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...I'm going to narrate to you
...the story of Mahabharata
...the great immortal epic
...It's not an ordinary tale of battle;
Its the story of the rise and fall of Indian Culture...
...Of battle between good and evil - Light and darkness
No one else can narrate this story;
since I alone saw it happen
I know all its characters and incidents,
I'm Duryodhan as well as Arjun.
I'm Kurukshetra the battle field.
It's a story of conflict between relationships
and its concluding outcome...
...which is the elixir of our lives,
Every era has to go through this conflict
It's a continuous battle between good and evil
till I exist it'll continue to be fought...
...and I'm perpetual and endless.
This story must be heard and assessed all the time
...so that each 'present' can prepare itself...
...for its future
...I prepare each generation to fight this battle...
...by narrating this great epic.
Sometimes as a teacher, sometimes as a mother,
...and sometimes as a an ascetic
This story didn't begin the day Lord Krishna
...sermonized the Geeta
neither on the day Drupadi made fun of Duryodhan
It started the day King Bharat
...returned to his capital after his victories.
The story started in his court
Long Live the victorious Emperor
King Bharat's greatness doesn't lie merely...
...in the fact that he extended his frontiers,
Or because our country is named after him.
His greatness is also acknowledged because
...the process of democratic thinking started...
...in his Court;
He gave preference to Karma (deeds) over birth
Battle of Kurukshetra is in fact...
...a symbol of moral duty
May the King live Long
Sire, our frontiers to-day, have spread;
from the Himalayas to the shores of Kumari Antari;
the country is renamed after you.
It's the right time, Sire to nominate your successor.
We will do so on the auspicious day...
...of the full moon
Going somewhere, Son?
Yes mother; after returning from the War
I haven't been to see sage Kanva
I'm going to meet him.
Don't address him only as a Sage
He is like your grandfather...
...because he brought me up.
Give him my regards
I'll do that, Mother.
May I leave now?
May you live long.
Come, son of Shakuntala
My regards your Holiness
I bless you, son; how is your mother?
She is well and was complaining...
...that you've almost forgotten her
Now ask, what you've come to ask,
I'm faced with a problem
I've nine sons, but I can't decide...
...who should be my successor
You have conquered the earth but...
...You've yet to conquer yourself
You must conquer yourself
The day you do so you'll find...
...the answer to your question.
My blessings
Hastinapur is glittering with the glory of King Bharat
Even history is waiting to hear...
...the name of King's successor.
This is the first unwritten page.
...of the great Immortal epic - MAHABHARATA
Attention in court,
Defender of the people
...Source of justice
Victor of the Earth
Emperor of Hastinapur
Is on his way to grace the Court,
My respects. Mother
Prime Minister
I, son of King Dushyant
...would first of all
...like to thank my brave soldiers
...Who have helped me
...to enlarge my Kingdom
I'm also grateful to my subiects...
who not only gave me their blessings.
...but also gave me their brave sons;
Some died on the battlefields,
I salute their parents
I pronounce from my throne...
that no King is greater than his Country.
...or its people,
A King has 3 duties to perform
to defend his people, to impart Justice...
and to nominate his successor...
...Who would be just to his people,
and able to protect them.
I do not find these qualities...
...in any of my sons
I therefore adopt Bhumanyu - son of Bhardwai
...and proclaim him as my successor.
My respects, Mother.
May you live long
you look disturbed, mother
I'm disturbed
Why so?
You deprived your sons of their rights.
What kind of a father are you?
I'm not only a father I'm a King as well,
But every son has certain rights
You say so, because you've a mother
I'm a King.
I must be just,
I've a large family, Mother,
the young man I've nominated as my successor
...is also my son as he is...
...one of my subjects.
If I were to nominate one of my sons...
as my successor
it would be unfair to my people
you should be proud of me...
...for I'm a just King
But this blossom of Democratic thinking
...faded away after a few generations
These values were set aside...
...during the reign Of King Shantanu...
When birth got preference over deeds (Karma)...
When the present was staked...
for an unknown future
In fact ever since that day...
...the battle lines were drawn...
...on the field of Kurukshetra
The story of King Shantanu. Starts thus
One day King Shantanu was out hunting
...near the banks of the river Ganga
I'm Shantanu King of Hastinapur
I'm Ganga
I was out hunting
What happened then, Sire
I don't really know as yet; but it seems
...that a deer eyed woman...
...has made me her victim
ITS MOST UNFORTUNATE
WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO HASTINAPUR NO W?
ITS FATE IS IN YOUR HANDS NO W
HO W COME SIRE?
I'LL ASK YOU ABOUT IT TOMORRO W
WHY TOMORRO W
EVERY QUESTION MUST BE ANSWERED
...AT AN AUSPICIOUS MOMENT!
Did you have to wait long for me?
Not too long
So you were saying... the fate of Hastinapur
...Is in my hands and I had asked...
How Come?
Let us proceed further now
if you agree to become my queen...
Hastinapur and I would be saved.
I can accept this honor, but...
