Recap of previous Episode Akrura reaches Gokula with Kamsa’s invitation, and Krishna agrees to travel to Mathura. He kills Kamsa and reinstates Ugrasena as the king. In Hastinapura, Satyavati and the queens renounce palace life, marking the end of one era. Pandavas and Kauravas Showcase Their Prowess After Satyavati departs to the forest with Ambika and Ambalika, the Pandavas and Kauravas continue their martial training under Dronacharya and Kripacharya. Years pass, and a grand arena is constructed for the princes to publicly display their skills. People from every corner of Hastinapura gather to witness the spectacle. Royal Arrival and Ceremony Dhritarashtra arrives first in a chariot driven by Vidura as clarions blow, drums roll, and heralds recite praises. Queens Gandhari and Kunti take their seats alongside Shakuni. Dronacharya, Kripacharya, and Ashwatthama sit on the dais, presiding over the event. The princes arrive one by one in regal procession, bow to the elders, and ta...

Recap of Previous Episode : Pandu’s cremation leads to Madri’s self-immolation, leaving Kunti to raise all five sons. Krishna lifts Govardhana, humbling Indra and revealing his divine purpose. The Pandavas return to Hastinapura, where Duryodhana rejects Yudhishtra and Shakuni quietly sows strategy against them. Disturbed by what lies ahead, Satyavati departs to lead a life of renunciation. Kamsa’s Plot and Akrura’s Dilemma Akrura is the maternal uncle of Lord Krishna, who serves as a minister in the court of King Kamsa of Mathura. Kamsa summons Akrura, flanked by two deadly wrestlers. He reveals that Devaki’s prophesied son, Krishna, lives in Gokula with Balarama, and orders Akrura to invite them to Mathura for the Dhanur Yagna. The offerings of milk, curd, and ghee are just a cover — his true plan is to kill them in the arena. Akrura cautions that even as a child Krishna slew Putana, Shakatasura, Narakasura, and Pralambasura; now grown, he may be far more powerful. Kamsa ignores t...

Recap Vasudeva crosses the stormy Yamuna with the newborn Krishna and secretly exchanges him with Yashoda’s daughter; the child seized by Kamsa reveals herself as Yogamaya and warns of his destined downfall. In the forest, Pandu and Kunti receive Arjuna through Indra’s blessing. Putana’s attempt to poison Krishna ends in her death, revealing his divinity. Madri bears twins through the Ashwini twins, but Pandu dies upon embracing her due to the curse. Krishna later subdues the serpent Kalinga, while young Karna earns Surya’s boon for his generosity. Pandu's Cremation and Madri’s Final Choice Pandu’s body rests on the funeral pyre as sages sit in silence and Kunti, Madri, and the children weep. Kunti offers to follow her husband in death, entrusting the children to Madri. Madri refuses—Pandu’s final embrace was hers, and she cannot live bearing that guilt. Though the sages urge both women to live for their sons, Madri insists. The forest women prepare her with turmeric and vermili...

Recap Yudhishtra is born in the forest through Dharmadeva’s blessing, while in Hastinapura Dhritarashtra seethes as Pandu’s son becomes heir by birthright. Gandhari forces premature labour, leading to Duryodhana’s ominous birth and the creation of the Kauravas through Vyasa’s intervention. Despite dire astrological warnings, Dhritarashtra refuses to forsake his son. Bhima is then born through Vayu’s blessing, and on the same night in Mathura, Krishna is secretly carried to safety in Gokula. Vasudeva Crosses Yamuna With the Divine Child The prison gates open by themselves. Vasudeva carries the newborn Krishna in a basket above his head and steps into the flooded Yamuna. Serpent Adisesha spreads his hood like a canopy against the storm. Reaching Gokula, he exchanges the child with Yashoda’s newborn daughter and quietly returns to Mathura, unnoticed by guards or Kamsa. When Kamsa awakens, he seizes the infant despite Devaki’s pleas and throws her into the air. The baby vanishes and ap...

Recap Pandu retires to the forest with Kunti and Madri. During a hunt he accidentally kills Sage Kindama, who curses him that he will die if he ever unites with his wife. Distressed, Pandu and Kunti resort to austerities; Kunti reveals the divine mantra she once received and, together with Pandu, prepares the rites to invoke a god to beget their first child. Yudhishtra is Born in the Forest Kunti gives birth to her first son in the quiet of the forest. Dharmadeva appears, names the child Yudhishtra, and blesses him to walk the path of righteousness throughout his life. Pandu and Kunti rejoice, strengthened in their resolve to raise their children far from royal influence but close to Dharma. A messenger carries the news to Hastinapura. Vyasa, Satyavati, and Ambalika welcome the arrival of the eldest Kuru prince, sensing that the lineage is now secure. Dhritarashtra turns away silently, the news reopening an unhealed wound. Though he congratulates the elders, he leaves the gatheri...

