Sri Mahabharat
(The Immortal and Enchanting Epic of world)
Chapter 5 Udyoga Parva
After the
celebration of the wedding of Abhimanyu and Uttara, a conclave of kings was
held at Virata’s court. Drupada, Balarama, Krishna, Satyaki (of the Yadavas),
Abhimanyu, Pradyumna (Krishna’s son) and the
five sons of Draupadi were gathered, in addition to the Pandava brothers and
Virata himself.
Reviewing
the events that had led to the Pandavas’ misfortunes, Krishna
strongly condemned the atrocities committed by the Kauravas. “What would be
Duryodhana’s next move?” pondered the Vrishni. “Let us immediately send a
messenger to ascertain their plans. If they are willing to return to
Yudhishthira his kingdom, then there would be peace. If not, it is wisdom that
we prepare for war.”
Balarama
was in favour of conciliation. He said, “Yudhishthira lost his kingdom due to
his own folly. Let us not think of war with the Kurus. Let a messenger proceed
to Hastinapura to conciliate the king.”
Satyaki
criticized Balarama for his views, while endorsing Krishna’s
plan. Drupada’s counsel was, “By now Duryodhana must be sending his messengers
to various kings, seeking their support in the war that is certain to take
place soon. Let us also send word to our friends to be prepared. In the
meantime, let us send a messenger to Dhritarashtra.” His advise was accepted by
everyone.
After the
departure of Krishna and Balarama to Dwaraka,
Virata started his war preparations. He, as well as Drupada, enlisted the
support of all those who were sympathetic to the Pandava cause. In a similar
action, the Kurus were contacting their supporters, most of who began to send
their armies.
Following
on the heels of Krishna’s departure to
Dwaraka, Arjuna followed him with the object of formally seeking his help if
there was war. Duryodhana’s spies, in the meantime, brought him news that Krishna was returning to Dwaraka. The Kaurava prince took
a fast steed and set out to Dwaraka to enlist the Yadava’s support. He reached
there ahead of Arjuna.
Finding Krishna in slumber, Duryodhana took a fine seat at the
head of the bed. Arjuna who arrived later, stood at the foot of the bed, his
head bowed and his hands formed in prayer. When Krishna
rose, he saw Arjuna standing at his feet. Turning around, he saw Duryodhana
seated on a splendid chair.
One by one
the two princes informed Krishna of the object
of their visit. They both sought Krishna’s
help in the event of a war between the Kauravas and the Pandavas. Duryodhana
claimed that he had arrived first and hence Krishna
should give him support. Krishna answered,
“You are both very important for me. I would therefore like to help you both.
One of you can have my troop known as Narayanas numbering ten crores. The other
can have me by his side when there is war, although I would not lift my bow or
fight.”
Krishna
added to Duryodhana, “It is always the younger one who should be given the
first choice. Besides, it was Arjuna that I saw first when I woke up. Hence he
should choose first.”
Without
hesitation Arjuna chose to have Krishna by his
side. Duryodhana heaved a sigh of relief that Arjuna did not choose Krishna’s army. “With Krishna’s
army fighting for me the war is as good as won,” he thought.
After
Duryodhana left, Krishna asked Arjuna, “Partha, what made you choose me? Of
what use would I be to you if I am not going to fight?”
“Krishna, I
know your might very well. There is none who can oppose you in battle. You also
know that, single handed, I can vanquish the entire Kaurava force. Besides, it
has long been my desire that you should drive my chariot. I am blessed that I
have got the opportunity now.”
After his
meeting with Krishna, Duryodhana went to Balarama. The elder brother of Krishna
told the prince that he was not in favour of war and hence he would not back
either side.
Salya, king
of the Madras and uncle of Nakula and Sahadeva, left his capital with an
Akshauhini (army division consisting of 1,10,000 soldiers, 22,000 elephants,
22,000 chariots and 66,000 horses), with the idea of joining forces with
Yudhishthira. Informed by his spies, the wily Duryodhana rushed to the route to
be taken by Salya. He chose a spot in which he erected arches and tents, and
filled the encampment with all luxuries. Salya occupied the camp, but was
surprised to find that he owed all the hospitality to Duryodhana.
When
Duryodhana made his appearance and showed respect to Salya, the Madras king
felt obliged to the Kaurava prince. He acceded to Duryodhana’s request and
threw in his lot with him.
After
committing his loyalty to Duryodhana, Salya proceeded to meet the Pandavas.
Receiving a proper welcome, the Madras king informed Yudhishthira of his
promise to Duryodhana. The gracious Pandava king found no fault in this. All he
did was to ask for a favour.
“Revered
uncle,” Yudhishthira said. “There is no doubt that during the war you may have
to drive Karna’s chariot. At that time, you should do all you could to
discourage Radhey and instill diffidence in him.” Salya agreed.
While in
conversation with Salya, Yudhishthira told him how his encounter with Nahusha
turned the latter from a serpent to his original form. Salya related to
Yudhishthira, the story of Indra and Nahusha. Indra was once hiding after
committing brahminicide, a crime not tolerated in all the worlds. In the
absence of Indra, the gods made one of them, Nahusha their king. Drunk with
power, Nahusha started ill-treating the rishis. He made them carry him in a
palanquin. He also coveted Indra’s wife, Cachi.
The great
rishi, Agastya, was offended by Nahusha’s behaviour. He cursed Nahusha to be
born a serpent in the world and spend a thousand years in that condition until
he was redeemed by a king in exile. With the exit of Nahusha, Brihaspati, the
foremost of gods, sought Indra and persuaded him to resume his duties. Salya
cited this as an example of how evil-minded persons eventually get punished for
their misdeeds.
As was
decided in the war council, an emissary, a brahmin, was selected by Drupada to
formally present the Pandava demands at the Kaurava court. With proper
briefing, the learned one left for Hastinapura.
After the
introductions and enquiries about each other’s welfare were over, the brahmin
told the Kaurava king, “Our king, Yudhishthira, is of the opinion that the
Pandavas have fulfilled the conditions laid upon them at the dice game thirteen
years ago. They would now want you to return to them the kingdom that they lost.
If a proper settlement was not arrived at, there may be war, with a high cost
of human lives and material. We are aware that your son Duryodhana has already
started preparing for a war with the Pandavas and has gathered a force of
eleven Akshauhinis. Please be informed that the Pandavas also have at their
call seven Akshauhinis from their supporters. No doubt there is a difference in
numbers. But that is more than made up by the presence among the Pandavas of
that wielder of celestial weapons, their middle brother, Arjuna.”
Bhishma was
quick to respond. He told the king that the demand conveyed by the brahmin
should be acceded to and justice should be done to the Pandavas. Karna flared
up on behalf of Duryodhana. He insisted that the Pandavas remain subservient to
the Kauravas.
When
emotions started to run high, Dhritarashtra said that, after due deliberation,
he would send Sanjaya to Yudhishthira. The brahmin was asked to return to the
Pandavas with that message.
Sanjaya,
the son of Gavalgani and confidante of Dhritarashtra, carried the king’s brief
to Yudhishthira. He reached Upaplavya, a place in the Matsya kingdom where the
Pandavas were now residing. He was received by Yudhshithira with respect.
After the
formal enquiries, Sanjaya conveyed Dhritarashtra’s message to Yudhishthira.
“The king feels deeply sorry for the travails you have undergone. Great is the
trust he reposes on you, for he thinks that your action will determine the
future course of events. Your period of exile is over. You should think of
living peacefully. After all, whatever has happened to you in the last thirteen
years is due to your own folly.
“Even
during your period of exile, you had at least two opportunities when you could
have taken your revenge on the Kauravas. Due to your adherence to truth, you
did not avail of them. Now you are talking of war. War would benefit neither
the Pandavas nor the Kauravas. Both have very powerful warriors on their sides.
Bhishma has the capability of destroying the entire Pandava army. So has Arjuna
the power to wipe the Kauravas out of existence. There are others who are
equally endowed. At the end of the war, who will remain? Of what avail would
such a victory be for the survivors? Peace would therefore suit both families.”
Yudhishthira
replied, “Sanjaya. You know all that has happened; how the evil son of the king
schemed and deprived us of our rightful possessions. We endured all that. The
king’s only objective now seems to be to make his son the monarch of the entire
world. On the other hand, we only desire to recover for ourselves what we were
cheated of. Here is the all-knowing Krishna on whose word the Vrishnis, the
Andhakas, the Srinjayas and the Bhojas do or do not wage war. Let us hear him.”
Krishna
said, “It is not right that inaction be taken as the solution to a problem. Nor
should a disposition towards peace be construed as weakness. I always have the
good of both the Pandavas and the Kauravas in my heart. But there is no doubt
that Yudhishthira and his brothers have been deceitfully deprived of what
belongs to them. It is not only fair, but it becomes their duty, to use force
to procure justice. The onus therefore is on the king to yield to their fair
demands or face war. Subject to this, Sanjaya, the Pandavas are still at peace
with your king.”
The four
brothers of Yudhishthira were unequivocal in conveying to Sanjaya their
eagerness to take revenge on Duryodhana and his friends. They made it clear
that they were raring to go against the Kauravas.
