Neev:
Welcome back to Mythical Masala. I’m Neev.
The armies have arrived at Kurukshetra.
Co-host
Chariots are lined up.
Banners are flying.
And warriors on both sides are getting ready to fight..
Neev:
But before the first arrow flies, the generals are named, the rules of war are set…
Co-host:
…because even ancient wars had rulebooks.
Neev:
And then — everything stops.
Co-host:
Let me guess.
Someone forgets their bow?
Neev:
Not exactly.
Let’s head to Kurukshetra to find out —
Neev:
All the talking was over.
There would be no more messengers.
No more meetings.
No more chances.
The war was certain.
Co-host:
So… everyone finally shows up.
Neev:
Yes.
The armies began to move toward Kurukshetra.
Co-host:
Kurukshetra wasn’t a palace or a city.
It was a vast open plain in northern India approximately 160 km north of Delhi— flat land, open sky, nowhere to hide.
Basically the worst place to accidentally bump into your relatives.
Neev:
Exactly.
And that’s why it was chosen.
No tricks. No ambushes.
Just two armies facing each other in the open.
Co-host:
Even today, Kurukshetra is remembered as a place of learning and reflection —
because what happened here wasn’t just a battle…
It was a lesson.
Neev:
On one side stood the Pandavas.
Their army was divided into seven great divisions —
each one like a moving city, filled with chariots, elephants, horses, and foot soldiers.
Co-host:
So this was not just a whatsapp group chat.
This was… organized.
Neev:
Very.
Each division was led by a noble warrior.
Drupada and Virata, the kings who had sheltered the Pandavas.
Dhrishtadyumna, born to lead an army.
Shikhandi, carrying an old promise into battle.
Satyaki and Chekitana, fierce allies.
And Bhima, whose presence alone felt like a warning.
Co-host:
Satyaki was a prominent Yadava chieftain, Krishna’s cousin, and Arjuna’s disciple. And Chekitana was a warrior from the Kekeya kingdom. That’s a lot of warriors
Neev:
That’s right.
But one important warrior was missing.
Co-host:
Let me guess — Balarama?
Neev:
Yes.
Balarama, Krishna’s brother, stepped away from the war.
Both Bhima and Duryodhana had been his students.
He refused to choose between them.
Co-host:
So he was just being Switzerland? The ancient version of saying,
“I’m not getting involved.”
Neev:
Haha!.
So the Pandavas chose Dhrishtadyumna. As their commander. He was
Young.
Fearless.
And determined.
Co-host: Good choice!
Neev:
Across the field, the Kaurava army prepared as well.
They were larger — eleven divisions — vast and powerful.
Co-host:
Okkkkk. So is it going to be quantity or quality. We’will find out
Neev:
And at their head stood Bhishma.
The oldest warrior on the field.
The one who had trained generations of princes.
Co-host:
Including the Pandavas.
Neev:
Yes.
Bhishma agreed to lead the Kaurava army —
but only on one condition.
Bhishma:
“I will serve Hastinapura as commander and warrior.
But I will not kill any of the Pandavas.”
Co-host:
That’s… a very complicated promise. What kind of example are you setting?
Neev:
yeah, It was complicated for him.
But there was another tension.
Co-host: As if we don’t have enough drama already.
Neev:
Karna and Bhishma could not stand each other.
So Karna made his own vow.
Karna:
“I will not fight while Bhishma commands.
When he leaves the field…
I will enter the war — and I will kill Arjuna.”
Co-host:
Everyone’s making vows today. The Kaurava warriors don’t seem like team players.
Neev:
Yes.
Slowly… the two armies began to move toward Kurukshetra.
Neev:
As with any competition or… war, there is something very important to be done.
Co-host: What is that? Can’t we just start.
Neev: Nope because first there are rules - rules of war.
Co-host:
Hold on.
War has rules too?
Neev:
Oh yes.
Ancient wars were very serious about rules.
Co-host:
Okay, now I’m imagining a giant scroll labeled
“Battlefield Rulebook.”
Neev:
Honestly… not far off.
Neev:
First rule — fighting ended at sunset.
Co-host:
So like 9-5 jobs…and no late-night surprise attacks?
Neev:
Nope.
When the sun went down, everyone stopped.
Co-host:
The sun goes down…and then to be continued….
Neev:
Haha! yeah.
Second rule — no attacking people who weren’t actually fighting.
