “you’re right, my Lord. A righteous man should not side with a sinner; but I am in debt of Duryodhan and cannot let him down”.

The war between the Kauravas and the Pandavas looks inevitable, but Krishna makes a last attempt for peace. Krishna arrives in Hastinapur and is flooded with valuable presents. He pays his respects to Dhritrashtra and says, “ Maharaj, in return I can only offer peace!” “We will talk after you have rested,” says Dhritrashtra. He tells Dushasan to take Krishna to the guestroom, but Krishna refuses the offer and tells Dhritrashtra that he will be staying with Vidur. Duryodhan is annoyed with Krishna for refusing their hospitality.

Vidur advises Dhritrashtra to return Indraprastha to the Pandavas. Gandhari also ask her husband to act justly, but Dhritrashtra refuses to accept their advice. He sends his charioteer Sanjay with a message to Yudhishthir, telling the Pandavas that they should spend 12 more years in exile, since Duryodhan had exposed them during their incognito life. The Pandavas and their allies are upset after hearing the message. They send Sanjay back to Hastinapur with the message that they are ready for peace as well as war.

Duryodhan and Karna advance into battle. Arjun attacks the Kaurav army and the Kaurav warriors fall unconscious due to his magical weapons. News arrives from the battlefield and King Virat boasts about the glory of his son Uttar. Kanak (Yudhishthir) praises Brihannala and the King flings his dice at Yudhishthir’s face. Prince Uttar arrives and is distressed after seeing Yudhishthir’s bleeding face. King Virat eventually learns about the true identity of the Pandavas.

Keechak is mad with lust for Draupadi. Draupadi runs to the Virat court, where Keechak angrily kicks her in the presence of Yudhishtir and Bheem. Draupadi reports the matter to Queen Sudeshna and asks Bheem for protection and revenge. Bheem kills Keechak.

The Pandavas live incognito and serve King Virat. Yudhishthir becomes a courtier named Kanak. Bheem becomes a cook. Nakul and Sahadev look after cattle and horses. Arjun becomes a eunuch named Brihannala and Draupadi becomes Sairandhir, the handmaiden to the Queen Sudeshna of Virat.

In Indralok, Lord Indra limits Urvashi’s curse on Arjun to one year during which he becomes an eunuch. In Dwaraka, Sri Krishna trains his nephew Abhimanyu in the martial arts. In Hastinapur, Bheeshma, Drona and Vidur worry about the future of their Kingdom, while Duryodhan’s stepbrother, Yuyutsu, foresees the destruction of the Kurus. Arjun returns from Indralok armed with divine weapons. He accompanies Bheem while they rescue Draupadi from Jayadrath, Duryodhan’s brother-in-law.

After hearing about the Pandavas exile, Krishna goes to visit them. He advises the Pandavas to prepare for war and tells Arjun unwillingly to do penance to obtain divine weapons. Arjun does penance and eventually pleases Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva bestows him with the divine Pasupata weapon and advises him to obtain other weapons in Indralok. Rishi Durvasa visits Hastinapur. In an attempt to humiliate the Pandavas, Duryodhan requests that the sage visit that Pandavas as well. Rishi Durvasa promises to do so.

The departure of the Pandavas upset Bheeshama, Vidur, Drona and the other elders of the Royal House of Kurus. Vidur advises Dhritarashtra to summon them back. Dhritarashtra rebukes Vidur, so Vidur leaves. After spending thirteen days in the forest, Bheem, Arjun, Nakul and Sahadev are ready to wage a war against Hastinapur. Yudhishthir refuses to wage war and decides to spend the full thirteen years in exile as his punishment for being reckless in gambling

Gandhari warns Dhritarashtra that the attempt to disrobe Draupadi would cause the destruction of his lineage. Dhritarashtra gives everything back to the Pandavs. Arjun swears that the Pandavs want the dead bodies of Duryodhan, Dushasan and Shakuni to avenge the injury. Bheeshma says, "Don't forget Yudhishthir's role. Isn't he responsible for what has happened as well?" and adds, "Go back to Indraprastha and ponder over the incident with a cool head."

Duryodhan suggests that Shakuni cast the dice for him. Yudhishthir loses his entire Kingdom, his brothers, himself and Draupadi. Duryodhan insists that Draupadi be fetched to the assembly hall and orders Prathkami to bring her. Draupadi replies angrily, "Ask him who played the game of dice with Duryodhan, whether he first lost himself or his wife? Bring me his answer and then you can take me away!"