With this,
Sanjaya took leave of the Pandavas, the final message he carried from
Yudhishthira being, “Give me back my Indraprastha or fight with me.”
It was late
in the evening when Sanjaya reached Hastinapura. He was quickly ushered into
the presence of the king. Dhritarashtra eagerly enquired of him the result of
his mission. A weary Sanjaya spoke harshly of his master’s policies and his
weakness for Duryodhana. He told the king, “As a result of the misdoings
of your son, the situation has become serious. The entire Kaurava clan stands
in danger of being wiped out by those noble warriors, the Pandavas.
Yudhishthira has demanded that his kingdom be returned or he would fight for
it.” The king dismissed Sanjaya, asking him to give a detailed report in the
morning at his court.
The failure
of Sanjaya’s mission increased the agitation in Dhritarashtra’s mind. He could
get no sleep. He sent for Vidura looking for some solace. After giving a long
discourse, Vidura summoned the sage Sanat Sujata to talk to the king. Vidura
himself left.
The next
morning Sanjaya presented his report to the king formally. Bhishma, Drona and
Kripa were seated in the court. Also present were Duryodhana, Karna, Duscasana
and Sakuni who all sat in a group.
Sanjaya
told the court about the reaction of Yudhishthira and his brothers to the
proposal carried by him. He conveyed to the king the message Krishna had sent.
The envoy also gave an account of the war preparations of the Pandavas and the
support they were getting from various kings. Arjuna and Bhima wanted him to
convey to Duryodhana their wrath and their determination to suitably avenge the
insults and injury they had suffered.
Bhishma was
quick to caution Duryodhana. “Following the advise of your friend, the
charioteer’s son, you are bringing destruction to your race. Know you who these
Arjuna and Krishna are? They are the sages Nara and Narayana who, from ancient
times, have made their appearance on earth to redeem mankind from evil forces.
They have fought and slain thousands of Asuras and other disturbers of peace.
Many are the gods who have taken refuge at their feet and this faultless pair
has given them succour. The mere sight of the powerful Krishna driving the
chariot of Arjuna would make you shiver and cow. Do not take arms against them.
Give up this foolish obstinacy of yours and return to the Pandavas what is due
to them.”
Drona
confirmed what Bhishma said. “There is no one in all the three worlds who could
match Arjuna in the battle field. Making peace with the Pandavas is the best
course. Give them back what belongs to them and avoid battle,” he advised
Duryodhana.
Duryodhana
sat grimly, without uttering a word.
Dhritarashtra
asked Sanjaya to describe further the armies that were gathering in support of
the Pandavas. An exhausted Sanjaya swooned, but quickly recovered.
Sanjaya
said, “Among those that are responding to the Pandavas are the Panchalas, the
Matsyas, the Kekeya princes, the Vrishnis, Sisupala’s son Dhrishtaketu,
Jarasandhan’s son Sahadeva and a host of others. Krishna is present there and
would himself drive Arjuna’s chariot. Many who are paying tribute to you would
now join their cause.”
Duryodhana’s
rage was kindled on hearing Sanjaya, Bhishma and Drona. He felt that they were
unnecessarily praising the enemy. He told Dhritarashtra, “Do not despair, O
King. When the Pandavas left in disgrace to the forest, many were the kings who
met them and offered them support. Krishna was also very much there. At that
time I was overawed by fear of them. When I expressed my apprehensions to
Bhishma, Drona and Kripa they assured me that whatever support the Pandavas
got, we have the power to ward them off. Today, we have the whole world under
our feet. The Pandavas have no kingdom, no army. Arjuna will be no force in
front of our warriors. Bhishma, whom Parasurama himself acknowledged as a
superior, can wipe out the entire Pandavas. Arjuna’s preceptor, Drona, himself
stands by our side.
“Even
Balarama has acknowledged that I am superior to Bhima in mace battle. We have
heroes like Karna and Aswathamma, each individually equal to the entire Pandava
force. Our Samasaptakas are do-or-die warriors who would slay or be slain. Even
if all of you forsake me, the three of us, Karna, Duscasana and myself, can
destroy the Pandavas.”
The elders
were hardly convinced by Duryodhana’s speech and kept expressing their
misgivings. Duryodhana left the hall in anger. After dismissing his court, Dhritarashtra
sent for Vyasa and Gandhari. Duryodhana was also recalled. But the advise of
his mother and grandsire fell on Duryodhana’s deaf ears.
Krishna
counsels Pandavas
Yudhishthira
and his four brothers sat with Krishna, debating on their next move. Bhima and
Arjuna showed a strange change in their attitude. Both now talked about
avoiding the war, even if compromises were to be made with Duryodhana. Krishna
showed his surprise. “I could hardly believe that you have so easily forgotten
the insults you received from Duryodhana. Panchali has waited patiently and now
looks forward to avenge the insolent behaviour of Duryodhana and his wicked
companions thirteen years ago. It cannot be that fear causes you to talk thus.
You probably think that total war is too high a cost to regain your kingdom.
But it is not only your kingdom you have to recover. It is your glory and the
fulfillment of your vows that is important. Do not abandon the only path that
is right.”
Sahadeva
also criticized his brothers for wavering. Draupadi said, “It gladdens to hear
Sahadeva talk so vehemently. These tresses are witness to the base behaviour
towards me of Duryodhana and his brother. Could they ever be forgiven? Our king
even offered to the Kauravas that, instead of a kingdom, we could settle for
five villages, Avisthala, Brihasthala, Makandi, Varanavata and for a fifth, any
other. But Duryodhana refused, insisting that he would yield nothing. Where is
the basis for negotiations?”
The
brothers were all now united and the blood that coursed their veins seemed to
get hotter. Nothing short of grounding the Kauravas in the various manners as
vowed after the dice game would satisfy them.
Krishna
goes to Kaurava court
Krishna
said, “To me also war seems to be inevitable. I am known to be close to both
the Pandavas and the Kauravas. It should not therefore come to pass that I
caused you to embark on this war. I shall clear my name if I make one last
attempt to prevent war by going to the Kaurava court to make a plea for peace.”
Yudhishthira
opposed this plan. “The Kaurava court is now full of kings inimical to us,” he
told Krishna. “There are those who would take advantage of your being alone and
cause you harm. We can ill afford anything happening to you.” Krishna allayed
Yudhishthira’s fear and it was agreed that he should go.
The next
morning Krishna set off to Hastinapura in his splendid car driven by Daruka and
drawn by Saivya, Sugriva and other steeds. News of his journey reached
Dhritarashtra early, and he made elaborate preparations to receive the Vrishni
hero. He ordered that Krishna should be honoured with chariots and costly gems
as present.
Vidura told
the king, “Krishna is coming here on an important mission. He would accept no
present from you till he obtains what he wants. These presents would not
impress him. We know that he desires justice to be done. This is our last
opportunity. Do not let this go.”
“It is well
known that Krishna is aligned to the Pandavas,” Duryodhana said. “It would
therefore be a waste to shower presents on him. Without doubt, he deserves
respect. But let us not behave as though we worship him out of fear of the
enemy.”
“Whether or
not you worship him,” Bhishma said. “Krishna can never be frustrated. He would
only recommend what is right and truthful.”
Duryodhana
replied, “O Grandsire! I will share nothing with the Pandavas. I look
forward to Krishna’s visit so that, once he is here, I can imprison him. With
him in my jail, the Pandavas and the Vrishnis would meekly submit to me.”
The king
and all his counselors were outraged at the prince’s speech. Dhritarashtra
scolded his son for entertaining such ideas. Bhishma walked out angrily with
the remark, “Nothing can save you, O King, or your son, from total
destruction.”
Arriving at
Hastinapura, Krishna was warmly received at Dhritarashtra’s palace. After
exchanging greetings with the king and all the others assembled, Krishna, with
the king’s leave, went to Vidura’s abode. He met Vidura and Kunti. To the
latter, he conveyed news about the welfare of her sons and daughter-in-law. She
in turn asked Krishna to convey her blessings to the Pandavas and her hope that
they would fulfill her expectations about them.
Krishna’s
no to Duryodhana
From
Vidura’s palace, Krishna went straight to that of Duryodhana. The prince
welcomed him with the usual platitudes and placed at his feet many valuable
presents. He invited the Vrishni chief to dine with him. Krishna declined,
saying, “Noble prince. A good envoy never accepts gifts or entertainment until
his object is fulfilled.”
Duryodhana
pointed out that Krishna has already given him his army. He would therefore
show his gratitude by entertaining Krishna as an honoured guest.
Krishna
replied, “A person accepts dinner from another for one of two reasons. One is
that he is hungry and needs food. The other is that food is offered out of
love. Since neither is the case here, I would not accept your hospitality. I
shall dine only with Vidura and none else.” So saying, he left. There was
a perceptible increase in temperature around Duryodhana.
When
Krishna arrived at Dhritarashtra’s court the next morning, he observed a number
of rishis, including Narada, standing in the firmament, eager to observe the
proceedings. At his behest, Bhishma invited them and offered them seats. In the
splendid court of Dhritarashtra, where the seats were all inlayed with costly
gems, the conclave began.
