Seventh Day of Kurukshetra War : Episode 136

Sanjaya describes to Dritarashtra and Gandhari the scene of the battlefield on the Seventh Day of the war. The Kauravas have arrayed their battallion in the mandala vyuha, which is ably counterbalanced by the 'vajravyuha' of the Pandavas. Drupada fights ferociously with Drona, his archenemy, Shikhandi fights with Shalya, and Bhagadatta, son of Narakasura, with Bhima and Virata with Purisravas. Iravan (Aravan in Tamil), the son born of Arjuna and the Naga princess Ulupi, fights with Shakuni's sons and kills eight of them. Gandhari grieves, but consoles hereself that it was her duty as a kshtriya woman to stolidly accept every loss.

Pandavas rejoice over Iravan's heroism. Arjuna feels exalted over his son's feats.

Karna is in a quandary, weighing the thought whether he should shamelessly fight like a common soldier to gain Bhishma's approval who would never let him fight as a maharathi despite his merit. Finally, he concludes that his own friend Duryodhana's interests come before his own self esteem. He decides to meet Bhishma. He conveys his decision to Duryodhana. Duryodhana decides to intercede on Karna's behalf, but Bhishma flatly refuses to give in.

A spy conveys the news of Karna's participation being rejected by Bhishma. Krishna smiles brightly, and says it is the most opportune moment to overthrow Bhishma. He instructs Draupadi to meet Karna the next morning. As others listen in bewilderment, Krishna delineates his strategic moves.