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...are bound by some loyalty or the other
Karna knows that he is Kunti's eldest son
But gratitude has bound him to Duryodhan
Grandsire Bhishma, Sages Drona and Kripa...
...are bound to Hastinapur
Only Vidur is not bound to anything
He is free of Hastinapur
Which is why when war become inevitable...
...though he decided to stay on in Hastinapur...
...he did decide...
...to resign from the Prime Ministership...
...during this battle between Truth and Untruth
Hastinapur, he felt, was under the banner of Untruth
Vidur?
My respects O King!
Why the surprise in your voice, my lord?
Have my footsteps changed?
No, Vidur! Your footsteps have not changed...
...but I am no longer confident...
...in recognising sounds
Maybe my ability to recognise sounds...
...is slowly fading away
O Vidur! You are an Evolved Soul!
An expert in Ethics!
Please guide me, my brother
O King!
When war is inevitable...
...a king should not be in a dilemma
Order your soul to close the doors...
...of your dilemma
That is the problem, Vidur!
Whenever I find a solution to my dilemma...
...you raise the matter all over again
I have come to you with a permanent solution
O King!
Medical Science says that if a part of the body is diseased...
...the surgeon should...
...cut away that portion
Hence, if I am...
...a diseased part of your Politics...
...I am willing to turn a surgeon...
...and have myself cut away from the polity
Are you talking of leaving me?
Has the cancer spread so far that...
...my younger brother Vidur...
...who was my shadow...
...now wants to leave me?
I can never leave you, my brother
Never!
But my loyalty to you has made me helpless
Now, I am resigning from...
...the Prime Ministership
No!
Which means...
...I am truly alone at last!
I never liked your advice but...
...your words reminded me of you
My dear Pandu has gone to Heaven...
...but you were with me
Now you wish to leave me alone...
...with the terrible result of the war
What should I do?
I am not in favour of war
That's why I will not fight...
...on any one side in this war
I am going home...
...where I shall isolate myself
Don't return without your turban
My respects!
Here!
Vidur pays the price...
...standing up for Truth
He resigns from his post...
...opening his eyes at last
Do not worry, sister!
If there is war, your sons will surely win
I am not worried about victory
I am worried about Duryodhan
Whatever he is, he is also my son
How can I mourn for him in front of his mother?
What do I say to her?
My respects!
May you live long!
Do not bless me thus!
What will I do with a long life?
If all the old people in Hastinapur die...
...it will be good for them
How many corpses can their feeble shoulders carry?
Do their old eyes have enough tears to shed...
...over every corpse
Is there any hope of avoiding war?
If there was hope...
...would I refuse a blessing?
What did Grandsire say?
He is now Commander of the Kaurav army
I don't understand...
...how the Pandavas will face him in war
Who can hurt a warrior with wishful death
But will he want to live...
...after seeing the corpses...
...of his sons and grandsons?
He represents the glory of our dynasty
Find a way to ensure his long life, Vidur
How can I ensure that?
Every road that leads to and goes away from Hastinapur...
...is the path of destruction
O God!
Where are you going?
I would leave if I could but...
...I, too, must share Hastinapur's destruction
The tears I am fated to shed...
...must be shed
No, Karna!
Charity begins at home, dear Karna
Please forgive your mother!
This arena is a public place I publicly announce...
...that I be declared the best archer...
...or the Kuru family's best archer...
...fight a duel with me and prove...
...that he is really the best archer
Allow me to introduce you to the archer...
...you have challenged
He is Arjun, son of King Pandu of the Lunar Dynasty
He is Queen Kunti's son and Sage Drona's student
Introudce yourself, archer
No!
No, Karna!
Forgive me, my son!
My respects, lady!
Sit in the shade of that tree...
...and tell me how I can serve you
Sit here!
Doesn't the Sunlight trouble you?
There is a scorching Sun in my heart
I have come to ask for something
I know that, lady
Everyone who comes to me, asks for something
But before asking, will you introduce yourself?
The manner in which you asked is not usual
It seems you are asking for a favour for the first time
If you cannot ask for a favour, don't!
Command me!
No! I don't have any right to order you
Only your mother Radha can do that
I bow to the lady...
...whom you call your mother...
...and receive her blessings
Do you know her?
Who in India does not know your mother?
Forget the others! Even I do not know my mother
She threw me in the River Ganga soon after my birth
The lady whose name you just took...
...is not my mother
She is more than a mother
She sang the lullabies that my mother...
...should have sang
Her gentle hands put me to sleep
It was in her lap that I was put to sleep
Even today when my soul is aching...
...it is she who applies the healing touch
Even then, my life is a vacuum
My heart still aches for my real mother
Sometimes I wish...
...I would meet her...
...and I, after bowing to her, should ask her:
Mother! Tell me, what is my fault?
For what crime am I being punished?
What if she explains her helplessness?
What will you do?
Helplessness?
God may become helpless...
...but a mother is never helpless
Even a mother can be helpless
I know your mother's helplessness
You know my mother's helplessness?
How do you know it?
I know it because...
...because I am the helpless mother...
...who had sacrified her first son
You!
You are my mother
Yes, my son! Yes!
I bow to the Queen Mother of Indraprasth!
My son!
Do not call me "son'! I am Radha's son, Radheya
And you are Queen Mother Kunti!
The mother of the Pandavas!
How surprising that Queen Kunti...
...should ask a charioteer's son for a favour
Ask, Queen Kunti!
To serve you is my pleasure
My son!
But please don't call me "son"
Why not, my son?
You are my son, Karna!
I was your son even then...
...when you rejected me
Even today it is not my love which has brought you here
It must be some other motive
It must be your selfishness
How can the chariatable Karna be so stern?
I am not being stern, mother
It is only the pain in my heart
You gave my share of your love to the other sons...
