VOLUME ONE -
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Episode 1: King Bharat
sows the seed of democratic thinking by appointing a
commoner as his successor. Many generations later, King
Shantanu risks the tradition when he marries Ganga and
promising never to question her for anything she does.
Episode 2: 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.
Episode 3: Devarata is
crowned as Yuvraj, heir apparent. But, to enable the
marriage of his father to a village girl, Devarata
renounces his rights to the throne and also vows never to
marry. Gods shower blessings and Devrata is renamed as
Bhishma.
Episode 4: 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.
Episode 5: Shantanu's son
Vichitraviya ascends the throne. Bhishma arranges the
marriage of Ambika and Ambalika, the daughters of a
neighboring king, to King Vichitravirya. However,
Vichitraviya dies young and without any offspring.
Episode 6: 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.
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VOLUME TWO
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Episode 7: Dhritarastra
and Pandu are married to Gandhari and Kunti. As
Dhritrashtra was blind, Gandhari binds up her eyes with a
piece of silk, refusing to see the world. Kunti was the
daughter of the King of Yadavas and thus the sister of
Vasudeva, father of Lord Krishna.
Episode 8: 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.
Episode 9: While hunting,
Pandu accidentally kills a Sage. To do penance Pandu
decides to spend his life in exile and entrusts his
Kingdom to Dhritarastra. In time five children -
Yudhishtra, Bheem, Arjun, Nakul and Sahadeva, are born to
Kunti and Madri. Dhritarastra had a hundred sons from
Gandhari, the eldest being Duryodhana.
Episode 10: 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.
Episode 11: Kans
personally kills Devki's first six children born in the
prison. Devki's seventh "pregnancy" is taken
over by Vasudev's second wife who gives birth to Balram.
And when the eighth child, Krishna is born, miraculously
the prison doors open and Vasudev is able to smuggle out
the child and leave him in Gokul with his friend Nand.
Episode 12: 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.
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VOLUME THREE -
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Episode 13: Childhood of
Shri Krishna, the Supreme Being, and Narayan. While
Yashoda happily reared Shri Krishna in Nandgaon his real
mother Devki, and his father Vasudev spent days inside
the prison in Mathura. Krishna regaled the entire
Nandgaon with his divine sports.
Episode 14: 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.
Episode 15: Krishna grows
up to an 11-year-old boy. Now he has given up stealing
butter; instead he steals the hearts of the young
"Gopinis". Radha is one such "Gopini"
who has lost her heart to him. Two songs illustrate this
beautiful relationship. Also, Krishna encourages the
habitants of Nandgaon to stop sending butter, as a levy,
to Kans, the ruler of Mathura. Kans feels slighted that
someone has defied him.
Episode 16: 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.
Episode 17: Krishna
departs from Nandgaon for Mathura. The residents of
Mathura have heard of his divine sports and they pay
obeisance to him as an "Avatar" (incarnation of
God). Eventually Krishna faces his uncle, Kans. The cruel
ruler had planned to slay Krishna but he meets his own
death at the hands of Shri Krishna. Before killing him,
Krishna reveals to him his 'Viraat Roop' (Deity Incarnate
in its full form).
Episode 18: 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.
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VOLUME FOUR -
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Episode 19: Vyas takes
Satyavati, Ambika and Ambalika to Tapovan (forest).
Before leaving, Satyavati tells Dhritarashtra to look
after the Pandava children. The Kaurava and the Pandava
children grow up together. They are educated under
Kripacharya. Shakuni instigates Duryodhan against the
Pandavas and rivalry develops between the Kauravas and
Pandavas.
Episode 20: 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.
Episode 21: Kunti forbids
Bheem from saying anything about Duryodhan's attempt to
kill him. Vidur suspects something is behind Bheem's
silence. He goes to see Bheeshma to discuss his concerns.
Bheeshma is worried about the development, but is
helpless as he had vowed to protect the throne of
Hastinapur and he cannot take sides. Duryodhan and
Shakuni continue to plot against Bheem. Dhritarashtra is
concerned about the development in Hastinapur but
Gandhari is a sobering influence on him. Meanwhile, in
Mathura at the Sandespani Gurukul Shri Krishna and Sudama
become bosom friends. Also, in the episode Dronacharya
(Drona) is introduced as one of the teachers of Kuru
princes.
Episode 22: Dronacharya
trains the Kaurva princes in the art of archery and other
military skills. Arjun gets poised 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.
