On Vyasa’s advice Yudhistir decides to perform the Aswamedha Yagna or the horse sacrifice. In the meantime, Uttara gives birth to a still born baby. Krishna revives the child and names him Parikshit. Arjun then follows the horse with his army and wins the confidence of all the kingdoms the horse passes through. The only challenge he had to face was…

The Pandavas visit the grieving King Dhritarashtra and queen Gandhari. Krishna saves Bheem from being crushed by Dhritarashtra. Gandhari curses Krishna for his role in destroying the Kuru family. Kunti reveals the true identity of Karna to her sons who mourn the death of their brother. Yudhistir ascends the throne of Hastinapur, but doesn't find an…

Aswathama takes his revenge by attacking the Pandava camp in the middle of the night and killing the five sons of Draupadi. He also kills Dhristyadumna to avenge his father's death. But his victory was short lived as the Pandavas chase him down and Krishna curses him to suffer a long and painful life. Find us on: Twitter: @MahabharatAudio Facebook:…

On the 18th day of the war, Yudhistir kills Shalya, the newly appointed Kaurava chief and effectively ends the war. Duryodhan flees the battle field and hides in lake Dwaipayan. The Pandavas hunt him down and challenges Duryodhan to a one on one combat. Duryodhan picks Bheem as his opponent, and in an opportune moment Bheem strikes Duryodhan's thig…

On the seventeenth day of the war, Bheem kills Dussashan and in a ghastly act drinks his blood. An unarmed and helpless Karna is killed by Arjun ensuring the victory of the Pandavas. Find us on: Twitter: @MahabharatAudio Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MahabharataPodcast Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mahabharata Hosted on Acast. See acast.com…

As per Karna's wish, Duryodhan appoints Shalya as his charioteer. Shalya accepts the offer with the intention to distract Karna from the Pandavas. Arjun and Krishna visit an injured Yudhistir in the Pandava camp. Yudhistir's caustic remarks enrage Arjun and drive him to do the unthinkable. Find us on: Twitter: @MahabharatAudio Facebook: https://www…

Duryodhan appoints Karna as the new commander in chief of the Kaurava army. Karna vows to destroy the Pandavas. Yudhistir defeats Duryodhan in a one-on-one combat, but spares his life for Bheem to keep his promise. Find us on: Twitter: @MahabharatAudio Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MahabharataPodcast Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mahabharat…

Guru Dronacharya, the commander in chief of the Kaurava army has been wreaking havoc in the Pandava army. Krishna had to devise a devious plan to ensure the fall of the great warrior, and Yudhistir for the first time in his life had to tell a lie to ensure his Guru's death. Find us on: Twitter: @MahabharatAudio Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Ma…

Provoked by Kripacharya and Aswathama, Karna launches a vicious attack on the Pandava soldiers. Krishna asks Bheem's son - Ghatotkach the Rakshas - to stop Karna. Ghatotkach uses his demonic illusions to attack Karna and the Kaurava soldiers. Overwhelmed by Ghatotkach, Duryodhan asks Karna to use his Shakti weapon to destroy him. Karna has been sav…

Jayadrath hides behind the Kaurava warriors who are bent upon protecting him from Arjun's wrath. If they can protect Jayadrath till sundown, Arjun has to kill himself to keep his promise. But Arjun has Lord Krishna with his divine powers on his side. It is impossible for the Kauravas to outsmart Krishna who is always ready to protect his dearest fr…

Duryodhan and Dron assures Jayadrath of his protection from Arjun's wrath. They create an impenetrable formation to hide Jayadrath till sunset. On the fourteenth day of the war, Arjun and the rest of the Pandavas struggle to find and kill Jayadrath, failing which Arjun has to self immolate to keep his promise. Find us on: Twitter: @MahabharatAudio …

Abhimanyu's death leaves the Pandava brothers heartbroken. Yudhistir loses his will to fight. Vyasa tries to console and lift their spirits. When Arjun receives the news, he is devastated and vows to avenge his son's death, failing which he'd self-immolate and kill himself. Find us on: Twitter: @MahabharatAudio Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Ma…

