]PlotThe series is going to focus on Lord Krishna's adventures as the king of Dwarka and on his relationships with his elder half-brother Balram, sister-in-law Revati, to-be wife Rukmini, etc.
The series follows Lord Krishna's life after he killed his evil uncle, demon-king Kans and became king of Dwarka. The series begins with Krishna engaging in battle with King Kalyavan, an ally of king Jarasandh of Magadh, who has already lost 16 battles against king Krishna.
Story 1: A descendant of the Yadav clan, King Krishna meets with King Kalyavan and his gigantic army on the battlefield. Krishna abandons his chariot and runs away from the battlefield, forcing Kalyavan to follow the Lord. During the pursuit, Kalyavan insults Krishna by calling him 'Rannchhod' (deserter). Krishna enters a cave and upon finding an asleep old man, covers him with his own cloth. Thinking Krishna is hiding under his cloth, Kalyavan disrupts the eternal slumber of King Muchkund, who was given a boon to stay asleep forever and burn the person who would disturb and wake him up from his sleep. Cursed fire from King Muchkund's eyes burns and instantly kills Kalyavan. Krishna blesses king Muchkund by granting his request of a vision of the Lord's eternal form, after which the king attains salvation.
Story 2: King Jarasandh attacks Dwarka for the 17th time with his private and allied armies against whom stand King Krishna and PrinceBalram alone. Krishna persuades his elder brother Balram to abandon the battle (to save thousands of innocent soldiers from man slaughter) and climb a mountain, on the other side of which is a vast sea. Taken under the sea by a whirlpool, the two brothers encounter water-demonMatsyasur, hellbent on revenge for the death of his brother Panchjanya who was killed earlier by Krishna. Water-demon Matsyasur runs and hides in a conch shell, where he is followed and killed by Krishna's Sudarshan disc (weapon). The two brothers then return safely to Dwarka.
Story 3: Before returning to Magadh, King Jarasandh takes a detour to Kundinpur, Vidarbha where his friend Prince Rukmi is overjoyed to hear of Jarasandh's supposed victory against King Krishna and Prince Balram. To quench friend Rukmi's worries about his sister, PrincessRukmini, Jarasandh suggests a marriage between her and his adopted son King Shishupal of Chedi. After King Shishupal accepts the proposal, Prince Rukmi forces his family to accept it as well, appointing Sage Sudev to instruct the princess on domestic duties and responsibilities. Princess Rukmini, however, requests Sudev to take a message to Dwarka in which she pleads King Krishna to come and kidnap her from Goddess Parvati's temple outside Kundinpur. King Shishupal and Prince Rukmi's closest friends King Jarasandh, KingDantvakra, King Shaalva, and King Vidurat arrive in Kundinpur with the wedding procession. Princess Rukmini leaves to the temple where king Krishna, his charioteer Daruk kidnap the princess. King Shishupal confronts his uncle Krishna with his army but is defeated by uncleBalram and his battalion (who arrive to help the king of Dwarka). Thereafter, Prince Rukmi confronts King Krishna, insulting the Lord and coaxing him into battle. As Krishna defeats Rukmi and ties him to the chariot (to be dragged to Dwarka), Prince Balram intervenes and suggests a more subtler punishment. On Prince Balram's orders, commander-in-chief of the army, Kritvarma, shaves off half of PrinceRukmi's head and moustache.
King Krishna and Prince Balram come back to Dwarka where Lord Vasudev plans an official wedding between Krishna and his to-be bride Princess Rukmini. King Krishna suggests that Prince Balram invite the princess's entire family and sends him to Kundinpur, where after much argument, reluctant Prince Rukmi and the rest of the family agree to go to Dwarka. Atop Mt. Kailash, Shree Shiv and Goddess Parvatisend Nandi to assemble the entire pantheon of gods to attend King Krishna and Princess Rukmini's wedding. The wedding procession proceeds through the streets of Dwarka with the residents celebrating along the way; thereafter King Krishna and princess Rukmini are married with great pomp and circumstance.