Episode 23: Drona trains
the Kuru princes in the art of 'Gada Yudh' (Mace
fighting). Bheem and Duryodhan specialize in it and
exhibit their skills. Drona is specially delighted by
Arjun's prowess and he loves him even more than his own
son, Ashwathama. Drona informs Bheeshma that the
education of Kuru princes is complete. They agree to hold
a tournament to test the war-skills of the princes.
Episode 24: A special
stadium is built to exhibit the feats of the Kuru princes
in front of spectators. Members of the royal household
are invited. Dressed in pure white, lending dignity and
grace to his personality, Drona enters the stadium. His
son Ashwathama accompanies him. The Kuru princes enter
one by one in the arena, led by Yudhushtra - the eldest
prince. The princes perform amazing feats with their
bows, arrows, swords and javelins. There follows fight
with maces between Duryodhan and Bheem. Drona asks
Ashwathama to bring the duel to a close, when it gets too
spirited. He then asks Arjun to perform his feats. A
deafening cheer welcomes Arjun to the stage, and the
blind King Dhritrashtra
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VOLUME FIVE -
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Episode 25: The education
of the Kuru princes is over. Drono continues to advise
the Kaurava and the Pandava princes. The pandavas do well
and this makes Dhritarashtra unhappy. Shri Krishna and
Balram finish their education of Sandeepani Gurukul and
plan to return to Mathura. Pursuram arrives at the
Gurukul and gives Shri Krishna his Sudarshan Chakra. He
asks Shri Krishna to lay the foundation of a New Yuga
(New Era).
Episode 26: After
finishing his education of Sandeepani Gurukul Shri
Krishna returns to Mathura. Krishna advises Ugrasen, the
King of Mathura, to shift his capital from Mathura to
Dwarka. 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 favor
Yudhishthir. Bheeshma remains silent as he is bound by
his vow to serve the throne which is with Dhritarashtra.
Episode 27: The court
meets to name the Heir Apparent to the throne of
Hastinapur. Dhritarashtra is compelled to appoint
Yudhisthir because of his superior intellect. Jarasandh,
the King of Magadha, arrives in Vidharbha to meet King
Bheeshmak. Jarasandh asks Bheeshmak to invite Shishupal,
the Chedi King, to marry his daughter Rukmani and make
Shishupal his ally. Rukmani, however, has lost her heart
to Shri Krishna so she writes him a letter to take her
away.
Episode 28: Shri Krishna
has received a letter from Rukmani asking him to take her
away from Vidarbha before she is married to Shishupal.
Krishna goes to Vidarbha where he defeats Bheeshmak and
Shishupal and takes Rukmani away. In Hastinapur
Dhritarashtra is worried about his throne. Yudhishthir
has been made Heir Apparent (Yuvaraj) and due to his
popularity the people want him to become their king as
soon as possible. Meanwhile Duryodhan and Shakuni plot
against Yudhishthir. They would like him to die before he
becomes the King. Shakuni invents a plan to send
Yudhishthir and his brothers to Vamavat where they would
be burnt alive in a house of wax.
Episode 29: Duryodhan asks
Dhritrashtra to send the Pandav brothers to Varnavat to
attend a festival. He threatens to commit suicide if
Pandav brothers are not sent to Varnavat. Dhritarashtra
is worried about the growing conflict between Yudhishthir
and Duryodhan. He consults Vidur and is advised to send
Yudhishthir and Duryodhan to Varnavat to represent
Hastinapur in the festival.
Episode 30: Kunti takes
Yudhishthir to Gandhari to seek her blessings before
leaving for Varnavat. Gandhari is happy to learn that
Yudhisthir will stay in the beautiful palace built by her
son Duryodhan. She is unaware that the palace is meant to
kill Yudhishthir. The Pandav 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
intelligible only to him. Yudhishthir understands
Duryodhan's hideous plan and the means to escape.
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VOLUME SIX -
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Episode 31: Only three
days are left for the house of wax to go up in flames and
for Kunti and her five sons to burn to death. Vidur
informs Pandas of the evil plan and sends them a miner
who helps them dig a tunnel to escape. The charred
corpses of a woman and her five sons mistakenly give
credence to the news that the Pandavas were burnt alive.
The Kauravas shed false tears for the "dead"
Pandavs.