...and you are calling me stern?
The world heaped insults on me and yet...
...you remained quiet
How did you remember your rejected son?
What do you want from your discarded son?
Ask for what you want and return to the palace
If anyone sees you with me...
...questions will be asked...
...and you will not be able to tell him...
...that I am your son
You are as helpless today as you were...
...when I was born
For a moment...
...forget your bitterness...
...and lay your head on my lap
Allow me to stroke your head
Karna, my son!
My head, mother...
My head is not worthy...
...of being placed on your lap
I don't want to defile your lap
Don't say that, my son
I am not your son
Calling myself your son will be an insult...
...to the lady who brought me up
You are not my mother but Arjun's shield
Had you come here as my mother...
...you would have sat in your chariot...
...and told your charioteer:
O Charioteer!
Take me to my eldest son's house
At my house, you would have told the doorman:
Go and tell Karna...
...that his mother is here to bless him
But you did not do that...
...because you had nothing to give me
Instead, you chose this place and time with care
You knew I would not refuse any favours here
You are not here to make me your son...
...but to ask for Arjun's life
So, remove this mask of motherhood and ask!
Did you not recognise me in the arena?
If you did, why did you not stop Arjun and Bhim...
...from insulting me?
Why didn't you tell them that...
...I wasn't Radheya
When I was insulted in the Kuru court by your sons...
...why didn't you say that I was...
...also your son?
Why didn't you order them...
...to seek the blessings of their eldest brother?
It is not so, mother!
It is not that I did not cry for you...
...who gave me birth but rejected me
I often wondered what you looked like
My imagination would give you different forms
I would be restless to touch your feet
Sometimes I would even cry thinking about...
...the helplessness which made you reject me
Or else, which mother will give up her child?
This would act like a balm to my heart
But today...
...the politics of your motherhood has wounded me
You have not brought motherhood to me...
...but some mirage of motherhood
Today you have crossed all limits of injustice
Mother! Mother!
The word melts in my mouth
How I craved to call you that as a child!
But you were satisfied with your five sons
Today you want me to put my head in your lap?
You know very well that...
...I cannot accept that honour
I did not get you when I needed you the most
You left me wandering in a forest of insults
You watched as I was bloodied
Today you need me for your son's life
Why should I give it to you? Why?
Karna! My son!
I have bathed in your tears!
I am honoured, mother
Now tell me what do you wish of Radheya?
No Karna! You are not a Radheya
You are a Kaunteya!
My eldest son!
I am proud to be your mother
I will tell the world that I am a mother...
...of not five but six brave warriors
What is the use of saying that now?
Let me be Radheya
Radheya is indebted to a few people...
...and he must pay them back
Tell me, what did you want of me?
Don't disappoint me, my son!
If what you want is in my power to give...
...you won't be disappointed
Command me!
Now that you know you are a Kaunteya...
...it is not right that you should fight your brothers
I have come here to take you with me
Come to your brothers. They will embrace you
You will rule the world
This is the second time I being called to do that
Yesterday, Krishna tried to bribe me...
...and today you are trying to bribe me
No, Karna! This is not a bribe
It is your right!
My heart is so full of bitterness and sadness...
...that there is no place for any ambition
I cannot carry out your order
But why not, my son?
Because I became a Kaunteya today!
It is my second birth
But who will repay the debts of Radheya?
When my mother was not my own
When my brothers were not my own
When I had no friend in this world
Duryodhan extended a hand of friendship
Will it be right of me to...
...desert him and walk into the Pandava camp?
This is the debt of gratitude
I do not even want to die before repaying it
Only my backing has made him fight this war
Should I now go to him and say:
The Pandavas are my brothers. Find another friend
I am cursed by Sage Parshuram and a Brahmin
Lord Indra has taken away my shield
Krishna and now you have disarmed me
Even then, I am compelled to fight for Duryodhan...
...as you were compelled to reject me
Mother! You wanted a favour of me...
...and I could not grant it
Please forgive me!
But I'll not send you back empty-handed
You are a mother of five sons
None except the Sun God, you and I know...
...that you have six sons
So, O mother!
Whatever the result of the war...
...you will have five sons!
If I die in battle...
...Arjun will survive
If he dies in battle, I shall survive
You will remain a mother of five sons
O mother! Your motherhood...
...will never be suspect
Whether Karna survives or Arjun survives
You will be a mother of five sons
Greetings, Krishna
Please sit!
How is elder father?
First ask about our own mother
He is older than her
Then ask about Grandsire
He is not the King!
He is a king who has usurped the rights of his nephews
A warrior's duty is to protect Civilisation
The day he does not do so, the Sun will blacken
How is Elder Father?
Healthy but worried!
Even Grandsire and the Sages are healthy and worried
The King is worried for a different reason...
...and the Sages for another
The King is worried about the war...
...and the Sages with the result of the war
Which means, war is certain
Yes Arjun! War is certain
I did my best to avoid this war...
...but Duryodhan is keen on war
So, war is certain!
Now tell us, how is mother?
Aunt Kunti has sent a special message for you
She said: The day has come for which mothers...
...give birth to brave sons
Why did you not bring her with you?
She should not stay in the enemy camp
That is the Ethics of war
This war is unlike other wars
The scope of this war is not limited to...
...the clash of weapons
The dust from the horses hooves will eclipse the Sun
Day will look like night
Every heart will become a private battlefield
Hence, each one is searching for a frame of reference
Aunt Kunti will also take part
She has already selected her battlefield
She will stay there
If Duryodhan asks for her blessings...
...she will bless him with a long life
I have come for your blessing
May you live long!
I wanted a blessing of victory from you
Did your mother bless you thus?
No!
She'll never bless me before you do!
Did Grandsire bless you thus?
He will lead my army. For me that is a blessing
Did Sage Drona and Kripa bless you thus?
