MAHABHARAT

MAHABHARATA
retold by C. Rajagopalachari
(Edited by Jay Mazo, International Gita Society)
Contents
1. Ganapati, the Scribe
2. Devavrata
3. Bhishma's Vow
4. Amba And Bhishma
5. Devayani And Kacha
6. The Marriage Of Devayani
7. Yayati
8. Vidura
9. Kunti Devi
10. Death Of Pandu
11. Bhima
12. Karna
13. Drona
14. The Wax Palace
15. The Escape Of The Pandavas
16. The Slaying Of Bakasura
17. Draupadi's Swayamvaram
18. Indraprastha
19. The Saranga Birds
20. Jarasandha
21. The Slaying Of Jarasandha
22. The First Honor
23. Sakuni Comes In
24. The Invitation
25. The Wager
26. Draupadi's Grief
27. Dhritarashtra's Anxiety
28. Krishna's Vow
29. Pasupata
30. Affliction Is Nothing New
31. Agastya
32. Rishyasringa
33. Fruitless Penance
34. Yavakrida's End
35. Mere Learning Is Not Enough
36. Ashtavakra
37. Bhima And Hanuman
38. I am No Crane
39. The Wicked Are Never Satisfied
40. Duryodhana Disgraced
41. Sri Krishna's Hunger
42. The Enchanted Pool
43. Domestic Service
44. Virtue Vindicated
45. Matsya Defended
46. Prince Uttara
47. Promise Fulfilled
48. Virata's Delusion
49. Taking Counsel
50. Arjuna's Charioteer
51. Salya Against His Nephews
52. Vritra
53. Nahusha
54. Sanjaya's Mission
55. Not a Needle-Point Of Territory
56. Krishna's Mission
57. Attachment and Duty
58. The Pandava Generalissimo
59. Balarama
60. Rukmini
61. Non-Cooperation
62. Krishna Teaches
63. Yudhishthira Seeks Benediction
64. The First Day's Battle
65. The Second Day
66. The Third Day's Battle
67. The Fourth Day
68. The Fifth Day
69. The Sixth Day
70. The Seventh Day
71. The Eighth Day
72. The Ninth Day
73. The Passing Of Bhishma
74. Karna and the Grandsire
75. Drona in Command
76. To Seize Yudhishthira Alive
77. The Twelfth Day
78. Brave Bhagadatta
79. Abhimanyu
80. The Death Of Abhimanyu
81. A Father's Grief
82. The Sindhu King
83. Borrowed Armor
84. Yudhishthira's Misgivings
85. Yudhishthira's Fond Hope
86. Karna And Bhima
87. Pledge Respected
88. Somadatta's End
89. Jayadratha Slain
90. Drona Passes Away
91. The Death Of Karna
92. Duryodhana
93. The Pandavas Reproached
94. Aswatthama
95. Avenged
96. Who Can Give Solace?
97. Yudhishthira's Anguish
98. Yudhishthira Comforted
99. Envy
100. Utanga
101. A Pound Of Flour
102. Yudhishthira Rules
103. Dhritarashtra
104. The Passing Away Of The Three
105. Krishna Passes Away
106. Yudhishthira's Final Trial

AUTHOR'S PREFACE
IT is not an exaggeration to say that the persons and incidents portrayed in the great literature of a people influence national character no less potently than the actual heroes
and events enshrined in its history. It may be claimed that the former play an even more important part in the formation of ideals, which give to character its impulse of growth.
In the moving history of our land, from time immemorial great minds have been formed and nourished and touched to heroic deeds by the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. In most Indian
homes,children formerly learnt these immortal stories as they learnt their mother tongue
at the mother's knee. And the sweetness and sorrows of Sita and Draupadi, the heroic fortitude of Rama and Arjuna and the loving fidelity of Lakshmana and Hanuman became the stuff of their young philosophy of life.The growing complexity of life has changed the simple pattern of early home life. Still, there are few in our land who do not know the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. Though the stories come to them so embroidered with the garish fancies of the Kalakshepam (devotional meeting where an expert scholar and singer tells a story to his audience) and
the cinema as to retain but little of the dignity and approach to truth of Vyasa or Valmiki.
Vyasa's Mahabharata is one of our noblest heritages. And it is my cherished belief that to hear it faithfully told is to love it and come under its elevating influence. It strengthens the
soul and drives home, as nothing else does, the vanity of ambition and the evil and futility
of anger and hatred.The realities of life are idealised by genius and given the form that makes drama,poetry or great prose. Since literature is closely related to life, so long as the
human family is divided into nations,literature cannot escape the effects of such division.
But the highest literature transcends egionalism and through it, when we are properly attuned,
we realise the essential oneness of the human family. The Mahabharata is of this class. It belongs to the world and not only to India. To the people of India, indeed, this epic has been
an unfailing and perennial source of spiritual strength. Learnt at the mother's knee with reverence and love, it has inspired great men to heroic deeds as well as enabled the humble to face their trials with fortitude and faith.The Mahabharata was composed many thousand years ago. But generations of gifted reciters have added to Vyasa's original a great mass of material.


1. GANAPATI, THE SCRIBE BHAGAVAN VYASA, the celebrated compiler of the Vedas, was the son of the
great sage Parasara. It was he who gave to the world the divine epic of the Mahabharata.
Having conceived the Mahabharata he thought of the means of giving the sacred story to the world.He meditated on Brahma,the Creator, who manifested himself before him.Vyasa saluted him
with bowed head and folded hands and prayed: "Lord, I have conceived an excellent work,
but cannot think of one who can take it down to my dictation."Brahma extolled Vyasa and said: "O sage,invoke Ganapati and beg him to be your amanuensis." Having said these words he disappeared. The sage Vyasa meditated on Ganapati who appeared before him. Vyasa received him with due respect and sought his aid."Lord Ganapati, I shall dictate the story of the Mahabharata and I pray you to be Vyasa first taught the great epic to his son, the sage Suka. Later, he expounded it to many other disciples.Were it not so, the book might have been lost to future generations.
Suta continued: "I heard the main story of the Mahabharata and the episodic tales contained there in told by Vaisampayana at the sacrifice conducted by King Janamejaya.
After the death of the great King Santanu,Chitrangada became King of Hastinapura
and he was succeeded by Vichitravirya.The latter had two sons, Dhritarashtra and Pandu.
The elder of the two being born blind, Pandu, the younger brother,ascended the throne.
In the course of his reign, Pandu committed a certain offence and had to resort to the
forest with his two wives where he spent many years in penance.During their stay in the forest, the two wives of Pandu, Kunti and Madri gave birth to five sons who became well known as the five Pandavas. Pandu passed away while they were still living in the forest.The sages brought up the five Pandavas during their early years.When Yudhishthira, the eldest, attained the age of sixteen the rishis led them all back to Hastinapura and entrusted them to the old grandsire Bhishma. In a short time the Pandavas gained mastery over the Vedas and the Vedanta as well as over the various arts, especially pertaining to the Kshatriyas.The Kauravas, the sons of the
blind Dhritarashtra, became jealous of the Pandavas and tried to injure them in various ways.






















Finally Bhishma, the head of the family,
intervened to bring about mutual
understanding and peace between them.
Accordingly the Pandavas and the
Kauravas began to rule separately from
their respective capitals, Indraprastha and
Hastinapura.
Some time later, there was a game of dice
between the Kauravas and the Pandavas
according to the then prevailing Kshatriya
code of honor. Sakuni, who played on
behalf of the Kauravas, defeated
Yudhishthira. As a result, the Pandavas
had to be in exile for a period of thirteen
years. They left the kingdom and went to
the forest with their devoted wife
Draupadi.
According to the conditions of the game,
the Pandavas spent twelve years in the
forest and the thirteenth year incognito.
When they returned and demanded of
Duryodhana their paternal heritage, the
latter, who had in the meanwhile usurped
their kingdom, refused to return it. War
followed as a consequence.
The Pandavas defeated Duryodhana and
regained their patrimony. The Pandavas
ruled the kingdom for thirty-six years.
Afterwards, they transferred the crown to
their grandson, Parikshit, and repaired to
the forest with Draupadi, all clad humbly
in barks of trees.
This is the substance of the story of the
Mahabharata. In this ancient and
wonderful epic of our land there are many
illustrative tales and sublime teachings,
besides the narrative of the fortunes of the
Pandavas.
The Mahabharata is in fact a veritable
ocean containing countless pearls and
gems. It is, with the Ramayana, a living
fountain of the ethics and culture of our
Motherland.
2. DEVAVRATA
"You must certainly become my wife,
whoever you may be." Thus said the great
King Santanu to the goddess Ganga who
stood before him in human form,
intoxicating his senses with her
superhuman loveliness.
The king earnestly offered for her love his
kingdom, his wealth, his all, his very life.
Ganga replied: "O king, I shall become
your wife. But on certain conditions that
neither you nor anyone else should ever
ask me who I am, or whence I come. You
must also not stand in the way of
whatever I do, good or bad, nor must you
ever be wroth with me on any account
whatsoever. You must not say anything
displeasing to me. If you act otherwise, I
shall leave you then and there. Do you
agree?"
The infatuated king vowed his assent, and
she became his wife and lived with him.
The heart of the king was captivated by
her modesty and grace and the steady love
she bore him. King Santanu and Ganga
lived a life of perfect happiness, oblivious
of the passage of time.
She gave birth to many children; each
newborn babe she took to the Ganges and
cast into the river, and then returned to the
king with a smiling face.
Santanu was filled with horror and
anguish at such fiendish conduct, but
suffered it all in silence, mindful of the
promise be had made. Often he wondered
who she was, wherefrom she had come
and why she acted like a murderous witch.
Still bound by his word, and his allmastering
love for her, he uttered no word
of blame or remonstrance.
Thus she killed seven children. When the
eighth child was born and she was about
to throw it into the Ganges, Santanu could
not bear it any longer.
He cried: "Stop, stop, why are you bent on
this horrid and unnatural murder of your
own innocent babes?" With this outburst
the king restrained her.
"O great king," she replied, "you have
forgotten your promise, for your heart is
set on your child, and you do not need me
any more. I go. I shall not kill this child,
but listen to my story before you judge
me. I, who am constrained to play this
hateful role by the curse of Vasishtha, am
the goddess Ganga, adored of gods and
men. Vasishtha cursed the eight Vasus to
be born in the world of men, and moved
by their supplications said, I was to be
their mother. I bore them to you, and well
is it for you that it was so. For you will go
to higher regions for this service you have
done to the eight Vasus. I shall bring up
this last child of yours for some time and
then return it to you as my gift."
After saying these words the goddess
disappeared with the child. It was this
child who later became famous as
Bhishma. This was how the Vasus came
to incur Vasishtha's curse. They went for a
holiday with their wives to a mountain
tract where stood the hermitage of
Vasishtha: One of them saw Vasishtha's
cow, Nandini, grazing there.
Its divinely beautiful form attracted him
and he pointed it out to the ladies. They
were all loud in praise of the graceful
animal, and one of them requested her
husband to secure it for her.
He replied: "What need have we, the
devas, for the milk of cows? This cow
belongs to the sage Vasishtha who is the
master of the whole place. Man will
certainly become immortal by drinking its
milk. But this is no gain to us, who are
already immortal. Is it worth our while
incurring Vasishtha's wrath merely to
satisfy a whim?"
But she was not thus to be put off. "I have
a dear companion in the mortal world. It is
for her sake that I make this request.
Before Vasishtha returns we shall have
escaped with the cow. You must certainly
do this for my sake, for it is my dearest
wish." Finally her husband yielded. All
the Vasus joined together and took the
cow and its calf away with them.
When Vasishtha returned to his ashrama,
he missed the cow and the calf, because
they were indispensable for his daily
rituals.
Very soon he came to know by his yogic
insight all that had taken place. Anger
seized him and he uttered a curse against
the Vasus. The sage, whose sole wealth
was his austerity, willed that they should
be born into the world of men. When the
Vasus came to know of the curse,
repentant too late, they threw themselves
on the sage's mercy and implored
forgiveness.
Vasishtha said: "The curse must needs
take its course. Prabhasa, the Vasu who
seized the cow, will live long in the world
in all glory, but the others will be freed
from the curse as soon as born. My words
cannot prove ineffective, but I shall soften
the curse to this extent."
Afterwards, Vasishtha set his mind again
on his austerities, the effect of which had
been slightly impaired by his anger. Sages
who perform austerities acquire the power
to curse, but every exercise of this power
reduces their store of merit.
The Vasus felt relieved and approached
the goddess Ganga and begged of her:
"We pray you to become our mother. For
our sake we beseech you to descend to the
earth and marry a worthy man. Throw us
into the water as soon as we are born and
liberate us from the curse." The goddess
granted their prayer, came to the earth and
became the wife of Santanu.
When the goddess Ganga left Santanu and
disappeared with the eighth child, the king
gave up all sensual pleasures and ruled the
kingdom in a spirit of asceticism. One day
he was wandering along the banks of the
Ganges when he saw a boy endowed with
the beauty and form of Devendra, the king
of the gods.
The child was amusing himself by casting
a dam of arrows across the Ganges in
flood, playing with the mighty river as a
child with an indulgent mother. To the
king who stood transfixed with
amazement at the sight, the goddess
Ganga revealed herself and presented the
child as his own son.
She said: "O king, this is that eighth child
I bore you. I have brought him up till now.
His name is Devavrata. He has mastered
the art of arms and equals Parasurama in
prowess. He has learnt the Vedas and the
Vedanta from Vasishtha, and is well
versed in the arts and sciences known to
Sukra. Take back with you this child who
is a great archer and hero as well as a
master in statecraft."
Then she blessed the boy, handed him to
his father, the king, and disappeared.
3. BHISHMA'S VOW
WITH joy the king received to his heart
and his kingdom the resplendent and
youthful prince Devavrata and crowned
him as the Yuvaraja, the heir apparent.
Four years went by. One day as the king
was wandering on the banks of the
Yamuna, the air was suddenly filled with
a fragrance so divinely sweet that the king
sought for its cause, and he traced it to a
maiden so lovely that she seemed a
goddess. A sage had conferred on her the
boon that a divine perfume should
emanate from her, and this was now
pervading the whole forest.
From the moment the goddess Ganga left
him, the king had kept his senses under
control, but the sight of this divinely
beautiful maiden burst the bonds of
restraint and filled him with an
overmastering desire. He asked her to be
his wife.
The maiden said: "I am a fisherwoman,
the daughter of the chief of the fishermen.
May it please you to ask him and get his
consent." Her voice was sweet as her
form.
The father was an astute man.
He said: "O king, there is no doubt that
this maiden, like every other, has to be
married to someone and you are indeed
worthy of her. Still you have to make a
promise to me before you can have her."
Santanu replied: "If it is a just promise I
shall make it."
The chief of the fisherfolk said: "The child
born of this maiden should be the king
after you."
Though almost mad with passion, the king
could not make this promise, as it meant
setting aside the godlike Devavrata, the
son of Ganga, who was entitled to the
crown.
It was a price that could not be thought of
without shame. He therefore returned to
his capital, Hastinapura, sick with baffled
desire. He did not reveal the matter to
anyone and languished in silence.
One day Devavrata asked his father: "My
father, you have all that your heart could
wish. Why then are you so unhappy? How
is it that you are like one pining away with
a secret sorrow?"
The king replied: "Dear son, what you say
is true. I am indeed tortured with mental
pain and anxiety. You are my only son
and you are always preoccupied with
military ambitions. Life in the world is
uncertain and wars are incessant. If
anything untoward befalls you our family
will become extinct. Of course, you are
equal to a hundred sons. Still, those who
are well read in the scriptures say that in
this transitory world having but one son is
the same as having no son at all. It is, not
proper that the perpetuation of our family
should depends on a single life, and above
all things I desire the perpetuation of our
family. This is the cause of my anguish."
The father prevaricated, being ashamed to
reveal the whole story to his son.
Thewise Devavrata realised that there
must be a secret cause for the mental
condition of his father, and questioning
the king's charioteer came to know of his
meeting with the fishermaiden on the
banks of the Yamuna. He went to the
chief of the fishermen and besought his
daughter's hand on his father's behalf.
The fisherman was respectful, but firm:
"My daughter is indeed fit to be the king's
spouse. Then should not her son become
king? But you have been crowned as the
heir apparent and will naturally succeed
your father. It is this that stands in the
way."
Devavrata replied: "I give you my word
that the son born of this maiden shall be
king. And I renounce in his favor my right
as heir apparent," and he took a vow to
that effect.
The chief of the fishermen said: "O best of
the Bharata race, you have done what no
one else born of royal blood has you have
done till now. You are indeed a hero. You
can yourself conduct my daughter to the
king, your father. Still, hear with patience
these words of mine which I say as the
father of the girl.
"I have no doubt you will keep your word,
but how can I hope that the children born
of you will renounce their birthright?
Your sons will naturally be mighty heroes
like you, and will be hard to resist if they
seek to seize the kingdom by force. This is
the doubt that torments me."
When he heard this knotty question posed
by the girl's father, Devavrata, who was
bent on fulfilling the king's desire, made
his supreme renunciation. He vowed with
upraised arm to the father of the maiden:
"I shall never marry and I dedicate myself
to a life of unbroken chastity."
And as he uttered these words of
renunciation the gods showered flowers
on his head, and cries of "Bhishma,"
"Bhishma" resounded in the air.
"Bhishma" means one who undertakes a
terrible vow and fulfils it. That name
became the celebrated epithet of
Devavrata from that time. Then the son of
Ganga led the maiden Satyavati to his
father.
Two sons were born of Satyavati to
Santanu, Chitrangada and Vichitravirya,
who ascended the throne one after the
other. Vichitravirya had two sons,
Dhritarashtra and Pandu, born
respectively of his two queens, Ambika
and Ambalika.
The sons of Dhritarashtra, a hundred in
number, were known as the Kauravas.
Pandu had five sons who became famous
as the Pandavas. Bhishma lived long,
honored by all as the grandsire until the
end of the famous battle of Kurukshetra.
The Family Tree
Santanu
(by Ganga)
(by Satyavati)
Bhishma
Chitrangada&Vichitravirya
(by Ambika) (by Ambalika)
Dhtitarashtra Pandu
?
?
The Kauravas The Pandavas
4. AMBA AND BHISHMA
CHITRANGADA, the son of Satyavati,
was killed in battle with a Gandharva. As
he died childless, his brother,
Vichitravirya, was the rightful heir and
was duly crowned king. And as he was a
minor, Bhishma governed the kingdom in
his name till be came of age.
When Vichitravirya reached adolescence
Bhishma cast about for a bride for him.
And as he heard that the daughters of the
king of Kasi were to choose theirhusbands
according to the ancient Kshatriya
practice he went there to secure them for
his brother.
The rulers of Kosla, Vanga, Pundra,
Kalinga and other princes and potentates
had also repaired to Kasi for the
swayamvara, attired in their best. The
princesses were so far-famed for beauty
and accomplishments that there was fierce
competition to win them.
Bhishma was famous among the
Kshatriyas as a mighty man-at-arms. At
first everyone thought that the redoubtable
hero had come merely to witness the
festivities of the swayamvara. But when
they found that he was also a suitor, the
young princes felt themselves let down
and were full of chagrin. They did not
know that he had really come for the sake
of his brother, Vichitravirya.
The princes began to cast affronts at
Bhishma: "This most excellent and wise
descendant of the Bharata race forgets that
he is too old and forgets also his vow of
celibacy. What has this old man to do with
this swayamvara? Fie on him!" The
princesses who were to choose their
husbands barely glanced at the old man
and looked away.
Bhishma's wrath flamed up. He
challenged the assembled princes to a trial
of their manhood and defeated them all.
And taking the three princesses in his
chariot he set out for Hastinapura.
But before he had gone far, Salva, the
king of the Saubala country who was
attached to Amba, intercepted and
opposed him. For that princess had
mentally chosen Salva as her husband.
After a bitter fight Salva was worsted, and
no wonder, as Bhishma was a peerless
bowman. But at the request of the
princesses Bhishma spared his life.
Arriving in Hastinapura with the
princesses, Bhishma made preparations
for their marriage to Vichitravirya. When
all were assembled for the marriage,
Amba smiled mockingly at Bhishma and
addressed him as follows: "O son of
Ganga, you are aware of what is enjoined
in the scriptures. I have mentally chosen
Salva, the king of Saubala, as my
husband. You have brought me here by
force. Knowing this, do what you, learned
in the scriptures, should do."
Bhishma admitted the force of her
objection and sent her to Salva with
proper escort. The marriage of Ambika
and Ambalika, the two younger sisters,
with Vichitravirya was duly solemnised.
Amba went rejoicing to Salva and told
him what had happened: "I have mentally
chosen you as my husband from the very
start. Bhishma has sent me to you. Marry
me according to the sastras."
Salva replied: "Bhishma defeated me in
sight of all, and carried you away. I have
been disgraced. So, I cannot receive you
now as my wife. Return to him and do as
he commands." With these words Salva
sent her back to Bhishma.
She returned to Hastinapura and told
Bhishma of what had taken place. The
grandsire tried to induce Vichitravirya to
marry her. But Vichitravirya roundly
refused to marry a maiden whose heart
had already been given to another.
Amba then turned to Bhishma and she
sought him to marry her himself as there
was no other recourse. It was impossible
for Bhishma to break his vow, sorry as he
was for Amba. And after some vain
attempts to make Vichitravirya change his
mind, he told her there was no way left to
her but to go again to Salva and seek to
persuade him.
This at first she was too proud to do, and
for long years she abode in Hastinapura.
Finally, in sheer desperation, she went to
Salva and found him adamant in refusal.
The lotus-eyed Amba spent six bitter
years in sorrow and baffled hope. And her
heart was seared with suffering and all the
sweetness in her turned to gall and fierce
hatred towards Bhishma as the cause of
her blighted life.
She sought in vain for a champion among
the princes to fight and kill Bhishma and
thus avenge her wrongs but even the
foremost warriors were afraid of Bhishma
and paid no heed to her appeal.
At last, she resorted to hard austerities to
get the grace of Lord Subrahmanya. He
graciously appeared before her and gave
her a garland of ever-fresh lotuses, saying
that the wearer of that garland would
become the enemy of Bhishma.
Amba took the garland and again be
sought every Kshatriya to accept the
garland gift of the six-faced Lord and to
champion her cause. But no one had the
hardihood to antagonise Bhishma.
Finally, she went to King Drupada who
also refused to grant her prayer. She then
hung the garland at Drupada's palace gate
and went away to the forest. Some
ascetics whom she met there and to whom
she told her sorrowful tale advised her to
go to Parasurama as a suppliant. She
followed their advice.
On hearing her sad story, Parasurama was
moved with compassion and said: "Dear
child, what do you want? I can ask Salva
to marry you if you wish it."
Amba said: "No, I do not wish it. I no
longer desire marriage or home or
happiness. There is now but one thing in
life for me, revenge on Bhishma. The only
boon I seek is the death of Bhishma."
Parasurama moved as much by her
anguish as by his abiding hatred of the
Kshatriya race, espoused her cause and
fought with Bhishma. It was a long and
equal combat between the two greatest
men-at-arms of the age. But in the end
Parasurama had to acknowledge defeat.
He told Amba: "I have done all that I
could and I have failed. Throw yourself
on the mercy of Bhishma. That is the only
course left to you."
Consumed with grief and rage, and kept
alive only by the passion for revenge,
Amba went to the Himalayas and
practised rigorous austerities to get the
grace of Siva, now that all human aid had
failed her. Siva appeared before her and
granted her a boon, that in her next birth
she would slay Bhishma.
Amba was impatient for that rebirth which
would give her heart's desire. She made a
pyre and plunged into the fire pouring out
the flame in her heart into the scarcely
hotter blaze of the pyre.
By the grace of Lord Siva, Amba was
born as the daughter of King Drupada. A
few years after her birth, she saw the
garland of never-fading flowers that still
hung at the palace gate and had remained
there untouched by anyone through fear.
She put it round her neck. Her father
Drupada was in consternation at her
temerity which he feared would draw on
his head the wrath of Bhishma.
He sent his daughter in exile out of the
capital to the forest. She practised
austerities in the forest and in time was
transformed into a male and became
known as the warrior Sikhandin.
With Sikhandin as his charioteer, Arjuna
attacked Bhishma on the battlefield of
Kurukshetra. Bhishma knew that
Sikhandin was born as female, and true to
his code of chivalry he would not fight
him under any circumstance.
So it was that Arjuna could fight screened
by Sikhandin and conquer Bhishma,
especially because Bhishma knew that his
long and weary probation on earth was
finished and consented to be vanquished.
As the arrows struck Bhishma in his last
fight, he singled out those which had
pierced him deepest and said: "This is
Arjuna's arrow and not Sikhandin's." So
fell this great warrior.
5. DEVAYANI AND KACHA
IN ancient times, there was a bitter
struggle between the devas or gods and
the asuras or demons for the lordship of
the three worlds. Both belligerents had
illustrious preceptors. Brihaspati who was
pre-eminent in the knowledge of the
Vedas was the guiding spirit of the devas,
while the asuras relied on Sukracharya's
profound wisdom.
The asuras had the formidable advantage
that Sukracharya alone possessed the
secret of Sanjivini which could recall the
dead to life. Thus the asuras who had
fallen in the battle were brought back to
life, time and again, and continued their
fight with the devas. The devas were thus
at a great disadvantage in their long
drawn-out war with their natural foes.
They went to Kacha, the son of
Brihaspati, and besought his aid. They
begged him to win his way into the good
graces of Sukracharya and persuade him
to take him as a pupil. Once admitted to
intimacy and confidence, he was to
acquire, by fair means or foul, the secret
of Sanjivini and remove the great
handicap under which the devas suffered.
Kacha acceded to their request and set out
to meet Sukracharya who lived in the
capital city of Vrishaparva, the king of the
asuras. Kacha went to the house of Sukra,
and after due salutation, addressed him
thus: "I am Kacha, the grandson of the
sage Angiras and the son of Brihaspati. I
am a brahmacharin seeking knowledge
under your tutelage."
It was the law that the wise teacher should
not refuse a worthy pupil who sought
knowledge of him. So Sukra acceded and
said: "Kacha, you belong to a good
family. I accept you as my pupil, the more
willingly, that by doing so I shall also be
showing my respect for Brihaspati."
Kacha spent many years under
Sukracharya, rendering to perfection the
prescribed duties in the household of his
master. Sukracharya had a lovelydaughter,
Devayani, of whom he was extremely
fond. Kacha devoted himself to pleasing
and serving her with song and dance and
pastime and succeeded in winning her
affection, without detriment however to
the vows of brahmacharya.
When the asuras came to know of this,
they became anxious as they suspected
that Kacha's object was somehow to
wheedle out of Sukracharya the secret of
Sanjivini. They naturally sought to
prevent such a calamity.
One day, as Kacha was engaged in
grazing the cattle of his master the asuras
seized him, tore him to pieces and cast his
flesh to the dogs. When the cattle returned
without Kacha, Devayani was filled with
anxiety, and ran to her father with loud
lamentations: "The sun has set," she
wailed, "and your nightly fire sacrifice has
been performed; still Kacha has not
returned home. The cattle have come back
by themselves. I fear some mishap has
befallen Kacha. I cannot live without
him."
The fond father employed the art of
Sanjivini and invoked the dead youth to
appear. At once Kacha came back to life
and greeted the master with smiles. Asked
by Devayani the reason for his delay, he
told her that as he was grazing the cattle
the asuras came suddenly on him and slew
him. How he came back to life he knew
not, but come back to life he did, and
there he was.
On another occasion Kacha went to the
forest to pluck flowers for Devayani, and
again the asuras seized and killed him,
and pounding his body to a paste, mixed it
up in sea-water. As he did not return even
after a long time Devayani went as before
to her father who brought Kacha back to
life by his Sanjivini, and heard from him
all that had taken place.
For the third time again, the Asuras killed
Kacha and very cleverly as they thought,
burnt his body, mixed the ashes in wine
and served it to Sukracharya who drank it,
suspecting nothing. Once more the cows
returned home without their keeper, and
once again Devayani approached her
father with her distressful appeal for
Kacha.
Sukracharya tried in vain to console his
daughter. "Though I have again and again
brought back Kacha to life," said he, "the
asuras seem bent upon killing him. Well,
death is the common lot, and it is not
proper for a wise soul like you to sorrow
at it. Your life is all before you to enjoy,
with youth and beauty and the goodwill of
the world."
Devayani deeply loved Kacha, and since
the world began, wise words have never
cured the ache of bereavement. She said:
"Kacha, the grandson of Angiras and the
son of Brihaspati, was a blameless boy,
who was devoted and tireless in our
service. I loved him dearly, and now that
he has been killed, life to me has become
bleak and insupportable. I shall therefore
follow in his path." And Devayani began
to fast. Sukracharya, heart-stricken by his
daughter's sorrow, became very angry
with the asuras, and felt that the heinous
sin of killing a brahmana would weigh
heavily on their fortunes.
He employed the Sanjivini art and called
upon Kacha to appear. By the power of
the Sanjivini Kacha dispersed as he was in
the wine which was inside Sukracharya's
body at the time, regained life, but
prevented by the peculiarity of his
location from coming out, he could only
answer to his name from where he was.
Sukracharya exclaimed in angry
amazement: "O brahmacharin, how did
you get into me? Is this also the work of
the asuras? This is really too bad and
makes me feel like killing the asuras
immediately and joining the devas. But
tell me the whole story."
Kacha narrated it all, in spite of the
inconvenience imposed by his position.
Vaisampayana continued: "The highsouled
and austere Sukracharya of
immeasurable greatness, became angry at
the deceit practised on him in his wine,
and proclaimed for the benefit of
humanity: 'Virtue will desert the man who
through lack of wisdom drinks wine. He
will be an object of scorn to all, This is
my message to humanity, which should be
regarded as an imperative scriptural
injunction.' Then he turned to his daughter
Devayani and said: Dear daughter, here is
a problem for you. For Kacha to live, he
must rend my stomach and come out of it,
and that means death to me. His life can
only be bought by my death."
Devayani began to weep and said: "Alas!
It is death to me either way. For if either
of you perish, I shall not survive."
Sukracharya sought a way out of the
difficulty. The real explanation of it all
flashed on him.
He said to Kacha: "O son of Brihaspati, I
now see with what object you came and
verily you have secured it! I must bring
you out to life for the sake of Devayani,
but equally for her sake I must not die
either. The only way is to initiate you in
the art of Sanjivini so that you can bring
me back to life after I shall have died
when a way is torn out through my
entrails for you. You should employ the
knowledge I am going to impart to you
and revive me, so that Devayani need not
grieve for either of us."
Accordingly Sukracharya imparted the art
of Sanjivini to Kacha. Immediately Kacha
came forth from Sukracharya's body,
emerging like the full moon from a cloud,
while the great preceptor fell down
mangled and dead.
But Kacha at once brought Sukracharya
back to life by means of his newly
acquired Sanjivini. Kacha bowed down to
Sukracharya and said: "The teacher who
imparts wisdom to the ignorant is a father.
Besides, as I have issued from your body
you are my mother too."
Kacha remained for many more years
under the tutelage of Sukracharya. When
the period of his vow ended, he took leave
of his master to return to the world of the
gods.
As he was about to depart Devayani
humbly addressed him thus: "O,
grandchild of Angiras, you have won my
heart by your blameless life, your great
attainments and nobility of birth. I have
loved you long and tenderly, even while
you were faithfully following your vows
of a brahmacharin. You should now
reciprocate my love and make me happy
by marrying me. Brihaspati as well as
yourself are fully worthy of being honored
by me. "
In those days, it was no uncommon thing
for wise and learned brahmana ladies to
speak out their mind with honorable
frankness. But Kacha said:
"O faultless one, you are my master's
daughter and ever worthy of my respect. I
got back my life by being born out of your
father's body. Hence I am your brother. It
is not proper for you, my sister, to ask me
to wed you."
Devayani sought in vain to persuade him.
"You are the son of Brihaspati," said she,
"and not of my father. If I have been the
cause of your coming back to life, it was
because I loved you as indeed I have
always loved you as my husband. It is not
fit that you should give up one like me
sinless and devoted to you."
Kacha replied: "Do not seek to persuade
me to unrighteousness. You are
enchanting more so now than ever,
flushed as you are with anger. But I am
your brother. Pray bid me adieu. Serve
unto perfection, ever and always, my
master Sukracharya."
With these words Kacha gently
disengaged himself and proceeded to the
abode of Indra, the king of gods.
Sukracharya consoled his daughter.
6. THE MARRIAGE OF DEVAYANI
ONE warm afternoon, pleasantly tired
with sporting in the woods Devayani and
the daughters of Vrishaparva, king of the
asuras, went to bathe in the cool waters of
a sylvan pool, depositing their garlands on
the bank before they entered its waters.
A strong breeze blew their clothes
together into a huddled heap and when
they came to take them up again, some
mistakes naturally occurred. It so
happened that princess Sarmishtha, the
daughter of the king, clad herself in
Devayani's clothes. The latter was vexed
and exclaimed half in jest at the
impropriety of the daughter of a disciple
wearing the clothes of the master's
daughter.
These words were spoken half in jest, but
the princess Sarmishtha became very
angry and said arrogantly: "Do you not
know that your father humbly bows in
reverence to my royal father every day?
Are you not the daughter of a beggar who
lives on my father's bounty? You forget I
am of the royal race which proudly gives,
while you come of a race which begs and
receives, and you dare to speak thus to
me."
Sarmishtha went on, getting angrier and
angrier as she spoke till, working herself
up into a fit of anger, she finally slapped
Devayani on the cheek and pushed her
into a dry well. The asura maidens
thought that Devayani had lost her life and
returned to the palace.
Devayani had not been killed by the fall
into the well but was in a sad plight
because she could not climb up the steep
sides. Emperor Yayati of the Bharata race
who was hunting in the forest by a happy
chance came to this spot in search of
water to slake his thirst. When he glanced
into the well, he saw something bright,
and looking closer, he was surprised to
find a beautiful maiden lying in the well.
He asked: "Who are you, O beautiful
maiden with bright earrings and ruddy
nails? Who is your father? What is your
ancestry? How did you fall into the well?"
She replied: "I am the daughter of
Sukracharya. He does not know that I
have fallen into the well. Lift me up" and
she held forth her hands. Yayati seized her
hand and helped her out of the well.
Devayani did not wish to return to the
capital of the king of the asuras. She did
not feel it safe to go there, as she
pondered again and again on Sarmishtha's
conduct. She told Yayati: "You have held
a maiden by her right hand, and you must
marry her. I feel that you are in every way
worthy to be my husband."
Yayati replied: "Loving soul, I am a
kshatriya and you are a brahmana maiden.
How can I marry you? How can the
daughter of Sukracharya, who is worthy to
be the preceptor of the whole world,
submit to be the wife of a kshatriya like
myself? Revered lady, return home."
Having said these words Yayati went back
to his capital.
A kshatriya maiden could marry a
brahmana, according to the ancient
tradition, but it was considered wrong for
a brahmana maiden to marry a kshatriya.
The important thing was to keep the racial
status of women unlowered. Hence
anuloma or the practice of marrying men
of higher castes was legitimate and the
reverse practice, known as pratiloma, i.e.
marrying men of a lower caste, was
prohibited by the sastras.
Devayani had no mind to return home.
She remained sunk in sorrow in the shade
of a tree in forest. Sukracharya loved
Devayani more than his life. After waiting
long in vain for the return of his daughter
who had gone to play with her
companions, he sent a woman in search of
her.
The messenger after a weary search came
on her at last near the tree where she was
sitting in dejection, her eyes red with
anger and grief. And she asked her what
had happened.
Devayani said: "Friend, go at once and tell
my father that I will not set my foot in the
capital of Vrishaparva" and she sent her
back to Sukracharya.
Extremely grieved at the sad plight of his
daughter Sukracharya hurried to her.
Caressing her, he said: "It is by their own
actions, good or bad, that men are happy
or miserable. The virtues or vices of
others will not affect us in the least." With
these words of wisdom, he tried to
console her.
She replied in sorrow and anger: "Father,
leave alone my merits and faults, which
are after all my own concern. But tell me
this, was Sarmishtha, the daughter of
Vrishaparva, right when she told me you
were but a minstrel singing the praises of
kings? She called me the daughter of a
mendicant living on the doles won by
flattery. Not content with this arrogant
contumely, she slapped me and threw me
into a pit which was nearby. I cannot stay
in any place within her father's territory."
And Devayani began to weep.
Sukracharya drew himself up proudly:
"Devayani," he said with dignity, "you are
not the daughter of a court minstrel. Your
father does not live on the wages of
flattery. You are the daughter of one who
is reverenced by all the world. Indra, the
king of the gods, knows this, and
Vrishaparva is not ignorant of his debt to
me. But no worthy man extols his own
merits, and I shall say no more about
myself. Arise, you are a peerless gem
among women, bringing prosperity to
your family. Be patient. Let us go home."
In this context Bhagavan Vyasa advises
humanity in general in the following
words of counsel addressed by
Sukracharya to his daughter:
"He conquers the world, who patiently
puts up with the abuse of his neighbors.
He who, controls his anger, as a horseman
breaks an unruly horse, is indeed a
charioteer and not he who merely holds
the reins, but lets the horse go whither it
would. He who sheds his anger just as a
snake its slough, is a real hero. He who is
not moved despite the greatest torments
inflicted by others, will realise his aim. He
who never gets angry is superior to the
ritualist who faith fully performs for a
hundred years the sacrifices ordained by
scripture. Servants, friends, brothers, wife,
children, virtue and truth abandon the man
who gives way to anger. The wise will not
take to heart the words of boys and girls."
Devayani humbly told her father: "I am
indeed a little girl, but, I hope, not too
young to benefit by the great truth taught
by you. Yet, it is not proper to live with
persons who have no sense of decency or
decorum. The wise will not keep company
with those who speak ill of their family.
However rich they may be, the illmannered
are really the veritable
chandalas outside the pale of caste. The
virtuous should not mix with them. My
mind is ablaze with the anger roused by
the taunts of Vrishaparva's daughter. The
wounds inflicted by weapons may close in
time; scalds may heal gradually; but
wounds inflicted by words remain painful
as long as one lives."
Sukracharya went to Vrishaparva and
fixing his eyes on him gravely said:
"O king, though one's sins may not bring
immediate punishment they are sure,
sooner or later, to destroy the very germ
of prosperity. Kacha, the son of
Brihaspati, was a brahmacharin who had
conquered his senses and never committed
any sin. He served me with fidelity and
never strayed from the path of virtue.
Your attendants tried to kill him. I bore it.
My daughter, who holds her honor high,
had to hear dishonoring words uttered by
your daughter. Besides, she was pushed
into a well by your daughter. She cannot
any more stay in your kingdom. Without
her I cannot live here either. So, I am
going out of your kingdom."
At these words the king of the asuras was
sorely troubled and said: "I am ignorant of
the charges laid at my door. If you
abandon me, I shall enter fire and die."
Sukracharya replied: "I care more for the
happiness of my daughter than for the fate
of you and your asuras, for she is the one
thing I have and dearer to me than life
itself. If you can appease her, it is well
and good. Otherwise I go."
Vrishaparva and his retinue went to the
tree under which Devayani stood and they
threw themselves at her feet in
supplication.
Devayani was stubborn and said:
"Sarmishtha who told me that I was the
daughter of a beggar, should become my
handmaiden and attend on me in the house
into which my father gives me in
marriage."
Vrishaparva consented and asked his
attendants to fetch his daughter
Sarmishtha.
Sarmishtha admitted her fault and bowed
in submission. She said: "Let it be as my
companion Devayani desires. My father
shall not lose his preceptor for a fault
committed by me. I will be her attendant,"
Devayani was pacified and returned to her
house with her father.
On another occasion also Devayani came
across Yayati. She repeated her request
that he should take her as his wife since he
had clasped her right hand. Yayati again
repeated his objection that he, a kshatriya,
could not lawfully marry a brahmana.
Finally they both went to Sukracharya and
got his assent to their marriage. This is an
instance of the pratiloma marriage which
was resorted to on exceptional occasions.
The sastras, no doubt, prescribe what is
right and forbid what is wrong but a
marriage once effected cannot be made
invalid.
Yayati and Devayani spent many days in
happiness. Sarmishtha remained with her
as an attendant. One day Sarmishtha met
Yayati in secret and earnestly prayed to
betaken also as his wife. He yielded to her
prayer and married her without the
knowledge of Devayani.
But Devayani came to know of it and was
naturally very angry, She complained to
her father and Sukracharya in his rage
cursed Yayati with premature old age.
Yayati, thus suddenly stricken with age in
the very prime of his manhood, begged so
humbly for forgiveness that Sukracharya,
who had not forgotten Devayani's rescue
from the well, at last relented.
He said: "O king, you have lost the glory
which is youth. The curse cannot be
recalled, but if you can persuade anyone
to exchange his youth for your age the
exchange will take effect." Thus he
blessed Yayati and bade him farewell.
7. YAYATI
EMPEROR Yayati was one of the
ancestors of the Pandavas. He had never
known defeat. He followed the dictates of
the sastras, adored the gods and venerated
his ancestors with intense devotion. He
became famous as a ruler devoted to the
welfare of his subjects.
But as has already been told, he became
prematurely old by the curse of
Sukracharya for having wronged his wife
Devayani. In the words of the poet of the
Mahabharata:
"Yayati attained that old age which
destroys beauty and brings on miseries." It
is needless to describe the misery of youth
suddenly blighted into age, where the
horrors of loss are accentuated by pangs
of recollection.
Yayati, who found himself suddenly an
old man, was still haunted by the desire
for sensual enjoyment. He had five
beautiful sons, all virtuous and
accomplished. Yayati called them and
appealed piteously to their affection:
"The curse of your grandfather
Sukracharya has made me unexpectedly
and prematurely old. I have not had my
fill of the joys of life. For, not knowing
what was in store for me I lived a life of
restraint, denying myself even lawful
pleasures. One of you ought to bear the
burden of my old age and give his youth
in return. He who agrees to this and
bestows his youth on me will be the ruler
of my kingdom. I desire to enjoy life in
the full vigor of youth."
He first asked his eldest son. That son
replied: "O great king, women and
servants will mock at me if I were to take
upon myself your old age. I cannot do go.
Ask of my younger brothers who are
dearer to you than myself."
When the second son was approached, he
gently refused with the words: "Father,
you ask me to take up old age that
destroys not only strength and beauty but
also as I see wisdom. I am not strong
enough to do so."
The third son replied: "An old man cannot
ride a horse or an elephant. His speech
will falter. What can I do in such a
helpless plight? I cannot agree."
The king was angry and disappointed that
his three sons had declined to do as he
wished, but he hoped for better from his
fourth son, to whom he said: "You should
take up my old age. If you exchange your
youth with me, I shall give it back to you
after some time and take back the old age
with which I have been cursed."
The fourth son begged to be forgiven as
this was a thing he could by no means
consent to. An old man had to seek the
help of others even to keep his body clean,
a most pitiful plight. No, much as he
loved his father he could not do it.
Yayati was struck with sorrow at the
refusal of the four sons. Still, hoping
against hope, he supplicated his last son
who had never yet opposed his wishes:
"You must save me. I am afflicted with
this old age with its wrinkles, debility and
grey hairs as a result of the curse of
Sukracharya. It is too hard a trial! If you
will take upon yourself these infirmities, I
shall enjoy life for just a while more and
then give you back your youth and resume
my old age and all its sorrows. Pray, do
not refuse as your elder brothers have
done."
Puru, the youngest son, moved by filial
love, said: "Father, I gladly give you my
youth and relieve you of the sorrows of
old age and cares of state. Be happy."
Hearing these words Yayati embraced
him. As soon as he touched his son,
Yayati became a youth. Puru, who
accepted the old age of his father, ruled
the kingdom and acquired great renown.
Yayati enjoyed life for long, and not
satisfied, went later to the garden of
Kubera and spent many years with an
Apsara maiden.
After long years spent in vain efforts to
quench desire by indulgence, the truth
dawned on him.
Returning to Puru, he said: "Dear son,
sensual desire is never quenched by
indulgence any more than fire is by
pouring ghee in it. I had heard and read
this, but till now I had not realised it. No
object of desire, corn, gold, cattle or
women, nothing can ever satisfy the desire
of man, We can reach peace only by a
mental poise beyond likes and dislikes.
Such is the state of Brahman. Take back
your youth and rule the kingdom wisely
and well."
With these words Yayati took his old age.
Puru, who regained his youth, was made
king by Yayati who retired to the forest.
He spent his time there in austerities and,
in due course, attained heaven.
8. VIDURA
THE sage Mandavya who had acquired
strength of mind and knowledge of the
scriptures, spent his days in penance and
the practice of truth.
He lived in a hermitage in the forests on
the outskirts of the city. One day while he
was immersed in silent contemplation
under the shade of a tree outside his hut of
leaves, a band of robbers fled through the
woods with officers of the king in hot
pursuit.
The fugitives entered the ashrama
thinking that it would be a convenient
place to hide themselves in. They placed
their booty in a corner and hid themselves.
The soldiers of the king came to the
ashrama tracking their footsteps.
The commander of the soldiers asked
Mandavya, who was rapt in deep
meditation in a tone of peremptory
command: "Did you see the robbers pass
by? Where did they go? Reply at once so
that we may give chase and capture
them."
The sage, who was absorbed in yoga,
remained silent. The commander repeated
the question insolently. But the sage did
not hear anything. In the meantime some
of the attendants entered the ashrama and
discovered the stolen goods lying there.
They reported this to their commander.
All of them went in and found the stolen
goods and the robbers who were in hiding.
The commander thought: "Now I know
the reason why the brahmana pretended to
be a silent sage. He is indeed the chief of
these robbers. He has inspired this
robbery." Then he ordered his soldiers to
guard the place, went to the king and told
him that the sage Mandavya had been
caught with the stolen goods.
The king was very angry at the audacity
of the chief of the robbers who had put on
the garb of a brahmana sage, the better to
deceive the world. Without pausing to
verify the facts, he ordered the wicked
criminal, as he thought him, to be
impaled.
The commander returned to the
hermitage, impaled Mandavya on a spear
and handed over the stolen things to the
king.
The virtuous sage, though impaled on the
spear, did not die. Since he was in yoga
when he was impaled he remained alive
by the power of yoga. Sages who lived in
other parts of the forest came to his
hermitage and asked Mandavya how he
came to be in that terrible pass.
Mandavya replied: "Whom shall I blame?
The servants of the king, who protect the
world, have inflicted this punishment."
The king was surprised and frightened
when he heard that the impaled sage was
still alive and that he was surrounded by
the other sages of the forest. He hastened
to the forest with his attendants and at
once ordered the sage to be taken down
from the spear. Then he prostrated at his
feet and prayed humbly to be forgiven for
the offence unwittingly committed.
Mandavya was not angry with the king.
He went straight to Dharma, the divine
dispenser of justice, who was seated on
his throne, and asked him: "What crime
have I committed to deserve this torture?"
Lord Dharma, who knew the great power
of the sage, replied in all humility: "O
sage, you have tortured birds and bees.
Are you not aware that all deeds, good or
bad, however small, inevitably produce
their results, good or evil?"
Mandavya was surprised at this reply of
Lord Dharma and asked: "When did I
commit this offence?"
Lord Dharma replied: "When you were a
child."
Mandavya then pronounced a curse on
Dharma: "This punishment you have
decreed is far in excess of the deserts of a
mistake committed by a child in
ignorance. Be born, therefore, as a mortal
in the world."
Lord Dharma who was thus cursed by the
sage Mandavya incarnated as Vidura and
was born of the servant-maid of
Ambalika, the wife of Vichitravirya.
This story is intended to show that Vidura
was the incarnation of Dharma. The great
men of the world regarded Vidura as a
mahatma who was unparalleled in his
knowledge of dharma, sastras and
statesmanship and was totally devoid of
attachment and anger. Bhishma appointed
him, while he was still in his teens, as the
chief counsellor of king Dhritarashtra.
Vyasa has it that no one in the three
worlds could equal Vidura in virtue and
knowledge. When Dhritarashtra gave his,
permission for the game of dice, Vidura
fell at his feet and protested solemnly: "O
king and lord, I cannot approve of this
action. Strife will set in among your sons
as a result. Pray, do not allow this."
Dhritarashtra also tried in manly ways to
dissuade his wicked son. He said to him:
"Do not proceed with this game. Vidura
does not approve of it, the wise Vidura of
lofty intellect who is ever intent on our
welfare. He says the game is bound to
result in a fierceness of hate which will
consume us and our kingdom."
But Duryodhana did not heed this advice.
Carried away by his doting fondness for
his son, Dhritarashtra surrendered his
better judgment and sent to Yudhishthira
the fateful invitation to the game.
9. KUNTI DEVI
SURA, the grandfather of Sri Krishna,
was a worthy scion of the Yadava race.
His daughter Pritha was noted for her
beauty and virtues. Since his cousin
Kuntibhoja was childless, Sura gave his
daughter Pritha in adoption to him. From
that time she was known by the name of
Kunti after her adoptive father.
When Kunti was a little girl, the sage
Durvasa stayed for a time as a guest in her
father's house and she served the sage for
a year with all care, patience and
devotion. He was so pleased with her that
he gave her a divine mantra. He said:
"If you call upon any god repeating this
mantra, he will manifest himself to you
and bless you with a son equal to him in
glory." He granted her this boon because
he foresaw by his yogic power the
misfortune that was in store for her future
husband.
The impatient curiosity of youth made
Kunti test then and there the efficacy of
the mantra by repeating it and invoking
the Sun whom she saw shining in the
heavens. At once the sky grew dark with
clouds, and under cover of them the Sun
god approached the beautiful princess
Kunti and stood gazing at her with ardent
soul scorching admiration. Kunti,
overpowered by the glorious vision of her
divine visitor, asked: "O god, who art
thou?"
The Sun replied: "Dear maiden, I am the
Sun. I have been drawn to you by the spell
of the son-giving mantra that you have
uttered."
Kunti was aghast and said: "I am an
unwedded girl dependent on my father. I
am not fit for motherhood and do not
desire it. I merely wished to test the power
of the boon granted by the sage Durvasa.
Go back and forgive this childish folly of
mine." But the Sun god could not thus
return because the power of the mantra
held him. She for her part was mortally
afraid of being blamed by the world. The
Sun god however reassured her:
"No blame shall attach to you. After
bearing my son, you will regain virginity.''
Kunti conceived by the grace of the Sun,
the giver of light and life to all the world.
Divine births take place immediately
without the nine months weary course of
mortal gestation.
She gave birth to Karna who was born
with divine armor and earrings and was
bright and beautiful like the Sun. In time,
he became one of the world's greatest
heroes. After the birth of the child, Kunti
once again became a virgin as a result of
the boon granted by the Sun.
She wondered what she should do with
the child. To hide her fault she placed the
child in a sealed box and set it afloat in a
river. A childless charioteer happened to
see the floating case, and taking it, was
surprised and delighted to see within it a
gorgeously beautiful child.
He handed it over to his wife who
lavished a mother's love on it. Thus
Karna, the son of the Sun god, came to be
brought up as a charioteer's child. When
the time came for giving Kunti in
marriage, Kuntibhoja invited all the
neighboring princes and held a
swayamvara for her to choose her
husband.
Many eager suitors flocked to the
swayamvara as the princess was widely
famed for her great beauty and virtue.
Kunti placed the garland on the neck of
King Pandu, the bright representative of
the Bharata race, whose personality
eclipsed the lustre of all the other princes
assembled there. The marriage was duly
solemnised and she accompanied her
husband to his capital Hastinapur.
On the advice of Bhishma and in
accordance with the prevailing custom,
Pandu took a second wife Madri, the sister
of the king of Madra. In the old days the
kings took two or three wives for making
sure of progeny and not for mere sensual
desire.
10. DEATH OF PANDU
ONE day King Pandu was out hunting. A
sage and his wife were also sporting in the
forest in the guise of deer. Pandu shot the
male with an arrow, in ignorance of the
fact that it was a sage in disguise. Stricken
to death the rishi thus cursed Pandu:
"Sinner, you will meet with death the
moment you taste the pleasures of the
bed."
Pandu was heartbroken at this curse and
retreated to the forest with his wives after
entrusting his kingdom to Bhishma and
Vidura and lived there a life of perfect
abstinence.
Seeing that Pandu was desirous of
offspring, which the rishi’s curse had
denied him, Kunti confided to him the
story of the mantra she had received from
Durvasa. He urged Kunti and Madri to use
the mantra and thus it was that the five
Pandavas were born of the gods to Kunti
and Madri.
They were born and brought up in the
forest among ascetics. King Pandu lived
for many years in the forest with his wives
and children. It was springtime. And one
day Pandu and Madri forgot their sorrows
in the rapture of sympathy with the
throbbing life around them, the happy
flowers, creepers, birds and other
creatures of the forest.
In spite of Madri’s earnest and repeated
protests Pandu’s resolution broke down
under the exhilarating influence of the
season, and at once the curse of the sage
took effect and Pandu fell, dead.
Madri could not contain her sorrow. Since
she felt that she was responsible for the
death of the king. She burnt herself on the
pyre of her husband entreating Kunti to
remain and be a mother to her doubly
orphaned children.
The sages of the forest took the bereaved
and grief-stricken Kunti and the Pandavas
to Hastinapura and entrusted them to
Bhishma.
Yudhishthira was but sixteen years old at
that time. When the sages came to
Hastinapura and reported the death of
Pandu in the forest, the whole kingdom
was plunged in sorrow. Vidura, Bhishma,
Vyasa, Dhritarashtra and others performed
the funeral rites.
All the people in the kingdom lamented as
at a personal loss. Vyasa said to Satyavati,
the grandmother: "The past has gone by
pleasantly, but the future has many
sorrows in store. The world has passed its
youth like a happy dream and it is now
entering on disillusionment, sin, sorrow
and suffering. Time is inexorable. You
need not wait to see the miseries and
misfortunes that will befall this race. It
will be good for you to leave the city and
spend the rest of your days in a hermitage
in the forest." Satyavati agreed and went
to the forest with Ambika and Ambalika.
These three aged queens passed through
holy asceticism to the higher regions of
bliss and spared themselves the sorrows of
their children.
11. BHIMA
THE five sons of Pandu and the hundred
sons of Dhritarashtra grew up in mirth and
merriment at Hastinapura. Bhima excelled
them all in physical prowess. He used to
bully Duryodhana and the other Kauravas
by dragging them by the hair and beating
them.
A great swimmer, he would dive, into
pools, with one or more of them clasped
helpless in his arms, and remain under
water till they were almost drowned.
Whenever they climbed up on a tree he
would stand on the ground and kick at the
tree and shake them down like ripe fruits.
The bodies of the sons of Dhritarashtra
would be ever sore with bruises as a result
of Bhima's practical jokes. Small wonder
that the sons of Dhritarashtra nursed a
deep hatred for Bhima from their very
infancy.
As the princes grew up. Kripacharya
taught them archery and the practice of
arms and other things that princes should
learn. Duryodhana's jealousy towards
Bhima warped his mind and made him
commit many improper acts.
Duryodhana was very much worried. His
father being blind, the kingdom was ruled
by Pandu. After his death Yudhishthira,
the heir-apparent, would in course of time
become king. Duryodhana thought that as
his blind father was quite helpless he
must, to prevent Yudhishthira's accession
to the throne, contrive a way of killing
Bhima.
He made arrangements to carry out his
resolve since he thought that the powers
of the Pandavas would decline with the
death of Bhima.
Duryodhana and his brothers planned to
throw Bhima into the Ganges, imprison
Arjuna and Yudhishthira, and then seize
the kingdom and rule it. So Duryodhana
went with his brothers and the Pandavas
for a swim in the Ganges.
After the sports they slept in their tents
being exhausted. Bhima had exerted
himself more than the others and as his
food had been poisoned, he felt drowsy
and lay down on the bank of the river.
Duryodhana bound him with wild
creepers and threw him into the river.
The evil Duryodhana had already caused
sharp spikes to be planted on the spot.
This was done purposely so that Bhima
might in falling be impaled on the spikes,
and lose his life. Fortunately there was no
spike in the place where Bhima fell.
Poisonous water-snakes bit his body.
The poisonous food he had taken was
counteracted by the snake poison and
Bhima came to no harm, and presently,
the river washed him to a bank.
Duryodhana thought that Bhima must
have died as he had been thrown in the
river infested with poisonous snakes and
planted with spikes. So he returned to the
city with the rest of the party in great joy.
When Yudhishthira inquired about the
whereabouts of Bhima, Duryodhana
informed him that he had preceded them
to the city.
Yudhishthira believed Duryodhana and as
soon as he returned home, asked his
mother whether Bhima had returned
home.
His anxious question brought forth the
reply that Bhima had not yet returned,
which made Yudhishthira suspect some
foul play against his brother. And he went
again with his brothers to the forest and
searched everywhere. But Bhima could
not be found. They went back in great
sorrow.
Sometime later Bhima awoke and trudged
wearily back home. Kunti and
Yudhishthira welcomed him and
embraced him in great joy. By the poison
that had entered his system Bhima became
stronger than before.
Kunti sent for Vidura and told him in
secret:
"Duryodhana is wicked and cruel. He
seeks to kill Bhima since he wants to rule
the kingdom. I am worried."
Vidura replied: "What you say is true, but
keep your thoughts to yourself. For if the
wicked Duryodhana is accused or blamed,
his anger and hatred will only increase.
Your sons are blessed with long life. You
need have no fear on that account."
Yudhishthira also warned Bhima and said:
"Be silent over the matter. Hereafter, we
have to be careful and help one another
and protect ourselves."
Duryodhana was surprised to see Bhima
come back alive. His jealousy and hatred
increased. He heaved a deep sigh and
pined away in sorrow.
12. KARNA
THE Pandavas and the Kauravas learnt
the practice of arms first from
Kripacharya and later from Drona. A day
was fixed for a test and exhibition of their
proficiency in the use of arms in the
presence of the royal family and as the
public had also been invited to witness the
performance of their beloved princes.
There was a large and enthusiastic crowd.
Arjuna displayed superhuman skill with
his weapons and the vast assemblage was
lost in wonder and admiration.
Duryodhana's brow was dark with envy
and hate.
At the close of the day, there came
suddenly from the entrance of the arena a
sound, loud and compelling like thunder
the sound made by the slapping of mighty
arms in challenge. All eyes turned in that
direction. They saw enter through the
crowd, which made way in awed silence,
a godlike youth from whom light and
power seemed to emanate. He looked
proudly round him, cast a negligent salute
to Drona and Kripa, and strode up to
Arjuna. The brothers, all unaware, by the
bitter irony of fate, of their common
blood, faced one another; for it was
Karna.
Karna addressed Arjuna in a voice deep as
rumbling thunder: "Arjuna, I shall show
greater skill than you have displayed."
With Drona's leave, Karna the lover of
battle, then and there duplicated all of
Arjuna's feats with careless ease. Great
was Duryodhana's exultation. He threw
his arms round Karna and said:
"Welcome, O thou with mighty arms,
whom good fortune has sent to us. I and
this kingdom of the Kurus are at your
command."
Said Karna: "I, Karna, am grateful, O
king. Only two things I seek, your love
and single combat with Partha."
Duryodhana clasped Karna again to his
bosom and said: "My prosperity is all
thine to enjoy."
As love flooded Duryodhana's heart, even
so did blazing wrath fill Arjuna, who felt
affronted. And glaring fiercely at Karna
who stood, stately as a mountain peak,
receiving the greetings of the Kaurava
brothers, he said: "O Karna, slain by me
thou shalt presently go to the hell
appointed for those who intrude uninvited
and prate unbidden."
Karna laughed in scorn: "This arena is
open to all, O Arjuna, and not to you
alone. Might is the sanction of sovereignty
and the law is based on it. But what is the
use of mere talk which is the weapon of
the weak? Shoot arrows instead of words."
Thus challenged, Arjuna, with Drona's
permission, hastily embraced his brothers
and stood ready for combat. While Karna,
taking leave of the Kuru brothers,
confronted him weapon in hand.
And, as though the divine parents of the
heroes sought to encourage their offspring
and witness this fateful battle, Indra, the
lord of the thunderclouds, and Bhaskara of
the in finite rays, simultaneously appeared
in the heavens.
When she saw Karna, Kunti knew him as
her first born and fainted away. Vidura
instructed the maidservant to attend upon
her and she revived. She stood stupefied
with anguish not knowing what to do.