On the thirteenth day of the battle, Drona arranged his forces in the Chakra Vyuha ( or Wheel) formation. Only Arjun knew the secret technique to penetrate the Chakra Vyuha. With Arjun far away fighting the Samsaptaks, the Pandavas were in trouble. Abhimanyu, the teenage son of Arjun, told his uncles that he knew how to break open and enter the Cha…

Dron's failure to capture Yudhistir frustrates Duryodhan. Trigarta King Susharma, his brothers and allies vow to draw away Arjun from the main action and kill him. But when the war begins on the twelfth day, Arjun destroys them mercilessly. King Bhagadatta, riding his huge elephant, attacks Arjun with his Vaishnavastra, a weapon that no mortal can …

On the eleventh day morning, Karna visits the great Kaurava patriarch Bhishma lying on a bed of arrows to seek his blessings. Meanwhile in the Kaurava camp, Duryodhan is in a fix to select his new commander-in chief. After deliberation with his advisors and especially Karna, he appoints Dronacharya as the commander in chief to lead the Kaurava army…

Bhishma lying on a bed of arrows Yudhistir and his brothers beg Bhishma for his life. Bhishma obliges by giving them the only strategy that can kill him. Arjun, with a heavy heart, follows his instructions. He uses Sikhandi as his shield and attacks Bhishma on the tenth day of the war. Bhishma stops fighting and allows his body to be riddled with A…

Bhishma in battle On day nine of the Kurukshetra war, Bhishma unleashed his fury like never before. The Pandavas suffered severe losses and realized that if Bhishma continued his rampage in this form, nobody could prevent their defeat. Arjun, on whom the Pandavas depended the most, failed to restrain the ferocious old man. Yudhistir now has no othe…

Ghatotkach The Kurukshetra battle continues for the seventh and eighth day. Pandavas clearly have an upper hand. Bhishma, Drona, Kripacharya all try their best but Arjun, Bheem and the other Pandava warriors seem indomitable. Iravan, son of Arjun, fights valiantly but falls in battle. Angered at the death of his cousin, Ghatotkach the demon son of …

Bhagadatta on his elephant on the Kurukshetra battlefield As the great battle of Kurukshetra continues, both the Pandavas and the Kauravas suffer huge losses. Great warriors are killed. Thousands of soldiers lost their lives. Bhurisraba kills ten sons of Satyaki. Bhagadatta mounts his elephant and almost kills Bheem. Ghatotkach engage in a ferociou…

Krishna attacks Bhishma The Kurukshetra war rages on. Bheem was unstoppable on the second day. He wrecked havoc on the Kaurava army and none of the Kaurava generals succeeded in controlling him. On the third day, Duryodhan was almost killed by Bheem. Duryodhan's insults enraged Bhishma and he unleashed his fury on the battlefield like never before.…

Yudhistir and his brothers seek blessings from Bhisma. After Krishna returns with Arjuna to the Panadava formation, Yudhistir dismounts from his chariot and walks towards the Kaurava army to seek blessings from his gurus. Bhisma, Dron, Kripa, and Salya wish them victory. Then, with the blowing of the conch shells, the battle begins. The Pandavas an…

Arjun listens to the enlightening words from Krishna. On the first day of the war, Krishna drives Arjuna's chariot to the middle of the battlefield of Kurukshetra. Watching Bhishma, Drona, Kripa and many of his relatives and friends assembled on the Kaurava side as his opponent, Arjuna is struck by an overwhelming sense of grief and despair. How co…

Vyasa gives Sanjay the power of distant vision. The huge armies of the Kauravas and the Pandavas assemble on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. Bhisma vows to kill 10,000 Pandava soldiers a day. Arjun assures Yudhistir of victory. The Kaurava and the Pandava generals meet and decide on the rules of engagement. Rishi Vyasa visits Dhritarashtra and give…

Sikhandi, Amba, Bhisma The war of Kurukshetra is imminent. The Kauravas and the Pandavas prepare to engage in the battlefield. The day before the war, the Kaurava generals meet to formulate their strategy. Bhisma, tells Duryodhan and his men, that although he is obliged to fight the war on behalf of the throne, he has some conditions of his own. An…

Karna and Kunti With the war looming large, Kunti is scared for her sons. Although the Pandava brothers are strong and powerful, they are not invincible. The Kauravas have great warriors like Bhishma, Dron, Kripa and Karna, and with their combined might, they have the capability of destroying the Pandavas. And of all the Kaurava warriors, Karna is …

