Sun TV Mahabharatham

The hall had fallen silent. The scent of jasmine and camphor drifted through the air. On the stage sat under the soft light the storyteller wearing a spotless white dhoti, his forehead marked with stripes of vibhuti. He adjusted the microphone, cleared his throat once, and spoke in that calm, resonant tone that balances the weight of wisdom with the ease of banter — the way only a seasoned upanyāsakar can. He looked around the hall, his gaze sweeping slowly and deliberately over the audience — as if to say, “Listen well... what follows is not just a story...” “Karma, my dear listeners, is like a shadow that refuses to fade. You may walk in sunlight, hide in a cave, or sink into the sea — it follows, unseen, waiting for the next dawn. No act is ever lost. It moves — from father to son, from serpent to sage, from forest to flame. Only with the touch of grace — only when the Divine decides — can that chain be broken. And today, we speak of one such karma — born in fire, car...

Storytime : 1 The sun had risen and set over Kurukshetra eight times. Each day, blood was spilled. Each night, hopes dimmed. And now, on the ninth day, the war dragged on — without resolution, without momentum. Victory for the Pandavas? It felt distant. Fading. The tide refused to turn. Bhishma stood like a mountain, unshaken. His arrows tore through the Pandava ranks with merciless precision. Arjuna, the hero of many battles, stood irresolute. Where was his prowess in archery gone? His heart was caught between reverence and duty. How could he aim at Bhishma — his grandsire, his mentor? And yet, how could he not? Krishna watched with a frown. His silence was heavy. He had vowed not to fight. But vows mean little when dharma itself is bleeding. Bhishma’s fury grew. Duryodhana’s harsh words — “You are partial to the Pandavas” — had sealed the last cracks in his kind heart. The love he once held for Arjuna had receded, buried beneath duty and wounded pride. The Pandava army was crum...

Recap of Previous Episode : Gandhari blesses with dharma, not victory. Krishna reveals the six forces that doomed Karna. Shakuni mocks fate and plays dice with Krishna. Krishna warns the Pandavas about Shalya and assigns Yudhishtra to face him the next day. Gandhari Attempts to Save Her Son Gandhari resolves to protect Duryodhana with the spiritual power earned through unwavering pativrata dharma . She asks him to bathe and come before her unclothed, so that the divine radiance from her eyes may harden his body like diamond. Krishna learns of her plan. In disguise as Dushala, He warns Duryodhana that appearing naked before his mother is shameful and advises him to cover his loins with a banana leaf. Gandhari, who has kept her eyes blindfolded since marriage, opens them at last, and her fiery gaze strengthens every part of Duryodhana’s body — until she sees the covered area. Horrified, she realizes Krishna has intervened. Duryodhana shrugs it off, believing he is still safe: ...

Recap of Previous Episode : Karna’s chariot wheel sinks and his curses come true. Krishna urges Arjuna to strike, and Karna fails to wield Brahmastra. Krishna removes Karna’s protective punya by appearing as a Brahmin. Arjuna kills Karna. Kunti reveals Karna as her son, devastating everyone. Duryodhana vows to honor Karna’s funeral alone, while Yudhishtra curses his mother in anguish. Gandhari’s Blessings and Duryodhana’s Despair Shakuni urges Gandhari to bless Duryodhana with victory, insisting that her divine aura can change destiny. Gandhari can only utter: “Dharma will be victorious.” Duryodhana pleads that unseen dharma cannot matter more than her living son standing before her. Gandhari reassures him that the same dharma will protect him always — but Duryodhana walks away shattered. Shakuni praises her righteousness, yet warns her that excessive idealism may destroy her own child. Pandavas React to Karna’s Death Krishna wonders why the Pandavas are calm compared to Dur...

Recap of Previous Episode : Karna consoles a devastated Duryodhana after Dushasana’s death. Karna wounds Yudhishtra but spares his life due to his promise to Kunti. A fierce quarrel breaks out between Arjuna and Yudhishtra but Krishna prevents disaster. Arjuna symbolically “dies” through self-praise, enabling his destined victory over Karna. On the battlefield, the final duel begins, and Arjuna narrowly escapes Karna’s Nagastra with Krishna’s intervention. The Wheel Sinks — The Curse Unfolds After the failure of the Nagastra, another catastrophe strikes Karna. His chariot wheel sinks deep into the mud. The moment he sees it, Karna recalls the curse of the grieving Brahmin whose son he accidentally killed — a curse foretelling that Karna would be helpless when he most needs support. Shalya abandons him and walks away. Karna steps down, desperately trying to lift the wheel. Krishna Commands Arjuna Krishna urges Arjuna to strike immediately. Karna appeals for a pause in battle...

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 Y...

Recap of Previous Episode : Karna reels under Shakuni’s accusations and vows to kill Arjuna. He demands Shalya as his charioteer. Krishna is confident that discord between Karna and Shalya will weaken Karna. Kunti seeks Karna’s mercy, but Karna prepares to unleash the Nagastra, promising she will always remain mother to five sons. Ashwasena Seeks Revenge Karna and Ashwasena Karna offers prayers to Shiva. At that moment, a young serpent-warrior, Ashwasena , appears and expresses solidarity: both share the same mission — to kill Arjuna. Ashwasena is the son of Takshaka, and the sole survivor of the Khandava fire, in which his mother perished when Arjuna assisted Krishna in burning the forest. Karna Seeks Blessings Along with Duryodhana, Karna meets Kunti to take her blessings. Krishna and Arjuna arrive. Karna and Arjuna both seek Kunti’s blessings, each preparing to take the other’s life. Kunti blesses all three for long life. Later, she privately asks Krishna whether bot...

Recap of Previous Episode : Karna reels under Shakuni’s accusations and vows to kill Arjuna. He demands Shalya as his charioteer. Krishna is confident that discord between Karna and Shalya will weaken Karna. Kunti seeks Karna’s mercy, but Karna prepares to unleash the Nagastra, promising she will always remain mother to five sons. Shakuni Seeds Distrust The sixteenth day ends in turmoil. Shakuni relentlessly taunts Karna about sparing Nakula and accuses him of secretly supporting the Pandavas. Duryodhana stands speechless — torn between his loyalty to Karna and doubts planted by Shakuni. Shakuni questions why Karna surrendered his kavacha-kundala to an unknown Brahmin, suggesting that Karna values fame for charity more than loyalty to Duryodhana. Karna Demands a Worthy Charioteer Deeply wounded, Karna demands to know whether Duryodhana truly trusts him. He vows: “Tomorrow I will kill Arjuna. Give me just one thing — a competent charioteer.” He asks for King Shalya, whos...

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. Ashwatham...

Recap of Previous Episode : Ashwatthama confronts Duryodhana; Drona defends loyalty over righteousness. Krishna plants the seed of doubt regarding Ashwatthama’s immortality. On day fifteen, Drona invokes Brahmastra but withdraws it. Bhima kills the elephant named Ashwatthama; Yudhishtra speaks the defining half-truth. Drona lays down arms and is killed by Drishtadyumna, fulfilling destiny. Ashwathama’s Agony and the Narayana Astra Ashwathama hears of Drona’s fate from Dushasana and rushes to the battlefield. Seeing his father beheaded while unarmed and meditating, he is overcome with unbearable grief and fury. In blind rage, he invokes the terrifying Narayana Astra, directing it to annihilate the Pandavas and their armies. Krishna immediately commands the Pandavas and their forces to drop their weapons and surrender completely, reciting the Narayana mantra. The astra, which destroys only those who resist it, withdraws harmlessly and returns to Krishna. Ashwathama acc...