Episode 32: After escaping
from the tragedy, the Pandavas arrive in a forest and
rest. Bheem and Arjun want to confront the Kauravas, but
Kunti and Yudhishthir decide against it. Bheeshma goes to
the river Ganga to perform the last rites of the
Pandavas. Vidur then informs him that the Pandavas are
alive and to keep the secret to himself.
Episode 33: The Pandavas
stay in the city of Ekchakra in the guise of Brahmins.
Kunti and Bheem learn of a cruel and terribly strong
rakshasa named Bakasur who was harassing the people.
Bheem sets out to eliminate this rakshasa. A great fight
ensues and Bheem kills him. Not wanting to be recognized
by the citizens of Ekchakra, the Pandavas leave the
Brahmin's house unnoticed and proceed on their journey,
waiting for better days to come.
Episode 34: 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. On Shri Krishna recognizes him. Arjun easily
lifts the bow and strings it.
Episode 35: Without pause
or hesitation Arjun shoots his arrow into the target. He
wins Draupadi's hand in marriage. The princes are loud
with anger. "How can a Brahmin marry a
princess?" they demand. A fight seems imminent. Shri
Krishna seeks to appease the princes and Arjun and Bheem
protect Draupadi. At long lost they take Draupadi to
their temporary abode. Kunti unknowingly asks the five
Pandava brothers to share their bride prize. Also, Shri
Krishna meets his aunt Kunti and his cousins. Meanwhile
Dhrishtadyumna, who had followed them, reports back and
reveals the true identities of Pandava brothers.
Episode 36: 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 the 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.
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VOLUME SEVEN -
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Episode 37: The Pandavs
and Draupadi return to Hastinapur. Dhritrashtra conceals
his disappointment and orders everyone to welcome them.
Determined to establish peace between the Kauravas and
the Pandavas, Bheeshma suggests giving half the Kingdom
to Yudhishthir. Dhritrashtra agrees to this suggestion.
Krishna and Balram, also give their consent and it is
decided that Yudhisthira's coronation as King of
Khandavprastha be held in Hastinapur.
Episode 38: The decision
to partition the Kingdom of Hastinapur between the
Kauravas and Padavas is not liked by the Pandavas, but
Krishna consoles them and tells them that Khandavprastha
is their Karambhoomi (field of action). Gandhari fees
that a partition of acountry can bever be a solution to
the rivalry. Bheeshma fees that there are no other
options.
Episode 49: Yudhishthir is
coronated with great celebration. Dhritarashtra bids
Yudhishthir farewell with these words, "My brother
Pandu made this Kingom prosperous. May you prove a worthy
heir to his renown! May you conquer the entire world! May
you perform the Rajsuya Yagna and may you live long and
rule as a just King as your forfathers did before
you!" Ydhishthir knew that the land he was to rule
was a barren wasteland, but he agreed to accept this
injustice because he wanted peace. The Pandavas reach
Khandavprastha, and with the help of Krishna and Balram,
they renovate the ruined city. They plough the land and
rename it Indraprastha.
Episode 40: The Pandavas
were happy in Indraprastha. To avoid rivalry amongst
themselves, they had come to a decision to have Draupadi
divide her time equally between the five brothers. When
she was alone with one of them and if any other should
intrude on their privacy, he must go on a pilgrimage to
do penance. Once while helping a Brahmin, Arjun had to
violate the rule and had to go on a pilgrimage. Arjun
visited Naglok and Molur, and there he married Ullipi and
Chitrangada. He then moved towards Dwarika.
Duryodhan asked Balram for his
sister Subhadra's hand in marriage and Balram promised to
plead his case with his parents. Meanwhile, Arjun reached
Dwarika and he fell in love with Subhadra. And, Subhadra
recprocated his love. Before any decision could be made,
Krishna helped Arjun to elope with Subhadra. Balram was
furios and wanted to send his aremy to capture Arjun, but
Krishna convinced him that Subhadra had gone with Arjun
on her own accord.
Episode 41: Arjun and
Subhadra arrive in Dwarika and are formally married.
Arjun later returns to Indraprastha with Subhadra.
Draupadi welcomes Subhadra. Yudhishthir seeks Sri
Krishna's advice on performing the Rajsuya Yagna. Krishna
approves but explains that Jarasandh, who had imprisoned
86 Kings, would be a constant challenge to Yudhishthir's
Royal Supremacy. Arjun, Bheem and Sri Krishna eventually
go to Magadh and challenge Jarasandh for a combat.