As they were about to join in battle,
Kripa, well-versed in the rules of single
combat, stepped between them and
addressed Karna:
"This prince, who is ready to fight with
thee, is the son of Pritha and Pandu and a
scion of the Kuru race. Reveal O mighty
armed thy parentage and the race rendered
illustrious by thy birth. It is only after
knowing thy lineage that Partha can fight
with thee, for high-born princes cannot
engage in single combat with unknown
adventurers."
When he heard these words, Karna bent
down his head like a lotus under the
weight of rainwater.
Duryodhana stood up and said: "If the
combat cannot take place merely because
Karna is not a prince, why, that is easily
remedied. I crown Karna as the king of
Anga." He then obtained the assent of
Bhishma and Dhritarashtra, performed all
the necessary rites and invested Karna
with the sovereignty of the kingdom of
Anga giving him the crown, jewels and
other royal insignia.
At that moment, as the combat between
the youthful heroes seemed about to
commence, the old charioteer Adhiratha,
who was the foster-father of Karna,
entered the assembly, staff in hand and
quaking with fear.
No sooner did he see him, that Karna, the
newly crowned king of Anga, bowed his
head and did humble obeisance in all filial
reverence. The old man called him son,
embraced him with his thin and trembling
arms, and wept with joy wetting with tears
of love his head already moistened by the
water of the coronation.
At this sight, Bhima roared with laughter
and said: "O he is after all only the son of
a charioteer! Take up the driving whip
then as befits thy parentage. Thou art not
worthy of death at the hands of Arjuna.
Nor shouldst thou reign in Anga as a
king."
At this outrageous speech, Karna's lips
trembled with anguish and he speechlessly
looked up at the setting sun with a deep
sigh.
But Duryodhana broke in indignantly:
"It is unworthy of you, O Vrikodara, to
speak thus. Valor is the hallmark of a
kshatriya. Nor is there much sense in
tracing great heroes and mighty rivers to
their sources. I could give you hundreds
of instances of great men of humble birth
and I know awkward questions might be
asked of your own origin. Look at this
warrior, his godlike form and bearing, his
armor and earrings, and his skill with
weapons. Surely there is some mystery
about him. For how could a tiger be born
of an antelope? Unworthy of being king of
Anga, didst thou say? I verily hold him
worthy to rule the whole world."
In generous wrath, Duryodhana took
Karna in his chariot and drove away.
The sun set and the crowd dispersed in
tumult. There were groups loud in talk
under the light of the lamps, some
glorifying Arjuna, others Karna, and
others again Duryodhana according to
their predilection.
Indra foresaw that a supreme contest was
inevitable between his son Arjuna and
Karna. And he put on the garb of a
brahmana and came to Karna, who was
reputed for his charity and begged of him
his earrings and armor. The Sun god had
already warned Karna in a dream that
Indra would try to deceive him in this
manner.
Still, Karna could not bring himself to
refuse any gift that was asked of him.
Hence he cut off the earrings and armor
with which he was born and gave them to
the brahmana.
Indra, the king of gods, was filled with
surprise and joy. After accepting the gift,
he praised Karna as having done what no
one else would do, and, shamed into
generosity, bade Karna ask for any boon
he wanted.
Karna replied: "I desire to get your
weapon, the Sakti, which has the power to
kill enemies." Indra granted the boon, but
with a fateful proviso. He said: "You can
use this weapon against but one enemy,
and it will kill him whosoever he may be.
But this killing done, this weapon will no
longer be available to you but will return
to me." With these words Indra
disappeared.
Karna went to Parasurama and became his
disciple by representing to him that he
was a brahmana. He learnt of Parasurama
the mantra for using the master weapon
known as Brahmastra.
One day Parasurama was reclining with
the head on Karna's lap when a stinging
worm burrowed into Karna's thigh. Blood
began to flow and the pain was terrible.
But Karna bore it without tremor lest he
should disturb the master's sleep.
Parasurama awoke and saw the blood that
had poured from the wound.
He said: "Dear pupil, you are not a
brahmana. A kshatriya alone can remain
unmoved under all bodily torments. Tell
me the truth."
Karna confessed that he had told a lie in
presenting himself as a brahmana and that
he was in fact the son of a charioteer.
Parasurama in his anger pronounced this
curse on him: "Since you deceived your
guru, the Brahmastra you have learnt shall
fail you at the fated moment. You will be
unable to recall the invocatory mantra
when your hour comes."
It was because of this curse that at the
crisis of his last fight with Arjuna, Karna
was not able to recall the Brahmastra
spell, though he had remembered it till
then. Karna was the faithful friend of
Duryodhana and remained loyally with
the Kauravas until the end.
After the fall of Bhishma and Drona,
Karna became the leader of the Kaurava
army and fought brilliantly for two days.
In the end, the wheel of his chariot stuck
in the ground and be was not able to lift it
free and drive the chariot along. While he
was in this predicament, Arjuna killed
him. Kunti was sunk in sorrow, all the
more poignant because she had, at that
time, to conceal it.
13. DRONA
DRONA, the son of a brahmana named
Bharadwaja, after completing his study of
the Vedas and the Vedangas, devoted
himself to the art of archery and became a
great master.
Drupada, the son of the king of Panchala,
who was a friend of Bharadwaja, was a
fellow-student of Drona in the hermitage
and there grew up between them the
generous intimacy of youth.
Drupada, in his boyish enthusiasm, used
often to tell Drona that he would give him
half his kingdom when he ascended the
throne. After completing his studies,
Drona married the sister of Kripa, and a
son Aswatthama was born to them.
Drona was passionately attached to his
wife and son, and, for their sake, desired
to acquire wealth, a thing that he had
never cared for before. Learning that
Parasurama was distributing his riches
among the brahmanas, he first went to
him. But he was too late as Parasurama
had already given away all his wealth and
was about to retire to the forest.
But, anxious to do something for Drona,
Parasurama offered to teach him the use
of weapons, of which he was supreme
master.
Drona joyfully agreed, and great archer as
he already was, he became unrivalled
master of the military art, worthy of eager
welcome as preceptor in any princely
house in that warlike age.
Meanwhile, Drupada had ascended the
throne of Panchala on the death of his
father. Remembering their early intimacy
and Drupada's expressions of readiness to
serve him, even to the extent of sharing
his kingdom, Drona went to him in the
confident hope of being treated
generously.
But he found the king very different from
the student. When he introduced himself
as an old friend, Drupada, far from being
glad to see him, felt it an intolerable
presumption.
Drunk with power and wealth, Drupada
said: "O brahmana, how dare you address
me familiarly as your friend? What
friendship can there be between a throned
king and a wandering beggar? What a fool
must you be to presume on some long past
acquaintance to claim friend ship with a
king who rules a kingdom? How can a
pauper be the friend of a wealthy man, or
an ignorant boor of a learned scholar, or a
coward of a hero? Friendship can exist
only between equals. A vagrant beggar
cannot be the friend of a sovereign."
Drona was turned out of the palace with
scorn in his ears and a blazing wrath in his
heart.
He made a mental vow to punish the
arrogant king for this insult and his
repudiation of the sacred claims of early
friendship. His next move in search of
employment was to go to Hastinapura,
where he spent a few days, in retirement,
in the house of his brother-in-law
Kripacharya.
One day, the princes were playing with a
ball outside the precincts of the city, and
in the course of the game, the ball as well
as Yudhishthira's ring fell into a well. The
princes had gathered round the well and
saw the ring shining from the bottom
through the clear water. But could see no
way of getting it out. They did not
however, notice that a brahmana of dark
complexion stood nearby watching them
with a smile.
"Princes," he surprised them by saying,
"you are the descendants of the heroic
Bharata race. Why cannot you take out the
ball as anyone skilled in arms should
know how to do? Shall I do it for you?"
Yudhishthira laughed and said in fun: "O
brahmana, if you take out the ball, we will
see that you have a good meal in the
house of Kripacharya." Then Drona the
brahmana stranger, took a blade of grass
and sent it forth into the well after reciting
certain words of power for propelling it as
an arrow.
The blade of grass straightway sped and
stuck into the ball. Afterwards he sent a
number of similar blades in succession
which clinging together formed a chain,
wherewith Drona took out the ball.
The princes were lost in amazement and
delight and begged of him to get the ring
also. Drona borrowed a bow, fixed an
arrow on the string and sent it right into
the ring. The arrow rebounding brought
up the ring and the brahmana handed it to
the prince with a smile.
Seeing these feats, the princes were
astonished and said: "We salute you, O
brahmana. Who are you? Is there anything
we can do for you?" and they bowed to
him.
He said: "O princes, go to Bhishma and
learn from him who I am."
From the description given by the princes,
Bhishma knew that the brahmana was
none other than the famous master Drona.
He decided that Drona was the fittest
person to impart further instruction to the
Pandavas and the Kauravas. So, Bhishma
received him with special honor and
employed him to instruct the princes in
the use of arms.
As soon as the Kauravas and the Pandavas
had acquired mastery in the science of
arms, Drona sent Karna and Duryodhana
to seize Drupada and bring him alive, in
discharge of the duty they owed to him as
their master.
They went as ordered by him, but could
not accomplish their task. Then the master
sent forth Arjuna on the same errand. He
defeated Drupada in battle and brought
him and his minister captives to Drona.
Then Drona smilingly addressed Drupada:
"Great king, do not fear for your life. In
our boyhood we were companions but you
were pleased to forget it and dishonor me.
You told me that a king alone could be
friend to a king. Now I am a king, having
conquered your kingdom. Still I seek to
regain my friendship with you, and so I
give you half of your kingdom that has
become mine by conquest. Your creed is
that friendship is possible only between
equals. And we shall now be equals, each
owning a half of your kingdom."
Drona thought this sufficient revenge for
the insult he had suffered, set Drupada at
liberty and treated him with honor.
Drupada's pride was thus humbled but,
since hate is never extinguished by
retaliation, and few things are harder to
bear than the pangs of wounded vanity,
hatred of Drona and a wish to be revenged
on him became the ruling passion of
Drupada's life.
The king performed tapas, underwent
fasts and conducted sacrifices in order to
win the gratified gods to bless him with a
son who should slay Drona and a daughter
who should wed Arjuna.
His efforts were crowned with success
with the birth of Dhrishtadyumna who
commanded the Pandava army at
Kurukshetra and, helped by a strange
combination of circumstances, slew the
otherwise unconquerable Drona, and birth
of Draupadi, the consort of the Pandavas.
14. THE WAX PALACE
THE jealousy of Duryodhana began to
grow at the sight of the physical strength
of Bhima and the dexterity of Arjuna.
Karna and Sakuni became Duryodhana's
evil counsellors in planning wily
stratagems.
As for poor Dhritarashtra, he was a wise
man no doubt and he also loved his
brother's sons, but he was weak of will
and dotingly attached to his own children.
For his children's sake the worse became
the better reason, and he would sometimes
even knowingly follow the wrong path.
Duryodhana sought in various ways to kill
the Pandavas. It was by means of the
secret help rendered by Vidura who
wanted to save the family from a great sin,
that the Pandavas escaped with their lives.
One unforgivable offence of the Pandavas
in the eyes of Duryodhana was that the
people of the city used to praise them
openly and declare in season and out of
season that Yudhishthira alone was fit to
be the king.
They would flock together and argue:
"Dhritarashtra could never be king for he
was born blind. It is not proper that he
should now hold the kingdom in his
hands. Bhishma cannot be king either,
because he is devoted to truth and to his
vow that he would not be a king. Hence
Yudhishthira alone should be crowned as
king. He alone can rule the Kuru race and
the kingdom with justice." Thus people
talked everywhere. These words were
poison to Duryodhana's ears, and made
him writhe and burn with jealousy.
He went to Dhritarashtra and complained
bitterly of the public talk: "Father, the
citizens babble irrelevant nonsense. They
have no respect even for such venerable
persons as Bhishma and yourself. They
say that Yudhishthira should be
immediately crowned king. This would
bring disaster on us. You were set aside
because of your blindness, and your
brother became the king. If Yudhishthira
is to succeed his father, where do we
come? What chance has our progeny?
After Yudhishthira his son, and his son's
son, and then his son will be the kings.
We will sink into poor relations dependent
on them even for our food. To live in hell
would be better than that!"
At these words, Dhritarashtra began to
ponder and said: "Son, what you say is
true. Still Yudhishthira will not stray from
the path of virtue. He loves all. He has
truly inherited all the excellent virtues of
his deceased father. People praise him and
will support him, and all the ministers of
the State and commanders of armies, to
whom Pandu had endeared himself by his
nobility of character, will surely espouse
his cause. As for the people, they idolise
the Pandavas. We cannot oppose them
with any chance of success. If we do
injustice, the citizens will rise in
insurrection and either kill us or expel us.
We shall only cover ourselves with
ignominy."
Duryodhana replied: "Your fears are
baseless. Bhishma will at worst be neutral,
while Ashwatthama is devoted to me,
which means that his father Drona and
uncle Kripa will also be on our side.
Vidura cannot openly oppose us, if for no
other reason, because he has not the
strength. Send the Pandavas immediately
to Varanavata. I tell you the solemn truth
that my cup of suffering is full and I can
bear no more. It pierces my heart and
renders me sleepless and makes my life a
torment. After sending the Pandavas to
Varanavata we shall try to strengthen our
party."
Later, some politicians were prevailed
upon to join Duryodhana's party and
advise the king in the matter. Kanika, the
minister of Sakuni, was their leader. "O
king," he said, "guard yourselves against
the sons of Pandu, for their goodness and
influence are a menace to you and yours.
The Pandavas are the sons of your
brother, but the nearer the kin, the closer
and deadlier the danger. They are very
strong."
Sakuni's minister continued: "Be not
wroth with me if I say a king should be
mighty in action as in name, for nobody
will believe in strength which is never
displayed. State affairs should be kept
secret and the earliest indication to the
public, of a wise plan, should be its
execution. Also, evils must be eradicated
promptly for a thorn which has been
allowed to remain in the body may cause
a festering wound. Powerful enemies
should be destroyed and even a weak foe
should not be neglected since a mere
spark, if over looked, may cause a forest
fire. A strong enemy should be destroyed
by means of stratagem and it would be
folly to show mercy to him. O king, guard
yourself against the sons of Pandu. They
are very powerful."
Duryodhana told Dhritarashtra of his
success in securing adherents: "I have
bought the goodwill of the king's
attendants with gifts of wealth and honor.
I have won over his ministers to our
cause. If you will adroitly prevail upon the
Pandavas to go to Varanavata, the city and
the whole kingdom will take our side.
They will not have a friend left here. Once
the kingdom has become ours, there will
be no power for harm left in them, and it
may even be possible to let them come
back."
When many began to say what he himself
wished to believe, Dhritarashtra's mind
was shaken and he yielded to his sons'
counsels. It only remained to give effect
to the plot.
The ministers began to praise the beauty
of Varanavata in the hearing of the
Pandavas and made mention of the fact
that a great festival in honor of Siva
would be conducted there with all pomp
and splendor.
The unsuspecting Pandavas were easily
persuaded, especially when Dhritarashtra
also told them in tones of great affection
that they should certainly go and witness
the festivities, not only because they were
worth seeing but because the people of the
place were eager to welcome them.
The Pandavas took leave of Bhishma and
other elders and went to Varanavata.
Duryodhana was elated. He plotted with
Karna and Sakuni to kill Kunti and her
sons at Varanavata. They sent for
Purochana, a minister, and gave him
secret instructions which he bound
himself to carry out faithfully.
Before the Pandavas proceeded to
Varanavata, Purochana, true to his
instructions, hastened to the spot well in
advance and had a beautiful palace built
for their reception. Combustible materials
like jute, lac, ghee, oil, and fat were used
in the construction of the palace. The
materials for the plastering of the walls
were also inflammable. He skilfully filled
up various parts of the building with dry
things that could catch fire easily, and had
inviting seats and bedsteads disposed at
the most combustible places.
Every convenience was furnished for the
Pandavas to dwell in the city without fear,
until the palace was built. When the
Pandavas had settled down in the wax
house, the idea was to set fire to it at night
when they were sound asleep.
The ostentatious love and solicitude with
which the Pandavas had been received
and treated would obviate all suspicion
and the fire would be taken as a sad case
of pure accident. No one would dream of
blaming the Kauravas.
15. THE ESCAPE OF THE
PANDAVAS
AFTER taking reverential leave of the
elders and embracing their comrades, the
Pandavas proceeded to Varanavata. The
citizens accompanied them a part of their
way and returned unwillingly to the city.
Vidura pointedly warned Yudhishthira in
words intelligible only to the prince:
"He alone will escape from danger who
forestalls the intentions of an astute
enemy. There are weapons sharper than
those made of steel. And the wise man
who would escape destruction must know
the means to guard against them. The
conflagration that devastates a forest
cannot hurt a rat which shelters itself in a
hole or a porcupine which burrows in the
earth. The wise man knows his bearings
by looking at the stars."
Though they had started on their journey
in sunshine of joy, they now proceeded in
a dark cloud of sorrow and anxiety.
The people of Varanavata were very
happy to learn of the coming of the
Pandavas to their city and welcomed
them. After a brief stay in other houses
while the palace specially meant for them
was being got ready, they moved into it
under Purochana's guidance.
It was named "Sivam" which means
prosperity, and that was the name which,
in ghastly irony, was given to the
deathtrap. Yudhishthira diligently
examined the whole place bearing in mind
Vidura's warning and verified that the
building was without a shadow of doubt
constructed with combustible material.
Yudhishthira told Bhima: "Though we
know very well that the palace is a trap of
death, we should not make Purochana
suspect that we know his plot. We should
get away at the right moment but escape
would be difficult if we gave room for any
suspicion."
So they stayed in that house to all
appearance free from care. Meanwhile,
Vidura had sent an expert miner who met
them in secret and said: "My password is
the veiled warning Vidura gave you. I
have been sent to help you for your
protection."
This was meant to indicate to
Yudhishthira and to him alone,
Duryodhana's hideous plot and the means
of escape from danger. Yudhishthira
answered that he had grasped Vidura's
meaning, and later he communicated it to
Kuntidevi.
Henceforward the miner worked for many
days in secret, unknown to Purochana,
and completed a subterranean egress from
the wax house right under and across the
walls and the moat, which ran round the
precincts.
Purochana had his quarters at the gateway
of the palace. The Pandavas kept armed
vigil during night, but by day they used to
go out hunting in the forest, to all
appearance bent on pleasure but really to
make themselves familiar with the forest
paths.
As has already been said, they carefully
kept to themselves their knowledge of the
wicked plot against their lives. On his side
Purochana, anxious to lull all suspicion
and make the murderous fire seem an
accident, waited fully a year before
putting the plot into effect.
At last Purochana felt he had waited long
enough. And the watchful Yudhishthira,
knowing that the fated moment had
arrived, called his brothers together and
told them that now or never was the time
for them to escape.
Kuntidevi arranged a sumptuous feast for
the attendants that day. Her idea was to
lull them to well-fed sleep at night.
At midnight, Bhima set fire to the palace
in several places. Kuntidevi and the
Pandava brothers hurried out through the
subterranean passage, groping their way
out in the darkness. Presently, there was a
roaring fire all over the palace and a fast
swelling crowd of frightened citizens all
around in loud and helpless lamentation.
Some bustled aimlessly in futile efforts to
put out the conflagration and all joined in
the cry: "Alas! Alas! This surely is
Duryodhana's work, and he is killing the
sinless Pandavas!"
The palace was reduced to ashes.
Purochana's residence was enveloped in
flames before he could escape and he fell
an unpitied victim to his own wicked plot.
The people of Varanavata, sent the
following message to Hastinapura: "The
palace which was the abode of the
Pandavas has burnt down and no one in it
escaped alive."
Vyasa has beautifully described the then
mental state of Dhritarashtra: "Just as the
water of a deep pool is cool at the bottom
and warm on the surface, so the heart of
Dhritarashtra was at once warm with joy
and chilled with sorrow."
Dhritarashtra and his sons cast off their
royal garments in token of mourning for
the Pandavas whom they believed
consumed in the fire. They dressed
themselves in single garments as became
sorrowful kinsmen and went to the river
and performed the propitiatory funeral
rites.
No outward show of heart broken
bereavement was omitted. It was noticed
by some that Vidura was not so overcome
by sorrow as the others and this was set
down to his philosophical bent of mind.
But the real reason was that he knew that
the Pandavas had escaped to safety.
When he looked sad, he was in fact
following with his mind's eye the weary
wanderings of the Pandavas. Seeing that
Bhishma was sunk in sorrow, Vidura
secretly comforted him by revealing to
him the story of their successful escape.
Bhima saw that his mother and brothers
were exhausted by their nightly vigils as
well as by fear and anxiety. He therefore
carried his mother on his shoulders and
took Nakula and Sahadeva on his hips,
supporting Yudhishthira and Arjuna with
his two hands.
Thus heavily laden, he strode effortlessly
like a lordly elephant forcing his way
through the forest and pushing aside the
shrubs and trees that obstructed his path.
When they reached the Ganges, there was
a boat ready for them in charge of a
boatman who knew their secret. They
crossed the river in the darkness, and
entering a mighty forest they went on at
night in darkness that wrapped them like a
shroud and in a silence broken hideously
by the frightful noises of wild animals.
At last, quite fordone by toil, they sat
down unable to bear the pangs of thirst
and overcome by the drowsiness of sheer
fatigue. Kuntidevi said: "I do not care
even if the sons of Dhritarashtra are here
to seize me, but I must stretch my legs."
She forthwith laid herself down and was
sunk in sleep.
Bhima forced his way about the tangled
forest in search of water in the darkness.
And finding a pool, he wetted his upper
garment, made cups of lotus leaves and
brought water to his mother and brothers
who were perishing with thirst.
Then, while the others slept in merciful
forgetfulness of their woes, Bhima alone
sat awake absorbed in deep thought. "Do
not the plants and the creepers of the
forest mutually help each other and live in
peace?" he reflected; "why should the
wicked Dhritarashtra and Duryodhana try
to injure us in these ways?" Sinless
himself, Bhima could not understand the
springs of sinfulness in others and was
lost in grief.
The Pandavas marched on, suffering
many hardships and overcoming many
dangers. Part of the way, they would carry
their mother to make better speed.
Sometimes, tired beyond even heroic
endurance, they would pause and rest.
Sometimes, full of life and the glorious
strength of youth, they would race with
each other.
They met Bhagavan Vyasa on the way.
All of them bowed before him and
received encouragement and wise counsel
from him.
When Kunti told him of the sorrows that
had befallen them, Vyasa consoled her
with these words: "No virtuous man is
strong enough to live in virtue at all times,
nor is any sinner bad enough to exist in
one welter of sin. Life is a tangled web
and there is no one in the world who has
not done both good and evil. Each and
everyone has to bear the consequence of
his actions. Do not give way to sorrow."
Then they put on the garb of brahmanas,
as advised by Vyasa, went to the city of
Ekachakra and stayed there in a
brahmana's house, waiting for better days.
16. THE SLAYING OF BAKASURA
IN the city of Ekachakra, the Pandavas
stayed in the guise of brahmanas, begging
their food in the brahmana streets and
bringing what they got to their mother,
who would wait anxiously till their return.
If they did not come back in time, she
would be worried, fearing that some evil
might have befallen them.
Kunti would divide the food they brought
in two equal portions. One half would go
to Bhima. The other half would be shared
by the other brothers and the mother.
Bhima, being born of the Wind god had
great strength and a mighty appetite.
Vrikodara, one of the names of Bhima,
means wolf-bellied, and a wolf, you
know, looks always famished. And
however much it might eat, its hunger is
never quite satisfied.
Bhima's insatiable hunger and the scanty
food he used to get at Ekachakra went ill
together. And he daily grew thin, which
caused much distress to his mother and
brothers. Sometime later, Bhima became
acquainted with a potter for whom he
helped and fetched clay. The potter, in
return, presented him with a big earthen
pot that became an object of merriment to
the street urchins.
One day, when the other brothers had
gone to beg for alms, Bhimasena stayed
behind with his mother, and they heard
loud lamentations from the house of their
brahmana landlord. Some great calamity
surely had befallen the poor family and
Kunti went inside to learn what it was.
The brahmana and his wife could hardly
speak for weeping, but, at last the
brahmana said to his wife: "O unfortunate
and foolish woman, though time and again
I wished we should leave this city for
good, you would not agree. You persisted
in saying that you were born and bred
here and here you would stay where your
parents and relations had lived and died.
How can I think of losing you who have
been to me at once my life's mate, loving
mother, the wife who bore my children,
nay, my all in all? I cannot send you to
death while I keep myself alive. This little
girl has been given to us by God as a trust
to be handed over in time to a worthy
man. It is unrighteous to sacrifice her who
is a gift of God to perpetuate the race. It is
equally impossible to allow this other, our
son, to be killed. How can we live after
consigning to death our only solace in life
and our hope for the here after? If he is
lost, who would pour libations for us and
our ancestors? Alas! You did not pay heed
to my words, and this is the deadly fruit of
your perversity. If I give up my life, this
girl and boy will surely die soon for want
of a protector. What shall I do? It is best
that all of us perish together" and the
brahmana burst forth sobbing.
The wife replied: "I have been a good
wife to you, and done my duty by bearing
you a daughter and a son. You are able,
and I am not, to bring up and protect your
children. Just as cast out offal is pounced
upon and seized by rapacious birds, a poor
widowed woman is an easy prey to
wicked and dishonest people. Dogs fight
for a cloth wet with ghee, and in pulling it
hither and thither in unclean greed, tear it
into foul rags. It would be best if I am
handed over to the Rakshasa. Blessed
indeed is the woman who passes to the
other world, while her husband is alive.
This, as you know, is what the scriptures
say. Bid me farewell. Take care of my
children. I have been happy with you. I
have performed many meritorious actions.
By my faithful devotion to you, I am sure
of heaven. Death has no terror for one
who has been a good wife. After I am
gone, take another wife. Gladden me with
a brave smile, give me your blessing, and
send me to the Rakshasa."
Hearing these words of his wife, the
brahmana tenderly embraced her and,
utterly overcome by her love and courage,
he wept like a child. When he could find
his voice, he replied: "O beloved and
noble one, what words are these? Can I
bear to live without you? The first duty of
a married man is to protect his wife. I
should indeed be a pitiful sinner if I lived
after giving you up to the Rakshasa,
sacrificing both love and duty."
The daughter who was hearing this
piteous conversation, now interposed with
sobs: "Listen to me, child though I be, and
then do what is proper. It is me alone that
you can spare to the Rakshasa. By
sacrificing one soul, that is, myself, you
can save the others. Let me be the little
boat to take you across this river of
calamity. In like manner, a woman
without a guardian becomes the sport of
wicked people who drag her hither and
thither. It is impossible for me to protect
two fatherless orphans and they will
perish miserably like fish in a waterless
pond. If both of you pass away, both I and
this little baby brother of mine will soon
perish unprotected in this hard world. If
this family of ours can be saved from
destruction by my single death, what a
good death mine would be! Even if you
consider my welfare alone, you should
send me to the Rakshasa."
At these brave words of the poor child, the
parents tenderly embraced her and wept.
Seeing them all in tears the boy, hardly
more than a baby, started up with glowing
eyes, lisping: "Father, do not weep.
Mother, do not weep. Sister, do not
weep," and he went to each and sat on
their lap by turns.
Then he rose up took a stick of firewood
and brandishing it about, said in his sweet
childish treble: "I shall kill the Rakshasa
with this stick." The child's action and
speech made them smile in the midst of
their tears, but only added to their great
sorrow.
Feeling this was the moment for
intervention, Kuntidevi entered and
inquired for the cause of their sorrow and
whether there was anything she could do
to help them.
The brahmana said: "Mother, this is a
sorrow far beyond your aid. There is a
cave near the city, where lives a cruel and
terribly strong Rakshasa named Bakasura.
He forcibly seized this city and kingdom
thirteen years ago. Since then he has held
us in cruel thraldom. The kshatriya ruler
of this country has fled to the city of
Vetrakiya and is unable to protect us. This
Rakshasa formerly used to issue from his
cave whenever he liked and, mad with
hunger, indiscriminately kill and eat men,
women and children in this city. The
citizens prayed to the Rakshasa to come to
some sort of stipulation in place of this
promiscuous slaughter. They prayed: 'Do
not kill us wantonly at your whim and
pleasure. Once a week we shall bring you
sufficient meat, rice, curds and
intoxicating liquors and many other
delicacies. We will deliver these to you in
a carriage drawn by two bullocks driven
by a human being taken from each house
in turn. You can make a repast of the rice,
along with the bullocks and the man, but
refrain from this mad orgy of slaughter.'
The Rakshasa agreed to the proposal.
From that day, this strong Rakshasa has
been protecting this kingdom from foreign
raids and wild beasts. This arrangement
has been in force for many years. No hero
has been found to free this country from
this pest, for the Rakshasa has invariably
defeated and killed all the brave men who
tried. Mother, our legitimate sovereign is
unable to protect us. The citizens of a
country, whose king is weak, should not
marry and beget children. A worthy
family life, with culture and domestic
happiness, is possible only under the rule
of a good, strong king. Wife, wealth and
other things are not safe, if there be no
proper king ruling over us. And having
long suffered with the sight of others'
sorrow, our own turn has come now to
send a person as prey to the Rakshasa. I
have not the means to purchase a
substitute. None of us can bear to live
after sending one of us to a cruel death,
and so I shall go with my whole family to
him. Let the wicked glutton gorge himself
with all of us. I have pained you with
these things, but you wished to know.
Only God can help us, but we have lost all
hope even of that."
The political truths contained in this story
of Ekachakra are noteworthy and
suggestive. Kunti talked the matter over
with Bhimasena and returned to the
brahmana. She said: "Good man, do not
despair. God is great. I have five sons.
One of them will take the food to the
Rakshasa."
The brahmana jumped up in amazed
surprise, but then shook his head sadly
and would not hear of the substituted
sacrifice. Kunti said: "O brahmana, do not
be afraid. My son is endowed with
superhuman powers derived from mantras
and will certainly kill this Rakshasa, as I
have myself seen him kill many other
such Rakshasas. But keep this a secret,
for, if you reveal it, his power will come
to naught."
Kunti's fear was that, if the story got
noised abroad, Duryodhana's men would
see the hand of the Pandavas, and find out
their where abouts. Bhima was filled with
unbounded joy and enthusiasm at the
arrangement made by Kunti.
The other brothers returned to the house
with alms. Dharmaputra saw the face of
Bhimasena radiant with joy to which it
had long been a stranger and inferred that
he was resolved on some hazardous
adventure and questioned Kunti who told
him everything.
Yudhishthira said: "What is this? Is not
this rash and thoughtless? Relying on
Bhima's strength we sleep without care or
fear. It is not through Bhima's strength
and daring that we hope to regain the
kingdom that has been seized by our
deceitful enemies? Was it not through the
prowess of Bhima that we escaped from
the wax palace? And you are risking the
life of Bhima who is our present
protection and future hope. I fear your
many trials have clouded your judgment!"
Kuntidevi replied: "Dear sons, we have
lived happily for many years in the house
of this brahmana. Duty, nay, man's highest
virtue, is to repay the benefit he has
enjoyed by doing good in his turn. I know
the heroism of Bhima and have no fears.
Remember who carried us from
Varanavata and who killed the demon
Hidimba. It is our duty to be of service to
this brahmana family."
After a fierce battle, the Rakshasa
Bakasura was slain by Bhima who
pretended to bring him a cartload of food.
17. DRAUPADI'S SWAYAMVARAM
WHILE the Pandavas were living in
disguise as brahmanas at Ekachakrapura,
news of the swayamvara of Draupadi, the
daughter of Drupada, King of Panchala,
reached them. Many brahmanas of
Ekachakrapura planned to go to Panchala
in the hope of receiving the customary
gifts and to see the festivities and pageant
of a royal wedding. Kunti, with her
motherly instinct, read her sons' desire to
go to Panchala and win Draupadi. So she
told Yudhishthira: "We have been in this
city so long that it is time to think of
going somewhere else. We have seen
these hills and dales till we are tired of
them. The alms doled out to us are
diminishing and it is not good to outstay
your entertainment. Let us therefore go to
Drupada's kingdom which is reputed to be
fair and prosperous." Kunti was second to
none in worldly wisdom and sagacity and
could gracefully divine her sons' thoughts
and spare them the awkwardness of
expressing them.
The brahmanas went in groups to witness
the swayamvara and the Pandavas
mingled with them in the guise of
brahmanas. After a long march the party
reached the beautiful city of Drupada and
billeted themselves in the house of a
potter as obscure brahmanas of no note.
Though Drupada and Drona were
outwardly at peace, the former never
could forget or forgive the humiliation he
had suffered at the latter's hands.
Drupada's one wish was to give his
daughter in marriage to Arjuna.
Drona loved Arjuna so dearly that he
could hardly look upon his pupil's fatherin-
law as his deadly foe. And if there were
a war, Drupada would be all the stronger
for being Arjuna's father-in-law. When he
heard the news of the destruction of the
Pandavas at Varanavata, he was plunged
in sorrow but was relieved by a later
rumour that they had escaped.
The marriage hall was beautifully
decorated and built amidst a finely laid
out group of new guest-houses designed
to accommodate the swayamvara suitors
and guests. Attractive sights and sports
had been arranged for public
entertainment and there were glorious
festivities for fourteen days continuously.
A mighty steel bow was placed in the
marriage hall. The candidate for the
princess' hand was required to string the
bow and with it shoot a steel arrow
through the central aperture of a revolving
disk at a target placed on high.
This required almost superhuman strength
and skill, and Drupada proclaimed that the
hero who would win his daughter should
perform this feat. Many valiant princes
had gathered there from all parts of
Bharatavarsha. The sons of Dhritarashtra
were there as well as Karna, Krishna,
Sisupala, Jarasandha, and Salya.
Besides the competitors there was a huge
concourse of spectators and visitors. The
noise that issued therefrom resembled the
uproar of the ocean and over it all arose
the auspicious sound of festal music from
hundreds of instruments.
Dhrishtadyumna on horseback rode in
front of his sister Draupadi seated on an
elephant. Fresh from her auspicious bridal
bath, and clad in flowing silk Draupadi
dismounted and entered the swayamvara
hall, seeming to fill it with the sweetness
of her presence and perfect beauty.
Garland in hand, and coyly glancing at the
valiant princes, who for their part looked
at her in speechless admiration, she
ascended the dais. The brahmanas
repeated the usual mantras and offered
oblations in the fire. After the peace
invocation had been chanted and the
flourish of music had stopped,
Dhrishtadyumna took Draupadi by the
hand and led her to the center of the hall.
Then he proclaimed in loud, clear tones:
"Hear ye, O princes seated in state in this
assembly, here is the bow. There is the
target and here are the arrows. He who
sends five arrows in succession through
the hole of the wheel and unerringly hits
the target, if he also be of good family and
presence, shall win my sister." Then he
narrated to Draupadi the name, ancestry
and description of the several suitors
assembled there.
Many noted princes rose one after another
and tried in vain to string the bow. It was
too heavy and stiff for them, and they
returned to their places abashed and
ashamed.
Sisupala, Jarasandha, Salya, and
Duryodhana were among these
unsuccessful aspirants. When Karna came
forward, all the assemblage expected that
he would be successful but he failed by
just a hair's breadth and the string slid
back flashing and the mighty bow jumped
out of his hands like a thing of life.
There was great clamor and angry talk,
some even saying that it was an
impossible test put up to shame the kings.
Then all noises were hushed, for there
arose from among the group of brahmanas
a youth who advanced towards the bow.
It was Arjuna who had come disguised as
a brahmana. When he stood up; wild
clamor burst forth again from the crowd.
The brahmanas themselves were divided
in opinion. Some being highly delighted
that there should be among them a lad of
mettle enough to compete, while others
more envious or worldly wise, said what
impudence it was for this brahmacharin to
enter the lists when heroes like Karna,
Salya, and others had met with failure.
But there were others again who spoke
differently as they noted the noble and
shapely proportions of the youth. They
said: "We feel from his appearance that he
is going to win. He looks sure of himself
and he certainly knows what he is about.
The brahmana may be physically weaker,
but is it all a matter of brute strength?
What about the power of austerities? Why
should he not try?" And they blessed him.
Arjuna approached the place where the
bow lay and asked Dhrishtadyumna: "Can
a brahmana try to bend the bow?"
Dhrishtadyumna answered: "O best of
brahmanas, my sister will become the lifemate
of any one of good family and
presence, who bends the bow and shoots
the target. My words stand and there will
be no going back on them."
Then Arjuna meditated on Narayana, the
Supreme God, and took the bow in his
hand and strung it with ease. He placed an
arrow on the string and looked around him
with a smile, while the crowd was lost in
spellbound silence.
Then without pause or hesitation he shot
five arrows in succession through the
revolving mechanism right into the target
so that it fell down. The crowd was in
tumult and there was a blare of musical
instruments.
The brahmanas who were seated in the
assembly in large numbers sent forth
shouts of joy, waving aloft their deerskins
in exultation as though the whole
community had won Draupadi. The
uproar that followed was indescribable.
Draupadi shone with a fresh beauty. Her
face glowed with happiness which
streamed out of her eyes as she looked on
Arjuna. She approached him and placed
the garland on his neck. Yudhishthira,
Nakula, and Sahadeva returned in haste to
the potter's house to convey the glad news
immediately to their mother.
Bhima alone remained in the assembly
fearing that some danger might befall
Arjuna from the kshatriyas. As anticipated
by Bhima, the princes were loud in wrath.
They said: "The practice of swayamvara,
the choosing of a bridegroom, is not
prevalent among the brahmanas. If this
maiden does not care to marry a prince,
she should remain a virgin and burn
herself on the pyre. How can a brahmana
marry her? We should oppose this
marriage and prevent it so as to protect
righteousness and save the practice of
swayamvara from the peril which
threatens it." A free fight seemed
imminent.
Bhima plucked a tree by the roots, and
stripping it of foliage, stood armed with
this formidable bludgeon, by the side of
Arjuna ready for any event. Draupadi said
nothing but stood holding on to the skirts
of the deer-skin in which Arjuna was clad.
Krishna, Balarama and others sought to
appease those who had created the
confusion. Arjuna proceeded to the house
of the potter accompanied by Draupadi.
As Bhima and Arjuna were taking
Draupadi to their temporary abode,
Dhrishtadyumna followed them at a
distance, and, unseen by them, closely
observed everything that took place there.
He was amazed and delighted at what he
saw, and returning, he secretly told King
Drupada: "Father, I think they are the
Pandavas. Draupadi accompanied them,
holding to the skirts of the deer-skin of
that youth and she was not at all abashed.
I also followed and I saw all five and a
venerable and august lady who, I have no
doubt, is Kunti herself."
Invited by Drupada Kunti and the
Pandavas went to the palace. Dharmaputra
confided to the king that they were the
Pandavas. He also informed him of their
decision to marry Draupadi in common.
Drupada rejoiced at knowing that they
were the Pandavas, which set at rest all
anxiety regarding the enmity of Drona.
But he was surprised and disgusted when
he heard that they would jointly marry
Draupadi.
Drupada opposed this and said: "How
unrighteous! How did this idea get into
your head, this immoral idea that goes
against the traditional usage?"
Yudhishthira answered: "O king, kindly
excuse us. In a time of great peril we
vowed that we would share all things in
common and we cannot break that pledge.
Our mother has commanded us so."
Finally Drupada yielded and the marriage
was celebrated.
18. INDRAPRASTHA
WHEN news of the incidents that took
place during the swayamvara at Panchala
reached Hastinapura, Vidura was happy.
He immediately went to Dhritarashtra and
said: "O King, our family has become
stronger because the daughter of Drupada
has become our daughter-in-law. Our stars
are good."
Dhritarashtra thought in his blind
fondness for his son that it was
Duryodhana, who had also gone to take
part in the swayamvara, that had won
Draupadi. Under this mistaken impression
he replied: "It is indeed, as you say, a
good time for us. Go at once and bring
Draupadi. Let us give Panchali a joyous
welcome."
Vidura hastened to correct the mistake. He
said: "The blessed Pandavas are alive and
it is Arjuna who has won the daughter of
Drupada. The five Pandavas have married
her jointly according to the rites enjoined
by the sastras. With their mother
Kuntidevi they are happy and well under
the care of Drupada."
At these words of Vidura, Dhritarashtra
felt frustrated but concealed his
disappointment. He said to Vidura with
apparent joy: "O Vidura, I am delighted at
your words. Are the dear Pandavas really
alive? We have been mourning them as
dead! The news you have now brought is
balm to my heart. So the daughter of
Drupada has become our daughter-in-law.
Well, well, very good."
Duryodhana's jealousy and hatred
redoubled when he found that the
Pandavas had somehow escaped from the
wax palace and after spending a year
incognito had now become even more
powerful on account of the alliance with
the mighty king of Panchala. Duryodhana
and his brother Duhsasana went to their
uncle Sakuni and said in sorrow: "Uncle,
we are undone. We have been let down by
relying on Purochana. Our enemies, the
Pandavas, are cleverer than ourselves, and
fortune also seems to favor them.
Dhrishtadyumna and Sikhandin have
become their allies. What can we do?"
Karna and Duryodhana went to the blind
Dhritarashtra. Duryodhana said: "You told
Vidura that better days were ahead of us.
Is it good time for us that our natural
enemies, the Pandavas, have so waxed in
strength that they will certainly destroy
us? We could not carry out our plot
against them and the fact that they know
about it is an added danger. It has now
come to this, either we must destroy them
here and now or we shall ourselves perish.
Favor us with your counsel in this matter."
Dhritarashtra replied: "Dear son, what you
say is true. We should not, however, let
Vidura know our mind. That was why I
spoke to him in that manner. Let me now
hear your suggestions as to what we
should do."
Duryodhana said: "I feel so distracted that
no plan occurs to me. Perhaps, we may
take advantage of the fact that these
Pandavas are not born of one and the
same mother and create enmity between
the sons of Madri and those of Kunti. We
can also try to bribe Drupada into joining
our side. That he has given away his
daughter in marriage to the Pandavas will
not stand in the way of our making him an
ally. There is nothing that cannot be
accomplished by the power of wealth."
Karna smiled and said: "This is but futile
talk."
Duryodhana continued: "We should
somehow make sure that the Pandavas do
not come here and demand of us the
kingdom that is now in our possession.
We may commission a few brahmanas to
spread convenient rumours in Drupada's
city and severally tell the Pandavas that
they would meet with great danger if they
were to go to Hastinapura. Then the
Pandavas would fear to come here and we
shall be safe, from them."
Karna replied: "This too is idle talk. You
cannot frighten them that way."
Duryodhana continued: "Can we not
create discord among the Pandavas by
means of Draupadi? Her polyandrous
marriage is very convenient for us. We
shall arouse doubts and jealousies in their
minds through the efforts of experts in the
science of erotics. We shall certainly
succeed. We can get a beautiful woman to
beguile some of the sons of Kunti and
thus make Draupadi turn against them. If
Draupadi begins to suspect any of them,
we can invite him to Hastinapura and use
him so that our plan prospers."
Karna laughed this also to scorn. He said:
"None of your proposals is any good. You
cannot conquer the Pandavas by
stratagem. When they were here and were
like immature birds with undeveloped
wings, we found we could not deceive
them, and you think we can deceive them
now, when they have acquired experience
and are moreover under the protection of
Drupada. They have seen through your
designs. Stratagems will not do hereafter.
You cannot sow dissensions among them.
You cannot bribe the wise and honorable
Drupada. He will not give up the
Pandavas on any account. Draupadi also
can never be turned against them.
Therefore, there is only one way left for
us, and that is to attack them before they
grow stronger and other friends join them.
We should make a surprise attack on the
Pandavas and Drupada before Krishna
joins them with his Yadava army. We
should take the heroic way out of our
difficulty, as befits kshatriyas. Trickery
will prove useless." Thus spoke Karna.
Dhritarashtra could not make up his mind.
The king, therefore, sent for Bhishma and
Drona and consulted them.
Bhishma was very happy when he heard
that the Pandavas were alive and well as
guests of King Drupada of Panchala,
whose daughter they had married.
Consulted on the steps to be taken,
Bhishma, wise with the ripe knowledge of
right and wrong, replied:
"The proper course will be to welcome
them back and give them half the
kingdom. The citizens of the state also
desire such a settlement. This is the only
way to maintain the dignity of our family.
There is much loose talk not creditable to
you about the fire incident at the wax
house. All blame, even all suspicion, will
be set at rest if you invite the Pandavas
and hand over half kingdom to them. This
is my advice."
Drona also gave the same counsel and
suggested sending a proper messenger to
bring about an amicable settlement and
establish peace.
Karna flew into a rage at this suggestion.
He was very much devoted to
Duryodhana and could not at all bear the
idea of giving a portion of the kingdom to
the Pandavas. He told Dhritarashtra:
"I am surprised that Drona, who has
received wealth and honors at your hands,
has made such a suggestion. A king
should examine critically the advice of his
ministers before accepting or rejecting it."
At these words of Karna, Drona, his old
eyes full of anger, said: "O wicked man,
you are advising the king to go on the
wrong path. If Dhritarashtra does not do
what Bhishma and myself have advised,
the Kauravas will certainly meet with
destruction in the near future."
Then Dhritarashtra sought the advice of
Vidura who replied:
"The counsel given by Bhishma, the head
of our race, and Drona, the master, is wise
and just and should not be disregarded.
The Pandavas are also your children like
Duryodhana and his brothers. You should
realise that those who advise you to injure
the Pandavas are really bent upon the
destruction of the race. Drupada and his
sons as well as Krishna and the Yadavas
are staunch allies of the Pandavas. It is
impossible to defeat them in battle.
Karna's advice is foolish and wrong. It is
reported abroad that we tried to kill the
Pandavas in the wax house, and we should
first of all try to clear ourselves of the
blame. The citizens and the whole country
are delighted to know that the Pandavas
are alive and they desire to see them once
again. Do not listen to the words of
Duryodhana. Karna and Sakuni are but
raw youths, ignorant of statesmanship and
incompetent to advise. Follow Bhishma's
advice."
In the end Dhritarashtra determined to
establish peace by giving half the
kingdom to the sons of Pandu. He sent
Vidura to the kingdom of Panchala to
fetch the Pandavas and Draupadi.
Vidura went to the city of King Drupada
in a speedy vehicle taking along with him
many kinds of jewels and other valuable
presents.
Vidura rendered due honor to King
Drupada and requested him on behalf of
Dhritarashtra to send the Pandavas with
Panchali to Hastinapura.
Drupada mistrusted Dhritarashtra, but he
merely said: "The Pandavas may do as
they like."
Vidura went to Kuntidevi and prostrated
himself before her. She said: "Son of
Vichitravirya, you saved my sons. They
are, therefore, your children. I trust you. I
shall do as you advise." She was also
suspicious of Dhritarashtra's intentions.
Vidura thus assured her: "Your children
will never meet with destruction. They
will inherit the kingdom and acquire great
renown. Come, let us go." At last Drupada
also gave his assent and Vidura returned
to Hastinapura with the Pandavas, Kunti,
and Draupadi.
In jubilant welcome of the beloved
princes who were returning home after
long years of exile and travail, the streets
of Hastinapura had been sprinkled with
water and decorated with flowers. As had
been already decided, half the kingdom
was made over to the Pandavas and
Yudhishthira was duly crowned king.
Dhritarashtra blessed the newly crowned
Yudhishthira and bade him farewell with
these words: "My brother Pandu made this
kingdom prosperous. May you prove a
worthy heir to his renown! King Pandu
delighted in abiding by my advice. Love
me in the same manner. My sons are
wicked and proud. I have made this
settlement so that there may be no strife or
hatred between you. Go to
Khandavaprastha and make it your
capital. Our ancestors Pururavas,
Nahusha, and Yayati ruled the kingdom
from there. That was our ancient capital.
Re-establish that and be famous." In this
manner Dhritarashtra spoke affectionately
to Yudhishthira.
The Pandavas renovated that ruined city,
built palaces and forts, and renamed it
Indraprastha. It grew in wealth and beauty
and became the admiration of the world.
The Pandavas ruled there happily for
thirty-six years with their mother and
Draupadi, never straying from the path of
dharma.
19. THE SARANGA BIRDS
IN the stories narrated in the Puranas,
birds and beasts speak like men, and
sometimes they give sound advice and
even teach spiritual wisdom. But the
natural qualities of those creatures are
adroitly made to peep through this human
veil.
One of the characteristic beauties of the
Puranic literature is this happy fusion of
nature and imagination. In a delightful
passage in the Ramayana, Hanuman, who
is described as very wise and learned, is
made to frolic with apish joy, when he
imagined that the beautiful damsel he saw
at Ravana's inner courtyard was Sita.
It is usual to entertain children with stories
in which birds and beasts are made to
speak. But the stories of the Puranas are
meant for elderly people, and in them
usually some background is given in
explanation of animals having the gift of
human speech.
The usual expedient employed is a
previous birth when those creatures were
human beings. For instance, a deer was a
rishi in a previous birth, or a fox a king.
The subsequent degradation being due to
a curse.
In such cases the deer will act as a deer
and yet speak as a rishi, and in the fox the
clever nature is shot through with the
characteristics of a wise and experienced
king. The stories are thereby made
interesting vehicles of the great truths they
sometimes convey.
Khandavaprastha, that forest full of
uneven places and thorns and prickles and
cumbered with the crumbling vestiges of a
long dead city, was indeed a frightful
place when it came into the possession of
the Pandavas.
Birds and beasts had made it their abode,
and it was infested with thieves and
wicked men. Krishna and Arjuna resolved
to set fire to the forest and construct a new
city in its place.
A saranga bird was living there with its
four fledgelings. The male bird was
pleasantly roaming about in the forest
with another female bird neglecting wife
and children. The mother bird looked after
its young ones.
As the forest was set on fire as
commanded by Krishna and Arjuna and
the fire spread in all directions, doing its
destructive work, the worried mother bird
began to lament:
'The fire is coming nearer and nearer
burning everything, and soon it will be
here and destroy us. All forest creatures
are in despair and the air is full of the
agonising crash of falling trees. Poor
wingless babies! You will become a prey
to the fire. What shall I do? Your father
has deserted us, and I am not strong
enough to fly away carrying you with
me."
To the mother who was wailing thus, the
children said:
"Mother, do not torment yourself on our
account. Leave us to our fate. If we die
here, we shall attain a good birth in some
future life. If you give up your life for our
sake, our family will become extinct. Fly
to a place of safety, take another mate and
be happy. You will soon have other
children and be able to forget us. Mother,
reflect and do what is best for our race."
Despite this earnest entreaty, the mother
had no mind to leave her children. She
said: "I shall remain here and perish in the
flames with you."
This is the background of the story of the
birds. A rishi named Mandapala long
lived faithful to his vow of perfect
brahmacharya but when he sought entry to
the higher regions, the gatekeeper said:
"There is no place here for a childless
man" and turned him back. He was then
born as a saranga bird and lived with a
female companion named Jarita. She laid
four eggs. Then he left Jarita and
wandered in the woods with another
female companion, Lapita.
The four eggs of Jarita hatched in time
and they were the four birds mentioned
above. As they were the children of a rishi
they could cheer and encourage their
mother in the way they did.
The mother bird told her children: "There
is a rat-hole by the side of this tree. I shall
put you there. You can get into the hole
and escape the fire. I shall close the mouth
of the hole with earth and the fire will not
touch you. When the fire dies down I shall
let you out."
The children would not agree. They said:
"The rat in the hole will devour us. It is
better to perish in the flames than to die
ignobly by being eaten up by rats."
The mother bird tried to relieve the fears
of the children and said: "I saw an eagle
devour the rat. There is now no danger for
you inside the hole."
But the children said: "There are sure to
be other rats in the hole. Our danger is not
ended by the killing of one rat by the
eagle. Kindly save your life by flying
before the fire reaches us and this tree
catches fire. We cannot get into the rathole.
Why should you sacrifice your life
for our sake? How have we merited it,
who have done nothing for you? We have
only brought you unhappiness since we
came into the world. Take another mate
and live happily."
The fire which destroyed the whole forest,
mercifully left the baby birds unscathed.
When the fire had subsided, the mother
bird came back and saw with wonder that
her children were safe and chirping
merrily. She embraced them and was
intensely happy.
While the fire was raging, the male bird,
anxious for the safety of his young ones,
had expressed his fears to his new lovebird
Lapita. She had petulantly upbraided
him. Hearing his repeated laments "Is it
so?" she said: "I know your mind, I know
that you desire to go back to Jarita, having
had enough of me. Why falsely bring in
the fire and the children? You have
yourself told me that the children of Jarita
would never perish in fire since the Fire
god has given you that boon. You may as
well tell the truth and go away, if you like,
to your beloved Jarita. I shall only be
another of the many trusting females
betrayed by unworthy males and cast out
wandering in the forest. You may go."
The bird Mandapala said: "Your
assumption is untrue. I took birth as a bird
for obtaining children and I am naturally
anxious about them.
I shall just go and see them and then come
back to you " Having thus consoled his
new mate, be went to the tree where Jarita
was seated.
Jarita paid no attention to her consort but
remained absorbed in joy at finding her
children alive.
Then she turned to her husband and asked
in an indifferent tone why he had come.
He replied with affection:
"Are my children happy? Who is the
eldest among them?"
Then Jarita cut in icily: "Do you greatly
care? Go back to her for whom you
abandoned me. Be happy with her."
Mandapala philosophised: "A woman will
not care for her husband after she has
become a mother. Such is the way of the
world. Even the blameless Vasishtha was
thus ignored by Arundhati."
20. JARASANDHA
THE Pandavas ruled Indraprastha in all
glory. Those who surrounded
Yudhishthira urged him to perform the
Rajasuya sacrifice and assume the title of
Emperor. It is evident that imperialism
had an irresistible glamour even in those
days.
Yudhishthira sought Sri Krishna's advice
in this matter. When Krishna learnt that
Dharmaputra desired to see him, he set
out in a chariot harnessed with swift
horses and reached Indraprastha.
Yudhishthira said: "'My people urge me to
perform Rajasuya, but as you know, only
he who can secure the respect and
allegiance of all kings, can perform that
sacrifice and win the status of emperor.
Advise me, you are not among those
whose affection makes them blind and
partial. Nor are you one of those who
advise to please and whose counsel is
pleasant rather than true or wholesome."
Krishna replied: "Quite so and that is why
you cannot be emperor while the mighty
Jarasandha of Magadha is alive and
unconquered. He has conquered many
kings and holds them in subjection. All
the kshatriyas, including the redoubtable
Sisupala himself, are afraid of his prowess
and are submissive to him. Have you not
heard of the wicked Kamsa, the son of
Ugrasena? After he had become the sonin-
law and ally of Jarasandha my people
and I attacked Jarasandha. After three
years of continuous fighting we had to
acknowledge defeat and we left Mathura
and moved to Dwaraka in the west, and
built a new city where we are living in
peace and plenty. Even if Duryodhana,
Karna and others do not object to your
assuming the title of emperor, Jarasandha
will certainly oppose it. And the only way
to overcome his opposition is to defeat
and kill him. You can then not only
perform the Rajasuya but also rescue and
win the adherence of the kings who
languish in his prisons."
At these words of Krishna, Yudhishthira
said: "I agree. I am but one of the many
kings who rule their kingdoms with
fairness and justice and lead happy
unambitious lives. It is mere vanity and
vainglory to desire to become an emperor.
Why should not a king rest satisfied with
his own kingdom? So, I shall give up this
desire to be an emperor. And really, the
title has no temptations for me. It is my
brothers who wish it. When you yourself
are afraid of Jarasandha what can we hope
to do?"
Bhima did not at all like this spirit of
cowardly contentment.
Bhima said: "Ambition is the noblest
virtue of a king. What is the good of being
strong if one does not know his own
strength? I cannot reconcile myself to live
a life of idle ease and contentment. He
who casts off indolence and properly
employs political means, can conquer
even those stronger than himself. Strength
reinforced by stratagem will surely do
much. What, indeed, cannot be
accomplished by a combination of my
physical strength, Krishna's wisdom and
Arjuna's dexterity? We can conquer
Jarasandha's might, if we three join and
set about it without doubts or fears."
Krishna interposed: "Jarasandha should
certainly be slain and fully deserves it. He
has unjustly cast eighty-six princes in
prison. He has planned to immolate a
hundred kings and is waiting to lay hold
of fourteen more. If Bhima and Arjuna
agree, I shall accompany them and
together we will slay that king by
stratagem and set free the imprisoned
princes. I like this suggestion."
Yudhishthira was not pleased with this
advice. He said: "This may really mean
sacrificing Bhima and Arjuna who are to
me as my two eyes, merely to gratify a
vain desire to be an emperor. I do not like
to send them on this dangerous errand. It
seems to me far better to give up the idea
altogether."
Arjuna said: "What is the use to us of an
existence without heroic deeds, born as
we are of an illustrious line? A Kshatriya
though endowed with all other good
qualities, will not become famous if he
does not exert himself. Enthusiasm is the
mother of success. We can seize fortune if
we do our duties energetically. Even a
powerful man may fail if, through
lassitude, he does not employ the means
he has. Failure is due, in the vast majority
of cases, to ignorance of one's own
strength. We know we are strong, and we
are not afraid of using our strength to the
utmost. Why should Yudhishthira suppose
that we are incapable of this? When we
have become old, it will be time to assume
the ochre robe, resort to the forest and
pass the rest of our days in penance and
austerities. Now, we should lead strenuous
lives and do heroic deeds worthy of the
traditions of our race."
Krishna was delighted to hear these words
and said: "What else can Arjuna, born of
Kunti in the Bharata race, advise? Death
comes to all, the hero as well as the
sluggard. But the noblest duty of a
kshatriya is to be true to his race and faith,
and overcoming his foes in righteous
battle, to win glory."
Finally Yudhishthira assented to the
unanimous opinion that their duty lay in
slaying Jarasandha.
This conversation has a curiously modern
ring about it and shows that powerful men
in ancient days used very much the same
specious reasoning as now.
21. THE SLAYING OF
JARASANDHA
BRIHADRATHA, the commander of
three regiments, reigned in the kingdom of
Magadha and attained celebrity as a great
hero. He married the twin daughters of the
raja of Kasi and vowed to them that he
would not show any partiality to either.
Brihadratha was not blessed with a child
for a long time. When he became old, he
handed over his kingdom to his ministers,
went to the forest with his two wives and
engaged himself in austerities.
He went to Sage Kausika of the Gautama
family, with a sorrowful longing for
children in his heart. And when the sage
was moved with pity and asked him what
he wanted, he answered:
"I am childless and have come to the
forest giving up my kingdom. Give me
children."
The sage was filled with compassion and,
even as he was thinking how to help the
king, a mango fruit fell into his lap. He
took it and gave it to the king with this
blessing: "Take it. Your wish will be
fulfilled."
The king cut the fruit into two halves and
gave one to each wife. He did so to keep
his vow not to show partiality to either.
Some time after they had partaken of the
fruit, the wives became pregnant.
The delivery took place in due course. But
instead of bringing the expected joy, it
plunged them into greater grief than
before. For they each gave birth to but a
half of a child. Each half was a monstrous
birth which seemed a revolting lump.
They were indeed two equal and
complementary portions of one baby,
consisting of one eye, one leg, half a face,
one ear and so on. Seized with grief, they
commanded their attendants to tie the
gruesome pieces in a cloth and cast them
away.
The attendants did as they were instructed
and threw the cloth bundle on a heap of
refuse in the street. A cannibal Rakshasi
chanced upon that place. She was elated at
seeing the two pieces of flesh and, as she
gathered them up both at once, accidently
the halves came together the right way.
And they at once adhered together and
changed into a whole living child, perfect
in every detail.
The surprised Rakshasi did not wish to
kill the child. She took on the guise of a
beautiful woman and, going to the king,
presented the child to him saying: "This is
your child."
The king was immensely delighted and
handed it over to his two wives. This child
became known as Jarasandha. He grew up
in to a man of immense physical strength.
But his body had one weakness namely,
that being made up by the fusion of two
separate parts, it could be split again into
two, if sufficient force were used.
This interesting story embodies the
important truth that two sundered parts
joined together will still remain weak,
with a tendency to split. When the
conquest and slaying of Jarasandha had
been resolved upon, Sri Krishna said:
"Hamsa, Hidimbaka, Kamsa, and other
allies of Jarasandha are no more. Now that
he is isolated, this is the right time to kill
him. It is useless to fight with armies. He
must be provoked to a single combat and
slain."
According to the code of honor of those
days, a kshatriya had to accept the
challenge to a duel whether with or
without weapons.
The latter sort was a fight to the death
with weighted gauntlets or a wrestling to
the death in catch-as-catch-can style. This
was the kshatriya tradition to which
Krishna and the Pandavas had recourse
for slaying Jarasandha.