Krishna’s
brief to Kauravas
To
Dhritarashtra, his advisers and the assembled monarchs, Krishna presented the
Pandava case. “O Chief of the Kauravas! Your glory and power has spread and
today you are the foremost of kings. The Pandavas are your sons and they would
only be happy to acknowledge you as their superior. They are all endowed with
skill as warriors. With them on your side you can truly become the envy of even
Indra.
“An
aggrieved subject turns to the king for justice. The Pandavas have been
deceived into losing their kingdom. They have undergone thirteen years of exile
as required of them. Now they are turning to you for the return of their
kingdom in fulfillment of your promise. It behooves you to do what is right.
The alternative would be to plunge the world into war and total annihilation.
Save the Kshatriya race. Save mankind.”
From among
the rishis who were present, Parasurama, Kanva and Narada spoke. With all
wisdom and spirituality concentrated in them, they advised Dhritarashtra to
follow Krishna’s advise. They gave examples of kings coming to grief due to
their greed and selfishness. They said, “When Nara and Narayana are combining,
of what avail is it to fight the Pandavas?”
Dhritarashtra
replied that he had no power over his son. “I have told him to desist from this
dangerous path. But he listens to me not.”
Krishna
then spoke to Duryodhana. He reminded the Kaurava prince of his immense
responsibility in protecting his race and saving the world from destruction.
Bhishma and Drona followed, pointing out to the king and his son the wisdom in
what Krishna had said.
Disregarding
the counsel given by the best of beings, Duryodhana said, "Whoever has
spoken has only found fault with me. The Pandavas played the dice game of their
own volition. They lost all. Yet I restored everything to them. But they came
back and played again. They lost again in a fair bet. How am I responsible for
this?
“This
entire kingdom belongs to my illustrious father. Out of the goodness of his
heart he gave half of it to his brothers’ sons. They have lost their portion
and are now claiming it from us. They are so desperate that they would even
settle for five villages!
“There is
no question of accommodating the Pandavas. To fight, I am ready, being a
Kshatriya. I have warriors whom even the gods cannot defeat. I would not yield
to the Pandavas a needlepoint of land. This is final.”
His eyes
red with anger, Krishna addressed Duryodhana. ”From the earliest time you have
done everything you could to harm the Pandavas. Your jealousy and the advise of
your evil friends have driven you to make many attempts on their lives. You
schemed the dice game and used Sakuni to deceive your cousins. You and this
Duscasana behaved disgracefully towards your own brothers’ wife. Now when the
Pandavas are asking for what belongs to them, you are denying it. And yet you
say you are innocent. Your foolishness is such that nothing can stop it from
destroying you.”
Duscasana
turned to his brother and said, “It is obvious that what these people want is
to hand over the entire kingdom to the Pandavas so that they can bind us in
ropes and take us to their king.” Duryodhana rose from his seat, hissing like a
snake, and walked out of the hall. He was followed by his associates.
Krishna
appealed to the king. “It is now in your hands to immediately bind your two
sons along with Karna and Sakuni and hand the four over to the Pandavas. By
sacrificing this much, you can save the whole world.”
A besieged
Dhritarashtra asked for his queen to be fetched so that she can advise his
‘wretched son’.
After the
arrival of Gandhari, Duryodhana was summoned once again to the court. Gandhari
patiently explained to her son the folly he was committing and asked him to
follow the advise of his illustrious elders. Disregarding his mother’s words,
the proud prince once again walked out.
Duryodhana plans to imprison Krishna
Even as he
was leaving, the idea was forming in Duryodhana’s mind to quickly nab Krishna
and imprison him. With Krishna was present the Vrishni chief Satyaki who had
the ability to read peoples’ minds. He knew that the foursome would attempt to
capture Krishna. He rushed out of the hall and had a chariot readied.
Returning
to the court, Satyaki appraised the king of Duryodhana’s plan. The king
expressed his outrage. Vidura said that any effort to harm Krishna would only
hasten Duryodhana towards his doom. Dhritarashtra brought Duryodhana back once
again.
Krishna
shows Duryodhana his terrible form
Krishna
addressed Duryodhana. “You think that I am alone here and hence you can bind
me. Far from it, I have all my forces surrounding me this very moment.” So
saying Krishna took a terrible form. On him could be seen Brahman, Rudra and
all the other gods. He was surrounded by the tribes of Vrishni and Andhakas.
Standing by him were Arjuna and the other Pandava brothers. The intensity of
the sight was such that all closed their eyes, save Bhishma, Drona and the
rishis. To them it was a sight to be enjoyed.
Resuming
his normal form, Krishna left Dhritarashtra’s court. He went to Kunti’s
apartment to take leave of her.
Krishna’s
encounter with Karna
Late in the
evening, Dhritarashtra sent for Sanjaya. He asked him, “Is it true that in the
midst of the day’s events, Krishna took Karna in his chariot alone? What
transpired between them?” Sanjaya said that he had come to know the following.
Krishna
told Karna, ‘Radheya. You are no doubt aware of the circumstances of your
birth. You were born to Kunti with Surya as your sire. You are therefore a
brother of the Pandavas; the eldest among them. The Pandavas do not know this.
If they do, they would, without doubt, bow to you and treat you with reverence.
Join them and fight for their cause, abandoning the evil Duryodhana. The
Pandavas alone have the ability to conquer the world. When they do conquer the
world, they would make you their king. The five mighty brothers would stand in
attendance on you. Your real mother would embrace you in happiness.’
Karna
replied, ‘O Kesava. I am fully aware of your greatness. I know that victory
will be where you are. I am also aware of how I was born. You must appreciate
that Pritha abandoned me soon after I was born. It was Adhiratha and his wife
Radha who found me and brought me up as their own. I have gone through all the
religious rites as applicable to the Suta class. It is Adhiratha who is my
Pitra to whom I owe all religious sacraments. It is Radha who breathed life
into me. They are my parents and they would remain so. As for my allegiance to
Duryodhana, it is unshakeable. Right or wrong, I shall follow him to the end.
The great and holy battle site of Kurukshetra awaits this showdown, which will
involve all humanity. It is my destiny to fight Arjuna. Either he survives or
I. All I seek is that I do not swerve in my loyalty, and I reach heaven that is
reserved for the Kshatriya warrior who falls in the battlefield.’
Krishna
assured that such would be the case. He added, ‘Now that war is inevitable, you
may tell the king and his venerable advisers that seven days from now would be
the right time to start it.’ This is what I learn, great king.
Vidura
briefed Kunti of the happenings during the day. He expressed his concern over
the gathering of war clouds and the helplessness of the elders in stopping it.
Kunti realized that Karna was playing a key role in the developments, being
Duryodhana’s adviser. He was also the main strength Duryodhana depended on.
“Karna was born to me,” she reflected. “Surely he would heed my words if I make
a fervent appeal to him. I should do what I can to prevent this war.”
The next
morning she went to the banks of Ganga where she observed Karna standing in the
water and praying to the Sun god. She waited even as the sun rose higher and
higher. As Karna came out of the water, she was standing like a fading lotus.
Karna was
surprised to see the lady. He paid his respects to her, “I, the son of Radha
and Adhiratha, bow to you. I would have come to you if you had sent me a
message. Of what service can I be to you?”
Kunti
spoke, “You are Kunti’s son. Not Radha’s or Adhiratha’s.” She narrated to him
the story of his birth. “You are Partha, brother of Arjuna. You are now
enjoying the prosperity wrested by Duryodhana unjustly from Yudhishthira. Leave
Dhritarashtra’s son and go to the Pandavas where you rightly belong. Let
henceforth people talk of you and Arjuna as they talk of Balarama and Krishna.”
Even as
Kunti spoke, the voice of Surya could be heard, urging Karna to follow his
mother’s advise.
Karna told
Kunti, “It is, no doubt, one’s duty to respect his mother’s wishes. But
consider your own action when I was born. You abandoned me, a helpless infant.
If it were not for Adhiratha, my life would have ended that day. I was born a
Kshatriya, but was denied the right to call myself one. You have never
considered my good. Even today you are acting with a selfish motive. You are
doing this for the Pandavas. Not for me. Besides, everyone knows the might of
Arjuna. If I today go to him I would only be called a coward. I have grown
under the shadow of Duryodhana’s friendship. In this his hour of need it
becomes my duty to stand by him.
“However,
since you have appealed to me, I can give you one assurance. In the ensuing
battle, excepting for Arjuna, I would not aim to kill any of the other Pandava
brothers.”
With this
exchange, the two went on their different paths.
From
Hastinapura, Krishna returned to Upaplavya where he briefed Yudhishthira about
his mission. He also informed that Duryodhana had raised an army of eleven
Akshauhinis with the help of several kings. Bhishma had been elected
Commander-in-Chief of the Kaurava army which was now repairing to Kurukshetra.
Yudhishthira
informed Krishna that the Pandavas had also raised an army, seven Akshauhinis
in strength. “Drupada, Virata, Drishtadyumna, Sikhandin, Satyaki, Chekitana and
Bhimasena have been appointed the Akshauhini commanders. We now have the task
of electing our army leader.”
The names
of Virata, Drupada and Sikhandinn were considered. Arjuna suggested that
Drishtadyumna should be the commander. Yudhishthira left the choice to Krishna
who endorsed Arjuna’s suggestion. Drishtadyumna, the son born to Drupada from
the sacrificial fire to counter Drona, was named the Pandava Commander-in-Chief
for the War.