Jarasandh chooses to fight with Bheem.
Episode 42: Bheem and
Jarasandh were so equally matched in strength that they
fought for nearly fourteen days without rest. When
Jarasandh finally showed signs of exhaustion, Krishna
prompted Bheem to make an end of him. After Jarasandh had
been destroyed, Jarasandh's son was crowned King of Magadh.
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VOLUME EIGHT -
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Episode 43: Yudhishthir
decides to perform the Rajsuya Yagna. The first honor is
rendered to Sri Krishna. Shishupal, the King of Chedi,
asks, "When there are so many kings gathered in this
assembly, why should the first honor be paid to Krishna -
a cowherd boy and the son of a servant of Ugrasena?"
Krishna warns Shishupal but Shishupal does not pay any
heed so Sri Krishnakills him. The Rajsuya Yagna is
celebrated and Yudhishthir is recognized as an Emperor.
Episode 44: 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.
Episode 45: Dhritarashtra
orders Vidur to go to Indraprastha and to invite
Yudhishthir to Hastinapur to play dice with Duryodhan.
The Pandavs arrive in Hastinapur and pay their respects
to the King. Dhritarashtra announces that the game will
be played in the special assmbly hall.
Episode 46: 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!"
Episode 47: Enraged,
Duryodhan asks his brother Dushasan to bring Draupadi to
the assembly hall. Dushasan drags Draupadi to the hall
and tries to disrobe her but a miracle occurs. Bheem
swears to avenge the wrong doing, while Draupadi rises to
curse the Kauravs. Gandhari pleads with Draupadi to stop.
Episode 48: 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."
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VOLUME NINE
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Episode 49: Duryodhan
threatens to wage war against the Pandavs. When
Dhritrashtra forbids him from war, Duryodhan secures
Dhritrashtra's approval to entice Yudhishthir to another
game of dice. Yudhishthir accepts the challenge but is
once again defeated. The Pandavs are to spend the next 12
years in exile and the 13th year incognito.
Episode 50: The departure
of the Pandavs upsets Bheeshma, Vidur, Drona and the
other elders of the Royal House of Kurus. Vidur advises
Dhritrashtra to summon them back. Dhritrashtra 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.
Episode 51: Rishi Vyas
rebukes Dhritarashtra for exiling the Pandavas. He
predicts the extinction of the Kauravs after 14 years due
to Duryodhan's missdeeds. Duryodhan and his men leave for
Dwaitavan to witness the distress of the Pandavs.
Duryodhan tries to flirt with a Gandharv girl and is
capture by the enraged Gandharvs. Duryodhan's bodyguard
approaches the Pandavs for help and Bheem and Arjun
unwillingly rescue their cousin.
Episode 52: After hearing
about the Pandav's exile, Krishna goes to visit them. He
advises the Pandavs to prepare for war and tells Arjun 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 Duruvasa visits
Hastinapur. In an attempt to humiliate the Pandavs,
Duryodhan requests that the sage visit tha Pandavs as
well. Rishi Duruvasa promises to do so.
Episode 53: Rishi Duruvasa
and his followers arrive in the forst to visit the
Pandavs. He requests food for himself and his followers
and Draupadi is worried for her cooking vessel is empty.
Draupadi prays Krishna, the Soul of the Universe, sees
one grain of rice in the vessel, and eats it with
pleasure. Durvasa and his followers immediately feel
their hunger has been satisfied. In Indralok, Lord Indra
advises Arjun to learn dance and music from Chitrasen to
help him during his 13th year when incognito. Arjun
continues to obtain divine weapons and Apsara Urvashi
falls in love with him. When Arjun does not respond to
her love, Apsara Urvashi curses him with impotence.
Episode 54: 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, forsees 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.
VOLUME TEN
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Episode 55: Jayadrath,
Duryodhan's brother-in-law, does penance for kidnapping
Draupadi and is rewarded by Lord Shiva. In the forest,
the Pandavas plan their 13th year of exile to live
incognito and to work in another kingdom. Nakul tries to
fetch water from a lake but is told not to use the water
by an invisible voice. He ignores the warning, drinks the
water and falls down dead. His brothers meet the same
fate except for Yudhishthir answers correctly. The Yaksha
reveals himself as Lord Yama and grants back the lives of
all the dead brothers.
Episode 56: 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 Sairandhri,
the handmaiden to Queen Sudeshna of Virat.
