They go into exile so all others believe them to be dead. The Kauravas attempt to kill the Pandavas using a palace made of wax, but the Pandavas escape. In the meantime, Arjuna, also befriends Lord Krishna, his cousin (Lord Krishna's father was Vasudev, brother of Kunti), and King of Dwarka. Kunti realises that Karna is her son whom she had obtained from Surya, the Sun God, long before marriage. Arjuna wins the competition, but Karna challenges Arjuna as Dronacharya declared Arjuna as the greatest bowman of the world. Years pass and the princes return to Hastinapur, where they are engaged in a competition of showcasing their skills. All princes are sent to study under Guru Dronacharya 12 years later Bhishma banishes Shakuni from Hastinapur, forcing him to return to Gandhar. Shakuni tries to poison Bheema, but he is saved by his great grandfather Naag Raj. Pandavas return to Hastinapur with Kunti, after the death of Pandu and Madri. Years pass, and the Kauravas grow up to be evil, led by their eldest brother Duryodhana, who is highly influenced by his uncle Shakuni, contrary to the Pandavas who are righteous. Gandhari is jealous by this development and gives birth to a lump of flesh after being pregnant for 2 years, but this is cut into 101 pieces by Veda Vyasa, and these pieces eventually transform into children - the 100 Kauravas (led by Duryodhana) and a daughter, Dushala. She also chants the boon for Madri, and Madri obtains twins - Nakula and Sahadeva - from the Ashwini Kumaras. She begets Yudhishthira from Yama (the god of death and righteousness), Bhima from Vayu (the god of wind), Arjuna from Indra (the king of the gods). Kunti uses her boon, given to her by Sage Durvasa, to invoke gods of her choice and obtain children from them. After this Dhritarashtra becomes de facto king of Hastinapur.

Pandu, heartbroken, renounces the kingdom with his 2 wives. Pandu is later cursed by Sage Kindama, that he will die if he attempts to impregnate his wives.

Pandu marries Kunti, a princess of Kunti Kingdom, and Madri of Madra Kingdom. Dhritarashtra is denied the throne for being blind, and the throne is given to Pandu. This angers Shakuni, the brother of Gandhari, and he vows to destroy Bhishma, as it was him who had brought the proposal for Gandhari's marriage. After knowing her would-be-husband is blind Gandhari decided to blindfold herself to share her husband's pain. Soon, Ambika gives birth to Dhritarashtra, born blind, Ambalika gives birth to Pandu, born pale and Parashrami gives birth to Vidura.Дhritarashtra is married to Gandhari, the princess of Gandhara Kingdom because of her boon of bearing a hundred sons. Besides the queens, Vyasa also impregnates a maid Parishrami through occult.

Vichitravirya died without any children, but Veda Vyasa, the son of Satyavati born through occult is requested to impregnate Vichitravirya's 2 wives Ambika and Ambalika the same way he was conceived. She blames Bhisma and vows that she will be the reason of his death. Chitrangad dies and on the advice of queen Saytavati Bhisma wins the three princesses of Kashi kingdom for Vichitravirya but the eldest Princess Amba refuses to marry him and leaves for her lover who rejects her. Shantanu and Satyavati marry and have 2 children - Chitrangada and Vichitravirya. The story begins with Bhishma, the son of Shantanu and Ganga, taking his oath of celibacy to convince Satyavati to marry his father Shantanu, the king of Hastinapura.

Karna in mahabharat serial