The BEST episodes of Mahabharat
Every episode of Mahabharat ever, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of Mahabharat!
Mahabharat is a successful Indian television series based on the ancient Indian epic Mahabharata. The 94-episode series originally ran from 1988 to 1990. It was produced by B. R. Chopra and directed by his son, Ravi Chopra.
#1 - Story of poisoned water and Yaksha
Season 1 - Episode 55 - Aired 10/15/1989
Jayadrath, Duryodhan’s brother-in-law, does penance for kidnapping Draupadi and is rewarded by Lord Shiva. In the forest, the Pandavas plan their 13th year of exile to live incognito and to work in another Kingdom. Nakul tries to fetch water form the lake but is told not to use the water by an invisible voice. He ignores the warning, drinks the water and falls down dead. His brothers meet the same fate except for Yudhishtir who realizes the voice belongs to Yaksha. The Yaksha asks him questions and Yudhishtir answers them correctly. The Yaksha reveals himself as Lord Yama and grants back the lives of all the dead brothers.
#2 - Vidur resigns as a prime minister, Kunti meets Karna
Season 1 - Episode 67 - Aired 1/7/1990
Vidur submits his resignation to Dhritarashtra, he is depressed by the inevitable war. Kunti worries about the battle to be fought between her sons, Karna and the Pandava brothers. She visits Karna and tells him the truth about his birth. Karna tells her he already knows the truth, and he is happy to have his mother by his side. Kunti pleads with him to join the Pandavas, but he says, “ I must fight with Arjun, I cannot abandon my promise to Duryodhan. “ Krishna reaches Upaplavya and tells the Pandavas that his attempt to stop the war has failed. The Pandavas prepare for the war.
#3 - Karna’s Identity is disclosed
Season 1 - Episode 66 - Aired 12/31/1989
Krishna’s peace mission has failed. Krishna goes to Kunti and tells her what has happened at the Court. He asks her if she has a message for her sons. “The time has come”, she says, “for which a Kshatriya woman brings forth sons”. Before leaving for Upaplavya, Krishna meets with Karna and tells him to be true to Dharma and not to support sinful Duryodhan. Karna says, “you’re right, my Lord. A righteous man should not side with a sinner; but I am in debt of Duryodhan and cannot let him down”.
#4 - Krishna avtar and Indra takes Karna’s kawach kundala
Season 1 - Episode 65 - Aired 12/24/1989
Krishna goes to the court of Hastinapur and says, “ Peace is a necessity. In war, people from both sides die, though only one side wins.” He suggests that Indraprastha be given back to the Pandavaas, but Duryodhan insists that the Pandavas must return to the forest. Krishna then suggests that five villages be given to the five Pandava brothers. Duryodhan finds the suggestion unacceptable and threatens to seize Krishna. Krishna discloses his divinity and leaves the court.
#5 - Krishna goes to Hastinapur as shanti doot
Season 1 - Episode 64 - Aired 12/17/1989
The war between the Kauravas and the Pandavas looks inevitable, but Krishna makes a last attempt for peace. Krishna arrives in Hastinapur and is flooded with valuable presents. He pays his respects to Dhritrashtra and says, “ Maharaj, in return I can only offer peace!” “We will talk after you have rested,” says Dhritrashtra. He tells Dushasan to take Krishna to the guestroom, but Krishna refuses the offer and tells Dhritrashtra that he will be staying with Vidur. Duryodhan is annoyed with Krishna for refusing their hospitality.
#6 - Krishna or Narayani Sena
Season 1 - Episode 63 - Aired 12/10/1989
In Hastinapur everyone is nervous when Sanjay returns from the meeting with Yudhishthir and his allies. Sanjay says, “Duryodhan should know that Arjun said, ‘If Indraprastha is not given back to us, we will uproot the Kauravas.” Duryodhan remains adamant about going for war. Shakuni advises Duryodhan to seek Krishna’s help. Arjun also wishes to seek Krishna’s help and visits Krishna at the same time as Duryodhan. Krishna tells them, he is obliged to assist both of them.
#7 - Dhritarashtra does not agree and sends Sanjay
Season 1 - Episode 62 - Aired 12/3/1989
Vidur advises Dhritrashtra to return Indraprastha to the Pandavas. Gandhari also ask her husband to act justly, but Dhritrashtra refuses to accept their advice. He sends his charioteer Sanjay with a message to Yudhishthir, telling the Pandavas that they should spend 12 more years in exile, since Duryodhan had exposed them during their incognito life. The Pandavas and their allies are upset after hearing the message. They send Sanjay back to Hastinapur with the message that they are ready for peace as well as war.
#8 - Abhimanyu’s marriage
Season 1 - Episode 61 - Aired 11/26/1989
After the wedding of Abhimanyu and Uttara, Krishna, the Pandavas, Virat and others meet in Virat’s assembly. They decide to send an emissary to Hastinapur to seek the restoration of Indraprastha. The emissary arrives in Hastinapur. Bheeshma and Vidur favour a peaceful settlement but Duryodhan disagrees. Duryodhan insists that the Pandavas spend 12 more years in exile.