Story 4: Commander-in-chief Kritvarma invites King Krishna to his house to celebrate the birth of his son. However, he requests that LadyDevaki not be present as the people consider her a 'cursed mother' (for losing her first six children immediately after birth). Oblivious to the rumours, Lady Devaki goes to Kritvarma and Sugandha's house where the baby falls unconscious upon her touch. After hearing Sugandhainsult his mother, King Krishna flies to hell, battles Death, and brings the baby's life force back to Earth.
Overcome with grief, Lady Devaki requests her son King Krishna to bring his seven elder siblings back from the grave. King Krishna visits Lord Brahma where he learns that his six elder siblings--Smar, Patang, Ghruni, Udagit, Parishvart, and Shudrabhroot (divine souls who were cursed by Shree Brahma to be born on Earth) now reside in Sutal Lok with demon-King Bali. Back in Dwarka, King Krishna reveals to his mother that the divine souls must go back to heaven in a few minutes. After seeing the true form of her six elder children, Lady Devaki lets them leave and returns herself to Mathura with Lord Vasudev.
Story 5: In court, Prince Balram introduces Dwarka's first thief, Raman, who stands falsely accused of stealing jewelry from the city's temple. Since there are no jails in the city, Prince Balram commands Raman to deposit 100 gold coins in the royal treasury in seven days or face excommunication. Unable to bear the stigma, Raman commits suicide; angered by her husband's death Ramaiyaa curses King Krishna, Queen Rukmini, Prince Balram, and Lady Revati to suffer a similar fate.
Story 6: On the eve of Ganesh Chaturthi, a sage recites the story of Shree Ganesh's curse on demigod Chandra (moon) to Dwarka's royal family. As per the curse, anyone who (even accidentally) looks at the moon will also be cursed with ill fate and misfortune. Due to high winds, the curtain on a nearby window falls down and King Krishna ends up looking at the moon.
Story 7: Nobleman Satrajit of Dwarka goes to royal court wearing the divine Syamantaka jewel which was given to him by Demigod Surya.Satrajit boasts how the jewel provides him with gold eight times per morning. King Krishna asks that the jewel be surrendered to Dwarka forSatrajit's own safety (since the jewel would ruin an unworthy owner) but Satrajit runs away. Jealous of his younger brother, Prasanjit steals the jewel and leaves the family residence. Accompanied by vengeful Ramaiyaa and the mob, Satrajit barges into the royal palace and accuses the king of theft and murder. King Krishna vows to excommunicate himself until he is proven innocent and leaves the palace joined by Defense Minister Akrura and a several soldiers. A divine sage informs King Krishna that the Syamanataka jewel is currently in a cave facing south of Dwarka.
Inside a cave, Bear-King Jamvanta fights and kills the lion (who killed Prasanjit and acquired the jewel) and gifts his daughter PrincessJambavati with it. King Krishna enters Jamvanta's cave and fights with him for 28 days. After being defeated by King Krishna, Jamvantabetroths his daughter Princess Jambavati to King Krishna who are wed in the cave.
Story 8: Satrajit apologizes to the king for his behavior and surrenders the Syamantaka jewel to the royal treasury. Satrajit and his wifeSavithri hold a Swayamvara for their daughter Satyabhama where a turn of events leads to King Krishna marrying Satyabhama, his third principal wife.
The next day, entire Dwarka celebrates King Krishna's birthday with great pomp and circumstance. In honor of the king's birthday, Defense Minister Akrura and Prince Balram recite the story of Krishna's birth to the people.
Story 9: Demon Narkasur, son of Goddess Earth, kidnaps a newly-wed bride to make her the 16,000th queen of his kingdomPragyaJyotishpur, however, she commits suicide after cursing the demon. Narkasur, with five-headed demon Moodhdutt, attacks the demigods in Swarg (paradise) where he defeats Indra and steals demigod-mother Aditi's earrings and demigod Varun's divine umbrella. Humiliated, demigods ask King Krishna for help against Narkasur (who can only be killed by a man who comes on the battlefield with his wife). A feminist at heart, Queen Satyabhama argues with King Krishna to take her to war.
