Bhishma and Karna Argue Out Their Stands : Episode 118

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Recap of Previous Episode :

Duryodhana regrets Karna’s humiliation, while Karna accepts the Nagastra through Ashwasena. Pandavas demand the return of Indraprastha, but Duryodhana refuses. Dhritarashtra plans to send Sanjaya with a deceitful message. Kunti confronts Duryodhana and vows that her sons will reclaim the kingdom.

Kunti Declares That the Pandavas Will Claim Their Rightful Throne

Kunti is enraged that Duryodhana remains obstinate and unrepentant about returning Indraprastha. Her voice trembles with fury as she asserts that the Pandavas will seize Hastinapur—their rightful inheritance—unjustly withheld despite Pandu gifting the kingdom to Dhritarashtra out of goodwill.

Sanjaya Delivers Dhritarashtra’s Message

Sanjaya arrives at Virata’s court with a message from Dhritarashtra. He asks Yudhishtra to return to the forest and pursue a life of meditation, claiming it will bring him spiritual merit. The four younger Pandavas burn with indignation and unanimously support a declaration of war. But Yudhishtra remains composed and tells Sanjaya that he needs time to consult his brothers before making a final decision.

Shakuni Warns Duryodhana Against Underestimating Kunti

Shakuni cautions Duryodhana that Kunti is politically astute and driven by strong ambition. He recounts her decisions throughout life to prove his point—invoking the gods for children after Pandu’s curse, refusing to die with Pandu to protect her sons, forging alliances after escaping Varanavata, and remaining in Hastinapur to watch over events rather than accompanying her sons into exile.

Karna strongly defends Kunti, but Duryodhana begins to believe Shakuni’s interpretation of her actions.

Draupadi Defends Yudhishtra’s Patience

Shikhandi walks away from Yudhishtra in frustration. Draupadi stops him and demands to know the reason for his disappointment. Shikhandi calls Yudhishtra a coward for delaying war. Draupadi fiercely defends her husband, explaining that Yudhishtra acts for the welfare of the nation, not out of fear, and that wisdom sometimes outweighs force. Shikhandi is silenced.

The Court of Hastinapur Debates War

Sanjaya returns to Hastinapur and reports that only Yudhishtra hesitates to declare war. Duryodhana mocks the Pandavas as cowards. Bhishma firmly rebukes him and reminds the court how the Pandavas saved him from humiliation at the hands of the Gandharvas. Vidura joins Bhishma in advising justice and urges Dhritarashtra to restore the kingdom that belonged to Pandu and which was coronated to Yudhishtra earlier.

Duryodhana refuses vehemently. Dhritarashtra sits helplessly. Karna supports Duryodhana, provoking Bhishma to declare him a “termite eating the Kuru roots.”

Karna and Bhishma Confront One Another

The words sting Karna deeply. Later he visits Bhishma privately and asks why he is always belittled. Bhishma explains the destruction Karna has supported through blind loyalty. Karna agrees to abandon Duryodhana only if Bhishma agrees to join the Pandavas. Bhishma responds sorrowfully that his vow binds him forever to defend the kings of Hastinapur. Karna says he too is bound—by the friendship Duryodhana offered when every other king mocked him as the son of a charioteer.

Bhishma replies that unlike him—who speaks against Duryodhana’s wrongs—Karna encourages them, thereby feeding the fire of destruction.

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