Duryodhan is unhappy about the prosperity of the Pandavs, Shakuni consoles him and later loses in a game of dice to Yudishthir. Duryodhan walks around Yudhishthir's 'Maya Mahal" and falls into one of the pools. Draupadi calls him the "blind son of a blind father." Duryodhan, Kama and Shakuni plan to avenge Draupadi for her taunting remarks. Shakuni suggests that Yudhishthir be invited to Hastinapur for a game of dice.

Bheem and Jarasandh are so equally matched in strength that they fight for nearly fourteen days without rest. When Jarasandh finally shows signs of exhaustion, Krishna prompts Bheem to bring an end to him. After Jarasandh had been destroyed, Jarasandh’s son was crowned King of Magadh.

The Pandavas were happy in Indraprastha. To avoid rivalry amongst themselves, they had come to a decision to have Draupati divide her time equally between the five brothers. When she was alone with one of them and if any other brother should intrude on their privacy, he must go on a pilgrimage to do penance. Once while helping a Brahim, Arjun had to violate the rule and had to go on a pilgrimage. Arjun visited Naglok and Manlur, and there he married Ullipi and Chitrangandha. Duryodhan asks Balram for his sister Subhadra’s hand in marriage and Balram promises to plead his case with his parents. Meanwhile, Arjun reaches Dwarika and he feel in love with Subhadra. And, Subhadra reciprocates his love. Before any decision can be made, Krishna helps Arjun to elope with Subhadra. Balram is furious and wants to send his army to capture Arjun, but Krishna convinces him that Subhadra had gone with Arjun on her own accord.

The decision to partition the Kingdom of Hastinapur between the Kauravas and the Pandavas is not liked by the Pandavas, but Krishna consoles them and tells them that Khandavprastha is their Karmabhoomi (field of action) Gandhari feels that a partition of a country can never be a solution to the rivalry. Bheeshma feels that there is no other option.

Duryodhan and Shakuni are furious when they learn that the Pandava brothers are alive and that King Dhritrashtra has sent Vidur to call them back to Hastinapur. Karna, as usual, is ready to fight them, but Shakuni realizes that with King Drupad and Krishna on the side of the Pandavas it would be difficult to defeat them. Dhritrashtra consoles Duryodhan and assures him that his rights as heir apparent to the throne of Hastinapur will be fully protected. In Kampilya, King Drupad and Shri Krishna advise Yudhishthir to fight for his right to the throne of Hastinapur. Just then Vidur arrives and tells the Pandava brothers that they have been invited back to Hastinapur along with their bride.

The Pandavas journey through the forest and learn about Draupadi the daughter of King Drupad. At Droupadi's royal wedding ceremony many warrior princes were invited to attend. The candidate for the hand of the princess was required to string a mighty steel bow and shoot a steel arrow. Many noted princes rise and try in vain to string the bow. Then a youth arises from among the group of Brahmins and advances towards the bow. It is Arjun in the guise of a Brahmin. Om Shri Krishna recognizes him. Arjun easily lifts the bow and strings it.

After escaping from the tragedy, the Pandavas arrive in a forest and take rest.

Kunti takes Yudhishthir to Gandhari to seek her blessings before leaving for Varnavat. Gandhari is extremely happy to learn that Yudhishthir will stay in the beautiful palace built by her son Duryodhan. She is unaware that the palace is meant to kill Yudhishthir. The Pandava brothers are suspicious of Duryodhan’s eagerness to send Yudhishthir to Varnavat; so they accompany him to Varnavat. Kunti also decides to go with them. Vidur learns that Duryodhan’s spies had been collecting wax, oil and other flammable materials in the recent past. Vidur warns Yudhishthir in words that are meaningful to him only. Yudhishthir understands Duryodhan’s hideous plan and the means to escape

Shri Krishna has received a letter from Rukmani asking him to take her away from Vidarbha before she is married to Shishupal. Krishna decides to go to Vidarbha and defeats the forces of Bheeshmal and Shishupal and takes Rukmani away. In Hastinapur, Dhirtarashtra is worried about his throne. Yudhisthir has been made Heir Apparent (Yuvraj) and due to his popularity the people want him to become their King as soon as possible. Meanwhile, Duryodhan and Shakuni plot against Yudhisthir. They would like him to die before he becomes a King. Shakuni devises a plan to send Yudhisthir and his brothers to Varnavat where they would be burnt alive in a house of wax

