Veda Vyasa dictates the Mahabharatha to Lord Ganesha. Janamejaya performs the Sarpa Satra yajna. Vyasa and Asthika make him stop. Vyasa starts to relate the Mahabharatha to Janamejaya.
Shanthanu is king of Hasthinapura. He meets and marries the river nymph Ganga. Ganga starts killing their sons but is stopped from killing the eighth. Shanthanu and Devavrata meet each other after several years of being apart.
Devavrata is made crown prince after passing a test. Shanthanu meets Matsyavathi and asks her father for her hand in marriage. Devavrata meets Dasharaj and brings Matsyavathi home after taking a terrible vow.
Devavrata publicly renounces the crown. Shanthanu and Matsyavathi marry and have two children. Shanthanu passes away. Matsyavathi becomes ruler. Chitrangadha is a teenager. He fights and is killed by a Gandharva. Satyavathi asks Bheeshma to abduct the princesses of Kashi.
Bheeshma meets Vyasa and asks him for advise. Bheeshma abducts the princesses of Kashi after fighting Shalvakumar. Amba refuses to go with Bheeshma and goes to Shalvakumar and is rejected. Ambika and Ambalika agree to marry Vichitraveerya. Amba goes to Kashi but her father turns her out.
Vichitraveerya marries Ambika and Ambalika. Amba meets Bheeshma at Hasthinapura and asks him to marry her. He refuses and Amba is thrown out. Amba then goes to other kingdoms for help but is rejected. Vichitraveerya is treated for his sickness.
Amba goes to Parashurama for help. Parashurama asks Bheeshma to either accept Amba as his wife or fight with him. Parashurama and Bheeshma fight with each other with neither winning. Vichitraveerya dies in bed while trying to consummate with Ambika.
Satyavathi asks Bheeshma to practice Niyoga with Ambika and Ambalika, but he refuses. Satyavathi tells Bheeshma about Vyasa being her son and how he had accepted her request for Niyoga. Ambika and Ambalika are informed about the Niyoga to be performed by Vyasa. Amba goes to the Himalayas to pray to Lord Shiva.
Vyasa performs Niyoga with Ambika and Ambalika and Ambika's maid. Dhirithrastra and Pandu are born. Amba is performing penance to please Lord Shiva. Vyasa shows Bheeshma a glimpse of the future. Satyavathi asks Vyasa the truth about the third Niyoga.
Bheeshma tests Dhirithrastra, Pandu and Vidura. Vyasa discourses on birth and death in the court. Amba's penance is fruitful. Lord Shiva tells her that she will be the cause of Bheeshma's death, but not in her present life. Amba commits suicide in a bonfire.
Eighteen years pass. Dhirithrastra, Pandu and Vidura are grown men and have completed their studies. Bheeshma and Satyavathi fix brides for Dhirithrastra and Pandu with the help of astrologers. Gandhari is chosen for Dhirithrastra and Kunti for Pandu. Vyasa warns Janamejaya about Shakuni.
Vidura chooses Sulabha for his bride with the blessings of Bheeshma and Satyavathi. Bheeshma sends messengers to Gandhara and Kunti kingdoms asking for their princesses' hands in marriage to Dhirithrastra and Pandu respectively. Shakuni is against Gandhari's marriage to Dhirithrastra. Kunti remembers the birth of Karna.
Vyasa warns Kuntibhoja of Dhurvasa's coming. Dhurvasa asks for Kunti's help in performing his yajna. At the end of an year he teaches her a mantra to beget sons from celestial beings. Kunti uses it to invoke Surya. Karna is born. Kunti puts Karna in a basket and floats him down the river.
Dhirithrastra and Pandu marry Gandhari and Kunti. Gandhari ties a blindfold over her eyes to share in the blindness of her husband. Bheeshma goes to Madra and asks for Madri's hand in marriage to Pandu. Pandu and Madri get married. Dhirithrastra is awaiting his coronation.
Bheeshma, Vidura and Satyavathi meet Rishi Yuvabhoda to find out if there is any chance for Dhirithrastra to rule the kingdom. Yuvobhoda says there is no chance for this as Dhirithrastra is blind. Dhirithrastra throws a fit when he finds out Pandu is to be crowned king. Shakuni comes up with a scheme through which Dhirithrastra can rule in the name of Pandu.