The couple ride on eagle Garud, king of birds, towards PragyaJyotishpur. On their way to the city they face a five-element obstacle course—bollide-like boulders (that are smashed with sharp arrows), constantly rising mountains (that are broken through by a mace); tsunami-like waves (that are sucked in like a whirlpool by Sudarshan Disc weapon); powerful tornado (which is spun in the other direction by Sudarshan Disc weapon); shower of arrows (fought through by swords); and Moodhdutt's sister, fire-demoness Agnisura (who is defeated by QueenSatyabhama). To separate man from wife, Moodhdutt shapeshifts into eagle Garud and helps Demon Narkasur kidnap Queen Satyabhama. As King Krishna flies on eagle Garud towards Narkasur's lair, the demon leashes Moodhdutt's seven demon sons on the Lord who brutally kills all seven offspring. As Demon Narkasur on his elephant and King Krishna on eagle Garud finally engage in battle, Goddess Earth frees Queen Satyabhama (who is taken to the battlefield by eagle Garud) where she along with her husband, ultimately kills Narkasur.
Violated and dishonored for years, Narkasur's 15,999 female prisoners now try to commit suicide but are saved by King Krishna who decides to save their honor by marrying all of them.
Story 10: Queen Satyabhama is furious with King Krishna for giving Queen Jambavati a flower from the celestial Parijat tree and thus desires that King Krishna bring the entire tree down from Swarg (paradise) to Dwarka. King Krishna flies to Swarg and asks Demigod-king Indra for the tree. When Indra refuses King Krishna from borrowing the Parijat tree, the two engage in battle. As Indra is defeated and about to be killed by Sudarshan-disc (weapon), demigod-mother Aditi reminds King Krishna that He is Indra's younger brother (since centuries ago she was the mother of the Lord's Vamana incarnation). Demigod-king Indra asks for the Lord's forgiveness and allows the Parijat tree to be taken to Dwarka where Queen Satyabhama adores and worships it.
To rid the queen of her ego and greed, Lord Krishna devises a secret plan with Sage Narada. The sage instigates Queen Satyabhama against King Krishna suggesting that the Parijat tree has been planted in a specific direction to ensure that the flowers fall into Queen Jambavati's garden. He suggests that if Queen Satyabhama wants her husband to only love her, then she has to observe a special fast. As part of the ritual ceremony, Sage Narada asks Queen Satyabhama to donate her most beloved possession (King Krishna) to the presiding priest. SageNarada accepts the donation and commands his new servant, Krishna, to follow him around. However, seeing the queen despair, SageNarada agrees to return Krishna on one condition—if Queen Satyabhama donates something that is equivalent in weight to her husband's weight. When no material wealth weighs equal to King Krishna's weight, Queen Satyabhama realizes her mistake and upon QueenJambavati's suggestion places a tulsi leaf on the opposite scale. Sage Narada accepts the leaf and returns Krishna back to Dwarka.
Story 11: King Krishna tells Queen Satyabhama about his dearest childhood friend, brahmin Sudama. Sudama lives with his wife Susheelaand their four children in poverty in the city of Vrindapuri. Understanding the cycle of karma from previous births, Sudama quietly accepts his fate. Following the code of Brahminhood, Sudama only asks for donations from five households using that to feed his family. One daySudama meets his old friend Chakradhar who has become wealthy by falsely praising the local king and receiving gifts. Chakradhar tries to help Sudama by asking him to also attend the king's court. Unable to bear the sight of her starving children, Susheela convinces Sudama to join Chakradhar. Unable to sing false praises of the king, Sudama accuses the king of his wrongdoings and is dragged out of the palace. Finally, Susheela convinces Sudama to go to Dwarka and ask his friend King Krishna for help. Sudama leaves his house with a small pouch of uncooked rice as a present for his friend. To help his devotee along the difficult path to Dwarka, King Krishna disguises himself as Murli Manohar, a common Dwarkan and journeys with Sudama towards Dwarka. Along the way, King Krishna telepathically contacts Sage Naradaand devises a plan to feed Sudama and his family. Sage Narada disguises himself and informs Susheela that he has recently saw Sudamaeating the food that Nobleman Saawle Shah was distributing in honor of his son's birth. On the other hand, he tells Sudama that Saawle Shah's servants have distributed food to Susheela and her four children as well. Finally, Murli Manohar and Sudama reach Dwarka and separate from each other. At the palace gates, royal guards make Sudama wait for a long time before the news of his arrival reaches KingKrishna. Feeling insulted, Sudama walks away and reaches the marketplace where he is apprehended by the King who has been running bare feet behind his friend to meet him.