Episode 57: Karna has
assumed the guise of a brahmin and has come a disciple of
Parushram. Parshuram observes Karna's resistance to pain
and realizes that he is a Kshatriya. In anger, he curses
Karna. In Virat, Queen Sudeshna's brother Keechak
professes his love for Draupadi.
Episode 58: Keechak is mad
with lust for Draupadi. Draupadi runs to the Virat court,
where Keechak angrily kicks her in the presence of
Yudhishthir and Bheem. Draupadi reports the matter to
Queen Sudeshna and asks Bheem for protection and revenge.
Bheem kills Keechak.
Episode 59: The news of
Keechak's death reaches Duryodhan. He suspects that Bheem
is responsible and decides to invade Virat. King Susarma
of Trigarta also invades Virat. He captures Virat, but
Bheem attacks and Virat emerges victorious. Duryodhan
then attacks from another front. Prince Uttar tries to
retreat after seeing the Kaurav army but Brihannala
(Arjun) stops him. Brihannal reveals his weapons and his
identity, then blows his conch.
Episode 60: 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 Virat boasts about the glory of his son Uttar.
Kanak (Yudhishthir) praises Brihannala and the king
flings his dice at Yudhishtir'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.
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VOLUME ELEVEN
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Episode 61: After the
wedding of Abhimanyu and Uttara, Krishna, the Pandavas,
Virat and others meet in Virat's assembly. They decide to
send an emissary to Hastinapur to seek the restoration of
Indraprastha. The emissary arrives in Hastinapur.
Bheeshma and Vidur favor a peaceful settlement but
Duryodhan disagrees. Duryodhan insists that the Pandavas
spend 12 more years in exile.
Episode 62: Vidur advises
Dhritrashtra to return Indraprastha to the Pandavas.
Gandhari also asks her husband to act justly, but
Dhritrashtra refuses to accept their advice. He sends his
charioteer Sanjay with a message to Yudhishthir, telling
the Pandavs 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.
Episode 63: In Hastinapur,
everyone is nervous when Sanjay returns from meeting with
Yudhishthir and his allies. Sanjay says, "Duryodhan
should know that Arjun said, 'If Indraprastha is not
given back to us, we will uproot the Kauravas.'"
Duryodhan remains adamant about going to war. Shakuni
advises Duryodhan to seek Krishna's help. Arjun also
wishes to seek Krishna's help and visits Krishna at the
same time as Duryodhan. Krishna tells them, he is obliged
to assist both of them.
Episode 64: A 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
guestrooms, but Krishna refuses the offer and tells
Dhritrashtra that he will be staying with Vidur.
Duryodhan is annoyed with Krishna for refusing their
hospitality.
Episode 65: Krishna goes
to the court of Hastinapur and says, "Peach is a
necessity. In war, people from both sides die, though
only one side wins." He suggests that Indraprastha
be give back to the Pandavas, but Duryodhan insists that
the Pandavas must return to the forest. Krishna then
suggests that five villages be given to the five Pandava
brothers. Duryodhan finds the suggestion unacceptable and
threatens to seize Krishna. Krishna discloses his
divinity and leaves the court.
Episode 66: 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 her sons." Before leaving for
Uapplavya, Krishna meets with Karna and tells him to be
true to Dharma and not to support sinful Duryodhan. Karna
says, "You are right my Lord. A righteous man should
not side with a sinner; but I am in debt of Duryodhan and
cannot let him down."
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VOLUME TWELVE
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Episode 67: Vidur submits
his resignation to Dhritrashtra. He is depressed by the
inevitable war. Kunti worries about the battle to be
fought between her sons, Karna and the Pandav brothers.
She visits Karna and tells him the truth about his birth.
Karna tells her he already know the truth, and he is
happy to have his mother by his side. Kunti pleads with
him to join the Pandavas, but he says, "I must fight
with Arjun. I cannot abandon my promise to
Duryodhan." Krishna reaches Upaplavya and tells the
Pandavas that his attempt to stop the war has failed. The
Pandavas prepare to battle.
Episode 68: Yudhishthir
holds a meeting and Dhristadymna, Draupadi's brother, is
appointed Supreme Commandar of the Pandav 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 Dhritrashtra 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, Dhritrashtra's charioteer.
Episode 69: All the
warriors except Balaram and Rukhmi (Rukmani's brother)
move towards the battlefield. Balaram remains neutral and
both parties deny Rukhmi's help. Duryodhan tricks Salya
into joining the Kaurava army. Salya becomes Karna's
charioteer; though his blessings are with the Pandavas.