I'm a Kshtriya and words such as "but"
...do not exist in our vocabulary
Then you must make me a promise
Anything you say
just one promise
Command me
You'll never question me about anything
I give my word
I'll be free to do anything without question
I promise never to interfere, nor question you.
If you fail to do so
...the day you question MY actions...
I'll leave you for ever...
I agree to whatever you say
Sun is about to rise, sire
What have you been looking at, all night?
I've been looking at my moon faced queen...
at your eyes that hold my future
I wish I were a poet;
I only learnt the language of weapons,
if I were a poet I would've described...
the depth of your eyes and your petal like lips
Hold Me, oh lady of the river;
I can't swim
I'm drowning in the fathomless depths of your eyes
I don't want to come to surface
I'm enjoying going deep down your eyes
You must not neglect your Kingdom, Sire...
the people of Hastinapur will blame me,
Right now I do not want to even think about it
Why, Sire?
I'm enjoying my dip in the ocean of love.
What is happening to our King?
Stop worrying
I'm the Commander-in-Chief of Hastinapur and...
...I've not spoken to the King for months now
...Looks like the King has forgotten Hastinapur.
With an able general like you
Why should the King Worry?
Kingdom is safe in your hands
The King is busy with the affairs of heart
But he is responsible for the State as well,
A King is also a human being...
He has a right to enjoy matrimony
He looks after the happiness of his people
the people must look after his happiness
Let him enjoy while he can
But for how long
For as long as he wants to
How long would that be
You needn't worry,
Matrimonial pleasures are essential
Let an heir be born to the King...
...the day it happens
...he'll come out of his ecstasy
Lo! The day has arrived.
Congratulations, on the birth of a son, sire
Describe his complexion
Like a pink rose
Describe his eyes
just like yours sire
Long Live the King
YOU'LL NEVER QUESTION ME!
I GIVE YOU MY WORD
I'LL BE FREE TO DO ANYTHING
I PROMISE NEVER TO INTERFERE
If I Wasn't Time...
I would have become stone-eyes...
With what I saw Just now
Shantanu hasn't got my eyes
He is only a father
...for him the pain is impossible to bear
A mother drowning her very first born...
...is hard to explain, and
Shantanu is tongue tied because of his promise
...to Ganga. Who smiles
...and leaves
But I'm Time; I know the fate...
...of Ganga's second child as well
WHATEVER WILL BE, WILL BE
ONLY HE KNO WS
THE DESIGN, IN HIS SCHEME OF THINGS
so late at nights Sire?
I'm surrounded by darkness, your Holiness;
Even my days are dark like a night;
What else do you expect, if...
you close your eyes
open your eyes and see
Sun rises and sets everyday
the moon also showers Its light
Enlightenment is in our soul
Nothing is possible without our soul
Why can't I see this light?
Because you're not trying to see it.
Darkness around you must be because of
Some personal problem; it must be faced.
But I can't;
What is your problem?
The queen killed my two sons...
...and I couldn't stop her
Why oh King?
I've given my word to her
to let her kill your children?
You're the King of Hastinapur;
You've no right to Give such a word
It's a curse
I'm living that curse
You call it living?
What is death then?
A King who can't protect his sons
how can he protect his subiects.
I'll pray for your weakness
Can't you see the iniustice of it all
As a King I to;
Then why don't you stop it?
The individual in me stops me
A King is only a King.
He can't be an Individual.
A King is for the welfare of his subiects,
You've been unfair to your subiects
I seek your help.
Its not nice for a king to seek.
Then what should I do?
Suffer in your self created hell
That alone is your destiny and your penance.
Listen to the curses of your people.
Only self help will bring you out...
...Of your predicament and show you a way out
Have you heard the news from the palace?
Yes, But I do not want to believe it
...no mother can drown her own children
...even in the sacred river;
A mother's love is proverbial
She is a strange mother
She has drowned her 3 sons,
Have you heard the latest from the palace
A Fourth Prince is born to the queen...
, . And the King's condition is causing concern to all
The Princes do not belong to the Queen alone.
Why doesn't the King ask the Queen?
If things continue the way they are...
Our King's family tree would be uprooted.
If the King remains silent...
...he would lose the fourth prince as well
Your Majesty;
You here at such a late hour?
I'm here to express my grief...
...Over the death of the fourth prince
Why call a *** a death?
If its ***, why hasn't the culprit been punished?
The fact that the culprit is alive implies
...that it is not ***!
Why taunt me so?
You must ask the queen to explain her conduct,
What kind of a woman Is she?
Who is she?
A woman must have 3 qualities.
Consciousness, inspiration and compassion
She has none of them
If YOU cant question her as her husband.
Question her as her King
It is your duty to give the Kingdom successor
if I could do so, there would be no need
...for you to be here today
What is worse, in case we get a fifth son...
...his fate is also sealed;
I'LL BE FREE TO DO ANYTHING...
...WITHOUT QUESTION
I GIVE YOU MY WORD
I PROMISE NEVER TO INTERFERE IN...
WHATEVER YOU DO;
A PROMISE GIVEN WITHOUT A THOUGHT,
CAN ONLY BRING YOU GRIEF
SO THINK BEFORE YOU ACT
I am Time,
Neither sorrow can impede my flow...
