160. Shakuni Accuses Karna of Betrayal

Recap of Previous Episode :

Ashwathama unleashes the Narayana Astra in fury, but Krishna neutralizes it through surrender. Draupadi defends Drishtadhyumna and confronts Arjuna about selective righteousness. Bhishma accepts Drona’s death as divine will. Karna is crowned commander-in-chief, and Draupadi’s harsh rejection wounds him deeply.

Karna Assumes Command

Yudhishtra worries deeply as Karna takes charge as commander of the Kaurava army. Bhima laughs it off, and Arjuna is confident of his abilities — but Krishna intervenes and cautions them, reminding Arjuna of the deadly Nagastra that Karna possesses, which could end his life instantly.

Meanwhile, Bhishma is delighted by Karna’s elevation. He blesses Karna warmly and reminds him: “We are all actors in the play of Time. Fight without fear of outcome.”

On the battlefield, Karna is welcomed with thunderous applause. Duryodhana exults in renewed hope.

Bhima’s Duel with Vikarna

The sixteenth day begins fiercely. Ashwathama fights Drishtadhyumna and Bhima. Bhima kills many sons of Dhritarashtra before facing Vikarna. The memory of the dice assembly floods Bhima — Vikarna alone had opposed Draupadi’s humiliation; Vikarna had once spared Bhima’s life on the battlefield. Torn between gratitude and duty, Bhima’s voice trembles: “Brother, I honor your righteousness, but fate has made us enemies today.”

With a heavy heart, Bhima kills Vikarna and weeps bitterly over his body.

The Long-Awaited Confrontation

Arjuna, burning with resolve, yearns to face Karna. Krishna slows the pace, reminding him that Karna’s long-suppressed anguish has now transformed into fiery determination, strengthened by divine blessings. Arjuna must wait for the right moment.

Karna too seeks Arjuna, but his charioteer fails to follow the sound of the Gandiva bow. Enraged, Karna demands he be driven to Arjuna — but is taken instead to Nakula. Karna defeats and disarms Nakula easily, then spares his life, keeping his promise to Kunti.

Shakuni presses Karna to kill Nakula, but Karna refuses, citing righteous conduct.

Clash of Titans: Karna and Arjuna Meet

Finally, Arjuna and Karna come face to face. Arjuna taunts him, recalling every humiliation Karna faced earlier in battle. They engage in a fearsome duel. Arjuna’s arrows overwhelm Karna and he staggers in pain. Just as Arjuna prepares to strike again, he sees the suffering of his elder brother Yudhishtra reflected in Karna’s face, and freezes — stunned by a sudden wave of emotion.

Karna binds Arjuna with sharp arrows, but before the battle can continue, the conch shells sound, declaring sunset and the end of the sixteenth day.

Accusations in the Night Camp

At night, Shakuni mocks Karna for his nobility in sparing Nakula and accuses him of hypocrisy: “If killing a defenseless warrior was wrong, why did you help kill Abhimanyu? Why spare Nakula today? Why meet Kunti in secret? Are you betraying Duryodhana like Bhishma and Drona did?”

Humiliated and wounded, Karna turns to Duryodhana in anguish: “Duryodhana… do you trust me or not?”

Silence hangs in the air.