That meant no attacking attendants, flag-bearers, drummers, or messengers.
Co-host:
So if you’re just holding a flag or beating a drum…
Neev:
You’re safe.
Co-host:
Good to know the drummer had job security.
Neev:
A very important job.
Neev:
Another rule — if someone surrendered, dropped their weapon, or left the battlefield…
Co-host:
You don’t chase them?
Neev:
You do not attack them.
Co-host:
So no “Hey, come back here!” energy.
Neev:
None.
Neev:
Combat also had to be between equals.
Co-host: What does that mean?
Neev:
Chariot fought chariot.
Co-host:
How can a chariot fight a chariot?
Neev: Warriors on chariots cannot fight someone who’s not on a chariot.
Elephant fought elephant. Yes, I mean men on the elephants.
Horsemen fought horsemen.
Foot soldiers fought foot soldiers.
Co-host:
Ok, all that sounds fair.
Neev:
That was the idea.
And if two warriors were already fighting each other,
a third person was not allowed to jump in.
Co-host:
So… no ganging up.
Neev:
That’s right.
Neev:
Both sides agreed to these rules.
And for the most part… they tried to follow them.
Co-host:
“for the most part”? That’s sus!.
Neev:
Because war is chaotic.
When thousands of soldiers, chariots, and elephants collide,
rules get… tested.
Co-host:
You mean broken?
Neev:
Yes.
And when that happened, it wasn’t celebrated.
Those who broke the rules faced shame and dishonor —
sometimes worse than losing a battle.
Co-host:
Ancient trash talk must have been intense.
Neev:
Very.
Neev:
To keep order, every commander had a flag flying on their chariot.
Co-host:
Ah.
Team logos.
Neev:
Exactly.
Bhishma’s flag showed a palm tree with five stars.
Duryodhana had a cobra.
Co-host:
Okay, cobra is intimidating.
Palm tree with stars feels… mysterious.
Neev:
Each flag helped soldiers recognize their leaders —
even in dust, noise, and confusion.
Co-host:
Because yelling names across a battlefield probably doesn’t work. Also no one had IDs on them in ancient times.
Neev:
So the rules were set.
The flags were raised.
The battlefield was ready.
Neev:
This was not just another battle.
It was the mother of all wars.
Co-host:
So basically…like World War 2. Sounds grim.
Neev:
Almost every kingdom in the known world had chosen a side —
Pandava or Kaurava.
Co-host:
if you weren’t fighting, you were definitely watching.
Neev:
Yes.
At stake was the greatest prize of all —
the throne of Hastinapura.
Co-host:
Which Duryodhana wanted……by hook or by crook.
Neev:
Neev:
Back in the palace, far from the battlefield,
Dhritarashtra sat in silence.
The blind king was sweating with anxiety.
Co-host:
Even though he wasn’t fighting? .
Neev:
Yes.
Because he knew his sons were in the wrong.
But he also wanted his eldest son crowned king —
more than he wanted justice.
More than he wanted peace.
Co-host:
That’s a dangerous wish.
Neev:
Unable to see what was happening, Dhritarashtra turned to the one man who could.
Sanjaya.
Dhritarashtra:
“Tell me, Sanjaya.
What is happening at Kurukshetra — the sacred battlefield?”
Co-host:
Aah, So Sanjaya plays a live commenter here - or I guess news reporter….But he’s not at the battlefield, so how would he know?
Neev:
Exactly.
Neev:
Thanks to the blessing of his guru, Vyasa,
he could see the battlefield —
even from miles away.
Co-host:
So… Sanjaya closed his eyes to “see” the war - zero delay. Full HD.
Neev:
Sanjaya:
“O King, the armies are standing face to face.”
Neev:
Rows of chariots are stretched across the plain.
Elephants stamped the ground.
Warriors tightened their grips on bows and spears.
Co-host:
Everyone’s waiting for the first move.
Neev:
Arjuna sat in his chariot.
Above him flew his banner —
the image of Hanuman, just as promised.
Co-host:
A symbol of strength. Courage. Focus.
Neev:
And right in front of him stood Krishna, holding the reins of the horses.
Co-host: Calm. Steady. Unshaken.
Neev:
Arjuna turned to Krishna.
Arjuna:
“Take my chariot forward…
between the two armies.”
Co-host:
So has the war started or not? Is he just doing recon? Just checking out his opponents and artillery?.