They disguised themselves as men who
had taken religious vows, clad in robes of
bark-fibre and carrying the holy darbha
grass in their hands. Thus they entered the
kingdom of Magadha and arrived at the
capital of Jarasandha.
Jarasandha was disturbed by portents of ill
omen. To ward off the threatened danger,
he had propitiatory rites performed by the
priests and himself took to fasts and
penance.
Krishna, Bhima, and Arjuna entered the
palace unarmed. Jarasandha received them
with respect as their noble bearing seemed
to indicate an illustrious origin. Bhima
and Arjuna made no reply to his words of
welcome because they wished to avoid
having to tell lies.
Krishna spoke on their behalf: "These two
are observing a vow of silence for the
present as at part of their austerities. They
can speak only after midnight."
Jarasandha entertained them in the hall of
sacrifice and returned to the palace.
It was the practice of Jarasandha to meet
noble guests who had taken vows and talk
to them at their leisure and convenience,
and so he called at midnight to see them.
Their conduct made Jarasandha
suspicious, and he also observed that they
had on their hands the scars made by the
bowstring and had besides the proud
bearing of kshatriyas.
When Jarasandha demanded the truth of
them they said frankly: "We are your foes
and seek instant combat. You can choose
one of us at will to fight with you."
After acquainting himself as to who they
were, Jarasandha said: "Krishna, you are a
cowherd and Arjuna is a mere boy. Bhima
is famous for his physical strength. So, I
wish to fight with him." Since Bhima was
unarmed, Jarasandha chivalrously agreed
to fight him without weapons.
Bhima and Jarasandha were so equally
matched in strength that they fought with
each other continuously for thirteen days
without taking rest or refreshments, while
Krishna and Arjuna looked on in
alternating hope and anxiety.
On the fourteenth day, Jarasandha showed
signs of exhaustion, and Krishna
prompted Bhima that the time had come
to make an end of him.
At once Bhima lifted him and whirling
him round and round a hundred times,
dashed him to the earth and seizing his
legs tore his body asunder into two halves.
And Bhima roared in exultation. The two
halves at once joined and Jarasandha, thus
made whole, leapt up into vigorous life
and again attacked Bhima.
Bhima aghast at the sight, was at a loss
what to do, when he saw Krishna pick up
a straw, tear it into two, and cast the bits
in opposite directions.
Bhima took the hint, and when once again
he tore Jarasandha asunder he threw the
two portions in opposite directions, so that
they could not come together and join.
Thus did Jarasandha meet his end.
The captive princes were released and
Jarasandha's son was crowned King of
Magadha. And Krishna, Bhima and
Arjuna returned to Indraprastha.
With Jarasandha gone, the way was now
clear for the Rajasuya which the Pandavas
performed with great pomp and splendor.
Yudhishthira assumed the title of
emperor.
The celebrations were marred by only one
incident. Towards the close of the festive
celebrations, at the time of paying the first
honor, Sisupala behaved disrespectfully in
the assembly of princes and provoked a
fight with Krishna in which he was slain.
This story is told in the next chapter.
22. THE FIRST HONOR
THE practice of staging a walkout from
an assembly in protest against something
is nothing new. We learn from the
Mahabharata that walkout was resorted to
even in ancient times.
The India of those days consisted of a
number of independent states. Though
there was one dharma and one culture
throughout the land, the autonomy of each
state was scrupulosly respected.
Occasionally, some strong and ambitious
monarch would seek the assent of his
fellow kings to his overlordship, which
would sometimes be given without
question.
After receiving this assent he would
perform a grand Rajasuya sacrifice, which
all the acquiescing kings would attend in
token of acknowledgement of his
supremacy.
In accordance with this custom, the
Pandavas invited the other kings after the
slaying of Jarasandha and performed the
Rajasuya.
The time came for doing the honors of the
occasion. The custom was to render first
honor to the guest who was considered
most worthy of taking precedence over all
others.
The question arose as to who should be
honored first. The grandsire was
emphatically of the opinion that Sri
Krishna, the king of Dwaraka, should be
honored first, which was also
Yudhishthira's own opinion.
Yudhishthira followed the advice and
under his instructions Sahadeva offered to
Sri Krishna the honors enjoined by
tradition. Sisupala, the king of Chedi, who
hated Krishna as wickedness alone can
hate goodness, could not tolerate it.
He laughed aloud in derision and said:
"How ridiculous and unjust, but I am not
surprised. The man who sought advice
was born in illegitimacy. (This was an
insulting allusion to the sons of Kunti)
The man who gave advice was born of
one who ever declines from high to low.
(This is in reference to the fact that
Bhishma was born of Ganga, the river
naturally flowing from higher to lower
levels.) And he who did the honors was
also born illegitimately. And what shall I
say of the man honored! He is a fool by
birth and a cowherd by breeding. Dumb
indeed must be the members of this
assembly if they have not a word to say to
this! This is no place for worthy men."
Some of the assembled princes applauded
Sisupala. Encouraged by their applause he
addressed Yudhishthira:
"When there are so many kings gathered
here, it is a shame that you paid the first
honor to Krishna. Not to render respect
where it is rightly due and to render it
where it is not merited are both equally
grave offences. It is a pity that, for all
your imperial pretensions you are ignorant
of this."
Getting more and more angry as he spoke,
he continued: "Ignoring the many kings
and heroes who are here at your own
invitation and in malicious despise of
them, you have paid royal honors to a
cowherd boor, a mere nobody. Vasudeva,
the father of Krishna, was but a servant of
Ugrasena. He is not even of royal blood.
Is this the place and the occasion to show
your vulgar partiality for Krishna, the son
of Devaki? Is this worthy of the children
of Pandu? O sons of Pandu, you are raw,
untaught youths, altogether ignorant of the
way to conduct a royal assembly. This
dotard Bhishma guided you foolishly and
thus made fools of you. Krishna, why,
Krishna is no ruler at all! O Yudhishthira,
why did you dare to do this wretch first
honor in this illustrious assemblage of
kings? He has not even the merit of age
and if you admire grey hair, is not his
father alive? You could not have honored
him as your preceptor surely, for your
preceptor is Drona who is here in this
assembly. Is it as an expert in performing
sacrifices that you have honored him? It
cannot be, for Vyasa, the great master, is
present. It would have been better even if
you had paid the first honor to Bhishma,
for dotard as he be, he has still the merit
of being the oldest man of your house.
Your family teacher, Kripacharya, is also
present in this assembly. How could you
then pay the first honor to this cowherd?
Ashwatthama, the hero who is expert in
all sastras, is here. How did you choose
Krishna, forgetting him? Among the
princes assembled here, there is
Duryodhana. And there is also Karna, the
disciple of Parasurama. Leaving him
aside, out of childish partiality, you chose
Krishna for the first honor Krishna who is
neither royal, nor heroic, nor learned, nor
holy, nor even hoary, who is nothing but a
low cowherd! Thus you have dishonored
us all, whom you have invited here. O
kings, it is not out of fear that we assented
to Yudhishthira's assuming the title of
emperor. We personally do not much care
whether he is friend or foe. But, having
heard much prate of his righteousness, we
wanted to see him uphold the flag of
dharma. He has now wantonly dishonored
us, after all that talk of virtue and dharma.
What virtue or dharma was there in his
giving priority of honor to this villain
Krishna who killed Jarasandha in an
unjust manner? You should henceforth
call Yudhishthira an unrighteous person.
O Krishna, what impudence on your part
to accept the undeserved honor which
these misguided Pandavas did you! Did
you forget yourself? Or did you forget
decent tradition? Or was it just a case of a
dog snatching at a remnant of food which
nobody cared to claim or guard? Do you
not really see that this farce is a ghastly
mockery and disgrace to yourself? It is
like the mockery of showing beautiful
things to a blind man or offering a maiden
in marriage to a eunuch. Likewise, these
kingly honors are really an affront to you.
It is now evident that the would-be
emperor Yudhishthira, the senile
Bhishma, and this fellow Krishna are all
made of the same stuff."
After Sisupala had spoken these harsh
words, he rose from his seat and walked
out calling upon the other kings to join
him in resenting the insult. Many of them
followed him.
Yudhishthira ran after them and tried to
appease them with sweet words of peace
but in vain, for they were too angry to be
appeased.
Sisupala's aggressive vanity waxed to
fighting pitch, and there ensued a terrible
fight between Krishna and Sisupala, in
which the latter was slain by his discus.
The Rajasuya was duly celebrated and
Yudhishthira recognised emperor.
23. SAKUNI COMES IN
AT the close of the Rajasuya, the princes,
priests and elders, who had gathered for
the purpose, took leave and returned to
their places. Vyasa also came to say
farewell. Dharmaputra rose and received
him with due respect and sat by his side.
The sage said: "O son of Kunti, you have
got the title of emperor which you
eminently deserve. May the illustrious
Kuru race gain even greater glory through
you. Give me leave to return to my
hermitage."
Yudhishthira touched the feet of his
progenitor and guru and said: "O master,
you alone can remove my apprehensions.
Wise men have predicted from portents
the happenings of catastrophic events. Has
this prediction been fulfilled by the death
of Sisupala or is more to ensue?"
Bhagavan Vyasa replied: "Dear child,
much sorrow and suffering is in store for
thirteen years to come. The portents
indicate the destruction of the Kshatriya
race and are not exhausted with the death
of Sisupala. It is far from it. Hundreds of
kings will perish, and the old order of
things will pass away. This catastrophe
will spring out of the enmity between you
and your brothers on the one side and
your cousins, the Dhritarashtras, on the
other. It will culminate in a war resulting
in practical annihilation of the Kshatriya
race. No one can go against destiny. Be
firm and steadfast in righteousness. Be
vigilant and rule the kingdom, farewell."
And Vyasa blessed Yudhishthira. Vyasa's
words filled Yudhishthira with grief and
with a great repugnance for worldly
ambition and life itself.
He informed his brothers of the prediction
of unavoidable racial disaster. Life
seemed to him a bitter and weary business
and his destiny particularly cruel and
unbearable.
Arjuna said: "You are a king and it is not
right for you to be agitated. Let us meet
destiny with an undaunted front and do
our duty."
Yudhishthira replied: "Brothers, may God
protect us and give us wisdom. For my
part, I take this vow never to speak
harshly to my brothers or to my kinsmen
for the next thirteen years. I shall avoid all
pretext for conflict. I shall never give way
to anger, which is the root cause of
enmity. It shall be my duty to give no
occasion for anger or pretext for hostility.
Thus shall we profit by Bhagavan Vyasa's
warning." His brothers expressed cordial
assent.
The first event of the series which
culminated in the devastating slaughter on
the blood-sodden field of Kurukshetra and
the event which was the evil root of all,
was the gambling match into which
Yudhishthira was inveigled by Sakuni,
who was Duryodhana's evil genius.
Why did the wise and good Yudhishthira
suffer himself to be persuaded to this step
which he must have known to hold evil
possibilities?
The main cause was his fixed resolve to
be on amicable terms with his cousins by
not opposing their wishes. And a friendly
invitation to dice could not be summarily
turned down, since the etiquette of those
days made it a point of honor to accept a
game of equal hazard.
Out of his very anxiety to foster goodwill,
he laid open the field for the poisonous
seed of hatred and death. Here is an
illustration of the futility of human plans,
however well meant or wise, without
divine aid. Our best wisdom is vain
against fate, and if destiny is kind, our
very follies turn to our advantage.
While Dharmaputra was care-worn with
solicitude to avoid a quarrel at all costs,
Duryodhana was burning with jealousy at
the thought of the prosperity of the
Pandavas that he had witnessed in their
capital during the Rajasuya sacrifice.
Duryodhana saw unprecedented wealth,
attractive and sight eluding crystal doors
and many pieces of exquisite artistry in
the court-hall of Yudhishthira, all
suggestive of great prosperity.
He also saw how glad the kings of many
countries were to become the allies of the
Pandavas. This gave him unbearable grief.
He was so absorbed in sorrow at the
prosperity of the Pandavas that he did not
at first hear Sakuni who was by his side,
speaking to him.
Sakuni asked: "Why are you sighing?
Why are you tormented with sorrow?"
Duryodhana replied: "Yudhishthira,
surrounded by his brothers, is like Indra,
the king of gods. Before the very eyes of
the assembled kings Sisupala was slain
and not one of them had the courage to
come forward to avenge him. Like the
vaisyas who live by trade, they bartered
their honor and jewels and riches for
Yudhishthira's goodwill. How can I avoid
giving way to grief after seeing all this?
What is the good of living?"
Sakuni said: "O Duryodhana, the
Pandavas are your brothers. It is not right
on your part to be jealous of their
prosperity. They are but enjoying their
legitimate inheritance. By their good
fortune they have prospered and
flourished without doing any injury to
others. Why should you be jealous? How
can their strength and happiness diminish
your greatness? Your brothers and
relations stand by you and obey you.
Drona, Ashwatthama and Karna are on
your side. Why do you grieve when
Bhishma, Kripa, Jayadratha, Somadatta
and myself are your supporters? You can
conquer even the whole world. Do not
give way to grief."
At these words, Duryodhana said: "O
Sakuni, it is true that I have so many to
support me. Why should we not wage war
and drive the Pandavas out of
Indraprastha?"
But Sakuni said: "No. That will not be
easy, but I know a way to drive
Yudhishthira out of Indraprastha without a
fight or the shedding of blood."
The eyes of Duryodhana lighted up, but it
seemed too good to be true. He asked
incredulously: "Uncle, is it possible to
overcome the Pandavas without
sacrificing any life? What is your plan?"
Sakuni replied: "Yudhishthira is fond of
the game of dice and being unskillful is
altogether ignorant of its tricks and the
opportunity it offers to cleverer people. If
we invite him to a game, he would accept,
following the tradition of the kshatriyas. I
know the tricks of the game and I shall
play on your behalf. Yudhishthira will be
helpless as a child against me. I shall win
his kingdom and wealth for you without
shedding a drop of blood."
24. THE INVITATION
DURYODHANA and Sakuni went to
Dhritarashtra. Sakuni opened the
conversation. He said: "O king,
Duryodhana is wan with grief and anxiety.
You are paying no attention to his
unbearable sorrow. Why this unconcern?"
Dhritarashtra who doted on his son
embraced Duryodhana and said: "I do not
see why you should be disconsolate. What
is here that you already do not enjoy? The
whole world is at your feet. When you are
surrounded by all kinds of pleasures like
the very gods, why should you pine in
sorrow? You have learnt the Vedas,
archery, and other sciences from the best
of masters. As my first born, you have
inherited the throne. What is left you to
wish for? Tell me."
Duryodhana replied: "Father, like
anybody else, rich or poor, I eat and cover
my nakedness, but I find life unbearable.
What is the use of leading such a life?"
And then he revealed in detail the envy
and hatred that were eating into his vitals
and depriving life of its savour. He
referred to the prosperity he had seen in
the capital of the Pandavas that to him
was bitterer than loss of his all would
have been.
He burst out: "Contentment with one's lot
is not characteristic of a kshatriya. Fear
and pity lower the dignity of kings. My
wealth and pleasures do not give me any
satisfaction since I have witnessed the
greater prosperity of Yudhishthira. O
king, the Pandavas have grown, while we
have shrunk."
Dhritarashtra said: "Beloved child, you
are the eldest son of my royal spouse and
me and heir to the glory and greatness of
our renowned race. Do not cherish any
hatred towards the Pandavas. Sorrow and
death will be the sole result of hatred of
kith and kin, especially when they are
blameless. Tell me, why do you hate the
guileless Yudhishthira? Is not his
prosperity ours too? Our friends are his
friends. He has not the least jealousy or
hatred towards us. You are equal to him in
heroism and ancestry. Why should you be
jealous of your brother? No. You should
not be jealous." Thus said the old king
who, though overfond of his son, did not
occasionally hesitate to say what he felt to
be just.
Duryodhana did not at all like the advice
of his father, and his reply was not very
respectful.
He replied: "The man without common
sense, but immersed in learning, is like a
wooden ladle immersed in savoury food
which it neither tastes nor benefits from.
You have much learning of statecraft but
have no state wisdom at all, as your
advice to me clearly shows. The way of
the world is one thing and the
administration of a state is quite another.
Thus has Brihaspati said: 'Forbearance
and contentment, though the duties of
ordinary men, are not virtues in kings.'
The kshatriya's duty is a constant seeking
of victory."
Duryodhana spoke thus quoting maxims
of politics and citing examples and
making the worse appear the better
reason.
Then Sakuni intervened and set forth in
detail his infallible plan of inviting
Yudhishthira to play the game of dice,
defeating him utterly and divesting him of
his all without recourse to arms.
The wicked Sakuni wound up with
saying: "It is enough if you merely send
for the son of Kunti to play the game of
dice. Leave the rest to me."
Duryodhana added: "Sakuni will win for
me the riches of the Pandavas without a
fight, if you would only agree to invite
Yudhishthira."
Dhritarashtra said: "Your suggestion does
not seem proper. Let us ask Vidura about
it. He will advise us rightly."
But Duryodhana would not hear of
consulting Vidura. He said to his father:
"Vidura will only give us the platitudes of
ordinary morality, which will not help us
to our object. The policy of kings must be
very different from the goody maxims of
textbooks, and is sterner stuff of which the
test is success. Moreover, Vidura does not
like me and is partial to the Pandavas.
You know this as well as I do."
Dhritarashtra said: "The Pandavas are
strong. I do not think it wise to antagonize
them. The game of dice will only lead to
enmity. The passions resulting from the
game will know no bounds. We should
not do it."
But Duryodhana was importunate: "Wise
statesmanship lies in casting off all fear
and protecting oneself by one's own
efforts. Should we not force the issue
while yet we are more powerful than they
are? That will be real foresight. A lost
opportunity may never come again, and it
is not as though we invented the game of
dice to injure the Pandavas. It is an
ancient pastime which kshatriyas have
always indulged in, and if it will now
serve us to win our cause without
bloodshed, where is the harm?"
Dhritarashtra replied: "Dear son, I have
grown old. Do as you like. But the line
that you are taking does not appeal to me.
I am sure you will repent later. This is the
work of destiny."
In the end, out-argued and through sheer
fatigue and hopelessness of dissuading his
son, Dhritarashtra assented, and ordered
the servants to prepare a hall of games.
Yet he could not forbear consulting
Vidura in secret about the matter.
Vidura said: "O king, this will
undoubtedly bring about the ruin of our
race by raising up unquenchable hate."
Dhritarashtra, who could not oppose the
demand of his son, said: "If fortune favors
us I have no fear regarding this game. If
on the contrary, fortune goes against us,
how could we help it? For, destiny is allpowerful.
Go and invite Yudhishthira on
my behalf to come and play dice." Thus
commanded, Vidura went to Yudhishthira
with an invitation.
The weak-witted Dhritarashtra, overpersuaded,
yielded to the desire of his son
through his attachment to him in spite of
the fact that he knew this was the way that
destiny was working itself out.
25. THE WAGER
AT THE sight of Vidura, Yudhishthira
anxiously inquired: "Why are you so
cheerless? Is it well with all our relations
in Hastinapura? Are the king and the
princes well?"
Vidura acquainted him with his mission:
"Everyone in Hastinapura is well. How
fares it with you all? I have come to invite
you on behalf of King Dhritarashtra to
come and see the newly erected hall of
games. A beautiful hall has been erected
there even like yours. The king would like
you to come with your brothers, see
everything, have a game of dice and
return to your capital."
Yudhishthira seemed to ask counsel of
Vidura: "Wagering games create quarrels
among kshatriyas. A wise man will avoid
them if he can. We are ever abiding by
your advice. What would you have us
do?"
Vidura replied: "Everyone is aware that
the playing of dice is the root of many
evils. I did my best to oppose this idea.
Still the king has commanded me to invite
you and I have come. You may do as you
like."
Despite this warning, Yudhishthira went
to Hastinapura with his brothers and
retinue. It may be asked why the wise
Yudhishthira responded to the invitation.
Three reasons may be given. Men rush
consciously on their ruin impelled by lust,
gambling and drink. Yudhishthira was
fond of gambling. The kshatriya tradition
made it a matter of etiquette and honor not
to refuse an invitation to a game of dice.
There is a third reason too. True to the
vow he took at the time Vyasa had warned
him of the quarrels that would arise
leading to destruction of the race.
Yudhishthira would not give any occasion
for displeasure or complaint by refusing
the invitation of Dhritarashtra.
These causes conspired with his natural
inclination to make Yudhishthira accept
the invitation and go to Hastinapura. The
Pandavas and their retinue stopped in the
magnificent palace reserved for them.
Yudhishthira rested on the day of arrival,
and after the daily routine of duties, went
to the hall of games the next morning.
After the exchange of customary
greetings, Sakuni announced to
Yudhishthira that the cloth for playing the
game had been spread and invited him to
it.
Yudhishthira at first said: "O king,
gambling is bad. It is not through heroism
or merit that one succeeds in a game of
chance. Asita, Devala and other wise
rishis who were well-versed in worldly
affairs have declared that gambling should
be avoided since it offers scope for deceit.
They have also said that conquest in battle
is the proper path for the kshatriyas. You
are not unaware of it."
But a part of himself, weakened by
addiction to gambling, was at war with his
judgment and in his heart of hearts
Yudhishthira desired to play.
In his discussion with Sakuni, we see this
inner conflict. The keen-witted Sakuni
spotted this weakness at once and said:
"What is wrong with the game? What, in
fact, is a battle? What is even a discussion
between Vedic scholars? The learned man
wins victory over the ignorant. The better
man wins in every case. It is just a test of
strength or skill, that is all, and there is
nothing wrong in it. As for the result, in
every field of activity, the expert defeats
the beginner, and that is what happens in a
game of dice also. But if you are afraid,
you need not play. But do not come out
with this worn excuse of right and
wrong."
Yudhishthira replied: "Well, who is to
play with me?"
Duryodhana said: "Mine is the
responsibility for finding the stakes in the
form of wealth and gems to play the
game. My uncle Sakuni will actually cast
the dice in my stead."
Yudhishthira had thought himself secure
of defeating Duryodhana in play but
Sakuni was a different matter, for Sakuni
was a recognised expert. So he hesitated
and said: "It is not, I think, customary for
one man to play on behalf of another."
Sakuni retorted tauntingly: "I see that you
are forging another excuse."
Yudhishthira flushed and, casting caution
to the winds, replied: "Well, I shall play."
The hall was fully crowded. Drona, Kripa,
Bhishma, Vidura, and Dhritarashtra were
seated there. They knew that the game
would end viciously and sat unhappily
witnessing what they could not prevent.
The assembled princes watched the game
with great interest and enthusiasm. At first
they wagered jewels and later gold, silver
and then chariots and horses. Yudhishthira
lost continually.
When he lost all these, Yudhishthira
staked his servants and lost them also. He
pledged his elephants and armies and lost
them too. The dice thrown by Sakuni
seemed at every time to obey his will.
Cows, sheep, cities, villages and citizens
and all other possessions were lost by
Yudhishthira. Still, drugged with
misfortune, he would not stop.
He lost the ornaments of his brothers and
himself as well as the very clothes they
wore. Still bad luck dogged him, or rather
the trickery of Sakuni was too much for
him.
Sakuni asked: "Is there anything else that
you can offer as wager?"
Yudhishthira said: "Here is the beautiful
sky-complexioned Nakula. He is one of
my riches. I place him as a wager."
Sakuni replied: "Is it so? We shall be glad
to win your beloved prince." With these
words Sakuni cast the dice and the result
was what he had foretold.
The assembly trembled.
Yudhishthira said: "Here is my brother
Sahadeva. He is famous for his infinite
knowledge in all the arts. It is wrong to
bet him, still I do so. Let us play."
Sakuni cast the dice with the words:
"Here, I have played and I have
won."Yudhishthira lost Sahadeva too.
The wicked Sakuni was afraid that
Yudhishthira might stop there. So be
lashed Yudhishthira with these words:
"To you, Bhima and Arjuna, being your
full brothers, are no doubt dearer than the
sons of Madri. You will not offer them, I
know."
Yudhishthira, now thoroughly reckless
and stung to the quick by the sneering
imputation that he held his step-brothers
cheap, replied: "Fool, do you seek to
divide us? How can you, living an evil
life, understand the righteous life we
lead?"
He continued: "I offer as wager the evervictorious
Arjuna who successfully
voyages across oceans of battle. Let us
play."
Sakuni answered: "I cast the dice" and he
played. Yudhishthira lost Arjuna also.
The stubborn madness of unbroken
misfortune carried Yudhishthira further
and deeper. With tears in his eyes, he said:
"O king, Bhima, my brother, is our leader
in battle. He strikes terror into the heart of
demons and is equal to Indra; he can
never suffer the least dishonor and he is
peerless throughout the world in physical
strength. I offer him as a bet" and he
played again and lost Bhima too.
The wicked Sakuni asked: "Is there any
thing else you can offer?"
Dharmaputra replied: "Yes. Here is
myself. If you win, I shall be your slave."
"Look. I win." Thus saying, Sakuni cast
the dice and won. After that Sakuni stood
up in the assembly and shouted the names
of each of the five Pandavas and loudly
proclaimed that they had all become his
lawful slaves.
The assembly looked on in stunned
silence. Sakuni alone turned
toYudhishthira and said: "There is one
jewel still in your possession by staking
which you can yet free yourself. Can you
not continue the game cffering your wife
Draupadi as wager?"
Yudhishthira despairingly said: "I pledge
her," and he trembled unwittingly.
There was audible distress and agitation in
that part of the assembly where the elders
sat. Soon great shouts of 'Fie! Fie!' arose
from all sides. The more emotional wept.
Others perspired, and felt the end of the
world was come.
Duryodhana, his brothers and Karna
shouted with exultation. In that group
Yuyutsu alone bent his head in shame and
sorrow and heaved a deep sigh. Sakuni
cast the dice and shouted again: "I have
won."
At once Duryodhana turned to Vidura and
said: "Go and fetch Draupadi, the beloved
wife of the Pandavas. She must hence
forward sweep and clean our house. Let
her come without delay."
Vidura exclaimed: "Are you mad that you
rush to certain destruction? You are
hanging by a slender thread over a
bottomless abyss! Drunk with success,
you do not see it, but it will engulf you!"
Having thus reprimanded Duryodhana,
Vidura turned to the assembly and said:
"Yudhishthira had no right to stake
Panchali as by then he had himself already
lost his freedom and lost all rights. I see
that the ruin of the Kauravas is imminent,
and that, regardless of the advice of their
friends and well-wishers, the sons of
Dhritarashtra are on the path to hell."
Duryodhana was angry at these words of
Vidura and told Prathikami, his
charioteer: "Vidura is jealous of us and he
is afraid of the Pandavas. But you are
different. Go forth and bring Draupadi
immediately."
26. DRAUPADI'S GRIEF
PRATHIKAMI went to Draupadi as
ordered by his master. He said to her: "O
revered princess, Yudhishthira fell under
the spell of the game of dice and has
wagered and lost even you. Now you
belong to Duryodhana. I have come by
Duryodhana's command to take you to
serve in his household as maid servant,
which will hereafter be your office."
Draupadi, the spouse of the emperor who
had performed Rajasuya, was
dumbfounded, at this strange message.
She asked: "Prathikami, what do you say?
Which prince would pledge his wife? Had
he nothing else to pawn?"
Prathikami answered: "It is because he
had already lost all other possessions and
had nothing else left that he played
offering you as a stake."
Then he told her the whole story of how
Yudhishthira had lost all his wealth and
had finally betted her, after having first
forfeited his brothers and himself.
Though the news was such as to break the
heart and kill the soul, still, Draupadi soon
regained her fortitude and, with anger
blazing from her eyes, said: "O charioteer,
return. Ask of him who played the game
whether in it he first lost himself, or his
wife. Ask this question in the open
assembly. Bring me his answer and then
you can take me." Prathikami went to the
assembly and, turning to Yudhishthira,
asked of him the question put by
Draupadi.
Yudhishthira remained speechless.
Then Duryodhana bade Prathikami bring
Panchali herself there to question her
husband. Prathikami went again to
Draupadi and humbly said: "Princess, the
mean-minded Duryodhana desires you to
go to the assembly and ask your question
yourself."
Draupadi answered: "No. Return to the
assembly and put the question and
demand an answer."
Prathikami did so.
Enraged, Duryodhana turned to his
brother Duhsasana and said: "This man is
a fool and is afraid of Bhima. Go and
fetch Draupadi even if you have to drag
her here."
Thus commanded, the wicked Duhsasana
at once sped with joy on his errand. He
proceeded to the place where Draupadi
was, shouting: "Come, why do you delay?
You are now ours. Be not shy, beautiful
lady. Make yourself agreeable to us, now
that you have been won by us. Come to
the assembly" and in his impatience, he
bade as though to take her thither by
force.
Panchali rose trembling, heart-stricken
with sorrow and started to fly for refuge to
the inner apartments of Dhritarashtra's
queen. Duhsasana darted after her, caught
her by the hair and dragged her to the
assembly.
It is with a shudder of repugnance that we
relate how the sons of Dhritarashtra
stooped to commit this vilest of deeds.
As soon as she came to the assembly,
Draupadi controlled her anguish and
appealed to the elders gathered there:
"How could you consent to my being
staked by the king who was himself
trapped into the game and cheated by
wicked persons, expert in the art? Since
he was no longer a free man, how could
he stake anything at all?"
Then, stretching out her arms and raising
her flowing eyes in agonised supplication
she cried in a voice broken with sobs:
"If you have loved and revered the
mothers who bore you and gave you suck,
if the honor of wife or sister or daughter
has been dear to you, if you believe in
God and dharma, forsake me not in this
horror more cruel than death"'
At this heart-broken cry, as of a poor fawn
stricken to death, the elders hung their
heads in grief and shame. Bhima could
hold himself no longer. His swelling heart
found relief in a roar of wrath that shook
the very walls, and turning to
Yudhishthira he said bitterly:
"Even abandoned professional gamblers
would not stake the harlots who live with
them, and you, worse than they, have left
the daughter of Drupada to the mercy of
these ruffians. I cannot bear this injustice.
You are the cause of this great crime.
Brother Sahadeva, bring fire. I am going
to set fire to those hands of his which cast
the dice."
Arjuna however remonstrated gently with
Bhima: "You have never before spoken
thus. The plot devised by our enemies is
entangling us also in its meshes and
inciting us to wicked action. We should
not succumb and play their game.
Beware."
With a superhuman effort, Bhima
controlled his anger.
Vikarna, the son of Dhritarashtra, could
not bear the sight of the agony of
Panchali. He rose up and said: "O
Kshatriya heroes, why are you silent? I
am a mere youth, I know, but your silence
compels me to speak. Listen. Yudhishthira
was enticed to this game by a deeply
plotted invitation and he pledged this lady
when he had no right to do so, because
she does not belong to Yudhishthira alone.
For that reason alone the wager is illegal.
Besides, Yudhishthira had already lost his
freedom, and being no longer a free man,
how could he have a right to offer her as a
stake? And there is this further objection.
It was Sakuni who suggested her as a
pledge, which is against the rules of the
game, under which neither player may
demand a specific bet. If we consider all
these points, we must admit that Panchali
has not been legally won by us. This is my
opinion."
When the young Vikarna spoke thus
courageously, the wisdom given by God
to the members of the assembly suddenly
illumined their minds. There were great
shouts of applause. They shouted:
"Dharma has been saved. Dharma has
been saved."
At that moment Karna rose up and said:
"O Vikarna, forgetting that there are
elders in this assembly, you lay down the
law though you are but a stripling. By
your ignorance and rashness you are
injuring the very family which gave you
birth, just as the flame generated by the
arani destroys its source, the stick. It is an
ill bird that fouls its own nest. At the very
beginning, when Yudhishthira was a free
man, he forfeited all he possessed and
that, of course, included Draupadi. Hence,
Draupadi had already come into Sakuni's
possession. There is nothing more to be
said in the matter. Even the clothes they
have on are now Sakuni's property. O
Duhsasana, seize the garments of the
Pandavas and the robes of Draupadi and
hand them over to Sakuni."
As soon as they heard the cruel words of
Karna, the Pandavas, feeling that they had
to stand the test of dharma to the bitter
end, flung off their upper garments to
show that they were ready to follow the
path of honor and right at any cost.
Seeing this, Duhsasana went to Draupadi
and made ready to seize her clothes by
force. All earthly aid had failed, and in the
anguish of utter helplessness, she
implored divine mercy and succour:
"O Lord of the World," she wailed, "God
whom I adore and trust, abandon me not
in this dire plight. You are my sole refuge.
Protect me." And she fainted away.
Then, as the wicked Duhsasana started his
shameful work of pulling at Panchali's
robes and good men shuddered and
averted their eyes, even then, in the mercy
of God a miracle occurred.
In vain Duhsasana toiled to strip off her
garments, for as he pulled off each, ever
fresh garments were seen to clothe her
body, and soon a great heap of
resplendent clothes was piled up before
the assembly till Duhsasana desisted and
sat down in sheer fatigue.
The assembly trembled at this marvel and
good men praised God and wept. Bhima
with quivering lips, loudly uttered this
terrible oath: "May I never go to the blest
abode of my ancestors if I do not rend the
breast and drink the heart's blood of this
sinful Duhsasana, this shame of the
Bharata race."
Suddenly, the howling of jackals could be
heard. Donkeys and carnivorous birds
began to send forth weird dissonant cries
from all sides, portending calamities to
come.
Dhritarashtra who realised that this
incident would be the cause of the
destruction of his race, for once acted with
wisdom and courage. He called Draupadi
to his side and attempted to soothe her
with words of gentleness and affection.
Then he turned to Yudhishthira and said:
"You are so blameless that you can have
no enemies. Forgive in your magnanimity
the evil done by Duryodhana and dismiss
all memory of it from your mind. Take
back your kingdom and riches and
everything else and be free and
prosperous. Return to Indraprastha." And
the Pandavas left that accursed hall,
bewildered and stunned, and seeing a
miracle in this sudden release from
calamity. But it was too good to endure.
After Yudhishthira and his brothers had
departed, there was a long and angry
discussion in the palace of the Kauravas.
Incited by Duhsasana, Sakuni and others,
Duryodhana upbraided his father with
having frustrated their well-laid plans on
the very threshold of success.
He quoted Brihaspati's aphorism that no
device could be considered wrong which
had as its object the destruction of
formidable enemies.
He spoke in detail on the prowess of the
Pandavas and expressed his conviction
that the only hope of overcoming the
Pandavas lay in guile and taking
advantage of their pride and sense of
honor.
No self-respecting kshatriya could decline
an invitation to a game of dice.
Duryodhana secured his doting father's
reluctant and ominous approval to a plan
to entice Yudhishthira once again to a
game of dice.
A messenger was accordingly dispatched
after Yudhisthira who had taken his
departure for Indraprastha. He came up
with Yudhishthira before the latter had
reached his destination and invited him on
behalf of king Dhritarashtra to come back.
On hearing this invitation, Yudhishthira
said: "Good and evil come from destiny
and cannot be avoided. If we must play
again we must, that is all. A challenge to
dice cannot in honor be refused. I must
accept it." Truly, as Sri Vyasa says:
"There never was and never can be an
antelope of gold! Yet, Rama went in vain
pursuit of what seemed one. Surely, when
calamities are imminent, the judgment is
first destroyed."
Dharmaputra returned to Hastinapura and
set again for a game with Sakuni, though
everyone in the assembly tried to dissuade
him.
He seemed a mere pawn moved by Kali to
relieve the burden of the world.
The stake played for was that the defeated
party should go with his brothers into
exile to the forest and remain there for
twelve years and spend the thirteenth year
incognito. If they were recognised in the
thirteenth year, they should go again into
exile for twelve years.
Needless to say, Yudhishthira met with
defeat on this occasion also, and the
Pandavas took the vows of those who are
to go to the forest.
All the members of the assembly bent
down their heads in shame.
27. DHRITARASHTRA'S ANXIETY
WHEN the Pandavas set out for the forest,
there arose a great clamor of lamentation
from people who thronged the streets and
climbed the roofs and towers and trees to
see them go.
The princes, who, of yore, rode in
jewelled chariots or on lordly elephants to
strains of auspicious music, now walked
away from their birthright on weary feet,
accompanied by weeping crowds. On all
sides cries arose of: "Fie and Alas! Does
not God see this from His heaven?"
The blind Dhritarashtra sent for Vidura
and asked him to describe the departure of
the Pandavas into exile. Vidura replied:
"Yudhishthira, the son of Kunti, went with
his face covered with a cloth. Bhima went
behind with his eyes lowered on his arms.
Arjuna proceeded scattering sand on his
path. Nakula and Sahadeva besmeared
their bodies with dust and closely
followed Yudhishthira. Draupadi
accompanied Dharmaputra, her
dishevelled hair covering her face and her
eyes streaming with tears. Dhaumya, the
priest, went along with them singing the
Sama hymns, addressed to Yama, the
Lord of Death."
When he heard these words, Dhritarashtra
was filled with ever-greater fear and
anxiety than before. He asked: "What do
the citizens say?"
Vidura answered: "O great king, I shall
tell you in their own words what the
citizens of all castes and creeds say: 'Our
leaders have left us. Fie on the elders of
the Kuru race who have suffered such
things to happen! The covetous
Dhritarashtra and his sons have driven
away the sons of Pandu to the forest.'
While the citizens blame us thus, the
heavens are vexed with cloudless
lightning, and the distressed earth quakes,
and there are other evil portents."
While Dhritarashtra and Vidura were
conversing thus, the sage Narada suddenly
appeared before them. Narada declared:
"Fourteen years from this day the
Kauravas will become extinct as the result
of the crime committed by Duryodhana"
and vanished from sight.
Duryodhana and his companions were
filled with fear and approached Drona
with a prayer never to abandon them,
whatever happened.
Drona answered gravely: "I believe with
the wise that the Pandavas are of divine
birth and unconquerable. Yet my duty is
to fight for the sons of Dhritarashtra who
rely on me and whose salt I eat. I shall
strive for them, heart and soul. But destiny
is all-powerful. The Pandavas will surely
return from exile, burning with anger. I
should know what anger is, for I
dethroned and dishonored Drupada on
account of my anger towards him.
Implacably revengeful, he has performed
a sacrifice so that he might be blessed
with a son who would kill me. It is said
Dhrishtadyumna is that son. As destiny
would have it, he is the brother-in-law and
fast friend of the Pandavas. And things are
moving as foreordained. Your actions
tend in the same direction and your days
are numbered. Lose no time in doing good
while you may; perform great sacrifice,
enjoy sinless pleasures, give alms to the
needy. Nemesis will overtake you in the
fourteenth year. Duryodhana, make peace
withYudhishthira this is my counsel to
you. But, of course, you will do what you
like."
Duryodhana was not at all pleased with
these words of Drona.
Sanjaya asked Dhritarashtra: "O king,
why are you worried?"
The blind king replied: "How can I know
peace after having injured the Pandavas?"
Sanjaya said: "What you say is quite true.
The victim of adverse fate will first
become perverted, utterly losing his sense
of right and wrong. Time, the all
destroyer, does not take a club and break
the head of a man but by destroying his
judgment, makes him act madly to his
own ruin. Your sons have grossly insulted
Panchali and put themselves on the path
of destruction."
Dhritarashtra said: "I did not follow the
wise path of dharma and statesmanship
but suffered myself to be misled by my
foolish son and, as you say, we are fast
hastening towards the abyss."
Vidura used to advise Dhritarashtra
earnestly. He would often tell him: "Your
son has committed a great wrong.
Dharmaputra has been cheated. Was it not
your duty to turn your children to the path
of virtue and pull them away from vice?
You should order even now that the
Pandavas get back the kingdom granted to
them by you. Recall Yudhishthira from
the forest and make peace with him. You
should even restrain Duryodhana by force
if he will not listen to reason."
At first Dhritarashtra would listen in sad
silence when Vidura spoke thus, for he
knew Vidura to be a wiser man than
himself who wished him well. But
gradually his patience wore thin with
repeated homilies.
One day, Dhritarashtra could stand it no
longer. "O Vidura," he burst out, "you are
always speaking for the Pandavas and
against my sons. You do not seek our
good. Duryodhana was born of my loins.
How can I give him up? What is the use
of advising such an unnatural course? I
have lost my faith in you and do not need
you anymore. You are free to go to the
Pandavas if you like." Then, turning his
back on Vidura, he retired to the inner
apartments.
Vidura sorrowfully felt that the
destruction of the Kuru race was certain
and, taking Dhritarashtra at his word,
drove in a chariot with fleet horses to the
forest where the Pandavas lived.
Dhritarashtra was filled with anxious
remorse. He reflected thin himself: "What
have I done? I have only strengthened
Duryodhana, while driving the wise
Vidura to the Pandavas."
But later he called for Sanjaya and asked
him to bear a repentant message to Vidura
imploring him to forgive the thoughtless
words of an unhappy father and to return.
Sanjaya hurried to the hermitage where
the Pandavas were staying and found
them clad in deer-skin and surrounded by
sages.
He also saw Vidura there and conveyed
Dhritarashtra's message adding that the
blind king would die broken-hearted if he
did not return.
The soft-hearted Vidura, who was dharma
incarnate, was greatly moved and returned
to Hastinapura.
Dhritarashtra embraced Vidura and the
difference between them was washed
away in tears of mutual affection.
One day, the sage Maitreya came to the
court of Dhritarashtra and was welcomed
with great respect.
Dhritarashtra craved his blessing and
asked him: "Revered sir, you have
certainly met my beloved children, the
Pandavas, in Kurujangala. Are they well?
Will mutual affection abide in our family
without any diminution?"
Maitreya said: "I accidentally met
Yudhishthira in the Kamyaka forest. The
sages of the place had come to see him. I
learnt of the events that took place in
Hastinapura, and I marvelled that such
things should have been permitted while
Bhishma and yourself were alive."
Later, Maitreya saw Duryodhana who was
also in the court and advised him, for his
own good, not to injure but to make peace
with the Pandavas who were not only
mighty themselves but related to Krishna
and Drupada.
The obstinate and foolish Duryodhana
merely laughed, slapping his thighs in
derision and, tearing the ground with his
feet and without granting an answer,
turned away.
Maitreya grew angry and looking at
Duryodhana said: "Are you so arrogant
and do you slap your thighs in derision of
one who wishes you well? Your thighs
will be broken by a Bhima's mace and you
will die on the battlefield." At this
Dhritarashtra jumped up, fell at the feet of
the sage and begged forgiveness.
Maitreya said: "My curse will not work if
your son makes peace with the Pandavas.
Otherwise it will have effect," and strode
indignantly out of the assembly.
28. KRISHNA'S VOW
As SOON as the news of the slaying of
Sisupala by Krishna reached his friend
Salva, he became very angry and besieged
Dwaraka with a mighty force.
Krishna having not yet returned to
Dwaraka, old Ugrasena was in charge of
the defence of the city. The sieges
described in the Mahabharata seem very
much like those in wars of the present
day.
Dwaraka was a strongly garrisoned
fortress built on an island and well
provided with means of defence. Ample
barracks had been provided and there was
an abundant supply of food and weapons
and the garrison included many illustrious
warriors.
Ugrasena imposed a stringent ban upon
drinking and amusements generally for
the period of the siege. All the bridges
were demolished and ships were forbidd
enentry into ports in the realm.
Iron spikes were planted in the moats
around the fortress and the city walls kept
in good repair.
All entrances to the city were guarded
with barbed wire and permits and
passwords strictly controlled ingress and
egress. Thus no arrangements were
neglected that could further strengthen the
city which nature had already made
impregnable.
The pay of the soldiers was increased.
Volunteers for service were rigidly tested
before being accepted as soldiers.
The siege was so rigorously pushed that
the garrison suffered great privations.
Krishna, when he returned, was struck to
the heart at the sufferings of his beloved
city and he compelled Salva immediately
to raise the siege, by attacking and
defeating him.
It was only afterwards that Krishna learnt
for the first time of the events at
Hastinapura, the game of dice and the
exile of the Pandavas. At once be set out
for the forest where the Pandavas were
living.
Along with Krishna went many, including
men of the Bhoja and Vrishni tribes,
Dhrishtaketu, the king of the Chedi
country, and the Kekayas who were all
devoted to the Pandavas.
They were filled with righteous
indignation when they heard of
Duryodhana's perfidy and cried out that
surely the earth would drink the blood of
such wicked people.
Draupadi approached Sri Krishna and, in a
voice drowned in tears and broken with
sobs, told the story of her wrongs. She
said: "I was dragged to the assembly when
I had but a single garment on my body.
The sons of Dhritarashtra insulted me
most outrageously and gloated over my
agony. They thought that I had become
their slave and accosted me and treated
me as one. Even Bhishma and
Dhritarashtra forgot my birth and breeding
and my relationship to them. O
Janardhana, even my husbands did not
protect me from the jeers and the ribald
insults of those foul ruffians. Bhima's
bodily strength and Arjuna's Gandiva bow
were alike of no avail. Under such
supreme provocation even weaklings
would have found strength and courage to
strike the vile insulter dead. The Pandavas
are renowned heroes and yet Duryodhana
lives! I, the daughter-in-law of the
emperor Pandu, was dragged by my hair.
I, the wife of five heroes, was dishonored.
O Madhusudana, even you had deserted
me." She stood trembling, utterly unable
to continue, for the grief convulsed her.
Krishna was deeply moved and he
consoled the weeping Draupadi. He said:
"Those who tormented you will be
stricken to death in the bloody quagmire
of a lost battle. Wipe your eyes. I
solemnly promise that your grievous
wrongs shall be amply avenged. I shall
help the Pandavas in every way. You will
become an empress. The heavens may
fall, the Himalayas may split in twain, the
earth may crumble or the boundless sea
may dry up, but, I tell you verily, my
words shall stand. I swear this," and
Krishna took a solemn vow before
Draupadi.
This vow, it will be seen, was in perfect
accord with the purpose of the Lord's
avatars, as declared in scriptures:
"For protecting the righteous, for
destroying the wicked and for firmly
upholding the law, I am born on earth age
after age."
Dhrishtadyumna also consoled his sister
and told her how nemesis would overtake
the Kauravas.
He said: "I will kill Drona, Sikhandin will
cause Bhishma's fall. Bhima will take the
lives of the wicked Duryodhana and his
brothers. Arjuna will slay Karna, the
charioteer's son."
Sri Krishna said: "When this calamity
befell you, I was in Dwaraka. Had I been
in Hastinapur, I would never have allowed
this fraudulent game of dice to take place.
Uninvited, I would have gone there and
stirred up Drona, Kripa and the other
elders to a sense of duty. I would, at all
costs, have prevented this destructive play
of dice. When Sakuni was cheating you, I
was fighting King Salva who had
besieged my city. It was only after I had
defeated him that I came to know of the
game of dice and the subsequent sordid
story. It grieves me that I am not able to
remove your sorrows immediately but you
know, some water must be lost before a
broken dam is restored."
Then Krishna took leave and returned to
Dwaraka with Subhadra, the wife of
Arjuna, and their child, Abhimanyu.
Dhrishtadyumna went back to Panchala
taking with him the sons of Draupadi.
29. PASUPATA
IN the beginning of their stay in the forest,
Bhima and Draupadi used, on occasions,
to argue with Yudhishthira.
They would plead that only righteous
anger befitted a kshatriya and that
patience and forbearance under slights and
insults were not worthy of him.
They would quote weighty authorities and
argue vehemently in support of their
contention. Yudhishthira would firmly
reply that they should abide by the
promise they had made and that
forbearance was the highest virtue of all.
Bhima was burning with impatience to
attack and kill Duryodhana immediately
and win back the kingdom. He thought it
unworthy of warriors to continue to dwell
tamely in the forest.
Bhima said to Yudhishthira: "You speak
like those who repeat Vedic mantras and
are satisfied with the sound of the words
though ignorant of their meaning. Your
intellect has become confused. You are
born as a kshatriya and yet you do not
think or behave like one. You have
become a brahmana by temperament. You
know, the scriptures enjoin on a kshatriya
sternness and enterprise. We should not
let the wicked sons of Dhritarashtra have
their way. Vain is the birth of a kshatriya
who does not conquer his deceitful
enemies. This is my opinion, and to me, if
we go to hell by killing a deceitful foe,
such hell is heaven. Your forbearance
burns us worse than fire. It scorches
Arjuna and myself day and night, making
us sleepless. Those miscreants have seized
our kingdom by fraud and are enjoying it,
while you lie torpid like a gorged python.
You say that we should abide by our
promise. How can the world-renowned
Arjuna live incognito? Can the Himalayas
be hidden under a handful of grass? How
can the lion-hearted Arjuna, Nakula and
Sahadeva live in hiding? Can the famous
Draupadi walk about unrecognized by
others? Even if we do these impossible
things, the son of Dhritarashtra will find
out through his spies. Hence, this promise
of ours is impossible of performance and
has been put on us merely to thrust us out
again for another thirteen years. The
sastras too support me when I say that a
filched promise is no promise. A handful
of grass thrown to a tired bull ought to be
enough as expiation for breaking such a
promise. You should resolve to kill our
enemies immediately. There is no higher
duty for a kshatriya."
Bhima was never tired of pressing his
view. Draupadi also would refer to the
dishonor she had suffered at the hands of
Duryodhana, Karna and Duhsasana and
would quote authorities from the
scriptures that would give Yudhishthira
anxiety to think.
He would sometimes answer with
common maxims of politics and refer to
the relative strength of the parties. He
would say: "Our enemy has such
adherents as Bhurisravas, Bhishma,
Drona, Karna and Aswatthama.
Duryodhana and his brothers are expert in
warfare. Many feudatory princes, as well
as mighty monarchs, are now on their
side. Bhishma and Drona, indeed, have no
respect for Duryodhana's character, but
will not give him up and are prepared to
sacrifice their lives on his side in the
battlefield. Karna is a brave and skilful
fighter, well versed in the use of all the
weapons. The course of war is
unpredictable and success is uncertain.
There is no use in being hasty." Thus
Yudhishthira managed with difficulty to
restrain the impatience of the younger
Pandavas.
Later, as advised by Vyasa, Arjuna went
to the Himalayas to practise austerities for
the purpose of getting new weapons from
the devas. Arjuna took leave of his
brothers and went to Panchali to bid her
farewell.
She said: "O Dhananjaya, may you
prosper in your mission. May God give
you all that Kuntidevi hoped and wished
for when you were born. The happiness,
life, honor and prosperity of us all depend
on you. Return after acquiring new
weapons." Thus Panchali sent him forth
with auspicious words.
It is noteworthy that though the voice was
Draupadi the wife's, yet the benediction
was Kunti the mother's for the words
were: "May God give all that Kuntidevi
wished and hoped for when you were
born."
Arjuna passed through dense forests and
reached the mountain of Indrakila, where
he met an old brahmana. The ascetic
smiled and spoke affectionately to Arjuna:
"Child, you are clad in armor and carry
weapons. Who are you? Weapons are of
no use here. What do you seek in this garb
of a kshatriya in this abode of ascetics and
saints who have conquered anger and
passion?" That was Indra, the king of
gods, who came to have the pleasure of
meeting his son.
Arjuna bowed to his father and said: "I
seek arms. Bless me with weapons." Indra
replied: "O Dhananjaya, what is the use of
weapons? Ask for pleasures or seek to go
to higher worlds for enjoyment."
Arjuna answered: "O king of gods, I do
not seek pleasures of higher worlds. I
have come here after leaving Panchali and
my brothers in the forest. I seek but
weapons."
The thousand-eyed said: "If you be
blessed by the vision of god Siva, the
three-eyed god, and obtain his grace, you
will receive divine weapons. Do penance
unto Siva."
Thus saying Indra disappeared. Then,
Arjuna went to the Himalayas and did
penance to obtain the grace of Siva.
Siva under the guise of a hunter and
accompanied by his divine spouse
Umadevi, entered the forest in pursuit of
game.
The chase grew fast and furious, and
presently a wild boar started charging
Arjuna, who shot an arrow into it with his
Gandiva bow at the same moment that the
hunter Siva transfixed it with a shaft from
his Pinaka bow.
Arjuna shouted in loud voice: "Who are
you? Why are you ranging in this forest
with your wife? How dare you shoot at
the game I had aimed at?"
The hunter replied as though in contempt:
"This forest, full of game, belongs to us,
who live in it. You do not look tough
enough to be a forester. Your limbs and
bearing bespeak a soft luxurious life. It is
rather for me to ask what you are doing
here." He also added that it was his shaft
that had killed the boar, and that if Arjuna
thought differently be was welcome to
fight about it.
Nothing could please Arjuna better. He
jumped up and showered snake-like
arrows at Siva. To his amazement, they
seemed to have no effect on the hunter
and fell back hurtless like storm-driven
rain from a mountain peak.
When he had no more arrows, he started
to strike Siva with his bow. But the hunter
seemed not to heed it and wrenched with
ease the bow out of Arjuna's hand and
burst into laughter.
Arjuna, who had been disarmed with
humiliating ease by one who seemed an
ordinary hunter of the forest, was struck
with amazement, almost amounting to
doubt. But undaunted, he drew his sword
and continued the combat.
The sword was split into pieces on the
hunter's adamantine frame. There was
now nothing to do but to grapple with the
formidable unknown. But here again he
was outmatched.
The hunter caught him in an iron clasp so
close that Arjuna was quite helpless.
Worsted and overmastered, Arjuna
humbly sought divine aid and meditated
on Siva. As he did so, a light broke on his
troubled mind, and at once he knew who
the hunter really was.
He fell at the feet of the Lord and, in a
broken voice of repentance and adoration
he prayed for forgiveness. "I forgive you,"
said Siva smilingly and gave him back his
Gandiva bow, as well as the other
weapons, of which he had been deprived.
He also bestowed on Arjuna the
marvellous Pasupata weapon.
Arjuna's body, battered in the unequal
combat, was made whole and perfect by
the divine touch of the three-eyed god and
became a hundred fold stronger and more
brilliant than before.
"Go to heaven and render dutiful respect
to your father Indra," said Siva and
vanished from view like the setting sun.
Arjuna was overcome with joy and
exclaimed: "Have I really seen the Lord
face to face and have I been blessed with
his divine touch? What more do I need?"
At that moment, Matali, the charioteer of
Indra, came there with his chariot and
took Arjuna to the kingdom of the gods.
30. AFFLICTION IS NOTHING NEW
BALARAMA and Krishna came with
their retinue to the abode of the Pandavas
in the forest. Deeply distressed by what he
saw, Balarama said to Krishna:
"O Krishna, it would seem that virtue and
wickedness bear contrary fruit in this life.
For see, the wicked Duryodhana is ruling
his kingdom clad in silk and gold, while
the virtuous Yudhishthira lives in the
forest wearing the bark of trees. Seeing
such unmerited prosperity and undeserved
privation, men have lost their faith in God.
The praise of virtue in the sastras seems
mere mummery when we see the actual
results of good and evil in this world.
How will Dhritarashtra justify his conduct
and defend himself when he is face to face
with the god of death? Even the
mountains and the earth weep at the sight
of the blameless Pandavas dwelling in the
forests with the blessed Draupadi, born
from the sacrificial fire."
Satyaki, who was seated near, said: "O
Balarama, this is no time for lamenting.
Should we wait till Yudhishthira asks us
to do our duty for the Pandavas? While
you and Krishna and all other relations are
living, why should the Pandavas waste
their precious years in the forest? Let us
collect our forces and attack Duryodhana.
With the army of the Vrishnis, we are
surely strong enough to destroy the
Kauravas. Why, where is the need to foil
Karna's vaunted archery and cut off his
head. Let us kill Duryodhana and his
adherents in the battlefield and hand over
the kingdom to Abhimanyu if the
Pandavas wish to keep their word and stay
in the forest. This is good for them and
befits us as men of valor."
Vasudeva, who was listening carefully to
this speech, said: "What you say is true.
But the Pandavas would not like to
receive from the hands of others what they
have not won by their own efforts.
Draupadi for one, born of a heroic race as
she is, would not hear of it. Yudhishthira
will never give up the path of
righteousness for love or fear. When the
stipulated period of exile is over the kings
of Panchala, Kekaya and Chedi and
ourselves will unite our forces to help the
Pandavas to conquer their enemies."
Yudhishthira was delighted at these words
of Krishna. "Sri Krishna knows my mind,"
said he. "Truth is greater than power or
prosperity and has to be guarded at all
costs and not the kingdom. When he
wants us to fight, he shall find us ready.
The heroes of the Vrishni race may now
return with the certainty that we shall
meet again when the time is ripe." With
these words Yudhishthira gave them leave
to return.
Arjuna was still away in the Himalayas
and Bhima's anxiety and impatience
became well nigh insupportable. He said
to Yudhishthira:
"You know that our life depends on
Arjuna. He has been away very long, and
we have had no tidings of him. If he
should be lost to us, then neither the king
of Panchala, nor Satyaki nor even Sri
Krishna can save us, and I for one cannot
survive that loss. All this we owe to that
mad game of dice, our sorrows and
sufferings, as well as the growing strength
of our foes. To be dwelling in the forest is
not the duty enjoined on a kshatriya. We
should immediately recall Arjuna and
wage war with the sons of Dhritarashtra,
with the help of Sri Krishna. I shall be
satisfied only when the wicked Sakuni,
Karna and Duryodhana are slain. After
this clear duty is done, you may, if you
like, return to the forest and live a life of
asceticism. It is not a sin to kill by
stratagem an enemy who has resorted to
stratagem. I have heard that the Atharva
Veda has incantations, which can
compress time and reduce its span. If we
could, by such means, squeeze thirteen
years into thirteen days, we would be
perfectly justified in doing so, and you
will permit me on the fourteenth day to
kill Duryodhana."
Hearing these words of Bhima,
Dharmaputra affectionately embraced him
and sought to restrain his impetuosity.
"Beloved brother, as soon as the period of
thirteen years is over, Arjuna, the hero,
with the Gandiva bow, and yourself will
fight and kill Duryodhana. Be patient till
then. Duryodhana and his followers, who
are sunk in sin, cannot escape. Be assured
of it." While the sorrow-stricken brothers
were thus engaged in debate, the great
sage Brihadaswa came to the hermitage of
the Pandavas and was received with the
customary honors.
After a while, Yudhishthira said to him:
"Revered sage, our deceitful enemies,
drew us into this game of dice and cheated
us of our kingdom and riches, and drove
my heroic brothers, as well as Panchali
and myself, to the forest. Arjuna, who left
us a long time ago to get divine weapons,
has not returned as yet and we miss him
sorely. Will he return with divine arms?
And when will he be back? Surely never
was there in this world a man who
suffered so much sorrow as myself."
The great sage replied: "Do not let your
mind dwell on sorrow. Arjuna will return
with divine weapons and you will conquer
your enemies in the fitness of time. You
say that there is no one in this world that
is as unfortunate as you. Now, that is not
true, though everyone, tried by adversity,
is inclined to claim pre-eminence in
sorrow, because things felt are more than
things heard or seen. Have you heard of
king Nala of Nishadha? He suffered more
sorrows than yourself even in the forest.
He was deceived by Pushkara at a game
of dice. He lost his wealth and kingdom
and had to go in exile to the forest. Less
fortunate than you, he had not with him
his brothers or brahmanas. The influence
of Kali, the spirit of the dark age, deprived
him of his discrimination and good sense.
And not knowing what he was doing, he
deserted his wife who had accompanied
him, and wandered about in the forest,
solitary and almost mad. Now, compare
your state with his. You have the
company of your heroic brothers and
devoted wife and are supported by a few
learned brahmanas in your adversity.
Your mind is sound and steady. Self-pity
is natural, but you are really not so badly
off."
The sage then narrated the life of Nala
which constitutes twenty-eight chapters of
the great epic. The sage concluded with
these words:
"O Pandava, Nala was tried by sorrows
more agonising than yours, yet he
triumphed over them all and his life ended
happily. You have the alleviations of
unclouded intellect and the society of your
nearest and dearest. You spend much of
your time in exalted contemplation of
dharma and in holy converse with
brahmanas who are learned in the Vedas
and Vedantas. Bear your trials and
tribulations with fortitude, for they are the
lot of man and not peculiar to you."
Thus did the sage Brihadaswa console
Yudhishthira.
31. AGASTYA
THE brahmanas, who had been with
Yudhishthira in Indraprastha, had
followed him to the forest. It was difficult
to maintain such a large establishment.
Some time after Arjuna had gone on his
quest of Pasupata, a brahmana sage named
Lomasa came to the abode of the
Pandavas.
He advised Yudhishthira to minimize his
retinue before going on pilgrimage as it
would be difficult to move freely from
place to place with a large following.