Gandhari is unhappy that Shakuni and Karna encourage
uryodhan to war against the Pandavas. She wants to seek
Krishna's help in protecting her sons, but Dhritrashtra
stops her.
Episode 70: Shikhandi, who
was Amba in a previous life, is anxious for the
Kurukshetra war because he wants to fight Bheeshma.
Bheeshma had insulted Amba by refusing to marry her after
he had abducted her. Amba swore to take revenge on
Bheeshma, so she was reborn as Shikhandi, the elder
brother of Draupadi. The opportunity for Amba's revenge
has come.
Episode 71: Krishna tells
Arjun to seek Goddess Durga's blessings for winning the
war. Arjun prays to the Goddess. She tells him,
"Wherever there is righteousness there is Krishna,
and wherever there is Krishna, there is victory."
Krishna drives Arjun to the middle of the battlefield in
his chariot. Arjun sees the men on the battlefield and
tells Krishna, "Winning a kingdom after killine
one's own kin is too heavy a price to pay. I prefer to be
a beggar if this is the price I have to pay for our
throne."
Episode 72: Arjun refuses
to fight and kill his relatives and friends. Krishna
tells him that "Atman (Soul) cannot be killed,"
and advises Arjun to be strong. Krishna's teaching to
Arjun at the battlefield form the basis of the
"Bhagawad Gita" (the Song of God).
VOLUME THIRTEEN
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Episode 73: On the
battlefield of Kurukshetra, Krishna continues to talk to
Arjun about the importance of following Dharma (Duty). He
tells Arjun to equate pain with pleasure and profit with
loss. He emphasizes the importance of selfless action
without the desire to seek a reward for it.
Episode 74: Krishna says
to Arjun, "I am birth-less, and changeless. I am the
Lord. I take birth through the power of my Maya."
Unable to satisfy Arjun's hopeless consciouce, 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
"Prakriti" (Matter). He agrees to do his duty
selflessly, lifts his "Gandeev" and prepares to
fight the Kauravas.
Episode 75: The battle is
about to begin, but Yudhishthir removes armor, puts down
his weapons, and descends from his chariot. The Pandava
and the Kaurava forces look with amazement as he proceeds
on foot towards the Kaurava camp. Duryodhan brags that
Yudhisthir is scared of his army's strength. Duryodhan
soon discovers that Yudhisthir is visiting the Kaurava
camp to seek the benediction of the elders before
starting the battle. After being blessed by the elders,
Yudhisthir goes to the middle of the battlefield and
announces that anyone who wants to change sides must do
so now. Duryodhan's stepbrother, Yuyutsu, crosses over
the the Pandava camp and the battle begins.
Episode 76: During the
afternoon of the first day of battle, Abhimanyu attacks
grandsire Bheeshma and brings down his chariot's flag.
The Kaurava warriors retaliat 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 Pandav armyfares poorly.
Yudhisthir worries, but Shikhadi consoles him by saying,
"Righteousness will win eventually and we are on the
side of righteousness." As the battle continues,
Drona brings down Shristamyumna's flag and Salya slays
Uttar, the prince of Virat.
Episode 77: The Pandava
army had fared poorly during the first day of battle.
Dhrishtadyumna, the commander-in-chief of the Pandavas,
devises strategies to avoid a repetition of the first
day. Bheeshma, Drona, Kripa and several other warriors
shoot arrows at Arjun, but he preseveres and attacks
Bheeshma's chariot. Duryadhan's men protect the grandise,
but Arjun continues to fight. Bheeshma's arrows hit Arjun
and Krishna. Arjun retaliates and injures Bheeshma.
Satyaki kills Bheeshma's charioteer and Bheeshma's horses
are left unbridled. The horses run wildly and take
Bheeshma away from the battlefield. The Pandavas return
to their camp in great cheer.
Episode 78: The Pandavas
were faced with a problem, victory continued to elude
them. They were blessed by Bheeshma to achieve victory,
but they could only achieve victory after they killed
Bheeshma and Bheeshma could not be killed unless he
willed himself to die. Yudhisthir and Arjun go to
Bheeshma and inform him of their predictament. Bheeshma
tells them that only a woman could bring his death for he
would not raise his hand against a woman. The Pandavas
decided to use Shikhandi in their fight against Bheeshma
and the stage is set for the fall of the grandsire from
the battlefield.
