Time personifies itself as the narrator of the Mahabharat, setting the stage for the epic's tale.

• Time claims to be the sole entity capable of narrating the Mahabharat, having witnessed its events firsthand.
• The Mahabharat is depicted as a timeless story representing the struggle between good and evil, light and darkness.
• It is emphasized that the Mahabharat's lessons are eternally relevant, urging the present to prepare for and shape the future.

King Bharat's rule and the inception of democratic governance in Hastinapur.

• King Bharat, after expanding his kingdom, returns to Hastinapur and is celebrated by his people.
• His significance lies not just in his conquests but also in establishing democratic rule, prioritizing merit over birth.
• This sets the moral framework for the Mahabharat, where the battle of Kurukshetra is a metaphor for the moral struggle.

King Bharat faces a dilemma in choosing a successor and ultimately selects an adopted son.

• Despite having nine sons, King Bharat doesn't find any of them worthy of being his successor.
• He seeks advice from Sage Kanva, who suggests that Bharat must conquer himself to make the right decision.
• King Bharat adopts Abhimanyu, the son of Bharadwaj, as his successor, prioritizing merit over bloodline.

King Shantanu meets Ganga and makes a fateful promise.

• King Shantanu encounters Ganga while hunting and is captivated by her beauty.
• Ganga agrees to marry Shantanu on the condition that he never questions her actions.
• Shantanu, blinded by love, agrees to the condition, setting in motion a series of tragic events.

Shantanu's promise leads to the death of his children and his own suffering.

• Ganga drowns their children one by one, and Shantanu is unable to intervene due to his promise.
• The deaths of his children cause Shantanu great pain and regret, but he is bound by his vow to Ganga.
• Shantanu's inner turmoil reflects the conflict between his duties as a king and his oath to his wife.