They will command units in my army
And Vidur?
He will never bless me thus!
He does not want me to win
He is not my well wisher
He is Hastinapur's well wisher...
...and also yours!
If elders scold you, you must not be angry
Nor should you doubt their love for you
But if you oppose Hastinapur Vidur will not side with you
Do you oppose Hastinapur, Duryodhan?
Hastinapur is our capital. How can I oppose it?
Hastinapur is not only our capital
It is the focus of our dynasty
It is our history, our culture
The city is your Elder Mother
Do not think of it as a capital alone!
This city is the Kuru honour
If it is lost, the Kurus will have nothing
This city is your identity
Protect it but also respect it
Bow to the city and ask for a blessing of victory
I cannot give you that blessing
Does it mean you do not wish me to be victorious?
I am standing between victory and defeat...
...with my tears in check
Whoever is defeated, I'll have to cry
I am not happy with you but I don't want you to die
That is why I blessed you with a long life
If you must wage war...
...wear the shield of this blessing
But I don't know if this shield will protect you...
...from Arjun's arrows and Bhim's mace
Truth stands at the crossroads
Kunti's heart is in turmoil
Whom to bless with Victory?
Whom to curse with Death?
Both sides are her own hands
Both sides are her own branches
Whom should she open her heart to?
Whom should she condemn to the pyre?
Hastinapur's mothers are in a dilemma
They cannot even bless their sons
Never were times so difficult for mothers
Had it not been so, would it be possible that...
...Duryodhan would ask for a blessing...
...and the large-hearted Kunti would refuse?
By blessing Duryodhan with a long life...
...Kunti became the prototype of motherhood
As a mother, she understood Gandhari's torment
Which is why she did not want...
...Gandhari to lose a son
But wars are not fought under a mother's shadow
What shall I do now?
Take a decision!
What decision will he take?
Maybe he does not even remember...
...why my hair are unbraided
It is I who will take a decision
Explain to Draupadi that I am not a coward
I am not only a warrior but also a king
The king's duty is much more serious than a warrior's
I must also protect those who will fight on my behalf
My brothers are not bound by this
Your unbraided hair sting me like a serpent
But I am not only a husband, Draupadi
And I am not only a wife!
If you are the King of Indraprasth...
...then I am its Queen
I don't want Indraprasth
I want blood from Dushasan's chest...
...in which to wash the insult from my hair
You will get that blood! I promise you
Grandsire is not the only one who can live an oath
Do not drown yourself in anger, Bhim
Talk like a Commander
The Kaurava army is larger than yours
The odds are eleven to seven!
The odds increase further when you realise that...
...their Chief Commander is Grandsire...
...who has the boon of wishful death
Then there is Sage Drona and Karna...
...Sage Kripa...
...Dushasan and Duryodhan himself
Our warriors are also no less
King Dhrupad of Virat...
...Princes Dhristadyuma and Shikhandi...
...Sartaki, Bhim and Arjun
Who can dare face them?
And do not forget
You are also with us!
But I am unarmed!
We wanted you unarmed...
...so that you could bless us
We have plenty of weapons and so do they!
But we have Draupadi's unbraided hair...
...and we have you!
Something else is also with you
Which is why I am with you
Truth is on your side
So, think of...
...who will lead your army
What about King Dhrupad?
He is Sage Bhargava's disciple and respected
He is a representative of an earlier era
This is a war of this era and will be fought thus
I think the only young warrior worth appointing...
...will be the Fire-born Dhristadyuma
Why not Prince Shikhandi?
There is no point in discussing this
Whether you fight or not, you are our leader
You tell us who will be the best choice
I think Arjun's suggestion is the best
Dhristadyuma is the best choice
The King was quiet but the Prince...
...has asked you to pose the question in person
Do me another favour. Please return...
...and tell them Draupadi only listens to her elders
If Grandsire desires that I, the Kuru honour...
...come there, I will surely come
If Elder Father desires this, I will come
If Uncle Vidur thinks it right...
...then I'll come
But if these people don't think it is right...
...then I won't go there
The Prince will send me back
Won't you do this much for me?
Don't take me there like this!
I am the honour of the Kuru dynasty!
Today you are nothing but a maid
I have not even had a ritual bath
Quiet!
Stop Dushasan! Stop!
I cannot even face my own family like this
I haven't paid my respects to mother...
...and you are dragging me to an open court
Those who know me will understand
What about the others?
How will you explain your behaviour to them?
What if you meet your elder brother...
...and he asks you why you are dragging me
What will you say to him?
How can you drag the Kuru honour like this?
Learn to talk to Princes, maid!
The Pandavas will never forgive you for this
Quiet!
Even if they do, I won't let them!
From today I am a sign of their insult
Here is the woman with five husbands!
What did you say?
A blind man's son is blind!
Seat this maid on my thigh!
Turning your eyes away is not the solution
I, your daughter-in-law, wrapped in a single cloth...
...without a ritual bath...
...pays her respects to you in open court
What blessing will you give me now?
You are the eldest Kuru
A brave warrior steeped in knowledge
Had you promised to protect only the Kuru throne?
Doesn't the Kuru honour mean anything?
It doesn't befit you to hide your face
A woman who has five husbands is a ***!
And a *** has no honour
Had she been brought nude it would not be wrong
Sit down!
My friend is right!
A *** or a maid has no honour
Disrobe this maid!
Let me see how this maid looks...
...without clothes
Sister!
I was explaining to my hair...
...that the days of exile are over
These serpents have stung me for thirteen years
Each day of these years was like a hundred years
We have drunk deeply from the cup of insults
I'll get the blood from Dushasan's chest, won't I?
You will! I promise you that!
Then I salute the chief of the Pandava army!
Till she washes her hair...
...in the blood from Dushasan's chest...