...nor happiness
But sometimes my flow is impeded...
...by the lines of fate
I stand on the banks of River Ganga...
...caught up in the story of Shantanu's lineage
Ganga, the daughter of Lord Brahma has...
...killed seven of her own sons born of Shantanu...
...by drowning them in her own waters
The King of Hastinapur also stands on the bank with me
...watching quietly, unable to do anything
...tormented like a fish out of waters
...because he is bound by his own oath
He can only weep and so, he weeps
But he cannot question Ganga...
...and so, he remains silent
let's see sister
...what happens to the eighth prince
What a mother!
I cannot even congratulate the king
The king does not even ask her the meaning...
...of her outrageous act
what a mother
Killing her own children On birth
When she went to drown the seventh prince
...I followed her
She placed the baby on the water...
like an offering to God
Now she will drown the eighth prince
There she goes!
No, my queen! No!
I can bear this no longer
You are bound by your oath my King
A King of the Lunar Dynasty gave the oath
But I am only a father now
You have drowned seven of our new-born sons
But I will not allow you to kill this one
Why are you doing this?
A mother killing her own off-spring!
What a mother you are!
I have not killed these children my king
I have freed them from a curse
A curse?
Yes my king. A curse
I, Ganga, a princess from Heaven...
am also living a curse on this earth
And you my king, are also living a curse
What curse? Whose curse?
My father Brahma's curse
Tell me the story my queen
You were King Mahabhishak in your previous birth
God Indra was a friend
You would Come to his court to see the dancers
One day I came there with my father Lord Brahma
You too were there
You Saw me
I, too, saw you
'We mere lost in each other
Just then a light breeze
...blew away my scarf
All those present averted their gaze
but you kept looking, at me.
And I at you
This angered my father
., and he cursed us to be reborn on Earth
Mahabhishak you have transcended
the bounds of propriety
And Ganga you too are responsible
I curse both of you
with rebirth on earth
I curse both of you
Since your oath is broken...
I am released from the curse
which means that
I must leave You now
What about my sons who died? Were they mere pawns?
Do not hold a grudge, my king
Your sons are Vasus who were...
cursed by Sage Vasistha to be re-born on earth
Seeing their, anguish
I promised them
that I would give birth to them on Earth...
and then release them from the curse -
But unfortunately
this last Vasu is not yet free of the curse
He has to live with it
I will now take your leave
But my son? It least leave. Him with me
At the proper time my king
For now, I shall take him with me
and return him to you soon
I have named him Devavrata
But who knows what his name will be
in the future
After Ganga had left him
...Shantanu's life lost all meaning
and direction
It was as if his Soul had left him
But the longing for his beloved remained
And whenever this longing tormented him
He would go to the river bank
...and search for his beloved Ganga...
There is a moral of life
...in ancient histor7
As long as there is the breath of life
...there is hope in the heart
Let's go charioteer
Where to, my lord?
Wherever you wish to go
A deerskin mat and a holy vessel!
These seem to be children of some sage
But why has he left them here?
We are but ordinary mortals
It is not for us to understand the ways of Sages...
or the language of their mercy
This is Divine Mercy
and so, I will call this boy Kripa
What about the girl?
If the boy is Kripa his sister must be Kripi
Welcome my king
Will you not ask me about these children Royal Sane?
How can I ask questions?
I am here to answer them
But I see you have a question to ask
I found these children in the forest
lying on a deerskin mat...
with a holy vessel nearby
No one else was around
And so I brought these orphans with me
There are no orphans in God's world my king
God works in mysterious ways my king
No one knows how but
He is All-Seeing
., . And
.,, He is All-Knowing
He is the Only One
Think of it my king
God saw these children
through your eyes
and used you as an instrument...
of His mercy
and placed them in your care
Look upon them as Lord Shiva's blessing
and bring some joy into your childless life
Do not call me childless Great Teacher
You know that
Ganga has promised to return my eighth son
I am merely waiting for his return
I cannot look after these children
I am a king
I cannot do them an iniustice
They are Brahmins
You look after them
My entire life will...
be spent between the palace and the river bank
In this manner
tormented by separation
waiting for Ganga
sixteen years went by
But one day
when longing had reached its peak...
he saw through the palace window...
...that a dam of arrows had
Stemmed the flow of the River Ganga
He frowned and
...strung an arrow on his bow but when
he pulled the bowstring...
Ganga appeared before him
My king
So, at last you have come
How are you my king?
How is the Body without its Soul my love?
Do not delay my love
Let us free the river water and return to the palace
which, without you, has become
dark and grim like a light-less Diwali
and colorless festival
Let us lead a peaceful and happy life again, my love
Water once flown cannot return my king
No, I cannot return
The past can never replace the present...
...and I am your past...
. who has come to return your future
without you there is no future
Yes there is my king
I have brought your future with me
Because in essence, the future is born from the past
There is your future
Mother look...
...I have stopped the river again
I have seen it my son and so has your father
My father?
What is it, my king? Here, take care of your son
Son, bow down to your father
Hope tells the breath of life
Learn to be patient
You may get pearls without asking
But alms are not got for the asking
What's your name son?