Yudhishthira, who had long felt that
difficulty, announced to his followers that
such of them, as were unaccustomed to
hardship and to hard and scanty fare and
those who had followed merely in token
of loyalty, might return to Dhritarashtra
or, if they preferred it, go to Drupada, the
King of Panchala.
Later, with a greatly reduced retinue, the
Pandavas started on a pilgrimage to holy
places, acquainting themselves with the
stories and traditions relating to each. The
story of Agastya was one such.
Agastya, it is said, once saw some
ancestral spirits dangling head down and
asked them who they were and how they
had come to be in that unpleasant plight.
They replied: "Dear child, we are your
ancestors. If you discharge not your debt
to us by marrying and begetting progeny,
there will be no one after you to offer us
oblations. We have, therefore, resorted to
this austerity, in order to persuade you to
save us from this peril."
When Agastya heard this, he decided to
marry.
The king of the country of Vidarbha was
childless and, so, careworn. He repaired to
Agastya to get his blessing. In granting
him the boon, Agastya announced that the
king would be the father of a beautiful
girl, who, he stipulated should be given in
marriage to him.
Soon the queen gave birth to a girl who
was named Lopamudra. She grew with
years into a maiden of such rare beauty
and charm that she became celebrated in
the kshatriya world. But no prince dared
to woo her for fear of Agastya.
Later, the sage Agastya came to Vidarbha
and demanded the hand of the king's
daughter. The king was reluctant to give
the delicately nurtured princess in
marriage to a sage leading the primitive
life of a forester but he also feared the
anger of the sage if he said nay, and was
plunged in sorrow.
Lopamudra, greatly concerned, discovered
the cause of her parent's unhappiness and
expressed her readiness, nay her desire, to
marry the sage.
The king was relieved, and the marriage
of Agastya and Lopamudra was celebrated
in due course. When the princess set out
to accompany the sage, he bade her give
up her costly garments and valuable
jewels.
Unquestioningly Lopamudra distributed
her priceless jewels and garments amongst
her companions and attendants, and
covering herself in deerskin and garments
of bark, she joyfully accompanied the
sage.
During the time Lopamudra and Agastya
spent in tapas and meditation at
Gangadwara, a strong and abiding love
sprang up between them. For conjugal
life, Lopamudra's modesty shrank from
the lack of privacy in a forest hermitage.
And one day, with blushing and
humbleness she expressed her mind to her
husband.
She said: "My desire is that I may have
the royal bedding, the beautiful robes and
the valuable jewels I had when I was in
my father's place and that you too may
have splendid garments and ornaments.
And then we shall enjoy life to our heart's
content."
Agastya smilingly replied: "I have neither
the wealth nor the facilities to provide
what you want. Are we not beggars living
in the forest?"
But Lopamudra knew her lord's yogic
power, and said: "Lord, you are allpowerful
by the strength of your
austerities. You can get the wealth of the
whole world in a moment if you but will."
Agastya said that no doubt that was so,
but, if he spent his austerities in gaining
things of such little moment as riches,
they would soon dwindle to nothing.
She replied: "I do not wish that. What I
desire is that you should earn in the
ordinary way sufficient wealth for us to
live in ease and comfort."
Agastya consented and set out as an
ordinary brahmana to beg of various
kings. Agastya went to a king who was
reputed to be very wealthy. The sage told
the king: "I have come in quest of wealth.
Give me what I seek, without causing any
loss or injury to others."
The king presented a true picture of the
income and expenditure of the State and
told him he was free to take what he
deemed fit. The sage found from the
accounts that there was no balance left.
The expenditure of a State turns out
always to be at least equal to its income.
This seems to have been the case in
ancient times also.
Seeing this, Agastya said: "To accept any
gift from this king, will be a hardship to
the citizens. So, I shall seek elsewhere,"
and the sage was about to leave. The king
said that he would also accompany him
and both of them went to another State
where also they found the same state of
affairs.
Vyasa thus lays down and illustrates the
maxim that a king should not tax his
subjects more than necessary for rightful
public expenditure and that if one accepts
as gift anything from the public revenues,
one adds to the burden of the subjects to
that extent.
Agastya thought he had better go to the
wicked asura Ilvala and try his luck.
Ilvala and his brother Vatapi cherished an
implacable hatred towards brahmanas.
They had curious plan for killing them.
Ilvala would, with effective hospitality,
invite a brahmana to a feast.
By the power of his magic he would
transform his brother Vatapi into a goat
and he would kill this pseudo-goat for
food and serve its meat to the guest. In
those days, the brahmanas used to eat
meat. The feast over, Ilvala would invoke
his brother Vatapi to come out, for he had
the art of bringing back to life those
whom he had killed.
And Vatapi, who as food had entered the
vitals of the unlucky brahmana, would
spring up sound and whole and rend his
way out with fiendish laughter, of course
killing the guest in doing so.
In this manner, many brahmanas had died.
Ilvala was very happy when he learnt that
Agastya was in the neighborhood, since
he felt that here was a good brahmana
delivered into his hands.
So, he welcomed him and prepared the
usual feast. The sage ate heartily of Vatapi
transformed into a goat, and it only
remained for Ilvala to call out Vatapi for
the rending scene. And, as usual, Ilvala
repeated the magic formula and shouted:
"Vatapi come out!"
Agastya smiled and, gently rubbing his
stomach, said: "O Vatapi, be digested in
my stomach for the peace and good of the
world." Ilvala shouted again and again in
frantic fear: "O Vatapi, come forth."
There was no response and the sage
explained the reason. Vatapi had been
digested. The trick had been tried once too
often.
The asura bowed to Agastya and
surrendered to him the riches he sought.
Thus was the sage able to satisfy
Lopamudra's desire. Agastya asked her
what she would prefer whether ten
ordinarily good sons or one super-good
son with the strength of ten.
Lopamudra replied she would like to have
one exceptionally virtuous and learned
son. The story goes that she was blessed
with such a gifted son.
Once the Vindhyas became jealous of the
Meru Mountain and tried to grow in
stature, obstructing the sun, the moon and
the planets. Unable to prevent this danger,
the gods sought aid from Agastya. The
sage went to the Vindhya Mountain and
said:
"Best of mountains, stop you’re growing
till I cross you on my way to the south and
return north again. After my return, you
can grow, as you like. Wait till then."
Since the Vindhya Mountain respected
Agastya, it bowed to his request.
Agastya did not return north at all, but
settled in the south and so the Vindhyas
remain arrested in growth to this day.
Such is the story as narrated in the
Mahabharata.
32. RISHYASRINGA
IT is an error to think that it is easy for a
person to lead a life of chastity if he is
brought up in complete ignorance of
sensual pleasures. Virtue guarded only by
ignorance is very insecure as illustrated by
the following story. It is told in the
Ramayana also, but not in the same detail.
Vibhandaka who was resplendent like
Brahma, the Creator, lived with his son
Rishyasringa in a forest. The latter had not
come across any mortal, man or woman,
except his father.
The country of Anga was once afflicted
with a dire famine. Crops had withered for
want of rain and men perished for lack of
food. All living things were in distress.
Romapada, the king of the country,
approached the brahmanas to advise him
of some means of saving the kingdom
from famine.
The brahmanas replied: "Best of kings,
there is a young sage called Rishyasringa
who lives a life of perfect chastity. Invite
him to our kingdom. He has won the
power, by his austerities, of bringing rain
and plenty wherever he goes."
The king discussed with his courtiers the
means by which Rishyasringa could be
brought from the hermitage of the sage
Vibhandaka. In accordance with their
advice, he called together the most
charming courtesans of the city and
entrusted them with the mission of
bringing Rishyasringa to Anga.
The damsels were in a quandary. On the
one hand, they feared to disobey the king.
On the other, they also feared the sage's
wrath. Finally, they made up their minds
to go, relying on Providence to help them,
in achieving the good work of rescuing
the stricken land from famine.
They were suitably equipped for their
enterprise before being sent to the
hermitage. The leader of this band of
courtesans made a beautiful garden of a
big boat, with artificial trees and creepers,
with an imitation ashrama in the center.
She had the boat moored in the river near
Vibhandaka's hermitage, and the
courtesans visited the hermitage with
quaking hearts. Luckily for them, the sage
was not at home. Feeling that this was the
opportune moment, one of the beautiful
damsels went to the sage's son.
She thus addressed Rishyasringa: "Great
sage, are you well? Have you sufficient
roots and fruits? Are the penances of the
rishis of the forest proceeding
satisfactorily? Is your father's glory
constantly growing? Is your own study of
the Vedas progressing?" This was how
rishis used to accost one another in those
days.
The youthful anchorite had never before
seen such a beautiful human form or heard
such a sweet voice.
The instinctive yearning for society,
especially of the opposite sex, though he
had never seen a woman before, began to
work on his mind from the moment he
beheld that graceful form.
He thought that she was a young sage like
himself, and felt a strange irrepressible joy
surging up in his soul. He answered,
fixing eyes on his interlocutor:
"You seem to be a bright brahmacharin.
Who are you? I bow to you. Where is
your hermitage? What are the austerities
you are practising?" and he rendered her
the customary offerings.
She said to him: "At a distance of three
yojanas from here is my ashrama. I have
brought fruits for you. I am not fit to
receive your prostration, but I shall return
your greetings and salutation in the way
customary with us." She embraced him
warmly, fed him with the sweets she had
brought, decorated him with perfumed
garlands, and served him with drinks.
She embraced him again, saying that that
was their way of salutation to honored
guests. He thought it a very agreeable
way.
Shortly after, fearing the return of the sage
Vibhandaka, the courtesan took her leave
of Rishyasringa saying it was time for her
to perform the agnihotra sacrifice and
gently slipped out of the hermitage.
When Vibhandaka returned to the
hermitage, he was shocked to see the
place so untidy with sweet meats scattered
all over, for the hermitage had not been
cleansed. The shrubs and creepers looked
draggled and untidy.
His son's face had not its usual lustre but
seemed clouded and disturbed as by a
storm of passion. The usual simple duties
of the hermitage had been neglected.
Vibhandaka was troubled and asked his
son: "Dear boy, why have you not yet
gathered the sacred firewood? Who has
broken these nice plants and shrubs? Has
the cow been milked? Has anyone been
here to serve you? Who gave you this
strange garland? Why do you appear
worried?"
The simple and ingenuous Rishyasringa
replied: "A brahmacharin of wonderful
form was here. I cannot describe his
brightness and beauty or the sweetness of
his voice. My inner being has been filled
with indescribable happiness and affection
by listening to his voice and looking at his
eyes. When he embraced me, which it
seems is his customary greeting, I
experienced a joy which I have never felt
before, no, not even when eating the
sweetest fruits," and then he described to
his father the form, beauty and the doings
of his fair visitor.
Rishyasringa added wistfully: "My body
seems to burn with desire for the company
of that brahmacharin and I should like to
go and find him and bring him here
somehow. How can I give you any idea
about his devotion and brightness? My
heart pants to see him."
When Rishyasringa had thus brokenly
expressed yearnings and disturbances to
which he had hitherto been a stranger,
Vibhandaka knew what had occurred. He
said: "Child, this was no brahmacharin
that you saw, but a malignant demon who
sought, as demons do, to beguile us and
hinder our penances and austerities. They
take recourse to many kinds of tricks and
stratagems for the purpose. Do not let
them come near you."
After that Vibhandaka searched in vain
for three days in the forest to find out the
wretches who had done this injury, and
returned baffled it his purpose.
On another occasion, when Vibhandaka
had gone out of the hermitage to bring
roots and fruits, the courtesan again came
softly to the place where Rishyasringa
was seated. As soon as he saw her at a
distance, Rishyasringa jumped up and ran
to greet her gushingly, as pent up water
surges out of a reservoir that has sprung a
leak.
Even without waiting for prompting this
time, Rishyasringa went near her and after
the customary salutation said: "O shining
brahmacharin, before my father returns let
us go to your hermitage."
This was just what she had hoped and
worked for. And together they entered the
boat, which had been made to look like a
hermitage. As soon as the young sage had
entered, the boat was freed from its
moorings and floated easily down with its
welcome freight to the kingdom of Anga.
As might be expected, the young sage had
a pleasant and interesting journey and
when he reached Anga, he certainly knew
more about the world and its ways than he
had done in the forest.
The coming of Rishyasringa delighted
Romapada infinitely and he took his
welcome guest to the luxuriously provided
inner apartments specially prepared for
him.
As foretold by the brahmanas, rain began
to pour the instant Rishyasringa set his
foot in the country. The rivers and the
lakes were full and the people rejoiced.
Romapada gave his daughter Shanta in
marriage to Rishyasringa.
Though all ended as he had planned, the
king was uneasy in his mind, for he was
afraid that Vibhandaka might come in
search of his son and pronounce a curse
on him.
So, he sought to mollify Vibhandaka by
lining the route he would take with cattle
and kind and by instructing the cowherds
in charge to say that they were
Rishyasringa's servants and had come to
welcome and honor their master's father
and place themselves at his service.
Not finding his son anywhere in the
hermitage, the enraged Vibhandaka
thought that this might be the work of the
king of Anga.
He crossed intervening rivers and villages
and marched to the capital of the king as if
to burn him in his anger. But as at each
stage of the journey he saw magnificent
cattle which belonged to his son and was
respectfully welcomed by his son's
servants, his angry mood passed gradually
as he approached the capital.
When he came to the capital, he was
received with great honor and taken to the
king's palace where he saw his son sitting
in state like the king of the gods in
heaven. He saw by his side his wife, the
princess Shanta, whose great beauty
soothed and pleased him.
Vibhandaka blessed the king. He laid this
injunction on his son: "Do all that will
please this king. After the birth of a son,
come and join me in the forest."
Rishyasringa did as his father bade him.
Lomasa concluded the story with these
words addressed to Yudhishthira: "Like
Damayanti and Nala, Sita and Rama,
Arundhati and Vasishtha, Lopamudra and
Agastya, and Draupadi and yourself,
Shanta and Rishyasringa repaired to the
forest in the fullness of time and spent
their lives in mutual love and the worship
of God. This is the hermitage where
Rishyasringa. lived. Bathe in these waters
and be purified." The Pandavas bathed
there and performed their devotions.
33. FRUITLESS PENANCE
IN the course of their wanderings, the
Pandavas reached the hermitage of
Raibhya on the banks of the Ganga.
Lomasa told them the story of the place:
"This is the ghat where Bharata, the son of
Dasaratha, bathed. These waters cleansed
Indra of the sin of killing Vritra unfairly.
Here also Sanatkumara became one with
God. Aditi, the mother of the gods,
offered oblations on this mountain and
prayed to be blessed with a son. O
Yudhishthira, ascend this holy mountain
and the misfortunes, which have cast a
cloud on your life, will vanish. Anger and
passion will be washed off if you bathe in
the running waters of this river."
Then Lomasa expatiated in greater detail
on the sanctity of the place.
He began the story thus: "Yavakrida, the
son of a sage, met with destruction in this
very place."
He continued: "There lived in their
hermitages two eminent brahmanas,
named Bharadwaja and Raibhya, who
were dear friends. Raibhya and his two
sons, Paravasu and Arvavasu, learnt the
Vedas and became famed scholars.
Bharadwaja devoted himself wholly to the
worship of God. He had a son named
Yavakrida who saw with jealousy and
hatred that the brahmanas did not respect
his ascetic father as they did the learned
Raibhya. Yavakrida practised hard
penance to gain the grace of Indra. He
tortured his body with austerities and thus
awakened the compassion of Indra, who
appeared and asked him why he so
mortified his flesh."
Yavakrida replied: "I wish to be more
learned in the Vedas than any has ever
been before. I wish to be a great scholar. I
am performing these austerities to realise
that desire. It takes a long time and
involves much hardship to learn the Vedas
from a teacher. I am practising austerities
to acquire that knowledge directly. Bless
me."
Indra smiled and said: "O brahmana, you
are on the wrong path. Return home, seek
a proper preceptor and learn the Vedas
from him. Austerity is not the way to
learning. The path is study and study
alone." With these words Indra vanished.
But the son of Bharadwaja would not give
up.
He pursued his course of austerities with
even greater rigor, to the horror and the
distress of the gods. Indra again
manifested himself before Yavakrida and
warned him again:
"You have taken the wrong path to
acquire knowledge. You can acquire
knowledge only by study. Your father
learnt the Vedas by patient study and so
can you. Go and study the Vedas. Desist
from this vain mortification of the body."
Yavakrida did not heed even this second
warning of Indra and announced defiantly
that if his prayer were not granted, he
would cut off his limbs one by one and
offer them as oblations to the fire. No, he
would never give up.
He continued his penance. One morning,
during his austerities, when he went to
bathe in the Ganga, be saw a gaunt old
brahmana on the bank, laboriously
throwing handfuls of sand into the water.
Yavakrida asked: "Old man, what are you
doing?" The old man replied: "I am going
to build a dam across this river. When,
with handful after handful, I have built a
dam of sand here, people can cross the
river with ease. See how very difficult it is
at present to cross it. Useful work, isn't
it?"
Yavakrida laughed and said: "What a fool
you must be to think you can build a dam
across this mighty river with your silly
handfuls of sand! Arise and take to some
more useful work."
The old man said: "Is my project more
foolish than yours of mastering the Vedas
not by study but by austerities?"
Yavakrida now knew that the old man was
Indra. More humble this time, Yavakrida
earnestly begged Indra to grant him
learning as a personal boon.
Indra blessed, and comforted Yavakrida
with the following words:
"Well, I grant you the boon you seek. Go
and study the Vedas; you will become
learned."
34. YAVAKRIDA'S END
YAVAKRIDA studied the Vedas and
became learned. He grew vain with the
thought that he had acquired the
knowledge of the Vedas through the boon
of Indra and not through human tutelage.
Bharadwaja did not like this and feared
that his son might ruin himself by
slighting Raibhya. He thought it necessary
to warm him. "The gods," he said, "grant
boons to foolish people who persistently
practise penances, as intoxicants are sold
to fools for money. They lead to loss of
self-control, and this leads to the warping
of the mind and utter destruction." He
illustrated his advice by the ancient tale,
which is given below.
In olden times there was a celebrated sage
named Baladhi. He had a son whose
untimely death plunged him into grief. So,
be practised rigorous penance to get a son
who would never meet with death.
The gods told the sage that this could
never be, for the human race was
necessarily mortal, and there need must be
a limit to human life. They asked him to
name his own limit.
The sage replied: "In that case grant that
the life of my son may persist as long as
that mountain lasts." The boon was
granted to him and he was duly blessed
with a son named Medhavi.
Medhavi grew conceited at the thought
that he was safe from death forever, since
he would live as long as the mountain
existed, and he behaved with arrogance
towards all.
One day, this vain man showed disrespect
to a great sage named Dhanushaksha. At
once that sage cursed that he might be
turned to ashes, but the curse took no
effect on Medhavi who remained in
perfect health.
Seeing this, the high-souled sage was
puzzled and then remembered the gift
Medhavi had been endowed with at birth.
Dhanushaksha took the form of a wild
buffalo and by the power of his penances
butted at the mountain and broke it to
pieces and Medhavi fell down dead.
Bharadwaja concluded the story with this
solemn warning to his son: "Learn
wisdom from this old story. Be not ruined
by vanity. Cultivate self-restraint. Do not
transgress the limits of good conduct and
do not be disrespectful to the great
Raibhya."
It was springtime. The trees and creepers
were beautiful with flowers and the whole
forest was gorgeous with color and sweet
with the song of birds.
The very earth seemed to be under the
spell of the god of love. Paravasu's wife
was strolling alone in the garden near the
hermitage of Raibhya. She appeared more
than human, in the sweet union in her of
beauty, courage and purity.
At that time Yavakrida came there and
was so overwhelmed by her loveliness
that he completely lost his sense and selfcontrol
and became as a ravening beast
with lust.
He accosted her and taking brutal
advantage of her fear and shame and
bewilderment, he dragged her to a lonely
pot and violated her person.
Raibhya returned to his hermitage. He saw
his daughter in-law weeping, brokenhearted
and inconsolable and learning of
the shameful outrage perpetrated on her,
he was seized with implacable anger. He
plucked a hair from his bead and offered it
to the fire reciting a mantra.
At once, a maiden, as beautiful as his
daughter-in-law, emerged from the
sacrificial fire.
The sage plucked another hair from his
knotted lock and offered it as oblation. A
terrible ghost rose from the fire. The sage
commanded them to kill Yavakrida. Both
of them bowed to the order.
While Yavakrida was performing the
morning rites, the female spirit went near
him and with smiles and allurements put
him off his guard and as she ran away
with his water-jug, the male ghost rushed
on him with uplifted spear.
Yavakrida stood up in fear. Knowing that
his mantras would be of no avail until he
cleansed himself with water, he looked for
his water-jug. When he found it missing,
he rushed to a pond for water but the pond
was dry. He went to nearby stream, which
also dried up at his approach.
There was no water for him anywhere.
The terrible fiend pursued him
everywhere and Yavakrida fled for his
life, with the demon hot on his heels. His
sin had consumed the power of his vigils
and fasts. At last, he sought refuge in the
sacrificial hall of his father.
The half-blind man who was guarding the
hermitage stopped him as be could not
recognise Yavakrida as, distorted with
mortal fear, he sought to force his way in.
Meanwhile, the fiend overtook him and
killed him with his spear.
When Bharadvaja returned to his
hermitage, he came upon his son's corpse
and concluded that disrespect to Raibhya
must have led to this cruel fate.
"Alas! My child, you died of your pride
and vanity. Was it not a great mistake that
you tried to learn the Vedas in a way not
resorted to by any brahmana? Why did
you behave so as to be cursed thus? May
Raibhya, who caused the death of my only
son, be himself killed by one of his sons!"
Thus, carried away by rage and grief the
sage cursed Raibhya.
Regaining control soon, he exclaimed in
anguish: "Alas! They alone are blessed
who have no sons. I have not only lost my
only son, but in the madness of my grief I
have also cursed my friend and
companion. What is the use of continuing
my life?" He cremated his son's body and
died by throwing himself on the funeral
pyre.
35. MERE LEARNING IS NOT
ENOUGH
KING Brihadyumna, a disciple of the sage
Raibhya, performed a great sacrifice at
which he requested his teacher to let his
two sons Paravasu and Arvavasu officiate.
With the permission of their father, both
of them went joyfully to the capital of the
king.
While arrangements were being made for
the sacrifice, Paravasu desired one day to
go and see his wife and, walking alone all
night, he reached his hermitage before
dawn. Near the hermitage, he saw in the
twilight, what seemed to him a beast of
prey crouching for a spring and, hurling
his weapon at it, killed it.
But to his horror and grief, he discovered
that he had killed his own father clad in
skins, mistaking him for a wild denizen of
the forest. He realised that the fatal
mistake was the effect of the curse of
Bharadwaja.
When he had hastily performed the
funeral rites of his father, he went to
Arvavasu and told him the doleful tale. He
said: "But this mishap should not interfere
with the sacrifice of the king. Please do
the rites on my behalf in expiation of the
sin I have unwittingly committed. There
is, mercifully, atonement for sins
committed in ignorance. If you can be my
substitute here for undergoing the
expiation I shall be able to go and assist in
conducting the king's sacrifice. I can
officiate unaided, which is a thing you
cannot do as yet."
The virtuous brother agreed and said:
"You may attend to the king's sacrifice. I
shall do penance to free you from the
terrible taint of having killed a father and
a brahmana."
The virtuous Arvavasu, accordingly, took
upon himself the expiatory rites on behalf
of his brother. That done, he came to the
court of the king to join his brother and
assist in the sacrifice.
The sin of Paravasu was not washed off,
since expiation cannot be by proxy. It
tainted his mind with wicked designs.
Becoming jealous of the radiance on his
brother's face, Paravasu decided to
dishonor him by casting on him an
unjustice as a person and accordingly,
when Arvavasu entered the hall, Paravasu
loudly exclaimed so that the king might
hear:
"This man has committed the sin of
killing a brahmana and how can he enter
this holy sacrificial place?"
Arvavasu indignantly denied the
accusation but none heeded him, and he
was ignominiously expelled from that hall
of sacrifice by the orders of the king.
Arvavasu repeatedly protested his
innocence. "It is my brother who has
committed the sin and even then it was
through a mistake. I have saved him by
performing expiatory rites."
This made matters worse for him for
nobody believed that the expiation he had
undergone was not for his own crime and
everyone thought that he was adding false
accusation against a blameless brother, to
his other sins.
The virtuous Arvavasu who, besides being
falsely accused of a monstrous crime, was
also slandered as a liar, retreated to the
forest in despair of finding justice in the
world and betook himself to rigorous
austerities.
The gods were gracious and asked him:
"O virtuous soul, what is the boon you
seek?" High thinking and deep meditation
had in the meantime cleansed his heart of
all anger at his brother's conduct; and so,
he only prayed that his father might be
restored to life and that his brother might
be freed from wickedness and the sins that
he had committed.
The gods granted his prayer.
Lomasa narrated this story to
Yudhishthira at a place near Raibhya's
hermitage and said: "O Pandavas, bathe
here and wash off your passions in this
holy river."
Arvavasu and Paravasu were both sons of
a great scholar. Both of them learnt at his
feet and became eminent scholars
themselves.
But learning is one thing and virtue is
quite another. It is true that one should
know the difference between good and
evil, if one is to seek good and shun evil.
But this knowledge should soak into every
thought and influence every act in one's
life.
Then indeed knowledge becomes virtue.
The knowledge that is merely so much
undigested information crammed into the
mind, cannot instill virtue.
It is just an outward show like our clothes
and is no real part of us.
36. ASHTAVAKRA
WHILE the Pandavas were wandering
among holy places in the forest, they
came one day to the hermitage of the
personages immortalized in the
Upanishads. Lomasa told Yudhishthira the
story of that place.
Udalaka, a great sage and teacher of
Vedanta, had a disciple named Kagola,
who was virtuous and devoted but had no
great learning. So, the other disciples used
to laugh and mock at him.
Uddalaka, however, attached no great
weight to his disciple's lack of erudition
but really appreciated his virtues, devotion
and good conduct and gave his daughter
Sujata in marriage to him.
The couple was blessed with a son. A
child generally inherits the characteristics
of both the parents. But fortunately the
grandson of Uddalaka took after his
grandfather rather than his father and
knew the Vedas even while he was in his
mother's womb.
When Kagola made mistakes, as he often
did in reciting the Vedas, the child in the
womb would twist his body with pain, and
so it came to pass that he had eight
crooked bends in his body when he was
born.
These crooked bends earned him the name
of Ashtavakra, which means "Eight
crooked bends." Kagola, one ill-fated day,
provoked a polemical contest with Vandi,
the court scholar of Mithila, and, having
been defeated, was made to drown
himself.
Meanwhile Ashtavakra grew up to be a
towering scholar even in his boyhood, and
at the age of twelve he had already
completed his study of the Vedas and the
Vedanta.
One day, Ashtavakra learnt that Janaka,
the king of Mithila was performing a great
sacrifice in the course of which the
assembled scholars would, as usual,
debate on the sastras.
Ashtavakra set out for Mithila,
accompanied by his uncle Svetaketu. On
their way to the place of sacrifice at
Mithila, they came across the king and his
retinue.
The attendants of the king marched in
front shouting: "Move away. Make way
for the King." Ashtavakra instead of
moving out of the way said to the
retainers:
"O royal attendants, even the king, if he is
righteous, has to move and make way for
the blind, the deformed, the fair sex,
persons bearing loads and brahmanas
learned in the Vedas. This is the rule
enjoined by the scriptures."
The king, surprised at these wise words of
the brahmana boy, accepted the justness
of the rebuke and made way, observing to
his attendants: "What this brahmana
stripling says is true. Fire is fire whether it
is tiny or big and it has the power to
burn."
Ashtavakra and Svetaketu entered the
sacrificial hall. The gatekeeper stopped
them and said: "Boys cannot go in. Only
old men learned in the Vedas may go into
the sacrificial hall."
Ashtavakra replied: "We are not mere
boys. We have observed the necessary
vows and have learnt the Vedas. Those
who have mastered the truths of the
Vedanta will not judge another on mere
considerations of age or appearance."
The gatekeeper said: "Stop. Have done
with your idle brag. How can you, a mere
boy, have learnt and realised the
Vedanta?"
The boy said: "You mean I am not big like
an over-grown gourd with no substance in
it? Size is no indication of knowledge or
worth, nor is age. A very tall old man may
be a tall old fool. Let me pass."
The gatekeeper said: "You are certainly
not old, nor tall, though you talk like all
the hoary sages. Get out."
Ashtavakra replied: "Gatekeeper, Grey
hairs do not prove the ripeness of the soul.
The really mature man is the one who has
learnt the Vedas and the Vedangas,
mastered their gist and realised their
essence. I am here to meet the court pandit
Vandi. Inform King Janaka of my desire."
At that moment the king himself came
there and easily recognized Ashtavakra,
the precociously wise boy he had met
before.
The king asked: "Do you know that my
court pandit Vandi has overthrown in
argument many great scholars in the past
and caused them to be cast into the ocean?
Does that not deter you from this
dangerous adventure?"
Ashtavakra replied: "Your eminent
scholar has not hitherto encountered men
like me who are proficient in the Vedas on
Vedanta. He has become arrogant and
vain with easy victories over good men
who were not real scholars. I have come
here to repay the debt due on account of
my father, who was defeated by this man
and made to drown himself, as I have
heard from my mother. I have no doubt I
shall vanquish Vandi, whom you will see
crumple up like a broken-wheeled cart.
Please summon him."
Ashtavakra met Vandi. They took up a
debatable thesis and started an argument,
each employing his utmost learning and
wits to confound the other. And in the end
the assembly unanimously declared the
victory of Ashtavakra and the defeat of
Vandi.
The court pandit of Mithila bowed his
head and paid the forfeit by drowning
himself in the ocean and going to the
abode of Varuna.Then the spirit of
Kagola, the father of Ashtavakra, gained
peace and joy in the glory of his son.
The author of the epic instructs us through
these words put in Kagola's mouth: "A
son need not be like his father. A father
who is physically weak may have a very
strong son and an ignorant father may
have a scholarly son. It is wrong to
acesess the greatness of a man on his
physical appearance or age. External
appearances are deceptive." Which shows
that the unlearned Kagola was not devoid
of common sense.
37. BHIMA AND HANUMAN
DRAUPADI used to complain frequently:
"This Kamyaka forest is not beautiful
without Arjuna. I find no joy in life in the
absence of Arjuna."
The other Pandavas shared Draupadi's
wretchedness at separation from Arjuna,
who had gone to the Himalayas in quest
of divine weapons.
Bhimasena told Draupadi: "Blessed lady, I
myself feel the same about Arjuna and
what you say makes me thrill with love
and sympathy. Bereft of Arjuna, this
beautiful forest seems desolate. My mind
can know no peace without seeing Arjuna.
Sahadeva, how do you feel?"
Sahadeva said: "This hermitage seems to
be empty without Arjuna. We shall try
whether a change of scene will help us to
bear the pain of separation better."
Yudhishthira addressing his priest
Dhaumya said: "I have sent my younger
brother Arjuna to win divine weapons.
That dauntless and dexterous hero has not
yet returned. We have sent him to the
Himalayas to get from Indra, the king of
gods, weapons with which we could
conquer Bhishma, Drona, Kripa and
Aswatthama, since it is certain that these
heroes will fight on the side of the sons of
Dhritarashtra. Karna knows the secret of
divine weapons, and his supreme wish is
to fight with Arjuna. I have sent Arjuna to
gain Indra's grace and get weapons from
him as the Kaurava heroes can be defeated
by no other means. Having sent him on a
very difficult errand, we cannot live here
happily, for we miss him in all our
accustomed haunts. I wish to go
elsewhere, for that may enable us to bear
the separation better. Can you suggest
where we could go?"
Dhaumya described many forests and holy
places. The Pandavas went the round of
those places to relieve themselves to some
extent from the pangs of separation.
They spent many years in this pilgrimage
and in listening to the traditions, which
sanctified each shrine. Draupadi would
often feel exhausted by having to traverse
mountains and forests. Bhima, sometimes
helped by his son Ghalotkacha, would
serve and encourage them and make their
labors easy.
In the course of their wanderings through
the Himalayan regions they came to a
terrible forest where the path was rugged
and steep.
Yudhishthira was worried and told Bhima
that the way would greatly distress
Draupadi but that he himself would go on
accompanied by Nakula and the sage
Lomasa.
He suggested that Bhima and Sahadeva
should stay behind at Gangadwara with
Draupadi. Bhima would not agree. He
said that the pain of separation from
Arjuna ought to have taught his brother
how much he would suffer if he were
parted from Sahadeva, Draupadi and
Bhima.
Besides, Bhima could not leave
Yudhishthira alone in this forest infested
with Rakshasas, demons and wild
animals. The way was hard, but he could
easily carry Draupadi across the most
difficult parts of it. He could carry Nakula
and Sahadeva also.
When Bhima said these words,
Yudhishthira embraced him and blessed
him and wished him an increase of
physical strength. Draupadi smiled and
said, addressing Yudhishthira: "No one
need carry me. I can walk. Do not be
anxious about me."
They reached Kulinda, the kingdom of
Subahu, on the Himalayas. They accepted
the honors rendered to them by that king
and rested there awhile. Later on, they
went to the charming forest of
Narayanasrama and halted there.
One day, a breeze that blew from the
northeast wafted a beautiful flower near
Draupadi. Draupadi took it in her hands
and was so charmed with its fragrance and
beauty that she showed it rapturously to
Bhima.
"Come and see this flower. What a sweet
fragrance! How charming! I shall hand
this over to Yudhishthira. Bring some
flowers of this kind. We should grow this
plant in our Kamyaka forest." Draupadi
ran to give the flower to Yudhishthira.
Anxious to please his beloved Draupadi,
Bhima went in quest of that plant. He
went alone in the direction from which the
fragrance seemed to be borne by the
breeze, without wasting a thought on the
wild beasts that crossed his path.
He presently came to a garden of plantain
trees at the foot of a mountain, and there
he saw a huge monkey shining like
blazing fire, which lay right across his
path blocking it.
He tried to frighten the animal out of his
way by shouting at it. It only half opened
its eyes lazily and drawled: "I am
indisposed and so I am lying here. Why
lid you wake me? You are a wise human
being and I am mere animal. It is proper
that the rational man should show mercy
to animals as interior creatures. I am
afraid you are ignorant of right and
wrong. Who are you? Whither are you
bound? It is not possible to go further
along this mountain path which is the path
of the gods. Men cannot cross this limit.
Eat what you like of the fruits of this place
and if you are wise, go back in peace."
Bhima, unused to being taken so lightly,
grew angry and shouted: "Who are you,
yourself, you monkey, that indulges in
such tall talk? I am a kshatriya hero, a
descendant of the Kuru race and a son of
Kunti. Know that I am the son of the
Wind god. Now move away from the path
or stop me at your peril."
Hearing these words the monkey merely
smiled and said: "I am, as you say, a
monkey, but you will come to destruction
if you try to force a way."
Bhima said: "I do not want your advice
and it is no concern of yours if I go to
destruction. Get up and move out of the
way or I will make you."
The monkey replied: "I have no strength
to stand up, being but a very old monkey.
If you have to go at any cost, jump over
me."
Bhima said: "Nothing could be easier but
the scriptures forbid it. Otherwise I should
jump over you and the mountain in one
bound, like Hanuman crossing the ocean."
The monkey remarked as though in
surprise: "O best of men, who is that
Hanuman who crossed the ocean? If you
know his story, enlighten me."
Bhima roared and said: "Have you not
heard of Hanuman, my elder brother, who
crossed the ocean, a hundred yojanas in
breadth, to seek and find Sita, the wife of
Rama? I am equal to him in strength and
heroism. Well, that is enough talk, now
get up and make way and do not provoke
me to do you some harm."
The monkey answered: "O mighty hero,
be patient. Be gentle as you are strong,
and have mercy on the old and weak. I
have no strength to rise up as I am
decrepit with age. Since you have scruples
in jumping over me, kindly move aside
my tail and make a path for yourself."
Proud of his immense strength, Bhima
thought to pull the monkey out of the way
by its tail. But, to his amazement he could
not move it in the least, though he exerted
all his strength.
He set his jaws and strained every muscle
till the very sinews cracked and he was
covered with perspiration. But, still, could
not move that tail the least, a little bit up
or down or sideways. In shame, he bent
down his head, and then asked in a
chastened mood:
"Who are you? Forgive me and reveal to
me whether you are a Siddha, god or
Gandharva." Bhima like most strong men,
was all respect when he saw one stronger
than himself, and spoke like a pupil
addressing his master.
Hanuman replied: "O mighty-armed
Pandava, know that I am your brother,
even that Hanuman, the son of the Wind
god, whom you mentioned a little while
ago. If you go on this path, which is the
road to the spirit-world where the Yakshas
and the Rakshasas abide, you will meet
with danger and that is why I stop you. No
man can go beyond this and live. But here
is the stream with its depths where you
can find the Saugandhika plant you came
to seek."
Bhima was transported with delight: "I
count myself the most fortunate of men in
that I have been blessed to meet my
brother. I wish to see the form in which
you crossed the ocean," and he prostrated
before Hanuman.
Hanuman smiled and began to increase
the size of his body and stood forth firmly
to the world like a mountain seeming to
fill the landscape.
Bhima was thrilled at actually seeing that
divine form of this elder brother, the mere
description of which had till then filled
him with wonder. He covered his eyes,
unable to bear the dazzling light radiating
from that figure.
Hanuman said: "Bhima, in the presence of
my enemies, my body can grow still
more." And Hanuman contracted his
body, resuming his former size. He
tenderly embraced Bhimasena.
Bhagavan Vyasa says that Bhima felt
completely refreshed and became much
stronger than before by the embrace of
Hanuman.
Hanuman said: "O hero, go to your abode.
Think of me whenever you are in need. I
felt the same delight when I embraced you
that I had in times of yore when I was
fortunate enough to touch the divine body
of Sri Rama. Ask any boon that you like."
Bhima said: "Blessed are the Pandavas for
I have had the good fortune to see you.
Inspired with your strength we are sure to
conquer our enemies."
Hanuman gave this parting blessing to his
brother:
"While you roar like a lion in the
battlefield, my voice shall join yours and
strike terror into the hearts of your
enemies. I shall be present on the flag of
the chariot of your brother Arjuna. You
will be victorious."
Hanuman pointed out to Bhima the stream
nearby, where grew the Saugandhika
flowers he had come to seek.
This put Bhima at once in mind of
Draupadi who was waiting for his return,
and he collected the flowers and returned
to her without delay.
38. I AM NO CRANE
ONCE the sage Markandeya came to see
the Pandavas. Yudhishthira happened to
talk of the virtues of the fair sex and said:
"What greater wonder is there in this
world than the patience and the chastity of
woman? She gives birth to a child after
cherishing it in her womb as dearer than
life itself. She brings it into the world
inpain and anxiety and thence forward her
one thought is for its health and
happiness. Large hearted and forgiving, a
woman forgives and continues to love
even a wicked husband who neglects and
hates and subjects her to all sorts of
miseries. How strange!"
Hearing this Markandeya told him a
sacred story.
There was once a brahmana, named
Kausika who observed his vow of
brahmacharya. with great steadfastness
and devotion.
One day, he sat under a tree reciting the
Vedas. A crane, perched on the top of the
tree, defiled his head with its droppings.
He looked up at it, and his angry look
killed the bird and it fell down dead.
The brahmana was pained when he saw
the dead bird lying on the ground.
How frightful it would be if wishes
fulfilled themselves, if each hasty or angry
wish took effect at once! How much there
would be to regret or repent afterwards! It
is lucky for us that wishes depend
onoutward circumstances for
accomplishment, since that saves us from
much sin and sorrow.
Kausika sorrowed that the evil thought
that passed in his mind in a moment of
anger had killed an innocent bird. Some
time later, he went as usual to beg alms.
He stood before the door of a house to
receive his dole. The housewife was
cleansing utensils at that time. Kausika
waited in the hope that she would attend
to him after her work was over.
In the meantime the master of the house
returned, tired and hungry, and the wife
had to attend to his wants, wash and dry
his feet and serve him with food.
In this preoccupation she seemed to have
forgotten the mendicant waiting outside.
After her husband had been cared for and
fed, she came out with alms to the
mendicant.
She said: "I am sorry to have kept you
waiting long. Pardon me."
Kausika, burning with anger, said: "Lady,
you have made me wait for such a long
time. This indifference is not fair."
The woman told the brahmana: "Best of
brahmanas, kindly do forgive me. I was
serving my husband and hence the delay."
The brahmana remarked: "It is right and
proper to attend on the husband, but the
brahmana also should not be disregarded.
You seem an arrogant woman."
She said: "Be not angry with me and
remember that I kept you waiting only
because I was dutifully serving my
husband. I am no crane to be killed by a
violent thought and your rage can do no
harm to the woman who devotes herself to
the service of her husband."
The brahmana was taken aback. He
wondered how the woman knew of the
crane incident.
She continued: "O great one, you do not
know the secret of duty, and you are also
not aware that anger is the greatest enemy
that dwells in man. Forgive the delay in
attending to you. Go to Mithila and be
instructed in the secret of good life by
Dharmavyadha living in that city."
The brahmana was amazed. He said: "I
deserve your just admonition and it will
do me good. May all good attend you."
With these words he went to Mithila.
Kausika reached Mithila and looked for
Dharmavyadha's residence, which he
thought would be some lonely hermitage
far from the noise and bustle of common
life.
He walked along magnificent roads
between beautiful houses and gardens in
that great city and finally reached a
butcher's shop, in which was a man selling
meat. His amazement was great when he
learnt that this man was Dharmavyadha.
The brahmana was shocked beyond
measure and stood at a distance in disgust.
The butcher suddenly rose from his seat,
came to the brahmana and inquired:
"Revered sir, are you well? Did that
chaste brahmana lady send you to me?"
The brahmana was stupefied.
"Revered sir, I know why you have come.
Let us go home," said the butcher and he
took the brahmana to his house where he
saw a happy family and was greatly struck
by the devotion with which the butcher
served his parents.
Kausika took his lessons from that butcher
on dharma, man's calling and duty.
Afterwards, the brahmana returned to his
house and began to tend his parents, a
duty, which he had rather neglected
before.
The moral of this striking story of
Dharmavyadha so skillfully woven by
Vedavyasa into the Mahabharata, is the
same as the teaching of the Gita. Man
reaches perfection by the honest pursuit of
whatever calling falls to his lot in life, and
that this is really worship of God who
created and pervades all. (Bhagavad Gita,
XVIII, 45-46)
The occupation may be one he is born to
in society or it may have been forced on
him by circumstances or be may have
taken it up by choice. But what really
matters is the spirit of sincerity and
faithfulness with which be does his life's
work.
Vedavyasa emphasizes this great truth by
making a scholarly brahmana, who did not
know it, learn it from a butcher, who lived
it in his humble and despised life.
39. THE WICKED ARE NEVER
SATISFIED
MANY brahmanas visited the Pandavas
during their exile. And one such, returning
to Hastinapura, went to see Dhritarashtra,
who received him with due honor.
The brahmana told him how the Pandavas,
born princes, were, by unkind destiny, at
the mercy of the wind and the sun and
suffered great privations.
Dhritarashtra was probably sorry to hear
this. But what troubled him most were the
consequences to his own sons. Could
Yudhishthira continue to hold the justly
wrathful Bhima in check?
Dhritarashtra feared that the anger of the
Pandavas, long pent up, might one day
break its bounds and overflow in a
devastating flood.
The king anxiously pondered thus:
"Arjuna and Bhima will certainly try to
punish us. Sakuni, Karna, Duryodhana
and the short-sighted Duhsasana are
perched precariously up a tree in search of
a honeycomb while below is the abyss of
Bhima's anger yawning to receive them to
their destruction."
The blind king pursued his thought: "Alas,
why did we become a prey to
covetousness? It is not as though poverty
drove us to it! Why did we take to the
path of injustice? Instead of enjoying our
boundless wealth in contentment we
succumbed to lust of power and
possession and coveted what was not ours.
Wrong cannot but yield its bitter harvest!
Arjuna has returned from heaven with
divine weapons. What could tempt one
back to earth from heaven but the craving
for vengeance? And we have earned it!"
These thoughts would haunt and give him
no peace.
Though Dhritarashtra was thus worried,
Sakuni, Karna and Duryodhana were
giddily happy and found much pleasure in
exulting congratulation of one another on
their prosperity.
Karna and Sakuni said to Duryodhana:
"The kingdom which was in the hands of
Yudhishthira has become ours. We need
no longer burn with jealousy."
Duryodhana replied: "O Karna, all that is
true, but would it not be a joy of joys to
see with my own eyes the sufferings of
the Pandavas and bring their sorrow to a
climax by a display of our happiness? The
only way to perfect our happiness is to go
to the forest and see the distress of the
Pandavas, but my father will refuse
permission," and Duryodhana shed tears
at his father's cruelty in denying him this
pleasure.
He said again: "The king fears the
Pandavas, as he thinks that they are
endowed with the power of austerities. He
forbids us to go to the forest and meet
them, lest danger should befall us. But I
tell you, all we have done so far is labor
lost, without a sight of the sufferings of
Draupadi, Bhima and Arjuna in the forest.
This life of idle ease is torment to me
without that great joy. Sakuni and yourself
must seek a way of obtaining the king's
consent for us to go to the forest and see
the Pandavas in their misery."
Early next morning, Karna went to
Duryodhana with a cheerful face and
announced that he had found a way out of
the difficulty.
He said: "What do you think of going to
our ranches at Dwaitavana for the annual
stock-taking of the cows? The king
certainly cannot object to that." Sakuni
and Duryodhana applauded this bright
idea and sent the leader of the cowherds to
the king to secure his permission.
But the king would not assent. He said:
"Hunting is indeed beneficial to the
princes. It is also desirable to take stock of
the cows. But I learn that the Pandavas are
dwelling in that forest. It is not advisable
for you to go there. I cannot agree to send
you to a place near the abode of Bhima
and Arjuna while there is still occasion for
anger and strife."
Duryodhana said: "We shall not go near
them. On the contrary we shall be very
careful and avoid them." The king
answered:
"However careful you may be, there is
danger in mere nearness. Also, it is not
right to intrude on the sorrows of the
Pandavas in their forest life. Anyone of
your soldiers might trespass and give
offence, which may lead to trouble.
Someone else can go in your stead to
count the cattle."
Sakuni said: "O king, Yudhishthira knows
and follows the path of dharma. He has
given his promise in the open assembly
and the Pandavas will follow his bidding.
The sons of Kunti will not show any
enmity towards us. Do not oppose
Duryodhana who is fond of hunting. Let
him return after taking stock of the cows. I
shall also accompany him and see to it
that none of us go anywhere near the
Pandavas."
The king, over-persuaded as usual, said:
"Well, please yourselves." A heart full of
hate can know no contentment. Hate is a
cruel fire, which extorts the fuel, on which
it lives and grows.
40. DURYODHANA DISGRACED
THE Kauravas reached Dwaitavana with a
great army and many followers.
Duryodhana and Karna went with
unconcealed joy at the very thought of
being able to gloat on the sad plight of the
Pandavas.
They themselves camped in luxurious rest
houses in a place four miles off the abode
of the Pandavas. They inspected the herds
of cows and took stock of them.
After counting the cows, bulls and calves,
they enjoyed the dance, the hunt, the
sylvan sports and other entertainment’s
arranged for them.
While hunting, Duryodhana and his party
reached an attractive pond near the
hermitage of the Pandavas and ordered a
camp to be put on its bank.
Chitrasena, the king of the Gandharvas,
and his attendants had already encamped
in the neighborhood of the pool and they
prevented Duryodhana's men from putting
up their camp.
They returned to Duryodhana and
represented that some petty prince who
was there with his followers was giving
them trouble.
Duryodhana was annoyed at this
presumption and directed his men to turn
the Gandharva prince out and put up the
tents. The attendants returned to the lake
and tried to carry out their orders but
found the Gandharvas too many for them
and had to retreat in precipitation.
When Duryodhana came to know of this,
he grew very angry and with a large army
marched to destroy the audacious enemies
who had dared to resist his pleasure. A
great fight ensued between the
Gandharvas and Duryodhana's army.
At first the fight went in favor of the
Kauravas. But the tables were quickly
turned when Chitrasena, the king of the
Gandharvas, rallied his troops and began
using his magic weapons.
Karna and the other Kaurava heroes lost
their chariots and weapons and had to
retreat in haste and ignominy.
Duryodhana alone remained in the
battlefield but he was soon seized by
Chitrasena, who placed him in his chariot
bound hand and foot, and blew his conch
in token of victory.
The Gandharvas took many of the
prominent Kauravas captive. The Kaurava
army fled in all directions and some of the
fugitives took refuge in the hermitage of
the Pandavas.
Bhima heard the news of Duryodhana's
defeat and capture with delight and
amusement. He said to Yudhishthira:
"These Gandharvas have done our job for
us. Duryodhana, who must have come
here to mock at us, has got what he
deserved. I feel like thanking our
Gandharva friend!"
But Yudhishthira reproved him: "Dear
brother, this is not the time for you to
rejoice. The Kauravas are our kith and kin
and their humiliation, at the hands of
strangers, is ours. We cannot hold back
and take this lying down. We must rescue
them."
Bhima did not think this very reasonable.
He said: "Why should we save this sinner
who tried to burn us alive in the wax
house? Why should you feel sorry for the
fellow who poisoned my food, bound me
hand and foot and wanted to drown me in
the river? What brotherly feeling can we
really have towards these vile wretches
who hauled Draupadi by the hair to
theassembly and disgraced her?"
At that moment a cry of agony from
Duryodhana reached them faintly from the
distance and Yudhishthira, greatly moved,
overruled Bhima's objection and bade his
brothers go to the rescue of the Kauravas.
Obedient to his behest, Bhima and Arjuna
rallied the routed Kaurava forces and
offered battle to the Gandharvas. But
Chitrasena had no wish to fight with the
Pandavas and at their approach, released
Duryodhana and the other prisoners
saying that all he wanted was to teach a
lesson to these arrogant Kauravas.
The dishonored Kauravas returned in
haste to Hastinapura, with Karna, who,
having been, driven off the battlefield,
joined them on the way.
Duryodhana, in great shame and
dejection, felt it would have been far
better if be had been killed by Chitrasena
and announced his wish to fast unto death.
He said to Duhsasana: "Be crowned and
rule the kingdom. I can no longer continue
to live after having become a laughing
stock to my enemies."
Duhsasana protested his unworthiness to
be king and caught hold of his brother's
feet and wept. Karna could not bear the
sight of the brother's sorrow.
Karna said: "This does not befit heroes of
the Kuru race. What is the use of just
collapsing under sorrow? It will but make
your enemies happy. Look at the
Pandavas. They have not taken to fasts in
spite of the disgrace they have suffered."
Sakuni interposed and said: "Listen to
Karna's words. Why do you say that you
would give up your life when the kingdom
seized from the Pandavas is yours to
enjoy? Fasting serves no purpose, for if
you really repent of what you have done
till now, you should make friends with the
Pandavas and give them back their
kingdom."
When Duryodhana heard this speech, his
evil nature regained ascendancy, for
giving back the kingdom to the Pandavas
was to him a hundred times worse than
defeat or disgrace. He shouted: "I shall
conquer the Pandavas."
Karna said: "That is the way for a king to
talk."
And he added: "What sense is there in
dying? You can do something worthwhile
only if you are alive."
While returning home, Karna said: "I
swear to you by all that is holy that, when
the stipulated period of thirteen years is
over, I will kill Arjuna in battle." And
then he touched his sword in token of the
oath.
41. SRI KRISHNA'S HUNGER
WHILE the Pandavas were dwelling in
the forest, Duryodhana celebrated a great
sacrifice with much pomp and splendor.
He wanted to perform the Rajasuya
sacrifice, but the brahmanas told him that
he could not do that while Yudhishthira
and Dhritarashtra were alive and advised
him to perform the sacrifice known as the
Vaishnava instead.
He accepted this advice and celebrated the
Vaishnava with great splendor. But when
the ceremony was over, the citizens began
to talk among themselves that
Duryodhana's sacrifice had not come up to
even a sixteenth part of Yudhishthira's
Rajasuya in magnificence.
The friends of Duryodhana, on the other
hand, praised him and the sacrifice he had
celebrated and likened it to those
performed by Yayati, Mandhata, Bharata
and others.
Court flatterers were not sparing with
their praise. Karna told Duryodhana that
his Rajasuya had been only postponed till
the Pandavas should be defeated and slain
in battle and repeated that his part would
be the slaying of Arjuna.
"Till I have slain Arjuna," said he, "I shall
not take meat or wine, nor will I refuse the
prayer of anyone who asks me for
anything." Such was the solemn vow
taken by Karna in the assembly.
The sons of Dhritarashtra were delighted
to hear this vow of the great hero Karna
and shouted in joy. They felt as if the
Pandavas had been slain already.
Spies conveyed to the Pandavas in the
forest the news of the oath taken by
Karna. Yudhishthira was greatly
concerned, for he had a great opinion of
Karna's prowess.
Karna had been born with divine armor
and was undoubtedly a mighty hero. One
morning, just before the hour of
awakening, Yudhishthira had a dream.
Many of our dreams come either in the
beginning or at the end of our sleep. He
dreamt that the wild beasts of the forest
came and appealed to him piteously not to
destroy them altogether, but to move on to
some other forest.
Duryodhana felt sure that the Pandavas,
who themselves lived from hand to mouth
in the forest, would be unable to feed or
entertain the sage and his following, and
would incur some dreadful curse from that
too hasty visitor for their want of
hospitality. This would give him greater
joy than any benefit he could have asked
for himself when the sage offered a boon.
Durvasa went with his disciples to the
Pandavas as was desired by Duryodhana,
as the latter were resting after their
midday meal.
The brothers welcomed the sage, saluted
and honored him. Then the sage said: "We
shall be back soon. Our meals must be
ready then, for we are hungry," and
hurried off with his disciples to the river.
As a result of the austerities of
Yudhishthira at the beginning of their stay
in the forest, the Sun god had given him
the Akshayapatra, a wonderful vessel that
held a never-failing supply of food.
In making the gift, the god had said,
"Through this I shall place at your
disposal for twelve years as much food as
is required for your daily consumption.
Not till everyone has been served and
Draupadi herself has taken her share will
the vessel become empty for the day."
Accordingly, the brahmanas and other
guests would be served first. Afterwards
the Pandava brothers would take their
meals. Finally, Draupadi would have her
share.
When Durvasa reached the place, all of
them, including Draupadi, had eaten their
meals and so the vessel was empty and
denuded of its power for the day.
Draupadi was greatly troubled and
perfectly at a loss to find food when the
sage and his disciples should return after
their ablutions. In the kitchen, she prayed
earnestly to Sri Krishna to come to her aid
in this hopeless predicament and deliver
her from the wrath of the sage.
At once Sri Krishna appeared before her.
"I am very hungry," he said, "bring
without delay something to eat and we
shall speak of other things afterwards."
Here was a pretty pass. It looked as
though the ally from whom she hoped for
relief had gone over to the foe! She cried
out in great confusion: "Alas! Why do you
try me thus, O Krishna? The power of the
vessel given by the Sun is exhausted for
the day. And the sage Durvasa has come.
What shall I do? The sage and his
disciples will soon be here and as though
this were not enough, you have also come
at this juncture saying that you are
hungry."
Sri Krishna said: "I am terribly hungry
and want food, not excuses. Fetch the
vessel and let me see for myself."
Draupadi brought it to him. A tiny bit of
cooked vegetable and a grain of rice were
sticking to the rim of the vessel.
Sri Krishna ate them with satisfaction,
accepting them as Sri Hari, the Soul of the
Universe. Draupadi was filled with shame
at her slovenliness in not having cleaned
the vessel free of all remnants. A bit had
been left which had been partaken by
Vasudeva!
Sri Krishna seemed replete with
satisfaction after eating his solitary grain
and calling Bhima, told him to go to the
river and intimate to the revered sage that
food was ready and waiting for them.
Bhimasena, greatly puzzled, but full of
faith in Sri Krishna, hastened to the river
where Durvasa and his followers were
bathing.
They were in great surprise to find that
their ravenous hunger had given place to a
pleased satiety. They had all the
comfortable cheerfulness of people who
had feasted well.
The disciples told the sage: "We have
come here after asking Yudhishthira to
prepare food for us, but we feel well-fed
and full and cannot eat anything more."
Durvasa knew what it was and he told
Bhima: "We have taken our meals. Tell
Yudhishthira to forgive us." Then the
party went away.
The explanation is that as the whole
universe is contained in Sri Krishna, his
satisfaction with a single grain of rice
satisfied for the time the hunger of all
beings including the sage.
42. THE ENCHANTED POOL
THE stipulated period of twelve years was
drawing to a close.
One day, a deer was rubbing itself against
a poor brahmana's fire-kindling mortar
and as it turned to go, the mortar got
entangled in its horns and the affrighted
animal fled wildly with it into the forest.
In those days matches were unknown and
fire was kindled with pieces of wood by
mechanical friction.
"Alas! The deer is running away with my
fire-kindler. How can I perform the fire
sacrifice?" shouted the brahmana and
rushed towards the Pandavas for help in
his extremity.
The Pandavas pursued the animal but it
was a magic deer, which sped in great
leaps and bounds, decoying the Pandavas
far into the forest and then disappeared.
Worn out by the futile chase, the
Pandavas sat in great dejection under a
banyan tree.
Nakula sighed: "We cannot render even
this trifling service to the brahmana. How
we have degenerated!" said he sadly.
Bhima said: "Quite so. When Draupadi
was dragged into the assembly, we should
have killed those wretches. Is it not
because we did not do so that we have had
to suffer all these sorrows?" and he looked
at Arjuna sadly.
Arjuna agreed. "I bore in silence the
vulgar and insulting brag of that son of the
charioteer, doing nothing. So we have
deservedly fallen into this pitiable state."
Yudhishthira noticed with sorrow that all
of them had lost their cheerfulness and
courage. He thought they would be more
cheerful with something to do. He was
tormented with thirst and so he said to
Nakula: "Brother, climb that tree and see
whether there is any pool or river nearby."
Nakula climbed the tree, looked around
and said: "At a little distance I see water
plants and cranes. There must certainly be
water there."
Yudhishthira sent him to fetch some to
drink.
Nakula was glad when he got to the place
and saw there was a pool. He was very
thirsty himself and so thought of
quenching his thirst first before taking
water in his quiver for his brother. But no
sooner did he dip his hand in the
transparent water than he heard a voice,
which said:
"Do not be rash. This pool belongs to me.
O son of Madri, answer my questions and
then drink the water."
Nakula was surprised, but carried away by
his intense thirst and heedless of the
warning, he drank the water. At once,
overcome by irresistible drowsiness, he
fell down, to all appearance dead.
Surprised that Nakula had not returned,
Yudhishthira sent Sahadeva to see what
the matter was. When Sahadeva reached
the pool and saw his brother lying on the
ground, he wondered whether any harm
had come to him. But before looking into
the matter further, rushed irresistibly to
the water to quench his burning thirst.
The voice was heard again: "O Sahadeva,
this is my pool. Answer my questions and
then only may you quench your thirst."
Like Nakula, Sahadeva also did not heed
the warning. He drank the water and at
once dropped down.
Puzzled and worried that Sahadeva also
did not return, Yudhishthira sent Arjuna to
see whether the brothers had met with any
danger. "And bring water," he added, for
he was very thirsty.
Arjuna went swiftly. He saw both his
brothers lying dead near the pool. He was
shocked at the sight and felt that they
must have been killed by some lurking
foe.
Though heart-broken with grief and
burning with the desire for revenge, he
felt all feelings submerged in a monstrous
thirst, which irresistibly impelled him to
the fatal pool. Again, a voice was heard:
"Answer my question before you drink the
water. This pool is mine. If you disobey
me, you will follow your brothers."
Arjuna's anger knew no bounds. He cried:
"Who are you? Come and stand up to me,
and I will kill you," and he shot keenedged
arrows in the direction of the voice.
The invisible being laughed in scorn:
"Your arrows do but wound the air.
Answer my questions and then you can
satisfy your thirst. If you drink the water
without doing so, you will die."
Greatly vexed, Arjuna made up his mind
to seek out and grapple with this elusive
foe. But first he had to quench his terrible
thirst. Yes, thirst was the enemy he must
kill first. So he drank the water and also
fell down dead.
After anxious waiting Yudhishthira turned
to Bhima: "Dear brother, Arjuna, the great
hero, has also not yet returned. Something
terrible must have happened to our
brothers, for our stars are bad. Please seek
them out and be quick about it. Also bring
water, for I die of thirst." Bhima, racked
with anxiety, hurried away without a
word.