#9 - Viraat yudh and clothes for Uttara's dolls
Season 1 - Episode 60 - Aired 11/19/1989
Duryodhan and Karna advance into battle. Arjun attacks the Kaurav army and the Kaurav warriors fall unconscious due to his magical weapons. News arrives from the battlefield and King Virat boasts about the glory of his son Uttar. Kanak (Yudhishthir) praises Brihannala and the King flings his dice at Yudhishthir’s face. Prince Uttar arrives and is distressed after seeing Yudhishthir’s bleeding face. King Virat eventually learns about the true identity of the Pandavas.
#10 - Kaurav attack Matsya desh
Season 1 - Episode 59 - Aired 11/12/1989
The news of Keechak’s death reaches Duryodhan. He suspects that Bheem is responsible and decides to invade Virat. King Susarma of Trigarta also invades Virat. He captures Virat, but Bheem attacks and Virat emerges victorious. Duryodhan then attacks from another front. Prince Uttar tries to retreat after seeing the Kaurav army but Brihannala (Arjun) stops him. Brihannala reveals his weapons and his identity, then blows his conch.
#11 - Keechak Vadh
Season 1 - Episode 58 - Aired 11/5/1989
Keechak is mad with lust for Draupadi. Draupadi runs to the Virat court, where Keechak angrily kicks her in the presence of Yudhishtir and Bheem. Draupadi reports the matter to Queen Sudeshna and asks Bheem for protection and revenge. Bheem kills Keechak.
#12 - Agyatvas in Matsya desh
Season 1 - Episode 56 - Aired 10/22/1989
The Pandavas live incognito and serve King Virat. Yudhishthir becomes a courtier named Kanak. Bheem becomes a cook. Nakul and Sahadev look after cattle and horses. Arjun becomes a eunuch named Brihannala and Draupadi becomes Sairandhir, the handmaiden to the Queen Sudeshna of Virat.
#13 - Sanjay gets divya drishti, Ulluk goes to Pandavs
Season 1 - Episode 68 - Aired 1/14/1990
Yudhishtir holds a meeting and Drishtadyum, Drawplate’s brother, is appointed Supreme Commander of the Pandora army. Drupad, Shikhandi, Bheem and the other prominent warriors take command of the various divisions. The stage is set for the Kurukshetra war. Vyas visits Dhritarashtra and offers to bestow divine eyesight unto him but Dhritarashtra is reluctant to see the destruction of his sons. Vyas grants divine eyesight to Sanjay, Dhritarashtra’s charioteer.
#14 - Arjun gets curse of impotency from Urvashi
Season 1 - Episode 54 - Aired 10/8/1989
In Indralok, Lord Indra limits Urvashi’s curse on Arjun to one year during which he becomes an eunuch. In Dwaraka, Sri Krishna trains his nephew Abhimanyu in the martial arts. In Hastinapur, Bheeshma, Drona and Vidur worry about the future of their Kingdom, while Duryodhan’s stepbrother, Yuyutsu, foresees the destruction of the Kurus. Arjun returns from Indralok armed with divine weapons. He accompanies Bheem while they rescue Draupadi from Jayadrath, Duryodhan’s brother-in-law.
#15 - Krishna’s story of one grain of rice
Season 1 - Episode 53 - Aired 10/1/1989
Rishi Durvasa and his followers arrive in the forest to visit the Pandavas. He requests food for himself and his followers and Draupadi is worried for her cooking vessel is empty. Draupadi prays to Lord Krishna and he asks her for something to eat. Draupadi shows him her empty vessel but Krishna, the Soul of the Universe, sees one grain of rice in the vessel, and eats it with pleasure. Durvasa and his followers immediately feel that their hunger has been satisfied. In Indralok, Lord Indra advises Arjun to learn to dance and music from Chitrasen to help him during his 13th year when incognito. Arjun continues to obtain divine weapons and Apsara Urvashi falls in love with him. When Arjun does not reciprocate her love, Apsara Urvashi curses him with impotence.
#16 - Arjun worships Indra and Shiva for Divyastra and gets Pashupatastra
Season 1 - Episode 52 - Aired 9/24/1989
After hearing about the Pandavas exile, Krishna goes to visit them. He advises the Pandavas to prepare for war and tells Arjun unwillingly to do penance to obtain divine weapons. Arjun does penance and eventually pleases Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva bestows him with the divine Pasupata weapon and advises him to obtain other weapons in Indralok. Rishi Durvasa visits Hastinapur. In an attempt to humiliate the Pandavas, Duryodhan requests that the sage visit that Pandavas as well. Rishi Durvasa promises to do so.
#17 - Gandharvas Catch Duryodhan
Season 1 - Episode 51 - Aired 9/17/1989
Rishi Vyas rebukes Dhritarashtra for exiling the Pandavas. He predicts the extinction of the Kauravs after 14 years due to Duryodhan’s misdeeds. Duryodhan and his men leave for Dwaitavan to witness the distress of the Pandavas. Duryodhan tries to flirt with a Gandharv girl and is captured by the enraged Gandharvas. Duryodhan’s bodyguard approaches the Pandavas for help and Bheem and Arjun unwillingly rescue their cousin.