Karna and Krishna After failing to negotiate a peace deal with the Kauravas, Krishna tries a different route. He knew, if by some means he could convince Karna to switch his allegiance to the Pandavas, Duryodhan would give up his ambition to win the battle and hence the throne of Hastinapur. With this motive in mind, Krishna visits Karna and reveal…

Duryodhana tries to imprison Krishna Krishna arrives at the Hastinapur palace with his peace proposal. However, his reconciliatory words falls into deaf ears. Duryodhan ignores Krishna's proposal and claims he has done nothing wrong. Dhritarashtra makes a feeble attempt to convince Duryodhan, but fails. Duryodhan and his brothers try to attack Kris…

Krishna, the emissary When Sanjay visited the Pandavas with the peace proposal from Dhritarashtra, Yudhistir asked for only five villages for the five brothers. But Duryodhan denied. He said, he wouldn't give the Pandavas even a spec of soil one could lift on a needle point. The Pandavas sought the help of their friend, philosopher and guide, Krish…

Sanjay negotiates with the Pandavas The Kauravas and the Pandavas prepare for war while the diplomatic efforts to avoid it takes its own course. Dhritarashtra sends his trusted emissary Sanjay to dissuade the Pandavas from a bloody war. Yudhistir asks for five small villages for the five brothers. Duryodhan denies the request and declares. without …

Duryodhan and Arjun seeks Krishna's support After Abhimanyu and Uttara's wedding, the Pandavas get busy planning to claim back their Kingdom. They knew, Duryodhan wouldn't give back their due without a fight. They begin to seek alliances of powerful kings. To fight the Kauravas they need a large and strong army. Duryodhan doesn't sit idle either. H…

Draupadi and the Pandavas King Virat was ecstatic to know that his son Uttar has defeated the indomitable Kauravas and won back their cattle. But Yudhistir's lack of enthusiasm and unabashed praise for the eunuch charioteer Brihannala enraged him. However, his rage turned to humility when he discovered that he has been hosting the mighty Pandavas i…

Uttara and Arjuna discovering the arms Uttar takes Arjun (disguised as Brihannala) to fight the Kauravas and win back the cattle of King Virat. But witnessing the might of the Kauravas, Uttar panics. Brihannala takes Uttar to the Sami tree and fetches the Pandiva weapons hanging up in the high branches. Arjun then reveals his true identity and asks…

Bheem punishes Susharma for attacking Virat's kingdom. Emboldened by Keechak's death the King of Trigartha, Susharma, with support from Duryodhan, attacks the Matsya Kingdom to steal Virat's cattle. Yudhistir, Bheem, Nakul and Sahadev help Virat fight the Trigarta army. While Virat is busy fighting Susharma, the Kaurava army attack Virat's Kingdom …

Bhim Killing Keechak In the kingdom of Virat, the Panadvas have been spending their thirteenth year in exile. As per the contract, they had to live in disguise such that nobody could recognize them as the rulers of Indraprastha. Draupadi served the queen of Virat, Sudeshna, as her personal maid Sairindhri. But she couldn't keep her beauty hidden fr…

Pandavas in Virat Kingdom The Pandavas complete their twelve years in exile. Now, as per the agreement, they have to go into hiding for the thirteenth year. It is quite a challenge since the entire Bharata knows the five gallant brothers and their beautiful wife Draupadi. So they decide to disguise and take refuge in Matsya, the Kingdom of Virat. B…

Yudhistira and Yaksha The four Pandava brothers, Bheem, Arjun, Nakul and Sahadev die while trying to fetch water from a lake. When Yudhistir finds the lake, he meets a mysterious crane who claims to have killed his brothers. The crane challenges Yudhistir to answer his questions. If Yudhistir can give him satisfactory answers, his brothers live. El…

Karna gives Indra his gift. Karna was born with an armor that made him invincible to any weapons. Indra, to help his son Arjuna, wanted to strip Karna of his natural defense. Indra exploited Karna's magnanimity and asked for the armor as a gift. Karna agreed, but not without a trade. Listen to this exciting episode by clicking the player below. You…