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VOLUME FOURTEEN
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Episode 79: On the tenth
day of battle, Arjun positions Shikhandi in front of him
and attacks Bheeshma. As Arjun's arrows pierce his body,
Bheeshma smiles. Bheeshma's shield is cut into pieces by
Arjun's arrows and he falls on the ground with Arjun's
arrows covering his body. Drona is made the new
Commander-in-Chief of the Kaurav army, and Karna becomes
a warior in the war.
Episode 80: 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.
Episode 81: Drona decides
to arrange his forces in a "Chakra-Vyuha"
(Lotus formation), which is a battle arrangement that
only Arjun can penetrate and emerge from. The Trigartha
Chief Susarama is asked to assist the Kauravas in their
plan to capture Yudhistir by luring Arjun so far away
from the battlefield that it will be impossible for him
to return before sunset.
Episode 82: Yudhisthir
learns about Drona's plan to arrange the Kaurav forces in
the Chakra-Vyuha. Unfortunately, Yudhistir 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 of it and is
eventually killed.
Episode 83: Arjun kills
Susarma the Trigartha Chief and returns to the Pandava
camp. He learns about Abhimanyu's death and discovers
that Jayadhrath was the main cause of his son's death.
Arjun vows to kill Jayadhrath before sunset the next day.
Episode 84: 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 that wall to complete my oath," declares
Arjun. Krishna is amused. He remarks, "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."
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VOLUME FIFTEEN
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Episode 85: Arjun vows to
kill Jayadhrath before sunset to avenge the death of his
son Abhimanyu. If he is unable to kill Jayadhrath before
sunset, Arjun swears he will burn himself to death.
Duryodhan has hidden Jayadhrath but with Krishna's
assistance, Arjun is able to discover his whereabouts and
destroys him.
Episode 86: Bheem and
Hidimba's mighty son, Ghatotkach, joins the Pandvas in
the battle. 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 against Arjun, but
Duryodhan persuades him. Karna destroys Ghatotkach with
his "Shakti".
Episode 87: Drona spreads
fear and destruction in the Pandava army. He seems
invincible but Krishna tells Yudhistir and Arjun that
Drona can be defeated. "If he were to hear that his
son, Ashwathama is dead, he would lose interest in life
and throw down his weapons", says Krishna.
Yudhisthir consults Bheem who kills a huge elephant that
was also named Ashwathama. Bheem roars, "I've killed
Ashwathama". Drona hears his word and shouts back,
"I will not take your word for it, let Yudhisthir
say so." Yudhisthir repeats, "Ashwathama is
dead" and then he mutters to himselkf,
"Ashwathama, the elephant". Upon hearing
Yudhishthir, Drona lays down his weapons and is killed.
Episode 88: On the
battlefield, Dushashan attacks Bheem with his arrows.
Bheem remembers what Dushashan had done to Draupadi and
the anger blazes within him. Bheem jumps from his chariot
and attacks Dushashan. Bheem fulfills the oath he had
made thirteen years agaon and kills Dushashan. Gandhari
loses another one of her sons.
Episode 89: As the sun
rises in the sky the battle between Karna and Arjun
begins. Karna sends a dazzling arrow, which spits fire
towards Arjun. Krishna presess Arjun'ss chariot five
fingers deep in the mud at the last minute, so that the
shaft misses Arjun's head and only strikes his crown.
Arjun burns with anger, fixes and arrow on his bow and
kills Karna.
Episode 90: 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.
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VOLUME SIXTEEN
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Episode 91: The battle
between Bheem and Duryodhan begins. The wariors appear
equal in strength and skill, but Krishna informs Bheem
that Duryodhan could be defeated if he smashes
Duryodhan's thights. Bheem leaps like a lioin and breaks
Duryodhan's thighs with his mace and defeats him.
Episode 92: 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.
Episode 93: The
Kurukshetra war has ended. The Pandavas visit
Dhritrashtra who coldly embraces Yudhishthira.
Dhritarashtra then moves forward to embrace Bheem, but
Krishna tells Bheem to put an iron statue in his place.
Dhritarshtra hugs the iron statute and crushes it to
pieces. Dhritrashtra repents, but Krishna tells him,
"You have not killed Bheem, you have only crushed an
iron statute". Dhritarshtra recomposes himself and
blesses the Pandava princes.
Episode 94: 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.
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