The
Pandavas made adequate arrangements for the stay and security of Draupadi and
the other women in Upaplavya. The army formations were made and the march to
Kurukshetra commenced. Krishna and the five brothers, along with the other
kings and warriors, took up their positions in the vanguard.
Arriving at
Kurukshetra, they selected a proper place for camping. A defensive moat was
built and soldiers posted all around. The artisans set to work on the tents and
assembly rooms. The physicians and veterinarians were given proper
accommodation. The kings were provided tents that were big and well decorated.
Storehouses were built for arms and weapons. Kitchens were set up to feed the
forces.
Duryodhana
similarly organized his troop of eleven Akshauhinis. Kripa, Drona, Salya,
Jayadratha, Sudhakshina, Kritavarman, Aswatthama, Karna, Bhurisrawas, Sakuni
and Bahlika took command of the eleven divisions.
The
chief-elect, Bhishma, gave the pledge that despite his sympathies for the
Pandava cause, he would remain loyal to the Kauravas while in battle. ”Let me
however warn you,” he said. “The Pandavas are invincible. As long as I am alive
I shall slaughter at least ten thousand of their troops every day. But let me
also make this clear. This charioteer’s son always boasts of his prowess and
thinks he is superior to me. Hence, either Karna fights first or I fight.”
Karna
quickly responded, “As long as Ganga’s son is alive, I shall not fight. It shall
be after he is slain that I shall take arms against Arjuna.”
The army
then marched towards Kurukshetra.
Balarama,
surrounded by a few Vrishni worthies, arrived at the Pandava camp. He addressed
the assembly of kings, “My attachment to both the Pandavas and the Kauravas is
of the same degree. I tried to argue with Krishna to treat both on an equal
footing. No doubt he has committed his forces to the Kauravas, but he has
personally aligned with Arjuna.
“I do not
approve of this war. However, I am always with Krishna, whatever he does.
Duryodhana and Bhima alike have become champions in the wielding of the mace,
having learnt the art from me. I have no desire to stay and witness the
slaughter of these two families. I am therefore leaving on a pilgrimage.” So
saying, Balarama left the scene.
Krishna had
obtained Rukmini by abducting her, much to the chagrin of her brother, Rukmi,
the prince of Vidharba. A great warrior by his own right, Rukmi owned the
celestial bow Vijaya, and had an Akshauhini for his army. When Krishna made off
with Rukmini, Rukmi sought revenge. But in his battle with Krishna, he was
totally humiliated. He built a city, Bhojkata, at precisely the same place
where Krishna downsized him, and ruled a vast kingdom from there.
Rukmi now
arrived at the Pandava camp with his huge force and addressed Yudhishthira in
the presence of Krishna thus. “O King. If you are afraid of the coming war, I
can assist you. I am capable of vanquishing all those Kaurava warriors
single-handedly. I can win the war for you and make you king of the earth.”
Yudhishthira
replied politely, “Born as Pandu’s son, with Drona as my teacher, and with
Arjuna and Krishna by my side, why should I be afraid? I can very well fight
this war without your help. You may, if you wish, stay. Otherwise you may
leave.” Rukmi left with his sea of warriors.
Reaching
Duryodhana, Rukmi enacted the same drama there. The proud Duryodhana promptly
rejected him. Rukmi went home with all his forces, not getting an opportunity
to participate in the Great War.
With the
battle to commence the next day, Duryodhana, with Duscasana, Karna and Sakuni
in attendance, called Uluka, the gambler’s son, and sent him to the Pandava
camp. He asked Uluka to individually warn Yudhishthira, Bhima, Arjuna, Krishna
and all the other kings of the doom that was awaiting them in the coming war.
He laughingly coached Uluka on the kind of offensive language he should use.
Uluka
carried the message to the Pandava camp. Both the language and the content of
Duryodhana’s message, faithfully repeated by Uluka, so incensed Bhima that he
took a step towards the messenger. Krishna intervened and advised the envoy to
leave immediately.
Bhishma
made a quick survey of the warriors on both sides, dividing them into Rathas,
Maharathas and Atirathas, in the ascending order of their capabilities. He said
that among the Kauravas, there were thousands who were Rathas, including the
hundred brothers and Sakuni. Karna’s son Vrihasena and Drona’s son Aswatthama
were included in the list of Maharathas. As for Karna, Bhishma said, he was
‘half-a-Ratha’.
His face
red, Karna stood up and said he would prove the grandsire wrong by wiping out
the entire Pandava army.
Reviewing
the Pandava army, Bhishma classified all the Pandava brothers as Maharathas. So
were Drupada and Virata. Among the Atirathas were Drupada’s sons Satyajit and
Dhrishtadyumna.
Talking of
his own weakness, Bhishma pointed out that due to his vow never to fight
against a woman, Sikhandin may very well cause his death. Although a man in
appearance, Bhishma held Sikhandin to be a woman.
Duryodhana
asked his advisers, how long would it take to annihilate the Pandava forces?
Bhishma
said, “One month.”
Drona said,
“One month.”
Kripa said,
“Two months.”
Aswatthama
said, “Ten nights.”
Karna said,
“Five nights.”
Bhishma
smiled and said, “So you can in five nights, if you do not encounter Arjuna. It
costs nothing to say what pleases you.”
Chapter 6 Bhishma Parva
Dhritarashtra,
the King of the Kauravas, was restless. Being blind, he could not witness the
preparations his son was making to meet the Pandavas at Kurukshetra. It was at
this time that Vyasa who could divine Dhritarashtra’s discomfiture visited him.
“O King,”
Vyasa said. “The event all of us tried to prevent is now about to take place. The
greatest war of our times is about to begin. The omens are deadly. The
configuration of planets in the skies is very disturbing. Crows are constantly
cawing. Jackals and vultures are congregating at Kurukshetra, looking forward
to having a feast. Donkeys are braying and unnatural births are taking place.
The hour for the death of all the great monarchs with their followers has come.
Try not to yield to grief.
“I shall,
if you desire, grant you vision to witness this great event.”
Dhritarashtra
replied, “Venerable Muni. What is going to happen is the carnage of the
Kshatriyas. Those that are near and dear to me will slaughter each other.
Regardless of who wins or loses this war, the grief it would cause will be
limitless. I do not want to gain my sight to witness the killing. I, however,
want to know the happenings in the battlefield in all detail.”
Vyasa told
Dhritarashtra’s faithful servant Sanjaya that he would grant him the vision to
see and the ear to hear everything that takes place in the war. He could act as
the king’s eyes and ears and describe the war as events unfolded. The eighteen
days of the war are known to us from Sanjaya’s commentary to his king.
Battle positions
Both
adversaries took their positions in the battlefield of Kurukshetra. The Kaurava
army was in the east, facing the western firmament. The Pandavas faced east.
Led by Bhishma, the Kauravas with their vast army of eleven Akshauhinis moved
forward like a vast ocean. They looked like an army of Danavas (ethereal
beings, hostile to god). The Pandavas with seven Akshauhinis looked less in
number but had the aspect of a celestial army. The wind, blowing from east to
west, seemed to carry a message from the beasts of prey to Duryodhana’s army.
Yudhishthira
voiced his concern to Arjuna at being outnumbered by the Kaurava forces. Arjuna
spoke confidently. He said, “In a similar situation, when Indra was fighting
the Asuras, the supreme god told the deity that what mattered was not might but
truth. Victory would be where there is righteousness. Besides, as Narada says,
where there is Krishna, there victory is.”
Krishna
advised Arjuna to first offer prayer to the goddess Durga, that invincible
slayer of asuras. Arjuna did so. The goddess appeared before him and blessed
him.
As the
warriors were taking their positions, the awe-inspiring sounds of the conches
were heard. Krishna blew his Panchajanya, Arjuna his Devadatta, Bhima his
Paundara, Yudhishthira his Anantavijaya, Nakula his Sughosa and Sahadeva his
Manipushpaka.
Arjuna
asked his charioteer Krishna to steer him to a position from where he could
review the opponent’s army. When Arjuna looked at Bhisma, Drona and all those
that were dear to him, arrayed for battle, a feeling of despondency overtook
him. He told Krishna that his limbs trembled. “Of what use is it to gain
sovereignty over all the three worlds if it is by killing my preceptors and
kinsmen?” he asked. “Woe unto me that I should kill those who offer sacrificial
offerings to my ancestors.”
So saying,
Arjuna sat down in his chariot, refusing to fight. The greatest moment of the
Mahabharata narration had arrived. What Sanjaya described to his king next was
Krishna’s advise to the disconsolate and dejected Arjuna; that incomparable
discourse on the very definition of one’s duty, of righteousness, of virtue in
the face of the transience of the soul, of what formed the core, the pith of
Hindu faith and belief.
Arjuna:
“Achutha. How can I take up arms against Bhishma and Drona who deserve my
worship? How can I, out of avarice for wealth and fame, strike at those who are
my preceptors? Compassion has possessed me. Fight, I do not want to. Show me
the right path. I am lost without you.” Saying this, he bowed his head to
Krishna.