Pandu is crowned king and sets off on a conquest of the known lands. Adhiratha and Radha's adopted son Radheya saves Kunti's life when her chariot becomes uncontrollable. Kamsa gives the people of Mathura a hard time. Lord Vishnu tells His consorts that it is time for His next avatar on Earth.
Devaki and Vasudeva are married. Kamsa is warned by a celestial voice that Devaki's eighth son will kill him. Vasudeva promises to bring the children to Kamsa as and when they are born. Kamsa lets Devaki's first son live. Narada visits Mathura and asks Kamsa how he would identify which child is the first and which the eighth.
Dhrumila asura tells Kamsa that Kamsa is an asura and that Devaki's eighth son is destined to kill him. Pandu returns victorious after his conquests. Satyavathi gives Vidura's mother equal status to Ambika and Ambalika. Lord Vishnu reveals the secret behind the impending deaths of Devaki's first seven issues. Shakuni schemes to oust Pandu and put Dhirithrastra on the throne. Kamsa plans to imprison Devaki and Vasudeva.
Kamsa imprisons Devaki and Vasudeva. Vyasa visits Hasthinapur and tells Gandhari that she will have 101 children. Ugrasena confronts Kamsa and Kamsa imprisons Ugrasena also. Shakuni implants the idea of going to the forest in Pandu's mind, so that Dhirithrastra can rule the kingdom.
Devaki and Vasudeva decide not to have any more children but Yoga Maya appears before them and tells them to continue begetting offspring so that the eight child can end Kamsa's evil rule. Pandu goes to the forest with Kunti and Madri after obtaining permission from Satyavathi, Bheeshma and Dhirithrastra. Kamsa kills Devaki's second issue. Pandu goes hunting in the forest.
Pandu kills Rishi Kindama and his wife when they are making love and Rishi Kindama curses Pandu. Gandhari is pregnant. Bheeshma wants to consult with Rishi Yuvabhoda and see if Pandu's curse can be lifted. Kunti tells Pandu about the mantra that Rishi Dhurvasa taught her. Pandu and Kunti use the mantra to summon Yama, the god of righteousness and dharma. Kunti is impregnated with her first son.
Yudhishtra is born as the first of the descendants of Dhirithrastra and Pandu. Gandhari hits the baby growing in her stomach. Vyasa asks for 101 vessels filled with ghee and the Kauravas are born. Bheema is born with the grace of Lord Vayu. Rohini gives birth to Balarama. Astrologers predict the destruction of the kshatriya race if the first-born of Dhirithrastra is left alive but Dhirithrastra refuses to sacrifice the baby. Vyasa names Dhirithrastra's children, including Yuyutsu (born of a maid). Krishna is born.
Vasudeva takes Krishna to Nanda and Yashoda at Gokul and brings back their daughter. Kamsa tries to kill the girl child but she turns into Yoga Maya and tells Kamsa his end is near. Arjuna is born with the grace of Lord Indra. Kamsa sends Bhootna to kill Krishna but she herself dies in the process. Madri gives birth to Nakula and Sahadeva with the grace of the Ashwini twins. Krishna gets rid of Kaliya. Pandu dies.
Madri ascends the funeral pyre of Pandu. Indra is angered when Krishna asks the people of Gokul not to worship him. Krishna lifts the Govardhan with his little finger. The Pandavas reach Hasthinapura. Shakuni and Duryodhana scheme to get the Pandavas out of Hasthinapur. Satyavathi decides to move to the forest, giving up a life of royalty.
Kamsa sends Akrura to Gokul to fetch Krishna. Ambika and Ambalika decide to join Satyavathi in vanaprastha. Krishna and Balarama go with Akrura to Mathura. Satyavathi, Ambika and Ambalika leave for the forest. Krishna and Balarama defeat Chanura and Mushtika. Krishna kills Kamsa and installs Ugrasena on the throne.
The princes are grown men. Drona arranges for them to display their skills. Bheema and Duryodhana fight each other with maces till Ashwathamma stops them on Drona's orders. Arjuna exhibits the use of various celestial astras. Karna challenges Arjuna. Kripacharya asks Karna about his lineage.