...Draupadi will not give up...
...her concentration on Total Destruction
My lord!
Yes, my dear
Prevent this war, my lord!
Will Duryodhan listen to us?
Do I have the right to order Pandu's sons...
...not to wage war?
Let alone war, they did not even want Indraprasth
They wanted only five villages!
History will hold you responsible
I am not worried about History
I am worried about the Present...
...which waits at Vidur's house in the form of Kunti
Why doesn't she go to her sons?
What does she want?
Will her sons get justice if she stays here?
What about the injustice done to me?
I don't want war!
But if war knocks at my door...
...as a warrior I must open it
Listen! War has not yet begun
You can still prevent it!
How?
Leave the palace and sit on your chariot
Tell Sanjay...
...to take you to Lord Krishna's house
Request him!
He is the only one who can prevent this war
He can stop the army from marching
No Gandhari! That's not possible
Krishna is no longer neutral
The Yadava army is on our side but...
...he is on Pandavas" side
Don't cry Gandhari!
Don't worry either!
A mother of a hundred sons and you are scared!
Look at the confidence of Kunti...
...who has only five sons
It is not right that the two branches...
...of the same tree should get entangled
Whether your right eye cries or your left eye...
...it is you who will weep
Whether it is Bhim's mace or Duryodhan's...
...it is I who will be hurt
O King!
Save me from this pain!
I will not be able to bear it!
O son of Ganga!
No one can do anything!
That is the rule of Time! That is Fate!
The foundation of what is to happen was laid long ago
Circumstances test every man...
...but Man is responsible for his state
That is Fate...
...and also bad luck!
What can I do, O Sage?
I never knew my mother. Hastinapur is my mother
I cannot see its downfall
You will have to witness it!
Sometimes duty tests a man's tolerance
This is such a moment
Therefore, empty your eyes so that you may cry
Is that all you can say to me, O Sage?
Unlike Dhritirashtra, you need not be told anything
You know what can be said in such a situation
There is an eclipse on the thirteenth
This is the first such eclipse
It is an indication of destruction
I know that, O Sage!
I am the Chief of such an army...
...which is destined to lose
I know that, too!
Maybe even you realise that...
...I am helpless
Helpless!
O Sage!
My respects to you!
You are already blessed with a long life
What blessing can I give you?
A long life is not always good
If there is none else, what will you do with it?
O Sage?
Sages are free of temptation
They neither cry nor laugh
Which is why they can speak bitter truths
I have come to you with one such truth
Order me!
No orders, O King! Just advice!
Do not allow the war at your door to enter
But I don't desire war
What can I do?
My sons are not in my control
All right, O King!
I shall grant you divine sight...
...so that you may see the destruction
No, O Sage!
What will do with divine sight?
When I could not see them as...
...children or youth...
...why see their corpses?
What will I be able to do?
I won't even recognise the corpses...
...whether it is Bhim or Duryodhan
I only know how to listen
So, O Sage!
Grant this divine sight to Sanjay...
...so that I can listen...
...to his account of the war
As you please, O King!
Now you can see the Past, Present and Future
You can see all!
O Sage! I shall be grateful if you tell me...
...the result of this war
Trees not only give shade but are also used as fuel
Trees which cannot give shade, should be cut...
...so that they make way for shade-giving trees
Who will be cut down?
Sanjay will answer that question
What did the Sage say?
Why do we wage war?
What is there in a piece of land that we are willing...
...to forget our relationships?
Land is a reflection of power
Land is a measure of power
That is why people stake their lives for it
Without power, a warrior's life is meaningless
Hence, use your divine sight and...
...tell me where my son Duryodhan is
He is in his room with...
...Karna, Shakuni, Prince Dushasan...
...and Shakuni's son Ulluk
I think we should send a message to Yuddhistir...
...that we are not afraid of Krishna
We, too, can perform the "miracles" he did
We, too, can alter ourselves and fly in the sky
We, too, can enter Heaven
If we want we...
Yes, nephew! Yes!
They sent the first representative
We will send the last!
What is the point in all that?
We will soon be in the battlefield...
...where we will test our mights
Don't you have a sense of humour?
But I think that is the right thing to do
Whom should we send, Uncle?
What about Karna?
Don't even think of it
If we send Karna and...
...if he disagrees with anything...
...he will start a war on the spot...
...and won't return till he has won it
Then what about our thirst for war?
That's why, my dear nephew...
...I think we should send Ulluk...
...so that he can see them before the war
You are right, Uncle!
After the war...
...their faces won't be worth seeing
Absolutely right!
Now what message has Duryodhan sent
The fact is not worth pondering over...
...but since he has sent someone, let's listen to him
My respects!
You are welcome, Ulluk!
Please be seated
What message has Duryodhan sent?
Come on, Prince Ulluk. What is the message?
O King! O heir of Bharat!
I am a mere messenger
I hope you will protect my Code
The message I am about to deliver is Duryodhan's
The message and the words are his
Don't be afraid! Say what you have to say
As you wish!
O King! Duryodhan has sent this message:
You lost your kingdom, wife and brothers at Dice
Your wife was dragged into court but you kept quiet
You were in exile for twelve years
You spent your anonymity as slaves in Virat
You are cowards. You may have been warriors...
...but are no longer warriors
How dare you ask for Indraprasth?
According to the bet, you should go into exile again...
...since your anonymity was broken
So, first go back into exile...
...and then return to beg for five villages
Maybe we will even give you Indraprasth
If you can't do this, don't pretend to be Truthful
Your messenger Krishna asked for five villages
I refused to give you those because...
...you are treacherous and Untruthful
You love your crown more than your wife
If it were not so, you would have attacked us...
...rather than send a messenger...
...irrespective of whether you got Indraprasth...
...or died fighting for it
Your first duty was to seek Revenge...
