Sun TV Mahabharatham

Recap of Previous Episode : Karna reels from Bhishma’s humiliation, but Duryodhana vows loyalty and support. Gandhari and Kunti bless only righteousness, not victory. Vidura refuses to join the war. Krishna urges Karna to fight and warns him that Bhishma will not die until Hastinapura is secure, leaving Karna torn between loyalty, honor, and destiny. Krishna Urges Karna to Choose Destiny Krishna speaks compassionately to Karna, acknowledging how unbearable it must be for a warrior to remain away from the Kurukshetra battlefield, where every kshatriya yearns to display valor. Since Karna has vowed not to fight while Bhishma lives, Krishna reminds him that the chance to participate may never come. Krishna urges him to join the Pandavas, his own brothers by birth, and rule Hastinapura with honor. Karna refuses instantly. His loyalty to Duryodhana is absolute; he declares that even if the Pandavas offer him a kingdom, nothing would separate him from his friend. Vyasa Grants Divine ...

Recap of Previous Episode : War rules are established at Upaplavya. Gandhari seeks reconciliation with Kunti, while Shakuni continues his manipulations. Shikhandi receives Krishna’s assurance to fight. Bhishma appoints the athirathis, publicly humiliates Karna, and assigns him only the rank of ardharathi. Humiliated, Karna vows not to fight while Bhishma leads. Karna’s Anguish and Duryodhana’s Consolation Karna storms into his palace, flings aside his bow and quiver, and collapses in despair. Bhanumathi is startled when he recounts how Bhishma publicly humiliated him by assigning him the low rank of ardharathi. Enraged, she demands to confront Duryodhana at once for remaining silent during the insult. Duryodhana enters with Shakuni and allows Bhanumathi to express her fury. He then gently tells Karna that if Bhishma chooses to belittle him, he himself will raise Karna to the rank of maharathi. He vows they will lead the battle together, and others may join if they wish. Karna is ...

Recap of Previous Episode : Sahadeva reveals the auspicious time for sacrifice, and Krishna alters time itself to protect the Pandavas. The ritual is completed successfully, enraging Duryodhana. Bhishma and Drishtadyumna are appointed commanders of opposing armies, and preparations for war accelerate. Rules of War Are Established Pandavas, Kauravas, Krishna, Bhishma, Shakuni, and their allies gather at Upaplavya in King Virata’s kingdom. Krishna requests Bhishma to announce the rules that will govern the battle. Bhishma declares: A warrior invited to duel must accept the challenge. No attacks on physicians or healers tending to the wounded. All fighting must cease at sunset; if battle must continue, both sides must jointly agree and arrange illumination. After sunset, warriors may freely visit the opposing camp in peace. No one may attack an unarmed warrior. A warrior retreating from battle must not be pursued or forced to continue fighting. Shakuni proposes an addit...

Recap of Previous Episode : Kunti extracts a promise from Drona that he will not kill her sons. Shalya is deceived by Duryodhana into pledging support to the Kauravas. In a grand assembly at Upaplavya, Kurukshetra is chosen as the battlefield and Ekadashi of Margashirsha as the starting date. Aravan joins the Pandavas, and Krishna instructs Shalya to turn his enforced allegiance into a strategic advantage. Sahadeva Reveals the Auspicious Time Duryodhana and Shakuni request a private audience with Sahadeva while the Pandavas are meeting with Krishna, Drupada, and Virata. At Yudhishtra’s command, everyone leaves. Duryodhana asks Sahadeva to determine the most auspicious time for offering a sacrifice to ensure victory. Without hesitation, Sahadeva calculates and declares that the bali should be performed on the coming new moon day. Duryodhana doubts the honesty of his declaration, but Shakuni assures him that Sahadeva will never violate dharma even for advantage in war. Sahadeva a...

Recap of Previous Episode : Duryodhana declares war against the Pandavas, dismissing all appeals for peace. Krishna returns to Virata and announces that war is now inevitable. Suspicion arises in the Kaurava camp over Kunti’s meeting with Karna. Sahadeva extracts a promise from Krishna that the Pandavas will not die in battle. Shakuni studies the balance of armies and plans to secure Shalya as a powerful ally. Kunti Seeks a Promise from Drona Drona stands in prayer before Shiva when Kunti arrives. She asks directly whether he intends to kill her sons in the coming war. Drona protests, saying the Pandavas are like his own children, but Kunti will not accept vague sentiment. She insists that if he truly loves them, he should abstain from war just as Vidura has done. Drona explains that Vidura acted according to a personal promise to Pandu and that as the son of Vichitravirya, Vidura possessed his own royal stature. Drona, however, once sought refuge in Hastinapura during a time of ...

Recap of Previous Episode : Karna recounts moments of Duryodhana’s loyalty and refuses to abandon him. Kunti asks him to spare her sons, and Karna promises to protect all except Arjuna and to use the Nagastra only once. Kunti learns she cannot save all her children without stopping the war. Bhishma vows to compel Krishna to wield weapons in battle. The Decision for War Duryodhana convenes a council to declare his decision to wage war against the Pandavas. Vidura and Bhishma urge him to state his agenda plainly rather than pretending to seek discussion, since their advice will be ignored anyway. Duryodhana claims the Pandavas broke the conditions of their exile by revealing themselves before the completion of the final year of ajnatavasa. Instead of returning to the forest, he says, they sent Krishna on a peace mission, and therefore the Kauravas must respond appropriately. Vikarna, virtuous and honest, protests. He begs his brother to return the kingdom that rightfully belongs t...