Savitri, Satyavan and Yama The story of Savitri and Satyavan is one of the most popular tales of the Mahabharata. Savitri, a princess, marries Satyavan knowing that her husband had a short lifespan. As per Narada's prediction, Satyavan dies one year after their marriage. But Savitri brings back Satyavan to life using her charm and erudition. Since …

Draupadi Jayadratha Jayadratha, the husband of Duryodhan's sister Duhshala, sees Draupadi in the Kamyaka forest and is enamoured by her divine beauty. Unable to control his lust, Jayadratha tries to abduct her against her will. When the Pandavas come to know of this, they chase Jayadratha to teach him a lesson that he could never forget. Hosted on …

Lord Krishna saves the Pandavas from Durvasa In this episode, we hear two enchanting stories from the Mahabharata. In the first story, Rishi Durvasa grants Mudgal an eternal life in heaven. But Mudgal declines the offer in search of eternal truth. The second story is more exciting. Pleased with Duryodhan's hospitality, Durvasa offers him a favor. D…

Duryodhan Duryodhan's attempt to humiliate the Pandavas went haywire. He got into a fight with the Gandharavas and was defeated and captured. The Pandava brothers fought the Gandharvas to rescue Duryodhan and his entourage. However, instead of being grateful, Duryodhan felt humiliated and belittled by the Pandavas. Suffering from extreme grief, Dur…

Arjuna battles with Chitra Sena to rescue Duryodhana Duryodhan plans to visit the Pandavas during their exile and humiliate them. But he gets embroiled in a battle with the Gandharvas and is captured by the Gandharva King Chitrasena. At the request of their brother Yudhistir, Arjuna and Bheem fights the Gandharvas and rescues Duryodhan and his fami…

Rishi Kaushik and the Bird When asked to talk about the virtues of a woman, Rishi Markandeya tells Yudhistira how a housewife advised Rishi Kaushik about the ways of life and led Kaushik to meet the butcher of Mithila to learn about Dharma. We also hear Draupadi advise Krishna's wife Satyavama about how a woman should treat her husband and gain his…

Matsya saves Manu from the great deluge Rishi Markandeya visits the Pandavas and tells them several stories from his vast experience. He narrates the story of the Matsya, Manu and the great deluge. He tells them about the celestial cycles of creation and destruction, and how the demons Madhu and Kaitava was slain by Lord Vishnu. Listen to these tal…

Arjuna Fights the Demons Arjuna returns from Indra's palace in the heavens back to his brothers and his wife Draupadi in the Gandhamadan mountains. He tells them the stories of his conquests against the Nibata Kabacha demons and the demonesses Paulam and Kalaka's army. Next we hear the fascinating story of how the mighty prince Bheema was about to …

Bheema meets Hanuman Draupadi asks Bheema to fetch her the divine lotus. Bheema, eager to please his wife, embarks on a journey to find the precious gift. On his way, he meets an old and frail little monkey. Little did he know, it was his brother the mighty lord Hanuman. Listen to this delightful story which connects the two great epics of India, R…

Rshi Ashtavakra The young Rishi Ashtavakra was born crooked at eight parts of his body. The deformity was caused because of his father's curse. But later Ashtavakra saves his father from his ill fortune. Listen to this story and the stories of how lord Vishnu slays the demon Narakasura and later saves the earth by taking the form of a boar or a Var…

King Ushinara In this episode of the Stories of Mahabharata, Rishi Lomasha tells the Pandavas two exciting stories. In the first story, he tells the story of Rishi Chyavan who regained his youth with the help of the celestial physicians the Ashwini Kumar twins. The second story narrates the tale of King Ushinara who was willing to give his body and…

Parashurama kills Kartavirya According to the Hindu scriptures, Lord Vishnu appeared on earth nine times to purge the earth of evil (his 10th appearance is yet to happen). Parashurama was the sixth incarnation. In this episode, Rishi Lomasha tells the Pandavas the story of Parashurama and how he passed his father Rishi Jamadagni's cruel test and la…

Bhagirath and Ganga Rishi Lomapada tells Yudhistira and his entourage the tale of Bhagiratha and how he brought Ganga from the heavens to the earth and then led her to the oceans, thus forming the mighty river. He then tells them the story of Rishwasringa and how he was seduced by a clever courtesan who brought the young Rishi to the Kingdom of Ang…