Satyavati, Ambika and Ambalika Perish in Forest Fire : Episode 77

Recap of Previous Episode :

Krishna arrives for Yudhishtra’s coronation as Hastinapura divides into two realms. The Pandavas claim Khandavaprastha, transforming it into the dazzling city of Indraprastha with Vishwakarma’s help. Alliances shift, prophecies stir, and Duryodhana’s jealousy grows even as Krishna plants the seeds for Subhadra’s future.

The Queens Meet Shikhandi in the Forest

Satyavati, Ambika, and Ambalika walk slowly through the forest, withdrawn from the world. As they move through the trees, Ambika suddenly freezes — she sees a man approaching, but she recognises the soul behind the form. Shikhandi now bears a man’s body, yet Ambika sees her sister Amba in his eyes.

Satyavati remembers Amba’s scorching rage — her demand that Bhishma marry her, his refusal, and Amba’s vow to destroy him. Ambika instinctively wants to speak to her sister, but Satyavati stops her gently. Amba had thrown herself into the fire. That chapter, Satyavati says quietly, is closed forever.

A Priest Recognises Their Past

The three women rest by a quiet river. As they sip water, a man approaches and asks if they are the queens of Hastinapura. Satyavati recognises him instantly — a priest from a Durga temple.

Long ago, he had abandoned his daily rituals after losing his daughter to smallpox. Satyavati had rebuked him then, reminding him of the dignity with which she bore her own grief. The memory cuts deep, but she refuses to reveal her identity now. She tells him they are hermits who have renounced everything.

The priest watches them closely. Doubt flickers in his eyes.

Bhoomadevi Confronts Krishna

In Dwaraka, a woman arrives carrying a heavy basket on her head. She asks Krishna for help, but when Krishna tries to lift the load, he cannot move it.

He realises who she is — Bhoomadevi.

She demands an answer: Krishna took birth to reduce her burden. Then why did he stop the war when the Pandavas and Kauravas were ready to clash? He had allowed the chance to slip away.

Krishna explains gently. A war at that stage would have been small and confined to two families. It was not yet time. Destiny was preparing a larger battlefield where many dark forces would gather of their own will. Only then would the earth be relieved. Bhoomadevi accepts his words, understanding that the true storm is yet to come.

Shikhandi’s Outburst Before Shiva

In the deep forest, Shikhandi wanders alone. Before him stands a Shiva Linga. Old fires rise within. His voice breaks with anguish — he has been born a man but holds a woman’s body, and it prevents him from taking revenge on Bhishma. He accuses Shiva of deception, of saving Bhishma at the cost of his life.

In blind rage, Shikhandi lifts a rock to strike the Linga.

Shiva appears.

He asks Shikhandi to let go of fury, for it is the root of his suffering. Shikhandi demands to know why he was born a woman when Shiva had granted him a boon to be born a man.

Shiva explains: destiny begins the moment a being is born, and the end is fixed. To kill oneself is as grave as killing another — no one, not even the trimurtis, can sanction it. By ending her own life, Amba disrupted her destined path. Had she lived out her karma, she would naturally have taken birth as a man in time.

Shiva tells Shikhandi: It is braver to live than to die. Destiny cannot be escaped. When the appointed moment arrives, the chance for revenge will come. He must wait.

Shikhandi listens, but the fire in him does not fully fade.

A Marriage Proposal Moves Toward Dwaraka

At Hastinapura, Shakuni, Gandhari, and Dhritarashtra discuss Duryodhana’s alliance with Subhadra. Shakuni says Balarama would certainly support the match — Duryodhana is his favourite student in wrestling, and an alliance with mighty Hastinapura would appeal to him.

Dhritarashtra wishes to visit Dwaraka personally, but Shakuni dissuades him, claiming that a king need not go to a small kingdom for a proposal. Finally, the king agrees to send Shakuni and Dushasana to arrange the marriage.

The Priest Learns the Truth

Satyavati and Ambika come face-to-face with Shikhandi again. He is still full of venom, still burning with the oath to destroy Bhishma. Satyavati pleads with him to let go, but Shikhandi stands unmoved.

The priest who has been observing them now recognises the truth. These are indeed the queens of Hastinapura. He tells them news they did not know — Hastinapura has been divided because of Duryodhana’s obstinacy.

Satyavati breaks down. Her life’s work — the lineage she rebuilt — has fractured.

The Passing of the Queens

Before they can recover, flames rise suddenly around them. A forest fire spreads swiftly, surrounding the trees in a ring of heat and smoke.

The priest runs in terror.

Satyavati watches the flames with calm resignation. She has lived a long life filled with struggle, sacrifice, and sorrow. She does not wish to flee. Ambika and Ambalika stand beside her. They, too, choose not to run.

The fire closes in. The three queens of Hastinapura remain where they stand.

And the forest takes them.