Krishna:
“Rise, Arjuna. It ill becomes you to lay down your arms in this hour. You mourn
for those that do not deserve mourning.
“Embodied
in every man is his soul. The soul is indestructible. Like changing clothes,
the soul changes bodies. Besides, life is ephemeral. None who is born can
escape death.
“To each is
given a station in life. Duties are attached to it. Born a Kshatriya, it is
your duty to face battle. Not doing so will only bring you infamy.
“Knowledge
without devotion is meaningless. Devotion is Yoga. Yoga is to do your duty
without expecting its fruits. Separate emotion from duty. Be of steady mind.”
Arjuna:
“How does one attain steadiness of mind?”
Krishna:
“He who remains calm in the midst of calamities, he who no more craves for
pleasure, he who has conquered fear and anger, he who has overcome attachment,
his is the steady mind.”
Arjuna: “If
devotion is superior to work, then why should I work?”
Krishna:
“Devotion is of two kinds. Sankhya is through knowledge. Yoga is through work,
work of the detached kind. I am the Supreme Being. Yet I work. If I cease to
work, there would be chaos. By doing your work without expectation, you leave
it to me to decide on the results. Hence take up your bow and fight. Realising
your duty and doing it, is right. Not action impelled by others.”
Arjuna:
“What forces interfere with my devotion?”
Krishna:
“It is your senses. They come in the way of your understanding your duty.
Control them, you must. I taught this to Vivaswat, he to Manu, Manu to Ikshaku.
And you have come in the line of those.”
Arjuna:
“Living in our generation, how could you have imparted this knowledge so long
ago?”
Krishna:
“This birth of mine is one of many. I am born in different ages in different
forms. Men who have cleansed themselves have come to me and I have accepted
them. It is knowledge that cleanses. Knowledge follows devotion. Use this
knowledge to dispel your doubts.”
Arjuna:
“How do you talk of action and abandonment of action as both commendable? Which
is superior?”
Krishna:
“Both lead to emancipation. But action is far superior of the two. Sankhya and
Yoga are ultimately one. To be free from opposites, one should have no aversion
or desire. But where there is devotion, the path is shorter. To be free is
knowledge.”
Arjuna:
“What of him who has faith, but has fallen short in devotion?”
Krishna:
“Such a person will be born again for regeneration. Knowing me is the ultimate
goal. Many who have strived hard have yet not reached me. I am the beginning
and the end. I am the OM of the Vedas. Nothing can be attained beyond me. At
the end of many lives the truly devoted can reach me.
“All are in
me. I am in none. There are long stretches of time known as Kalpas. Everything
ends in one Kalpa and everything starts again with another. I create the
Kalpas. I sit outside them. Yet I am manifest in everything. All physical
phenomena are I and so are thought. Those that do not know me have their
thought on inconsequential things. There are many gods and many rishis who do
not know me. The few who do have attained supreme knowledge.”
Arjuna:
“How shall I attain that knowledge? What qualities of yours do I meditate
upon?”
Krishna: “I
am the foremost of all that is perfect. Among Adityas, I am Vishnu. Among
mountains, I am Meru. Among the Rudras, I am Sankara. Among the Rishis, I am
Narada. I am Vasudeva among the Vrishnis. I am Dhananjaya among the Pandavas. I
am Vyasa among the ascetics. Whatever is great has a portion of me. I support
the universe. I am the Adhyatman, the ultimate essence.”
Arjuna:
“Show me then, you great one, your eternal form.”
Krishna
revealed to Arjuna his supreme form. Struck with awe, Arjuna saw in it the
entire universe. It was radiant like a thousand suns. All the gods, all the
rishis were there. Into his mouth, Arjuna could see created beings rush, to be
consumed by fire.
Gripped
with fear, Arjuna asked, “What form is that you are showing me now?”
The god
answered, “I am Death. All those warriors standing before me, Bhishma, Drona,
Karna and the others, they are waiting to be consumed by me. With or without
you, they would cease to be. Take your bow and release the shafts, with your
right or left hand, and slay them. Consider it is I who is slaying them, not you.”
Trembling
with fear and overawed by the apparition, Arjuna joined his hands. He bowed low
and said, “Indeed you are the Supreme Being. The Rishis are right in
proclaiming you so. I feel like a speck in front of you. Yet I thought of you
as only Krishna of the Yadavas. I had equated myself with you, played with you,
sat in the same table and presumed you were my companion. Pardon me for my
innumerable lapses. Forgive me as a father forgives his son. This awesome sight
I can stand no more. Please resume the form I am familiar with.”
Krishna
said, “Fear not. This form is seen by you alone. There are very few before you
who have seen it. Freed of all fear, resume your duty.”
Krishna
returned to his normal form. All doubts dispelled from his mind, Arjuna got
ready for the war.
The mighty
armies stood facing each other for the battle to begin. Suddenly it was
observed that Yudhishthira alighted from his car and started walking towards
the Kaurava side. Amazed at his conduct, Arjuna and Bhima followed him, asking
where he was going. Krishna who could guess the reason bade the two brothers to
stay back.
Approaching
Bhishma, Yudhishthira prostrated before him. “O grandsire, with you we shall
battle today. Grant me permission.”
Bhishma
said, “Rise, O lord. Your action is commendable. Had you not come thus, I would
have cursed you. Ask of me anything and I shall give it to you. Anything not
connected with the battle.”
Yudhishthira
said, “The Kauravas are being led by you. As long as you are alive there can be
no victory for us. Tell me how we can kill you.”
Bhishma
replied, “I am invincible. None amongst you or amongst the celestials can kill
me. I have to choose my own time of death. Go now and come to me once again
when doubt grips you.”
Yudhishthira
next approached his preceptor, Drona, and asked him similarly how to kill him.
Drona replied, “As long as I fight, there can be no victory for you. Therefore
seek to destroy me early. I can be killed only when I lay down my arms and am
in meditation. That will happen if I hear something disagreeable from someone
who can be trusted.”
When
Yudhishthira approached Kripa similarly, the teacher answered, “I am incapable
of being slain. Fight as best as you can and victory will be yours.”
Finally,
approaching Salya and paying his respects to him, Yudhishthira told him, “I
solicit a boon from you. When Karna joins the fight and you navigate his
chariot, do all you could to weaken him, by word and deed consistent with your
duty.” Salya promised to do so.
With this,
Yudhishthira returned to his chariot.
Krishna meets Karna again
While
Yudhishthira was away, Krishna walked up to Karna. After greeting him he said,
“As long as Bhishma leads Duryodhana’s forces, you would be sitting out of the
battle. Join the Pandavas and fight for them till the time Bhishma falls. When
Bhishma is gone, you may return to Duryodhana’s side.” Karna refused.
Just before
the battle commenced, Yuyutsu, Dhritarashtra’s son by a Vaisya, came to
Yudhishthira. With devotion he said, “I shall fight for you. Please accept me.”
Yudhishthira
replied, “I accept you, mighty one. This is also for the good. You alone of
Dhritarashtra’s sons may survive this war. When the time comes, his last rites
can be done by you.”
Day 1of Battle – Bhishma routs
the Pandavas
There was
great anticipation in both camps as the war was about to start. The men as well
as the animals were raring to go. Duryodhana ordered strong protection for his
chief commander, Bhishma.
With a
great roar the two armies set on each other. The air was filled with the battle
cry of the men. The elephants trumpeted aloud. The horses reared their forelegs
and neighed. The commanders cried hoarse their instructions to the soldiers.
When the clash between the two armies took place, a huge cloud of dust
enveloped the place. Sounds of clashing metals and colliding bodies pervaded
the atmosphere.
For the
first part of the forenoon, thousands of individual engagements took place.
Like attacked like, elephant against elephant, horse against horse and chariot
against chariot.
The melee
slowly gave way to concerted attacks. Foremost during the following part was
the Pandava attack on Bhishma. Realising that he was the kingpin of the enemy,
a host of Pandava heroes attacked him. Abhimanyu, the brave son of Arjuna, let
go a shower of arrows on the grandsire. He made audacious advances. It pleased
Bhishma to see Arjuna’s son display so much valour. Abhimanyu however had to
leave, having lost his chariot.
A great
duel took place between Salya and the youthful Virata prince, Uttara. It was a
case of young impetuosity engaging age and experience. After a fierce battle,
Uttara fell from his elephant. Salya jumped out of his chariot and directed a
deadly arrow at him. The prince was pierced through.
Seeing
Uttara fall, his brother Sweta mounted an attack on Salya. So effective it was
that it looked as though Salya would succumb to it. Seven leading Kaurava
warriors rushed to stave off Sweta. The Virata prince warded off all the seven,
but Salya had meanwhile slipped away. Sweta’s brave stand drew Bhishma into the
attack. The two were now engaged in a duel.
Sweta was
able to cause extensive damage to Bhishma’s chariot. His standard with the
palmyra insignia was cut down by Sweta’s arrows. The assault mounted by
Virata’s son incensed the old warrior who vowed to kill him. He directed some
deadly arrows at the prince who lost his charioteer and his four steeds. Sweta
jumped out of his car. He hurled a mace at Bhishma even as the Kaurava warrior
jumped out of his chariot. The mace missed Bhishma but hit the chariot, which
was reduced to ashes.