...and not ask for the crown
You are greedy for a kingdom
A person who cannot protect his wife's honour...
...is not a warrior, not even a man
The message is: Forget war
The magical power of Krishna on whom you rely...
...will not affect us because...
...even we have these powers
In war, one needs strength and not magical powers
Forget about war, O foolish Yuddhistir!
Accept slavery in Virat
There's a message for Arjun:
Use your bow and not your tongue
If self-praise could work...
...then salvation could be achieved thus...
...because who will not praise himself?
You have Krishna on your side as also the Gandiva
Everyone knows you are a great warrior
Yet, I took away your kingdom and you could only cry
I have enjoyed Indraprasth for 13 years...
...and my many generations will continue to do so
If there is war, I'll kill all of yo
O Arjun! When Draupadi was disrobed...
...your Gandiva was with you
And where was Bhim's strength on that day?
You are all impotent
So, don't be foolish and challenge warriors
Stay where you are!
O Ulluk, son of treacherous Shakuni!
You did your duty by giving us this message
We did ours by listening to it
Now return and tell Duryodhan
You could not live like a warrior...
...at least try to die like a warrior
It is not easy to embrace Death like a warrior
It is very difficult
Lord Krishna says O Duryodhan!
You could not live like a warrior...
...at least try to die like one
Enough Sanjay!
I don't want to listen any more
As you wish!
Vidur has stopped visiting me
I have none except you
Tell me!
Should I order Duryodhan...
...or request him?
Neither your order nor your request...
...will stop this war
Time will now bathe in a river of blood
All you can do now is...
...give up your throne and retire to the forest
Mother!
Come!
My respects, mother!
May you live long!
I shall be marching towards Kurukshetra
Is this war necessary?
If it were not necessary, would I go there?
Now like a warrior's mother annoint me...
...and bless me with victory
Even if I bless you with victory...
...it will be of no use
Understand one thing!
Where there is Truth, there is Krishna!
Where there is Krishna, there is victory!
And today...
...Krishna is in the Pandava camp
A mother's blind love may bless you but...
...Truth will eventually triumph
If you really want to wage war...
...then do so with yourself...
...not Krishna
For that war, I shall definitly bless you
I want your blessing for this war
Even if you do not bless me...
...I will march to Kurukshetra for the ultimate war
Now tell me...
...will you bless me or not?
No!
I will never give you that blessing
All right, mother!
I shall leave for Kurukshetra...
...without touching your feet
My respects!
O Lord Shiva!
A mother has refused to grant her son...
...the blessing of victory
The stubborn son leaves for war...
...with his confidence unshaken
Had I not been Time...
...I would have run away from...
...the brave warriors...
...who are marching towards Kurukshetra
Apart from Balram...
...and Rukmini's brother Rukhmi...
...there isn't a single warrior...
...who is neutral
Man is destined to witness many wars...
...but none will be as terrible as...
...the Kurukshetra war
A sea of blood lies ahead of me
I must cross it to get ahead
The flags flutter in the strong wind
The chariot horses neigh
The elephants trumpet
The trees stand by in silence
The wind watches the armies go by
A dark night lies ahead
India, it is thy Fate
Death stands at the Kuru door
The Earth itself is on fire
The Kings of every nation...
...its Princes and Commanders...
...march towards Kurushetra
It is a holy war. It is the ultimate war
All the roads lead to the battleground
The air is filled with the sounds of war
Soldiers, elephants and chariots march on
Brave warriors all are bursting with courage
The instruments of war make a terrible noise
The dust rises as if to kiss the skies
It is a holy war. It is the ultimate war
Dhrupad is with his brave sons
There is Prince Uttar with his brave warriors
There is the able archer Sartaki with his army
All swear by the Fire to vanquish the enemy
Prince Sahadev of Magadh with his mighty army
The King of Chedi raises his banner to the sky
It is a holy war. It is the ultimate war
Yuddhistir advances with his weapons
Powerful Bhim wields the mace
Brave Nakul and Sahadev are like Fire itself
Draupadi's five sons, and Subhadra's son Abhimanyu
Young warriors all, but respected by Time itself
Krishna is astride a chariot of white horses
There is famous Arjun with his Gandiva
These are all warriors on the Pandava side
Those on the Kaurav side are no less brave
In a white armour and white chariot...
...white-haired Bhishma marches on
Behind him is brave Duryodhan...
...with Sages Drona, Kripa and a mighty army
Marching with him is ace archer Karna...
...Kripaverma, Ulluk and Yuyutsu
There is also ferocious Ashwathama
Uncle Shakuni marches with an unsheathed sword
There is also Dushasan, an expert of chariot war
The very Earth quakes as they all march by
All the peace proposals which were advanced...
...have all been unsuccessful
Everyone is ready to kill and to die
There is fire in their eyes and power in their arms
The Conches of war are being blown all over
The air echoes with the sound. The darkness is over
Faith rears up. Warriors are all eager
Time itself has opened...
...the doors of war
Did you see Commander
We did not inform Yuddhistir...
...from which direction we would come...
...but he seems to have found out
Look at the welcome that awaits us
Hail King of Madra!
We welcome you on behalf of our King
How did you know from where we would come?
We did not know this
Hence, a welcome awaits you an every road from Madra
Even your foot soldiers will be taken care of
May I show you to the royal tent?
- Of course - This way
Hail King of Madra!
I'll praise you to King Yuddhistir
Not only will I reward you but so will he
Your happiness is our reward
Did you hear that! That is a true welcome
Look how cleverly he refused a gift
Your happiness is our reward! Very good!
Look! If we act according to plan then...
Greetings Prince!
- Has King Shalya come? - Yes sir
He is so happy that he is going to tell Yuddhistir
- Yuddhistir? - Yes, my lord
Did you hear that, Uncle?