Recap Pandu begins his forest exile with Kunti and Madri, choosing renunciation over the throne for the sake of Hastinapura’s stability. Meanwhile in Hastinapura, Dhritarashtra and Gandhari begin their married life as Kuru elders anticipate successors. Unknown to everyone, destiny prepares a turning point for Pandu in the wilderness. Pandu Hunts in the Forest — The Curse of Sage Kindama Pandu walks through the forest with his bow, admiring the abundance of wildlife. He notices a deer at a distance. He draws his arrow and shoots. The stag collapses, crying out — not as an animal, but as a sage in agony. As Pandu draws closer, he notices his companion also transform into human form. The sage reveals himself as Rishi Kindama, who had assumed the form of a deer to mate with his wife. Pandu is shocked. Kindama : You struck me when I was in union with my wife. You have destroyed us at a sacred moment. Pandu : Forgive me, revered one. I did not know. I saw only one deer. Your for...

Recap Devaki and Vasudeva grieve the killing of their first child. Determined to prevent further deaths, they take a vow to live austere life in devotion and refrain from having more children. The Gods React to the Vow At Vaikuntha, Vishnu explains why he has chosen to be born as the son of Devaki and Vasudeva: they are righteous, composed in suffering, and do not blame others for their fate. Bhoodevi and Sridevi remind Him of their vow not to have more children. Narada joins the discussion. Narada : We often say humans think one way and the gods think the opposite. But here, it is the reverse. You prepare for an avatara, and Devaki and Vasudeva act in a way that prevents it. Vishnu : Speak plainly, Narada. Narada : You plan Your descent, yet they refuse to bear more children. Meanwhile Kamsa’s atrocities are rising. He has imprisoned his own father and terrorises the citizens. Soon, he may even eye Indraloka. Bhoodevi : If You have decided to take birth, why as the ...

Recap In the previous episode, Pandu returns to Hastinapura after his successful conquest, receiving widespread praise. Dhritarashtra grows increasingly resentful, and Shakuni begins deepening the rift between the brothers. Meanwhile, Kamsa murders Devaki’s firstborn and imprisons the couple, setting the stage for a divine confrontation. Kamsa Visits Devaki and Vasudeva Devaki and Vasudeva are thrown into prison under heavy guard. Kamsa enters the cell with mocking affection. He warns the guards that no one is to approach the couple without his permission and that any attempt to escape will bring fatal punishment. He taunts them: “Live together peacefully here in your own little palace. Give me children—my nephews. I am eager to meet them.” His words hang with cruelty disguised as jest. Vidura’s Marriage & Satyavati’s Concerns Vidura’s marriage to Sulabha is conducted in the palace with elders, including Sage Vyasa, in attendance. After the ceremony, Vyasa meets Satyavati...

Recap In the previous episode, Kamsa received the prophecy that Devaki’s eighth child would bring his end. Distrust and fear begin to take root, even as the political landscape in Hastinapura shifts with Pandu’s rising reputation and Dhritarashtra’s insecurity. Kamsa Learns the Truth of His Birth Kamsa sits alone in his chamber when a bat screeches and flies out into the night. He follows it to a desolate cave where a grotesque spirit appears. Ghost: I am your true father. It was me who warned you of Devaki’s child. He reveals that he is Thirumilan, once a demon who assumed Ugrasena’s form to seduce Padmavathi. When she discovered the deception, she cursed that the child born of that union would perish at the hands of a Yadava prince. Stunned and shaken, Kamsa returns to the palace. Overcome by fear, he seizes Devaki’s newborn child and kills it himself. He then orders Devaki and Vasudeva to be imprisoned. Devaki : (pleading): He is just a child... Kamsa : Let destiny come to...

A Divine Warning The conversation in Vaikuntha continues. Vishnu sits in serene yogic rest upon Adisesha, but His gaze is alert. Bhoodevi and Sridevi worry aloud about the growing suffering on earth. In response, Vishnu calls Brahma to appear before them. Brahma explains the rising darkness in Mathura under Kamsa’s rule, and another tide of adharma stirring far away at Hastinapura—where a powerful yet misguided heir will be born, leading to conflict between Kauravas and Pandavas. Whenever adharma ascends the throne, Vishnu must descend. Bhoodevi and Sridevi now understand that even they will take birth on earth to accompany Him when the moment comes. Side Note: Rukmini is traditionally considered the incarnation of Sridevi (Lakshmi), representing devotion, grace, and prosperity as Krishna’s chief queen. Satyabhama is considered the incarnation of Bhudevi, reflecting courage, will, and earthly power; she often accompanies Krishna in battles as an active warrior. Mathura Und...