A host of
Kauravas rushed to Bhishma’s aid. The venerable warrior mounted another car and
from there aimed some deadly celestial weapons at Sweta. The Virata prince fell
on the ground dead.
Reviewing
this battle, Sanjaya commented that Bhishma had committed a transgression in
that he attacked from his car the Virata prince who was on foot. According to
the code of fair fight when a warrior loses his chariot and is stranded on the
ground, he should be attacked only from the ground.
The day
ended with the Pandavas suffering huge losses, thanks to the exertion of the
Kaurava Commander-in-Chief. Bhima did cause some damage to the Dhritarashtra
forces. But Arjuna kept a low profile.
Later in
the evening, Yudhishthira sought Krishna and told him, “O Kesava. Bhishma has
routed our forces today. Two of Drupada’s sons have been killed. As long as
Bhishma leads the foes, we have no chance of victory. Rather than cause death
to my friends, I shall retire to the forest and practice austerities.” Krishna
raised his spirits with a few words, and a war council was held to plan for the
next day.
The
Pandavas entered the battle on the second day adopting the Krauncha (a bird)
formation, the one the teacher Brihaspati recommended to Indra in his fight
against the asuras. Arjuna was at the head of the formation, while the other
units took various positions as neck, wings, body and tail.
Quick to
observe the Pandava formation, Duryodhana arranged with his commanders a
counter-formation. Bhishma moved majestically to the center of the arena. He
was surrounded by Salya, the brothers Bhagadatta and Bhusrisravas (sons of King
Somadatta of the clan Bahlika) and Duryodhana with his brothers. The conches
were sounded and the battle started.
Bhishma
opened the day with a shower of arrows, the brunt of which was borne g
foughtwarriors, Krishna drove Arjuna’s chariot with skill and took him to
Bhishma’s proximity. Drona, Kripa, Duryodhana and Sala (another son of King
Somadatta) rushed to support Bhishma. Arjuna repelled all of them,
leaving only Bhishma in his front.
Seeing the
intensity of Arjuna’s onslaught, Duryodhana was quick to tell the grandsire,
“Because of you Karna is staying out of the war, leaving Arjuna stronger. Hence
you should bring down the owner of Ghandiva.” Bhishma was not too happy at the
taunt but nevertheless concentrated on Arjuna.
Between
Arjuna and Bhishma, showers of arrows were exchanged. Three of Bhishma’s arrows
struck Krishna on his chest. An angry Arjuna felled Bhishma’s charioteer in
retaliation.
Other
straight fights were being fought. Drona and Dhrishtadyumna were locked in
battle. Each hit the other several times and blood flowed from both. Finally,
Drona dislodged the Panchali prince who had to flee in another car.
The
fiercest battle was between Bhima and the King of Kalinga. In this encounter
Bhima was a clear victor. The king and two of his sons were felled by Bhima’s
arrows and the Kalinga army ran away in terror.
As the
shadows lengthened, Bhishma and Arjuna were still exchanging arrows, neither
appearing to be capable of being slain. The sun had set, and the two armies
pulled out of the battlefield for the day.
Day 3 of Battle – Bhishma
pleads with Krishna to kill him
As day
dawned, Bhishma ordered the Kauravas to adopt the Garuda (Kite) formation. He
himself occupied the beak, with Aswatthama and Kripa in the head. Duryodhana
and all his followers formed the back.
Observing
the Kaurava formation, Arjuna countered with the half moon formation. He and
Bhima were in the left and right horn. Between them were Virata, Nila and
Dhrishtaketu. In the middle and rear were the rest of the Pandava generals.
Also in the rear were the five sons of Draupadi and Bhima’s son Ghatotkacha.
There was an uproar when the two formations clashed.
As the
battle developed, Arjuna was seen energetically chastising the Kaurava forces.
Most of the commanders now turned against Arjuna with the object of felling
him. A thousand cars converged on him and he was covered in a shower of arrows.
In a
straight encounter, Bhima struck at Duryodhana who was forced to sit down on
the deck of his car. His charioteer took him away. Bhima routed the forces left
behind by Duryodhana.
Due to the
steady attack of the Pandavas, Dhritarashtra’s army was fleeing in all
directions. Bhishma and Drona alone stood and fought. Duryodhana reached
Bhishma and taunted him once again. “With you, Drona and Kripa leading us, how
can my army be in such disarray?” he asked.
Bhishma
answered laughingly, “I have told you many times that the Pandavas are
incapable of being vanquished. In spite of my old age, I am fighting as best as
I could. Watch now how I check the Pandavas.”
A charged
Bhishma entered the ranks of the Pandavas, killing anything that came his way.
Those that dared to attack him fell like flies attacking a fire. Krishna told
Arjuna, “Look Dhananjaya, our warriors are running away like weak animals at
the sight of a lion.” Then on Arjuna’s command, Krishna took the chariot to
Bhishma’s proximity.
As Bhishma
sent a shower of arrows on Arjuna, the dexterous Pandava warrior responded with
lightning reflex, drawing the admiration of the grandsire. Twice Arjuna broke
Bhishma’s bow. But Bhishma’s arrows landed like lightning, leaving both the
charioteer and the warrior struggling. Thousands of Kauravas converged on the besieged
Arjuna, even as Krishna was wondering whether Arjuna was holding back on
Bhishma out of reverence.
Krishna
addressed Satyaki who was nearby. “Let those who are running away, run. I shall
wipe out Bhishma and all the Kauravas with my discus. None will escape my
anger.” So saying, he jumped out of his car and rushed towards Bhishma.
Observing
Krishna’s wrath, Bhishma cried out, “O Krishna, O lord of the universe, I bow
to you. I could pray for nothing better than death at your hands.”
Arjuna left
the car and, running towards Krishna, he restrained the angry god. “O Krishna,”
he begged. “Do not be rash. I swear that I shall fight with all my skill and
rout the Kauravas. Do come back and take your seat in the chariot.”
As Krishna
returned, a regenerated Arjuna broke into the Kaurava ranks, causing the death
of ten thousand car-warriors and seven hundred elephants. As evening set in and
the warriors were returning, there was talk everywhere of Arjuna’s achievement.
Day 4 of Battle – Bhima causes
havoc
Battle
commenced on the fourth day, with the atmosphere covered by the dust of the
previous day. The battlefield looked eerie. The massive Kaurava formation, with
Bhishma leading, ground ahead to meet the Pandavas. The sight of Arjuna at the
vanguard of the Pandava army, however, inspired fear in the Kaurava ranks.
The battle
started with the clash of the two mighty armies. In the welter, Bhishma,
surrounded by Drona, Kripa, Vivingciti and Duryodhana, sought Arjuna. Showers
of arrows were exchanged between the two.
Abhimanyu,
who joined his father, held five kings belonging to the Kaurava forces at bay
and fought like a lion among elephants. Seeing father and son besieged,
Drishtayadumna rushed to their help.
Salya, the
Madri king, now came under the Pandava attack. Ten divisions surrounded him,
prominent among them being his own two nephews Nakula and Sahadeva.
Mace in
hand, Bhima rushed in with a loud roar to Arjuna’s help. His very sight made
the elephants tremble.
The ruler
of the Magadhas, Dandadhara, advanced in a majestic elephant. Man and elephant
were brought down by Abhimanyu. The elephant force buckled, as many amongst
them were massacred by Bhima.
In order to
check Bhima, Duryodhana deployed his entire force to attack the Pandava prince.
Bhima, swinging his mace fiercely, kept them all at bay. Bhishma now rushed
towards Bhima. The Vrishni hero, Satyaki, sprung on Bhishma’s forces and
scattered them.
Suddenly,
Satyaki became the eye of the whirlpool that drew the armies of both sides.
Duryodhana now turned to Bhima, intent on felling him. He was followed by
fourteen of his brothers. Seeing Bhima fall, Duryodhana left him for his
brothers to handle. But Bhima quickly regained his ground and attacked the
hapless brothers. Eight of them were killed and the rest fled the field. With
this Bhima opened his account of Duryodhana’s brothers killed.
Bhagadatta
now entered the fray and attacked Bhima. He managed to hit Bhima on his breast
causing the Pandava hero to sit, holding to his flagstaff. Ghatotkacha
materialized from nowhere to protect his father. He was followed by several
Rakshasas on elephants, all assuming gigantic forms.
Seeing
Bhagadatta in a tight spot, Drona rushed to his rescue. He was chased by the
Pandava forces. Mercifully for Bhagadatta, the sun dipped into the horizon and
Bhishma proclaimed the day’s battle over.
While Bhima
and Ghatotkacha led the Pandavas back to their camp with leonine roars,
Duryodhana retired to mourn the loss of his brothers.
After
listening to the account given by Sanjaya of the day’s battle, the king asked,
“You are always giving me news that is in high praise of the Pandavas. All I
hear about is the setback my son is suffering. Why is this so? Are the Pandavas
invincible? Cannot they be slain?”
Sanjaya
replied, “Even this, O great King, is the question asked by your son of
Bhishma. And this is what his grandsire told him. Krishna and Arjuna are the
great sages Nara and Narayana who have taken birth in order to purge the world
of evil elements, as the Dwapara age is yielding to the Kali age. The Pandavas
are celestials whom none among the Kauravas could kill, Bhishma included. It is
for this reason that the grandsire is once again advising Duryodhana to make
peace with them and enjoy the earth. He advises in vain.”
