Krishna Reveals That Narakasura is Satyabhama's Son : Episode 107

Recap for Previous Episode :

The demon fails to destroy the Pandavas and kills Kalamuni instead. At the lake, Yudhishtra answers Yaksha’s questions and earns back his brothers’ lives. The Pandavas prepare for the year of living incognito. In heaven, the devas plead for Krishna’s help against Narakasura.

Pandavas Leave Dwaitavana

After completing twelve long years of exile, the Pandavas leave Dwaitavana to plan their Ajnatavasa, the year of living incognito. As Sage Dhaumya had warned, spies sent by Duryodhana secretly follow them. Bhima swiftly eliminates every spy they encounter. At one point he raises his mace to strike another spy but discovers that it is Kanika, sent by Vidura. Yudhishtra stops Bhima and requests Kanika to return to Hastinapura and inform Vidura that the Pandavas are safe.

Sahadeva advises Bhima to carry the body of one of the slain spies, so the Pandavas travel further with a corpse slung across Bhima’s shoulder — ensuring no one suspects that they are alive.

Krishna Appears Through Indra’s Sacrificial Fire

Indra performs a powerful Yagna in Indraloka to seek Vishnu’s help against Narakasura, who has captured devas and their wives and thrown them into prison. Through the flames of the sacrificial fire, Krishna manifests, with Narada standing by.

Indra asks who Narakasura’s mother is, since prophecy says Narakasura can only be killed with his mother’s permission. Krishna reveals that Bhama, one of His consorts on earth, is the demon’s mother. Krishna therefore suggests a plan: Narada must provoke a quarrel between Rukmini and Bhama, making Bhama demand something that requires Krishna to confront Narakasura.

The Parijata Plan

Narada goes to Dwaraka and presents a rare Parijata flower from Indraloka to Rukmini, hinting that wearing the flower keeps a husband constantly devoted. When Krishna gifts her the flower, Narada quickly carries tales to Bhama — saying Krishna now spends all His time with Rukmini.

Enraged, Bhama confronts Krishna. He pacifies her gently and promises that she may have not just the flower but the entire Parijata tree from Indraloka. Bhama agrees to accompany Krishna to claim the tree — exactly as Narada and Indra had hoped.

Pandavas Hide Their Weapons

The Pandavas reach the boundary of Virata’s kingdom. Yudhishtra suggests that Arjuna and Bhima must hide their famous weapons, which would give away their identity instantly. They wrap the weapons in a bundle and hang them high on an ancient vanni tree, suspending a dead spy’s body beside it so people will believe the place is haunted and stay away.

They pray to Goddess Durga, who appears and blesses them, assuring that no one will recognize them during the year of concealment. She says that to anyone who sees the weapon-bundle, it will appear like a nest of deadly serpents.

Pandavas Choose Their Disguises

To infiltrate King Virata’s palace, each Pandava chooses a new identity:

• Yudhishtra becomes Kanaka, a wise court companion skilled in the game of dice.
• Bhima becomes Ballava, a mighty cook and wrestler in the royal kitchen.
• Arjuna, under Urvashi’s curse, becomes Brihannala, a dancing and music master for prince Uttara.
• Nakula becomes Granthika, caretaker of the royal horses.
• Sahadeva becomes Tantipala, keeper of Virata’s cattle and astrologic omens.
• Draupadi becomes Sairandhri, maid and hair-dresser to Queen Sudeshna.

Keechaka Notices Sairandhri

Virata’s commander, Keechaka, returns after conquering neighboring lands and is welcomed with great honor. When he visits his sister Queen Sudeshna in the palace, he notices the beauty of the newly arrived maid Sairandhri. Sudeshna warns him that Sairandhri is protected by her five Gandharva husbands and cannot be harmed. But Keechaka’s arrogance and lust only grow stronger.