Uncle Shalya is going to tell Yuddhistir
An Uncle like his nephews
If you can get him on our side...
...the Pandavas will be shamed...
...for all time to come
I am very happy
I'll reward you after I return from war
You have served your country well
Hail Prince!
Ask Brother whom we are waiting for
- You ask - I?
- How can I? I'm younger - And I am older
Okay!
Brother!
Arjun wants to ask you something
Why don't you ask, Arjun?
What is there to ask?
We must be waiting with a purpose
I am waiting for Uncle Shalya
We should wait for him
He is to play a significant part in this war
Whom will he kill?
War does not mean only killing
I rarely understand what you are saying
Why blame him for your limitations?
If Krishna says Uncle will play an important role...
...then he will do so
Does the arrow first pierce the chest or the shield?
It must pierce the shield before the chest
Not necessary, Nakul
Some shields are special!
We should wait for the King of Madra
If you know, why don't you tell us?
Use words like "if" with great care...
...and responsibility
It is a strong word and yet, gentle
It opens the door of possibilities
Every soldier about to wage war...
...must close the doors of possibilities
We all know the King of Madra well
You are also related to him
There is an Uncle on that side
Whether we have someone like Shakuni or not...
...we must have an Uncle
Wait!
Victory to the king!
Should we camp here, my lord?
Has King Yuddhistir allowed us to camp even once?
We cannot insult him by camping here
March on!
Victory to the King!
The Crown Prince of Hastinapur...
...Kuru Prince Duryodhan would like to see you
Duryodhan!
Why does he want to see me?
I am going to fight against him
All right! If he is already here...
...bring him in with respect
As you wish!
Leave us alone!
My respects Uncle!
Welcome to King Yuddhistir's camp!
Yuddistir's camp?
Yes! He has not let us camp. At the end of every day...
...we found his army of servants ready
I have never seen such hospitality
Now that's an injustice!
What injustice?
That Duryodhan should do the service and...
...Yuddhistir should get the credit
What are you saying?
Service is not done with the fruit in mind
Besides, a family member gets the credit
He is as much Duryodhan's uncle as Nakul's
Isn't it?
Why are you worried?
It remains in the family, doesn't it?
War does not mean that the Pandavas are strangers
Of course not!
You cannot separate water by striking it
Even then...
...your servants should have told me that...
...they were your servants
But you did not ask them!
You merely said you were happy with their service...
...and would tell Yuddhistir about it
But I am going to fight for the Pandavas
I am not stopping you from doing so
It was my duty to serve you
I was only doing my duty
Even if it was done unknowingly...
...I have partaken of your hospitality
I cannot leave without granting you a boon
Ask for something!
Forgive me Uncle
I do not trade my hospitality
I cannot sell my hospitality...
...even if you pay for it with your boons
Then fight me! I cannot remain obliged to you
Forgive me once again
You are my guest
I cannot fight you in my own camp
Then you must ask for a boon. Ask!
This is an order, Duryodhan...
...and you must obey your elders
Now, you must ask for something
Don't worry! He is your uncle like I am
Ask!
If you wish to give me something...
...then as a blessing...
...agree to be the chief of Hastinapur's army
Yes, my king
I?
That can't be when Bhishma is there
Then honour me by being my charioteer
Krishna will be Arjun's charioteer
I, too, need a charioteer of that eminence
Who else in the world can it be but you?
Arjun on that side and I on the other
Krishna on one side and you on the other
And the world as witness!
I must prove worthy of Sage Parshuram
I don't want the world to say that...
...Sage Drona's disciple is better than Parshuram's
Both of us have bows, O King
Both of us have arrows
Both of us are experts at warfare
But he has Krishna as a charioteer...
...and I don't have one of that eminence
All right, O King of Anga!
I will be your charioteer because...
...you are the only warrior...
...who will dare hand over his horses' reins...
...into the hands of the enemy
I cannot insult you by refusing
King Shalya will be Karna's charioteer?
Yes sir!
He agreed to the proposal in my presence
This will change the very nature of the duel
Apart from Krishna, there is none better than him
He is the best!
I had come to give you this good news
Where's King Shalya now?
He has gone to give Yuddhistir the news
Looks like eventually their warriors will side with us
Only the Pandavas will be left on that side
Allow me to leave now! My respects!
You may not fight for the Pandavas...
...but surely you can bless them
Or are your blessings only for Duryodhan?
I could not even dream that Duryodhan...
...would ask for such a boon
He knew I was on the Pandavas side
He has acted treacherously
He has violated the limits of hospitality
My blessings will always be with the Pandavas
O Yuddhistir! May you be successful
My strength is with them
My weaponery is with them
My army is with them
But my blessings are with you
My life is for you! Only you!
Uncle! You have shamed us!
Don't leave the path of tolerance
I am not arguing, Brother but...
...how can I forget that day in the forest...
...when Mother Kunti told Draupadi to look after me...
...because I was her favourite son?
How can I forget that Mother...
...always fed me before the the rest of you?
Wasn't I the first to escape from the Wax House?
And my uncle will fight all of you!
He will drive Karna's chariot in the duel!
O King of Madra! Before doing that...
...ask for Mother Kunti's forgiveness
Say that you are not obliged to her
O King of Madra! Today you have...
...really made us their step brothers
No! You are dearer to me than my own brothers
By saying that you have insulted both our mothers
We are fortunate that both our mothers have...
...showered us with their love
Our souls are filled with our mothers' love
Do not be angry with Uncle Shalya
He has done what a warrior should
Let me ask you a question!
Will you allow a warrior...
...indebted to Duryodhan fight for you?
Uncle could not remain indebted to him
Grandsire, too, will fight on Duryodhan's side
So will Sage Drona! Do they love Duryodhan more?
Do not be so harsh to Uncle Shalya
Go and ask for his forgiveness
And after this day, never again...