His grief and rage can be imagined when
he saw his three brothers lying there dead.
He thought: "This is certainly the work of
the Yakshas. I will hunt them down and
kill them. But O! I am so thirsty, I shall
first drink water the better to fight them."
And then he descended into the pool.
The voice shouted: "Bhimasena, beware.
You may drink only after answering my
questions. You will die if you disregard
my words."
"Who are you to dictate to me?" cried
Bhima, and he drank the water avidly,
glaring around in defiance. And as he did
so, his great strength seemed to slip from
him like a garment. And he also fell dead
among his brothers.
Alone, Yudhishthira wailed full of anxiety
and thirst. "Have they been subjected to a
curse or are they wandering about in the
forest in a vain search for water or have
they fainted or died of thirst?"
Unable to bear these thoughts and driven
desperate by an overpowering thirst, he
started out to look for his brothers and the
pool.
Yudhishthira proceeded in the direction
his brothers had taken through tracts
infested with wild boar and abounding in
spotted dear and huge forest birds.
Presently he came upon a beautiful green
meadow, girdling a pool of pellucid water,
nectar to his eyes.
But when he saw his brothers lying there
like sacred flagpoles thrown pell-mell
after a festival, unable to restrain his grief,
he lifted his voice and wept. He stroked
the faces of Bhima and Arjuna as they lay
so still and silent there and mourned:
"Was this to be the end of all our vows?
Just when our exile is about to end, you
have been snatched away. Even the gods
have forsaken me in my misfortune!"
As he looked at their mighty limbs, now
so helpless, he sadly wondered who could
have been powerful enough to kill them.
Brokenly, he reflected: "Surely my heart
must be made of steel not to break even
after seeing Nakula and Sahadeva dead.
For what purpose should I continue to live
in this world?"
Then a sense of mystery overcame him,
for this could be no ordinary occurrence.
The world held no warriors who could
overcome his brothers. Besides, there
were no wounds on their bodies which
could have let out life and their faces were
faces of men who slept in peace and not of
those who died in wrath.
There was also no trace of the footprints
of an enemy. There was surely some
magic about it. Or, could it be a trick
played by Duryodhana? Might he not
have poisoned the water? Then
Yudhishthira also descended into the pool,
in his turn drawn to the water by a
consuming thirst.
At once the voice without form warned as
before: "Your brothers died because they
did not heed my words. Do not follow
them. Answer my questions first and then
quench your thirst. This pool is mine."
Yudhishthira knew that these could be
none other than the words of a Yaksha
and guessed what had happened to his
brothers. He saw a possible way of
redeeming the situation.
He said to the bodiless voice: "Please ask
your questions." The voice put questions
rapidly one after another.
The Yaksha asked: "What makes sun
shine every day?"
Yudhishthira replied: "The power of
Brahman."
The Yaksha asked: "What rescues man in
danger?"
Yudhishthira replied: "Courage is man's
salvation in danger."
The Yaksha asked: "By the study of which
science does man become wise?"
Yudhishthira replied: "Not by studying
any sastra does man become wise. It is by
association with the great in wisdom that
he gets wisdom."
The Yaksha asked: "What is more nobly
sustaining than the earth?"
Yudhishthira replied: "The mother who
brings up the children she has borne is
nobler and more sustaining than the
earth."
The Yaksha asked: "What is higher than
the sky?"
Yudhishthira replied: "The father."
The Yaksha asked: "What is fleeter than
wind?"
Yudhishthira replied: "Mind."
The Yaksha asked: "What is more
blighted than withered straw?"
Yudhishthira replied: "A sorrow-stricken
heart."
The Yaksha asked: "What befriends a
traveller?"
Yudhishthira replied: "Learning."
The Yaksha asked: "Who is the friend of
one who stays at home?"
Yudhishthira replied: "The wife."
The Yaksha asked: "Who accompanies a
man in death?"
Yudhishthira replied: "Dharma. That
alone accompanies the soul in its solitary
journey after death."
The Yaksha asked: "Which is the biggest
vessel?"
Yudhishthira replied: "The earth, which
contains all within itself is the greatest
vessel."
The Yaksha asked: "What is happiness?"
Yudhishthira replied: "Happiness is the
result of good conduct."
The Yaksha asked: "What is that,
abandoning which man becomes loved by
all?"
Yudhishthira replied: "Pride, for
abandoning that man will be loved by all."
The Yaksha asked: "What is the loss
which yields joy and not sorrow?"
Yudhishthira replied: "Anger, giving it up,
we will no longer subject to sorrow."
The Yaksha asked: "What is that, by
giving up which, man becomes rich?"
Yudhishthira replied: "Desire, getting rid
of it, man becomes wealthy."
The Yaksha asked: "What makes one a
real brahmana? Is it birth, good conduct or
learning? Answer decisively."
Yudhishthira replied: "Birth and learning
do not make one a brahmana. Good
conduct alone does. However learned a
person may be he will not be a brahmana
if he is a slave to bad habits. Even though
he may be learned in the four Vedas, a
man of bad conduct falls to a lower class."
The Yaksha asked: "What is the greatest
wonder in the world?"
Yudhishthira replied: "Every day, men see
creatures depart to Yama's abode and yet,
those who remain seek to live forever.
This verily is the greatest wonder."
Thus, the Yaksha posed many questions
and Yudhishthira answered them all.
In the end the Yaksha asked: "O king, one
of your dead brothers can now be revived.
Whom do you want revived? He shall
come back to life."
Yudhishthira thought for a moment and
then replied: "May the cloudcomplexioned,
lotus-eyed, broad-chested
and long-armed Nakula, lying like a fallen
ebony tree, arise."
The Yaksha was pleased at this and asked
Yudhishthira: "Why did you choose
Nakula in preference to Bhima who has
the strength of sixteen thousand
elephants? I have heard that Bhima is
most dear to you. And why not Arjuna,
whose prowess in arms is your protection?
Tell me why you chose Nakula rather than
either of these two."
Yudhishthira replied: "O Yaksha, dharma
is the only shield of man and not Bhima or
Arjuna. If dharma is set at naught, man
will be ruined. Kunti and Madri were the
two wives of my father. I am surviving, a
son of Kunti, and so, she is not completely
bereaved. In order that the scales of
justice may be even, I ask that Madri's son
Nakula may revive." The Yaksha was
pleased with Yudhishthira's impartiality
and granted that all his brothers would
come back to life.
It was Yama, the Lord of Death, who had
taken the form of the deer and the Yaksha
so that he might see his son Yudhishthira
and test him. He embraced Yudhishthira
and blessed him.
Yama said: "Only a few days remain to
complete the stipulated period of your
exile in the forest. The thirteenth year will
also pass by. None of your enemies will
be able to discover you. You will
successfully fulfil your undertaking," and
saying this he disappeared.
The Pandavas had, no doubt, to pass
through all sorts of troubles during their
exile, but the gains too were not
inconsiderable. It was a period of hard
discipline and searching probation
through which they emerged stronger and
nobler men.
Arjuna returned from tapas with divine
weapons and strengthened by contact with
Indra. Bhima also met his elder brother
Hanuman near the lake where the
Saugandhika flowers bloomed and got
tenfold strength from his embrace. Having
met, at the enchanted pool, his father
Yama, the Lord of Dharma, Yudhishthira
shone with tenfold lustre.
"The minds of those who listen to the
sacred story of Yudhishthira's meeting
with his father, will never go after evil.
They will never seek to create quarrels
among friends or covet the wealth of
others. They will never fall victims to lust.
They will never be unduly attached to
transitory things." Thus said
Vaisampayana to Janamejaya as he related
this story of the Yaksha. May the same
good attend the readers of this story as
retold by us.
43. DOMESTIC SERVICE
"O BRAHMANAS, we have been
deceived by the sons of Dhritarashtra,
cheated out of our kingdom and reduced
to poverty. Still we have passed these
years cheerfully with joy in the forest. The
thirteenth year of exile has come, and with
it the time for us to part from you. For we
have to spend the next twelve months
undiscovered by the spies of Duryodhana.
God knows when the day will dawn which
will see us together again, without fear or
concealment. Now, bless us before we go.
And may we escape the notice of those
who may wish to betray us to the sons of
Dhritarashtra, either through fear or hope
of reward."
So spoke Yudhishthira to the brahmanas
who were living with the Pandavas till
then. His voice shook with emotion as he
spoke these words.
Dhaumya consoled him. He said: "Parting,
is hard, and the dangers are many and
great. But you are too wise and learned to
be shaken or daunted. You must disguise
yourselves. Indra, the Lord of gods, when
pested by the demons, disguised himself
as a brahmana and lived unknown in the
country of Nishadha. Safely concealed
thus, he managed to destroy his enemies.
You must also do likewise. Did not
Mahavishnu, the Lord of the Universe,
become a child in the womb of Aditi,
suffer human birth, and take away from
Emperor Bali his kingdom for the
salvation of the world? Did not Lord
Narayana, the refuge of men, enter into
the weapon of Indra to defeat Vritra, the
asura king? Did not the Fire god hide
himself in the waters for the sake of the
gods? Does not the moon keep out of
sight every day? Did not Lord Vishnu, the
all-pervading God, descend as the son of
Dasaratha and spend long years, suffering
many sorrows for the sake of killing
Ravana? The greatest souls in the past
have sanctified disguise for a good
purpose. You will, likewise, conquer your
enemies and win prosperity."
Yudhishthira took leave of the brahmanas
and gave the members of his retinue leave
to go home. The Pandavas retired to a
secluded spot in the forest and discussed
their future line of action. Yudhishthira
sadly asked Arjuna: "You are well
conversant with the ways of the world.
Where would it be best for us to spend the
thirteenth year?"
Arjuna replied: "O great king, you know
Yama, the Lord of Death, has blessed us.
We can easily pass the twelve months
together without being discovered. There
are many charming states for us to choose
from for our sojourn, states like Panchala,
Matsya, Salva, Videha, Bahlika,
Dasharna, Surasena, Kalinga, and
Magadha. It is, of course, for you to
choose. But if I may venture an opinion,
the Matsya country of king Virata is the
best, prosperous and charming as it is."
Yudhishthira answered: "Virata, the king
of Matsya, is very strong and he loves us
much. He is of mature judgment and is
devoted to the practice of virtue. He will
not be won over or frightened by
Duryodhana. I agree that it would be best
to live incognito in Virata's kingdom."
Arjuna said: "Well then, O king, what
work would you seek in the court of
Virata?"
When he asked this question, Arjuna was
full of sorrow at the thought of
Yudhishthira, the great and guileless king,
who had performed the Rajasuya
sacrifice, having to disguise himself and
take service.
Yudhishthira answered: "I am thinking of
asking Virata to take me in his service as a
courtier. I could delight him with my
conversation and my dexterity at dice. I
shall take the garb of a sanyasin and shall
keep him agreeably engaged by my skill
in reading omens and knowledge
ofastrology as well as of the Vedas,
Vedangas, ethics, politics and other
sciences. I shall have to be careful of
course, but be not anxious about me. I
shall tell him that I was an intimate friend
of Yudhishthira and learnt these things
while I was privileged to be with him. O
Bhima, what works will you, who
conquered and slew Baka and Hidimba,
take up under Virata? You saved us by
killing Jatasura. Valor and strength are
over-flowing from you. What disguise can
hide your mighty personality and enable
you to live unknown in the country of
Mastya?" Yudhishthira was in tears as he
put this question to Bhima.
Bhima laughingly replied: "O king, I
think of taking service as a cook in the
court of Virata. You know that I have a
great appetite and that I am also an expert
in cooking. I shall please Virata by
preparing such dainty food as he has never
tasted. I shall chop the trees of the forest
and bring heaps of fuel. I shall also delight
the king by contending with and defeating
the wrestlers who come to his court."
This made Yudhishthira anxious for he
feared that danger might befall them if
Bhima engaged himself in wrestling
bouts. At once Bhima spoke thus to calm
his fears:
"I shall not kill anyone. I may give a bad
jolt to any wrestler who deserves it but I
shall not kill anyone. I shall restrain mad
bulls, buffaloes and other wild animals
and thus entertain king Virata."
Afterwards Yudhishthira addressed
Arjuna: "What profession do you propose
to take up? How can you hide your
towering valor?"
When he asked this question Yudhishthira
could not restrain him from narrating the
brilliant exploits of Arjuna. He spoke of
his brother's glory in twenty verses. Well,
who deserves praise if not Arjuna?
Arjuna replied: "Revered brother, I shall
hide myself in the guise of a eunuch and
serve the ladies of the court. I shall hide
under a jacket the scars on my arms made
by the constant chafing of the bowstring.
When I rejected Urvasi's amorous
overtures on the ground that she was like
a mother unto me, she cursed me with loss
of manhood. But through Indra's grace the
curse would hold good only for a year,
and the time would be mine to choose. I
shall serve out that year of loss of
manhood now. Wearing bangles made of
white conchs, braiding my hair like a
woman, and clothing myself in female
attire, I shall engage myself in menial
work in the inner apartments of Virata's
queen. I shall teach the women singing
and dancing. And I shall seek service
saying that I used to serve Draupadi in
Yudhishthira's court." Saying this, Arjuna
turned to Draupadi and smiled.
Yudhishthira was in tears. "Alas! Have the
fates decreed that he, who is the equal of
Sri Krishna himself in fame and valor, a
scion of Bharata's line, who stands high
like the great golden Mount Meru, must
go and seek employment of Virata as a
eunuch in the queen's inner apartments?"
he said brokenly.
Yudhishthira then turned to Nakula and
asked him what work he would engage in
and, as he thought of Madri, the mother of
Nakula, tears rolled down his eyes.
Nakula replied: "I shall work in King
Virata's stables. My mind delights in
training and looking after horses. For I
know the heart of horses and have
knowledge of their ailments and cure. I
can not only ride and break horses but
also harness and drive them in a chariot. I
shall say that I had looked after the horses
of the Pandavas and I have no doubt
Virata will take me in his service."
Yudhishthira asked Sahadeva: "You, with
the intelligence of Brihaspati, the priest
and the preceptor of the gods, and the
knowledge of Sukra, the teacher of the
asuras, what work will you take up?"
Sahadeva replied: "Let Nakula look after
horses. I shall tend the cows. I shall guard
Virata's cattle from the ravages of disease
and the attacks of wild beasts."
"O Draupadi," but Yudhishthira could not
find words to ask her what she proposed
to do. She was dearer to him than life
itself, worthy of all reverence and
protection, and it seemed sacrilege to talk
of service. She was a princess, the
daughter of a king, nobly born, tenderly
nurtured. Yudhishthira felt choked by
shame and despair.
Draupadi saw his grief and spoke these
brave words: "O best of kings, do not
grieve or suffer anxiety on my account. I
shall be a sairandhri in the court of the
queen of Virata, the companion and
attendant of the princess. I shall preserve
my freedom and chastity, for the attendant
and companion of a princess has this right
and can exercise it. I shall pass my days in
such light tasks as braiding the hair and
entertaining the women of the court with
small talk. I shall represent that I had thus
served princess Draupadi in
Yudhishthira's court and seek employment
from the queen. Thus shall I remain
unknown to others."
Yudhishthira praised Draupadi's courage
and said: "O auspicious one, you speak as
befits one of your family."
When the Pandavas thus decided,
Dhaumya blessed them and advised them
thus: "Those who are engaged in service
under a king should always be vigilant.
They must serve without talking too
much. They may give their counsel only
when asked, and never obtrude it. They
should praise the king on befitting
occasions. All things, no matter how
small, may be done only after informing
the king, who is a veritable fire in human
form. Do not go too near him, nor yet
appear to avoid him. Even though a
person may be trusted by the king and
have great authority, still be should
always behave as if he would be
dismissed immediately, It would be
foolishness to place too much confidence
in a king. One may not sit in the
conveyance, seat or chariot of the king,
presuming on his affection. A servant of
the king should ever be active and selfrestrained.
He should not be excessively
elated, nor unduly depressed, by being
honored or dishonored by the king. He
may not reveal the secrets confided to
him, nor may he receive anything in the
form of gift from the citizens. He should
not be jealous of other servants. The king
may place fools in positions of authority,
leaving aside the wise. Such waywardness
should be ignored. One cannot be too
careful with the ladies of the court. There
should not be the faintest suggestion of
indelicacy in one's conduct towards
them."
Dhaumya then blessed the Pandavas:
"Live thus in patience for one year,
serving the king Virata, and then, you will
pass the rest of your days in happiness,
regaining your lost throne."
44. VIRTUE VINDICATED
YUDHISHTHIRA put on the garb of a
sanyasin. Arjuna transformed himself into
a eunuch. Others also disguised
themselves. But no disguise could take
away their natural charm, grace and
nobility of appearance.
When they went to King Virata seeking
service, they seemed to him born to
command and rule rather than to serve. He
hesitated, at first, to engage them in
service but yielding to their urgent
solicitations, he finally appointed them to
the places they sought of him.
Yudhishthira became the king's
companion and spent his days in playing
dice with him. Bhima worked as the chief
of the cooks. He also entertained the king
by wrestling with the reputed men of
might whom came to the court, and by
controlling wild animals.
Arjuna assumed the name of Brihannala
and taught dancing, singing and
instrumental music to Princess Uttara, the
daughter of Virata, and the ladies. Nakula
looked after the horses and Sahadeva
looked after the cows and the bulls.
The princess Draupadi who, if fate had
been less cruel, should herself have been
served by many maids, had now to pass
her days in serving Sudeshna, Virata's
queen. She lived in the inner apartments
of the palace as maid and companion,
engaging herself in uncongenial tasks.
Kichaka, the brother of Sudeshna, was the
commander-in-chief of Virata's army and
it was to him that the old king Virata
owed his power and prestige. Kichaka
wielded such vast influence that people
used to say that Kichaka was the real king
of the Matsya country and old Virata king
only in name.
Kichaka was inordinately vain of his
strength and his influence over the king.
He was so smitten with Draupadi's beauty
that he conceived an uncontrollable
passion for her. And he was so sure of his
own attractions and power that it never
occurred to him that she, though a mere
maidservant could resist his will. He made
amorous overtures to her, which greatly
vexed her.
Draupadi was too shy to speak of this to
Sudeshna or to others. She gave out that
her husbands were Gandharvas who
would mysteriously kill those who tried to
dishonor her.
Her good conduct and lustre made every
one believe in her story about the
Gandharvas. But Kichaka was not to be
frightened so easily and he sought
persistently to seduce Draupadi.
His persecution became so intolerable that
at last she complained of it to Queen
Sudeshna, and implored her protection.
Kichaka, of course, had greater influence
over his sister, and he shamelessly
confided to her his unlawful passion for
her maid and sought her aid to compass
his wish.
He represented himself as dying of desire.
"I am so full of torment," he said, "that
from the time I met your maid, I do not
get any sleep or rest. You must save my
life by managing somehow to make her
receive my advances favorably." The
queen tried to dissuade him but Kichaka
would not listen. And finally Sudeshna
yielded. Both of them decided upon a plan
to entrap Draupadi.
One night, many sweetmeats and
intoxicating drinks were prepared in the
house of Kichaka and a great feast was
arranged. Sudeshna called Sairandhri to
her side and handing her a beautiful
golden jug bade her go and bring her a jug
of wine from Kichaka's house.
Draupadi hesitated to go to the house of
the infatuated Kichaka at that hour and
begged hard that someone else of her
many attendants might be sent, but
Sudeshna did not listen. She pretended to
be angry and said sharply: "Go, you must.
I can not send anyone else," and poor
Draupadi had to obey.
Draupadi's fears were justified. When she
reached Kichaka's house, that wretch,
maddened with lust and wine, began to
pester her with urgent entreaties and
solicitations.
She rejected his prayers and said: "Why
do you, who belong to a noble royal
family, seek me, born of a low caste?
Why do you take to the wrong path? Why
do you approach me, a married lady? You
will perish. My protectors, the
Gandharvas, will kill you in their anger."
When Draupadi would not yield to his
entreaties, Kichaka seized her by the arm
and pulled her about. But putting down
the vessel she carried, she wrenched
herself free and fled, hotly pursued by the
maddened Kichaka.
She fled to the court wailing loudly. But
even there, intoxicated not only with
wine, but even more by his power and
influence, Kichaka followed her and
kicked her in the presence of all with
abusive words.
Everyone was afraid of the all-powerful
commander-in-chief and no one was bold
enough to oppose him.
Draupadi could not bear the sorrow and
anger she felt at the thought of her
helplessness under the intolerable insult
offered to her.
Her deep distress made her forget the
danger that would befall the Pandavas if
they were discovered prematurely. She
went that night to Bhima and waking him
up, gave vent to her agonized sense of
wrong.
After telling him how brutally Kichaka
had pursued and insulted her, she
appealed piteously to Bhima for
protection and revenge. She said in a
voice choked with sobs:
"I cannot bear this any longer. You must
kill this wretch at once. For your sake, to
help you keep your promise, I serve in a
menial office and even prepare sandal
paste for Virata. I have not minded it, I,
who have till now served only you or
Mother Kunti, whom I love and honor.
But now, I have to serve these wretches,
fearful every moment of some disgraceful
outrage. Not that I mind hard work, see
my hands." And she showed her hands,
which were cracked and stained with
menial tasks.
Bhima respectfully carried her hands to
his face and eyes, and speechless with
sorrow and pity and love, he dried her
tears. Finally he found his voice, and said
thickly:
"I care not for the promise of Yudhishthira
or the advice of Arjuna. I care not what
may happen but I will do as you say. I will
kill Kichaka and his gang here and now!"
and he rose.
But Draupadi warned Bhima not to be
hasty. They talked it over and finally
decided that Kichaka should be beguiled
to come alone at night to a retired spot in
the dancing hall where he should find
waiting for him Bhima disguised as a
woman, instead of Draupadi.
Next morning, Kichaka renewed his
hateful attentions and vaingloriously said
to Draupadi: "O Sairandhri, I threw you
down and kicked you in the presence of
the king. Did any one there come forward
to help you? Virata is only king in name
of this Matsya country. But I, the
commander-in-chief, am the real
sovereign. Now, do not be a fool, but
come and enjoy life with me, with all
royal honors. I shall be your devoted
servant." And he begged and bullied and
cringed, devouring her the while with lustreddened
eyes.
Draupadi pretended to yield and said:
"Kichaka, believe me, I can no longer
resist your solicitations. But none of your
companions or brothers should know of
our relations. If you swear that you will
faithfully keep the secret from others, I
shall yield to your wish."
Kichaka delightedly agreed to the
condition and he promised to go alone to a
place of assignation that very night.
She said: "The women have their dancing
lessons during daytime in the dancing hall
and return to their own quarters at
nightfall. None will be in the dancing hall
at night. Come there tonight. I shall be
waiting for you there. You can have your
will of me."
Kichaka reveled in happiness. That night,
Kichaka took his bath, perfumed and
decked himself, went to the dancing hall
and finding with joy that the doors were
open, gently entered the place.
In the very dim light, he saw someone
lying there on a couch, no doubt
Sairandhri. He groped his way in the dark,
and gently laid his hands on the person of
the sleeper.
Alas! It was not the soft form of
Sairandhri that he touched but the iron
frame of Bhima who lept forth on him like
a lion on its prey and hurled him to the
ground. But surprised as he was, Kichaka
was no coward, and he was now fighting
for dear life.
Grimly they wrestled, Kichaka no doubt
thinking he had to do with one of the
Gandharva husbands. They were not ill
matched, for at that time Bhima, Balarama
and Kichaka were reputed to be in the
same class in strength and wrestling skill.
The struggle between Bhima and Kichaka
was like that between Vali and Sugriva. In
the end Bhima killed Kichaka, pounding
and kneading his body into a shapeless
lump of flesh.
Then he gave the glad news of Kichaka's
punishment to Draupadi and went in haste
to his kitchen, bathed, rubbed sandal paste
over his body and slept with satisfaction.
Draupadi awoke the guards of the court
and said to them: "Kichaka came to
molest me, but as I had warned him, the
Gandharvas, my husbands, made short
work of him. Your commander-in-chief,
who fell a prey to lust, has been killed.
Look at him." And she showed them the
corpse of Kichaka, which had been
reduced to such a shapeless mass that it
had no human semblance.
45. MATSYA DEFENDED
THE fate of Kichaka made Draupadi an
object of fear to the people of Virata.
"This woman, so beautiful that she
captures all hearts, is as dangerous as she
is lovely, for the Gandharvas guard her.
She is a great danger to the people of the
city and the members of the royal
household, for the Gandharvas may stop
at nothing in their jealous anger. It would
be best to send her out of the city."
Reflecting thus, the citizens went to
Sudeshna and prayed to her to expel
Draupadi.
Sudeshna told Draupadi: "You are, no
doubt, a very virtuous lady, but kindly
leave our city. I have had enough of you."
There was only one month more to
complete the stipulated period of living
incognito and Draupadi begged earnestly
to be permitted to stay just another month
by when, she said, her Gandharva
husbands would have realised their
objects and would be ready to take her
away with them.
The Gandharvas would be very grateful to
King Virata and his kingdom. Whether
grateful or not, the Gandharvas could be
deadly if irritated and Sudeshna was too
afraid of Draupadi to refuse her request.
From the beginning of the thirteenth year,
the spies of Duryodhana, under his
express orders, had searched for the
Pandavas in all possible places of hiding.
After several months of futile search, they
reported their failure to Duryodhana and
added that probably the Pandavas had
perished of privations.
Then came the news that the powerful
Kichaka had been killed in single combat
by some Gandharva on account of a
woman.
There were only two persons who could
kill Kichaka, and Bhima was one of them.
And so they suspected that Bhima might
have been the vengeful Gandharva who
had killed Kichaka. Duryodhana also felt
that the lady who was the cause of the
killing might be Draupadi. He expressed
his doubts in the open assembly.
He said: "I suspect that the Pandavas are
in Virata's city. Now, he is one of the
kings who are too stiff-necked to court our
friendship. It would be a good thing to
invade his country and carry away his
cows. If the Pandavas are hiding there,
they will certainly come out to fight with
us to repay Virata's hospitality and we can
easily spot them. If we discover them
there and we can sure before the stipulated
time, they will have to go to the forest
again for another twelve, years. If, on the
other hand, the Pandavas are not there,
there is nothing lost."
King Susarma, the ruler of Trigarta
heartily supported him. "The king of
Matsya is my enemy." he said, "and
Kichaka has given me a lot of trouble.
Kichaka's death must have weakened
Virata considerably. Give me leave to
attack Virata now."
Karna seconded this proposition. They
unanimously came to the decision that
Susarma should attack Matsya from the
south and draw off the army of Virata to
the south for defence. Duryodhana, with
the Kaurava army, would then launch a
surprise attack on Virata from the
northern side, which would be relatively
undefended.
Susarma invaded Matsya from the south
seized the cattle and laid waste the
gardens and fields on the way. The
cowherds ran in great distress to Virata,
who now very much wished that Kichaka
were alive, for he surely would have made
short work of the raiders. When he said so
to Kanka (the assumed name by which
Yudhishthira was known in Virata's court)
the latter said: "O king, be not worried.
Even though I am a hermit, I am an expert
in warfare. I shall put on armor and go in
a chariot and drive away your enemies.
Please instruct that your horse keeper
Dharmagranthi, your chief cook Valala,
and your stable herd Tantripala may also
get into chariots and help us. I have heard
that they are great fighters. Kindly give
orders that the necessary chariots and the
weapons may be given to us."
Delighted, Virata was only too willing to
accept the offer. The chariots were ready.
All the Pandavas excepting Arjuna went
out with the army of Virata to oppose
Susarma and his men.
A fierce fight ensued between the armies
of Virata and Susarma, with much loss of
life on both sides. Susarma attacked
Virata and surrounded his chariot,
compelling him to get down and fight on
foot.
Susarma captured Virata and held him
captive in his chariot. With the capture of
Virata, the army of Matsya lost heart and
began to scatter in all directions, when
Yudhishthira commanded Bhima to attack
Susarma and release Virata and rally the
scattered Matsya forces.
At these words of Yudhishthira, Bhima
was about to uproot a tree, but
Yudhishthira stopped him and said: "No
such tricks, please, and no battle cry or
your identity will be revealed. Fight like
anybody else from the chariot with your
bows and arrows."
Bhima accordingly got into the chariot
attacked the enemy, set Virata free and
captured Susarma. The dispersed forces of
Matsya rallied into new formations
charged and defeated the army of
Susarma.
As soon as the news of Susarma's defeat
reached the city, the people were
extremely jubilant. They decorated the
city and went forth to welcome their
victorious king back home.
When they were thus making preparations
to receive king Virata, the big army of
Duryodhana came down on them from the
north, and began despoiling the cattle
ranches on the outskirts of the city.
The Kaurava army marched in force and
rounded up the countless cows that were
there. The leader of the cowherds ran to
the city and said to the prince Uttara: "O
prince, the Kauravas are marching on,
robbing us of our cows. King Virata has
gone south to fight against the Trigarta.
We are in consternation as there is no one
to protect us. You are the king's son and
we look to you for protection. Pray, come
and recover the cows for the honor of
your family."
When the leader of the cowherds made
this complaint to Uttara in the presence of
the people and especially of the women of
the palace, the prince felt flushed with
valor and proudly said:
"If only I can get someone to be my
charioteer I will recover the cows singlehanded.
Well, my feats of arms will be
worth seeing and people will know there
is little to choose between Arjuna and
myself."
When Uttara said these words Draupadi
was in the inner apartments and must have
laughed within herself.
She ran to princess Uttara and said: "O
princess, great danger has be fallen the
country. The cowherds have complained
to the young that the Kaurava army is
advancing on our city from the north and
has captured cattle ranches and cows on
the outskirts. The prince is eager to fight
them and is in need of a charioteer.
Should such a small thing as that stand in
the way of victory and glory? I tell you
that Brihannala has been Arjuna's
charioteer. When I was in the service of
the queen of the Pandavas, I heard of this
fact and I also know that Brihannala learnt
archery from Arjuna. Order Brihannala
immediately to go and drive the prince's
chariot."
Arjuna as Brihannala pretended to be
unfamiliar with armor and raised a laugh
at his awkwardness in wearing it.
The women of the palace laughed at his
fears and told him again not to be afraid
for Uttara would look after him.
Arjuna spent some time in such fun but,
when he harnessed the horses, it could be
seen that, at least, he was an expert
charioteer. And when he held the reins,
the horses seemed to love and obey him.
"The prince will be victorious. We shall
despoil the enemy of their embroidered
robes and distribute them to you as the
prize of victory" were the last words of
Brihannala to the women of the palace, as
the chariot rapidly bore the prince
outwards to battle.
46. PRINCE UTTARA
UTTARA, the son of Virata, set off with
enthusiasm from the city in his chariot
with Brihannala as his charioteer and
commanded the latter to drive quickly to
the place where the Kauravas had rounded
up the cows.
Willingly, the horses were put to their best
speed. And presently the Kaurava army
was sighted, at first a gleaming, line,
enveloped in a cloud of dust that seemed
to go up to the skies.
Going nearer, Uttara saw the great army
drew in battle by Bhishma, Drona, Kripa,
Duryodhana and Karna. At that sight, his
courage, which had been gradually drying
up during the rapid rush to the field, was
quite gone. His mouth went dry and his
hair stood on end.
His limbs were all in a tremble. He shut
his eyes with both his hands to keep out
the fearsome sight. He said:"How can I,
single-handed, attack an army? I have no
troops, since the king, my father, has
taken all available forces, leaving the city
unprotected. It is absurd to think that one
man can alone fight a well-equipped
army, led by world-renowned warrior! Oh
Brihannala, turn back the chariot."
Brihannala laughed and said: "O prince,
you started from the city, full of fierce
determination and the ladies expect great
things of you. The citizens also have put
their trust in you. Sairandhri praised me
and I have come at your request. If we
return without recovering the cows, we
shall become the laughing-stock of all. I
will not turn back the chariot. Let us stand
firm and fight. Have no fear." With these
words Brihannala began to drive the
chariot towards the enemy and they
approached quite close to them.
Uttara's distress was pitiable. He said in a
quaking voice: "I cannot do it, I simply
cannot. Let the Kauravas march off with
the cows and if the women laugh, let
them. I do not care. What sense is there in
fighting people who are immeasurably
stronger than we fight? Do not be a fool!
Turn back the chariot. Otherwise, I shall
jump out and walk back." With these
words Uttara cast off his bows and
arrows, got down from the chariot and
began to fly towards the city, mad with
panic.
This should not be taken as something that
has never happened in life. Nor is Uttara's
panic during his first battle, by any means,
singular.
Fear is a strong instinctive feeling, though
it can be overcome by will-power or
strong motives like love, shame or hate, or
more usually, by discipline.
Even men who have afterwards
distinguished themselves by heroic deeds
have confessed to having felt something
like panic fear, the first time they came
under fire. Uttara was by no means an
exceptional coward, for he fought and fell
gauntly at Kurukshetra.
Arjuna pursued the running prince,
shouting to him to stop and behave like a
Kshatriya. The braided hair of the
charioteer began to dance and his clothes
began to wave as he ran in pursuit of
Uttara. The prince fled hither and thither,
trying to dodge the hands that would stop
him.
Those of the Kaurava army, who could
see this spectacle, found it amusing.
Drona was puzzled at the sight of
Brihannala who, albeit dressed
fantastically, seemed a man rigged out as
a woman and to remind him curiously of
Arjuna.
When he remarked about this, Karna said:
"How can this be Arjuna? What does it
matter even if he is? What can Arjuna
alone do against us in the absence of the
other Pandavas? The king has left his son
alone in the city and gone with his whole
army to fight against Susarma. The young
prince has brought the attendant of the
ladies of the palace as his charioteer. That
is all."
Poor Uttara was imploring Brihannala to
let him go, promising untold wealth if he
did so. He appealed to his pity: "I am the
only son of my mother. I am a child
grown up on my mother's lap. I am full of
fear."
But, Brihannala wanted to save him from
himself, and would not let him go. He
pursued him, seized him and dragged him
to the chariot by force.
Uttara began to sob and said: "What a fool
I was to brag! Alas! What will happen to
me?"
Arjuna said kindly, soothing the prince's
fears: "Be not afraid. I shall fight with the
Kauravas. Help me by looking after the
horses and driving the chariot, and I shall
do the rest. Believe me, no good ever
came of flight. We will rout the enemy
and recover your cows. You will have all
the glory." With these words Arjuna lifted
the prince on to the chariot and, putting
the reins in his hands, asked him to drive
towards a tree near the burial ground.
Drona, who was watching all this intently,
knew that the fantastically dressed
charioteer was Arjuna and shared his
knowledge with Bhishma.
Duryodhana turned to Karna and said:
"Why should we worry who he is? Even if
he is Arjuna, he will be only playing into
our hands, for his being discovered will
send the Pandavas to the forest for another
twelve years."
As soon as they came near the tree
Brihannala bade the prince get down,
climb the tree and take down the arms
hidden there. The prince said in alarm and
grief: "People say that what hangs on this
tree is the corpse of an old huntress. How
can I touch a dead body? How can you
ask me to do such a thing?"
Arjuna said: "It is not a corpse, prince. I
know that it contains the weapons of the
Pandavas. Climb up the tree bravely and
bring them down. Do not delay."
Seeing that resistance was of no avail
Uttara climbed up the tree as Brihannala
had asked him to and took, in great
disgust, the bag tied up there and came
down.
When the leather bag was opened, he saw
weapons as bright as the sun. Uttara stood
amazed at the sight of the gleaming
weapons and covered his eyes.
He mustered courage and touched them.
The touch seemed to send a stream of
hope and high courage into him. He asked
with ardor: "O charioteer, what a wonder!
You say that these bows, arrows and
swords belong to the Pandavas. They have
been deprived of their kingdom and they
have retired to the forest. Do you know
them? Where are they?"
Then Arjuna told him briefly how they
were all in Virata's court. He said:
"Kanka, who serves the king, is
Yudhishthira. Valala, the cook who
prepares such nice dishes for your father,
is none other than Bhima. Sairandhri, for
insulting whom Kichaka was killed, is
Draupadi. Dharmagranthi, who looks after
the horses and Tantripala, the keeper of
the cows, are Nakula and Sahadeva
respectively. I am Arjuna. Be not afraid.
O prince, you will soon see me defeat the
Kauravas even in the sight of Bhishma,
Drona and Aswatthama and recover the
cows. You will also gain renown and it
will be a lesson to you."
Then Uttara folded his hands and said: "O
Arjuna, how fortunate I am to see you
with my own eyes! So, Arjuna is the
victorious hero whose very contact has
put heart and courage into me. Forgive the
wrongs I have done through ignorance."
As they approached the Kaurava host,
Arjuna recounted some of his heroic
deeds, so that Uttara might not lose grip of
his newly awakened courage. Arriving in
front of the Kauravas, he got down,
prayed to God, removed the conchbangles
from his hands and put on leather
gauntlets.
He then tied a cloth on his flowing hair,
stood facing the east, meditated on his
armor, got into the chariot and gloried in
the familiar feel of his famous Gandiva
bow. He stringed it and thrice twanged the
string whose shrill note raised an echo
from all sides.
Hearing the sound, the heroes of the
Kaurava army said to one another: "This
surely is Gandiva's voice." When Arjuna
stood on the chariot in all his godlike
stature and blew his conch Devadatta, the
Kaurava army was alarmed and a frenzied
shout arose that the Pandavas had come.
The story of Uttara, who spoke boastfully
in the ladies' boudoirs and fled in panic at
the sight of the hostile array, his not been
introduced in the Mahabharata, merely as
a comic interlude.
It is in ordinary human nature to look with
contempt on lower levels of conduct in
ability. The rich scorn the poor, the
beautiful scorn the plain, and the strong
scorn the weak. Brave men despise
cowards. But Arjuna was no ordinary
man. He was a great soul and a true hero
who felt that his duty as a strong, brave
man was to help others to rise above their
weakness.
Knowing that nature had endowed him
with courage and bravery at birth, and that
he owed them to no special exertions on
his part, he had the true humility of the
really great. And he did what he could to
put courage into Uttara and make him
worthy of his lineage. This was Arjuna's
characteristic nobility. He never abused
his strength and power. One of his many
names is Bibhatsu, which means one who
shrank from doing an unworthy act, and
he lived up to it.
47. PROMISE FULFILLED
THE chariot of Arjuna thundered on its
way, seeming to shake the earth. The
hearts of the Kauravas quaked when they
heard the twang of the Gandiva bow.
"Our army must be arrayed well and with
care. Arjuna, has come," said Drona
anxiously. Duryodhana did not at all like
the honor Drona did Arjuna by this
anxiety.
He said to Karna: "The Pandavas' pledge
was that they would spend twelve years in
the forest and the following year
undiscovered. The thirteenth year has not
ended yet. Arjuna has revealed himself
before the time. Why then should we give
way to fear? The Pandavas will have to go
again to the forest for another twelve
years. Drona is suffering from the cold
feet of the too learned. Let us leave him in
the rear and advance to the battle."
Karna assented and said: "Our soldiers'
heart is not in the fight and they are
trembling with fear. They say that the
man, who stands so proudly, bow in hand,
on the chariot, speeding towards us, is
Arjuna. But why need we fear even if it
were Parasurama? I will myself stop the
advancing warrior and redeem my word to
you, and fight him, aye, even if all the
others stand back. They may drive away
the cows of the Matsya king while, single
handed, I shall give them cover, engaging
Arjuna in battle," and Karna, as usual,
began to blow his own trumpet.
When Kripa heard these words of Karna,
he said: "This is pure tomfoolery. We
must all make a combined attack on
Arjuna. That would be our one chance of
success. Do not therefore, brag about your
opposing him alone and unaided."
Karna grew angry. He said: "The acharya
ever delights in singing Arjuna's praises
and in magnifying his prowess. Whether
he does so from fear or excessive
fondness for the Pandavas, I do not know.
Those, who are afraid, need not fight, but
may simply look on, while others, who are
true to the salt they have eaten, engage in
battle. I, for one, a mere soldier who loves
my friends and hates my enemies, will
stand here and fight. What business have
men learned in the Vedas, who love and
praise their enemies, got here?" said he
sneeringly.
Aswatthama, Drona's son and Kripa's
nephew, could not hear unmoved this
sneer at the venerable teachers. He said
sternly to Karna: "We have not yet taken
the king back to Hastinapura, and the
battle is yet to be won. Your brag is idle
vainglory. It may be that we are not
kshatriyas and that we belong to the class
that recites the Vedas and the sastras. But
I have not been able to find in any sastra
that it is honor able for kings to seize
kingdoms by cheating at dice. Even those,
who fight and conquer kingdoms, do not
crow too loudly about it. And I cannot see
what you have done to be proud of. The
fire is silent and yet cooks the food. The
sun shines but not on him. Likewise,
Mother earth sustains all things, movable
and immovable, and supports her burden
without so much as a whisper. What claim
to praise has a kshatriya who has
unlawfully seized another's kingdom at a
game of dice? To have cheated the
Pandavas of their kingdom is no more a
matter of glory than to have spread traps
for unsuspecting birds. O Duryodhana, O
Karna, in what battle did your heroes
defeat the Pandavas? You dragged
Draupadi to the assembly. Are you proud
of it? You have destroyed the Kaurava
race like an empty-headed clod that fells a
big sandal tree for love of its fragrance. A
fight with Arjuna, you will find, is a very
different thing from a throw of the dice.
The Gandiva will send forth sharp arrows
and not fours and twos as in the game of
dice. Vain fools, do you think that Sakuni
can, by mere cheating, sneak a victory in
battle for you?"
The leaders of the Kaurava army lost their
patience and began a loud wordy warfare.
Seeing this, the grandsire was filled with
sorrow and said:
"The wise man does not insult his
teachers. One should engage in battle only
after a careful calculation of time, place
and circumstance. Even wise people often
lose their balance and good sense over
their own affairs. Ruffled by anger, even
the usually so sensible Duryodhana fails
to recognise that the warrior who stands
braving our army is Arjuna. His intellect
has been clouded by anger. O
Aswatthama, pray do not mind Karna's
offensive remarks. You must take them as
intended merely to put the preceptors on
their best spirit and sting them into action.
This is not the time to nurse enmity or
sow dissension. Drona, Kripa and
Aswatthama should forget and forgive.
Where can the Kauravas find in the whole
world, heroes superior to Drona, the
preceptor, and his son Aswatthama, who
combine in themselves Vedic scholarship
and kshatriya heroism? We know of none
other than Parasurama who can equal
Drona. We can conquer Arjuna only if we
all join together and fight him. Let us
address ourselves to the task before us. If
we quarrel amongst ourselves we cannot
fight Arjuna."
Thus spoke the grandsire. Soothed by his
noble words, angry feelings subsided.
Bhishma turned to Duryodhana and
continued:
"Best of kings, Arjuna has come. The
stipulated period of thirteen years
terminated yesterday. Your calculation is
wrong, as men learned in the science of
planetary movements will tell you. I knew
that the period had ended when Arjuna
blew his conch. Reflect a little before
deciding on war. If you wish to make
peace with the Pandavas, now is the time
for it. What do you seek, a just and
honorable peace or a mutually destructive
war? Ponder well and make your choice."
Duryodhana replied: "Revered sire, I have
no wish for peace. I shall not give even a
village to the Pandavas. Let us get ready
for war."
Then Drona said: "Let prince Duryodhana
take away a fourth of the army to guard
him and return to Hastinapura. Let another
surround the cows and seize them. If we
return without seizing the cows it would
amount to an acknowledgment of defeat.
With the rest of the army, the five of us
will give battle to Arjuna."
The Kaurava forces ranged themselves
accordingly in battle array. Arjuna said:
"O Uttara, I do not see Duryodhana's
chariot or Duryodhana. I see Bhishma
standing, clad in armor. I think
Duryodhana is driving away the cows to
Hastinapura. Let us pursue him and
recover the cows." With these words
Arjuna moved away from the Kaurava
army and went after Duryodhana and the
cows.
And as he was going, he respect fully
greeted his teachers and the old grandsire,
by drawing his Gandiva bow and sending
arrows so as to fall near their feet.
Reverently saluting them in this heroic
fashion, he left them and pursued
Duryodhana. Arjuna reached the place
where the cows were gathered and put to
rout the marauding forces.
He then turned to the cowherds and asked
them to take the cows to the barns, which
they did with great rejoicing. Arjuna then
pursued Duryodhana. Seeing this,
Bhishma and the other Kaurava warriors
rushed to the rescue and, surrounding
Arjuna, sent forth arrows against him.
Arjuna carried on a wonderful fight. First,
he made at Karna and drove him from the
battlefield. After that, he attacked and
defeated Drona. Seeing Drona standing
spent with fatigue, Aswatthama joined in
the fight and attacked Arjuna, which gave
Arjuna an opportunity of letting Drona
withdraw from the field.
Then, there ensued a bitter struggle
between Aswatthama and Arjuna. When
Aswatthama grew weary, Kripa relieved
him and maintained the attack against
Arjuna.
But Kripa also sustained defeat and the
whole army was routed and fled in fear.
Though rallied and brought back to the
attack by Bhishma, Drona and others,
there was no fight left in them. Finally,
they left the field, after a glorious fight
between Bhishma and Arjuna, which, it is
said, the gods themselves came to see.
The attempt to head off Arjuna’s pursuit
of Duryodhana thus failed and soon
Arjuna came up with Duryodhana and
strongly attacked him. Duryodhana was
defeated and fled from the battlefield, but
not far, because, when Arjuna taunted him
with cowardice, he turned round like a
serpent and resumed the fight.
Bhishma and others surrounded and
protected him. Arjuna fought and finally,
he employed a magic weapon that made
them all fall down unconscious on the
battlefield. While they were in that
condition he snatched away their
garments. The seizure of the clothes of the
enemy was the sign of decisive victory in
those days.
When Duryodhana came, Bhishma sent
him back to the city. The whole army
returned to Hastinapura after this
humiliating defeat.
Arjuna said: "O Uttara, turn back the
horses. Our cows have been regained. Our
enemies have fled. O prince, return to
your kingdom, adorning your person with
sandal paste and decked with flowers."
On the way back, Arjuna deposited the
weapons as before on the tree and dressed
himself once more as Brihannala. He sent
messengers in advance to proclaim in the
city that Uttara had won a glorious
victory.
48. VIRATA'S DELUSION
AFTER defeating Susarma, king of
Trigarta, Virata returned to his capital
amidst the acclamations of the citizens.
When he reached his palace, he saw that
Uttara was not there and the womenfolk
told him with much elation that Uttara had
set out to conquer the Kauravas.
They had not a doubt that their hand some
prince could conquer the whole world.
But the king's heart sank within him at the
news, for he knew the impossible task
which the delicately nurtured prince had
taken on himself with no better following
than a eunuch.
"My dearly loved son must be dead by
now," he cried, overwhelmed with
anguish. He then bade his ministers
collect and send as strong a force as could
be got together for rescuing Uttara if he
was still alive and bring him back. Scouts
also were immediately despatched to find
out Uttara's whereabouts and fate.
Dharmaputra, now disguised as the
sanyasin Kanka, tried to comfort Virata by
assuring him that the prince could come to
no harm, since Brihannala had gone as his
charioteer. "You do not know about her,"
said he. "I do. Whosoever fights from a
chariot driven by her, can be sure of
victory. Further, the news of Susarma's
defeat must have reached there and the
Kauravas must have retreated."
Meanwhile courtiers arrived from the field
of battle with the glad news that Uttara
had defeated the Kaurava forces and
recovered the kine.
This seemed too good to be true, even to
the fond father, but Yudhishthira
smilingly reassured him. Said he: "Have
no doubts, O king. What the messengers
say must be true. When Brihannala went
out as charioteer, success was certain.
There is nothing extraordinary in your
son's victory. I happen to know that even
Indra's charioteer or Krishna's cannot
equal Brihannala."
This seemed absurd to Virata, but he was
too happy to resent it. He made large gifts
of precious stones and other wealth to the
messengers who brought the good news
and ordered public rejoicing. "My success
over Susarma is nothing," he proclaimed.
"The prince's is the real victory. Let
special prayers of thanksgiving be offered
at all places of worship. Let all the
principal streets are decorated with flags
and the citizen’s go in procession to
strains of triumphal music. Make all
arrangements to receive, in a befitting
manner, my lion-hearted boy."
Virata sent out ministers, soldiers, and
maidens to welcome his son, returning in
triumph. When the king retired to his
private apartments, he asked Sairandhri to
bring the dice. He said to Kanka: "I cannot
contain my joy. Come, let us play," and
sat down to a game with Yudhishthira.
They talked while they played and
naturally, the king was full of his son's
greatness and prowess. "See the glory of
my son, Bhuminjaya. He has put the
famed Kaurava warriors to flight."
"Yes," replied Yudhishthira with a smile.
"Your son is indeed fortunate for, without
the best of good fortune, how could he
have secured Brihannala to drive his
chariot?"
Virata was angry at this persistent
glorification of Brihannala at the expenses
of Uttara. "Why do you, again and again
babble about the eunuch?" he cried.
"While I am talking about my son's
victory, you expatiate on the charioteering
skill of the eunuch, as if that were of any
significance." The king's anger only
increased when Kanka remonstrated: "I
know what I am talking about. Brihannala
is no ordinary person. The chariot she
drives can never see defeat, and whoever
is in it, is sure of success in any
undertaking, no matter how difficult."
Now, this perverse flouting could not be
borne, and Virata in a passion flung the
dice at Yudhishthira's face and followed
this up with a blow on Yudhishthira's
cheek. Yudhishthira was hurt and blood
flowed down his face.
Sairandhri who was nearby, wiped the
blood with the edge of her garment and
squeezed it into a golden cup. "Why all
this fuss? What are you collecting the
blood into a cup for?" demanded the angry
king, who was still in a passion.
"A Sanyasin's blood may not be split on
the ground, O king," replied Sairandhri.
"The rains will fail in your land for as
many years as there are drops in the blood
that is split on the earth. That was why I
collected the blood in this cup. I fear you
do not know Kanka's greatness."
Meanwhile the gatekeeper announced:
"Uttara and Brihannala have arrived. The
prince is waiting for an audience with the
king." Virata got up excitedly and said:
"Ask him in, ask him in." And
Yudhishthira whispered to the sentry: "Let
Uttara come alone. Brihannala should stay
behind."
He did this to prevent a catastrophe, for he
knew Arjuna would be unable to control
his anger when he saw the injury on his
brother's face. He could not bear to see
Dharmaputra hurt by anyone except in fair
battle.
Uttara entered and paid due homage to his
royal father. When he turned to do
obeisance to Kanka be was horrified to
see his bleeding face, for now he knew
that Kanka was the great Yudhishthira.
"O king," he cried, "who was it that
caused hurt to this great one?"
Virata looked at his son and said: "Why
all this fuss about it? I struck him for
untimely and envious belittling of you
when I was in an ocean of delight at the
news of your glorious victory. Each time I
mentioned you, this unlucky brahmana
extolled your charioteer, the eunuch, and
gave the victory to him. It was too silly
really, and I am sorry I struck him, but it
is not worth talking about."
Uttara was overwhelmed with fear. "Alas!
You have done great wrong. Fall at his
feet right now, father, and pray
forforgiveness or we will be destroyed,
root and branch."
Virata, to whom all this was inexplicable,
stood with a puzzled frown not knowing
what to do. But Uttara was so anxious and
importunate that he yielded and bowed to
Yudhishthira asking for pardon.
Thereafter, embracing his son and making
him sit, Virata said: "My boy, you are
truly a hero. I am in a fever of impatience
to hear all about it. How did you defeat
the Kaurava army? How did you recover
the kine?"
Uttara hung his head down. "I conquered
no army," he said, "and rescued no cows.
All that was the work of a god prince. He
took up our cause, rescued me from
destruction, put the Kaurava soldiers to
flight and brought the herd back. I did
nothing."
The king could hardly believe his ears.
"Where is that god prince?" he asked. "I
must see and thank the hero who rescued
my son and beat back my foes. I will give
my daughter, Uttara, in marriage to him.
Go and fetch him in."
"He has disappeared for the time being,"
replied the prince, "but I think he will
come again either today or tomorrow."
Uttara spoke thus because Arjuna was
indeed a prince of the gods and had also
for the time being disappeared in
Brihannala.
In Virata's hall of assembly, all the
leading citizens had gathered to celebrate
the king's victory and the prince's. Kanka,
Valala the cook, Brihannala, Tantripala
and Dharmagranthi, who were responsible
for the victories, arrived also and entering
the hall, to the surprise of everyone, sat
among the princes unbid.
Some explained the conduct by saying
that, after all, these humbler folk had
rendered invaluable service at a critical
time and really deserved recognition.
Virata entered the court. On seeing Kanka
sanyasin and the cook and the others
seated in places reserved for princess and
the nobility the king lost his temper and
gave loud vent to his displeasure.
When they felt they had enough fun, the
Pandavas disclosed their identity to the
amazement of all present. Virata was
beside himself with joy to think that it was
the Pandava princes and Panchali who had
been ministering to him all these days in
disguise. He embraced Kanka in
exuberant gratitude and made a formal
surrender of his kingdom and his all to
him, of course immediately receiving
them back with thanks. Virata also
insisted that he should give his daughter in
marriage to Arjuna.
But Arjuna said: "No, that would not be
proper, for the princess learnt dancing and
music from me. I, as her teacher, am in
the position of father to her." He,
however, agreed to accept her for his son
Abhimanyu.
Meanwhile, envoys arrived from the
wicked and treacherous Duryodhana with
a message for Yudhishthira. "O son of
Kunti," they said, "Duryodhana feels very
sorry that owing to the hasty action of
Dhananjaya, you have to go back to the
woods again. He let himself be recognised
before the end of the thirteenth year and
so, in accordance with your undertaking,
you have to dwell in the forest for another
twelve years."
Dharmaputra laughed and said:
"Messengers, return quickly to
Duryodhana and tell him to make further
inquiry. The venerable Bhishma and
others learned in the stars will no doubt
tell him that full thirteen years had been
completed before your forces heard again
the twang of Dhananjaya's bow and fled in
fear."
49. TAKING COUNSEL
THE thirteenth year during which the
Pandavas had to remain undiscovered
came to an end.
No longer obliged to be in disguise, they
left Virata's capital as Pandavas and
settled openly in Upaplavya, another place
in Matsya territory. From there, they sent
emissaries to summon their friends and
relatives.
From Dwaraka came Balarama and
Krishna with Arjuna’s wife Subhadra, and
her son, Abhimanyu and accompanied by
many Yadava warriors. Loud and long
was the blare of trumpet-conchs as the
Matsya prince and the Pandavas went
forth to receive Janardana.
Indrasena and many others like him, who
had at the beginning of the preceding year
left the Pandavas in the forest, rejoined
them with their chariots at Upaplavya.
The Kasi prince and Saibya ruler arrived
with their forces.
Drupada, the Panchala prince, was there
too with three divisions, bringing with
him Sikhandin and Draupadi's sons and
her brother Dhrishtadyumna. There were
many other princes gathered at
Upaplavya, well attached to the Pandavas,
Abhimanyu's marriage to princess Uttara
was solemnized according to Vedic rites
before that illustrious gathering of friendly
heroes. The wedding celebrations over,
they met in conclave in Virata's hall of
assembly.
Krishna sat next to Yudhishthira and
Virata, while Balarama and Satyaki were
seated beside Drupada. As the bustle died
down, all eyes were turned on Krishna,
who now rose to speak.
"You all know," said Krishna to the
hushed assembly, "the story of the great
deceit how Yudhishthira was cheated at
the game board and deprived of his
kingdom and exiled with his brothers and
Draupadi to the forest. For thirteen years,
the sons of Pandu have patiently borne
their trouble in redemption of their
pledged word. Ponder well and counsel a
course, which will be in consonance with
dharma and contribute to the glory and
welfare of both Pandavas and Kauravas.
For, Dharmaputra desires nothing that he
cannot justly claim. He wishes nothing but
good even to the sons of Dhritarashtra
who deceived him and did him grievous
wrong. In giving your counsel, bear in
mind the fraud and meanness of the
Kauravas as well as the honorable
magnanimity of the Pandavas. Devise a
just and honorable settlement. We do not
know what Duryodhana has in his mind. I
feel we should send an able and upright
emissary to him to persuade him to a
peaceful settlement by the restoration of
half the kingdom to Yudhishthira."
Balarama then rose to address the
gathering. "You have just heard Krishna,"
he said. "The solution he propounds is
wise and just. I endorse it as good for both
Duryodhana and Dharmaputra. If Kunti's
sons can get back their kingdom by a
peaceful settlement, nothing could be
better for them, the Kauravas and for all
concerned. Only then will there be
happiness and peace in the land. Someone
has to go to convey to Duryodhana
Yudhishthira's wish for a peaceful
settlement and bring an answer from him,
a man who has the weight and the ability
to bring about peace and good
understanding. The envoy should get the
cooperation of Bhishma, Dhritarashtra,
Drona and Vidura, Kripa and Aswatthama
and even of Karna and Sakuni if possible,
and secure support for Kunti's sons. He
should be one who, on no account, would
give way to anger. Dharmaputra, with full
knowledge of consequences, staked his
kingdom and lost it, obstinately
disregarding the reasoning of friends.
Fully aware that he was no match for the
adept Sakuni, he yet played against him.
He cannot now complain but can only
supplicate for his rights. A fit envoy
would be one who is not a warmonger but
is dead set, in spite of every difficulty, on
achieving a peaceful settlement. Princes, I
desire you to approach Duryodhana
tactfully and make peace with him. Let us
avoid an armed conflict by all the means
in our power. Only that which accrues in
peace is worth while. Out of war, nothing
but wrong can issue."
Balarama's position was that Yudhishthira
knew what he was doing when he
gambled away his kingdom and could not
now claim it as of right.
The fulfilment of the conditions of exile
could only give the Pandavas their
personal freedom and not their kingdom,
that is to say, they need not serve another
term of exile in the forest. But it gave
them no right to the return of their
kingdom.
Dharmaputra could only supplicate for the
return of what he had lost and not claim it
as of right. Balarama did not relish an
armed conflict among scions of the same
family and rightly held that war would
lead only to disaster.
The poet puts an eternal truth in
Balarama's mouth.
Satyaki, the Yadava warrior, who heard
Balarama speak thus, could not contain
himself. He rose in anger and spoke
indignantly:
"Balarama's words do not strike me as in
the least degree just. One can, if skilful
enough, make out a plausible plea for any
case, but not all the skill in the world can
convert wrong into right or injustice into
justice. I must protest against Balarama's
stand, which fills me with disgust. Do we
not see in one and the same tree, one
branch bowed with fruit and another
sticking out gaunt and useless? So, of
these brothers, Krishna speaks words that
breathe the spirit of dharma while
Balarama's attitude is unworthy. And if
you grant what cannot be doubted that the
Kauravas cheated Yudhishthira of his
share of the kingdom, why then, allowing
them to keep it is as unjust as confirming
a thief in the possession of his booty!
Anyone, who finds fault with
Dharmaputra, does so in cowardly fear of
Duryodhana, not for any sound reason. O
princes, forgive my harsh speech. Not of
his own volition but because the Kauravas
pressed and invited him to do so, did the
novice and unwilling Dharmaputra play
with a dishonest gambler that game so
fraught with disaster. Why should he bow
and supplicate before Duryodhana, now
that he has fulfilled his pledges?
Yudhishthira is not a mendicant and need
not beg. He has kept his word and so have
his brothers twelve years in exile in the
forest and twelve months there after in
disguise according to their pledge. And
yet, Duryodhana and his associates, most
shamelessly and dishonestly, question the
performance. I shall defeat these impudent
villains in battle and they shall either seek
Yudhishthira's pardon or meet their doom.
How can a righteous war be wrong in any
case? There is no sin in slaying enemies
who take up arms and fight. To supplicate
before the enemy, is to incur disgrace. If
Duryodhana desires war, he can have it
and we shall be quite ready for it. Let
there be no delay and let us get on with
the preparations. Duryodhana is not going
to part with territory without a war and it
would be folly to waste time."
Drupada's heart was gladdened by
Satyaki's resolute words. He rose and said:
"Satyaki is right and I support him. Soft
words will not bring Duryodhana round to
reason. Let us continue our preparations
for war and let our friends be warned
without loss of time to bring up their
forces. Send word instantly to Salya,
Dhrishtaketu, Jayatsena and Kekaya. We
must, of course, send a suitable envoy to
Dhritarashtra. The learned brahmana, who
conducts the religious ceremonies in my
court, can be sent to Hastinapura, with
confidence. Instruct him well as to what
he should say to Duryodhana and how he
should convey the message to Bhishma,
Dhritarashtra and Dronacharya."