Mother has named me Devavrata
Who has taught you archery?
Sage Bhargava my father
What did you think?
That my love would compel me to call him Crown Prince?
I know the Indian tradition my king
That they believe in Action, not Birth
That they are Doers and not mere Inheritors
Our son had to be worthy
Not necessarily!
Only the Doer
can sit on the throne of Hastinapur
That is why I arranged for
., Sage Vasistha to teach him the Vedas and
Lord Brihaspati to teach him Politics
He studied all this
And so when Sage Bhargava said...
none in the Universe could stand up to Devavrata...
I thought that the time was ripe...
to return the Crown Prince to Hastinapur
Hastinapur is grateful to have him
Now return to Hastinapur with your father
...where History awaits you
And you mother?
The shadow is bound to the tree
It cannot leave with the traveler
To you I am a shadow which is
bound to the Tree of Time
Now go with your father
and fulfill your duty unto Hastinapur
Your blessings mother
I take your leave my king
Beloved!
Why are you sad?
Because of my incompleteness father
I am not destined for both my mother's and father's love
I Will try to give you both my son
Come now
Bow to him my son
He is not only my charioteer but also a friend
That's necessary
Long live the prince!
No! Long live Hastinapur
Nations take precedence over kings and princes
Long live Hastinapur
Long live the prince!
A long life to you my son
But my son...
...your mother has taught you all the wisdom there is
A student will always remain a student father
Only God is All-Knowing
We can attain only a Part of this knowledge
Share your knowledge with me my son
Knowledge begets Humility
Humility makes one Worthy
True worth brings in wealth
Good acts bring happiness
Well said my son
Knowledge begets humility
Humility makes one Worthy
True Worth results in Wealth
Wealth if used for righteous acts
...leads to Happiness
very beautiful
After partaking of this no other desire remains
Be happy!
There is nothing but, happiness under your shadow my father
Only a disciple of Sage Vasistha can say this
what else did he teach you?
He also taught me that
...the Swan flies on two wings
The Wing of Knowledge and The Wing of Action
If it had only one wing
it would be of no use
because flight would be impossible
What, a poetic thought!
What did Lord Brihaspati teach you?
If you decide to Act see the Act to its completion
or else the Act will be' the end of you-
And what does Ethics say?
Ethics says that
The eventful result determines
. whether the act was right or wrong
What did Sage Parshuram teach you?
He said that,
obeying one's father is the ultimate Good
That is the only path to happiness
What about the mother?
About her he said
The Sage's right is ten times more than the Teachers
A fathers right 100 times more than the Sage's
A mother's right is 1000 times that of the father
Why so my son?
Because
a son can be a bad son
but a mother can never be a bad mother
Very true
Any mother is like Mother earth
And, Mother Earth can never betray her own fruit
without mother
there would be nothing but God
In Heaven
how do Gods entertain themselves?
They also play Dice
But the game is played differently
Men are used as pawns
I see
Yes father
There is another difference
Death throws the dice
He moves the pawns;
...and eliminates them too
Long live...
...the King
Long live the Crown Prince
How did you know of Devavrita's return?
The entire Universe knows of it my king
You traders are clever talkers!
What have you brought?
A horse my, king
Only one horse?
This is a unique horse...
...worthy of the Sun God's chariot
A mighty horse my king
This we must see
If the horse is not good enough...
...I will order your death
And suppose he is better?
I will make you a king and
...give you 25 villages to rule
Come son
You have rejected every horse in my stable
why these arms son?
Arms are the warrior's pride for...
...a warrior without arms seems hare
The horse is an excellent one
I have roamed all over India
There isn't a single warrior who can saddle it
It is not good for a trader to have such pride
I had warned you my king
It's a rebellious horse
I Will saddle the horse myself
You should not demean yourself my king
Allow me to do it
Don't my son
Forgive me my king
My mind is made up
Your father is right prince
Don't take this risk
Princes are born to take risks
With your permission sire
Be victorious My son
Never again test the courage
of a soldier or a king
It was afraid of its own shadow
May I take it for a run?
Sure my son
Long live the prince
Halt!
This arrow marks the border of Hastinapur
Return with your army
We have come to conquer Hastinapur
Go home child
before you get hurt
I am warning you again Shalva Kumar
Who are you?
Devavrata, son of Ganga
Go away
Forward march
The enemy was stopped
...by the thunderous assault
This is Devavrata's...
very first assault.
Forward
The arrow on Devavrata's bow
has the ability to change History
But the story of Devavrata and his arrow has iust begun
His arrows have scattered the Shalva army
Shalva Kumar's arrogance
,, was burned to ashes in, .
The fire of his arrows
In Hastinapur King Shantanu was waiting eagerly
...for Devavrata's return
Devavrata should have returned by now
Send a rider to investigate
Yes my king
And ready my chariot
This horse is excellent
Why were you delayed?
I was about to start
,, when I saw the Shalva army
crossing the Hastinapur border
So, I stayed back
Shalva's army?
Yes. -And this S is Shalva Kumar
A prisoner of war
What would you like to do with him?