After finishing his education at Sandeepani Gurukul Shri Krishna returns to Mathura. Krishna advises Ugrasen, the king of Mathura, to shift his capital from Mathura to Dwarika. The Heir Apparent to the throne of Hastinapur is to be chosen and Duryodhan is staking his claim while Drona, Vidur and the people of Hastinapur favour Yudhisthir. Bheeshma remains silent as he is bound by his vow to serve the throne which is with Dhritarashtra

A special stadium that was built to exhibit the feats of the Kuru princes is full of spectators. Members of the Royal Household are invited. The princes perform amazing feats with their weapons. A mace fight between Duryodhan and Bheem follows and the fight becomes too intense. Arjun displays many feats of archery and every one is convinced that there is no one equal to him. Just then the people are startled by a voice coming from the gateway. It is Karna, Kunti’s son from the Sun God. Karna challenges Arjun for a single combat. Kripacharya declares that Arjun can only fight against other royalty. Karna bows his head in silence. While Duryodhan springs up and says, “we crown him the King of Anga, which is now without a master, they can fight after that”. Karna’s coronation takes place and Duryodhan wins a life long friend in Karna. Arjun and Karna are prevented from competing as the sun sets and the tournament that had begun so dramatically ends in an equally dramatic manner.

Dronacharya (Drona) trains the Kuru Princes in the art of archery and other military skills. Arjun receives praise by his teachers. Duryodhan is often advised to control his arrogance. Shakuni rebukes his sister Gandhari for not seeing through all the plots of the Pandavas

Adirath is released from the duties as blind-King Dhritarashtra's assistant. Sanjay takes over from Adirath as Dhritarashtra's assistant. Rivalry between Duryodhan and Bheem develops. Duryodhan plots to poison Bheem. After poisoning Bheem he throws him out in River Ganga. Bheem survives the attempt to kill him and he is returned safely to Kunti and his brothers.

Shri Krishna releases King Ugrasen and his parents Devki and Vasudev who had been imprisoned by Kans. People of Mathura rejoice and celebrate the coronation of King Ugrasen. Krishna goes to Sandeepani Gurukul for his education. In Nandgaon, Yashoda is upset learn that Shri Krishna had stayed back in Mathura and probably would never return. The Pandava children, Yudhishtra, Bheem, Arjun, Nakul and Sahadev grow up and receive their education in the Forrest. Pandu dies in the forest and Kunti returns to Hastinapur with her children.

Kans tries to subdue Krishna. He commands two demons to destroy Nandgaon. However, Krishna and Balram, annihilate the evil demons. The episode also covers two major portions of divine sports - one, saving of Nandgaon by lifting the Goverdhan Mountain and the other, "Maharass" in which Shri Krishna creates the illusion among the dancing Gopis, each one of whom thinks that he is dancing with her and her alone. Meanwhile, Kans tricks Vasudev's friend Akrur into inviting to Mathura with the intention of killing him.

Krishna's divine sports make him the darling of his friends. To everyone's amazement he killed Kalia the Serpent King who lived in the river Yamuna, while retrieving the ball of his friend Sridham from the bottom of the river.

Unusual celebrations in Gokul make Kans auspicious that Devki's eighth child must be there. Pootna is sent there as a toy seller to kill all the children born in Gokul. When she tries to kill Krishna, she herself is killed. Meanwhile all the people of Gokul, including Krishna's foster parents, shift to Nandgaon.

In Mathura, King Kans dethrones his father and takes over the Kingdom. He arranges his sister Devki's marriage with his influential friend Vasudev. But when a Sage predicts that her eighth son will be responsible for Kans' death, he imprisons Devki and Vasudev.

Pandu establishes the supremacy of the Kuru House. During his campaigns he takes another wife, Madri. After the campaigns, Pandu goes to the forest for relaxation with his two queens Kunti and Madri.

Threatened with extinction, Queen mother Satyavati, calls on Ambalika and Ambika to marry Vyasa. Ambalika gives birth the Dhritarastra who is born blind. Ambika gives birth to Pandu who is born anemic and weak. Bhishma is forced to look after this generation too.

Bhishma (Devarata) defends his sacrifice and carries out his duties to look after all the affairs of the State. King Shantanu dies in grief and guilt towards Bhishma.

Bound by his promise, Shantanu does not question Ganga as she sacrifices seven sons. When he protests at the birth of their eighth son, Ganga leaves him. Years later the son is returned, trained and educated as Prince Devarata.