King Krishna welcomes Sudama in the palace where he is treated as a royal guest. Upon being asked if Susheela send any gifts for him,Sudama reluctantly offers King Krishna the small pouch of Poha (dried rice) that Susheela sent for the king. Reminiscing about their pastimes over dinner, King Krishna tells Queens Satyabhama and Jambavati stories of his childhood and how he became best friends withSudama. Still unable to ask his friend for for help, Sudama leaves Dwarka empty-handed after a few days. As Sudama enters Vrindapuri, he encounters Susheela who is now adorned with precious jewelry and in royal attire. Susheela informs Sudama that in his absence demigod-architect Vishwakarma visited her and upon Lord Krishna's orders created a royal bungalow for them. Thus, thanking the Lord for his mercySudama and family live happily ever after.
Story 12: Queens Satyabhama and Jambavati are worried that King Krishna does not seem to pay attention to them anymore. Sage Naradaapparates in Dwarka and informs the queens that maybe King Krishna is daydreaming about the Gopis of Gokul and Vrindavan. Suddenly, King Krishna's health declines and the only remedy is to inhale the dirt of a staunch Krishna devotee's feet. Minister Akrura is unable to find anyone in Dwarka who will be willing to provide the king with dirt from their feet since everyone feels it to be a abominable sin. Upon SageNarada suggestion, Minister Akrura is sent to Vrindavan to obtain dirt from the feet of Gopis (considered to be Lord Krishna's eternal devotees). Upon request, Gopis quickly step on dirt and give it to Minister Akrura who returns to Dwarka and remedies the king's ailment. The queens thereafter understand that there could no higher devotee of King Krishna than the Gopis and accept their mistake.
Story 13: Prologue-- Goddess Earth seeks help from creator Brahma for the atrocious behavior of mankind towards nature and each other. Lord Brahma assuages the goddess's doubts by informing her that Lord Krishna is about to give the world the greatest gift of knowledge and teachings regarding every step of life through his involvement in the war of Mahabharata between two cousin clans, the Kauravas and thePandavas.
Lady Kunti of Hastinapur sends her nephew King Krishna informing him of the return of her 5 Pandava sons and 100 Kaurava nephews fromGurukul (school). The lady expresses her concerns at the issue Hastinapur throne's next successor. The rightful successor is her eldestPandava son, Prince Yudhisthir; the primary obstacle is her nephew Prince Duryodhan, the eldest Kaurava descendant who desperately wants to be the next king.
In Hastinapur, King of Gandhar and brother of Queen Gandhari, Lord Shakuni, informs his brother-in-law and steward-king Dhritrashtra of poisonous rumors that late King Pandu's eldest son Yudhisthir might try to claim his rightful seat as Hastinapur throne's successor and that Lady Kunti has invited her nephew King Krishna to Hastinapur. King Shakuni pressures steward-king Dhritrashtra into choosing eldestKaurava descendant Duryodhan as the next successor by reminding him that Prince Yudhisthir is not really a true Pandava anyways since each Pandu son was a boon to Lady Kunti from a demigod (Yudhisthir from demigod Dharma, Bhima from demigod Vayu, and Arjuna from demigod-king Indra). The two remaining twins Nakul and Sahadeva were a boon from the Ashwini Gods to Pandu's second wife Madri. Kuruelder Devrat, now known as Bhishma, son of Ganga, urges steward-king Dhritrashtra to choose a successor that is worthy of the throne. The next day at the royal welcoming ceremony of the princes' return from school, Prince Yudhisthir is proclaimed the Crown-Prince of Hastinapur. Afraid of King Krishna, uncle Shakuni plots to assassinate Crown-Prince Yudhisthir by dropping a chandelier on him before the king ofDwarka reaches Hastinapur. However, Lord Krishna sends a small whirlwind around the surrounding areas of Hastinapur Palace which divertsArjuna's attention towards the ceiling who then saves Yudhisthir's life. Soon King Krishna arrives in Hastinapur where he has PrinceYudhisthir crowned in His presence. Duryodhan invites King Krishna for dinner where the Lord hints at siding only with righteousness (thePandavas' side).