Prime Minister
Come son
prime Minister
What does the Law say?
The enemy's son is also an enemy
So, he deserves the death sentence
May I say something?
Yes my son
Killing the enemy
...cannot end enmity
in fact, enmity increases with killing
if you want to make India an ideal nation
we will have to end enmity with friendship
Because only friendship can lay the
foundation for a secure and progressive future
I entreat you
to not only pardon Shalva Kumar...
but also free him
and send him back to Shalva
Shalva Kumar is free
...and may return to Shalva
Victory to the Prince
No, not the Prince but...
...the Crown Prince
Victory to the Crown Prince
I take great pride in naming Devavrata as...
...the Crown Prince of Hastinapur
I am proud to be
his father and
I am sure that Hastinapur is
also proud of him
Devavrata was made the Crown Prince
Father and son...
...established a bond of happiness and love
Time went by and soon
...Devavrata was a young man
Everything ready for the hunt?
Waiting for your orders to start my king
But where is Devavrata?
He is coming
sorry for the delay
That's okay my son. Shall we start?
Yes sire
bring the chariot
Stop
wait for a moment
Who are you?
Dashraj's daughter
Whom are you waiting for?
Some travelers
who want to cross the Yamuna
will you take me across?
Why not?
Here's the bank
This, is not my destination
Maybe it is the other bank
Take me there
Here we are
Take me to the other side
Where do you wish to go?
I don't know
Surprising!
You don't know where...
you want to go?
Do not be surprised Satyavati
My journey will come to an end
when I will have the courage.
To tell you what's in my heart
'what is it...
that you need courage to tell Me
Maybe courage is the wrong word
But till I get the right word
go on paddling the boat
Has father returned? No
Looks like he has gone far
Found the right word?
Or should I take you back?
Maybe I'll find the word there
Let's go
You sent for me?
Father should have returned by, now
He often loses track of time while hunting
I am his son
I am worried
I am Shantanu
King of Hastinapur
Your personality and dress...
Made that obvious
Then you should have guessed...
...what I want to say
How can I guess?
Your beauty and fragrance, has captivated me
I want to marry you
It is my father who will decide
Whether I should marry you or not
But I should know your mind.
Before I speak to your father
By now your heart should have heard
What my heart saying
Welcome sir
Thank you
Have a Seat
You seem to be a king
I am King Shantanu of
Hastinapur
Have a seat Dashraj
You have honored me by coming to my house
How can I serve you?
I have come here to ask you for something
What can I, a poor man, give you?
Every person has something to give...
...and every person needs something
but I have nothing which...
...could please a king
If you do not wish to give it's okay
But I have come to ask for something
Which only you in the Universe have
I don't understand
What could it be?
What I want...
is not a thing.
Then?
I am talking of a fragrance
which is incomparable
Do you really mean what I understood?
Yes If you have really
understood... what I said.
This is no time for riddles my king
Let these walls hear
what a king wants from me,
I am honored to ask Dashrai
The throne on my right is empty
I want your daughter Satyavati to sit on it.
This is indeed a great honor for my daughter
but the Truth is
I have been waiting for you for years.
Waiting for me?
Yes my king. Waiting for you.
Her horoscope say that she will be a queen
And whose queen can she be but yours
The Moon rules the Sky and you the Earth...
Does this mean You accept?
Which father will not...
accept an offer such as this?
But...
But what Dashraj?
My King, I have told you about Satyavati's horoscope
but I have not told you what my heart says
And what does your heart say?
That Satyavati's sons should rule over Hastinapur
That is the obstacle my King
But Devavrata is already the Crown Prince
I know
That is why I made this condition
But this is no condition
Do you realize what you are saying?
I am willing to do anything...
even the most impossible things...
...to win Satyavati's hand...
but I cannot do an iniustice to Devavrata...
because Cupid has pierced my heart
Any other condition is acceptable
...but I have given my word to Devavrata
You are willing to accept conditions...
I do not want you to
but you will not accept
the condition I made
forgive me my King
You are trying to change her luck
This I cannot accept
If her sons are destined to rule;
then rule they must
Satyavati's luck will being the king
who will accept my condition
What manner of king is he who will break a promise
Wait then for another king Dashrai for
Shantanu will never Seize someone's right...
...to give it to another
Ready my chariot
Do not worry prince
The charioteer mill return if anything happens
Where were you father?
We were all worried
I strayed from the path
Didn't the king look worried'
A king has many worries my prince
Don't worry my child
Man is the only creature...
who tells a lie
Nothing else in Nature,
ever tells a lie
Your horoscope cannot be wrong
Your luck will
bring back the king
Sleep now
such an injustice...
...Will never happen
Even if life is lost.
...as love and duty struggles
You are trying to change her luck
This I cannot accept
if her sons are destined to rule;
then rule, they must
Satyavati's luck will bring the king...
who will accept my condition
Greetings my king
If it suits you
we could leave for Hastinapur at sunrise
Not tomorrow son
As you wish father
0 it's you son:
I can bear the wounds of a thousand arrows
. but not your silence father
What is it? Please tell me
What can I say?
What is responsible for your silence?
