Recap of Previous Episode : Shakuni pushes Dhritarashtra toward removing the Pandavas, eventually advising him to consult Kanika, whose ruthless statecraft begins to influence the king. Meanwhile, Arjuna meets the gifted archer Ekalavya in the forest, whose dedication to Drona costs him his thumb as guru dakshina. By the end, Dhritarashtra agrees to a subtle first move—sending the Pandavas away from the capital. Vidura Learns about Shakuni's Plans Duryodhana storms into Shakuni’s chambers, furious that Dhritarashtra still refuses to act decisively. He accuses Shakuni of backing down instead of persuading the king to eliminate the Pandavas. Shakuni remains calm. Murdering the Pandavas within Hastinapura, he explains, would draw immediate suspicion. The first step must be to send them away. He proposes sending the Pandavas and Kunti to Varanavata under the pretext of attending the consecration of an ancient Shiva temple, while Dhritarashtra stays back citing administrative duties....

Recap of previous episode : The people of Hastinapura begin favouring Yudhishtra as the next king, leading to heated debate in court. Vidura defends the Pandavas’ claim, while Shakuni and Duryodhana argue for Duryodhana’s right to the throne. With no consensus, Dhritarashtra delays the decision. Meanwhile in Panchala, Drupada withdraws from public life, unable to bear the humiliation of defeat. In the royal chambers, Dushasana urges eliminating the Pandavas, and Shakuni privately persuades Dhritarashtra that the Pandavas must be removed for the Kauravas to retain power. Shakuni’s Counsel Shakuni presses Dhritarashtra to accept Dushasana’s idea: the Pandavas must be killed for Duryodhana to claim the throne. Dhritarashtra is shaken. He recalls Pandu’s love and sacrifice—how he relinquished the kingdom and withdrew to the forest so Dhritarashtra could rule without guilt. Murdering Pandu’s sons feels unthinkable. Shakuni changes strategy and advises Dhritarashtra to seek counsel fr...

Recap of Previous episode Duryodhana’s attempt to capture Drupada ends in failure, but Arjuna succeeds and brings the king to Drona. In return, Drona divides Panchala—giving the northern half back to Drupada while retaining the southern portion for himself and Ashwatthama. Arjuna’s humility earns Drupada’s respect, while Drona proclaims him the world’s greatest archer, deepening Duryodhana’s resentment. Vidura reminds Dhritarashtra that the time has come to name the future heir to Hastinapura. Whispers of Succession After Arjuna’s triumph over Drupada, Hastinapura buzzes with anticipation. The public murmurs about the next heir, openly favouring Yudhishtra and Arjuna—much to the discomfort of Duryodhana and Karna. Vidura reminds Dhritarashtra that the time has come to announce the coronation. The king responds that he is already contemplating his decision, and before a name is spoken, the crowd erupts with cheers for the Pandavas. Dhritarashtra : Why such applause even before t...

Recap From Previous Episode Karna challenges Arjuna at the arena and displays remarkable skill, but his unknown lineage leads to mockery. Duryodhana crowns him King of Anga, securing Karna’s loyalty for life. Later, at Dronacharya’s hermitage, the princes offer guru dakshina, and Drona demands the defeat of King Drupada—revealing their past friendship, Drupada’s broken promise, and the insult that now fuels his resolve. Duryodhana’s Failed Campaign Duryodhana marches to Panchala with boundless confidence, determined to capture King Drupada and prove his superiority. Ignoring warnings about Drupada’s strength, he enters battle head-on and is swiftly overpowered. His forces scatter, and he returns to Hastinapura defeated and humiliated. Arjuna’s Victory Next, Arjuna leads the Pandava forces to Panchala. With disciplined strategy and unmatched skill, he overcomes Drupada, binds him, and brings him before Dronacharya as a captive. The court watches in awe as the young prince fu...

Recap of Previous Episode : At the grand martial display in Hastinapura, the Pandavas and Kauravas exhibit their skills before the court and citizens. Bhima and Duryodhana’s fierce duel exposes deep hostility between the cousins, while Arjuna dazzles the crowd with unmatched archery feats. A mysterious warrior enters and matches Arjuna’s skills—Karna. Duryodhana embraces him as a brother, but Karna is humiliated when his lineage is questioned, leaving Kunti shaken in silent agony. Karna Challeges Arjuna Karna steps in and asks for a chance to display his archery, declaring that he can surpass Arjuna. Kripacharya asks him to declare his lineage, saying a duel with Arjuna is permitted only with a prince of equal birth. Karna remains silent. Duryodhana protests that courage, not birth, defines a warrior. With Dhritarashtra’s approval, he crowns Karna the King of Anga on the spot. Karna, overwhelmed, pledges lifelong loyalty to Duryodhana. Adhiratha rushes forward and embraces Karna,...

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...