Uncle Shakuni devises another plot to assassinate the Pandavas under the guise of sending the new Crown-Prince to Varnavrat (present-dayBarnava) in order to make his presence known to the people. Uncle Shakuni orders architect Purochan to secretly create a Lakshagraha(flammable bungalow) made out of extremely flammable materials, due to used to house the Pandava family. King Dhritrashtra orders Crown-Prince Yudhisthir to leave immediately for Varnavrat's annual festival; Yudhisthir's brothers and mother join him as well. King Krishna telepathically informs Prime Minister Vidura of the plot and suggests that he give Pandavas the suggestion (via a riddle) to create a secret escape tunnel for the to escape away. Lord Krishna visits a team of expert diggers in their dream and commands them to go as Minister'sVidura's envoys and help the Pandavas dig an escape tunnel in seven days time. The next morning Prince Arjuna overhears guards receiving an urgent message from Prince Duryodhan to burn the Lakshagraha at the earliest. The same night Lord Krishna blesses Bhima with extreme strength to break through an unbreakable bouldered wall and continue the digging process. At nightfall, guards burn down theLakshagraha as Pandavas escape with their mother via the tunnel. Back in Dwarka Lord Vasudev informs son Krishna that Pandavas have been murdered but King Krishna consoles his father that it is not the truth. In Hastinapur, Uncle Shakuni, Prince Duryodhan, and PrinceDushashan celebrate the news of their arch nemesis' death while everyone else is melancholy. As a result, elder Bhishma goes towardsGanges river to offer his last respects to the deceased (which could have nasty effects) but is stopped by King Krishna. After learning of the truth, Bhishma and King Krishna return to Hastinapur palace.
Wandering in the forests, Pandavas encounter demoness Hidimba running away from her demon brother Hidimb. After Bhima saves her,Hidimba requests Lady Kunti that Bhima marry her and stay with her until she is pregnant. Later, when the life of a family member is threatened by a man-eating demon, Lady Kunti volunteers her son Bhima to go in their stead (as she knows that Bhima will slay the demon instead). When Yudhishthir expresses discontent at not being chosen, Lady Kunti tells him that he isn't only her son but also the crown-prince of Hastinapur and his life is more important for his kingdom than for his family. After defeating the demon, the Pandavas quickly leave the village before news of Bhima's strength reaches Hastinapur.
Story 14: Sudama returns to his palatial home from a pilgrimage only to see that his wife is overtly enjoying her wealth and prosperity and his children are ignoring the food that they starved for before. This saddens Sudama and goes to a marriage party dressed in his former ragged apparel. His wife feels insulted and the entire family comes back home feeling humiliated except Sudama. Later in a dream, Lord Vishnuinstructs Sudama to show his family the path of righteousness and bring them back towards God. When Sudama's eldest son Mohan refuses to eat certain foods, Sudama doesn't let him waste food. Eventually, a starving Mohan secretly eats the same food at midnight. Sudamaenforces Brahmin code in his household and takes his sons to gain Bhiksha from five households. At the fifth house, the owner humiliates Mohan by calling her son Yash out (since the two boys are friends). Angry at her husband, Sudama's wife decides to leave her house butSudama instead volunteers himself. Even angrier, Sudama's wife tells her husband to take the Krishna idol in the family temple with him. Torn apart by parental disagreements, the children adhere to their father's teachings and miss him. Now angry at her children, Sudama's wife kicks her three younger children out with their father. When nothing seems to work, Lord Krishna again disguises himself as Murli Manohar and starts working in Sudama's palace as a servant. Through dreams and other methods, Lord Krishna tries to help Sudama's wife but all attempts eventually fail and in anger she fires Him. When Sudama's eldest son Mohan falls fatally ill, Sudama and his wife together pray to the Lord and Murli Manohar cures Mohan. Sudama and family return to their palace together.