There is nothing to tell
So, what do I say?
If it concerns the state...
as the Crown Prince
. I must know of it
Sure
But even a king cannot
confide all his worries
True. But cannot a father confide in his son?
No.
He cannot
But...
Go my son
Rest now
As you say my father
The Prince wants you
Come
I am worried about the king
You are his friend and charioteer
where do you take him everyday?
Wherever he tells me to go
And where is that?
Wherever he wishes
I admire your loyalty
But it seems to me that your loyalty is to the king...
and not the state
The king's mind is in turmoil
and so I must know
where he goes everyday after sunset
I do not ask you this question;
it is Hastinapur
Answering this question...
will prove your loyalty to Hastinapur
Forgive me prince
but I cannot betray the king
But you can betray his happiness
and Hastinapur?
You can betray India and the Dynasty of Bharat?
What you think is your loyalty
is not really that
Everyday he
...goes to the Yamuna bank
The Yamuna?
And what does he do there?
From the river bank
he keeps looking at
...Dashraj's daughter
From the bank? Yes
the whole day? Yes
Has father met her
Yes. He has
And Dashraj?
He has met him too
Ready my chariot
Devavrata is here
Bring him in with respect
Yes sir
This way prince
At this hour, prince?
Greetings from Devavrata
your coming here...
has brought honor to my house
But why at this hour?
I am worried about the king
Why does the king...
spend his time between
Take a seat first
This is no time to sit
Tell me what has happened
He wants to marry my daughter Satyavati
What is the problem?
Do you find the king, my father...
unsuitable for her?
What are you saying?
What then?
There is a problem
What's that?
Satyavati's horoscope says that...
...her son will rule
The king will not accept that
He cannot do that
I don't understand
It is not in his power to give this assurance
Cannot a king decide who will
...rule after him?
Yes, He has the right
But the king has already practiced this right
He cannot promise the same thing to two persons
You have not understood my father's predicament
You explain it to me
He has promised the throne to me
and I shall ascend it after him
So it is impossible for him
to promise it to someone else
It would be unjust
Yes, If I want to I can give away the throne
I give you my word that
...that Satyavati's eldest son
will sit on the throne of Hastinapur
You are blessed Devavrata
My house is honored by your presence
Blessed is the country which gave birth to you
You have given up your right for your father's happiness
Not everyone can do so
No Dashraj
Whatever is happening is in accordance with Fate
If I was destined for the throne
...Satyavati's horoscope would not oppose it
The lines of Fate do not oppose one another
So, I bow to Satyavati's Fate
Now, can I take her to my father?
But
What is the meaning of this but?
Just as your father could not speak for YOU
...you cannot speak for your children
What if your children lay. Claim to the throne
...of Hastinapur?
Your fear is not baseless
I shall end your fears forever
Yes. I cannot speak for my children
But I have every right to remain childless
I, Devavrata, son of Ganga,,,,
in the presence of the Gods all over...
...swear this oath that
I shall never marry
I shall live childless
...and die childless
This is my eternal oath
The Sun, the Moon, the Himalayas Himalayas
may not remain forever
Devavrata's terrible oath
will be remembered forever
Yes. I cannot speak for my children
But I have every right to remain childless
I, Devavrata, son of Ganga...
in the presence of Gods all over
swear this oath that
,, I shall never marry
I shall live childless...
and die childless
This is my eternal oath
I am no one's friend
nor anyone's enemy
Nor am I related to anyone
I am free of all relationships
so, listen carefully to what,,,
I am about to say
because this concerns the Ideal Man Devavrata...
who, in a twinkling of an eyelid...
became Bhishma (the Terrible)
I salute this Great Hero
Because I am Time...
I know of all the oaths sworn before and after...
,, Devavrata's oath
So, only I can say that no such oath...
was ever sworn before
or after his oath
I salute this Great Hero...
who has made his mark in the Universe
Found Anything No
It is surprising that no one,,,
...should know where Devavrata has gone
He has never disappeared like this before
I am getting worried
Please stop the chariot
Sure
What's the matter?
Once we reach Hastinapur
I will become your mother,,,,
...and then it will not be possible for me to do., .
...what I want to do
Even now you are my mother
But what is it you want to do
that would be impossible later?
I want to touch your feet
No mother
If a mother touches her son's feet
it will upset the social order
This son of yours is the keeper.,,,
...of your chariot and your mind
Sons like you will never be born again
Never!
Father
Welcome home mother
Why did you hesitate to promise that,, .
Mother Satyavati's eldest son...
would reign in Hastinapur?
But son,, .
I am your son, not attached to the throne
To serve you is my duty
So, I have sworn to remain *** all my life
What a terrible oath, my son
No Devavrata,,,
you should not have sworn such an oath
Forget it father
How can I forget my son
,, that you have sacrificed
.,, your own happiness for the sake of mine?
But father
my happiness is a part of your happiness
But how can I forget
- ,, the fine Indian tradition initiated by Bharat...,
that Worth and not Birth...
should determine the heir to the throne?
How can we determine the Worth
...of an unconceived child?
The king has another duty:
To protect the rights of his subiects
That is true my son but
whose rights have I not protected?
