The Mahabharata, one thread at a time.

Envious of their cousins' power, Duryodhana and his allies try to kill the Pandavas through poison, drowning, and a burning house. The brothers survive, win a bride, conquer the world, and are then deceived into exile. Their return triggers a war that leaves them victorious over a depopulated kingdom.

Satyavati, the fish-smelling ferry girl, is approached by the powerful sage Parashara. He desires her, and she consents only after securing a boon: that her body will forever emit a sweet fragrance. Their union on the river produces a son who will become the author of the epic itself.

Shakuni has already won Yudhishthira's wealth. He asks if the Pandava has anything left to gamble. Compelled by the game, Yudhishthira begins to stake what remains: his kingdom, his brothers, himself, and finally his wife Draupadi. Each time, Shakuni casts the dice and declares victory.

Vyasa, the great sage and grandfather of the Pandavas, comes to see them while they are living in hiding. The exiled princes rush to greet him with profound respect. He returns their affection and speaks to them of the path they must follow.

To win her wager and avoid slavery, Kadru orders her one thousand snake sons to disguise the white horse's tail as black. When they refuse to aid her deception, she curses them all to die in a future fire sacrifice. The god Brahma hears her and, for the welfare of all creatures, approves the curse.

At Draupadi's swayamvara, every king fails to string the massive bow and shoot the target. A young Brahmin, weak-looking and unknown, steps forward from the crowd. He strings the bow in an instant, pierces the target, and wins the princess.