Story 15: Sudama overhears a man insulting Krishna for committing atrocities within his city of Paundraka. Upon clarification, the truth comes out that the region's king has renamed himself Paundraka Vasudeva, is imitating King Krishna's mannerisms, lifestyle, attire, and calling himself the true and only Lord Krishna. Performing cheap magic tricks by bribing participants, Paundraka Vasudeva has entranced the people of Paundraka and Sudama intends to travel to the city and find out why. Defense chief Durdhar brings Sudama to his king's court where Sudama refuses to believe in King Paundraka Vasudeva and is caged in the dungeon. The next morning Sudama is attacked by a shower of arrows (which turn into flowers) and by the king's elder brother Balram's mace which have no effects. When King Paundraka Vasudeva attacks Sudama with a sword, the injuries are inflicted instead upon the king's elder brother. In the cold night, cold water is poured onto Sudama and in the afternoon, he is placed bare feet under the scorching hot sun. At Lord Krishna's request, Sage Narada entersPaundraka Vasudeva's court and advises him that he needs to learn to play the flute to entirely become like King Krishna. Now disguised as Murli Manohar, the flautist, Lord Krishna enters Paundraka Vasudeva's court. When flute teacher Murli Manohar asks student Paundraka Vasudeva to touch his teacher's feet, the king fires him immediately. The next day flautist Harinath of Banaras is welcomed at Paundraka Vasudeva's court to teach the king, however, he fails at his demonstration (as per the Lord's magic). Next morning, Murli Manohar wins the flute-playing contest between Harinath and Himself and before Paundraka Vasudeva becomes a disciple, he touches the Lord's feet under the pretense of touching his teacher's feet. King Paundraka Vasudeva's elder brother begins to suspect Murli Manohar and orders Defence Minister Durdhar to appoint spies. To complete his Krishnahood, Paundraka Vasudeva steals butter from houses, does Raas Leela Dance with Gopis, and plans to conquer Dwarka. Defence Minister Durdhar roams around the city oppressing any devotees of King Krishna. When a Lord Paundraka Vasudeva temple is erected in the palace, Murli Manohar cleverly coaxes the king to fulfill his devotees' wishes (thereby returning their lands, possessions, imprisoned relatives, etc. back to them). When Defence Minister Durdhar secretly enters Dwarka and finds out the truth about King Krishna, Murli Manohar in Paundrak instigates the king against Durdhar who then is beheaded upon his return to the city. King Paundraka Vasudeva catches his wife Queen Taramati worshiping the idol of Lord Krishna and punishes her to be whipped, however, a force field prevents the lashes from hurting the queen's flesh. Queen Taramati requests Murli Manohar to promise her that He will not kill her husband but only punish him. Paundraka Vasudeva's elder brother Balram comes to Dwarka find out about Murli Manohar and instead lands right in front of King Krishna Himself. In Paundraka, Murli Manohar organizes a Rasa lila dance with Gopis to keep the lustful king occupied. When Balram reaches Paundrak and hears that the King has left for Rasa lila, he runs over to the ground and unmasks Murli Manohar. After Paundraka Vasudeva forces King Krishna to appear in his true form, the two kings fight. As King Krishna is about to beheadPaundraka Vasudeva, his wife Queen Taramati begs the king of Dwarka to stop and King Krishna forgives Paundraka Vasudeva. However, after the Lord and Sudama depart for Dwarka, Paundraka Vasudeva resumes committing atrocities like before. Hearing the outcries of his devotees, King Krishna rides on Garuda towards Paundrak. Upon seeing the Lord, King Paundraka Vasudeva demands that the Lord surrender the four divine items of Lord Vishnu in return for deliverance of Krishna devotees. Seeing his sibling Paundraka Vasudeva incapable of picking up any of the items from the floor, his elder brother Balram and close friend, the King of Kashi try to intervene but are instead beheaded. At last with Queen Taramati's approval, King Krishna beheads King Paundraka Vasudeva and crowns Queen Taramati as the new ruler of Paundrak.
Story 16: King Krishna's cousin Uddhav, a scholar who thinks very highly of himself comes to Dwarka with his wife. As he presents the King with a first edition copy of his new publication, Sudama takes the King out of the room and they both leave the book (which offends Uddhav)