Recap Yudhishtra is born in the forest through Dharmadeva’s blessing, while in Hastinapura Dhritarashtra seethes as Pandu’s son becomes heir by birthright. Gandhari forces premature labour, leading to Duryodhana’s ominous birth and the creation of the Kauravas through Vyasa’s intervention. Despite dire astrological warnings, Dhritarashtra refuses to forsake his son. Bhima is then born through Vayu’s blessing, and on the same night in Mathura, Krishna is secretly carried to safety in Gokula. Vasudeva Crosses Yamuna With the Divine Child The prison gates open by themselves. Vasudeva carries the newborn Krishna in a basket above his head and steps into the flooded Yamuna. Serpent Adisesha spreads his hood like a canopy against the storm. Reaching Gokula, he exchanges the child with Yashoda’s newborn daughter and quietly returns to Mathura, unnoticed by guards or Kamsa. When Kamsa awakens, he seizes the infant despite Devaki’s pleas and throws her into the air. The baby vanishes and ap...

Recap Pandu retires to the forest with Kunti and Madri. During a hunt he accidentally kills Sage Kindama, who curses him that he will die if he ever unites with his wife. Distressed, Pandu and Kunti resort to austerities; Kunti reveals the divine mantra she once received and, together with Pandu, prepares the rites to invoke a god to beget their first child. Yudhishtra is Born in the Forest Kunti gives birth to her first son in the quiet of the forest. Dharmadeva appears, names the child Yudhishtra, and blesses him to walk the path of righteousness throughout his life. Pandu and Kunti rejoice, strengthened in their resolve to raise their children far from royal influence but close to Dharma. A messenger carries the news to Hastinapura. Vyasa, Satyavati, and Ambalika welcome the arrival of the eldest Kuru prince, sensing that the lineage is now secure. Dhritarashtra turns away silently, the news reopening an unhealed wound. Though he congratulates the elders, he leaves the gatheri...

Recap Pandu begins his forest exile with Kunti and Madri, choosing renunciation over the throne for the sake of Hastinapura’s stability. Meanwhile in Hastinapura, Dhritarashtra and Gandhari begin their married life as Kuru elders anticipate successors. Unknown to everyone, destiny prepares a turning point for Pandu in the wilderness. Pandu Hunts in the Forest — The Curse of Sage Kindama Pandu walks through the forest with his bow, admiring the abundance of wildlife. He notices a deer at a distance. He draws his arrow and shoots. The stag collapses, crying out — not as an animal, but as a sage in agony. As Pandu draws closer, he notices his companion also transform into human form. The sage reveals himself as Rishi Kindama, who had assumed the form of a deer to mate with his wife. Pandu is shocked. Kindama : You struck me when I was in union with my wife. You have destroyed us at a sacred moment. Pandu : Forgive me, revered one. I did not know. I saw only one deer. Your for...

Recap Devaki and Vasudeva grieve the killing of their first child. Determined to prevent further deaths, they take a vow to live austere life in devotion and refrain from having more children. The Gods React to the Vow At Vaikuntha, Vishnu explains why he has chosen to be born as the son of Devaki and Vasudeva: they are righteous, composed in suffering, and do not blame others for their fate. Bhoodevi and Sridevi remind Him of their vow not to have more children. Narada joins the discussion. Narada : We often say humans think one way and the gods think the opposite. But here, it is the reverse. You prepare for an avatara, and Devaki and Vasudeva act in a way that prevents it. Vishnu : Speak plainly, Narada. Narada : You plan Your descent, yet they refuse to bear more children. Meanwhile Kamsa’s atrocities are rising. He has imprisoned his own father and terrorises the citizens. Soon, he may even eye Indraloka. Bhoodevi : If You have decided to take birth, why as the ...