Krishna Protects The Pandavas From Bhishma's Divya Astras : Episode 138

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Draupadi provokes Karna, igniting his fury. Bhima slays sixteen sons of Dhritarashtra. Duryodhana’s fury explodes, leading Bhishma to break his vow and swear to kill the Pandavas with a divine Astra, but only if Karna remains sidelined. War now spirals toward devastation.

Bhishma’s Turmoil

Bhishma lies awake through the night, unable to find peace. The vow he has given Duryodhana — to kill the Pandavas — torments him. His conscience screams that he is allowing himself to be used by adharma. He knows the Divya Astras, earned through his lifetime of brahmacharya, never fail their target.

Yet the very thought of using them against the sons of Pandu tears him apart.

Duryodhana’s Restless Night

Duryodhana too lies sleepless. He dreams of Bhishma breaking the five celestial arrows reserved to destroy the Pandavas. Terrified, he rushes to Bhishma’s chambers at night and begs him to hand over the arrows for safekeeping.

Bhishma, weary and disillusioned, silently extends them. Duryodhana walks away relieved, carrying the arrows proudly back to his camp.

Shakuni and Dushasana are alarmed, believing that the arrows were safest only in Bhishma’s possession, but Duryodhana refuses to reconsider.

Krishna’s Strategy

Pandava spies report the news to Krishna: Bhishma has sworn to kill the Pandavas and possesses five weapons capable of destroying them. Krishna instructs Arjuna to go directly to Duryodhana and demand the arrows in the name of Yudhishtra.

Everyone is confused, but Arjuna trusts Krishna.

The Promise Remembered

Arjuna enters Duryodhana’s tent. He asks calmly for the five arrows, saying Yudhishtra requests their handover.

Shakuni and Dushasana protest, but Duryodhana smiles — surprisingly relieved. He hands over the arrows without hesitation.

He reminds Shakuni: “I once promised Yudhishtra that I would grant him whatever he asked, when he saved my life from the Yaksha at Dwaitavana. I have kept my word.”

Arjuna returns to the camp. The Pandavas are stunned. Yudhishtra is relieved.

But Krishna’s expression remains grave — the danger is not over.

Draupadi Intervenes

Before dawn, Draupadi approaches Bhishma as he begins his morning prayers. Her face is veiled, her anklets soft against the ground.

She falls at his feet and asks for his blessing. Without looking at her, Bhishma blesses her: “May you live as a sumangali.”

She requests him to repeat the blessing five times.

Puzzled, Bhishma complies. Draupadi then removes her veil. Bhishma is frozen — his blessing ensures that her husbands must live.

Draupadi returns triumphant and tells the Pandavas of the outcome.

The Secret Revealed

Later, Drona and Kripacharya ask Bhishma whether it is truly just to kill the righteous Pandavas merely to fulfill a promise given to Duryodhana. Bhishma replies heavily that death comes to all, and that he is bound by his word and his role, however painful it may be.

At that moment, Duryodhana arrives.

Bhishma turns to him and says that the special weapons he had set aside for the Pandavas must now be brought back and kept ready.

Duryodhana then explains what has happened — how Arjuna came to him in Yudhishtra’s name, and how, bound by the promise he had once made when Yudhishtra saved his life in Dwaitavana, he handed over the five astras without hesitation.

Those present praise Duryodhana for keeping his word even at the risk of defeat. Bhishma listens in silence, understanding that the deadly arrows are now beyond his reach and that the course of destiny has shifted.