When Drupada concluded, Vasudeva
(Krishna, the son of Vasudeva) rose and
addressing Drupada, said:
"What you suggest is practicable and also
conforms to the kingly code. Baladeva
and I are bound to the Kauravas and the
Pandavas with equal ties of affection. We
came here for princess Uttara's wedding
and will return now to our city. Great are
you among the princes of the land, alike in
age and wisdom, and entitled to advise us
all. Dhritarashtra too holds you, his
boyhood friends, in high esteem like
Drona and Kripa. It is therefore only right
that you should instruct the brahmana
envoy on his mission of peace. If he fails
to persuade Duryodhana out of his error,
prepare for the inevitable conflict, my
friends, and send word to us."
The conference ended and Krishna left for
Dwaraka with his people. The Pandavas
and their allies went on with their
preparations. Messengers went forth to all
the friendly princes who got busy and
mobilised their respective armies.
Meanwhile, Duryodhana and his brothers
were not idle. They also began preparing
for the coming conflict and sent word to
their friends to get their contingents ready
for war.
News of these preparations on both sides
soon spread through out the land. "The
constant rapid journeying back and forth
of princes caused a great stir everywhere.
The earth shook beneath the heavy tramp
of marching legions," says the poet.
It would appear that even in olden days,
military preparations were made in much
the same way as in our times.
Drupada called in his brahmana and said
to him: "You know Duryodhana's bent of
mind as well as the qualities of the
Pandavas. Go to him as the emissary of
the Pandavas. The Kauravas deceived the
Pandavas with the connivance of their
father Dhritarashtra who would not listen
to the sage advice of Vidura. Show the
old, weak king, who is misled by his son,
the path of dharma and wisdom. You will
find in Vidura a great ally in this task.
Your mission may lead to differences of
opinion among the elder statesmen such
as Bhishma, Drona and Kripa as well as
among the warlords. And, if this happens,
it will be some time before those
differences are smoothed out, which will
be time gained for the completion of the
Pandavas war preparations. As long as
you are in Duryodhana's capital talking of
peace, their preparations for war will
receive a set-back which is all to the good
from the Pandavas' standpoint. If, by a
miracle, you are able to come back with
good terms of peace, so much the better. I
do not expect Duryodhana will agree to a
peaceful settlement. Still, to send one on a
peace mission will be advantageous to
us."
In December 1941, the Japanese were
carrying on negotiations with the
Americans and, immediately on the
breakdown of those talks, took them
unawares and attacked Pearl Harbor
destroying their naval forces there.
Drupada's instruction to the brahmana
would show that this was no new
technique. And that, even in the old days,
the same method was followed of carrying
on negotiations and even sincerely
working for peace, but simultaneously
preparing, with unremitting vigor, for
outbreak of war and carrying on peace
talks with the object of creating dissension
in the enemy's ranks. There is nothing
new under the sun!
50. ARJUNA'S CHARIOTEER
HAVING sent Drupada's brahmana to
Hastinapura on the peace mission, the
Pandavas sent word, at the same time, to
the princes likely to favor their cause to
collect their forces and hold themselves in
readiness for war. To Dwaraka, Arjuna
went himself.
Having understood through his spies the
turn events were taking, Duryodhana too
did not remain idle. Learning that
Vasudeva (Krishna) was back in his home
city, he sped towards Dwaraka in his
chariot, as fast as his swiftest horses could
take him. The two of them, Arjuna and
Duryodhana, thus reached Dwaraka on the
same day.
Krishna was fast asleep. Because they
were his close relatives, Arjuna and
Duryodhana could go into his bedroom.
There they both waited for Krishna to
wake up. Duryodhana, who went in first,
seated himself on a decorated throne-chair
at the head of the bed, while Arjuna kept
standing at its foot with arms folded in
respectful posture.
When Mahadeva woke up, his eyes fell on
Arjuna who stood in front of him and he
gave him warm welcome. Turning then to
Duryodhana, he welcomed him too and
asked them what brought them both to
Dwaraka. Duryodhana was the first to
speak.
"It looks," said he, "as though war would
break out between us soon. If it does, you
must support me. Arjuna and I are equally
beloved of you. We both claim equally
close relationship with you. You cannot
say that either of us is nearer to you than
the other. I came here before Arjuna.
Tradition has it that he who came first
should be shown preference. Janardana,
you are the greatest among the great; so it
is incumbent on you to set an example to
others. Confirm with your conduct the
traditional dharma and remember that it
was I who came first."
To which Purushottama (Krishna)
answered: "Son of Dhritarashtra, it may be
that you came here first, but it was Kunti's
son that I saw immediately on waking up.
If you were the first arrival, it was Arjuna
who first caught my eye. So, even in this
respect, your claims on me are equal and I
am therefore bound to render assistance to
both sides. In distributing favors, the
traditional usage is to begin with the
junior-most among the recipients. I would,
therefore, offer the choice to Arjuna first.
The Narayana, my tribesmen, are my
equals in battle and constitute a host, large
and almost invincible. In my distribution
of assistance, they will be on one side, and
I individually on the other. But I shall
wield no weapon and take no part in
actual fighting."
Turning to Arjuna he said, "Partha, think
it over well. Would you want me, alone
and weaponless, or would you prefer the
prowess of the Narayana? Exercise the
right to the first choice which custom
gives you as the younger man."
Scarcely had Krishna finished when
Arjuna said with reverence and without
hesitation: "I would be content if you are
with us, though you may wield no
weapon."
Duryodhana could hardly contain himself
for joy at what he thought was Arjuna's
imbecile choice. He gladly chose the help
of Vasudevas army and his request was
granted. Pleased with the acquisition of a
mighty force, Duryodhana went to
Baladeva and told him the story.
As he finished speaking, the mighty
Balarama said: "Duryodhana, they must
have told you all I said at the time of the
marriage of Virata's daughter. I pleaded
your case and urged everything that could
be said for you. Often have I told Krishna
that we have equal ties with the Kauravas
and the Pandavas. But my words failed to
carry conviction to him. I am helpless. It
is impossible for me to side with one
whom Krishna opposes. I will not help
Partha and I cannot support you against
Krishna. Duryodhana, you come of an
illustrious line, which is respected by all
the princes of the land. Well, then, if it
must be war, bear yourself in accordance
with the Kshatriya code," said he.
Duryodhana returned to Hastinapura in
high spirits saying to himself: "Arjuna has
made a fool of himself. The great army of
Dwaraka will fight on my side and
Balarama's good wishes too are with me.
Vasudeva has been left without an army."
"Dhananjaya, why did you choose thus
unwisely, preferring me alone and
unarmed to my fully equipped and heroic
forces?" asked Krishna of Arjuna with a
smile, when they were alone. Arjuna
answered:
"My ambition is to achieve glory even like
yours. You have the power and prowess to
face all the princes of the land and their
hordes in battle single-handed. I too feel I
can do it. So, I desire that I should win the
battle with you driving my chariot
unarmed. I have desired this for long and
you have today fulfilled my wish."
Vasudeva smiled again and pronounced
this benediction: "Are you trying to
compete with me? May you succeed," for
he was pleased with Arjuna's decision.
This is the sacred story of how Krishna
became Partha's charioteer.
51. SALYA AGAINST HIS NEPHEWS
SALYA, the ruler of Madradesa, was the
brother of Madri, the mother of Nakula
and Sahadeva. He heard that the Pandavas
were camping in the city of Upaplavya
and making preparations for war.
He collected a very big army and set off
towards that city to join the Pandavas.
Salya's army was so large that where it
halted for rest, the encampment extended
over a length of nearly fifteen miles.
News of Salya and his marching forces
reached Duryodhana. Deciding that Salya
should somehow be persuaded to join his
side, Duryodhana instructed his officers to
provide him and his great army with all
facilities and treat them to sumptuous
hospitality.
In accordance with Duryodhana's
instruction, several beautifully decorated
rest houses were erected at several places
on the route, at which Salya and his men
were treated to wondrous hospitality.
Food and drink were lavishly provided.
Salya was exceedingly pleased with the
attentions paid to him but assumed that his
nephew, Yudhishthira, had arranged all
this. Salya's army marched on, the earth
shaking beneath their heavy strides.
Feeling very pleased with the hospitality,
he called the waiting attendants one day
and said to them:
"I must reward you all who have treated
me and my soldiers with so much love
and attention. Please tell Kunti's son that
he should let me do this, and bring me his
consent."
The servants went and told their master,
Duryodhana, this. Duryodhana, who was
all the time moving unobserved with the
party waiting on Salya and his soldiers, at
once took this opportunity to present
himself before Salya, and say how
honored he felt at Salya's acceptance of
the Kaurava hospitality.
This amazed Salya whom till then had no
suspicion of the truth, and he was also
touched by the chivalry of Duryodhana in
lavishing kingly hospitality on a partisan
of the Pandavas.
Greatly moved, he exclaimed, "How noble
and kind of you! How can I repay you?"
Duryodhana replied: "You and your forces
should fight on my side. This is the
reward I ask of you."
Salya was stunned.
The Puranas wherein right conduct is
always preached, sometimes set out
stories in which conduct, not in
conformity with Dharma, seems
condoned. Is it right, one may ask, for
religious books thus to seem to justify
wrong?
A little reflection will enable one to see
the matter in proper light. It is necessary
to bring home the fact that even wise,
good and great men are liable to fall into
error.
That is why the Puranas, although ever
seeking to instil Dharma, contain
narratives to show how in this world even
good people sometimes sin against
Dharma, as though irresistibly driven to
do so.
This is to press home the truth that
howsoever learned one may be, humility
and constant vigilance are absolutely
necessary if one wishes to avoid evil.
Why indeed, did the great authors of our
epics write about the lapses of Rama in
the Ramayana and Yudhishthira in the
Mahabharata?
Where was the need to make mention of
them and then labor arguments to explain
them away, thereby disturbing men's
minds?
It was not as though others had discovered
the lapses and Vyasa and Valmiki had to
defend their heroes. The stories are artistic
creations in which lapses they impress the
desired moral.
The parts dealing with the lapses deeply
distress the reader's mind and serve as
solemn warnings of pitfalls, which wait to
engulf the careless.
They dispose the mind to humility and
watchfulness and make it realise the need
for divine guidance. The modern cinema
also projects on the screen much that is
bad and immoral.
Whatever may be the explanation offered
by the protagonists of the cinema, evil is
presented on the screen in an attractive
fashion that grips people's minds and
tempts them into the path of wickedness.
This is not so in the Puranas. Although
they do point out that even great men now
and again fell into error and committed
wrong, the presentation is such as to warn
the reader and not to allure him into evil
ways.
This is the striking difference between our
epics and the modern talkies, which arises
from the difference in the character of the
people who produced them.
"You are the same unto us both. I must
mean as much to you as the Pandavas.
You must agree to come to my aid," said
Duryodhana.
Salya answered: "Be it so." Flattered by
Duryodhana's splendid reception, Salya
deserted the Pandavas who were entitled
to his love and esteem and pledged his
word to fight on Duryodhana's side which
shows what dangers may lurk in receiving
the hospitality of kings.
Feeling that it would not be right to go
back without meeting Yudhishthira, Salya
then turned to Duryodhana saying:
"Duryodhana, believe me. I have given
you my word of honor. I must however
meet Yudhishthira and tell him what I
have done."
"Go, see him and return soon. And do not
forget your promise to me," said
Duryodhana.
"Good luck to you. Go back to your
palace. I will not betray you." Saying this,
Salya went to the city of Upaplavya where
Yudhishthira was camping.
The Pandavas received the ruler of Madra
with great eclat. Nakula and Sahadeva
were joyous beyond measure to see their
uncle to whom the Pandavas narrated all
their hardships and sufferings.
When they started talking about obtaining
his help in the war that was impending,
Salya related to them the story of his
promise to Duryodhana.
Yudhishthira saw at once that it had been
a mistake to take Salya's assistance for
granted, thereby letting Duryodhana
forestall them.
Concealing his disappointment as best he
could, Yudhishthira addressed Salya thus:
"Great warrior, you are bound to keep the
promise you have made to, Duryodhana.
You are the equal of Vasudeva in battle
and Karna will have you as his charioteer
when he seeks Arjuna's life in the
battlefield. Are you going to be the cause
of Arjuna's death? Or are you going to
save him then? I know I cannot fairly ask
this of you. Still I do."
To which Salya rejoined: "My lad, I have
been tricked into giving Duryodhana my
word and I shall be ranged against you in
battle. But when Karna proceeds to attack
Arjuna, if I happen to be his charioteer,
you may take it he will go to battle
disheartened and Arjuna shall be saved.
Fear not. The sorrows and insults, which
were visited on Draupadi and you all, will
soon be an avenged memory. Henceforth,
yours will be good luck. No one can
prevent or alter what has been ordained by
fate. I have acted wrongly. Bear with me."
52. VRITRA
INDRA, the Lord of the three regions,
was once so drunk with pride that he quite
forgot the courteous manners and forms
that the gods had hitherto observed.
When Brihaspati, preceptor of the gods,
foremost in all branches of learning, and
venerated alike by the gods and the
asuras, came to his court, Indra did not
rise from his seat to receive the acharya or
ask him to be seated and failed to do the
customary honors.
In his great conceit, Indra persuaded
himself to believe that the sastras allowed
him as a king in court the prerogative of
receiving guests seated. Brihaspati was
hurt by Indra's discourtesy and, attributing
it to the arrogance of prosperity, silently
left the assembly.
Without the high priest of the gods, the
court lost in splendor and dignity and
became an unimpressive gathering.
Indra soon realized the foolishness of his
conduct and, sensing trouble for himself
from the acharya's displeasure, he thought
to make up with him by falling at his feet
and asking for forgiveness.
But this he could not do, because
Brihaspati had, in his anger, made himself
invisible. This preyed on Indra's mind.
With Brihaspati gone, Indra's strength
began to decline, while that of the asuras
increased, which encouraged the latter to
attack the gods. Then Brahma, taking pity
on the beleaguered gods, advised them to
take unto themselves a new acharya.
Said he to them: "You have, through
Indra's folly, lost Brihaspati. Go now to
Twashta's son Visvarupa and request that
noble spirit to be your preceptor and all
will be well with you."
Heartened by these words, the gods
sought the youthful anchorite Visvarupa
and made their request to him saying:
"Though young in years, you are well
versed in the Vedas. Do us the honor of
being our teacher."
Visvarupa agreed, to the great advantage
of the gods for, as a result of his guidance
and teaching, they were saved from the
tormenting asuras.
Visvarupa's, mother was of the asura clan
of daityas, which caused Indra to regard
Visvarupa with suspicion. He feared that
because of his birth, Visvarupa might not
be quite loyal and his suspicion gradually
deepened.
Apprehending danger to himself from this
descendent of the enemies of the gods,
Indra sought to entice him into error with
the temptresses of his court and so weaken
him spiritually. But Visvarupa did not
succumb.
The artful and seductive blandishments of
Indra's glamour girls had no effect on the
young ascetic. He held fast to his vow of
celibacy. When Indra found that his plan
of seduction failed, he gave way to
murderous thoughts and one day killed
Visvarupa with the Vajrayudha.
The story goes that the world suffers
vicariously for this great sin of Indra.
And, as a result of it, parts of the earth
turned alkaline and became unsuitable for
cultivation and women came to be
afflicted with the physical troubles and
uncleanness peculiar to them. The
frothing of water is also attributed to this.
Twashta in his great rage and grief at
Indra's cruel killing of his son and,
desirous of avenging his death, performed
a great sacrifice. And out of the sacrificial
flames sprang Indra's mortal enemy
Vritra.
Twashta sent him against the chief of the
gods, saying: "Enemy of Indra, may you
be strong and may you kill Indra." A great
battle raged between the two in which
Vritra was gaining the upper hand.
When the battle was going against Indra,
the rishis and the gods sought refuge in
great Vishnu who offered them protection
and said to them: "Be not afraid. I shall
enter Indra's Vajrayudha and he will win
the battle in the end." And they returned in
good heart.
They went to Vritra and said to him:
"Please make friends with Indra. You are
both equal in strength and valor."
Vritra respectfully answered: "O
blameless ones, how can Indra, and I
become friends? Forgive me. There
cannot be friendship between rivals for
supremacy. Two great powers cannot
coexist as you know."
The rishis said in reply: "Do not entertain
such doubts. Two good souls can be
friends and their friendship is often after
hostility."
Vritra yielded saying: "Well, then, I shall
cease fighting. But I have no faith in
Indra. He might take me unawares. So I
seek this boon of you, namely, that neither
by day nor by night, neither with dry
weapons nor with wet ones, neither with
stone nor with wood, nor with metals, nor
with arrows shall Indra be able to take my
life."
"So be it," said the rishis and the gods.
Hostilities ceased. But soon Vritra's fears
were confirmed. Indra only feigned
friendship for Vritra but was, all the time,
waiting for a suitable opportunity to slay
him.
One evening, he met Vritra on the beach
and began to attack him in the twilight.
The battle had raged for a long while
when Vritra praising the Lord Vishnu,
said to Indra: "Meanest of the mean, why
do you not use the unfailing Vajrayudha?
Hallowed by Hari, use it against me and I
shall attain blessedness through Hari."
Indra maimed Vritra by chopping off his
right arm but, undaunted, the latter hurled
with his left band, his iron mace at his
assailant who thereupon cut down his
other arm also. When Indra disappeared
into the mouth of Vritra, great was the
consternation of the gods.
But Indra was not dead. He ripped Vritra's
belly open and issuing forth went to the
nearby beach. And directing his
thunderbolt at the water hurled it so that
the surf flew and hit Vritra. Vishnu having
entered the foam, it became a deadly
weapon and the mighty Vritra lay dead.
The long battle thus ended and the
afflicted world heaved a sigh of relief. But
to Indra himself, the end of the war
brought only ignominy because his
victory was secured through sin and deceit
and is went into hiding for sheer shame.
Indra's disappearance caused the gods and
the rishis great distress. For a people
without a king or a council of state to
govern them cannot prosper. So they went
to the good and mighty king Nahusha and
offered him the crown.
"Forgive me, I cannot be your king. Who
am I to aspire to the seat of Indra? How
can I protect you? It is impossible," he
humbly objected. But they insisted,
saying: "Do not hesitate. Be anointed our
king. All the merit and potency of our
penance will be yours and be an addition
to your strength. The power and the
energy of everyone you set your eyes on
shall be transferred to you and you will be
invincible." Thus over-powered, he
agreed. Revolution is no new thing. This
story shows that, even in the world of the
gods, there was a revolution leading to
Indra's dethronement and Nahusha's
installation as king in his stead. The story
of Nahusha's fall is also instructive.
53. NAHUSHA
THE sin of the unrighteous slaughter of
Vritra pulled Indra down from his high
estate and made him a fugitive. Nahusha
became the king of the gods in his stead.
Nahusha started well, assisted by the merit
and the fame earned by him while he was
a king on earth. Thereafter, he fell on evil
days.
The assumption of the kingship of the
gods filled him with arrogance, He lost his
humility and became filled with lawless
desires.
Nahusha indulged freely in the pleasures
of heaven and gave him up to untamed
and lecherous thoughts. One day, he saw
Indra's wife and became enamored of her.
Possessed by evil thoughts, he spoke in
tones of command to the assembled gods:
"Why has not Sachidevi, the wife of the
king of the gods, come to me? Am I not
the king of the gods now? Send her to my
house soon."
When she learnt this, Indra's wife was
indignant. In fear and distress, she went to
Brihaspati and cried out: "Preceptor, save
me from this wicked person."
Brihaspati offered her protection. "Fear
not " he said, "Indra will soon be back.
Stay here with me. You will regain your
husband." When Nahusha learnt that
Sachidevi did not agree to fall in with his
wishes and that she sought and obtained
shelter under Brihaspati's roof, he became
exceedingly angry.
The king's displeasure frightened the
gods. They protested: "King of the gods,
be not angry. Your anger will make the
world sad. Sachidevi is another's wife, do
not covet her. Do not swerve from the
path of righteousness."
But, the infatuated Nahusha would not
listen to them. Tauntingly, he said to
them: "When Indra lusted for Ahalya,
where were your principles of
righteousness and good conduct? Why did
you not prevent him then and why do you
stop me now? What did you do when he
so shamelessly murdered Visvarupa when
the latter was in penance and where was
your virtuous horror when he killed Vritra
through deceit? Sachidevi's only course is
to come and live with me and it will be for
your good to get her reconciled to my
proposal and leave her in my charge. So,
now set about it," ordered Nahusha.
The affrighted gods decided to talk the
matter over with Brihaspati and somehow
contrive to bring Sachidevi to Nahusha.
They all went to Brihaspati and related to
him what Nahusha had said and pleaded
that Sachidevi should submit to Nahusha’s
desires.
At which, the chaste Sachidevi shook with
shame and fear and cried out: "My God! I
cannot do it. I sought refuge in you. Oh
brahmana, do protect me."
Brihaspati consoled her and said: "He,
who betrays one who has sought refuge,
will meet with destruction. The very earth
will not let the seed, that he sows, sprout.
I will not give you up. Nahusha's end is
approaching. Be not afraid."
He indicated a way of escape from her
difficult situation by hinting that she
should pray for time, and the shrewd
Sachidevi took the hint and bravely went
to Nahusha's palace.
As soon as Nahusha saw her, pride and
lust having deprived him of his senses, he
was beside himself with joy and said: "O
fair one, do not tremble. I am the lord of
the three regions. There can be no sin in
your becoming my wife."
Hearing the wicked man's words, the
virtuous Indrani, Indra's wife, trembled for
a moment. Soon regaining composure she
replied: "King of the gods, before I
become yours, I have a request to make. Is
Indra alive or is he dead? If he is alive,
where is he? If, after making enquiries
and searching for him, I do not find him,
then no sin will attach to me and I could
become your wife with a clear
conscience."
Nahusha said: "What you say is right. Go
and search for him and be sure to return.
Remember the plighted word." Saying
this, he sent her back to Brihaspati's
house.
The gods went to the great Vishnu and
complained to him of Nahusha. They said:
"Lord, it was your might that killed Vritra
but Indra bears, the sin of it, and ashamed
and afraid to show himself in his unclean
state, he has hidden himself.
Pray indicate a way of deliverance for
him." Narayana said in reply: "Let him
worship me. He will be cleansed of sin
and the evil-minded Nahusha will meet
with destruction."
Sachidevi prayed to the goddess of
chastity, and, by her grace, reached where
Indra was in hiding. Indra had reduced
himself to the size of an atom and hid
himself in a fibre of the stem of a lotus
plant growing in Manasarovara. He was
doing penance in that state waiting for
better days. Sachidevi could not contain
herself for sorrow at her husband's plight
and burst into tears. She acquainted him
with her troubles.
Indra spoke words of courage to her.
"Nahusha's end is drawing near," he said.
"Go to him by yourself and tell him that
you consent to his proposal. Ask him to
come to your residence in a palanquin
carried by ascetics. Then Nahusha will be
destroyed."
Sachidevi went and pretended to agree to
Nahusha's proposal as Indra had asked her
to do. Overjoyed that she had returned to
him in this complaisant mood, the foolish
Nahusha burst out: "Blessed one, I am
your slave and ready to do you’re every
bidding. You have been true to your
word."
"Yes, I have come back. You will be my
husband. I want you to do something,
which I very much desire. Are you not the
lord of the world? It is my wish that you
should come majestically to my house in a
grander style than the great Vishnu or
Rudra or the asuras. Let the palanquin be
borne by the seven rishis. I shall then be
glad and receive you and bid you
welcome," she said.
Nahusha fell into the trap. "What a grand
idea! Your imagination is wonderful. It
pleases me exceedingly. It is but proper
that the great rishis should carry me, who
am blessed with the powers of absorbing
the energy of those on whom my eyes fall.
I shall do exactly as you have
wished,"said he, and sent her back home.
The infatuated Nahusha called the rishis
and bade them carry him on their
shoulders.
At this sacrilege, the three worlds were
aghast and trembled. But worse was to
come as the palanquin was carried along.
Inflamed with thoughts of the beautiful
Sachidevi waiting for him, Nahusha was
impatient to reach her soon. So he began
goading the rishi-bearers of his palanquin
to go faster. And he went so far in his mad
wickedness as to kick Agastya, one of the
bearers, saying "sarpa, sarpa." (Sarpa
means to move and also a serpent.) The
insanity of lust and arrogance had reached
its culmination. Nahusha's cup of iniquity
was full.
"Meanest of the mean, do thou fall from
heaven and become a sarpa on earth,"
cursed the rishi in his wrath. Immediately
Nahusha fell headlong, down from
heaven, and became a python in the jungle
and had to wait for several thousand years
for his deliverance. Indra was restored to
his state. He became the king of the gods
and Sachidevi's grief ended.
Relating this story of the sufferings of
Indra and his wife to Yudhishthira and
Draupadi at Upaplavya, their uncle Salya
tried to comfort them.
"Victory awaits the patient. Those, whom
prosperity makes arrogant, meet with
destruction. You, your brothers and
Draupadi have gone through untold
sufferings like Indra and his wife. Your
trials will soon be over and you will
regain your kingdom. The evil-minded
Karna and Duryodhana will be destroyed
even as Nahusha was," said Salya.
54. SANJAYA'S MISSION
THE Pandavas were camping at
Upaplavya in Virata's territory. From
there, they sent emissaries to all friendly
rulers. Contingents arrived from all parts
of the country and soon, the Pandavas had
a mighty force of seven divisions. The
Kauravas did likewise and collected an
army of eleven divisions.
Then, as now, a division was made up of
all arms grouped together in accordance
with established military practice. In those
days, a division consisted of 21,870
chariots, an equal number of elephants,
thrice as many horses and five times as
many foot soldiers, and they were
provided with weapons of all kinds and
other war equipment.
Chariots were the "armored cars" of
ancient warfare and elephants, specially
trained for war, corresponded to the "
tanks" of modern times.
Drupada's brahmana messenger reached
Dhritarashtra's court. After the usual
ceremonial introduction and enquiries
were over, the messenger addressed the
assembled gathering on behalf of the
Pandavas:
"Law is eternal and of inherent validity.
You know this and I need not point it out
to you. Dhritarashtra and Pandu are both
Vichitravirya's sons and are, according to
our usages, equally entitled to their
father's property. In spite of this,
Dhritarashtra's sons have taken possession
of the whole kingdom, while Pandu's sons
are without their share of the common
inheritance. There can be no justification
for this. Scions of the Kuru dynasty, the
Pandavas desire peace. They are prepared
to forget the sufferings they have
undergone and to let bygones be bygones.
They are unwilling to resort to war,
because they fully know that war never
brings any good but only destruction.
Render unto them, therefore, the things
that are due to them. This would be in
accordance both with justice and with the
agreement previously reached. Let there
be no delay."
After this appeal of the messenger, the
wise and brave Bhishma spoke. "By the
grace of God," he said, "the Pandavas are
safe and well. Although they have
obtained the support of many princes and
are strong enough for battle, they are not
bent on war. They still seek peace. To
restore to them their property is the only
right thing to do."
Bhishma had not finished when Karna
angrily broke in and, turning to the
messenger, exclaimed: "O brahmana, is
there anything new in what you have said?
What tortures it to tell the same old story?
How can Yudhishthira claim the property
that he lost at the game board? If, now,
Yudhishthira wants anything, he must beg
for it as a gift! He arrogantly prefers this
absurd claim in fond reliance on the
strength of his allies, particularly Matsya
and Panchala. Let me tell you clearly that
nothing can be got out of Duryodhana by
threats. As the plighted word, that the
Pandavas should live undiscovered during
the thirteenth year, has been broken, they
must once again go back to the forest for
another twelve years and return
thereafter."
Bhishma interposed: "Son of Radha, you
speak foolishly. If we do not do as this
messenger tells us, war will be upon us in
which we are certain to be defeated. And
Duryodhana and all of us are doomed to
destruction." The disorder and excitement
in the assembly made Dhritarashtra
intervene.
He said to the messenger: "Having in
mind the good of the world and
considering the Pandava's welfare, I have
decided to send Sanjaya to them. Please
return at once and tell Yudhishthira this."
Then Dhritarashtra called Sanjaya aside
and instructed him thus: "Sanjaya, go to
the sons of Pandu and convey to them my
affectionate regards and my kind inquiries
about Krishna, Satyaki and Virata. Give
all the princes assembled there my
regards. Go there on my behalf and speak
conciliatingly so as to secure the
avoidance of war."
Sanjaya went to Yudhishthira on this
mission of peace. After the introductory
salutations, Sanjaya thus addressed
Yudhishthira in the midst of his court:
"Dharmaputra, it is my good fortune to be
able to see you again with my eyes.
Surrounded by princes, you present the
picture of Indra himself. The sight
gladdens my heart. King Dhritarashtra
sends you his best wishes and desires to
know that you are well and happy. The
son of Ambika (Dhritarashtra) detests all
talk of war. He desires your friendship
and yearns for peace."
When Dharmaputra heard Sanjaya say
this, he felt glad and answered: "If so,
Dhritarashtra's sons have been saved, nay,
we have all escaped a great tragedy. I, too,
desire only peace and hate war. If our
kingdom is returned to us, we will wipe
out all memories of the sufferings we have
undergone."
Sanjaya spoke again: "Dhritarashtra's sons
are perverse. Disregarding their father's
advice and their grandsire's wise words,
they are still as wicked as ever. But you
should not lose patience. Yudhishthira,
you stand ever for right conduct. Let us
eschew the great evil of war. Can
happiness be gained with possessions
obtained through war? What good can we
reap from a kingdom won after killing our
own relatives? Do not therefore
commence hostilities. Even if one were to
gain the whole earth bounded by the
ocean, old age and death are inescapable.
Duryodhana and his brothers are fools.
But that is no reason why you should
swerve from rectitude or lose patience.
Even if they do not give back your
kingdom, you should not abandon the
supreme path of dharma."
Yudhishthira answered: "Sanjaya, what
you say is true. Rectitude is the best of
possessions, but are we committing
wrong? Krishna knows the intricacies of
rectitude and dharma. He wishes both
sides well. I shall do as Vasudeva orders."
Krishna said: "I desire the welfare of the
Pandavas. I desire also that Dhritarashtra
and his sons should be happy. This is a
difficult matter. I think I can settle this
issue by myself going to Hastinapura. If I
could obtain peace from the Kauravas on
terms that do not conflict with the welfare
of all, nothing would make me and the
Pandavas happier. If I succeed in doing
so, the Kauravas will have been rescued
from the jaws of death. I shall also have
achieved something good and worthwhile.
Even if, through a peaceful settlement, the
Pandavas get back what is due to them,
they will still serve Dhritarashtra loyally.
They desire nothing else. But they are also
prepared for war if need be. Of these two
alternatives, peace and war, Dhritarashtra
can choose what he pleases."
And Yudhishthira said to Sanjaya:
"Sanjaya, go back to the Kaurava, court
and tell the son of Ambika this from me:
'Was it not through your generosity that
we obtained a share of the kingdom when
we were young? You, who made me a
king once, should not deny us our share
now and drive us to make a beggar's
living on the charity of others. Dear uncle,
there is enough room in the world for both
of us and the Kauravas. Let there be no
antagonism, therefore, between us.' Thus
should you request Dhritarashtra on my
behalf. Give the grandsire my love and
regards and ask him to devise some way
of ensuring that his grandchildren live
happily in amity. Convey the same
message to Vidura also. Vidura is the
person who can best see what is good for
all of us and advise accordingly. Explain
matters to Duryodhana and tell him on my
behalf: 'My dear brother, you made us,
who were princes of the realm, live in the
forest, clad in skins. You insulted and
harassed our weeping wife in the
assembly of princes. We bore all this
patiently. Give us back, at least now, what
is lawfully ours. Do not covet what
belongs to others. We are five. For the
five of us give at least five villages and
make peace with us. We shall be content.
Say thus to Duryodhana, Sanjaya. I am
prepared and ready for peace as well as
for war."
After Yudhishthira had said these words,
Sanjaya took leave of Kesava and the
Pandavas, and went back to Hastinapura.
55. NOT A NEEDLE-POINT OF
TERRITORY
AFTER he had despatched Sanjaya to the
Pandavas, Dhritarashtra, filled with
anxiety, could not get a wink of sleep that
night. He sent for Vidura and spent the
whole night talking to him.
"To give the Pandavas their share of the
kingdom is the safest plan," said Vidura.
"Only this can bring good to both sides.
Treat the Pandavas and your own sons
with equal affection. In this case, the right
course is also the wise one."
Vidura counselled Dhritarashtra in this
manner at great length.
The next morning Sanjaya returned to
Hastinapura. And gave a full account of
what had taken place in Yudhishthira's
court.
"Chiefly, Duryodhana should know what
Arjuna said: 'Krishna and I are going to
destroy Duryodhana and his followers,
root and branch. Make no mistake about
it. The Gandiva bow is impatient for war.
My bowstring is throbbing even without
my stretching it and from my quiver,
arrows keep peeping out impatiently,
demanding when? When? Sanjaya, evil
stars make the foolish Duryodhana seek
war with Krishna and myself. Not even
Indra and the gods can defeat us.' Thus
spoke Dhananjaya," said Sanjaya.
Bhishma counselled Dhritarashtra against
opposing the combined might of Arjuna
and Krishna. "Karna, who boasts
repeatedly that he will slay the Pandavas",
said Bhishma, "is not equal to a sixteenth
part of the Pandavas. Your sons are
heading for destruction, listening to his
words. When Arjuna beat back your son's
attack on Virata's capital and humbled his
pride, what was Karna able to do? When
the Gandharvas took your son prisoner,
where did the invincible Karna bide
himself? Was it not Arjuna who drove
back the Gandharvas?" Thus did Bhisma
taunt Karna and warn the Kauravas.
"What grandfather Bhisma says is the
only proper thing to do," said
Dhritarashtra. "All wise men say, and I
know, that it is best to seek peace. But
what can I do? These fools would go their
own way, however loudly I protest."
Duryodhana, who had been listening to all
this, stood up. "Father, do not worry and
tremble about our safety. We know how
strong we are. That we shall win is
certain. Yudhishthira knows it too, for,
giving up all hope of kingdom, he only
begs now for five villages. Is it not clear
from this that he is already scared about
our eleven divisions? What can the
Pandavas oppose to our eleven divisions?
Why then do you doubt our victory?"
Duryodhana said to his father and tried to
cheer him up.
"My son, let us not have war," said
Dhritarashtra. "Be satisfied with half the
kingdom. It is enough if we govern that
half well." Duryodhana could stand it no
longer. "The Pandavas will not receive
even a needle-point of territory," he
exclaimed, and left the court. In the
excitement that prevailed, the court broke
up.
Let us now relate what the Pandavas were
saying among themselves. After Sanjaya
left Upaplavya for Hastinapura,
Yudhishthira said to Krishna: "Vasudeva,
Sanjaya is Dhritarashtra's alter ego. From
his speech, I have divined what is in
Dhritarashtra's mind. Dhritarashtra is
trying to secure peace without giving us
any territory. In my simplicity, I was glad
at first when I heard Sanjaya speak. But it
soon became clear that my joy was
unfounded. He then struck a middle line
and spoke desiring peace. But the words
with which he ended his message seemed
to commend meekness to us, even if our
just rights were denied. Dhritarashtra has
not been playing fair with us. The crisis is
approaching. There are none but you to
protect us. I made my offer that we would
be content with only five villages. The
wicked Kauravas will refuse even this.
How can we tolerate this height of
intransigence? Only you can advise us in
this crisis. There is none but you who
knows what our duty is now and can
guide us in dharma as well as in
statesmanship."
Krishna said in reply: "For the good of
you both, I have decided to go to
Hastinapura. I shall go to Dhritarashtra's
court and try to secure your rights without
war. If my mission succeeds, it will be for
the good of the world."
Yudhishthira said: "Krishna, pray do not
go. What is the good of your going to the
enemies' place now? The perverse
Duryodhana will stick to his folly. I do not
like your going among those unscrupulous
men. We cannot let you jeopardise your
safety, for the Kauravas will stop at
nothing."
Krishna answered: "Dharmaputra, I know
how wicked Duryodhana is. But still we
should make all attempts at a peaceful
solution so as to give the world no cause
to accuse us of not having done
everything possible to avert war. We must
omit nothing, no matter how slender our
hopes of success. Have no fears for my
safety, for, if the Kauravas offer me, a
messenger of peace, any threat of bodily
harm, I will reduce them to ashes."
Said Yudhishthira: "You are all-knowing.
You know our hearts as well as theirs. In
expounding matters and in the art of
persuasion, there is none better than you."
Krishna said: "Yes, I know you both.
Your mind ever clings to righteousness
and theirs is always steeped in hatred,
jealousy and enmity. I will do all I can to
secure the result, which I know is dear to
you, a settlement reached without war
even though it may have, but little for
you. The signs are ominous and portend
war. Still duty demands that we should
make the attempt for peace."
Thus saying, Krishna took leave of the
Pandavas and set off in his chariot to
Hastinapura.
56. KRISHNA'S MISSION
SATYAKI accompanied Govinda
(Krishna) to Hastinapura. Before setting
out on his journey, Krishna had a lone
discussion with the Pandavas. Even the
mighty Bhima, rather surprisingly,
supported a peaceful settlement.
"Let not the race be destroyed. Peace is
very much to be preferred," said he. The
poet Vyasa makes Bhima speak thus in
order to show that truly great warriors
desire peace, and that to seek peace is not
a sign of fear.
But Draupadi could not forget her
humiliation. Holding her locks in her hand
she stood before Krishna, and in a voice
quivering with grief, she said:
"Madhusudana, look at these tresses of
mine and do what honor requires to be
done. There can be no peace with honor.
Even if Arjuna and Bhima are against
war, my father, old though he is, will go
to battle, supported by my children. Even
if my father can keep out, my children,
with Subhadra's son Abhimanyu, at their
head, will fight the Kauravas. I have, for
the sake of Dharmaputra, these thirteen
years, suppressed the burning flame of
anger within me. I can restrain myself no
longer." And she sobbed, remembering
the great outrage.
Krishna was moved and said: "Weep not.
Dhritarashtra's sons will not listen to my
words of peace. They are going to fall and
their bodies will be food for wild dogs and
jackals. You will live to see us victorious
and the insult to you will be fully
avenged, and that too, soon." Draupadi
was satisfied.
Madhava (Krishna) halted for the night
near the city of Kucasthala. When news of
Krishna's forthcoming visit came, the city
was in great excitement.
Dhritarashtra issued orders for decorating
the city and arrangements for receiving
Janardana (Krishna) were in full swing.
Dhritarashtra issued instructions that
Duhsasana's palace, being bigger and
more beautiful than Duryodhana's, should
be got ready and placed at the disposal of
Krishna and his entourage and large tents
were erected at several places outside the
city, along the route which Krishna's
chariot was to take.
Dhritarashtra consulted Vidura. He said to
him: "Make arrangements for presenting
Govinda with chariots and elephants.
Presents of other kinds should also be got
ready." But Vidura said:
"Govinda cannot be bought with presents.
Give him that for which he is coming to
the land of the Kurus. Does he not come
here seeking a peaceful settlement? Make
that possible. You cannot satisfy Madhava
with other gifts."
When Govinda reached Hastinapura, the
citizens had thronged in such numbers in
the decorated streets that his chariot could
only progress very slowly. He went first
to Dhritarashtra's palace and then
proceeded to Vidura's house. Kuntidevi
met him there.
Thinking of the sufferings of her sons and
overpowered by grief, she wept. Krishna
comforted her and, taking leave of her,
made for Duryodhana's palace.
Duryodhana gave Govinda welcome and
invited him to dinner, but Krishna said
with a smile: "Emissaries eat only after
their mission is fulfilled. You may give a
feast when my work here is completed."
Declining Duryodhana's invitation, he
returned to Vidura's house where he
rested.
Vidura and Krishna took counsel together.
Vidura told him that Duryodhana's
arrogance was based on his confidence
that no one could defeat him as long as
Bhishma and Drona, who, he knew, were
under a moral obligation not to abandon
him, stood by him.
Vidura said that it would be a mistake for
Govinda even to enter the wicked man's
court. All, who knew Duryodhana and his
brothers, apprehended that they would
plot, through fraud and deceit, against
Krishna's life.
"What you say about Duryodhana is true.
I have not come here with any hope that I
would be able to secure a peaceful
settlement, but only in order that the
world might not hold me to blame. Have
no fear for my life," said Krishna.
The next morning, Duryodhana and
Sakuni came to Krishna and informed him
that Dhritarashtra was waiting for him.
Govinda went to the court along with
Vidura.
As Vasudeva came into the court, that
great assemblage of kings stood up.
Saluting the elders with folded hands and
with a word or a smile for the others,
Krishna took his seat. The introductions
over, Govinda rose from his seat and,
turning to Dhritarashtra explained the
object of his visit. He made clear what the
Pandavas wanted.
"Dhritarashtra, do not bring ruin to your
people. You regard as bad what is good
for you and as good what is bad. It is your
duty to restrain your sons. The Pandavas
are prepared for war but they desire peace.
They wish to live in happiness under you.
Treat them also as your sons and devise
an honorable solution, and the world will
acclaim you," said Krishna.
Dhritarashtra said: "My friends know that
I am not to blame. I desire precisely what
Madhava has stated but I am powerless.
My wicked sons do not listen to me.
Krishna, I entreat you to advise
Duryodhana."
Krishna turned to Duryodhana and said:
"You are the descendant of a noble line.
Pursue the path of dharma. Your present
thoughts are unworthy and befit only men
of low birth. On account of you, this
famous line is in danger of being
destroyed. If you listen to reason and
justice, the Pandavas themselves will
install Dhritarashtra as king and you as the
heir apparent. Make peace with them by
giving them half the kingdom."
Bhishma and Drona also pressed
Duryodhana to listen to Govinda. But
Duryodhana's heart could not be softened.
"I pity Dhritarashtra and Gandhari whom
Duryodhana is dooming to bereavement
and desolation by his misdeeds," said
Vidura.
Dhritarashtra once again said to his son:
"If you do not listen to Govinda's advice,
our race will perish."
Drona and Bhishma also tried repeatedly
to persuade Duryodhana and turn him
from error. Duryodhana was furious with
everyone for pressing him in this matter to
agree to a peaceful solution. He rose, and
said:
"Madhusudana, you wrong me out of love
for the Pandavas. The others here also
blame me, but I do not think I am one
whit to blame in this matter. The
Pandavas, of their own volition, staked
their kingdom at play and, being defeated,
justly forfeited it. How am I responsible
for it? Losing the game, they went to the
forests as in honor bound. For what fault
of mine do they now seek battle and wish
to slay us? I will not yield to threats.
When I was young, the elders did us
grievous wrong by giving the Pandavas, I
do not know why, a part of the kingdom
to which they had not a shadow of a right.
I acquiesced then but they lost it at play. I
refuse to return it to them. I am utterly
blameless. I will not give the Pandavas an
inch of land, not even a needle-point of
it!"
When Duryodhana said that he had not
committed wrong, Govinda laughed and
said: "The play was fraudulently arranged
by you in conspiracy with Sakuni and you
afterwards insulted Draupadi in an
assembly of princes. And yet, you have
the impudence to say that you have
committed no wrong," and reminded him
of the other iniquities he had perpetrated
against the Pandavas.
Duhsasana seeing that Bhishma and others
were accepting Krishna's indictment of
Duryodhana said: "Brother, it seems that
these people have a plot to bind you with
ropes and hand you over to the Pandavas.
Let us get away from here," and
Duryodhana, accompanied by his
brothers, walked out of the court.
Govinda addressed the court again and
said: "Sires, the Yadavas and Vrishnis live
happily, now that Kamsa and Sisupala are
dead. In order to save a whole people, it is
some times necessary to sacrifice an
individual. Does it not happen
occasionally that a village is abandoned in
order that the country may be saved? I am
afraid you will have to sacrifice
Duryodhana if you want to save your race.
That is the only way."
Dhritarashtra said to Vidura: "Bring farsighted
Gandhari here. It is possible that
Duryodhana might listen to her."
Gandhari was sent for and, when she
came to the court, Duryodhana was sent
for.
Duryodhana, his eyes red with anger,
returned and Gandhari tried by all the
means in her power to bring him round to
reason. Duryodhana said 'No' and again
walked out of the hall.
He and his friends had plotted to seize
Krishna. News of this reached the court.
Govinda, who had anticipated all this,
laughed and disclosed his divinity.
The blind Dhritarashtra, by the grace of
Krishna, temporarily regained his sight
and was able to see Krishna in his
Visvarupa presence in every form.
"Pundarikaksha, (lotus-eyed Krishna)
having seen your Visvarupa, I do not wish
to see anything else. I ask that I should be
blind again," said Dhritarashtra, and he
became blind again. "All our efforts have
failed. Duryodhana is obstinate," said
Dhritarashtra to Govinda.
And Krishna rose and, with Satyaki and
Vidura on either side of him, left the
court.
He went straight to Kunti. He told her
what had happened and she asked him to
convey her blessings to her sons.
"The time has come," said she, "for that
for which a kshatriya woman brings forth
sons. May you protect my sons!"
A kshatriya mother brings forth children
to be sacrificed in war. Purushottamat
(Krishna as Supreme Being) got into his
chariot and sped towards Upaplavya. War
became a certainty.
57. ATTACHMENT AND DUTY
ANY ray of hope there might have been
of a peaceful settlement when Krishna
went to Hastinapura was extinguished
when he returned and narrated what
happened. Kunti was overwhelmed with
grief when she learnt that it was to be war
to the death.
"How can I" reflected Kunti, "give my
thoughts tongue and say to my sons, 'Bear
the insults. Let us not ask for any territory
and let us avoid war'? How can my sons
accept what is contrary to kshatriya
tradition?"
"At the same time," she thought, "what
can be gained by mutual killings in the
war and what happiness attained after the
destruction of the race? How shall I face
this dilemma?" Thus was she tormented
by the prospect of wholesale destruction
on the one hand and the claims of
kshatriya honor on the other.
"How can my sons defeat the mighty three
combined, Bhishma, Drona and Karna?
They are warriors who have never yet met
defeat. When I think of them, my mind
trembles. I do not worry about the others.
These three are the only people in the
Kaurava army capable of fighting the
Pandavas with any hope of slaying them.
Of these, Dronacharya might refrain from
killing my children from either love or
unwillingness to meet one's own disciples
in battle. The grandsire will certainly not
want to kill them. But Karna is the
Pandavas' chief enemy. He is anxious to
please Duryodhana by killing my sons.
Karna is a great man-at-arms. As I think
of him engaged in battle against my other
sons, my heart is consumed with agony
like a faggot in the fire. Now is the time
for me, to seek Karna out and tell him the
truth about his birth, on knowing which,
he is bound to abandon Duryodhana's
cause."
Tormented by these anxious thoughts
about her children. Kunti went to the
banks of the Ganga where Karna usually
offered his daily prayers.
Karna was there at his devotions. Facing
east and with uplifted hands he was in
deep meditations. Kunti quietly stood
behind him and waited.
Karna was in meditation and was
unmindful of everything until he felt the
hot rays of the sun on his back.
His prayers over, Karna looked back to
find Kunti standing behind him and
holding the hem of his upper garment over
her head to shield it from the burning sun.
That Pandu's queen and the mother of the
Pandava princes should be there, waiting
patiently for him to finish his prayers,
filled him with great confusion and
amazement.
"The son of Radha and the chariot-driver
Adhiratha bows to you. I am at your
service. What can I do for you, O queen?"
asked Karna, according to the established
forms of respectful address.
"Karna," said Kuntidevi, "you are not
Radha's son, nor is the charioteer your
father. Do not think that you are a man of
the chariot-driver's caste. You are Surya's
son born out of the womb of Pritha of
royal blood, otherwise known as Kunti.
May good fortune attend you"!
She then narrated the story of his birth.
"You who were born with full armor and
golden earrings," said Kunti, "not
knowing that the Pandavas are your
brothers, have joined Duryodhana and
have come to hate them. To live in
dependence on Dhritarashtra's sons, does
not befit you. Join Arjuna and be one of
the kings of the realm. May you and
Arjuna put down the wicked! The whole
world will be at your feet. Your fame will
reach far and wide, like that of the
brothers Balarama and Krishna.
Surrounded by your five brothers, your
effulgence will be like that of Brahma
among the gods. In perplexing situations,
one must do what gives satisfaction to
loving parents. This is the highest dharma
according to our scriptures."
When his mother spoke thus to him at the
end of his devotions to the sun, Karna felt
a sign in his heart that the Sun god
endorsed Kunti's request. But he checked
himself and took it to mean that the Sun
god was testing his loyalty and strength of
mind. He should not be found wanting.
With an effort of the will, he controlled
alike the temptations of self-interest and
the prompting of natural affection. He said
sadly but firmly: "What you have said,
dear mother, is contrary to dharma. If I
swerve from the path of duty, I shall have
done myself much more hurt than any that
an enemy might inflict on me in the
battlefield. You deprived me of all that
was my birthright as a kshatriya when you
threw me, a helpless babe, into the river.
And now, you talk to me of my duties as a
kshatriya. You denied me the motherly
love, which blesses all life. And now,
thinking of your other children's good,
you tell me this story. If I now join the
Pandavas, will not the world proclaim that
I have done so out of fear? I have eaten
the salt of Dhritarashtra's sons, won their
confidence as their champion and enjoyed
all the consideration and kindness they
showed me. And now you want me, when
the battle is about to be joined, to be
untrue to my salt and go over to the
Pandavas. The sons of Dhritarashtra look
on me as the ark, which will enable them
to cross the deluge of war. I have myself
urged them into this war. How can I now
desert them? Could there be blacker
treachery and baser ingratitude? What in
life, or beyond it, would be worth a price
like that? Mother dear, I must discharge
my debt, aye, with life, if necessary;
otherwise, I shall be no better than a
common thief purloining my food all
these years. I shall surely use all my
followers against your sons in this coming
war. I cannot deceive you. Please forgive
me."
"But yet," continued he, "I cannot have
my mother plead completely in vain. Part
with Arjuna to me. Either he or myself
must die in this war. I will not kill your
other sons, whatever they may do unto
me. Mother of warrior sons, you will still
have five sons. Either I or Arjuna will
survive this war. And with the other four
sons, you will still have five".
When Kunti heard her first-born speak
thus firmly, adhering to the kshatriya
code, her heart was full of tumultuous and
contrary feelings and, without trusting
herself to speak. She embraced him and
departed in silence.
"Who can go against what has been
ordained?" she thought. "He has, at least,
offered not to harm four of my sons. That
is enough. May God bless him," and she
returned home.
58. THE PANDAVA
GENERALISSIMO
GOVINDA reached Upaplavya and told
the Pandavas what had happened in
Hastinapura.
"I spoke urging what was right and what
was also good for them. But, it was all in
vain. There is now no way out except the
fourth, that is, the last alternative of war.
The foolish Duryodhana would not listen
to the advice tendered to him by the elders
in the assembly. We must now prepare for
war without delay. Kurukshetra is waiting
for the holocaust."
"There is no longer any hope of peace,"
said Yudhishthira, addressing his brothers,
and issued orders for marshalling their
forces in, battle array.
They formed the army in seven divisions
and appointed Drupada, Virata,
Dhrishtadyumna, Sikhandin, Satyaki,
Chekitana and Bhimasena at the head of
each division. They then considered who
should be appointed Generalissimo.
Addressing Sahadeva, Yudhishthira said:
"We should select one of these seven to be
Supreme Commander. He should be one
capable of successfully facing the great
Bhishma, who can burn enemies to ashes.
He should be one who knows how to
dispose his forces as circumstances
require from time to time. Who do you
think is most fitted for this
responsibility?"
In the olden days, it was the practice to
ascertain the views of younger people
first, before consulting elders. This
instilled enthusiasm and self-confidence
in the younger folk. If the elders were
consulted first, it would not be possible
for others to speak with freedom, and
even honest differences of opinion might
savor of disrespect.
"Let us take as our Supreme Commander
the king of Virata who helped us when we
lived in disguise and with whose support
we now demand our share of the
kingdom," replied Sahadeva.
"It seems to me best to make Drupada the
Generalissimo, for, in point of age,
wisdom, courage, birth and strength, he is
supreme," said Nakula.
"Drupada, the father of Draupadi, has
learnt archery from Bharadwaja, and has
for long been waiting for an encounter
with Drona. He is much respected by all
kings, and is supporting us, as if we were
his own sons. He should lead our army
against Drona and Bhishma."
Dharmaputra then asked Dhananjaya for
his opinion. "I think, Dhrishtadyumna
should be our chief in the battlefield. The
hero who has his senses under control and
who has been born to bring about Drona's
end. Dhrishtadyumna alone can withstand
the arrows of Bhishma whose skill in
archery made even the great Parasurama
hold back. He is the only man fitted to be
our commander. I can think of no one
else," replied Arjuna.
Bhimasena said: "O king, what Arjuna
says is true, but the rishis and elders have
said that Sikhandin has come into the
world to kill Bhishma. My inclination
would be to give the command to
Sikhandin whose radiant face is like that
of Parasurama. I do not think any one else
can defeat Bhishma."
Yudhishthira finally asked Kesava for his
opinion. "The warriors mentioned are,
each one of them, worthy of selection,"
said Krishna. "Any one of them would fill
the Kauravas with fear. All things
considered, I would endorse Arjuna's
choice. Anoint Dhrishtadyumna,
therefore, as your Supreme Commander."
Accordingly, Dhrishtadyumna, Drupada's
illustrious son, who led Draupadi at the
swayamvara and gave her away to Arjuna,
who for thirteen long years was brooding
over the insult that his sister had to suffer
in Duryodhana's court, and who was
waiting for an opportunity to avenge the
wrong, was anointed Supreme
Commander of the Pandava army.
The lion-roar of warriors, the blowing of
conchs and shells and the trumpeting of
elephants rent the air, With warlike cheers
which made the sky ring, the Pandava
army entered Kurukshetra in martial
array.
59. BALARAMA
BALARAMA, the illustrious brother of
Krishna, visited the Pandavas, in their
encampment. As Halayudha (plough
bearer), clad in blue silk, entered
majestically like a lion. Yudhishthira,
Krishna and others gave the broadshouldered
warrior a glad welcome.
Bowing to Drupada and Virata, the visitor
seated himself beside Dharmaputra.
"I have come to Kurukshetra," said he,
"learning that the descendants of Bharata
have let themselves be overwhelmed by
greed, anger and hatred and that the peace
talks have broken down and that war has
been declared."
Overcome by emotion, he paused for a
while and then continued: "Dharmaputra,
dreadful destruction is ahead. The earth is
going to is a bloody morass strewn with
mangled bodies! It is an evil destiny that
has maddened the kshatriya world to
foregather here to meet its doom. Often
have I told Krishna, 'Duryodhana is the
same to us as the Pandavas. We may not
take sides in their foolish quarrels.' He
would not listen to me. His great affection
for Dhananjaya has misled Krishna and he
is with you in this war which I see he has
approved. How can Krishna and I be in
opposite camps? For Bhima and
Duryodhana, both of them my pupils, I
have equal regard and love. How then can
I support one against the other? Nor can I
bear to see the Kauravas destroyed. I will
therefore have nothing to do with this war,
this conflagration that will consume
everything. This tragedy has made me
lose all interest in the world and so I shall
wander among holy places."
Having thus spoken against the calamitous
war, Krishna's brother left the place, his
heart laden with sorrow and his mind
seeking consolation in God.
This episode of Balarama’s, keeping out
of the Mahabharata war is illustrative of
the perplexing situations in which good
and honest men often find themselves.
Compelled to choose between two equally
justifiable, but contrary, courses of action,
the unhappy individual is caught on the
horns of a dilemma. It is only honest men
that find themselves in this predicament.
The dishonest ones of the earth have no
such problems, guided as they are solely
by their own attachments and desires, that
is, by self-interest.
Not so the great men who have renounced
all desire. Witness the great trials to
which, in the Mahabharata, Bhishma,
Vidura, Yudhishthira and Karna were put.
We read in that epic how they solved their
several difficulties. Their solutions did not
conform to a single moral pattern but
reflected their several individualities. The
conduct of each was the reaction of his
personality and character to the impact of
circumstances.
Modern critics and expositors sometimes
forget this underlying basic factor and
seek to weigh all in the same scales,
which is quite wrong. We may profit by
the way in which, in the Ramayana,
Dasaratha, Kumbhakarna, Maricha,
Bharata and Lakshmana reacted to the
difficulties with which each of them was
faced.
Likewise, Balarama's neutrality in the
Mahabharata war has a lesson. Only two
princes kept out of that war. One was
Balarama and the other was Rukma, the
ruler of Bhojakata. The story of Rukma,
whose younger sister Rukmini married
Krishna, is told in the next chapter.
60. RUKMINI
BHISHMAKA, the king of Vidarbha, had
five sons and an only daughter, Rukmini,
a princess of matchless beauty, charm and
strength of character.
Having heard of Krishna and his renown,
she wished to be united to him in wedlock
and the desire daily grew in intensity. Her
relatives approved the idea, all except her
eldest brother Rukma, the heir apparent,
between whom and Krishna there was no
love lost.
Rukma pressed his father not to give
Rukmini in marriage to the ruler of
Dwaraka but to marry her instead to
Sisupala, the king of Chedi. The king
being old, Rukma's became the dominant
voice and it looked as though Rukmini
would be compelled to marry Sisupala.
Rukmini, whose heart was wholly
Krishna's because she was Lakshmi
incarnate, was disconsolate. She feared
that her father would be helpless against
her domineering brother and would not be
able to prevent the unhappy marriage.
Mustering all her strength of mind,
Rukmini resolved somehow to find a way
out of her predicament. She took counsel
with a brahmana whom, abandoning all
maidenly reserve, she sent as her emissary
to Krishna, charging him to explain
matters to her beloved and sue for help.
The brahmana accordingly went
toDwaraka and conveyed to Krishna
Rukmini's sad plight and her entreaty, and
handed to him the letter Rukmini had sent
through him. The letter ran as follows:
"My heart has already accepted you as
lord and master. I charge you therefore to
come and succour me before Sisupala
carries me off by force. The matter cannot
brook any delay; so you must be here
tomorrow. Sisupala's forces, as well as
Jarasandha's, will oppose you and will
have to be overcome before you can have
me. May you be the triumphant hero and
capture me! My brother has decided to
marry me to Sisupala and, as part of the
wedding ceremonies, I am going to the
temple along with my retinue to offer
worship to Parvati. That would be the best
time for you to come and rescue me. If
you do not turn up, I will put an end to my
life so that I may at least join you in my
next birth."
Krishna read this and immediately
mounted his chariot. At the king's behest,
Kundinapura, the capital of Vidarbha, was
most gorgeously decorated and
preparations for the wedding of the
princess with Sisupala were in full swing.
The bridegroom elect and his associates,
all sworn enemies of Krishna, had already
assembled in the capital. Balarama came
to know of Krishna's sudden and secret
departure, all by himself.
Guessing that it must be about the
daughter of the king of Vidarbha and
anxious lest Krishna should be hemmed in
alone by mortal enemies thirsting for his
blood, he hurriedly assembled a great
force and marched on to Kundinapura.
Leaving her apartments, Rukmini,
accompanied by her retinue, went in
procession to the temple, where divine
service was held.
"Oh Devi," implored Rukmini, praying for
her intercession. "I prostrate myself before
thee who knowest my devotion. Grant that
Krishna may espouse me."
Stepping out of the temple, Rukmini
sighted Krishna's chariot and ran straight
as a needle to the attracting magnet. She
fled to him and got into his chariot. And
Krishna drove off with her, to the
bewilderment of all around.
The servants ran to Rukma, the heir
apparent, and related what had happened.
"I will not return without killing
Janardana," swore Rukma, and went in
pursuit of Krishna with a large force.
But, meanwhile, Balarama had arrived
with his army, and a great battle ensued
between the two opposing forces in which
the enemy was utterly routed. Balarama
and Krishna returned home in triumph,
where Rukmini's wedding with Krishna
was celebrated with customary rites.
The defeated Rukma was ashamed to
return to Kundinapura and built at the
very site of the battle between Krishna
and himself a new city, Bhojakata, over
which he ruled.
Hearing of the Kurukshetra battle, Rukma
arrived there with a huge force. Thinking
that he could thereby win the friendship of
Vasudeva, he offered help to the
Pandavas.
"Oh Pandavas," said he addressing
Dhananjaya, "the enemy forces are very
large. I have come to help you. Give me
the word and I shall attack whichever
sector of the enemy formation you would
like me to. I have the strength to attack
Drona, Kripa or even Bhishma. I shall
bring you victory. Only let me know your
wish."
