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159. Krishna Saves Pandavas From Ashwathama's Narayanastra

Ashwathama hears the news about his father's death from Dushasana and rushes to the scene. He is distraught by the fact that Drishtadhyumna beheaded his father when he had thrown away all the weapons. He shoots the Narayanastra skyward with the aim of exterminating all the Pandavas. Krishna tells the Pandavas to throw down their weapons, recite Narayana mantra and seek refuge in Him. The Astra returns to Krishna without harming anybody. Krishna offers solacing words to Ashwathama that Drona willingly embraced death. Ashwathama protests that Drona was killed in a non-dharmic way. Though technically Yudhishtra did not utter a lie, the objective of his uttereances was to deceive Drona. Krishna explains that to establish Dharma, sometimes small deviations have be made to certain rules, but the noble end justifies the means! Shakuni tries a new angle to trap Pandavas. He says the Pandavas should accept defeat, because they had bowed to Aswathama. He asks Duryodhana to order imprisoneme

158. Drona Beheaded By Drishtadhyumna

Ashwathama is deeply distressed by Duryodhana'words that cast aspersions on Drona's loyalty and integrity. He rushes to kill Duryodhana, but is stopped in time by Karna who drags and presents him before Drona. When Durna hears about has just transpired, he chides his son and tells him emphatically that what we was about to do is disloyal to Dritarashtra and Duryodhana who have been sustaining them all these years. Aswathama pointedly asks his father Drona if they should switch loyalties and join the Pandavas especially since he acknowledges that Duryodhana's acts are against dharma. Drona recalls the time when Dushasana dragged Draupadi to the royal court and tried to disrobe her. His mind had been so turbulent then and he had wanted to kill all those who indulged in this despicable act. But thoughts of loyalty had bound him then and they do more so, now. That's why he has decided to prove his loyalty by using Brahmastra against Arjuna. He advises Aswathama to contin

157. Arjuna's Arrows Have Cleansed Me, Says Bhishma to Kunti and Gandhari

Karna aims the Shakti astra on Ghatotkacha. The astra wounds Ghatotkacha fatally. Krishna asks Ghatotkacha to bloat up and fall on the Kaurava army in order to cause maximum damage. Ghatotkacha bows to Krishna and does as instructed. Finding his son dead, Bhima is just about to take up oath against Karna, but Bhima stops him! He reminds that Ghatotkacha's birth as well as death were divine plans as indicated by Sage Vyasa. Having used Shakti astra on Ghatotkacha, Karna cannot use it on Arjuna; thus the danger to Arjuna from the Shakti Astra has been averted. Both Prishati (Drupada's wife) and Sudeshna (Virata's wife) wail over their husband's death. Drishtadhyumna cries too, and Draupadi, who has been grim so far, flares up and demands to know why he hasn't killed Drona so far. And their father, who lived all his life with the sole object of seeing Drona being killed by his son, has been killed by Drona himself. Drishtadhyumna protests meekly that he is working un

156. Karna Forced to Use Indra's Shakti Astra Against Ghatotkacha

The Kaurava army is totally demoralized as Ghatotkacha breathes out fire and crushes soldiers under his feet. The ease with which Ghatotkacha butchers the enemy leaves Duryodhana at his wit's end. Shakuni calls for Alambusha, the son of demon Bakasura, who was killed by Bhima while the Pandavas lived at Ekachakrapura . As commanded by Shakuni, Alambusha clashes fiercely with Ghatotkacha, but is finally killed by him. To appease the rattled Duryodhana, Drona decides to use celestial weapons to kill Ghatotkacha, but Lord Indra intervenes and declines to give permission to Drona. Draupadi visits Dushala. Dushala is very rude to Draupadi and insults her by insinuating her morality in marrying five men. Kunti and Gandhari try to calm Dushala but can't. In one big outburst, Gandhari declares her son Duryodhana as evil. She admits her first mistake is to let Shakuni stay on in Hastinapura, the second one is to let Duryodhana live and not heed to Vidura's advice to discard him at

155. Ghatotkacha Enters Kurukshetra As War Continues At Night

Dushala is the only daughter amidst the hundred sons of Dritarashtra and the five Pandava sons. Her becoming a widow is deeply and truly mourned by all. When Kunti is informed of Jayadratha's death by Vidura's wife Sulabha, she wants to visit the Kauravas. Yudhishtra feels that they must visit the Kauravas and express their condolences to Dushala. Krishna agress that it is the right thing to do. Dushala wants to see the face of Jayadratha for one last time. Duryodhana dissuades her from uncovering the cloth over Jayadratha's corpse. Nevertheless, Dushala uncovers the shroud. She is shocked to see the beheaded body of her husband. She is incensed over the loss of dignity to Jayadratha even more than his death. Kunti cannot console her. At this time, the Pandavas too arrive. Kunti admonishes Arjuna, saying she is ashamed to call him her son. Krishna intervenes to explain that the mode of death has been determined by Jayadratha's father. Dushala wants to be burned along wi

154. Jayadratha Killed

The sun has begun to set. Not having heard any news about the Pandavas, Yudhishtra and his brothers decide they too would join Arjuna in self immolation. Duryodhana, Shakuni and others rush to give the happy tidings to Jayadratha who is hiding in a nearby cave. Shakuni is wary though. Unless Arjuna actually leaps into the fire, anything can change, he feels. Duryodhana sees merit in Shakuni's words and advises Jayadratha not to stir out of the cave, even though he desires to witness Arjuna's death. He requests Somadatta to be with Jayadratha and see that he doesn't stir out. Everyone goes back to enjoy the spectacle of the Pandavas immolation. Draupadi reasons with Arjuna and asks him not to be hasty. They are now joined by the Kauravas. Duryodhna scoffs at Arjuna and calls him a coward eunuch, unworthy of being killed in a battle. Suddenly Jayadratha appears on the horizon. Finding him on the peak of a nearby hillock, Duryodhana and Shakuni are shocked. Jayadratha'

153. Bhurisravas Beheaded By Satyaki : 14th Day War Continues

The Fourteenth Day war continues. As directed by Yudhishtra, Satyaki reaches near Arjuna who is rushing to confront Jayadratha. Just then, Bhurishravas , the prince of Bahlika, intercepts Satyaki and challenges him to a fight. They fight fiercely, but Bhurisravas has an upper hand. Satyaki's bows are broken and he gets knocked down. Krishna exhorts Arjuna to go to the helpless Satyaki's aid. Since Arjuna is a bystander and hasn't been called to fight, he hesitates. Krishna states it is important to take care of his friend and disciple. Bhurisravas tries to attack an unconscious Satyaki, but Arjuna shoots a shaft that cuts off Bhurishravas' arm. Bhurisravas condemns Arjuna's act as being adharmic . He loses all interest in fighting a war that doesn't adhere to rules. He sits down in meditation. Satyaki regains consciousness and seizing the opportunity, quickly beheads the meditating Bhurishravas. Arjuna is aghast at this dastardly act and attempts to kill Satya