Kunti identifies Karna as her son and faints. Duryodhana makes Karna king of Anga. Adhiratha shows up at the arena and Bheema insults Karna. Bheeshma asks Drona what he wants as guru dakshina. Drona asks for Draupada's enslavement. Duryodhana gets ready to face Draupada in battle.
Duryodhana loses in battle against Draupada. Arjuna then goes to Panchala, wins the battle against Darupada and brings him in chains before Drona. Drona takes half of Panchala and makes Ashwathamma the king of that portion. Drona presents Arjuna with a bow for fulfilling his wish. Vidura asks Dhirithrastra to announce who would be the crown prince.
While Vidhura puts forward Yudhishtra's name for the position of crown prince, Karna, Dushasana and Shakuni support Duryodhana's installation in the post. Dhirithrastra postpones making the decision. Shakuni hatches a plan to get rid of the Pandavas.
Shakuni asks Dhirithrastra to meet a brahmin named Kanika. Arjuna meets Ekalavya. Dhirithrastra and Kanika meet and talk. Drona asks Ekalavya to cut off and give the thumb of his right hand as guru dakshina. Shakuni and Duryodhana ask Dhirithrastra for permission to kill the Pandavas.
Shakuni, Duryodhana and Dushasana meet Purochana. Shakuni meets Dhirithrastra and asks him to send the Pandavas to Varanavata. Dhirithrastra instates Yudhishtra as crown prince. Purochana invites Dhirithrastra to Varanavata but Dhirithrastra asks Yudhishtra and the Pandavas to go to Varanavata in his stead. Vidura meets Kanaka and asks him to save the Pandavas.
The Pandavas and Kunti leave for Varanavata. Vidura gives them a warning, veiled as advise. Draupada meets Rishi Yuvabhoda and ask for help in killing Drona. Yuvabhoda tells him to seek out Yaja and Upayaja. Dhirithrastra meets Shakuni, Duryodhana and Dushasana and asks them for the reason behind sending the Pandavas to Varanavata.
Ashwathamma asks Drona to teach him to use the Brahmasthra but is refused. The Pandavas arrive at Varanavata and Purochana introduces them to Vanjikodi and her sons Udhayan, Thuyan, Mayilan and Sadayan. Drupada goes in search of Yaja and Upayaja. Ashwathamma tells Kripi that Drona has already taught Arjuna how to use the Brahmastra. Drupada finds Yaja and Upayaja but his offer is turned down. The Pandavas find out the palace is made of inflammable materials.
Draupada waits on Yaja and Upayaja. Kanaka meets the Pandavas and informs them of Vidura's plan to escape the house of lac. Upayaja tells Drupada that his brother would be willing to help for the correct price. Ashwathamma and Kripi meet Ekalavya.
Ashwathamma forces Drona to teach him to use the Brahmastra. Yaja and Upayaja agree to help Draupada. Shakuni fixes the date for setting the lac palace on fire. Darupada asks his brother Satyajit to make preparations for the yajna. Vidura instructs Kanaka to set the palace on fire one day before the date fixed by Shakuni and to inform the Pandavas to escape through the tunnel.
Kunti sends Vanjikodi and her sons away with gifts but they come back to the palace through a back entrance. Kanaka informs the Pandavas about the plan to set fire to the lac palace. The Pandavas convince Purochana that they are drunk and he goes ahead with the plan to set fire to the palace. Draupada informs the rishis that his wife does not support his venture. They decide to perform the Raudragini yajna. Bheema kills Vanjikodi and her five sons. Kanaka imprisons Purochana in his own room. Bheema sets fire to the palace and the Pandavas escape through the tunnel. A citizen of Varanavata informs Dhirithrastra, Gandhari and Vidura that the Pandavas are no more.
Yaja and Upayaja start the Raudragini yajna. Duryodhana, Shakuni and Dushasana are informed that the Pandavas and Kunti are no more. Kanaka helps the Pandavas go to the other side of the river. Bheeshma sends a messenger requesting Vyasa to perform the last rites of the Pandavas, but Vyasa is in deep meditation. Vidura suggests that Krishna be informed of the situation. Asthi and Prapti ask their father Jarasandha to avenge Kamsa's death.