My father
You have. Not protected one of my rights
which one my son?
You are denying me the right to make a promise
What can I say to that? YOU surprise me
What you have done will be remembered forever
Today, standing on the crossroads to peace and war
happiness and unhappiness
I, Shantanu, grant you a boon
Unless you desire your death
...you Will not die
Your name will become immortal
You will live forever
Death will not touch you
Mother please explain to father
...that whatever has happened to me...
is of my own doing
From today we shall call Devavrata, Bhishma
Not only us but
the entire Universe will call him Bhishma...
because of his oath
Greetings mother
A long life to you my son
I wanted to talk to you mother
About what son?
About whether I did the right thing.
You cannot do any wrong my son
You are, born to do the right, thing and lead by example
I am proud to be your mother
I need your blessings
They are always with you my son
You have given a new meaning to the word oath
What you have done would be impossible for man or God
what you have done is worth emulating,
Any, order for me, my mother?
You are beyond orders
You do not have to be told to do your duty
You are among those who are born to do their duty
Why are you looking at the moon?
Forgive me my king
But why?
I have committed a grave crime
Such beauty and fragrance!
You can never be guilty
It is my beauty
which has eclipsed your life
If I were not beautiful...
...Bhishma would not have to suffer this iniustice
If man began to think like this
life would be impossible
And yet, that is the truth
No
It is not the full truth
The truth is that this
is a web made by the lines of fate
where man is caught helplessly like a fish in a net
He cannot avoid this web even if he wishes to
I remember
When Ganga wanted to drown this child...
I could not keep quiet
I broke my oath and questioned her
To which she said
that our sons were Vasus
who had been cursed with birth on Earth...
and the fact
that I had broken my oath Meant that...
the eighth son was fated to live
Which means that
Bhishma's fate was sealed much before our love was
Our love. Was merely an excuse
Even if we had not met
Bhishma, would have to follow his fate
Does your conscience agree to this?
What wrong had I done
that I became the excuse for Bhishma's destruction
Don't you think
...that we are lucky to have a son like Bhishma?
Of course, but...
...isn't it 8hishma's bad luck...
...that he has Satyavati for a mother?
Heartless, harsh and selfish,
Do not insult his filial love by saying this
But by not saying it...
...am I not insulting Bhishma?
If anyone is to blame...
...it is I because...
...when Bhishma took the oath you were not his mother...
...but I was his father even then
I staked Hastinapur's future for my Present...
, . Not you
Protector of his Subjects
Idol of Justice
Protector of Religion
King Shantanu is passing by
What's wrong Honoured teacher?
Why is the Crown Prince's throne empty
The King is sworn to keep it so till
a son is born to the queen
Who made this promise?
Who else but the King?
Who gave him the right to swear this oath?
Does a king need permission?
'Why? Does the king own this land?
My lord you forgot that...
you are merely a representative
only God is the owner
You had no right to make that promise
I would like to know
what was wrong with Devavrata
that you thought of a new Crown Prince?
Even if Devavrata has faults
...what is it that recommends a prince who is...
...yet to he conceived?
Do the citizens have a right to ask this question?
The citizens have a right to ask any question
May I answer the Sage's question my king?
No. I don't want an answer.
I want justice
Time
Let us not talk of Time O Sage!
Time is only a witness
Talk of Action
, . Because we are Man of Action, of Deeds...
, responsible for our Acts
Isn't this true O Sage?
Yes. It is true.
Then why are you blaming the, king for my actions?
It was not the king who swore the oath; it was I
Had he stopped me from doing so
...he would have done me an iniustice
The king had already told Dashrai,
...that he could not change his decision
It was I 'who gave the promise...
...that Satyavati's son would he king
Had I not, done so
...I would he failing in my duty
Why do you say this Prince?
I swore the oath because
an unhappy king
...can never make his subiects happy
And who will be responsible
if the unborn prince
is unworthy of the throne?
Look at Hastinapur's Fate line and determine that
But if my word has some value then
today I make a promise Hastinapur that
whoever ascends the throne
I shall see my father's image in him and serve him
with the same devotion
What have you done?
0 Shantanu of Bharat's Dynasty?
You have staked Hastinapur's Future for your Present
Father
Bhishma
Is it my father or
or the king who worries
Both
Then should I ask my father first or the king?
First ask that weakling who could
neither be a king nor a father
who could keep neither's honour
and who has made both helpless
Father!
What kind of a father am I
Helpless in my thirst for Love
I condemned my son to an eternal thirst
And what kind of a king am I
I have removed a worthy Crown Prince
.,, and placed the future of Hastinapur in the hands of
...another who is yet unborn
and about whom no one knows...
whether he will be worthy or not
By my act I have insulted My ancestors
Do not trouble your heart my king
Had you ordered me to take the oath
you could have blamed Yourself
But this oath was of my Own doing
and so will be the result
I swore this oath because...
fathers often sacrifice for their sons
so, why shouldn't a son do the same?
Your happiness means a lot to me
You are more valuable to me than the throne
Even then...
What father?