Neev:
Yes.
Not the weapons.
The people.
Neev:
As the chariot moved ahead, Arjuna looked across the battlefield.
And what he saw made his heart twist.
Not enemies.
Faces he knew.
Co-host:
Uh oh. Looks like an emotional twist right before the war
Neev:
There was Bhishma — his grandfather.
Drona — his teacher.
Cousins. Friends. Relatives.
Co-host:
People who had taught him how to fight…
now ready to fight him.
Neev:
Arjuna’s hands began to shake.
Co-host:
That happens when your brain starts yelling at itself. Poor Arjun!
Neev:
How could he raise his bow against them?
How could victory possibly be worth this?
Arjuna:
“What kind of happiness comes from killing those I love?”
Neev:
His thoughts raced faster and faster.
Why fight at all?
Why not walk away?
Co-host:
Forest life suddenly sounds… peaceful. Who needs palaces, or villages? Neev:
No throne.
No war.
No blood on his hands.
Co-host: He has a point
Neev:
The noise in Arjuna’s head grew louder.
His breath shortened.
He had goosebumps all over.
His heart was beating faster but His strength drained away.
Co-host: And then?
Neev:
Arjuna dropped the Gandiva, his mighty bow.
It hit the floor of the chariot.
Co-host:
Woah! Is he backing out?
Neev:
Arjuna slumped down.
The greatest archer of his time…
unable to fight.
Neev :
Arjuna sat in his chariot, his bow lying on the floor beside him.
His voice was low.
Tired.
Co-host: Come on Arjun: the whole gang depends on you.
Neev:
He looked at Krishna.
Arjuna:
“I don’t want a kingdom if it means killing the people I love.
I don’t want happiness that comes from blood.”
“I’m confused.
I don’t know what is right anymore.”
Co-host:
That’s a hard place to be.
Neev:
Arjuna took a breath.
Arjuna:
“Oh Krishna…
tell me what is good for me.
I am no longer your friend.
I am your disciple. Please guide me.”
Neev:
Krishna smiled. because Arjuna was finally honest.
Krishna:
“You are not wrong to feel this way.”
Co-host:
Spoken like a therapist.
Neev:
What followed was a conversation.
A long one.
A patient one.
Co-host: In the midst of the start of a war? So everyone’s just waiting? Is this being broadcasted?
Neev:
Haha! Well.. Let’s just say yes everyone was probably wondering what’s going on
Arjuna asked question after question.
What is duty?
What is the right action?
Is it better to walk away?
Is fighting ever justified?
Co-host:
Basically… all the big questions.
Neev:
Krishna answered carefully.
He spoke of different paths —
paths of action,
paths of knowledge,
paths of discipline.
But again and again, he returned to one idea.
Krishna:
“Do your duty without greed.
Without hatred.
Offer your actions with devotion.”
Co-host:
This path was called Bhakti —
acting with love, trust, and connection to the divine.
So not fighting for power…
but fighting for what’s right.
Neev:
And Krishna never forced Arjuna to fight.
Not once.
Krishna:
“I have shown you the way.
Now the choice is yours.”
Neev:
By the end of the conversation, Arjuna’s breathing slowed.
His thoughts were clearer.
The noise in his head had softened.
Co-host:
My breathing has slowed too…
Neev:
Arjuna looked again at the battlefield.
He still felt sorrow.
But now he also felt purpose.
Arjuna:
“I will fight.
Not for a throne…
but to stop adharma - injustice from ruling the world.”
Co-host: Finally!
Neev:
He reached down.
And picked up the Gandiva.
Neev:
The war had not begun yet.
But Arjuna was ready.
Neev:
That’s where we’ll pause today.
The armies are in place.
The rules have been set.
And Arjuna has made his choice.
Co-host:
OK so the war hasn’t technically started. Its taking forever
Neev:
In the next episode, the first conches will sound.
The first arrows will fly.
And Day One of the Kurukshetra war unfolds.
Co-host:
Phew! No more waiting. Don’t forget to join us next week. Tell your friends, family, and followers.
Neev:
Thanks for listening to Mythical Masala.
If this episode made you think about tough choices, pause for a moment — and tell us what tough choices have you had to make. You can send us a voice message on mythicalmasalapodcast.com or email me
Neev:
We’ll see you next time…
…on the battlefield.