#18 - Vanvas Begins
Season 1 - Episode 50 - Aired 9/10/1989
The departure of the Pandavas upset Bheeshama, Vidur, Drona and the other elders of the Royal House of Kurus. Vidur advises Dhritarashtra to summon them back. Dhritarashtra rebukes Vidur, so Vidur leaves. After spending thirteen days in the forest, Bheem, Arjun, Nakul and Sahadev are ready to wage a war against Hastinapur. Yudhishthir refuses to wage war and decides to spend the full thirteen years in exile as his punishment for being reckless in gambling
#19 - Rajsuya Yagya, Shishupal Vadh
Season 1 - Episode 43 - Aired 7/23/1989
Yudhishthir decides to perform the Rajsuya Yagna. The first honor is rendered to Sri Krishna. Shishupal, the King of Chedi, ask, “ When there are so many Kings gathered in this assembly, why should the first honor be paid to Krishna – a cowherd boy and the son of a servant of Ugrasena?” Krishna warns Shishupal but Shishupal does not pay any heed so Sri Krishna kills him. The Rajsuya Yagna is celebrated and Yudhishthir is recognized as an Emperor.
#20 - Jarasandh Vadh, Rajsuya Yagnya begins, Shishupal's Story
Season 1 - Episode 42 - Aired 7/16/1989
Bheem and Jarasandh are so equally matched in strength that they fight for nearly fourteen days without rest. When Jarasandh finally shows signs of exhaustion, Krishna prompts Bheem to bring an end to him. After Jarasandh had been destroyed, Jarasandh’s son was crowned King of Magadh.
#21 - Arjun gets Devdatta Conch and Gandiv and Bhim gets his Gada
Season 1 - Episode 41 - Aired 7/9/1989
Arjun and Subhadra arrive at Dwarika and are formally married. Arjun later returns to Indraprastha with Subhadra. Draupadi welcomes Subhadra. Yudhishthir seeks Sri Krishna’s advice on performing the Rajsuya Yagna. Krishna approves but explains that Jarasandh, who has imprisoned 86 Kings, would be a constant challenge to Yudhishthir’s Royal Supremacy. Arjun, Bheem, and Sri Krishna eventually go to Magadh and challenge Jarasandh for a combat. Jarasandh chooses to fight with Bheem.
#22 - Arjun runs away with Subhadra
Season 1 - Episode 40 - Aired 7/2/1989
The Pandavas were happy in Indraprastha. To avoid rivalry amongst themselves, they had come to a decision to have Draupati divide her time equally between the five brothers. When she was alone with one of them and if any other brother should intrude on their privacy, he must go on a pilgrimage to do penance. Once while helping a Brahim, Arjun had to violate the rule and had to go on a pilgrimage. Arjun visited Naglok and Manlur, and there he married Ullipi and Chitrangandha. Duryodhan asks Balram for his sister Subhadra’s hand in marriage and Balram promises to plead his case with his parents. Meanwhile, Arjun reaches Dwarika and he feel in love with Subhadra. And, Subhadra reciprocates his love. Before any decision can be made, Krishna helps Arjun to elope with Subhadra. Balram is furious and wants to send his army to capture Arjun, but Krishna convinces him that Subhadra had gone with Arjun on her own accord.
#23 - Pandav get Khandavprastha
Season 1 - Episode 38 - Aired 6/18/1989
The decision to partition the Kingdom of Hastinapur between the Kauravas and the Pandavas is not liked by the Pandavas, but Krishna consoles them and tells them that Khandavprastha is their Karmabhoomi (field of action) Gandhari feels that a partition of a country can never be a solution to the rivalry. Bheeshma feels that there is no other option.
#24 - Pandav arrive at Hastinapur and the kingdom is divided
Season 1 - Episode 37 - Aired 6/11/1989
The Pandavas and Draupadi return to Hastinapur. Dhritrashtra conceals his disappointment and orders everyone to welcome them. Determined to establish peace between the Kauravas and the Pandavas, Bheeshma suggests giving half the kingdom to Yudhishthir. Dhritrashtra agrees to his suggestion. Krishna and Balram, also give their consent and it is decided that Yudhishthir’s coronation as King of Khandavprastha be held in Hastinapur.
#25 - Bhishma lies on the Bed of Arrows, Karna meets Bhishma
Season 1 - Episode 79 - Aired 4/1/1990
On the tenth day of battle, Arjun positions Shikhandi in front of him and attacks Bheeshma. As Arjun’s arrows pierce his body, Bheeshma smiles. Bheeshma’s shield is cut into pieces by Arjun’s arrows and he falls onto the ground with Arjun’s arrows covering his body. Drona is made the new Commander-in-chief of the Kaurav army, and Karna becomes warrior in the war.