Dhrumila asura meets Jarasandha. Krishna goes in search of Rishi Sandipani's son. Krishna takes the rishi's son with him from Yama's abode. The Pandavas wander the forests. Dhirithrastra accuses Shakuni of killing the Pandavas. Krishna returns Rishi Sandipani's son to him and his wife.
Dhristadyumna and Draupadi are born, followed by a celestial occurrence seen by all. News of the Pandavas' death reaches Kampilya. Jarasandha goes in search of Krishna. Krishna and Balarama return to Mathura. Hidimbi falls in love with Bheema.
Jarasandha battles Balarama and Krishna. Hidimbi follows Bheema around. Balarama and Krishna run away from the battlefield. Bheema and Hidimba fight and Hidimba is killed. A messenger from Hasthinapura informs Krishna and Balarama of the Pandavas' death. The Pandavas put Kunti in a shack and go in search of food and come back to find a clean hut filled with food.
Hidimbi tells the Pandavas and Kunti that Vyasa will meet them soon. Vyasa asks Bheema to marry Hidimbi. Krishna arrives in Hasthinapura and performs the last rites of the Pandavas. Hidimbi and Bheema are together. Draupada takes Dhristadyumna and Draupadi to meet Rishi Yaja.
Vidura tells Bheeshma the Pandavas are alive. Jarasandha promises his daughters that he will avenge Kamsa's death. Gatotkacha is born. The Pandavas move out of Kamyaka forest. Vishwakarma is asked to create Dwarakapuri. Vaishampayana asks the Pandavas to go to Ekachakrapura.
Dwaraka is created. The Yadavas move into Dwaraka. The Pandavas reach Ekachakra. Krishna is crowned king of Dwaraka. A spy brings news of Hidimba's death to Shakuni, Duryodhana and Dushasana. The Pandavas lead the life of brahmins in Ekachakra.
Duryodhana asks for a crown to be made for him. Rukmini comes of marriageable age. Kunti and Bheema find out about the brahmin host's trouble. Draupada is looking for a guru for Dhristadyumna when he is informed that Krishna performed the last rites of the Pandavas.
The brahmin tells Kunti and Bheema about Bakasura. Rukmini is in love with Krishna. Bheema decides to go to Bakasura with the food. Shikandi is born to Draupada. Lord Shiva appears before Draupada and his wife and tells them that Shikandi will be responsible for Bheeshma's death. Rukmini wants to marry Krishna but her brother Rukmi wants her to marry Sishupala.
Bheema gets ready to take the food to Bakasura. Shikandi returns to Kampilya and shows her prowess in front of the Panchala court. Draupada gets Shikandi married to a woman thinking Shikandi is a man now. Shikandi's bride finds out she has married a woman.
Draupada agrees to send Dhristadyumna to Drona to learn warfare techniques. Kunti tells Yudhishtra and the rest of the Pandavas about Bheema's true strength. Dhirithrastra wants to crown Duryodhana as heir to the throne. Bheema takes the food to Bakasura, accompanied by a few soldiers. Karna presents a throne to Duryodhana.
Bheeshma stops the crowning of Duryodhana. Bheema waits outside Bakasura's cave and starts eating the food meant for Bakasura. An enraged Bakasura fights Bheema. Drona accepts Dhristadyumna as a disciple. Bheema kills Bakasura. Karna donates a portion of his wealth.
Ashwathamma and Kripi are unhappy with Drona's decision to tutor Dhristadyumna. The Pandavas leave Ekachakra. Vanjikodi's husband comes to Hasthinapura asking for help in tracing his wife and sons. Shakuni asks Dushasana to go to Varanavata to find out the truth about the Pandavas. Rukmi arranges Rukmini's marriage with Sishupala. Rukmini's mother narrates the story of Paundrika.
A brahmin from Vidharba brings a message from Rukmini to Krishna. Dushasana arrives at Varanavata looking for proof of the Pandavas' death. Draupadi dreams that she marries a brahmin. Krishna carries off Rukmini in a celestial vehicle. Balarama fights Jarasandha and Sishupala.