Recap of Previous Episode : Duryodhana refuses Krishna’s plea for peace. Krishna reveals to Kunti that Karna is her firstborn son and urges her to try to bring him to the Pandava side. Kunti meets Karna and begs him to return to his brothers, but Karna refuses out of loyalty to Duryodhana, who gave him dignity when others rejected him. Karna Speaks of Loyalty and Gratitude Karna continues speaking to Kunti, recounting defining moments of his life shaped by Duryodhana’s trust and affection. He recalls how Duryodhana once asked for his help in abducting Bhanumati, the daughter of Chitrangada, king of Kalinga, during her swayamvara. Jarasandha and Shishupala were among the suitors. At Duryodhana’s command, Karna defeats Jarasandha effortlessly, and Duryodhana carries Bhanumati away. Later, Duryodhana justifies his act by referencing Bhishma’s abduction of the Kashi princesses for Vichitravirya’s sake. Bhanumati and Shubhangi Karna describes Bhanumati as gentle, noble, and radian...

Recap of Previous Episode : Krishna demands justice for the Pandavas, but Duryodhana refuses even five villages and humiliates Vidura. Shakuni and Duryodhana attempt to disgrace Krishna, but He reveals His Vishwaroopa, awakening awe in the court. Krishna warns of destruction and declares war. Vidura breaks his Vishnu Astra and frees himself from internal conflict, while Kunti learns of all that transpired. Duryodhana Rejects Peace Duryodhana discusses plans for war with Karna and Dushasana. Dhritarashtra and Bhishma enter and urge him to abandon the thought of battle, reminding him that Krishna revealed His Universal Form and pleaded for peace. But Duryodhana refuses to see divinity in Krishna or accept the truth in His words. Blinded by arrogance, he ignores the counsel of father and grandsire. Bhishma turns away, admitting helplessly that nothing more can be done. The Secret of Karna’s Birth At dawn, Kunti watches the rising sun. Krishna approaches gently and asks what memori...

Recap of Previous Episode : Krishna prepares for the peace negotiations. Draupadi’s wounds reopen, and she refuses forgiveness. Krishna arrives in Hastinapura and is respected by elders but insulted by Duryodhana, who secretly plots to humiliate Him. Krishna chooses to stay with Vidura, while Vidura’s declaration of loyalty to the Kauravas shocks Kunti. Vidura’s Vow and Kunti’s Shock Kunti is stunned when Vidura declares that he would stand with the Kauravas if war breaks out. When she asks why, Vidura explains with quiet conviction that he once promised Pandu he would never abandon Dhritarashtra, no matter his faults, and would always fight for him. His loyalty to that vow binds him. Krishna’s Final Plea for Peace The next morning, Krishna stands before the royal court and clearly states His purpose — the return of the kingdom to the Pandavas. Duryodhana responds with scorn and refuses even the last concession Krishna offers: five villages. He declares proudly that he will n...

Recap of Previous Episode : Krishna agrees to go to Hastinapura as a peace ambassador despite the warriors’ impatience for war. Pandavas and Panchala allies fear that peace will obstruct their vows of vengeance. Krishna describes the immense strength awaiting them in battle and narrates the story behind Karna’s Nagastra. In Hastinapura, Bhishma warns Dhritarashtra and Gandhari to control Duryodhana before Krishna arrives. Yudhishtra’s Reluctance and Krishna’s Resolve Yudhishtra sits in deep thought as Krishna arrives to take leave. Krishna asks whether He may declare war if the peace mission fails. Yudhishtra replies gently that war must remain the final resort and should be invoked only when every path to peace is exhausted. Yet, he adds with complete surrender, he will abide by whatever decision Krishna makes on his behalf. Draupadi’s Unhealed Wound Draupadi’s eyes fill with tears when Krishna visits her. She confesses that although Yudhishtra seeks peace, her heart burns wi...

Recap of Previous Episode : Kunti vows that the Pandavas will reclaim Hastinapur; Yudhishtra deliberates before responding to Sanjaya’s message. Shakuni warns Duryodhana about Kunti’s strength, Draupadi defends Yudhishtra, and Bhishma and Vidura demand justice. A fierce confrontation erupts between Bhishma and Karna about loyalty and dharma. Tensions Rise as Peace Appears Impossible Pandavas sit with Drupada and the king of Virata, speaking with intensity. Now that the path of peaceful settlement is closed, war seems inevitable. They feel relief at the thought of reclaiming justice and settling old wounds long carried. Krishna and Yudhishtra enter, having silently listened to their discussions. Everyone except Yudhishtra leans eagerly toward war. Krishna hesitates to speak, but on Yudhishtra’s insistence—and his assurance that his brothers will accept his decision—Krishna voices his belief. One must exhaust every possibility for peace before invoking battle. Since neither Virat...