Kurukshetra ending explained: How Abhimanyu's fall and Krishna's cosmic intervention powered Arjuna's vengeance; what to expect from Part Two

This animated Netflix series, Kurukshetra: The Great War of Mahabharata covers the first 15 days of the war in Part One, focusing on moral ambiguity and setting up the final battles for Part Two.

Kurukshetra poster

Kurukshetra: The Great War of Mahabharata launched on Netflix on October 10, 2025, and it is an animated mythology series. The show, which reimagines the 18-day fight from the points of view of 18 important warriors, will air in two nine-episode parts. The current release is Part One and does not provide a definitive overall conclusion to the epic war.

Krishna's counsel and the Bhagavad Gita

The first nine episodes of Kurukshetra Part One cover the first 15 days of the war and end right before the fiercest and deadliest part of the conflict. The climax of is structured to set the stage for the second instalment.

Beginning with the outbreak of war, the series follows Lord Krishna as he counsels Arjuna on the battlefield, which is the Bhagavad Gita helping the warrior navigate the difficult moral choice between doing his duty (dharma) and the slaughter of kin.

ALSO READ: Kurukshetra review: Rushed, yet nostalgic animated journey back to the Mahabharata

Bhishma Pitamah's defeat

The war's initial major turning point is depicted with the defeat of the Kaurava commander-in-chief, Bhishma Pitamah, after the arrival of Shikhandi, leading to Dronacharya's appointment as the new commander.

The brutal death of Arjuna's son, Abhimanyu, in the Chakravyuha Formation is a major emotional high point in Part One. This incident serves as a crucial impetus, strengthening the resolve of the Pandavas and propelling Arjuna's determination to exact revenge on Jayadrath.

Arjuna Slaying Jayadrath

Day 14's brutal combat brings the story to a close as Arjuna fulfils his vow to slay Jayadrath, a triumph attained by Krishna's intricate intervention and cosmic vision.

Rather than finishing the fight, Part One concludes the early stages of the war and commits to escalating the struggle in Part Two.

Officially reserved for Part Two, the conventional ending of the "Mahabharata" includes the following crucial events:

The Death of Karna: The last part continues the critical and tragic conflict between the half-brothers Karna and Arjuna, in which Karna dies as a result of a confluence of curses and other unfortunate events.

The Mace Battle: The series has held off on streaming the last, fabled combat between Bhima and Duryodhana until the end of the Kurukshetra war, when the Kauravas are finally vanquished.

Philosophical promise

Part Two's finale promises to delve philosophically into the war's final moral cost and emptiness, as well as the larger storyline surrounding the Pandavas' triumph and their control of Hastinapur.

Part One sets the series' central thematic climax, even though the physical conflict has not ended.

Exploring moral ambiguity

The series makes an effort to avoid reducing itself to a "good vs. evil" dichotomy. Driven by emotions like anger, sadness, and Krishna's cunning manipulation, the Pandavas' quest of Dharma (righteousness) frequently necessitated immorally compromised deeds, as shown in the series' emphasis on the inner struggles of the 18 warriors.

The philosophical bookend is Gulzar's narration, which establishes that the Kurukshetra fight represents a timeless internal conflict between dharma and karma that persists in the modern world. By implying that the real effect of the conflict is the everlasting character of moral decision, this lyrical method serves as the everlasting philosophical conclusion.

Part two release

After the Pandavas exacted their revenge for Abhimanyu's death, the events of Kurukshetra Part One were brought to a close, setting the stage for the decisive days of the war. Waiting for the release of Part Two on October 24, 2025 will bring the final resolution—the physical triumph, the demise of Karna and Duryodhana, and the establishment of the Pandava rule.

FAQs:

Q: Is the Kurukshetra war over at the end of Part One?

A: No, the physical war is not over. Kurukshetra Part One concludes after Day 14 with the death of Jayadrath. Critical battles, including the death of Karna and the final Mace Battle between Bhima and Duryodhana, are reserved for the upcoming Part Two.

Q: Who is the main villain in Kurukshetra Part One?

A: The series moves beyond a simple 'good vs. evil' binary. While the Kauravas (led by Duryodhana) are the antagonists, the show emphasizes the internal dilemmas of all 18 warriors, highlighting the "Ambiguous Righteousness" and moral costs incurred by both sides.

Q: When will Kurukshetra Part Two be released?

A: The release date for Kurukshetra Part Two is set for October 24, 2025, anticipated to conclude the epic war, featuring the death of Karna and the final defeat of the Kauravas.

Share