Sun TV Mahabharatham

Bhishma runs in his mind all the incidents that took place since his mother Ganga handed him over to Shantanu, including the vow to facilitate his father's marriage to Satyavati, his promise to Shantanu to keep Hastinapur undivided, his refusal to accede to Vidura's suggestion to divide Hastinapur between Duryodhana and Yudhishtra, Draupadi's disrobement by Dushshasana after Yudhishtra loses in the game of dice, Pandavas' exile, and the replies that Bhishma, Drona and Vidura give to Krishna when he categorically asks them which side they would join in the war. Krishna had categorically asked whether they wanted to be on the winning side of the war or on the side of dharma. Krishna expressed his surmise that Bhishma was bothered more about the accusations that may be hurled on him for following dharma; but whichever path he chose, the allegations were sure to follow. He gave the example of Vibhishana, who opposed his brother Ravana, supported Rama for representing a jus

Shakuni is rejoicing over Bhishma's fall and laughs uproariously. When Duryodhana asks him the reason for his happiness when everybody is in mourning, Shakuni explains that he is looking at this sad incident as an opportunity to introduce Karna and reverse the setbacks in their path and be victorious. Duryodhana is happy too. Yudhishtra is worried whether they would be able to cope up with Karna heading the Kaurava army. Arjuna and Bhima are over-enthusiastic about confronting Karna successfully, but Yudhishtra sounds a note of caution. He is worried about the powerful Nagastra that Karna has and also about the vow that Karna has made. Krishna agrees that Yudhishtra's fears are valid. He smiles mysteriously and tells Yudhishtra not to worry on that account, though. Ashwatthama is happy that the time has come for his father to showcase his prowess and win the war, as Drona is the most eligible candidate to be the commander-in-chief for the Kaurava army. Dronacharya tells him no

All the warriors have crowded around Bhishma. Duryodhana offers to get the best medical aid, save relieve Bhishma's pain. Bhishma says he is only waiting for the onset of Uttarayana kala in the month of thai or pausha when he would give up his life. Till then he would wait. As Duryodhana starts getting angry with Arjuna for causing Bhishma's affliction, Bhishma requests everybody to leave him alone and go back to their encampments. Duryodhana announces that the place be marked as being outside the war zone. He orders his soldiers to guard Bhishma so that wild animals do not disturb him. Draupadi sheds tears to see Bhishma's plight. She regrets being the cause for this. Bhishma says she cannot stop the missile that has already left the archer's bow. He advises her not to harbour any feelings of guilt, as she is only an instrument for executing the schemes of the almighty God. He blesses Draupadi. Shikhandi is the next to visit Bhishma. She cries that she has been inst

The tenth day war commences. Krishna steers the chariot to where Bhishma is. Bhishma picks up his bow to shoot at Arjuna, but retracts when he sees Shikhandi. At first, Shikhandi shoots darts at Bhishma, but they are not powerful enough to pierce him fully. Bhishma drops away the bow and arrow, saying he would not lift any weapons in the presence of women. After Shikhandi fires a volley of arrows in full display of his hatred for Bhishma, he hands over the weapons to Arjuna. Arjuna now begins a fierce battle in which he shoots a barrage of missiles that pierce his body, without leaving even an inch uncovered by the shafts. Bhishma groans in pain, gets down the chariot and totters about on the ground. The soldiers from both sides of the battle stop fighting and watch this spectacle in awe. With tears in his eyes, Arjuna continues his assault. Duryodhana and Dushasana are totally shaken, Only Shakuni watches the scene, fully elated that his long cherished and most anticipated event has

Yudhishtra and Krishna return to their camp and announce the success of their mission. They tell the anxious warriors sitting in conference that Bhishma has agreed to give up his life as a charity to preserve dharma. The Pandavas, Draupadi, Drupada and others are jubilant over the impending death of Bhishma, but Krishna reminds them that they are about to lose a great incomparable kshatriya. He then reminds them that they are yet to give the war sacrifice that they ought to have given before the commencement of the war itself. Sahadeva consults the shastras and says that only those with 32 lakshanas can be given as a sacrifice. He clarifies that only Arjuna, Krishna and Iravan (Arjuna's son through the Naga princess (Ulupi) qualify for being sacrificed. There is a great discussion whereby they decide that Arjuna and Krishna are too important to be considered for sacrifice even if they are willing. Iravan comes forward and pleads with Arjuna that he should be considered for the of

The nineth day of the war begins. Drupada and Drishtadhyumna are engaged in a fierce fight. In another part of the battle, Dushasana and Shikhandi clash with each other. Bhima duels with Alambusha, brother of the rakshasa Bakasura, dismembers and kills him. Duryodhana asks Bhishma to deal with Bhima and instil confidence in the Kaurava army. Goaded by Duryodhana, Bhishma routs the Pandava army totally. Seeing the plight of the Pandava army, Krishna directs his chariot towards Bhishma. Bhishma aims deadly shafts towards Arjuna, which the latter counters effectively. Krishna senses that Arjuna is not at his vigorous best and he retaliates only in self defence. After sometime, Krishna gets down the chariot angrily and walks towards Bhishma. Arjuna is appalled, and he follows Krishna, begging him not to fight. Bhishma is delighted and welcomes Krishna, saying that he was direly waiting for such an occasion. Krishna raises His index finger and the Sudarshan Chakra appears on it. Before Kr

Bhishma is unable to sleep restfully. He is stricken with the grief of having to kill the Pandavas as constrained by the promise he has made to Duryodhana. The infallible divya astras he has acquired through materializing the intense practice of brahmacharya would surely kill the adversary it is aimed at. His mind is in a turmoil. His conscience blames him for the pride he has in his adherence to vows that compels him to side with adharma by acquiescing to Duryodhana's orders to kill the Pandavas. Duryodhana too is unable to sleep peacefully. He dreams about Bhishma's breaking all the five powerful arrows reserved for the Pandavas. He goes to Bhishma's chambers and requests him to hand over the astras for safe-keeping. Bhishma tells him to take them away. Duryodhan feels relieved and brings the arrows to his camp. Shakuni and Dushasana are wondering about Durodhana's sudeen disappearance when Duryodhana proudly announces about the accomplished mission. Shakuni does