What happens if your brother is not worthy
...of the throne
In that case, I shall repeat the assurance
I gave Hastinapur
That all my life I shall serve and protect
the throne of Hastinapur
and till it is secure from all dangers
and in need of my services
I shall not
allow Death to claim me
You are blessed on Earth and in Heaven
May I make a request father?
Sure
A King should never by Ionely or sad because
if his mind strays
so will the nation
because it is the king who leads the nation
I am honored by your coming horn
why did you not call me?
Even Lord Brihaspati will be honored to be
...the Sage of a family in which you are born
So what if I have come?
Even the Gods will come here some day
To see if have fulfilled my duty?
Or to see the unvanquished Devavrata
defeated by his love for his father?
Do not go contrary to your Fate prince
You are a man of Action
Do your duty
Who knows for what Future the Present in preparing you
And now you too are leaving
I would come to you when I had a problem...
,, and you would solve it
Where will I go now?
That is why I have brought Kripacharya
After I leave I want you to accept him
as the Royal Sage
He is the son of Sage Shabdavan
and my disciple and
under the king's protection...
I cannot break the king's silence
And reach out to him
So look after your father's ward...
and give him your protection
A Sage requires no protection
but your order will be obeyed
Please accept me as your friend 0 Sage
You had a sister too?
Yes. She is married now
To whom? Dronacharya
So Dronacharya our relative
If I were young I would
learn archery from him
That is your modesty No
The one who holds Brahma's weapon
is to be respected
I am honored to be living in his era
We are all honored.
To be living in yours
Being a Brahmin you cannot
ask for a blessing
but you can give him one
There's no need for that
He has been blessed by God himself.
What blessing should I give you prince?
Bless me so that
I am able to break my father's silence
Which even that Sage could not do
Father's silence is like
an egotistic bird
pecking at Hastinapur
with its beak
Two moons rose
...in Hastinapur
Satyavati gave birth to two sons
Chitrangada and Vichitravirya
But instead of being happy
Shantanu became even more depressed
So depressed was he that
the entire palace was enveloped in it
The mind is saddened
by the turn of events
The mind cannot forget
...the quilt it accepts
What's wrong?
When I try to weigh
our happiness
our Love
and our children
...against
..., the injustice done to Bhishma
I find that my happiness,
.,, vanishes and
...I start crying
I had heard that
...crying lightens the heart
But my tears cannot lighten my heart
It is not that
I do not love my sons but
my kisses turn to ashes
when I am reminded of Bhishma
and the injustice done to him
This wound
will not heal easily
Why do you blame yourself beloved
I am the one to blame
for having staked the country's future for my love
I will have to face my ancestors
No
You are not to blame
You had in fact told my father
that his condition was unacceptable
But I allowed Bhishma
to cajole and coax me
into accepting his oath
I could have told him that
I did not want my peace of mind at that price
But I did nothing of the kind
You too were there my beloved
You tell me
Did I ever tell him that
I did not want Satyavati
or my peace of mind
at this price
In spite of this I granted him a boon
Go my son and, .,
...live this colorless life
We are both to blame my king
Just think
...thanks to God we are blessed
with two handsome princes
but the darkness in my heart.
...goes on increasing
It is this darkness that I am afraid of
Afraid?
Why are you afraid?
And of whom?
Sometimes I am afraid of my Present
...and sometimes of Hastinapur's Future
Let us then
...go to Bhishma
and request him to withdraw his oath
You have not understood Bhishma my love
His oath is very sacred to him
Like a commitment made to Cod
We have no alternative.
But to go on living in this hell
We can do nothing
but accept our Fate
Yes my king
that will be our penance...
and our repentance
I am tired now beloved
Tired and broken
I had granted Bhishma a boon to die when he wished
but I wish I had the boon
The dark depression in Shantanu's heart
enveloped the entire palace
Lying on his death bed, Shantanu
could say nothing
but his expressive eyes
bade a final goodbye to Satyavati
He entrusted his sons
to Bhishma
and passed away
The guilty heart
wishes for death
Gone is the chariot of fire
left are flowers on the pyre
Inspite of Bhishma's best efforts to console Shantanu
he could not get over his guilty conscience.
He handed over his sons, Chitrangadh and Vichitraviry,,
...to Bhishma and died
Bhishma made Chitrangadh the King
but he did not live long and was killed
...in battle with a Gandharva chief
also named Chitrangadh
Then Bhishma made Vichitravirya the King
With great pomp and show
Long live the King
my respects, mother
may you live long Son
Did you call me Mother? Yes
There is an important matter to discuss
What's worrying you, mother
Son
Shouldn't Vichitravirya get married now
and add to the Kuru dynasty?
I was about to suggest the same, Mother
what do you propose,, then?
3 daughters of the King of Kashi
Amba. Ambika and Ambalika
will be choosing their husbands soon
Take Vichitravirya there.,
Let us get their Invitation first
It will surely come
Fine, Mother I Shall wait for it,
The moment it comes,, I shall take him there,
Long live the Kashi King
This Is the royal court of Kashi
or shall we say. It is the Court
Of Ambika, Ambalika and Amba's father.
...Where Bhishma's death was decided
Whatever it may be called.
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