Balarama Decides To Remain Neutral and Krishna Promises Moral Support to Pandavas : Episode 115

Recap of Previous Episode :

Somadatta supports Duryodhana’s attempt to force another exile on the Pandavas. Yudhishtra prepares for both diplomacy and war, sending Arjuna to seek Krishna’s aid. Bhishma, Vidura and Drona turn to Krishna for direction but remain indecisive. Shakuni persuades Duryodhana to travel to Dwaraka and beg for Krishna’s alliance.

Arjuna and Duryodhana Arrive at Dwaraka

Arjuna reaches Dwaraka and meets his son Abhimanyu. While they are speaking, Duryodhana arrives and rushes inside the palace with urgency. Krishna observes both arrivals and retires pretending to rest.

Duryodhana chooses to sit beside Krishna’s head, while Arjuna quietly enters later and sits at Krishna’s feet. When Krishna opens His eyes, He sees Arjuna first. Duryodhana protests, claiming that he arrived earlier and therefore deserves priority. Krishna smiles and insists that since His eyes first meet Arjuna, Arjuna may make his request first. He reassures Duryodhana that his desire too will be granted.

Krishna offers Arjuna a choice: either Krishna Himself — unarmed and bound by His vow never to fight — or the vast and powerful Yadava army.

Arjuna chooses Krishna alone. Duryodhana is delighted to receive the entire Narayani Sena and believes he has secured victory.

Balarama joins them and remarks that he loves both the Pandavas and Kauravas equally, and therefore chooses not to take part in the war. Duryodhana returns to Hastinapur triumphant.

Preparations for Abhimanyu’s Marriage

Arjuna tells Krishna, Subhadra, and Balarama that Abhimanyu’s marriage has been fixed with Princess Uttara, and requests them to bring the Upa-Pandavas to Virata. Subhadra and Queen Sudeshna decide to test whether Draupadi can recognize her children after the long separation.

Draupadi identifies each of her sons without hesitation—Prativindhya, Sutasoma, Srutakarma, Satanika and Shrutasena—and Krishna explains that a mother’s instinct surpasses the limitations of distance or time.

Shakuni Rebukes Duryodhana

Shakuni reproaches Duryodhana for ignoring Krishna’s divine significance. By choosing the army over Krishna, he has lost the greatest support he could ever have asked for. Duryodhana refuses to accept his mistake, convinced of his own strategy.

Narada Warns of the Coming War

Narada appears in Indraloka and alerts Indra of the approaching war and the danger to Arjuna. He reminds Indra of Karna’s invincibility due to the divine kavacha and kundala, and advises Indra to disguise himself as a Brahmin and request them as alms.

Narada then visits Surya and warns him that Indra intends to take Karna’s armour. He urges Surya to protect his son.

Dhritarashtra Caught Between Love and Fear

Dhritarashtra receives the invitation to Abhimanyu’s wedding. Duryodhana immediately forbids anyone from Hastinapur to attend. Shakuni suggests that the invitation is a public demonstration of the alliances Pandavas have made.

Dhritarashtra oscillates helplessly, torn between affection for his brother’s sons and blindness caused by love for his own child. In private, Duryodhana blames Vidura and the elders for nurturing rivalry by glorifying the Pandavas while Pandu lived in the forest. Kunti surprisingly agrees that Vidura may have planted seeds of envy that later grew uncontrollably.