Turning to Vasudeva, Dhananjaya
laughed.
"Oh, ruler of Bhojakata," said Arjuna, "we
are not afraid of the size of the enemy
forces. We have no need of your help and
do not particularly desire it. You may
either go away or stay on, just as you
like."
At this, Rukma was filled with anger and
shame and went to Duryodhana's camp
with his army. "The Pandavas have
refused my proffered assistance." Said he
to Duryodhana. "My forces are at your
disposal."
"Is it not after the Pandavas rejected your
assistance that you have come here?"
exclaimed Duryodhana, and added: "I am
not in such dire need yet as to welcome
their leavings."
Rukma, thus put to disgrace by both sides,
returned to his kingdom without taking
part in battle. Neutrality in war may be of
several kinds.
It may arise from conscientious objection
to war or it may be due to mere conceit
and self-interest. Yet others may keep
aloof through cowardice or sheer inertia.
Balarama was neutral in the Mahabharata
war because of his love of peace. Rukma,
on the other hand, abstained as a result of
his conceit.
Instead of acting according to dharma, he
thought of personal glory, and neither side
would have him.
61. NON-COOPERATION
IT was the day before the commencement
of the great battle. The grandsire, now the
Kaurava Generalissimo, was with
Duryodhana seeking to inspire him with
his own heroic spirit and cheerfulness.
Bhishma spoke of the strength, skill and
prowess of the warriors ranged on the
Kauravas' side. Duryodhana was cheered
up. Presently, Karna became the subject
of their talk.
"Karna has earned your affection," said
Bhishma, "but I do not think much of him.
I do not like his great hatred of the
Pandavas, and he is too boastful. There is
no limit to his arrogance and he is much
given to disparaging others. I would not
place him in the highest rank among the
warriors of the land. Besides, he has given
away the divine armor with which he was
born. He is not therefore likely to be of
great help to me in this battle. The curse
of Parasurama is on him too. His
command of supernatural weapons will
fail him in his hour of need, for he will not
be able to remember the mantras. And the
battle that will ensue between him and
Arjuna will prove fatal for Karna."
Thus spoke Bhishma without mincing
matters, and this was exceedingly
unpalatable to Duryodhana and Karna. To
make matters worse, Drona agreed with
the grandsire and said:
"Karna is full of pride and
overconfidence, which will cause him to
be neglectful of the finer points of
strategy, and through carelessness, he will
suffer defeat."
Enraged by these harsh words, Karna
turned to the grandsire with flaming eyes.
"You sir," said he, "have always slighted
me through mere dislike and envy and
have never neglected an opportunity of
humiliating me, though I gave you no
reason. I bore all your taunts and thrusts
for the sake of Duryodhana. You have
said that I would not be of much help in
the impending war. Let me tell you my
settled conviction, it is you, not I, who
will fail the Kauravas. Why hide your real
feelings? The fact of the matter is that you
have no genuine affection for
Duryodhana, but he does not know it.
Hating me you seek to come between me
and Duryodhana and poison his mind
against me. And in furtherance of your
wicked design, you have been belittling
my strength and running me down. You
have stooped to behavior unworthy of a
kshatriya. Age alone does not confer a
title to honor and respect among warriors,
but prowess does. Desist from poisoning
our relations."
Turning then to Duryodhana, Karna said:
"Illustrious warrior, think well and look to
your own good. Do not place too great a
reliance on the grandsire. He is trying to
sow dissension in our ranks. His
appraisement of me will injure your cause.
By running me down, he seeks to dampen
my enthusiasm. He has become senile and
his time is up. His arrogance does not let
him have regard for anyone else. Age
must be respected and experience is useful
but, as the sastras warn us, there is a point
when age becomes senility and ripeness
falls into rottenness and decay. You have
made Bhishma your Generalissimo who
will, I have no doubt, earn some fame
from the heroic deeds of others. But I will
not bear arms while he is in command.
Only after he has fallen will I do so."
The arrogant man is never conscious of
his own arrogance. When accused of it, he
charges the accuser with that very fault.
His judgment is warped and he considers
it a crime on the part of anyone to point
out his defect. This is well illustrated in
this episode.
Controlling his anger, Bhishma replied:
"Son of Surya, we are in a crisis and that
is why you have not ceased to live this
moment. You have been the evil genius of
the Kauravas." Duryodhana was in
distress.
"Son of Ganga, I need the help of you
both," he said. "You will both do deeds of
great heroism, I have no doubt. At the
break of dawn, the battle joins. Let there
be no fighting among friends, with the foe
in full force before us!"
But Karna was adamant in that he would
not take up arms so long as Bhishma was
in supreme command. Duryodhana
eventually yielded to Karna and suffered
him to carry out his threat.
Karna kept out during the first ten days of
the battle, though all his men participated
in it. At the end of the tenth day, when the
great Bhishma lay on the battlefield
covered all over with arrows, Karna went
to him and bowed reverently and asked
for forgiveness and blessings, which he
received.
Thereafter, Karna cooperated and himself
proposed Drona for the command of the
Kaurava forces in succession to Bhishma.
When Drona also fell, Karna took over the
command and led the Kaurava forces.
62. KRISHNA TEACHES
ALL was ready for the battle. The
warriors on both sides gathered together
and solemnly bound themselves to honor
the traditional rules of war.
The code of conduct in war and methods
of warfare vary from time to time. It is
only if what was in vogue at the time of
the Mahabharata war is kept in mind that
we can understand the epic. Otherwise,
the story would be puzzling in places.
From what follows, the reader may have
some idea of the rules of warfare followed
in the Kurukshetra battle. Each day, the
battle was over at sunset, and the hostiles
mixed freely like friends.
Single combats might only be between
equals and one could not use methods not
in accordance with dharma. Thus those
who left the field or retired would not be
attacked. A horseman could attack only a
horseman, not one on foot.
Likewise, charioteers, elephant troops and
infantrymen could engage themselves in
battle only with their opposite numbers in
the enemy ranks.
Those who sought quarter or surrendered
were safe from slaughter. Nor might one,
for the moment disengaged, direct his
weapons against another who was
engaged in combat.
It was wrong to slay one who had been
disarmed or whose attention was directed
elsewhere or who was retreating or who
had lost his armor. And no shafts were to
be directed against non-combatant
attendants or those engaged in blowing
conchs or beating drums.
These were the rules that the Kauravas
and the Pandavas solemnly declared they
would follow.
The passage of time has witnessed many
changes in men's ideas of right and wrong.
Nothing is exempt from attack in modern
warfare.
Not only are munitions made the target of
attack, but dumb animals such as horses,
camels, mules and medical stores, nay,
non-combatants of all ages, are destroyed
without compunction.
Sometimes the established conventions
went overboard even in the Mahabharata
war.
We see clearly in the story that occasional
transgressions took place for one reason
or another. But, on the whole, the
accepted rules of honorable and humane
war were observed by both sides in the
Kurukshetra battle. And the occasional
violations were looked upon as wrong and
shameful.
Addressing the princes under his
command, Bhishma said: "Heroes, yours
is a glorious opportunity. Before you, are
the gates of heaven wide open. The joy of
living with Indra and Brahma awaits you.
Pursue the path of your ancestors and
follow the kshatriya dharma. Fight with
joy and attain fame and greatness. A
kshatriya does not wish to die of disease
or old age in his bed but prefers to die on
the battlefield," and the princes responded
by ordering their trumpets to be sounded
and shouted victory to the Kauravas.
On Bhishma's flag shone brightly the
palm tree and five stars. On Aswatthama's
the lion tail fluttered in the air.
In Drona's golden-hued standard, the
ascetic's bowl and the bow glistened, and
the cobra of Duryodhana's famed banner
danced proudly with outspread hood.
On Kripa's flag was depicted a bull, while
Jayadratha's carried a wild boar. Likewise
others and the battlefield thus presented a
pageant of flags.
Seeing the Kaurava forces ranged in battle
array, Yudhishthira gave orders to Arjuna:
"The enemy force is very large. Our army
being smaller, our tactics should be
concentration rather than deployment that
will only weaken us. Array our forces,
therefore, in needle formation."
Now, when Arjuna saw men arrayed on
both sides for mutual slaughter, he was
deeply agitated and Krishna spoke to him
in order to quell his agitation and remove
his doubts.
Krishna's exhortation to Arjuna at this
juncture is the Bhagavad Gita, which is
enshrined in millions of hearts as the
Word of God. The Bhagavad Gita is
acknowledged by all as one of the
supreme treasures of human literature.
Its gospel of devotion to duty, without
attachment or desire of reward, has shown
the way of life for all men, rich or poor,
learned or ignorant, who have sought for
light in the dark problems of life.
63. YUDHISHTHIRA SEEKS
BENEDICTION
EVERYTHING was ready for the battle
to begin. At this tense moment, both
armies saw with amazement Yudhishthira,
the steadfast and brave son of Pandu,
suddenly doff his armor and put away his
weapons. Descending from his chariot, he
proceeded on foot towards the commander
of the Kaurava forces.
"What is this that Yudhishthira is doing?"
asked everyone and was puzzled by this
sudden and silent proceeding on the part
of the Pandava.
Dhananjaya too was perplexed and he
jumped down from his chariot and ran to
Yudhishthira. The other brothers and
Krishna also joined.
They feared that perhaps Yudhishthira,
surrendering to his natural inclination, had
suddenly decided to seek peace on any
terms and was going forward to announce
this.
"King, why are you proceeding to the
enemy's lines in this strange manner? You
have told us nothing. The enemy is ready
for battle, their soldiers sheathed in armor
and with uplifted weapons. But you have
doffed your armor and thrown aside your
weapons and are proceeding forward,
unattended and on foot. Tell us what you
are about." Thus said Arjuna to
Dharmaputra. But Yudhishthira was
immersed in deep thought and proceeded
forward silently.
Then Vasudeva, who knew the hearts of
men, smiled and said: "He is going to the
elders to ask for their benediction before
commencing this terrible fight. He feels it
is not right to start such a grave
proceeding without formally taking such
benediction and permission. He goes to
the grandsire to take his blessing and that
of Dronacharya. So he goes unarmed. It is
right that he does this. He knows
proprieties. It is only thus that we might
fare well in this battle."
The men in Duryodhana's army, when
they saw Yudhishthira advancing with
hands clasped in humble attitude, thought:
"Here is the Pandava coming to sue for
peace, frightened at our strength. Truly
this man brings disgrace to the race of
kshatriyas. Why was this coward born
among us?" Thus did they talk among
themselves reviling Dharmaputra though
delighted at the prospect of securing
victory without a blow.
Yudhishthira went through the lines of
soldiers armed from head to foot and
proceeded straight to where Bhishma was
and, bending low and touching his feet in
salutation, said:
"Grandsire, permit us to begin the battle.
We have dared to give battle to you, our
unconquerable and incomparable
grandsire. We seek benediction before
beginning the fight."
"Child," replied the grandsire, "born in the
race of Bharatas, you have acted worthily
and according to our code of conduct. It
gives me joy to see this. Fight and you
will have victory. I am not a free agent. I
am bound by my obligation to the king
and must fight on the side of the
Kauravas. But you will not be defeated."
After thus obtaining the permission and
the blessings of the grandsire,
Yudhishthira went to Drona and
circumambulated and bowed, according to
form, to the acharya, who also gave his
blessings, saying:
"I am under inescapable obligations to the
Kauravas, O son of Dharma. Our vested
interests enslave us and become our
masters. Thus have I become bound to the
Kauravas. I shall fight on their side. But
yours will be the victory."
Yudhishthira similarly approached and
obtained the blessings of Kripacharya and
uncle Salya and returned to the Pandava
lines.
The battle began, commencing with single
combats between the leading chiefs armed
with equal weapons. Bhishma and Partha,
Satyaki and Kritavarma, Abhimanyu and
Brihatbala, Duryodhana and Bhima,
Yudhishthira and Salya, and
Dbrishtadyumna and Drona were thus
engaged in great battles.
Similarly, thousands of other warriors
fought severally according to the rules of
war of those days.
Besides these numerous single combats
between renowned warriors, there was
also indiscriminate fighting among
common soldiers. The name of "sankula
yuddha" was given to such free fighting
and promiscuous carnage. The
Kurukshetra battle witnessed many such
"sankula" fights wherein countless men
fought and died in the mad lust of battle.
On the field lay piles of slaughtered
soldiers, charioteers, elephants and horses.
The ground became a bloody mire in
which it was difficult for the chariots to
move about. In modern battles there is no
such thing as single combats. It is all
"sankula."
The Kauravas fought under Bhishma's
command for ten days. After him, Drona
took the command. When Drona died,
Karna succeeded to the command. Karna
fell towards the close of the seventeenth
day's battle. And Salya led the Kaurava
army on the eighteenth and last day.
Towards the latter part of the battle, many
savage and unchivalrous deeds were done.
Chivalry and rules of war die hard, for
there is an innate nobility in human
nature. But difficult situations and
temptations arise which men are too weak
to resist, especially when they are
exhausted with fighting and warped with
hatred and bloodshed.
Even great men commit wrong and their
lapses thereafter furnish bad examples to
others, and dharma comes to be
disregarded more and more easily and
frequently. Thus does violence beget and
nourish adharma and plunge the world in
wickedness.
64. THE FIRST DAY'S BATTLE
DUHSASANA was leading the Kaurava
forces and Bhimasena did the same on the
Pandava side. The noise of battle rolled
and rent the air. The kettledrums,
trumpets, horns and conchs made the sky
ring with their clamor.
Horses neighed, charging elephants
trumpeted and the warriors uttered their
lion-roars. Arrows flew in the air like
burning meteors. Fathers and sons, uncles
and nephews slew one another forgetful of
old affection and ties of blood. It was a
mad and terrible carnage. In the forenoon
of the first day's battle the Pandava army
was badly shaken. Wherever Bhishma's
chariot went, it was like the dance of the
destroyer. Abhimanyu could not bear this
and he attacked the grandsire. When the
oldest and the youngest warriors thus met
in battle, the gods came to watch the
combat. Abhimanyu's flag, displaying the
golden karnikara tree brightly waved on
his chariot.
Kritavarma was hit by one of his arrows
and Salya was hit five times. Bhishma
himself was hit nine times by
Abhimanyu's shafts. Durmukha's
charioteer was struck by one of
Abhimanyu's sword-edge arrow and his
severed head rolled on the ground.
Another broke Kripa's bow. Abhimanyu's
feats brought down showers of flowers
from the gods who looked on. Bhishma
and the warrior supporting him exclaimed:
"Indeed, a worthy son to Dhananjaya!"
Then the Kaurava warriors made a
combined attack on the valiant youth. But
he stood against them all. He parried with
his own all the shafts discharged by
Bhishma.
One of his well-aimed arrows brought the
grandsire's palm tree flag down. Seeing
this, Bhimasena was overjoyed and made
a great lion-roar that further inspired the
valiant nephew. Great was the grandsire's
joy, seeing the valor of the young hero.
Unwillingly, he had to use his full
strength against the boy. Virata, his son
Uttara, Dhrishtadyumna, the son of
Drupada and Bhima came to relieve the
young hero and attacked the grandsire
who then turned his attentions on them.
Uttara, the son of Virata, rode an elephant
and led a fierce charge on Salya. Salya's
chariot horses were trampled to death and
thereupon he hurled a javelin at Uttara. It
went with unerring aim and pierced him in
the chest.
The goad he had in his hand dropped and
he rolled down dead. But the elephant did
not withdraw. It continued charging until
Salya cut off its trunk and hit it in many
places with his arrows. And then it uttered
a loud cry and fell dead. Salya got into
Kritavarma's car.
Virata's son Sveta saw Salya slay his
younger brother. His anger rose, like fire
fed by libations of butter. And he drove
his chariot towards Salya. Seven chariot
warriors at once came up in support of
Salya and protected him from all sides.
Arrows were showered on Sveta and the
missiles sped across like lightning in
clouds. Sveta defended himself
marvelously. He parried their shafts with
his own and cut their javelins down as
they sped towards him. The warriors in
both armies were amazed at the skill
displayed by Sveta. Duryodhana lost no
time now and sent forces to relieve Salya.
Whereupon there was a great battle.
Thousands of soldiers perished, and
numerous were the chariots broken and
the horses and elephants killed. Sveta
succeeded in putting Duryodhana's men to
flight and he pushed forward and attacked
Bhishma.
Bhishma's flag was brought down by
Sveta. Bhishma, in his turn, killed Sveta's
horses and charioteer. There upon, they
hurled javelins at one another and fought
on.
Sveta took a mace, and swinging it, sent it
at Bhishma's car which was smashed to
pieces. But the grandsire, even before the
mace dashed against the chariot, had
anticipated it and jumped down. From the
ground he pulled the string of his bow to
his ear and sent a fatal arrow at Sveta.
Sveta was struck and fell dead. Duhsasana
blew his horn and danced in joy. This was
followed by a great attack on the Pandava
army by Bhishma.
The Pandava forces suffered greatly on
the first day of the battle. Dharmaputra
was seized with apprehension, and
Duryodhana's joy was unbounded. The
brothers came to Krishna and were
engaged in anxious consultations.
"Chief among Bharatas," said Krishna to
Yudhishthira, "do not fear. God has
blessed you with valiant brothers. Why
should you entertain any doubts? There is
Satyaki and there are Virata, Drupada and
Dhrishtadyumna, besides myself. What
reason is there for you to be dejected? Do
you forget that Sikhandin is awaiting for
his predestined victim Bhishma?" Thus
did Krishna comfort Yudhishthira.
65. THE SECOND DAY
THE Pandava army, having fared badly
on the first day of the battle,
Dhrishtadyumna, the Generalissimo,
devised measures to avoid a repetition of
it. On the second day, the army was most
carefully arrayed and everything was done
to instil confidence.
Duryodhana, filled with conceit on
account of the success on the first day,
stood in the center of his army and
addressed his warriors.
"Heroes in armor", he said in a loud voice,
"our victory is assured. Fight and care not
for life."
The Kaurava army, led by Bhishma, again
made strong attack on the Pandava forces
and broke their formation, killing large
numbers.
Arjuna, turning to Krishna, his charioteer,
said: "If we continue in this way, our army
will soon be totally destroyed by the
grandsire. Unless we slay Bhishma, I am
afraid we can not save our army."
"Dhananjaya, then get ready. There is the
grandsire's chariot," replied Krishna, and
drove straight towards him.
The chariot sped forward at a great pace.
The grandsire sent his shafts welcoming
the challenge. Duryodhana had ordered
his men to protect the grandsire most
vigilantly and never to let him expose
himself to danger.
Accordingly, all the warriors, supporting
the grandsire, at once intervened and
attacked Arjuna who, however, fought on
unconcerned.
It was well known that there were but
three on the Kaurava side who could stand
against Arjuna with any chance of success
the grandsire Bhishma, Drona and Karna.
Arjuna made short work of the warriors,
who intervened in support of Bhishma.
The way in which he wielded his great
bow on this occasion, extorted the
admiration of all the great generals in the
army. His chariot flashed hither and
thither sundering hostile ranks like forked
lightning, so rapidly that the eye ached to
follow its career.
Duryodhana's heart beat fast as he
watched this combat. His confidence in
the great Bhishma began to be shaken.
"Son of Ganga," Duryodhana said, "it
seems as if even while you and Drona are
alive and fighting, this irresistible
combination of Arjuna and Krishna will
destroy our entire army. Karna whose
devotion and loyalty to me are most
genuine stands aside and does not fight for
me only because of you. I fear I shall be
deceived and you will not take steps
quickly to destroy Phalguna (Arjuna)."
The gods came down to watch the combat
between Bhishma and Arjuna. These were
two of the greatest warriors on earth. Both
chariots were drawn by white steeds.
From either side flew arrows in countless
number. Shaft met shaft in the air and
sometimes the grandsire's missile hit
Arjuna's breast and that of Madhava
(Krishna). And the blood flowing made
Madhava more beautiful than ever as he
stood like a green palasa tree in full bloom
with crimson flowers.
Arjuna's wrath rose when he saw his dear
charioteer hit and he pulled his bow and
sent well-aimed arrows at the grandsire.
The combatants were equal and the battle
raged for a long while.
In the movements the chariots made they
were so close to one another and moved
about so fast that it was not possible to say
where Arjuna was and where Bhishma.
Only the flag could be distinguished.
As this great and wonderful scene was
enacted in one part of the field, at another
place a fierce battle was being fought
between Drona and his born enemy
Dhrishtadyumna, the son of the king of
the Panchalas and brother of Draupadi.
Drona's attack was powerful and
Dhrishtadyumna was wounded badly. But
the latter retaliated with equal vigor and
with a grin of hatred he shot arrows and
sped other missiles at Drona.
Drona defended himself with great skill.
He parried the sharp missiles and the
heavy maces hurled at him with his
arrows and broke them to pieces even as
they sped in the air.
Many times did Dhrishtadyumna's bow
break, hit by Drona's arrows. One of
Drona's arrows killed the Panchala
prince's charioteer. Thereupon
Dhrishtadyumna took up a mace and,
jumping down from the chariot, went
forward on foot.
Drona sent an arrow that brought the mace
down. Dhrishtadyumna then drew his
sword and rushed forward like a lion
springing on its elephant prey. But Drona
again disabled him and prevented his
advance.
Just then Bhima, who saw the Panchala's
predicament, sent a shower of arrows on
Drona and carried Dhrishtadyumna to
safety in his chariot.
Duryodhana who saw this sent the
Kalinga forces against Bhimasena. Bhima
killed the Kalinga warriors in great
number. Like Death itself he moved about
among his enemies and felled them to the
ground. So fierce was the destruction that
the entire army trembled in fear.
When Bhishma saw this, he came to
relieve the Kalingas. Satyaki, Abhimanyu
and other warriors came up in support of
Bhima. One of Satyaki's shafts brought
Bhishma's charioteer down and the horses
of Bhishma's chariot, left uncontrolled,
bolted carrying Bhishma away from the
field.
The Pandava army was wild with
enthusiasm when Bhishma's chariot sped
thus out of the field. They took advantage
of the situation and made a fierce attack
on the Kaurava army.
Great was the loss the Kaurava army
suffered in that day's battle as a result of
Arjuna's deeds of valor. The generals of
the Kaurava army were greatly perturbed
and their previous day's enthusiasm had
all disappeared.
They eagerly looked forward to sunset
when there would be an end to the day's
battle. As the sun sank in the west,
Bhishma said to Drona: "It is well we stop
the fighting now. Our army is
disheartened and weary."
On the side of the Pandavas, Dhananjaya
and others returned in great cheer to their
camp, with bands playing. At the end of
the second day's battle, the Kauravas were
in the mood that the Pandavas were in the
previous evening.
66. THE THIRD DAY'S BATTLE
ON the morning of the third day Bhishma
arrayed his army in eagle formation and
himself led it while Duryodhana and his
forces protected the rear. So great was the
care taken over every detail that the
Kauravas were certain that there could be
no mishap for them that day.
The Pandavas too arrayed their forces
with skill. Dhananjaya and
Dhrishtadyumna decided in favor of a
crescent formation of their army so as
more effectually to cope with the eagle
formation of the enemy's forces.
On the right horn of the crescent stood
Bhima and on the left Arjuna, leading the
respective divisions. The battle began. All
arms were at once engaged and blood
flowed in torrents and the dust that was
raised by chariots, horses and elephants
rose to hide the sun.
Dhananjaya's attack was powerful but the
enemy stood firm. A counter-attack was
made by the Kauravas concentrating on
Arjuna's position. Javelins and spears and
other missiles flew in the air shining like
forked lightning in a thunderstorm.
Like a great cloud of locusts the shafts
covered Arjuna's chariot. But with
amazing skill he raised a moving
fortification around his chariot with
arrows discharged in an unending stream
from his famous bow.
At another point Sakuni led a large force
against Satyaki and Abhimanyu. Satyaki's
chariot was broken to pieces and he had to
scramble up Abhimanyu's chariot and
thereafter both fought from the same
chariot.
They were able to destroy Sakuni's forces.
Drona and Bhishma jointly attacked
Dharmaputra's division and Nakula and
Sahadeva joined their brother in opposing
Drona's offensive.
Bhima and his son Ghatotkacha attacked
Duryodhana's division and in that day's
battle the son appeared to excel his great
father in valor.
Bhima's shafts hit Duryodhana and he lay
in swoon in his chariot. His charioteer
quickly drove the chariot away from the
scene. He feared that the Kaurava forces
would be completely demoralised if they
saw that the prince had been disabled.
But even this movement created great
confusion. Bhimasena took full advantage
of the position and worked havoc among
the fleeing Kaurava forces.
Drona and Bhishma who saw the
discomfiture and confusion of the
Kaurava army came up quickly and
restored confidence. The scattered forces
were brought together and Duryodhana
was again seen leading them.
"How can you stand thus," said
Duryodhana to the grandsire, "looking on
when our forces are scattered and put to
disgraceful flight? I fear you are too kind
to the Pandavas. Why did you not tell me
frankly 'I love the Pandavas;
Dhrishtadyumna and Satyaki are my
friends and I cannot attack or slay them.'
You should have stated the position
explicitly to me. Surely these men are not
equal to you. And if you were so minded,
you could deal with them easily. Even
now, it would be best if you and Drona
told me frankly your mind in the matter."
The chagrin of defeat, and the knowledge
that the grandsire disapproved of his ways
made Duryodhana speak thus bitterly. But
Bhishma merely smiled and said: "Wasn't
I quite frank in my advice to you? That
advice you rejected when you decided on
war. I tried to prevent the war but, now
that it has come, I am fulfilling my duties
by you with all my might. I am an old
man and what I am doing is quite my
utmost."
Saying thus, the grandsire resumed his
operations. The turn of events in the
forenoon had been so much in their favor
that the delighted Pandavas were now
somewhat careless.
They did not expect Bhishma to rally his
forces and attack them again. But stung by
Duryodhana's reproaches, the grandsire
raged about the field like a destroying fire.
He rallied his men and delivered the most
severe attack yet made on the Pandava
army. The latter thought that the grandsire
had multiplied himself into a number of
Bhishmas fighting at several points. So
swift were his movements that afternoon.
Those who opposed him were struck
down and perished like months in the fire.
The Pandava army was thoroughly broken
and began to scatter. Vasudeva, Partha
and Sikhandin tried hard to restore order
and confidence, but were unsuccessful.
"Dhanjaya," said Krishna, "now has the
critical time come. Be true to your
decision not to flinch from your duty to
kill in battle Bhishma, Drona and all the
other friends and relatives and respected
elders. You have pledged yourself to it
and you have now to carry it out.
Otherwise our army is lost beyond
redemption. You must now attack the
grandsire."
"Drive on," said Arjuna.
As Dhananjaya's chariot sped on towards
Bhishma, it met a hot reception from the
grandsire, who covered it with his arrows.
But, Arjuna bent his bow and discharged
three shafts that broke the grandsire's bow.
Bhishma picked up another bow but it too
met the same fate. The grandsire's heart
was gladdened when he saw Arjuna's skill
in archery.
"Hail, brave warrior!" applauded the
grandsire, even as, taking up another bow;
he poured shafts on Arjuna's chariot with
unerring aim.
Krishna was not happy at the way Arjuna
met the attack. The grandsire's bow was
working fiercely. But Arjuna's hands did
not do their best, for his heart was not in
it.
He had too much regard for his great
grandsire. Krishna thought that, if Arjuna
went on like this, the army, which had
been so badly demoralized already, would
be utterly destroyed and all would be lost.
Krishna managed the chariot skilfully, but
in spite of it, both he and Arjuna were hit
many times by Bhishma's arrows.
Janardana's (Krishna) anger rose. "I can
stand this no longer, Arjuna. I shall kill
Bhishma myself if you will not do it!" he
exclaimed, and dropping the reins, he took
up his discus and jumped down from the
chariot and dashed forward towards
Bhishma.
Bhishma was far from being perturbed at
this. On the contrary, his face expanded
with ecstatic joy. "Come, come, Oh Lotuseyed
One!" he exclaimed.
"I bow to you, Oh Madhava. Lord of the
World, have you indeed come down from
the chariot for my sake? I offer you my
life. If I be slain by you, I shall be
glorified in the three worlds. Give me that
boon. May your hands take this life away
and save me for eternity."
Arjuna was distressed to see this. He
jumped down and ran after Krishna.
Overtaking him with great difficulty, he
entreated Krishna to turn back.
"Do not lose your patience with me.
Desist and I promise not to flinch," he
said, and persuaded Krishna to return. The
chariot reins were again in Krishna's
hands. Arjuna attacked the Kaurava forces
furiously and thousands were slain by
him.
The Kauravas suffered a severe defeat on
the evening of the third day. As they
returned to their camps in torchlight, they
said to one another: "Who can equal
Arjuna? There is nothing strange in his
being victorious." So marvelous was
Arjuna's prowess that day.
67. THE FOURTH DAY
THE battle was very much the same every
day and the narrative is one of
monotonous fighting and killing. Still, the
great battle is the central event in the
Mahabharata and, if we skip over it, we
cannot fully understand the epic heroes of
that crowded stage.
At break of day, Bhishma arrayed the
Kaurava forces again. Surrounded by
Drona, Duryodhana and others, the
grandsire looked verily like great Indra,
holding his thunder bolt, surrounded by
the devas.
The Kaurava army, with its chariots,
elephants and horses all arrayed in battle
order and ready for the fight, presented
the appearance of the sky in a great
thunderstorm.
The grandsire gave orders for advance.
Arjuna watched the hostile movements
from his chariot, whereon the Hanuman
flag was waving, and he too got ready.
The battle commenced. Aswatthama,
Bhurisravas, Salya, Chitrasena and the son
of Chala surrounded Abhimanyu and
attacked him. The warrior fought like a
lion opposing five elephants.
Arjuna saw this combined attack on his
son and, with a wrathful lion roar joined
his son whereat the tempo of fighting
flared up. Dhrishtadyumna also arrived
with a large force. The son of Chala was
killed.
Chala himself now joined and he with
Salya, made a strong attack on
Dhrishtadyumna. The latter's bow was
severed into two by a sharp missile
discharged by Salya.
Abhimanyu saw this and sent a shower of
arrows on Salya and put him in such
danger that Duryodhana and his brothers
rushed to Salya's help. Bhimasena also
appeared on the scene at this juncture.
When Bhima raised his mace aloft,
Duryodhana's brothers lost courage.
Duryodhana, who saw this, was
exceedingly angry and immediately
charged against Bhima with a large force
of elephants.
As soon as Bhima saw the elephants
coming up, he descended from his chariot,
iron mace in hand, attacked them so
fiercely that they scattered in a wild
stampede, throwing the Kaurava ranks
into disorder.
It will be seen that even in our Puranic
stories elephants fared as badly in battle as
they did in the wars of the Greeks and the
Romans. Bhima's attack on the elephants
was like Indra's devastating onslaught on
the winged mountains.
The slaughtered elephants lay dead on the
field like great hills. Those that escaped
fled in panic and caused great havoc in the
Kaurava army, trampling numerous
soldiers in their wild race. Duryodhana,
thereupon, ordered a wholesale attack on
Bhima.
But he stood firm as a rock and presently,
the Pandava warriors came up and joined
him. A number of Duryodhana's arrows
struck Bhima's chest and he climbed up
his chariot again.
"Visoka, now is the glad hour," said
Bhima to his charioteer. "I see a number
of Dhritarashtra's sons before me, ready to
be shaken down like ripe fruits on a tree.
Keep your hold well on the reins and
drive on. I am going to dispatch these
wretches to Yama's abode." Bhima's
arrows would have killed Duryodhana
then and there, had it not been for his
armor.
Eight of Duryodhana's brothers were slain
in that day's battle by Bhima. Duryodhana
fought fiercely. Bhima's bow was
smashed by one of Duryodhana's arrows.
Taking up a fresh bow, Bhima sent an
arrow with a knife-edge at Duryodhana
that cut the latter's bow into two.
Not baffled by this, Duryodhana took up a
fresh bow and discharged a well-aimed
shaft which struck Bhima on his chest
with such force that he reeled and sat
down.
The Pandava warriors now poured a great
shower of arrows on Duryodhana.
Ghatotkacha, who saw his father sit dazed
with the force of the blow, got
exceedingly angry and fell on the Kaurava
army, which was unable to stand against
his onslaught.
"We cannot fight this Rakshasa today."
said Bhishma to Drona. "Our men are
weary. It is nearing sunset and at night of
the Rakshasas grows stronger with the
darkness. Let us deal with Ghatotkacha
tomorrow."
The grandsire ordered his army to retire
for the night. Duryodhana sat musing in
his tent, his eyes filled with tears. He had
lost many of his brothers in that day's
battle.
"Sanjaya," exclaimed Dhritarashtra.
"Every day, you give me nothing but bad
news. Your tale has ever been one of
sorrow, of defeat and loss of dear ones! I
cannot stand this any more. What
stratagem can save my people? How are
we going to win in this fight? Indeed, I am
full of fear. It seems fate is more powerful
than human effort."
"King " said Sanjaya in reply, "is this not
all the result of your own folly? Of what
avail is grief? How can I manufacture
good news for you? You should hear the
truth with fortitude."
"Ah! Vidura's words are coming true,"
said the blind old king, plunged in great
grief.
68. THE FIFTH DAY
"I AM like a shipwrecked man seeking to
save himself by swimming in a storm
tossed ocean. I shall surely drown,
overwhelmed in this sea of sorrow."
Again and again, when Sanjaya related the
happenings of the great battle,
Dhritarashtra would thus lament, unable
to bear his grief.
"Bhima is going to kill all my sons," he
said. "I do not believe there is anyone with
prowess enough in our army to protect my
sons from death. Did Bhishma, Drona,
Kripa and Aswatthama look on
unconcerned when our army fled in
terror? What indeed is their plan? When
and how are they going to help
Duryodhana? How are my sons to escape
from destruction?"
Saying thus, the blind old king burst into
tears.
"Calm yourself, King," said Sanjaya. "The
Pandavas rest on the strength of a just
cause. So, they win. Your sons are brave
but their thoughts are wicked. Therefore,
luck does not favor them. They have done
great injustice to the Pandavas, and they
are reaping the harvest of their sins. The
Pandavas are not winning by charms or
magic incantations. They are fighting
according to the practice of kshatriyas.
Their cause being just, they have strength.
Friends advised you, but you discarded
wise counsel. Vidura, Bhishma, Drona
and I tried to stop you in your unwise
course, but you did not listen and you
went on. Like a foolish sick man who
refuses to drink bitter medicine, you
obstinately refused to follow our advice,
which would have saved your people,
preferring to do as your foolish son
desired. You are in distress now. Last
night, Duryodhana asked Bhishma the
same question as you put to me now. And
Bhishma gave the same answer as I give
you."
When the fighting was stopped on the
evening of the fourth day, Duryodhana
went by himself to Bhishma's tent and,
bowing reverently, said:
"Grandsire, the world knows that you are
a warrior who knows not fear. The same is
the case with Drona, Kripa, Aswatthama,
Kritavarma, Sudakshin, Bhurisravas,
Vikarna and Bhagadatta. Death has no
terror for these veterans. There is no
doubt, the prowess of these great warriors
is limitless, even like your own. All the
Pandavas combined cannot defeat any one
of you. What then is the mystery behind
this daily defeat of our army at the hands
of the sons of Kunti?"
Bhishma replied: "Prince, listen to me. I
have given you advice on every occasion
and told you what was good for you. But,
you have always refused to follow what
your elders counselled you to do. Again, I
tell you that it is best for you to make
peace with Pandu's sons. For your good as
well as for that of the world, that is the
only course that should be followed.
Belonging to the same royal house, you
can all enjoy this vast country as yours. I
gave you this advice, but you disregarded
it and have grievously wronged the
Pandavas, the fruit of which you are now
reaping. The Pandavas are protected by
Krishna himself. How then can you hope
for victory? Even now, it is not loo late
for making peace and that is the way to
rule your kingdom, making the Pandavas,
your powerful brothers, friends instead of
enemies. Destruction awaits you if you
insult Dhananjaya and Krishna, who are
none other than Nara and Narayana."
Duryodhana took leave and went to his
tent, but he could not sleep that night.
The battle was resumed the next morning.
Bhishma arrayed the Kaurava forces in a
strong formation. So did Dhrishtadyumna
for the Pandava army.
Bhima stood at the head of the advance
lines as usual. And Sikhandin,
Dhrishtadyumna and Satyaki stood
behind, securely guarding the main body,
aided by other generals.
Dharmaputra and the twin brothers held
the rear. Bhishma bent his bow and
discharged his shafts. The Pandava army
suffered greatly under the grandsire's
attack.
Dhananjaya saw this and retaliated by
fierce shafts aimed at Bhishma.
Duryodhana went to Drona and
complained bitterly according to his
custom.
Drona upbraided him severely: "Obstinate
prince, you talk without understanding.
You are ignorant of the Pandavas'
strength. We are doing our best."
Drona's powerful attack on the Pandava
army was too much for Satyaki who was
meeting it and Bhima therefore turned his
attentions to Drona. The battle grew
fiercer still. Drona, Bhishma and Salya
made a combined attack on Bhima.
Sikhandin supported Bhima by pouring a
shower of arrows on Bhishma. As soon as
Sikhandin stepped in, Bhishma turned
away. For Sikhandin was born a girl, and
Bhishma's principles did not permit him to
attack a woman.
In the end, this same objection proved to
be the cause of Bhishma's death. When
Drona saw Bhishma turn away, he
attacked Sikhandin fiercely and compelled
him to withdraw.
There was a promiscuous battle the whole
of the morning of the fifth day, and the
slaughter was terrific. In the after noon,
Duryodhana sent a large force to oppose
Satyaki.
But Satyaki destroyed it completely and
advanced to attack Bhurisravas.
Bhurisravas, who was a powerful
opponent, put Satyaki's men to fight, and
pressed Satyaki himself so fiercely that he
was in distress.
Satyaki's ten sons saw their father's plight
and sought to relieve him by launching an
offensive against Bhurisravas, but
Bhurisravas undaunted by numbers,
opposed the combined attack and was not
to be shaken. His well-aimed darts broke
their weapons and they were all slain,
strewn on the field like so many tall trees
struck down by lightning. Satyaki, wild
with rage and grief, drove forward at a
furious pace to slay Bhurisravas.
The chariots of the two warriors dashed
against each other and crumbled to pieces.
And the warriors stood face to face with
sword and shield in desperate single
combat.
Then, Bhima came and took away Satyaki
by force into his chariot and drove away.
For Bhima knew that Bhurisravas was an
unrivalled swordsman and he did not want
Satyaki to be slain.
Arjuna killed thousands of warriors that
evening. The soldiers, dispatched against
him by Duryodhana, perished like moths
in the fire. As the sun went down and
Bhishma gave orders to cease fighting, the
princes on the Pandava army surrounded
Arjuna and greeted him with loud cries of
admiration and victory.
The armies on both sides retired to camp,
along with the tired horses and elephants.
69. THE SIXTH DAY
ACCORDING to Yudhishthira's order
Dhrishtadyumna arrayed the Pandava
army in makara (fish) formation for the
sixth day's battle. The Kaurava army was
arrayed in krauncha (heron) formation.
We know, how, similarly, names were
given to physical exercise, asanas, or
postures. Vyuha was the general name for
battle array. Which Vyuha was best for
any particular occasion, depended on the
requirements of the offensive and
defensive plans of the day.
What the strength and composition of the
forces arrayed should be and what
positions they should take up were
decided upon, according to the situation as
it developed from time to time.
The sixth day was marked by a prodigious
slaughter, even in the first part of the
morning. Drona's charioteer was killed
and Drona took the reins of the horses
himself and used his bow as well.
Great was the destruction he effected. He
went about like fire among cotton heaps.
The formations of both armies were soon
broken and indiscriminate and fierce
fighting went on. Blood flowed in torrents
and the field was covered by dead bodies
of soldiers, elephants and horses and the
debris of chariots.
Bhimasena pierced the enemy's lines to
seek out Duryodhana's brothers and finish
them. They, for their part, did not wait to
be sought, but rushed on him, in a
combined attack from all sides. He was
attacked by Duhsasana, Durvishaha,
Durmata, Jaya, Jayatsena, Vikarna,
Chitrasena, Sudarsana, Charuchitra,
Suvarma, Dushkarna and others, all
together.
Bhimasena, who did not know what fear
was, stood up and fought them all. They
desired to take him prisoner and he to kill
them all on the spot.
The battle raged fiercely, even like the
ancient battle between the gods and the
asuras. Suddenly, the son of Pandu lost his
patience and jumped down from his
chariot, mace in band, and made straight
on foot for the sons of Dhritarashtra, in
hot haste to slay them.
When Dhrishtadyumna saw Bhima's
chariot disappear in the enemy lines, he
was alarmed and rushed to prevent
disaster. He reached Bhima's car, but
found it was occupied only by the
charioteer and Bhima was not in it. With
tears in his eyes, he asked the charioteer:
"Visoka, where is Bhima dearer to me
than life?" Dhrishtadyumna naturally
thought Bhima had fallen.
Visoka bowed and said to the son of
Drupada: "The son of Pandu asked me to
stay here and, without waiting for my
reply rushed forward on foot, mace in
hand, into the enemy ranks."
Fearing that Bhima would be
overpowered and killed Dhrishtadyumna
drove his chariot into the enemy lines in
search of Bhimasena, whose path was
marked by the bodies of slain elephants.
When Dhrishtadyumna found Bhima, he
saw him surrounded on all sides by
enemies fighting from their chariots.
Bhima stood against them all, mace in
hand, wounded all over and breathing fire.
Dhrishtadyumna embraced him and took
him into his chariot and proceeded to pick
out the shafts that had stuck in his body.
Duryodhana now ordered his warriors to
attack Bhimasena and Dhrishtadyumna
and not to wait for them to attack or
challenge.
Accordingly, they made a combined
attack even though they were not inclined
to engage themselves in further fighting.
Dhrishtadyumna had a secret weapon,
which he had obtained from Dronacharya
and, discharging it, threw the enemy
forces into a stupor.
But Duryodhana then joined the fray and
discharged weapons to counter the stupor
weapons of Dhrishtadyumna. Just then,
reinforcements sent by Yudhishthira
arrived.
A force of twelve chariots with their
retinue led by Abhimanyu came upon the
scene to support Bhima.
Dhrishtadyumna was greatly relieved
when he saw this. Bhimasena had also by
now refreshed himself and was ready to
renew the fight. He got into Kekaya's
chariot and took up his position along
with the rest.
Drona, however, was terrible that day. He
killed Dhrishtadyumna's charioteer and
horses and smashed his chariot and
Drupada's son had to seek a place in
Abhimanyu's car. The Pandava forces
began to waver and Drona was cheered by
the Kaurava army.
Indiscriminate mass fighting and slaughter
went on that day. At one time, Bhima and
Duryodhana met face to face. The usual
exchange of hot words took place and was
followed by a great battle of archery.
Duryodhana was hit and fell unconscious.
Kripa extricated him with great skill and
took him away in his own chariot.
Bhishma personally arrived at the spot
now and led the attack and scattered the
Pandava forces.
The sun was sinking, but the battle was
continued for an hour yet and the fighting
was fierce and many thousands perished.
Then the day's battle ceased. Yudhishthira
was glad that Dhrishtadyumna and Bhima
returned to camp alive.
70. THE SEVENTH DAY
DURYODHANA, wounded all over and
suffering greatly, went to Bhishma and
said:
"The battle had been going against us
every day. Our formations are broken and
our warriors are being slain in large
numbers. You are looking on doing
nothing."
The grandsire soothed Duryodhana with
comforting words:
"Why do you let yourself be disheartened?
Here are all of us, Drona, Salya,
Kritavarma, Aswatthama, Vikarna,
Bhagadatta, Sakuni, the two brothers of
Avanti, the Trigarta chief, the king of
Magadha, and Kripacharya. When these
great warriors are here, ready to give up
their lives for you, why should you feel
downhearted? Get rid of this mood of
dejection."
Saying this, he issued orders for the day.
"See there," the grandsire said to
Duryodhana. "These thousands of cars,
horses and horsemen, great war elephants,
and those armed foot soldiers from
various kingdoms are all ready to fight for
you. With this fine army, you can
vanquish even the gods. Fear not."
Thus cheering up the dejected
Duryodhana, he gave him a healing balm
for his wounds. Duryodhana rubbed it
over his numerous wounds and felt
relieved.
He went to the field, heartened by the
grandsire's words of confidence. The army
was that day arrayed in circular formation.
With each war elephant were seven
chariots fully equipped.
Each chariot was supported by seven
horsemen. To each horseman were
attached ten shield bearers. Everyone
wore armor.
Duryodhana stood resplendent like Indra
at the center of this great and wellequipped
army. Yudhishthira arrayed the
Pandava army in vajravyuha. This day's
battle was fiercely fought simultaneously
at many sectors.
Bhishma personally opposed Arjuna's
attacks. Drona and Virata were engaged
with each other at another point.
Sikhandin and Aswatthama fought a big
battle at another sector.
Duryodhana and Dhrishtadyumna fought
with each other at yet another point.
Nakula and Sahadeva attacked their uncle
Salya. The Avanti kings opposed
Yudhamanyu, while Bhimasena opposed
Kritavarma, Chitrasena, Vikarna and
Durmarsha.
There were great battles between
Ghatotkacha and Bhagadatta, between
Alambasa and Satyaki, between
Bhurisravas and Dhrishtaketu, between
Yudhishthira and Srutayu and between
Chekitana and Kripa.
In the battle between Drona and Virata,
the latter was worsted and he had to climb
into the chariot of his son Sanga, having
lost his own chariot, horses and
charioteer.
Virata's sons Uttara and Sveta had fallen
in the first day's battle. On this seventh
day, Sanga also was slain just as his father
came up to his side. Sikhandin, Drupada's
son, was defeated by Aswatthama.
His chariot was smashed and he jumped
down and stood sword and shield in hand.
Aswatthama aimed his shaft at his sword
and broke it. Sikhandin then whirled the
broken sword and hurled it at Aswatthama
with tremendous force, but it was met by
Aswatthama's arrow.
Sikhandin, badly beaten, got into Satyaki's
chariot and retired. In the fight between
Satyaki and Alambasa, the former had the
worst of it at first but later recovered
ground and Alambasa had to flee.
In the battle between Dhrishtadyumna and
Duryodhana, the horses of the latter were
killed and he had to alight from his
chariot. He, however, continued the fight,
sword in hand. Sakuni came then and took
the prince away in his chariot.
Kritavarma made a strong attack on
Bhima but was worsted. He lost his
chariot and horses and acknowledging
defeat, fled towards Sakuni's car, with
Bhima's arrows sticking all over him,
making him look like a porcupine
speeding away in the forest.
Vinda and Anuvinda of Avanti were
defeated by Yudhamanyu, and their
armies were completely destroyed.
Bhagadatta attacked Ghatotkacha and put
to flight all his supporters.
But, alone, Ghatotkacha stood and fought
bravely. But in the end, he too had to save
himself by flight, which gladdened the
whole Kaurava army.
Salya attacked his nephews. Nakula's
horses were killed and he had to join his
brother in the latter's chariot. Both
continued the fight from the same car.
Salya was hit by Sahadeva's arrow and
swooned. The charioteer skilfully drove
the car away and saved Salya.
When the Madra king (Salya) was seen
retreating from the field Duryodhana's
army lost heart and the twin sons of Madri
blew their conchs in triumph. Taking
advantage of the situation, they inflicted
heavy damage on Salya's forces.
At noon, Yudhishthira led an attack on
Srutayu. The latter's well-aimed arrows
intercepted Dharmaputra's missiles, and
his armor was pierced and he was severely
wounded.
Yudhishthira then lost his temper and sent
a powerful arrow that pierced Srutayu's
breast-plate. That day, Yudhishthira was
not his normal self and burnt with anger.
Srutayu's charioteer and horses were
killed and the chariot was smashed and he
had to flee on foot from the field. This
completed the demorahsation of
Duryodhana's army.
In the attack on Kripa, Chekitana, losing
his chariot and charioteer, alighted and
attacked Kripa's charioteer and horses
with mace in hand and killed them.
Kripa also alighted, and standing on the
ground, discharged his arrows. Chekitana
was badly hit. He then whirled his mace
and hurled it at Kripacharya, but the latter
was able to intercept it with his own
arrow.
Thereupon they closed with each other,
sword in hand. Both were wounded and
fell on the ground, when Bhima came and
took Chekitana away in his chariot.
Sakuni similarly took wounded Kripa
away in his car.
Ninety-six arrows of Dhrishtaketu struck
Bhurisravas. And the great warrior was
like a sun radiating glory, as the arrows,
all sticking in his breast-plate, shone
bright around his radiant face. Even in
that condition, he compelled Dhrishtaketu
to admit defeat and retire. Three of
Duryodhana's brothers attacked
Abhimanyu who inflicted a heavy defeat
on them but spared their lives, because
Bhima had sworn to kill them. Thereupon,
Bhishma attacked Abhimanyu.
Arjuna saw this and said to his illustrious
charioteer: "Krishna, drive the car towards
Bhishma."
At that moment, the other Pandavas also
joined Arjuna. But the grandsire was able
to hold his own against all five until the
sunset, and the battle was suspended for
the day. And the warriors of both sides,
weary and wounded, retired to their tents
for rest and for having their injuries
attended to.
After this, for an hour, soft music was
played, soothing the warriors to their rest.
That hour was spent, says the poet,
without a word about war or hatred. It was
an hour of heavenly bliss, and it was a
glad sight to see. One can see herein what
the great lesson of the Mahabharata is.
71. THE EIGHTH DAY
WHEN the eighth day dawned, Bhishma
arrayed his army in tortoise formation.
Yudhishthira said to Dhrishtadyumna:
"See there, the enemy is in kurma vyuha
(tortoise formation). You have to answer
at once with a formation that can break it."
Dhrishtadyumna immediately proceeded
to his task. The Pandava forces were
arrayed in a three-pronged formation.
Bhima was at the head of one prong,
Satyaki of another, and Yudhishthira at
the crest of the middle division. Our
ancestors had developed the science of
war very well.
It was not reduced to writing but was
preserved by tradition in the families of
kshatriyas. Armor and tactics were
employed suitably to meet the weapons of
offence and the tactics that the enemy
used in those days.
The Kurukshetra battle was fought some
thousands of years ago. Reading the story
of the battle in the Mahabharata, we
should not, having the practice and
incidents of modern warfare in mind,
reject the Mahabharata narrative as mere
myth with no relation to fact.
Only about a century and a half ago, the
English admiral Nelson fought great sea
battles and won undying renown.
The weapons used and the vessels that
actually took part in Nelson's battles,
would seem almost weird and even
ridiculous if compared with those of
modern naval warfare.
If a hundred and fifty years can make so
much difference, we must be prepared for
very strange things in the procedure and
events of a period, so long back as that of
the Mahabharata war.
Another matter to be kept in mind is that
we cannot expect, in the books of poets
and literary writers, accurate or full details
about weapons and tactics, although the
narrative may be of battles.
Military affairs were in ancient times the
sole concern of the military order, the
kshatriyas. Their culture and their training
were entirely their own charge.
The principles and the secrets of warfare
and the science and art of the use of
military weapons were handed down from
generation to generation by tradition and
personal instruction.
There were no military textbooks and
there was not any place for them in the
works of poets and rishis. If a modern
novel deals in some chapters with the
treatment and cure of a sick person, we
can not expect to see such details in it as
might interest a medical man. No author
would care, even if he were able, to
include scientific details in his story.
So, we cannot hope to find in the epic of
Vyasa, precise details as to what is
tortoise formation or lotus formation. We
have no explanation as to how one could,
by discharging a continuous stream of
arrows, build a defence around himself or
intercept and cut missiles in transit, or
how one could be living when pierced all
over by arrows, or how far the armor worn
by the soldiers and officers could protect
them against missiles or what were the
ambulance arrangements or how the dead
were disposed of.
All these things appertaining to ancient
war, however interesting, will have to be
in the realm of the unknown in spite of the
vivid narrative we have in the
Mahabharata epic.
Bhima killed eight of Dhritarashtra's sons
early in the battle that day. Duryodhana's
heart lost courage before this. It seemed to
his friends as if Bhimasena would
complete his revenge this very day, even
as he swore in the assembly ball, where
the great outrage was enacted.
Arjuna had a great bereavement in this
day's battle. His dear son Iravan was
killed. This son of Arjuna by his Naga
wife had come and joined the Pandava
forces at Kurukshetra. Duryodhana sent
his friend, the Rakshasa Alambasa, to
oppose the Naga warrior.
Iravan was slain after a fierce fight. When
Arjuna heard this, he broke down
completely. Said he turning to Vasudeva:
"Vidura had indeed told us plainly that
both sides would be plunged in grief
unbearable. What are we doing all this
wretched destruction up on one another
for? Just for the sake of property. After all
this killing, what joy are we or they likely
to find in the end? O Madhusudana, I now
see why the far seeing Yudhishthira said
he would be content if Duryodhana would
give five villages to us, keeping
everything else to himself and he would
not resort to fighting if that were agreed
to. Duryodhana, in his obstinate folly,
refused to give even these five villages
and so, these great sins have to be
committed on both sides. I continue
fighting only because men would
otherwise think me a coward, who could
submit tamely to wrong. When I see the
dead warriors lying on the field, my heart
is filled with unbearable anguish. Oh, how
wicked we are to carry on in this
miserable, sinful way."
Seeing Iravan killed, Ghatotkacha uttered
a loud war-cry which made all the
assembled soldiers tremble. And with his
division, he fell upon the Kaurava army
ferociously. So great was the destruction
he wrought that at many points the
Kaurava formation was broken.
Seeing this, Duryodhana personally led an
attack on Bhima's son. The king of Vanga
joined Duryodhana with his elephants.
Duryodhana fought most bravely on this
eighth day of the battle. He killed a great
number of warriors on Ghatotkacha's side.
Ghatotkacha hurled a javelin which would
have ended Duryodhana's career but for
the Vanga chief's prompt intervention
with one of his elephants.
The missile hit the beast, which fell dead,
and Duryodhana was saved.
Bhishma was anxious about Duryodhana
and sent a large force under Drona to
support the Kaurava prince.
Many were the veterans who were in this
force that attacked Ghatotkacha.
So tumultuous and fierce was the fight at
this sector of the battle that Yudhishthira
feared for Ghatotkacha's safety and sent
Bhimasena to his aid.
Then the battle became even fiercer than
before. Sixteen of Duryodhana's brothers
perished on this day.
72. THE NINTH DAY
ON the morning of the ninth day, before
the battle began, Duryodhana was
closeted with the grandsire. He gave vent
to his bitter feelings of disappointment
over the way the battle was going. He
uttered words that were like the sharp
spears and pained the grandsire greatly
but the latter was patient and said sadly:
"Like ghee on the sacrificial fire I am
pouring my life out for you. Why do you
seek to mortify me, who have been doing
my very utmost for you? You speak like a
man of no understanding, not knowing
what is right and what is wrong. They say
that, when a man is nearing his death, the
tree appears to him to be made of gold.
You see things now, not as they are. Your
vision is clouded. You are now reaping
the harvest of the hatred you deliberately
sowed. The best course for you are to go
on fighting, as well as you can. This is
also the plain path of duty. It is not
possible for me to fight Sikhandin, for I
can never raise my hand against a woman.
Nor can I with my hands kill the
Pandavas, for my mind revolts against it. I
will do everything barring these two and
fight all the warriors opposed to you.
Nothing is gained by losing heart. Fight as
a kshatriya should and honor will be yours
whatever the events."
Saying thus to Duryodhana and cheering
him up with wise and affectionate words,
Bhishma proceeded to issue instructions
for arraying the forces for the day's battle.
Duryodhana was heartened. He sent for
Duhsasana and said to him: "Brother, put
forth all our strength in today's battle. I am
convinced, the grandsire is fighting on our
side with his whole heart. It is only
against Sikhandin, he says, he cannot use
his weapons. We should see that he is not
exposed to Sikhandin's attacks, for you
know, even a wild dog can kill a lion if
the latter scorns to fight back."
There was a great fight between
Abhimanyu and Alambasa. Abhimanyu
demonstrated that his valor was no less
than his illustrious father's. Alambasa had
to flee on foot to save himself.
There were fierce combats between
Satyaki and Aswatthama and between
Drona and Arjuna. Thereafter, all the
Pandavas attacked the grandsire and
Duryodhana sent Duhsasana to support
the old warrior. Bhishma fought furiously
and beat the Pandavas back.
The Pandava forces were thoroughly
demoralised and were flying hither and
thither, like cattle that had lost their way
in the forest.
Krishna halted the chariot and said to
Arjuna: "Partha, you and your brothers
were looking forward to this day, after
thirteen years. Do not hesitate to kill the
grandsire. Remember the duty of a
soldier."
Arjuna bent his head down and, without
looking up, replied: "I would much rather
have continued to be an exile in the forest
than kill the grandsire and the teachers
whom I love, but I shall obey you. Drive
on."
Arjuna's heart was not in the fight.
Unwillingly and in great distress of mind,
he proceeded to the combat. Bhishma, on
the other hand, burnt fiercely like the
noonday sun.
When the army saw Arjuna's chariot
proceed towards Bhishma, it regained
courage and order once again prevailed.
Bhishma's arrows came thick and fast and
covered the advancing chariot so
completely that neither horses nor
vehicles could be seen.
Krishna was unperturbed and drove on
with circumspection and skill. Arjuna's
shafts hit Bhishma's bow and shattered it
many times. But the grandsire went on
renewing his weapon.
"You are not fighting, Arjuna, as you
should!" exclaimed Krishna, and jumped
down in a rage from the chariot and,
taking up his discus, he advanced towards
the grandsire.
Bhishma saw Vasudeva approaching.
"Hail, O Lotus-eyed One!" he cried.
"Blessed am I to be separated from the
body by you! Come, come!"
Arjuna jumped down from the chariot
and, rushing forward overtook and held
Krishna, casting both his arms around
him. "Stop, Krishna," he cried. "Do not
break your pledge. You have promised not
to use weapons in this battle. This is my
work. I shall not fail. I shall send my
arrows and kill the beloved grandsire
myself. Pray, mount the car and take the
reins."
Arjuna took Krishna back and the battle
was resumed. The Pandava forces had
been handled roughly, but now the sun
was down in the west and the fighting
ended for the day.
73. THE PASSING OF BHISHMA
IT was the tenth day of the battle. Keeping
Sikhandin in front of him, Arjuna attacked
Bhishma. When Sikhandin's darts pierced
his breast, sparks flew from the grandsire's
eyes.
For a moment the old warrior's anger rose
like flaming fire and his eyes glared as if
to consume Sikhandin. But, at once, the
grandsire restrained himself.
He decided not to be provoked into
fighting Sikhandin, who was born a
woman and to strike whom it seemed
unworthy of a warrior.
He knew, however, his end was near and
calmed himself. Sikhandin went on
discharging his arrows, not minding the
battle of emotions in his opponent's mind.
Arjuna also steeled his heart, and from
behind Sikhandin aimed arrows at the
weak points in Bhishma's armor, even
while the grandsire stood still.
Bhishma smiled as the arrows continued
to come down thick on him, and turning to
Duhsasana, said: "Ah, these are Arjuna's
arrows! These cannot be Sikhandin's, for
they burn my flesh as the crab's young
ones tear their mother's body."
Thus did the grandsire look upon his dear
pupil's arrows and, while saying this to
Duhsasana, he took up a javelin and
hurled it at Arjuna. Arjuna met it with
three arrows which cut it to pieces even
as it was speeding through the air.
Bhishma then decided to end the combat
and made as if to dismount from his
chariot, sword and shield in hand. But
before he could do so, his shield was cut
to pieces by Arjuna's arrows.
With arrows sticking all over his body so
thickly that there was not even an inch of
intervening space, Bhishma fell headlong
to the ground from his chariot.
As he fell, the gods, who looked on from
above, folded their hands in reverent
salutation and a gentle breeze, laden with
fragrance and cool raindrops, swept over
the battlefield.
Thus fell the great and good Bhishma, the
son of Ganga, who came on earth to
hallow it and all it bears.
The blameless hero who, unasked, made
the great renunciation to give joy to his
father. The undefeated bowman who had
humbled the pride of Rama of the axe.
The selfless worker for righteousness'
sake, thus repaid his debt to Duryodhana,
and lay wounded to death sanctifying with
his life-blood the battlefield. As the
grandsire fell, the hearts of the Kauravas
also fell along with him.