...call yourself a step brother
Forgive me Uncle! I have erred
If Mother knows of this...
...she will be angry and deny me her love
Should I break my word or my relationship?
That is the dilemma facing the Soul
The brave embrace one another...
...wondering which to honour
Hail Queen!
Yes?
Queen Kunti is on her way here
Kunti is coming to see me?
Don't think that...
...I'll forgive your past harshness...
...because you have come to meet me now
No! I won't talk to you
What do you think of yourself?
Are you elder to me?
Sister!
Don't you dare "sister" me now
Were you not reminded of me before this?
Are you just?
Why punish me for the crimes of this palace...
...King Dhritirashtra and Prince Duryodhan
Forgive me, Sister!
I won't forgive you!
As your younger sister...
...it is my right to be forgiven
Then tell Draupadi...
...to forgive Duryodhan and Dushasan
She is elder to them
You are the eldest, Sister!
Have you forgiven them?
No!
I may forgive both of them but...
...I'll never forgive Karna or Shakuni
Both keep provoking Duryodhan
Karna is indebted to Duryodhan
He is merely trying to pay back the debt
Why are you making excuses for him?
The truth is not making excuses
His very life is devoted to Duryodhan
It is his mission in life
Forget him and his debt
Both of us are caught in a whirlpool
We cannot bless any one of them with victory
Nor can we curse them with defeat
Come Kunti! Let us mourn...
...the fall of the Bharat dynasty
Give me your word...
...that you will never curse my sons
A mother can never curse
She can only bless and hope
Today I was scared
Vidur's wife is pious but...
...she has no courage
That's why I came to you
Only you understand the language of my tears
Below this bandage...
...my eyes have the same tears
Our eyes may be separate...
...but it seems that...
...our tears are the same
Duryodhan had come to me before going to war
He wanted a blessing for victory
You did not give it, did you?
That's why I wanted your forgiveness
For the first time, he wanted something...
...and I could not give it
Had you blessed him with victory...
...all would be lost
But I blessed him with a long life
My motherhood is indebted to you!
My lord!
Why had Kunti come to you
For forgiveness!
For what?
She wanted my forgiveness...
...for not blessing Duryodhan with victory...
...when he went to pay obeisance
Why is God testing our motherhood?
God does not confide in me, Gandhari
My lord, with your permission...
...I would like to request Krishna...
...to protect my sons
O son of Yashoda and Nand!
I beg for peace
Save India from the sea of blood
No!
A warrior's wife never begs but always gives
Besides, he did come to us as a peace messenger
We refused his offer
We have ourselves invited this war
For the first time in my life...
...I welcome my Fate
I bow to it!
Why blame Fate
Your Actions are to blame
Why delude yourself?
Recognise yourself!
Neither is there the gentle sunshine of love...
...nor the healing shade of forgiveness
I stand alone in the forest of Anger...
...Insult and Pride
My voice is trapped like feet in marshy ground
The story is still far from finished
In truth, what I have narrated so far...
...is only the introduction
The story will begin and end...
...in Kurukshetra
In truth, this centuries-old story...
...is the story of those eighteen days
Of course, it is true that...
...these eighteen days are like eighteen centuries
But before we reach Kurukshetra...
...it is important for you to know...
...the few things that remain to be said
The title of this episode could well be Shikhandi
Shikhandi who was known as Amba in his previous birth
Amba, the Princess of Kashi...
...who was kidnapped by Bhishma for Vichitravirya...
...along with her sisters Ambika and Ambalika
I am sure you remember the Amba...
...who challenged Bhishma in Hastinapur's court...
...that she would take birth after birth...
...so as to avenge her insult
Her insulted soul has journeyed far
So, let us first go to Shikhandi's camp
Brother!
Come youngster!
Why poison the arrow heads?
The brave warrior has many names
Devavrata! Bhishma! The son of Ganga!
The taint of insult on my forehead
I will kill him for you, my brother!
No!
One must avenge one's own insults
He is my debtor
I re-live my insult every moment of the day
The day of marriage for the Kashi Princesses
Not a single day has passed after that...
...when I have not re-lived that day
I have to merely close my eyes...
...to see the court of Kashi and...
...the demon of insult dancing before me
The court was filled with brave warriors
The arrival of one man wiped off the smiles
Bhishma, son of Ganga, is on his way!
Bhishma's oath has lost to the beauty of the Princesses
The oath has been left behind
Beware!
I represent Hastinapur's King Vichitravirya
The Princesses of Kashi have always wed the Kurus
The same will happen today!
I claim the three Princesses for Vichitravirya
You have insulted Hastinapur by arranging this marriage
However, I forgive you!
The Princesses have a right to choose a husband
Not these Princesses!
In any case, there is none worthier than I
Bhishma! Give rein to your tongue
I only rein my horses
Had I not granted you life once before...
...I would have punished you for interrupting me
I announce in this court...
...that I am taking away the Princesses
Does anyone dare stop Bhishma?
Allow the Princesses to leave, O King of Kashi
Turn the chariot!
Yes! I am Shalva!
I have no dearth of arrows, Shalva but...
...I'll not take the life I have granted
I forgive you once again
Let's return to Hastinapur
May I make a request Queen Mother?
Call me mother, Amba
My request is to the Queen Mother
You may speak!
Before Bhishma came I had, in my mind...
...already chosen Shalva as my husband
Why didn't you tell me that before?
Fear! I was afraid of you
Then Vichitravirya cannot marry Amba
You are right!
Don't worry Princess
You shall be sent to Shalva with honour
Tell Bhishma I do not accept charity
Another thing! Tell him...
...he has insulted me by sending you back
I have been insulted by Bhishma
Had he not sent me to Shalva I wouldn't be insulted
Order Bhishma to honour his Warrior Code...
