What Homer's ILIAD is to Greek Civilization and the great classics of yore are to

different nations of the world, the MAHABHARAT is to India. Written by Rishi Ved
Vyasa, the ancient philosopher-thinker who was known to be the fountain of all
human knowledge, it has been translated into many languages and even
presented in ballet form in western and oriental countries.
But the MAHABHARAT is not an abstruse philosophical or religious tract. It
encompasses all shades of human nature from the utterly base to the completely
divine; its high points is Lord Krishna's message to humanity, the Song Celestial -
the divine GEETA, acknowledged to be the quintessence of all knowledge
embodied in the Hindu ethos.
To capture the magnificence, the grandeur and drama of this great epic was the
dream of producer-director Dr. B.R. Chopra, one of India eminent filmmakers.
B.R. TV has staked enormous resources, to bring to television audiences the
richness and the grandeur of the period to which the MAHABHARAT belonged.
rated as the most popular TV program on India's Doordarshan, the serial consists
of 94 episodes each with a running time of 45 minutes - a total of 65 hours of
Hindutav.
ALL THE EPISODES ARE ENCODED IN " .mp4 " FORMAT, PORTABLE FOR
PSP, AND HAS SUBTITLE FEATURE BUILT-IN THAT CAN BE ENABLED
WITH APPROPRIATE CODECS. SUBTITLES ARE IN ENGLISH. ENJOY
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.
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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."
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.
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.
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."
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).
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.
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."
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.
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.