Day 5 of Battle – Honours are
shared
Bhishma
launched the fifth day of the battle with the Makara (crocodile) formation. As
usual, he led the assault. The Pandavas countered this with the Syena (hawk)
formation with Bhima in the beak. He had for the eyes Sikhandin and
Dhrishtadyumna. Arjuna occupied the neck and the rest, the other parts of the
body.
When the
battle started, Bhima led his forces right into the mouth of the Makara. This
took Arjuna to the presence of Bhishma. As the two were exchanging arrows,
Sikhandin drove across towards Bhishma. Bhishma lowered his bow, not wishing to
hit the Panchala prince whom he believed to be a woman. Drona rushed to take
control and relieved Bhishma of the stress.
Remembering
the carnage caused by Bhima the previous day, Bhishma and the other Kaurava
generals surrounded the mighty Pandava prince in order to disable him. Arjuna
rushed to his brother’s aid and attacked the grandsire. The scorching pace of
Arjuna put the Kaurava army in total disarray, with Bhishma alone successful in
checking him.
Each of the
Pandava generals picked on an adversary, and there were many straight fights.
Loss in terms of car-warriors and steed was high on both sides. Many elephants
fell, and the field was strewn with their carcasses.
Lakshmana,
Duryodhana’s son, and Abhimanyu were engaged in a headlong conflict. Though he
fought bravely, Lakshmana could not stand Abhimanyu’s assault. He swooned and
fell. Kripa picked him in his car and took him to safety.
With
fighting fierce at various parts of the battlefield, the horizon slowly changed
its hue from orange to blue. The fifth day of battle had come to a close.
On the
sixth day, Yudhishthira entered the arena with the Makara (crocodile)
formation. Bhimasena, Drupada and Arjuna were in the forefront, followed by
Nakula and Sahadeva. Observing the Pandava move, Bhishma adopted the Crane
countermove. Drona was at its beak while Aswatthama and Kripa constituted the
eyes.
The battle
commenced with the great clash of men, animals and weapons. The leaders on both
sides, Drona and Bhima attacked each other. Others picked up their adversaries
and fighting became fierce.
Dhritarashtra
interrupted the narrative and asked Sanjaya, “Our army is the best equipped one
ever to take to the battlefield. Our soldiers are selected on the strength of
their ability and not on the basis of lineage. They don’t drink or fritter
their energies. They are well paid and well trained. They are provided with the
best weapons. They have lions for their leaders. Yet they suffer defeat in the
hands of the Pandavas. Is this due to destiny?”
Sanjaya
answered, “This is the result of your own sin. Several times you were warned by
Bhishma, Drona, Vidura and me not to provoke the Pandavas to a war. You ignored
us all and preferred to follow the path of your evil son. Now you are
witnessing the decimation of the Kauravas by Pandu’s sons.” Sanjaya continued
with his narration of the war.
Having
broken the Kaurava array, Bhima entered into the heart of their formation.
Suddenly he found himself surrounded by several car-warriors of the Kaurava
army. Bhima found himself isolated as these warriors closed in with the idea of
killing the Pandava.
Bhima
abandoned his car and jumped into the melee, his mace swinging. He caused
immense loss to the Kauravas, fatally hitting elephants and smashing chariots.
Beholding Bhima alone and surrounded by the Kauravas, Dhrishtadyumna rushed to
his aid. Fighting bravely, he gained entry into the ring of Kaurava warriors
who were stalking Bhima. Bhima jumped into the Panchala prince’s chariot and
the two scattered arrows on the Kauravas. Duryodhana ordered his men to kill
Dhrishtadyumna.
The
Panchala prince now used his deadly weapon called Pramohana, which stunned the
Kaurava warriors. Observing this, Drona rushed to the scene and used his weapon
called Prajna to neutralize the Pramohana weapon.
Cut off
from the two warriors, Yudhishthira became anxious for their welfare. He sent
heavy reinforcements. Abhimanyu and a host of others rushed in, scattering the
Kaurava ranks. Blows were traded between the two forces.
The
battlefield became an ocean of blood, the shafts were like eddies, the bodies
of elephants were like islands, and the chariots seemed like boats. By the time
the rival forces were withdrawn for the day, the battlefield was covered with
the bodies of warriors, giving it a frightful aspect. Those that survived
returned to their camps to apply unguents on their wounds and to recover their
strength for the morrow.
Bhishma
arrayed his forces in the Mandala (circular) formation to take on the Pandavas
on the seventh day. Yudhishthira countered with the Vajra (thunderbolt)
formation.
After the
initial clash, individual encounters commenced. Three of Dhritarashtra’s sons
attacked Abhimanya who staved them off. Drona and his son were pitched against
Sikhandin. Duryodhana rushed at Dhrishtadyumna. The rakshasa son of
Rishyasringar, Alumbasa, attacked the Vrishni hero Satyaki. Thousands of
Kaurava warriors surrounded Arjuna in order to contain him.
Krishna
cleverly navigated the besieged Arjuna. The Pandava hero soon had to use his
Aindra weapon of celestial quality. The arrows dispersed in all directions,
hitting the Kaurava warriors. Unable to stand the intensity of the weapon, the
warriors retreated, some of them turning to Bhishma for protection. Kaurava
losses were heavy in this encounter.
Virata was
engaged in a contest with Drona. Drona dispossessed the old warrior of his
chariot. Jumping down from his disintegrating car, Virata got into the chariot
of his son, Sankhya. Drona’s arrows pierced Sankhya at his breast, and the
prince fell down dead. Virata fled from the scene.
Meanwhile,
Aswatthama kept up his assault on Sikhandin. The Panchala prince had to abandon
his chariot and get into that of Satyaki. Satyaki himself, finding the pressure
from Alumbasa unbearable, used the Aindra, taught him by his preceptor, Arjuna.
The rakshasa fled away in fear.
Dhritarashtra
interrupted Sanjaya. He asked, “My troops are also fighting bravely. Why are
they not achieving more?”
Sanjaya
replied, “Just as the waters of the ocean remain brackish even after contact
with the holy river Ganga, so do your troops fail to match the Pandavas despite
their resolute fight.”
As the sun
neared the meridian, Ghatotkacha was engaged in a fierce fight with Bhagadatta.
In this encounter, Bhagadatta got the better of Bhima’s son who had to flee.
Salya, the
Madri king, and his two nephews were locked in a roaring combat. The nephews
got the better of their uncle who abandoned his position. Though losing the
fight, Salya was heartened by his nephews’ skill.
Chekitana
of the Satwata (Yadava) race encountered Kripa. They were equally matched. Both
lost their chariots and started fighting on the ground with sabres. Both fell
unconscious and were whisked away by their supporters.
In the battle
where three of Duryodhana’s brothers, Chatanika, Chitrasena and Vikarna were
opposing Abhimanyu, Arjuna’s son was at the point of killing them. Just then he
remembered Bhima’s vow to kill all hundred sons of Dhritarashtra by his own
hands. He allowed the three to escape.
Sixty
car-warriors who surrounded Arjuna were all consumed by his firepower.
Yuthishthira
goaded the Panchali prince, Sikhandin, by reminding him of his duties. An
inspired Sikhandin used the Varuna (master of the ocean) weapon, which baffled
all the Kauravas who were surrounding him.
As the
evening shadows stretched, the armies left behind the carnage generated during
the day and returned to their camps.
The
Kauravas entered the field on the eighth day forming an array that had its
front as solid as a wall. Bhishma, Duryodhana, his brother Chitrasena, and
Vivingsati rode side by side in their majestic chariots. Next in line were
Drona and Bhagadatta. Behind them were Aswatthama and the ruler of Kosala,
Brihadbala.
Yudhishthira
countered the Kauravas with the formation known as Sringataka, with Bhima and
Satyaki occupying the horns. After the clash of sabre with sabre, chariot with
chariot and animal with animal, strategic encounters began.
Duryodhana,
with his brothers, gave a circle of protection to Bhishma so that the grandsire
could concentrate on the Pandava warriors. Bhima attacked the circle. As a
result, eight of Duryodhana’s brothers fell to Bhima’s arrows. The other brothers
fled. Duryodhana turned to Bhishma and shouted, “My heroic brothers are being
killed one by one. Yet you do not interfere, as though you were a spectator.”
Bhishma replied, “These events are happening just as Vidura, Drona and I had
warned. Keep fighting and make heaven your goal.”
Arjuna,
during his twelve years of self-imposed exile, had met a princess of the Nagas,
Ulipi, of the serpent world. He left her immediately and was therefore not
aware that out of their union a son was born. The son was named Iravat. Later,
when Arjuna was staying with Indra, he was sought by Iravat. Arjuna was
immensely pleased to meet his son, now an accomplished young boy. When they
parted, Iravat promised to turn up when the Great War took place in order to
help his father.