...and accept me as his wife
Victory to the King!
I am bound by my oath, I cannot marry
Why then did you bring me here?
I had announced in court that...
...I was representing Hastinapur
My lord, I was kidnapped...
...when I was holding the marriage garland
My sisters accepted you as their husband. I don't
Now I wish to marry Bhishma
That's not possible
Why not?
Because I have sworn bachelorhood
Learn to fear a wounded tigress, an insulted woman
You cannot salvage my honour merely because you are...
...bound by an oath!
In this royal court and in the King's presence...
...I, too, swear an oath
I'll never forgive you for this insult...
...even if I have to take birth again and again
I will avenge this insult by causing your death
Amba swallowed her humiliations and...
...reached a hermitage
After listening to her, the Sage said...
...a woman has two refuges: Father or husband
Amba said there was no question of refuge
It was a matter of insult and its penalty
Amba did not want refuge...
...but sought revenge
We live in a strange society, my brother
A man even controls a woman's honour and insult
She has no personal honour or insult
But Amba was unwilling to accept this
She had been insulted
So, she wanted to take revenge herself
So, she said to the Sages
O Sages! I cannot go to Kashi now
There I'll have to face the ridicule of my colleagues
I cannot go to Shalva for he has already rejected me
I have only one option left to me...
...that of penance
Penance is not easy, Princess
I know! But I have no other alternative
So, I have to tread the path which is open to me...
...no matter how difficult it is
O Sages! Penance cannot be...
...more difficult than bearing humiliation
But my child...
Welcome Revered Sage Hotravaan!
Please be seated!
The Sages seem worried
It is a serious matter
This is the Princess of Kashi, Amba
Listening to Amba's tale...
...Sage Hotravaan was shocked into silence
I had renounced the world before your birth
So, you do not know me. I am your grandfather
Don't go to your father
Go to Sage Parshuram
He has an antidote for your sorrow and anger
Where can I meet him?
On Mount Mahendra
He is my friend and schoolmate
May you live long!
Please be seated O Sage!
This is my grand daughter Amba
I was just suggesting that she meet you...
...because only you have an antidote for her sorrow
May you live long!
What is your problem?
Bhishma has insulted her
He kidnapped her and now refuses to accept her
If that is so, Bhishma must accept her
That is the code
My respects! A Sage wishes to see you
- My respects - May you live long
Please be seated!
I have a message from Sage Parshuram
From my teacher!
What does he order?
He is here on a special mission and...
...wishes that you do something for him
His wish is my command. What is the task?
He will tell you himself
When you did not want to marry, why kidnap Amba?
And when you have kidnapped her...
...why have you rejected her?
The result is she is alone and helpless
It is for this that Shalva rejected her
With Fire as your witness you must accept her
Honour the Code of a warrior
O Sage! Now I cannot even wed her to my brother
Amba told me she had accepted Shalva as husband
I sent her to Shalva with honour and...
...did my duty as a warrior
Devavrata! If you do not obey me...
...you'll have to fight me
I do not wish to insult you...
...by trying to explain to you
No, Bhishma
Go ahead and do that
O Sage! You are my teacher
How can you fight your disciple?
It is the teacher's duty to punish an erring disciple
I repeat: Accept Amba
That's impossible!
If you really order me to fight you...
...your disciple will respect that command
I know you have defeated the warriors single handed
But O greatest of teachers! Even you know that...
...none among the warriors you fought...
...could vanquish your warrior's pride
Devavrata has been born in this age
Proceed to the battlefield!
Let me see...
...how well I have taught my disciple
As you command!
O Teacher!
You stand on the ground
I cannot fight you from this chariot
Wear an armour and fetch a chariot!
This land is my chariot, the clouds my horses
The wind my charioteer
The Vedas are my armour
O Teacher! Permit me to fight you!
Bless me with victory!
Your humility has pleased me
Anyone who desires success must be humble
In particular, those who fight their elders
Had you not done this, I would have cursed you
Go! Fight such a war that...
...your teacher is not shamed
On guard!
On guard!
That is the Ashwapatra!
What does it do?
It is a precise weapon
Only Bhishma knows how to use the weapon
If he does use it on Sage Parshuram...
...then his defeat is guaranteed
Wait!
O Bhishma of the Bharat dynasty!
Do not use the Ashwapatra
Its use will humiliate your teacher. Do not use it
O best of my disciples! O son of Ganga!
O great warrior Bhishma!
Today you have defeated your teacher
No teacher will ever get a disciple like you
But my child...
...I cannot retreat from the battlefield
So, either kill me...
...or retreat
O Teacher! I fought you to obey your order
If you order me to retreat...
...I shall retreat
Let's go!
I have seen Bhishma defeat Sage Parshuram
Then I decided I would have to do everything myself
I did severe penance. The result was...
...half my body became the River Amba
The other half became a Princess of Matsya
But this did not serve my purpose
I did penance once again
Lord Shiva himself granted me the boon...
...that I would be the cause of Bhishma's death
Then I said: O Lord!
I am a woman. How can I kill a warrior like Bhishma
Then the Lord said: You'll achieve manhood
After obtaining another body you'll remember all this
You'll be born to Dhrupad and become a warrior
So, my brother, Lord Shiva's boon stands before you
Brother!
She could not complete her oath
Her entire life was spent
Amba was born once again
The Past had taken a new form
I don't want the matter to reach the battlefield
I don't want to decide on whom to side with
Guide me O mother! Help me!
My respects mother!
Have I erred?
Why do you run to your mother in every danger?
You swore an oath without asking me
You gave your word without asking me
Then learn to face the consequences
As you command, mother
I'll not come again, mother
You'll have to come to me
Victory to the Commander! Sage Drona is here
My respects O Sage!
Please be seated
...be lost in this dilemma