The Kauravas, sons of Dhritarashtra, and the Pandavas, sons of Pandu, grew up in the palace of Hastinapura. The natural rivalry between the two sets of cousins was stoked by Bhima whenever he could. Bhima was the strongest of the lot and bullying Duryodhana, he would draw him into a fight and beat him thoroughly. Bhima would clasp one of the Kauravas and diving into the water with him, would stay under water so long that the weaker Kaurava almost suffocated to death. Bhima tortured the Kauravas day and night and they in turn developed an abiding hatred toward him and his brothers.

Yet, it was not completely one-sided. Once, Duryodhana even tried to kill Bhima but Bhima escaped the trap that had been set for him . When Kunti sent word to Vidura about what had happened, Vidura advised the Pandavas to stay on their guard but to not tell any one about the incident. Vidura did not want to further roil the intrigue that centered around which of the cousins, Duryodhana or Yudhishthira, would become king after Dhritarashtra.

Bhishma, now an old man, takes the responsibility of raising the two sets of cousins. They fight constantly, and even try to kill each other. One day a teacher and master of arms, Drona, appears and offers his services to train the boys. He has a secret mission: to avenge an insult made by a former friend. When young, Drona was close to Drupada, but years later, when Drona went to see his childhood companion, now a great king, he was scorned by Drupada because only equals can be friends. As payment for his training, Drona asks the Pandavas to avenge him. Being mighty warriors, they conquer Drupada's kingdom, and hand it over to Drona. He promptly gives his former friend half his kingdom back, saying now we are equals.

For revenge, Drupada has children by sorcery, born out of flames: son Dhrishtadyumna is fated to kill Drona; an oracle says daughter Draupadi will bring destruction on an unrighteous ruler; a third child Sikhandi is Amba reborn.

Later in the war, Drona and Bhishma will fight on the side of the Kauravas not so much out of loyalty but because their mortal enemies (Dhrishtadyumna and Sikhandi) fight with the Pandavas