163. Karna Uses Nagastra But Krishna Saves Arjuna

Recap of Previous Episode : Karna seeks blessings and joins forces with Ashwasena to kill Arjuna. Karna loses his son Vrishasena and vows revenge. Bhima kills Vikarna with sorrow, and Dushasana with ferocity, fulfilling Draupadi’s vow. Dhritarashtra collapses in grief. The stage is set for the decisive confrontation between Karna and Arjuna.

Karna Rushes to Duryodhana

Before Karna can recover from the shock of his son Vrishasena’s death, he learns that Dushasana has been slain. Setting aside his rage toward Arjuna, Karna hurries to console a shattered Duryodhana.

Duryodhana’s Grief

Duryodhana laments uncontrollably. Dushasana was his shadow, his most loyal supporter who never questioned an order. The mutilated body before him drives him into a frenzy of grief and rage.

Gandhari breaks down and tells Kunti that she should have stopped Dushasana the very day he dragged and humiliated Draupadi. Her failure has cost them everything.

Karna Confronts Yudhishtra

Karna now faces Yudhishtra. He accuses him of causing the war by staking Draupadi in the game of dice. Karna strikes Yudhishtra with deadly arrows, leaving him almost fainting. But remembering his promise to Kunti, he spares Yudhishtra and orders him to leave the battlefield.

Yudhishtra commands Arjuna to kill Karna and departs.

Pandava Brothers Clash

Arjuna faces Ashwathama but is unable to focus after seeing Yudhishtra’s agony. He withdraws and meets Yudhishtra in the camp.

Yudhishtra is very harsh; he calls Arjuna a coward and an eunuch who deserted the battle field without killing Karna. He denigrates Arjuna's famous bow Gandiva.

Arjuna who has sworn to kill anyone who speaks ill of Gandiva is roused. He pulls his sword and is about to kill him.

Krishna intervenes and reminds them of their Kunti's command that they should always remain united. And all the Pandavas have sworn to obey mother's commands without flinching even a little bit.

Krishna reminds Arjuna that his higher dharma is to win the war and that literally killing his elder brother would be a greater sin and a betrayal of the larger purpose. To resolve the conflict between the vow and dharma, Krishna instructs Arjuna to “kill” Yudhishthira symbolically, by using harsh words and insults, because insulting an elder is treated as equivalent to “killing” him in a moral sense.

Arjuna then abuses Yudhishthira verbally, fulfilling the destructive intent of his vow without actually shedding his brother’s blood.

Arjuna Seeks Death

Arjuna repents, then declares he must kill himself for nearly disobeying his mother.

Yudhishtra begs him to stop and apologizes. Yet the oath still stands. Krishna offers an extraordinary solution: a person who engages in extreme arrogant self-praise is considered dead by dharma.

Arjuna boasts extravagantly of his own glory until symbolically his former self dies and a renewed Arjuna is born.

Yudhishtra recalls Krishna’s words: only in his next life can Arjuna kill Karna.

Now that symbolic rebirth has taken place, Arjuna is destined to defeat Karna.

The Final Duel Begins

Arjuna and Karna Face Each Other

Arjuna returns to the field, determined to end it. A fierce duel begins — both masters of divine weapons.

Krishna praises Karna for pushing back Arjuna’s chariot. Arjuna scoffs until Krishna reveals that even Hanuman sits atop his flag, making the chariot immovable for ordinary warriors.

Karna Releases the Nagastra

Karna decides to use the Nagastra. Shalya urges him to aim at the chest, but irritated by constant insults, Karna aims at Arjuna’s neck instead.

In a flash, Krishna presses his foot forward, sinking their chariot slightly; the weapon only grazes Arjuna’s crown.

Ashwasena pleads with Karna to shoot the Nagastra again. But remembering his promise to Kunti, Karna refuses.

Enraged, Ashwasena launches it himself — but Arjuna, now prepared, redirects it, killing Ashwasena.