To Kuruksetra
Part 1 / Chapter 48 / 83 chapters
To Kuruksetra
reveals to that he is her firstborn son by Surya and asks him to join the Pandavas, but refuses to abandon . He promises not to kill any of 's sons except , guaranteeing she will still have five sons after the war. also privately invites to claim his place as the eldest Pandava and king, but again chooses loyalty to while admitting the Kauravas are likely doomed. After leaves the Kuru court rather than fight for , returns to Virata, is chosen as the Pandava commander, both armies march to , and is installed as the Kaurava commander as Part One ends.
This guide follows Krishna Dharma's retelling as the source of truth. This panel notes broad edition-level framing or compression that helps a reader orient themselves.
- 1
approaches
At sunrise by the Ganga, waits for to finish worshipping the sun. She tells him he is her son, born from Surya before her marriage and abandoned out of fear for her reputation.
- 2
asks to join his brothers
tells that the Pandavas are his brothers and asks him to leave the deceitful men who stole 's kingdom. A voice from the sun confirms that she speaks the truth.
- 3
refuses 's request
accepts the truth but says wronged him by abandoning him and cannot now ask him to desert . He says the Kauravas trusted and honored him when he needed support.
- 4
promises five sons
vows not to kill any of 's sons except , even if he overpowers them. Either or will survive, so will still have five sons.
- 5
privately appeals to
As leaves , He takes onto His chariot and urges him to claim his place as Pandu's son, the eldest Pandava, and rightful king.
- 6
chooses loyalty to
says Adhiratha and Radha are his parents in practice and that he cannot betray , who relied on him against the Pandavas. He admits the Pandavas deserve to rule but will still fight .
- 7
sets the battle horizon
tells that the full moon is seven days away and that the battle should begin then. describes ominous dreams of Kaurava defeat and accepts that destruction is near.
- 8
leaves the Kuru court
In a final council, , Drona, and Krpa say war is now unavoidable. When rebukes again, insults him as a maidservant's son, and leaves his bow behind to avoid fighting for the Kurus.
- 9
reports failure at Virata
returns to Virata and tells the Pandavas everything from except 's identity. He says all peaceful diplomacy has failed and punishment is now the only remaining course.
- 10
The Pandavas choose a commander
asks who should lead the Pandava army. names Virata, names , names , names , and agrees with .
- 11
The Pandavas march to
The next morning the Pandava army sets out from Virata with in command. On the sixth night they reach and camp around .
- 12
sends his army out
After leaves , orders the Kaurava forces toward . His ministers and warriors prepare eagerly, and the city fills with the noise of weapons, chariots, elephants, and conches.
- 13
accepts command
asks to become commander-in-chief. agrees to fight for the Kurus, promises to slay ten thousand warriors a day, but says he will not kill the Pandavas and will not fight alongside .
- 14
Part One ends at
is installed as the Kaurava commander amid ominous signs. He leads a large division to , where the Kuru army camps on the western side as the war becomes immediate.