On the
eighth day of the war, Iravat turned up at Kurukshetra to fight for the
Pandavas. Riding on a majestic steed, he had a cavalry behind him. Six of
Sakuni’s sons on horses went forth to stalk the Naga prince. Sakuni’s sons
fought bravely and brought Iravat down from his charger. Iravat stood his
ground with a sword in his hand. Finding this an opportune time, six sons of
Sakuni jumped from their horses and attacked Iravat on foot. In the fight that
ensued, five of the brothers were cut to pieces by Iravat, while the sixth one
ran away, badly wounded.
Seeing the
carnage caused by Iravat, Duryodhana thought it appropriate to send the
rakshasa, Alumbasa, to fight him. A fierce battle ensued, where both combatants
used skill and magic power to fox each other. In the end, however, Iravat was
slain.
Agitated by
the death of Iravat, Ghatotkacha attacked Duryodhana. Unable to stand the
rakshasa’s wizardry on the field, Duryodhana rushed to Bhishma, complaining.
Bhishma advised him that like should fight like. Duryodhana should fight with
the foremost warriors among the Pandavas, and not pitch at all and sundry.
Bhagadatta was sent to contain Ghatotkacha.
By sunset,
Bhima had killed seven more of Dhritarashtra’s sons.
Late in the
evening, Duryodhana, Karna, Sakuni and Duscasana were discussing the day’s
events. Duryodhana expressed his frustration at the poor showing of his army,
despite having as its leaders Bhishma, Drona and Kripa. “It is obvious that due
to their affection for the Pandavas, our leaders do not want to kill them,”
Duryodhana said.
Karna
addressed them, “It is because of Bhishma that I am watching everything
helplessly. If he should withdraw, then I would certainly join the fight and
annihilate the Pandavas. Persuade him to lay down his arms.”
Duryodhana,
followed by many of his brothers, proceeded to Bhishma’s tent. After paying his
respects to the grandsire, Duryodhana told him, “You are capable of wiping out
the Pandavas. Either out of hatred for me or love for the Pandavas, you are not
vanquishing them. If that is the case, let Karna be permitted to fight.”
Duryodhana’s
words pierced Bhishma’s heart. “Your words are like dagger to me and I deeply
grieve at them. I am endeavouring my best to win this war for you. You are
talking of Karna taking over. Just remember that his record against the
Pandavas has been dismal. Many times Arjuna has stripped him of his very
clothes. I assure you that either I will send the Pandavas to heaven or, slain
by them, I shall myself go there.”
Duryodhana
realized the need to provide a strong cordon around Bhishma to protect him from
the twin dangers of Sikhandin and Arjuna. The next day he asked Drona, Kripa,
Sakuni, Salya and Vivingsati to give maximum protection to the grandsire. The
Kauravas entered the field with the Sarvatobhadra (a square) formation.
In the
counter-formation, Yudhishthira, Bhima and the twins were in the vanguard. In
the middle were Arjuna and Sikhandin, while the other generals formed the back.
The drums
and cymbals sounded and with a roar the two armies clashed. Early in the
battle, Abhimanyu made a dash at Duryodhana’s ranks, causing great damage.
Duryodhana became concerned with the onslaught. He summoned the rakshasa, Alumbasa,
and commanded him to lead the attack on Abhimanyu. Like an elephant trampling
lotus-stalks, Alumbasa attacked the Pandava forces. The five sons of Draupadi
joined the battle and sought to cut off Alumbasa with a fierce offensive. They
were, however, effectively countered by the rakshasa who made them abandon
their chariots. Confronting Abhimanyu, Alumbasa used his magic powers to
confuse the brave son of Subhadra. But Abhimanyu was more than a match to the
rakshasa who was ultimately rescued by Bhishma.
For most of
the morning, Arjuna stayed in the rear while the other four brothers kept up an
attack on the grandsire. Bhishma was at his fierce best as he cut the Somakas,
a sizeable division of the Pandava forces. The Pandavas were finding it
extremely difficult to keep the old warrior in check.
Krishna
spoke to Arjuna, reminding him of his resolve to wipe out the Kaurava forces.
He then took Arjuna very near Bhishma and secured for him an advantageous
position from which to attack. But he found Arjuna’s offensive mild, as though
there was a lack of resolve. In anger, Krishna once more left the chariot and
started walking towards Bhishma, intent on fighting him. Bhishma looked at him
expectantly and expressed his eagerness to be killed by the god. Arjuna jumped
out of the chariot and caught Krishna by his leg at the tenth step.
“O mighty
one, it behoves you not to get angry,” Arjuna said. “I swear that I shall exert
myself fully to slay the grandsire and wipe out the Kaurava army.” In the
battle that followed, Arjuna fought bravely. Yet Bhishma was unstoppable. The
casualty suffered in his hands by the Pandava army was enormous. The battle
raged till sunset.
Back in the
Pandava camp Yudhishthira was very depressed by the sufferings caused by
Bhishma to his forces. There seemed to be only one course left. To seek advise
from Bhishma himself. The five Pandava brothers, along with Krishna, proceeded
unarmed to Bhishma’s tent.
Yudhishthira
expressed to Bhishma, “This carnage of Kshatriyas is proceeding unabated. As
long as you live, we have no hope of victory. Tell us how to kill you and bring
this war to an end.”
Bhishma
said, “It is true that I stand between you and victory. None save Krishna has
the capability to slay me. He is however not taking arms. It is good that you
have come to me and asked this question or there would be no end to this war.
You will win only after I fall.”
Yudhishthira
asked again, “How do we make you fall?”
Bhishma
replied. ”When I lay down my arms, any car warrior can slay me. One who has
thrown away his weapons, one who has fallen down, one whose armour has slipped,
one whose standard is down, one who is running away, one who is frightened, one
who surrenders, one who is a female or bears a female name and one who has a
single son – with these persons I do not battle. The time of my death, however,
is to be chosen by me.
“O sons of
Pandu! I permit you to kill me in battle if that would bring you victory. The
Drupada prince, Sikhandin, is, in my opinion, a female. Let Dhananjaya place
such a person in my front and fight. It is then that you could kill me.”
The
Pandavas returned to their camp, their hopes revived.
With
Bhishma’s death as their goal, the Pandavas formed their array with Sikhandin
in the front. Protecting his car wheels were Bhima and Arjuna on either side.
All the other mighty Pandava warriors were placed behind them. In the Kauravas’
show of might, Bhishma was at the head. Drona, Kripa, Bhagadatta and others
were close behind him, lending support.
The two
formations got closer, with Arjuna smiting the Kaurava hosts and Bhishma
afflicting the Pandavas. Soon Sikhandin and Bhishma were within distance of
hearing each other. Bhishma told Drupada’s son, “I know you to be the Sikhandin
as god created. You are a woman and I shall not fight you.”
His wrath
kindled, Sikhandin answered, “I know your prowess very well, son of Ganga. I
know about your humbling the great Parasurama. But I swear that I shall kill
you today, whether you fight or not.” So saying, Sikhandin directed several
arrows against Bhishma, with Arjuna encouraging him from his side.
Meanwhile,
the other Kaurava warriors came in between, relieving Bhishma from the Pandava
attack. In the exchange of blows, many from both the ranks fell. Mounting a
severe attack on Arjuna, Duscasana fought bravely and acquitted himself very
well. Bhima was locked in battle with Bhurisravas. Gadotkacha was challenged by
Durmukha, Duryodhana’s brother. Drona was felling sizeable chunks of the
Pandava army.
As
Sikhandin and Arjuna zeroed in on Bhishma, Duryodhana ordered his generals to
rush to the grandsire’s aid. But Arjuna drove them all with his prowess. Even
as Sikhandin was striking Bhishma with his arrows, the old warrior ignored him.
With great energy the grandsire was fighting off the other Pandavas.
Bhishma was
steadily outnumbered as the Pandavas poured their arrows on him. Arjuna
directed at him many of his choicest weapons. Bhishma looked at the sky and said,
“The time for my return has come. I want to lay my life.” The Vasus, his
companions in heaven, answered from above, “Even so be it.”
Both
Sikhandin and Arjuna poured arrows on the grandsire. Bhishma told Duscasana who
was at his side, “Behold those arrows coming in a continuous line. Those are
from the wielder of the Gandiva, not from Sikhandin.”
Attacked by
those mighty shafts of Arjuna, Bhishma fell, his head to the east.
Even as he
fell, his mother, Ganga, sent to him a host of rishis in the form of swans. The
rishis circled her illustrious son and reminded him that the sun was at its
southern solstice, which was not an auspicious time to die. Bhishma resolved
that he would not give up his life till the sun crossed to its northern
solstice. He lay there on a bed of arrows.
Fighting
came to a stop as the Kauravas started to move about in a daze, rudely shocked
by their commander’s fall. Grief struck the Pandavas equally. Warriors from
both sides surrounded the great man.
Bhishma
said, “Get me a pillow to lay my head.” The kings from both camps rushed and
found soft pillows for him. Bhishma refused them. He turned to Arjuna and said,
“O Dhananjaya, provide me with support for my head.” The Pandava hero, with
tears in his eyes, guided three shafts from his Gandiva on the ground that
provided support to the recumbent hero’s head.
Duryodhana
sent for the physicians to attend on the fallen soldier. Bhishma turned them
away. He expressed his desire that after his death, he should be burnt with the
innumerable arrows still stuck on him
Om Tat Sat
(Continued...)
No comments:
Post a Comment