Bhishma's body did not touch the ground,
on account of the arrows sticking out all
over his body. His body shone more
brightly than ever before, as it lay as on a
bed of honor, supported by the shafts that
had pierced his flesh.
Both armies ceased fighting and all the
warriors came running and crowded round
the great hero, who lay on his bed of
arrows. The kings of the earth stood with
bowed heads round him, as the gods
round Brahma.
"My head hangs down unsupported," said
the grandsire. The princes who stood near,
ran and brought cushions. The old warrior
rejected them with a smile and, turning
towards Arjuna said: "Dear son Partha,
give me a cushion befitting a warrior."
When Arjuna, whose arrows were just
then burning the grandsire's flesh, heard
those words addressed to him, he took
three arrows from out of his quiver and so
placed them that the grandsire's head
found support on their points.
"Princes," said Bhishma addressing the
assembled chiefs, "Arjuna's arrows were
indeed what my head required to be
supported on. This pillow gives me
satisfaction. Now, I must lie thus until the
sun turns north. My soul will not depart
till then. When I pass away, those of you
who may be alive then may come and see
me."
Then the grandsire turned again to Arjuna
and said: "I am tormented with thirst. Get
me some drinking water." At once, Arjuna
raised his bow, and drawing, it to the ear,
shot a shaft down into the earth near the
grandsire on his right side.
Upon the opening made by the arrow,
there gushed a stream of pure sweet water
to the very lips of the dying man. Ganga
came up, says the poet, to quench her dear
son's burning thirst. Bhishma drank and
was happy.
"Duryodhana, may you be wise!" said
Bhishma, addressing the Kaurava prince.
"Did you see how Arjuna brought me
water to quench my thirst? Who else in
this world can do such a deed? Make
peace with him without further delay.
May the war cease with my exit. Listen to
me, son, make peace with the Pandavas."
The grandsire's words did not please
Duryodhana. Even when dying, the
patient does not like medicine. He objects
to the bitter taste. All the princes retired to
their camps.
74. KARNA AND THE GRANDSIRE
WHEN he learnt that Bhishma lay
wounded and dying, Karna hurried to the
place and fell at his feet and said:
"Eldest of the race. Radha's son, who,
through no fault of his, incurred your
great displeasure, humbly prostrates
himself before you."
When after humble salutation Karna stood
up, the grandsire, greatly moved, tenderly
placed his hand on Karna's head and
blessed him.
"You are not Radha's son, young man," he
said in loving tones: "You are Kuntidevi's
own first born. Narada, who knows all the
secrets of the world, himself revealed this
to me. Son of Surya, truly I entertained no
dislike for you. But I was grieved to see
your increasing hatred of the Pandavas
although they gave you no cause for it. I
know and admire your valor and your
open handedness. And I know also that
you belong to the class of Phalguna and
Krishna in prowess. It is proper that you
befriend the Pandavas. Therein lies the
right path for you who are their brother.
With the closing of my part in this war,
may the chapter of your enmity also close.
This is my wish, Karna."
Karna listened respectfully and replied:
"Grandsire I know I am Kunti's son, and
not charioteer born. But I have eaten
Duryodhana's salt and must be true to
him, to be true to my own lineage. It is
impossible for me to go over to the
Pandavas now. You must permit me to
repay with my life, if it so be the debt I
owe to Duryodhana for his love and trust.
I have erred greatly in word and deed.
You must forgive me for it all and give
me your blessings."
The great acharya, who knew all the laws
of right conduct and what Karna said,
replied: "Do reflect for a while and then
do as you wish, for that is the right way."
Even when Bhishma was mortally
wounded and lay dying, the battle did not
cease. Discarding the grandsire's words of
wisdom, the Kauravas resumed the battle.
Deprived of Bhishma's leadership, the
Kaurava forces felt like sheep without a
shepherd when Bhishma no longer led
them. Indeed, even as Bhishma fell
wounded, the men shouted:
"O Karna, you are the one left to lead and
protect us."
The Kaurava warriors felt that, if but
Karna would agree to take up the
command, victory was certain. During the
first ten days when Bhishma led the
forces, the son of Surya kept away from
the battle.
As already narrated, deeply hurt at the
grandsire's contempt, Karna had said: "So
long as you are up fighting, I shall keep
aloof. If you slay the Pandavas and bring
victory to Duryodhana, I shall be glad.
And I shall then, taking the king's leave,
go to the forest. But, if you be defeated
and go to the abode of the brave, I who
am not deemed by you as an adhiratha
(master of chariot warfare) will ride my
chariot and oppose those whom you deem
to be of greater prowess than myself. And
defeating them, bring victory to
Duryodhana."
Thus had Karna sworn and, with
Duryodhana's consent, kept aloof from the
battle during the first ten days. Now he
went on foot to Bhishma who lay on his
bed of arrows waiting for his end and,
saluting him, addressed him thus:
"Veteran grandsire, vanquisher of
Parasurama, you lie on the field of battle,
struck down by Sikhandin. If you, who
had reached the summit of right living and
were an embodiment of purity itself, must
lie wounded in this manner, it is clear that
no one can attain in this world what he
deserves by his merit. You were the one
boat on which the Kaurava princes
depended for crossing the flood of their
troubles. Heavy indeed will be the blows
that the Pandavas will now deal at the
Kauravas and great will be their
consequent distress. Like fire and wind
burning down the forest, Arjuna and
Krishna will destroy the army of
Kauravas. This is certain. Turn your
gracious eyes on me and bless me, who
have accepted the command of the
forces."
Bhishma gave his blessings to
Karna."You are like the good earth to the
seeds, like rain clouds to living beings,
ever dependable, firm in your loyalty.
Serve Duryodhana and save him. You
vanquished the Kambojas for him. You
put down the Kiratas of the Himalayan
fastnesses for him. You fought the
Girivrajas on his behalf and defeated
them. Many more things you have
accomplished for him. Take charge of the
Kaurava army now as your own rich
possession and guard it well. May you
lead Duryodhana's forces to success! May
you have every good fortune! Fight your
enemies, go."
Karna, having received the benediction of
the grandsire, mounted his chariot and
rode to the battlefield. When the valorous
Karna entered the field on his war chariot,
Duryodhana's joys knew no bounds. His
sorrow, at having lost Bhishma, was in
some degree alleviated.
75. DRONA IN COMMAND
DURYODHANA and Karna held counsel
as to who should be put in supreme
command of the forces.
"Well, everyone of these princely warriors
fighting on your side is great enough to be
put in charge of our forces as supreme
commander," said Karna.
"All these kings are of equal prowess,
strength, energy, skill, courage, valor,
ancestry and wisdom. They cannot all be
put in joint command and, if any of them
be chosen, each of the others would feel
hurt and may not put forth his whole
strength in the cause. Thereby we stand to
suffer. So, my advice is that we install
Dronacharya, the teacher of all these
princes and warriors, as supreme
commander. He indeed is the greatest of
all those that carry arms today. No
kshatriya equals him in the qualities
required for leading our army. Let us
therefore install him."
Duryodhana agreed that this was the right
thing to do, and so it was decided.
Duryodhana went to Dronacharya and, in
the presence of the assembled warriors
and princes, bowed and addressed him:
"Revered Master, you are unrivalled
among all those assembled here in caste,
ancestry, knowledge of sciences, age,
wisdom, valor and skill. I beg of you to
accept the supreme command. Under your
command, this army will be victorious."
The assembled kings received this
proposal with loud cheers and war cries
that gladdened Duryodhana's heart.
Drona was installed in due form amidst
thunderous acclamation. The praise of
courtiers and the sound of trumpets that
accompanied the ceremony, made the
Kauravas feel as though they had already
vanquished the enemy. So great was their
enthusiasm and confidence in Drona's
leadership.
Drona arrayed the army in circular
formation. Karna, who had till then stood
aside was now seen moving about in his
great chariot on the battlefield and this put
new courage and joy into the hearts of the
Kaurava soldiers.
The talk went round in the army that the
great Bhishma did not wish to slay the
sons of Pandu and therefore had not put
his whole heart in the fight. But now that
Karna was in the field, it was certain that
the Pandavas would be destroyed.
Dronacharya was in command for five
days of the battle. Though of advanced
years, he was everywhere in the field and
displayed the fierce energy of a young
warrior. Whenever he led an attack, the
Pandava forces were scattered like clouds
before a storm.
He personally engaged the greatest
warriors on the Pandava side in battle. He
fought Satyaki, Bhima, Arjuna,
Dhrishtadyumna, Abhimanyu, Drupada
and Kasiraja and defeated them on many
occasions.
He harassed and inflicted severe
punishment on the Pandava army during
the five days he was in command.
76. TO SEIZE YUDHISHTHIRA
ALIVE
AS SOON AS Drona assumed command
of the Kaurava forces Duryodhana, Karna
and Duhsasana sat in council and decided
on a plan. And Duryodhana went to
Dronacharya to put it in operation.
"Acharya, we desire that you should
capture Yudhishthira alive and give him
over to us. We desire nothing more, not
even a total victory. If you achieve this for
us, we shall all be exceedingly satisfied
with your conduct of the war."
When Drona heard Duryodhana address
him thus, great was his joy, for he hated
the very idea of slaying the Pandava
brothers. Even though, to fulfil his
obligation, the acharya loyally joined the
Kaurava side against the Pandavas, he
loved the sons of Kunti and especially the
pure-minded Yudhishthira.
So, when he heard Duryodhana request
that Yudhishthira should be captured
alive, he felt greatly relieved.
"Duryodhana, may you be blessed!" the
acharya said. "Do you too wish to abstain
from killing Yudhishthira? How it
gladdens my heart! Truly, Yudhishthira is
one without an enemy and the name
Ajatasatru, which the people have given to
Kunti's eldest son, has been justified by
your great decision. When even you have
made up your mind that he should not be
killed but should be captured alive, his
unrivalled glory has become ten times
enhanced."
"I see, dear Duryodhana, what you
intend," Drona continued. "You wish to
defeat the Pandavas in battle and then give
them their share in the kingdom and live
in peace and amity with them. I see this
clearly from your desire to capture
Yudhishthira alive."
Drona was exceedingly glad and he said
again: "Indeed Yudhishthira is the most
fortunate man on earth. The gods are
showering their favors on Kunti's good
son. So has he won the hearts of even
enemies."
But Duryodhana's motives in wishing to
take Yudhishthira alive were far different.
And as soon as Drona acceded to his
proposal and gave his pledge that he
would do his best to capture Yudhishthira,
he began to reveal his real intentions.
If Yudhishthira were slain, nothing would
be gained by it, and the anger of the
Pandavas would be all the greater. The
battle would rage more fiercely than
before. And Duryodhana knew that it
would only mean the utter defeat of his
army.
Even if the fight were to be continued
relentlessly until both armies were
destroyed, Krishna would still remain
alive and he would put either Draupadi or
Kunti in sovereign possession of the
kingdom.
What then was the point in killing
Yudhishthira? On the other hand, if
Yudhishthira was captured alive,
Duryodhana thought, the war would end
more speedily and victoriously for the
Kauravas.
Thereafter, he could surely play on
Yudhishthira's goodness and his loyalty to
the traditional code of kshatriya conduct.
It was pretty certain he could be drawn
into the battle of dice again and sent to the
forests once more.
Ten days of fighting had demonstrated to
Duryodhana that further fighting would
only result in the destruction of the race,
not the fulfilment of the desires.
When Duryodhana made his motives clear
to Drona, the acharya was greatly
disappointed and he cursed Duryodhana in
his heart. But whatever the reason for it,
he was glad that Yudhishthira was not to
be killed.
The news that Drona had given a solemn
assurance to Duryodhana that he would
take Yudhishthir a prisoner, was carried
by their spies to the Pandava army.
The Pandavas knew that, when the
acharya was determined on something and
gave his pledged word for executing it, his
unrivalled eminence in the art of war and
his valor made it a most serious affair.
So, they soon got busy and so arrayed the
forces that Yudhishthira was never left
unsupported. Whatever movements might
take place, they always took care to leave
sufficient protection against any surprise
attack on Yudhishthira.
In the first day's battle under the
leadership of Drona, the acharya amply
demonstrated his great skill and energy.
He moved about destroying the Pandava
forces like a fire burning up dry logs. His
rapid movements made the Pandava army
feel as if Drona was everywhere at the
same time showering arrows like rain and
converting the battlefield into a stage for
the dance of the God of Death. He cut the
Pandava army in twain where
Dhrishtadyumna stood.
Many were the single combats among
renowned warriors. There was a fierce
battle between Sahadeva and Sakuni
skilled in illusion warfare. When their
chariots broke, they alighted on the
ground. And, like two hills sprung to life
and motion, they struck each other with
maces and closed with one another in
single combat. Between Bhima and
Vivimsati there was a great battle in
which chariots were broken on both sides.
Salya fought his nephew Nakula and
harassed him exceedingly, smiling most
provokingly all the time. But, in the end,
Salya had his car smashed and his flag
brought down, and he withdrew admitting
defeat. Between Kripacharya and
Dhrishtaketu there was a battle in which
the latter was worsted.
So also was there fierce fighting between
Satyaki and Kritavarma and between
Virata and Karna. Abhimanyu's valor was
also demonstrated as he fought Paurava,
Kritavarma, Jayadratha and Salya singlehanded
and made them withdraw.
Then there was a great combat between
Salya and Bhimasena in which Salya was
defeated and made to retire. The Kaurava
forces began to lose courage and the
Pandava army, who saw this, attacked the
Kaurava army with renewed energy and
broke its ranks.
When Drona saw this, he decided to
restore lost morale by leading a straight
attack on Yudhishthira. His golden chariot
went forward, drawn by four noble Sindhu
horses, in the direction of Yudhishthira.
Yudhishthira answered with barbed
arrows, feathered with eagle-feathers. But
Drona did not mind, and advanced at great
speed. Yudhishthira's bow was cut down
and Drona was coming very near.
Dhrishtadyumna tried to intercept Drona
but in vain. The whole army shouted:
"Yudhishthira has been taken!" So near
came Drona.
Suddenly, then, Arjuna appeared on the
battlefield, the earth rumbling under the
wheels of his chariot, as it coursed swiftly
over the bloody field, over bones and
bodies lying in heaps. Drona held back,
for Arjuna had come on the scene. From
his Gandiva bow issued a continuous
stream of arrows. No one could see the
shafts taken out of the quiver or placed in
position. It seemed as if, from out of the
great bow, an unending flood of arrows
issued without intermission. The
battlefield was darkened by flying
missiles.
Drona retreated. Yudhishthira was not
taken. The battle was stopped for the day
and the Kaurava forces went to their camp
in chastened mood.
The Pandava army marched proudly to
camp and behind them walked Kesava
(Krishna) and Arjuna conversing. Thus
closed the eleventh day of the battle.
77. THE TWELFTH DAY
THE attempt to capture Yudhishthira alive
failed. Drona was speaking to
Duryodhana about this. "It is clear we
cannot succeed in our efforts to seize
Yudhishthira so long as Dhananjaya is
nearby. It is no want of interest on my
part. If by some stratagem we could draw
Arjuna away to some other part of the
field, I could pierce the Pandava
formations and capture Yudhishthira. I
promise to seize him and deliver him to
you provided he does not flee from the
battle, renouncing honor. If he does that,
then also we win indeed, do we not?"
The chief of the Trigartadesa who heard
Drona say this talked it over with his
brothers, and they made a plan. They
resolved to take the samsaptaka oath and
challenge Arjuna to battle and draw him
away from Yudhishthira's side.
Accordingly, together with a large force,
they gathered, and sat before the fire,
dressed in matted grass, and went through
funeral gifts and ceremonies for
themselves as if already dead, and took
their oath: "Not till we have killed
Dhananjaya will we turn back. If we flee
in fear from battle, may we be punished as
for deadly sin!"
Having adjured themselves thus before the
sacred fire, they marched south for that
was the direction of Death, and shouted
"O Arjuna!" challenging him to battle.
It was a great suicide squad organized to
achieve what Drona had pointed out to be
essential. Arjuna turned to Yudhishthira
and addressed him thus: "King, the
samsaptakas are calling me to battle. I am
pledged to accept a challenge thus thrown
out. Susarma and his men are calling me
to battle. I shall destroy them all and
return. Permit me to go."
"Brother beloved," said Yudhishthira,
"you know Drona's intentions. Keep that
in mind and do whatever you think fit. He
has promised Duryodhana to take me
alive. He is a matchless warrior, brave,
strong and skilled in, every branch of
archery. He knows no fatigue and nothing
escapes his watchful eyes."
"King, here is Satyajit, standing in support
of you," replied Arjuna. "As long as he is
alive and by you, nothing can happen to
you." So saying Arjuna asked the
Panchala prince Satyajit to stand guard by
Yudhishthira's side and marched off like a
hungry lion to meet the samsaptakas.
"There, Krishna, see the Trigartas
standing, cheerful under the intoxication
of their oath, though they know they go to
certain death. Indeed they are full of the
exultation of approaching swarga." So
speaking to his great charioteer, Arjuna
approached the large samsaptaka force.
This was the Twelfth Day of the great
battle. It was a fierce fight. After a time,
Arjuna's attack began to tell and the
Trigartas fell in swathes before him but
Susarma reminded them of their oath.
"Heroes, we have taken our oaths before
the fire and in the presence of the whole
army of warriors. Having sworn terrible
resolves, it is unworthy to flinch. Let us
not fall into public ridicule." The
samsaptakas cheered their leader, and
faced Arjuna with the sublime courage of
accepted deaths.
"Hrishikesa, they are resolved on fighting
to the last. Drive on," said Arjuna.
Driven by Madhusudana (Krishna)
Arjuna's chariot moved like Indra's car in
the great war of the gods against the
asuras. It went here and it went there and
wherever it went, Arjuna's great bow, the
Gandiva, scattered death among the
doomed Trigartas.
The burst of blood in their compct ranks
was like the burst of Palasa blossoms in a
springtime forest. The fighting was
severe. At one time Arjuna's car and
flagpole were immersed in darkness under
the downpour of arrows.
"Are you alive, Dhananjaya?" shouted
Krishna.
"Yes," replied Arjuna, and pulling the
string of his Gandiva, discharged shafts
that dispelled the arrow-shower. It was
like the Rudra dance of dissolution. The
field was full of severed limbs and
headless bodies and presented a terrible
spectacle.
As Arjuna proceeded to oppose the
samsaptakas, Drona gave orders for a
violent assault on the Pandava forces at
the point where Yudhishthira stood.
Yudhishthira saw this movement and
spoke to the Panchala prince
Dhrishtadyumna:
"The brahmana is coming to seize me.
Look after the forces with vigilance."
The son of Drupada did not wait for
Drona to advance but marched forward in
his car himself to meet Drona.
Dronacharya avoided Dhrishtadyumna,
for well he knew that his death was
destined to be at his hands and that death
was not yet due. And he wheeled his
chariot in another direction where
Drupada was leading his forces.
Drupada's forces suffered heavy
punishment at Drona's hands and blood
flowed in streams on the battlefield.
Drona, then, again turned his attention to
Yudhishthira. The Pandavas stood firm
and answered Drona's attacks with
showers of arrows.
Satyajit made a charge on Drona's car and
there was a fierce combat in which
Drona's figure assumed the grimness of
the Destroyer. Many a warrior was slain
by him in succession. Vrika, a prince of
Panchala, as well as Satyajit, fell dead.
Seeing this, Satanika, son of Virata,
marched against Drona. In a moment,
Satanika's severed head rolled on the
ground with the golden kundalas shining
in the earlobes.
Ketama, another chief, followed the attack
but he too perished. Then, Vasudhana
rushed forward to stop the advance of
Drona, but he too fell dead. Yudhamanyu,
Satyaki, Sikhandin and Uttamaujas who
came to push Drona back, were repulsed
and all these great warriors had to retreat.
Drona was now almost within reach of
Yudhishthira.
At that moment, Panchalya, another son
of Drupada, rushed madly up to stop the
acharya and fought most desperately. But,
he too was mortally wounded and fell
from his chariot like a failing star.
Then, Duryodhana was delighted and said
exultingly to Karna:
"Radheya, do you see the valor of our
mighty leader? No more will the Pandavas
be inclined towards battle. See how their
army reels under Drona's blows."
Karna shook his head. "Do not be so
confident," he said. "The Pandavas are not
to be so easily vanquished. They will
never surrender. The wrongs they have
undergone are too great to be forgotten.
You tried to poison and kill them. You
tried to burn them alive. You have grieved
and humiliated them at the game of dice
and you have forced them out to live in
the forest for long years. They will not
surrender. See there, their army has rallied
and all their forces are leading a combined
attack on Drona. There, see Bhima,
Satyaki, Yudhamanyu, Kshatradharma,
Nakula, Uttamaujas, Drupada, Virata,
Sikhandin. Dhrishtaketu and other
warriors have all come to protect
Yudhishthira and are pressing Drona hard.
We should not stand idly watching, when
we have put such a heavy burden on the
acharya. Great as he is, there is a limit to
the load even he can carry. Even wolves
combined in large numbers can harass and
kill a mighty elephant, Let us proceed. It
will not do any longer to leave Drona
unsupported."
78. BRAVE BHAGADATTA
DRONA made many attempts to take
Yudhishthira prisoner, but failed.
Duryodhana led a large elephant division
against Bhima. Bhima defended himself
from his chariot with well-aimed arrows.
He sent crescent-headed shafts and tore
down Duryodhana's flag and cut down his
bow even as he held it in his hand. Seeing
the king harassed in this manner, the
Mlechchha king Anga marched against
Bhimasena seated on a huge elephant.
But Bhima sent shafts that laid the
elephant low and killed the Mlechchha
king, which resulted in scattering that
section of the Kaurava forces in fear and
confusion. When the elephants
stampeded, the horses also took fright and
thousands of footmen were trampled
under the feet of the elephants and the
horses, flying in wild panic.
Seeing this great confusion and the
scattering of the Kaurava forces in all
directions, the king of Pragjyotisha, the
brave Bhagadatta grew indignant.
He got up on his renowned elephant
Supratika and charged against Bhimasena.
The gigantic beast rushed forward with
widespread ears and twirling trunk,
crashed into Bhimasena's chariot. And in
an instant, horses and vehicle were an
unrecognizable mass. But Bhima escaped
by jumping off the car in the nick of time.
He knew all about elephants. He got
below the great and fierce elephant and
showered blows on its vital points. The
great beast got mad and whirled round
like a potter's wheel, trying to throw off
Bhimasena, who was sticking to its legs
and attcking it from below.
It bent down and caught Bhima by its
trunk and was about to crush him under its
knees, when Vrikodara somehow released
himself from its hold and again got below,
in between its limbs and sticking to the
elephant's under-regions, caused
exceeding pain to the beast.
Bhima was thus gaining time in the hope
that some elephant on the Pandava side
would be led to attack Bhagadatta's
elephant and enable him to get away.
But, when Bhima disappeared from view,
being hidden in between the beast's legs,
the soldiers thought Bhima was slain.
They exclaimed: "Bhima is dead!
Bhagadatta's elephant has crushed
Bhimasena!" and the cry was repeated all
over Kurukshetra.
Yudhishthira heard the cry and, thinking
Bhima was slain, urged the forces to
destroy Bhagadatta. The king of Dasarna
charged against Bhagadatta. Dasarna's
elephant was also a fierce beast and there
was great battle between Supratika and
Dasarna's elephant.
But Supratika's tusk pierced Dasarna's
beast in the side and it crashed down dead.
At that moment, Bhima emerged from
below Supratika and ran out safe. And the
Pandava army cheered when they saw
Bhima alive.
Bhagadatta was now attacked on all sides,
but he did not lose heart. Resplendent on
his elephant, he shone like a forest fire on
a hill. Ignoring the enemies around him,
he drove his beast on Satyaki's chariot.
The elephant seized the chariot with its
great trunk and lifting it high dashed it
upside down. Satyaki jumped out of the
chariot in time to save himself.
His charioteer displayed great agility and
skill and saved the vehicle as well as the
horses, and righting the chariot, drove it to
where Satyaki stood.
Bhagadatta's elephant wrought great
havoc in the Pandava army, hurling
warriors about and killing them in great
number, striking terror wherever it went.
Bhagadatta stood on its back, like Indra
on Airavata when he fought the asuras.
With ears spread out rigid in anger and
trunk extended in front, the great beast
trampled upon numerous horses, chariots
and soldiers and wrought destruction all
over the Pandava army. The shafts hurled
at it seemed only to incense it more.
Like a herdsman in the forest driving the
cattle where he would, Bhagadatta drove
the soldiers of the Pandava army before
him. Bhimasena, equipping himself once
again with a chariot, renewed his attack
on Bhagadatta.
The elephant stretched out its trunk and
blew out a violent spray of mucus that
scared the horses of Bhima's chariot and
they bolted in wild flight and the
charioteer could not check them.
A great cloud of dust rose from the field
where this great elephant battle raged.
Arjuna saw this from where he was
fighting the samsaptakas and he also
heard the tumult created by Bhagadatta's
elephant.
He feared things had gone wrong and said
to Krishna: "Madhusudana, this is the cry
of Supratika, Bhagadatta's elephant. This
king of Pragjyotisha is terrible with his
elephant, and has no equal in that kind of
warfare. He is sure to defeat and confound
our men. We must proceed at once and
save the situation. We have punished
these samsaptakas enough. Drive to where
Drona is engaging Yudhishthira." Krishna
drove the chariot accordingly towards the
main battlefront.
Susarma and his brothers came up behind
the chariot and shouted "Stop, stop." At
the same time, they discharged shafts at
Arjuna's chariot.
Arjuna was of two minds.
"Here is Susarma challenging me to battle
and I hated declining this kind of
invitation, but there, to the north of us, our
formation seems broken and our men are
in need of immediate relief."
While Arjuna was pondering thus, a
javelin came hurtling at Arjuna and
another towards Janardana. Wild with
anger, Arjuna sent three well-aimed
shafts, which compelled Susarma to turn
back.
They lost no more time but drove quickly
to where Bhagadatta was doing havoc. As
soon as Arjuna's car was seen, the
Pandava forces rallied and soon Arjuna
reached the lines where Bhagadatta was.
Bhagadatta attacked Arjuna on Supratika
like the Destroyer incarnate. But
Vasudeva's skill avoided the shock, each
time the beast charged.
Bhagadatta showered arrows on Arjuna
and Krishna. But Arjuna's arrows broke
the elephant's armor and began to hurt the
beast. Bhagadatta saw that his elephant
could no longer stand the attack and he
hurled a javelin at Krishna.
Arjuna met it with a shaft from his bow
and broke it into two. Bhagadatta then
discharged another javelin that struck
Dhananjaya's helmet.
Readjusting his helmet, Arjuna bent his
bow exclaiming: "Bhagadatta, take your
last look at the world and prepare for
death!"
Bhagadatta was a veteran of very
advanced age. His grey hair and the
wrinkles on his noble old face gave him
the intrepid appearance of a lion. Indeed,
so old was he that the skin hung loose
down over his eyes and he had tied its
folds over his forehead with a silk
kerchief so that they might not interfere
with his sight.
Bhagadatta was not more renowned for
valor than for purity of character and
conduct and was one of the most
illustrious among the brave men of his
time. Men gave him the title 'Friend of
Indra' in recognition of his greatness.
"Look around for the last time," said
Arjuna to this great man and hurled at him
shafts that broke his bow, shattered his
quiver and pierced the joints of his armor.
In those days, all warriors wore heavy
armor and the secret of hitting weak
points such as joints and moving parts was
specially studied by kshatriyas and was an
important part of military training.
When deprived of all his weapons,
Bhagadatta hurled his elephant goad at
Arjuna. It was sent with deadly aim and
charged with the Vaishnava mantra.
It would have killed Arjuna, but Krishna
came in between and presented himself as
a target for the missile. It settled on his
chest as a shining necklace.
Charged with the mantra of Vishnu, it
could not hurt Vishnu but just became the
Lord's jewelled garland round his neck.
"Janardana, how is it you have offered
yourself as a target for the enemy's
missile? You said you would be charioteer
and leave all the fighting to me. How
could you do this?" protested Arjuna.
"Beloved Arjuna, you do not understand.
This shaft would have killed you if it had
hit you. But it is really my own thing and
came back to its lawful owner," Krishna
said and laughed. Then, Partha sent an
arrow that entered the head of
Bhagadatta's elephant as a serpent enters
into the anthill.
Bhagadatta tried to urge his great beast
forward, but it stood stark rigid. And his
loud command went in vain even as the
words of man, who has lost his wealth, are
disregarded by his wife.
Like a great hill the elephant stood rigid
for a moment and then it suddenly sank
down driving its tusks into the earth and
yielded up the ghost with an agonised
squeal.
Arjuna was somewhat grieved at the death
of the noble animal and for his not having
been able to slay Bhagadatta, without
killing the beast.
Arjuna's shafts tore the silken napkin that
bound up the folds of the aged king's
forehead and he was blinded at once by
his own hanging wrinkles.
Soon, a sharp crescent-headed shaft came
and pierced his chest. And Bhagadatta fell
like a great tree in a storm, his golden
necklace shining like flowers on the
uprooted tree. The Kaurava forces fell into
utter confusion.
Sakuni's brothers Vrisha and Achala tried
their best to oppose Arjuna and attacked
him in front and rear. But their chariots
were soon dashed to pieces and they were
themselves stricken dead on the field like
two lion cubs. They both looked much
alike and equally noble in appearance.
The poet says that the bodies of these two
valiant heroes who did not flee when the
rest fled, shed a strange lustre all around.
Sakuni was full of anger when he saw his
brave and incomparable brothers lying
dead on the field.
He attacked Arjuna fiercely and used all
the weapons of illusion, in which he was
skilled. But Arjuna's strokes broke all the
charms and rendered them useless. And
Sakuni had to leave the field, as fast as his
horses could bear him.
The Pandava forces then attacked Drona's
army and wrought great havoc till the
sunset, and the twelfth day's fight ended.
Drona gave orders to cease fighting and
the Kaurava forces, which had lost
heavily, retired in sullen dejection to their
camp.
The Pandava army, on the other band, was
in high spirits and its warriors gathered
round campfires in cheerful talk and
praise of Arjuna and the other heroes, who
had led them to victory.
79. ABHIMANYU
EARLY next morning, Duryodhana went
to Dronacharya in a state of bitterness and
anger. After the customary salutation, he
addressed him thus in the presence of a
large number of generals:
"Esteemed brahmana, Yudhishthira was
quite within your reach yesterday and, if
you had really wished to take him no one
could have prevented you. Yet, you did
not take him, and to me the events of
yesterday are inexplicable. I cannot
understand what makes it hard for you to
carry out your promise to me. Verily great
men are not understandable."
Dronacharya was exceedingly hurt by this
insulting insinuation.
"Duryodhana," he said, "I am putting forth
on your be half all the strength and skill I
possess. You entertain thoughts unworthy
of a king. As long as Arjuna is present,
supporting Yudhishthira, it is not possible
for us to seize him. I have told you that
already. It is only if we manage some how
to get Arjuna out of the battlefield that we
can hope to carry out this plan as you
desire. And I am devising ways to attain
this objective."
Thus did Drona nobly conquer his just
anger and seek to comfort Duryodhana in
his distress.
On the thirteenth day, the samsaptakas
again challenged Arjuna to battle and he
accordingly went to attack them, where
they were arrayed to the south of the main
battlefront. The battle that was fought
between the samsaptakas and Arjuna was
the fiercest that ever had been seen or
heard of till that day.
When Dhananjaya left the main front for
meeting the samsaptakas, Drona
rearranged his army in lotus formation
and attacked Yudhishthira fiercely.
Bhima, Satyaki, Chekitana,
Dhrishtadyumna, Kuntibhoja, Drupada,
Ghatotkacha, Yudhamanyu, Sikhandin,
Uttamaujas, Virata, the Kekayas,
Srinjayas and many others opposed him.
But their resistance seemed paralysed by
the violence of Drona's offensive.
Abhimanyu, son of Arjuna and Subhadra,
was still adolescent, but had already won
recognition as a mighty man-at arms even
as the equal of his father and uncle in
battle. Yudhishthira called Abhimanyu
and said to him:
"Dear son, Dronacharya is attacking our
army greatly. Arjuna is absent and, if we
should be defeated in his absence, he will
be grieved beyond measure. No one
among us has been able to break Drona's
array. You know you can do it and no one
else. I ask you to take up this task."
"I can do it," replied Abhimanyu. "I have
been instructed by my father how to
penetrate this formation and can certainly
do so. But if after forcing my way, it
should unfortunately become necessary
for me to come out, I shall be at a loss
what to do, being as yet uninstructed in
the art of extrication."
"Valiant boy, break this impregnable
formation and open a passage for us. We
shall all break in your wake. We shall be
with you to face any danger and no
question can arise of your having to come
out."
Bhimasena supported Yudhishthira's
proposal: "I shall be immediately behind
you and enter when you succeed in
breaking the enemy's formation. So also
will Dhrishtadyumna, Satyaki, the
Panchalas, the Kekayas and the forces of
Matsyadesa. Only break the formation as
you alone can do. We shall do the rest and
smash the Kaurava army."
Abhimanyu thought of his father and
Krishna. Feeling encouraged by what had
been said by Bhimasena and
Yudhishthira, and impelled by his own
gallant nature, undertook the adventure.
"I shall please my great father and uncle,"
he said with enthusiasm. "Let my valor be
staked on this."
"May your prowess grow," said
Yudhishthira and blessed the youth.
"Sumitra, see Drona's flag flying there!
Drive straight and fast to that point," said
Abhimanyu to his charioteer.
"Faster, faster!" urged Abhimanyu as they
sped along.
"May the gods protect you!" said the
charioteer. "Yudhishthira has placed a
very great burden on your young
shoulders. Think well before you pierce
Drona's array and enter. The acharya is
unrivalled in skill and experience, while
you, though his equal in valor, have not
his long years to back it."
Abhimanyu smiled and replied: "Friend, I
am Krishna's nephew and son of Arjuna,
am I not? Which other has that advantage?
Fear dares not approach me! These
enemies here have not a sixteenth part of
my strength. Drive fast towards Drona's
division. Do not hesitate."
The charioteer obeyed.
As the golden chariot to which were
yoked beautiful young horses approached,
the soldiers in the Kaurava army shouted:
"Abhimanyu is corning! He has come!"
The Pandavas followed Abhimanyu close
behind him.
The Kaurava warriors were perturbed as
they saw Abhimanyu's chariot approach
them with great speed.
"Here is one greater in valor than Arjuna,"
they thought and began to lose heart.
Like a young lion on a herd of elephants,
Abhimanyu rushed on. There was a ripple
in the Kaurava ranks which bent under his
headlong onslaught.
The bend soon became a break and under
Drona's very eyes, the formation was
breached and Abhimanyu entered. But the
breach closed under the inspiration of
Jayadratha, king of the Sindhus, before
the other Pandava warriors could force
their way in according to plan and
Abhimanyu was alone!
Kaurava warriors opposed him, but they
fell like moths in the fire, one after
another. Abhimanyu's shafts searched the
weak points in the armor of his enemies.
And the bodies of soldiers lay strewn on
the field like Kusa grass on the sacrificial
platform.
Bows, arrows, swords, shields, javelins,
pieces of harness, chaiot canopies, axes,
maces, spears, whips, conchs, along with
severed heads and limbs of slain warriors,
covered the field.
Seeing the destruction wrought by
Abhimanyu, Duryodhana was wroth and
rushed in person to oppose the youthful
warrior. Drona, having leant that the king
himself was engaged in battle with
Abhimanyu, became anxious and sent
veterans to protect Duryodhana.
With great difficulty, they managed to
rescue the king from the boy-hero who
greatly disappointed at the escape of
Duryodhana, vented his anger on the
warriors that had come to rescue him and
put them to headlong flight.
Then, throwing away all sense of shame
and chivalry, a large number of veteran
warriors made a combined and
simultaneous attack on the hero, who
found himself alone, surrounded by
enemies on all sides. But, even as on all
sides a rock receives the rising tide of the
sea, Arjuna's son withstood this united
ouslaught.
Drona, Aswatthama, Kripa, Karna,
Sakuni, Salya and many other great
warriors in their chariots, equipped with
all arms, surged in attack on the young
hero, only to be dashed back, baffled and
broken.
Asmaka rode his chariot at great speed
against Abhimanyu's. But smiling,
Abhimanyu sent his shafts and disposed
of him in no time. Karna's armor was
pierced.
Salya was badly wounded and sat, unable
to move, in his chariot. Salya's brother
came up in great wrath to avenge his
brother's disgrace but he fell and his
chariot was broken to pieces.
Thus did Abhimanyu, alone and
unsupported, oppose a host of veteran
warriors and show the skill in the use of
arms which he had learnt from his
illustrious father and from Vasudeva, his
uncle. Seeing this, the poet says,
Dronacharya's eyes were filled with tears
of affectionate admiration.
"Was there ever a fighter to equal this boy
Abhimanyu?" exclaimed Drona to Kripa,
in the hearing of Duryodhana who could
not contain his anger.
"The acharya's partiality for Arjuna
prevents him from killing Abhimanyu,"
Duryodhana said, "and he sings his praises
instead of fighting him. Indeed, if the
acharya were minded to dispose of
Abhimanyu, would it take him long to do
it!"
Often did Duryodhana suspect and
complain in this manner against Bhishma
and Drona. Having undertaken a war of
adharma, he was often led to speak in this
manner and hurt the feelings of the
acharyas who stood loyally by him, even
when they saw the wickedness of his
ways.
Duhsasana roared in anger and
exclaiming: "This obstinate lad will perish
now!" led his chariot forward to attack
Abhimanyu. The chariots of Abhimanyu
and Duhsasana made wonderful
movement against each other and the
battle raged long.
Duhsasana was struck senseless in his car,
and his charioteer just managed to drive
away from the field saving Duhsasana's
life. Karna attacked Abhimanyu with his
shafts and harassed him greatly.
But one of Abhimanyu's arrows felled
Karna's bow and the young warrior
followed up this advantage so vigorously
that he put Karna and his supporters to
flight. The Kaurava forces, when they saw
this, were completely demoralised.
The army was in confusion and men fled
in all directions, not caring for Drona's
shouts of remonstrance. And Abhimanyu
destroyed those that stood, as fire destroys
a dry jungle in summer.
80. THE DEATH OF ABHIMANYU
THE Pandavas, proceeding according to
plan, had closely followed Abhimanyu
when he broke into the Kaurava
formation. But Dhritarashtra's son-in-law
Jayadratha, the gallant king of the
Sindhus, swooped down upon the
Pandavas with all his forces and enabled
the breach in the formation to be
effectively and solidly closed up, so that
the Pandavas found it impossible to force
their way in.
Yudhishthira hurled a javelin and cut
Jayadratha's bow. But in an instant, the
Saindhava took up another bow and sent
unerring shafts at Dharmaputra.
Bhimasena's arrows made deadly work,
crashing down the canopy and flagstaff of
Jayadratha's car. But the Saindhava, was
alert and rearmed himself, each time his
equipment was broken. He killed Bhima's
chariot horses, and the latter had to go into
Satyaki's car.
In this manner, Jayadratha, with stubborn
valor, prevented the Pandavas from
entering in Abhimanyu's wake. The young
hero was thus isolated and surrounded by
the Kaurava forces.
The son of Subhadra was however
undaunted. He attacked all the warriors
around him and slew them in great
number. Like rivers losing themselves in
the ocean, the soldiers that went to attack
him, disappeared before his arrows. The
Kaurava army reeled under Abhimanyu's
onslaughts.
Duryodhana's son Lakshmana, a gallant
young warrior, then charged on
Abhimanyu. When they saw this,
retreating soldiers came back and
supported Lakshmana, showering arrows
on Abhimanyu, like rain falling on a hill.
Still, Arjuna's son was undaunted and, his
shaft came swift and shining, like a
serpent fresh-sloughed, and pierced
Lakshmana. The handsome youth, with
beautiful nose and eyebrows and hair, lay
dead on the field and the Kaurava soldiers
were filled with grief.
"To hell with the wicked Abhimanyu,"
shouted Duryodhana, and the six great
warriors, Dorna, Kripa, Karna,
Aswatthama, Brihatbala and Kritavarma
closed upon Abhimanyu.
"It is impossible to pierce this youth's
armor," said Drona to Karna. "Aim at the
reins of his horses and cut them off.
Disable him thus and attack him from
behind."
The son of Surya did accordingly.
Abhimanyu's bow was broken by a shaft
discharged from behind. His horses and
charioteer were killed. Thus disabled, the
young warrior stood on the field, with
sword and shield, facing his enemies.
As he stood dauntless like kshatriya
dharma incarnate, he filled the warriors
around with amazement. Whirling his
sword, he held his own against the
numerous warriors who had surrounded
him, with a skill that confounded them.
It seemed to them as if his feet did not rest
on earth and he was on wings, in the air.
Drona sent a shaft that broke Abhimanyu's
sword. Karna's sharp arrows tore his
shield into bits.
Then Abhimanyu bent down and taking
up one of his chariot wheels and whirling
it like a discus, stood up facing all the
enemies that surrounded him.
The dust from the chariot wheel covered
him and the poet says it enhanced the
natural beauty of the young hero. He
fought fiercely like a second Vishnu with
the discus.
But soon, the combined onslaught of the
warriors that surrounded him
overpowered him. The chariot wheel was
shattered to pieces. The son of Duhsasana
came up then and closed with him in
mortal combat.
Both went down together but Duhsasana's
son rose again and, while Abhimanyu was
struggling to his feet, struck him with his
mace and killed him.
"Subhadra's son who, like an elephant in a
lily pond, single-handed worked havoc in
the Kaurava army, was thus overpowered
by numbers and killed cruelly," said
Sanjaya to Dhritarashtra.
"And, having killed him, your people
danced around his dead body like savage
hunters exulting over their prey. All good
men in the army were grieved and tears
rolled from their eyes. Even the birds of
prey, that circled overhead making noises
seemed to cry 'Not thus!' 'Not thus!' "
While there was blowing of conchs and
cries of victory all over the Kaurava army,
Yuyutsu, the son of Dhritarashtra, did not
approve of all this. "This is ignoble," he
angrily cried.
"Soldiers, you have forgotten your code.
Verily, you should be ashamed but,
instead, you shout brazen cries of victory.
Having committed a most wicked deed,
you revel in foolish joy, blind to the
danger that is imminent."
So saying, Yuyutsu threw his weapon
away in disgust and left the battlefield.
This young son of Dhritarashtra feared
sin. His words were not sweet in the
Kaurava ears, but he was a good man and
spoke out his mind.
81. A FATHER'S GRIEF
YUDHISHTHIRA was plunged in
sorrow. "He has gone to the sleep that
knows no waking, he who in battle
overcame Drona, Aswatthama and
Duryodhana and who was like a
destroying fire to enemy forces. O warrior
that made Duhsasana flee in fear, are you
dead? What then is there for me to fight
for or win? Why do we want kingdom
now? What words of comfort can I offer
to Arjuna? And what shall I say to
Subhadra, quivering like a cow bereaved
of her calf? How can I utter to them vain
words of solace that serve no purpose?
Truly, ambition destroys the
understanding of men. Like the fool who,
looking for honey, falls into a precipitous
pit below and is destroyed, in my desire
for victory I pushed to the battlefront this
boy, whose life was all before him in love
and joy. There is no fool like me in the
world. I have killed Arjuna's beloved son,
instead of protecting him during the
absence of his father."
Thus was Yudhishthira lamenting in
histent. Around him were sitting warriors,
silent in sorrowful thought of the valor of
the youthful hero and his cruel death. It
was always the custom with Vyasa to
come and comfort the Pandavas,
whenever they were in great sorrow.
He was their great teacher as well as
grandsire. So he appeared now before
Yudhishthira. The sage was received with
all honor and Yudhishthira, having made
him sit, said: "I have tried very hard to
find peace of mind, but I am unable to
find it."
"You are wise and a knower," said Vyasa,
"and it is not meet that you should allow
yourself to be lost in grief in this manner.
Knowing the nature of death, it is not right
that you should grieve like the unlearned."
Vyasa proceeded to console the bereaved
Dharmaputra: "When Brahma created
living beings, he was filled with anxiety.
These lives will multiply and soon their
number will be beyond the capacity of the
earth to bear. There seems to be no way of
coping with this. This thought of Brahma
grew into a flame which became bigger
and bigger until it threatened to destroy all
creation at once. Then Rudra came and
pleaded for allaying this destructive fire.
Brahma controlled the great fire and
subdued it into the law that is known to
mortals as Death. This law of the creator
takes many forms, such as war or sickness
or accident and keeps the balance between
birth and death. Death is thus an
inescapable law of existence, ordained for
the good of the world. It is not true
wisdom to be impatient with Death or to
grieve immoderately for those who die.
There is no reason to pity those who pass
away. We may have reason indeed to
grieve for those who remain." After
saying these words of solace, Krishna
Dwaipayana retired.
Dhananjaya and Krishna were proceeding
towards their camp after defeating and
slaying the samsaptakas.
"Govinda, I do not know why," said
Arjuna, "but my mind is not at ease. My
mouth feels parched and my heart is
troubled with a great foreboding of loss. I
wonder if any calamity has happened to
Yudhishthira. Something makes me
afraid, Krishna."
"Do not be concerned about
Yudhishthira," replied Krishna."He and
your other brothers are safe." On the way,
they halted and did the evening prayers.
Remounting the chariot, they proceeded to
the camp. As they approached the camp,
Arjuna's premonitions of calamity
increased.
"Janardana, we do not hear the usual
auspicious music in the camp. The
soldiers, seeing me from a distance, hang
down their heads and avoid my sight. This
is strange behavior on their part. O
Madhava, I fear greatly. Do you think my
brothers are safe? I am confused. How is
it Abhimanyu does not run out to meet us
today as usual, accompanied by his
brothers?"
They entered the camp.
"Why are you all wearing sad faces? I do
not see Abhimanyu here. How is it I see
no glad faces? I understood that Drona
arrayed his army in the lotus formation.
No one among you could pierce it as far
as I know. Did Abhimanyu force his way
in? If so, he is dead, for I did not teach
him how to make his way out of that
formation. Has he been slain indeed?"
When their mournful silence, and
downcast eyes, that dared not meet his,
had confirmed his worst fears, the
bereaved father burst into heart-broken
lamentation.
"Alas, has my dear boy indeed become
Yama's guest? Yudhishthira, Bhimasena,
Dhrishtadyumna and great Satyaki have
all of you allowed the son of Subhadra to
be slain by the enemy? Alas! What
comfort shall I give to Subhadra? What
shall. I say to Draupadi? And what solace
can be given to Uttara and who shall give
it?"
Vasudeva spoke to his stricken friend.
"Beloved Arjuna," he said, "do not give
way thus to grief. Born as kshatriyas we
have to live and die by weapons. Death is
ever the companion of those who have
taken up the profession of arms and go
into battle, determined not to retreat.
Warriors must be ever ready to die young.
Abhimanyu, boy as he was, has attained
the happy regions above which grey
haired veterans yearn to reach in battle.
Abhimanyu's end is indeed the prescribed
and much desired goal of all kshatriyas. If
you give way to grief in this inordinate
way, your brothers and other kings will
lose heart. Stop grieving and infuse
courage and fortitude into the hearts of the
others,"
Dhananjaya desired to be told the full
story of his brave son's end and
Yudhishthira related it: "I incited
Abhimanyu to enter the enemy's
formation. For I knew that he alone could
do it among all of us. 'Make your way into
the lotus array and we shall follow
immediately behind you. This great deed
of yours will please the hearts of your
father and your uncle,' I said. The youthful
hero did accordingly and broke the great
formation and made his way in. We went
behind him according to plan. But, just
then, the wicked Jayadratha came and
effectively stopped us. He caused the
breach in the formation to be closed up at
once and we found ourselves unable to
follow Abhimanyu. The Sindhu kept us
out, and then, Oh, shame on kshatriyas
who could do this! A crowd of
redoubtable warriors hemmed him in, thus
isolated, and slew him."
When he heard the full story, Arjuna was
again over whelmed by grief and he fell
on the ground in a swoon.
When he recovered, he took an oath:
"Before sunset tomorrow, I shall slay this
Jayadratha who caused my son's death. If
Drona and Kripa come between him and
me these acharyas also shall be
overwhelmed and slain!"
Saying this, he twanged the Gandiva
string, and Krishna blew the Panchajanya.
And Bhima said:
"This twang of Arjuna's bow and this
blare of Krishna's conch shall be, unto the
sons of Dhritarashtra, the summons of
Death!"
82. THE SINDHU KING
NEWS of Arjuna's oath reached the
enemy. The spies informed Duryodhana's
friends that Arjuna, having learnt that
Jayadratha was the cause of Abhimanyu's
death, had vowed to kill the Sindhu king
before sunset next day.
Vriddhakshatra, the illustrious king of the
Sindhus, was blessed with a son, who was
named Jayadratha. At the time of the birth
of the prince, a voice was heard to say:
"This prince will attain great glory and he
will attain the happy regions above, slain
in battle. One who, among the warriors of
all ages, ranks among the most illustrious
will, in the field of battle, sever his head
from the body."
All living beings must die but hardly any,
however wise or brave, welcome it.
Vriddhakshatra was grieved to hear the
voice declare his son's end.
In his disturbed state of mind, he uttered a
curse: "He, who shall cause my son's head
to roll down on the ground, shall have his
head burst at that very moment into
fragments."
Jayadratha grew up and, when he reached
manhood, Vriddhakshatra handed over the
care of the State to the prince. He retired
to the forest, where he spent the evening
of his days in austerities in an ashrama
near the plain, which afterwards became
the Kurukshetra field of battle.
When Jayadratha came to know about
Arjuna's vow, he remembered the
prediction about his death and feared his
end was near.
"I do not want to be in this battle any
longer. Let me go back to my country," he
said to Duryodhana.
"Do not fear, Saindhava," replied
Duryodhana. "Here are all these veterans
and warriors who will stand between you
and danger. Karna, Chitrasena, Vivimsati,
Bhurisravas, Salya, Vrishasena,
Purumitra, Jaya, Bhoja, Kamboja,
Sudakshina, Satyavrata, Vikarna,
Durmukha, Duhsasana, Subahu, Kalinga,
the Avanti princes, Drona, Drona's
illustrious son and Sakuni all these
warriors and I myself are here and you
cannot be in danger. The whole of my
army will have but one task today, to
defend you against Arjuna. You should
not leave us now." Jayadratha agreed to
remain. He went to Drona and said to him:
"Master, you taught me and Arjuna and
you know us both well. What is your
appraisal of us two?"
"Son, I discharged my duties as teacher
and dealt with you both impartially. The
instruction was the same to you and to
Arjuna, but Arjuna excels because of his
superior discipline and his own practice.
But, you need not be discouraged by this.
You will be placed behind a strong force
that Arjuna cannot easily pierce. Fight
according to the tradition of your
ancestors. Death comes to us all, cowards
as well as brave men. And the warrior
dying in battle attains with ease the happy
regions which others only attain with
great difficulty. Discard fear and fight."
Drona, having spoken thus to Jayadratha,
proceeded to marshal the forces for the
next day. Twelve miles to the rear of the
main army Jayadratha and his detachment
were placed in a strongly guarded
position.
Bhurisravas, Karna, Aswatthama, Salya,
Vrishasena and Kripa were there with all
their forces. Between them and the
Pandava army, Dronacharya arrayed the
main Kaurava forces in circular
formation.
Durmarshana's army was beaten. Like
clouds driven about by a gale, the
Kaurava forces were scattered and fled in
all directions. When Duhsasana saw this,
his anger rose.
Leading a huge force of elephants he
surrounded Arjuna. Duhsasana was a very
wicked man but he was brave also. He
fought Arjuna fiercely and the field was
strewn with the dead. Finally, he
withdrew defeated and went back to join
Drona's forces.
Savyasachi's car swiftly proceeded
forward and passed Drona. "Illustrious
one, grieving for my son, I have come to
wreak vengeance on the Sindhu king. I
crave your blessings for the fulfilment of
my vow," said Arjuna to the acharya.
The acharya smiled and said: "Arjuna, you
must first fight and defeat me before you
can reach Jayadratha." Saying this Drona
discharged a shower of arrows on Arjuna's
car. Partha also replied with his arrows
but these the acharya parried with ease
and sent flaming shafts that hit Krishna
and Arjuna.
The Pandava then decided to cut Drona's
bow and bent his Gandiva for that
purpose. Even as he was pulling his
bowstring Drona's shaft came and cut the
string.
The acharya, still retaining the smile on
his face, rained a shower of arrows on
Arjuna and his horses and chariot. Arjuna
fought back, but the acharya showered his
arrows that covered Arjuna and his chariot
in darkness.
Krishna saw things were not going at all
well and said: "Partha, no more waste of
time. Let us proceed. It is no use fighting
this brahmana, who seems to know no
fatigue." Saying this, Krishna drove
Arjuna's chariot to the left of the acharya
and proceeded forward.
"Stop, surely you will not proceed without
defeating your enemy," said Drona.
"You are my guru, not my enemy, O
acharya. I am in the position of a son to
you. There is no one in the wide world
that can defeat you," said Arjuna and they
proceeded forward at a swift pace
bypassing Drona.
Then Arjuna pierced the Bhoja army.
Kritavarma and Sudakshina who opposed
his passage were defeated. Srutayudha
also tried to stop Arjuna's progress. There
was a fierce battle in which Srutayudha
lost his horses and he hurled his mace at
Krishna.
His mother had obtained this mace as a
result of her offering but the condition
attached to the boon operated and it came
back and struck Srutayudha himself dead.
This is the story of the mace.
Parnasa went through penances that
pleased Varuna and obtained from that
god a boon that her son Srutayudha may
not be killed by any enemy.
"I shall give your son a divine weapon.
Let him use it in all his battles. No enemy
will be able to defeat him or kill him. But
he should not use the weapon against one
who does not fight. If he does, the weapon
will recoil and kill him. Saying this, god
Varuna gave a mace. Srutayudha, when
fighting Arjuna, disregarding the
injunction, hurled the mace at Krishna
who was not fighting but was only driving
Arjuna's chariot.
The missile hit Janardana's chest and
immediately rebounded fiercely back to
Srutayudha. And like a demon recoiling
fatally on the magician, that commits an
error in uttering the spell of power that
holds it in thrall, it slew Srutayudha and
laid him dead on the field, like a great
forest tree blown down by a storm.
Then the king of Kamboja led his forces
against Arjuna. After a fierce fight, he lay
stretched dead on the field like a great
flagstaff after the festival is over.
When they saw the strong warriors,
Srutayudha and the king of Kamboja,
slain, the Kaurava force was in great
confusion.
Srutayu and his brother Asrutayu then
attacked Partha on both sides trying to
save the situation, and greatly harassed
him. At one stage of this battle, Arjuna
leaned on the flagstaff, dazed with the
wounds he received.
But Krishna spoke to him encouragingly
and Arjuna recovered and resumed the
fight, slaying the two brothers as well as
their two sons who continued the struggle.
Arjuna marched on and, killing many
more warriors successfully made his way
to Jayadratha.
83. BORROWED ARMOR
WHEN Dhritarashtra heard Sanjaya relate
the success of Arjuna, he exclaimed: "Oh
Sanjaya! When Janardana came to
Hastinapura seeking a settlement, I told
Duryodhana that it was a great
opportunity and he must not lose it. I told
him to make peace with his cousins.
'Kesava has come to do us a good turn. Do
not disregard his advice,' I said. But
Duryodhana heeded not. What Karna and
Duhsasana said seemed to him better
advice than mine. The Destroyer entered
his mind and he sought his own ruin.
Drona deprecated war, so also did
Bhishma, Bhurisravas, Kripa and others.
But my obstinate son would not listen.
Impelled by inordinate ambition, he got
entangled in anger and hatred, and invited
this ruinous war."
To Dhritarashtra thus lamenting, Sanjaya
said: "Of what avail are your regrets now?
The life-giving water has all run to waste
and you now seek to stop the breach. Why
did you not prevent the son of Kunti from
gambling? Had you done the right thing
then, all this great grief would have been
stopped at the source. Even later, if you
had been firm and stopped your son from
his evil ways, this calamity could have
been avoided. You saw the evil and yet,
against your own sound judgment, you
followed the foolish advice of Karna and
Sakuni. Kesava, Yudhishthira and Drona
do not respect you now as they did before.
Vasudeva now knows that your rectitude
is only hypocrisy. The Kauravas are now
doing their utmost as warriors, but they
are unequal to opposing the strength of
Arjuna, Krishna, Satyaki and Bhima.
Duryodhana has not spared himself. He is
putting forth his utmost strength. It is not
meet that you should now accuse him or
his devoted soldiers."
"Dear Sanjaya, I admit my dereliction of
duty. What you say is right. No one can
change the course of fate. Tell me what
happened. Tell me all, be it ever so
unpleasant," said the old king convulsed
with grief. And obedient to the old king's
behest, Sanjaya continued his narration.
Duryodhana was greatly agitated when he
saw Arjuna's chariot proceeding
triumphantly towards the Sindhu king. He
rushed to Drona and complained bitterly:
"Arjuna has effected a breach in the great
army and has advanced to Jayadratha's
position. Seeing our discomfiture, the
warriors, protecting the Sindhu king, will
surely lose heart. They had believed that it
was impossible for Arjuna to get past you
and that has now been falsified. He
advanced before your eyes and nothing
was done to prevent it. You seem indeed
bent on helping the Pandavas. I am in
great distress of mind. Sir, tell me, in what
matter have I offended you? Why are you
letting me down in this way? If I had
known that you would do this, I should
not have asked Jayadratha to stay here. It
was a great mistake I committed in not
letting him go, as he desired, back to his
own country. If Arjuna attacks him, it is
not possible for him to escape death.
Forgive me. I am talking foolishly,
distracted by grief. Do go in person
yourself to save the Saindhava."
To this frantic appeal Drona made answer:
"King, I shall not take offence at your
thoughtless and unworthy remarks. You
are like a son to me. Aswatthama himself
is not dearer! Do what I ask you. Take this
coat of armor and, donning it, go and stop
Arjuna. I cannot do so for my presence is
necessary in this part of the field. See
there, the clouds of arrows! The Pandava
army is attacking us in great force.
Yudhishthira is here unsupported by
Arjuna and is this not just the opportunity
we wanted? Our very plan has borne fruit
and I must now take Yudhishthira
prisoner and deliver him to you. I cannot
give up this objective and run after
Phalguna now. If I go after Arjuna now,
our battle array will be hopelessly broken
and we shall be lost. Let me put this armor
on you. Go in confidence. Do not fear.
You have valor, skill and experience. This
coat will protect you against all weapons.
It will not let any blow pass through your
body. Go forth to battle, Duryodhana, in
confidence as Indra did, clad in the armor
given by Brahma. May victory be yours."
Duryodhana's confidence was restored
and, as the acharya directed, he went,
dressed in magic armor and accompanied
by a large force of soldiers, to attack
Arjuna.
Arjuna had crossed the Kaurava army and
gone far ahead towards where Jayadratha
had been kept for safety. Seeing that the
horses were somewhat fatigued, Krishna
stopped the chariot and was about to
unyoke the tired animals, when the
brothers Vinda and Anuvinda came up
suddenly and began to attack Arjuna.
They were defeated and Arjuna scattered
their forces and slew them both. After
this, Krishna unyoked the chariot and let
the horses roll in the mud. The horses
rested for a while and were refreshed.
Then, they proceeded again according to
plan.
"Dhananjaya, look behind! There comes
the foolhardy Duryodhana. What good
luck! Long have you suppressed your
anger, and now is the time for you to let
yourself go. Here is the man who caused
all this grief, delivering himself into your
hands. But remember he is a great archer,
well-versed in bow lore, and also a keen
and strong-limbed fighter." Thus said
Krishna and they halted to give battle to
the Kaurava.
Duryodhana approached without fear.
"They say, Arjuna, that you have done
acts of prowess. I have not seen this
myself. Let me see if your courage and
your skill are indeed as great as your
reputation," said Duryodhana to Arjuna as
he began to battle.
The combat was fierce indeed and
Krishna was surprised.
"Partha, I am astonished," said Krishna,
"How is it your arrows do not seem to
hurt Duryodhana? This is the first time I
see the shafts proceeding from the
Gandiva bow strike their targets without
effect. This is strange, Have your arms
lost their power? Or has the Gandiva bow
lost its quality? Why do your arrows strike
Duryodhana and drop to the ground
without piercing him? This is most
puzzling."
Arjuna smiled and replied: "I understand.
This man has come dressed by Drona in
charmed armor. The acharya has taught
me the secret of this armor, but this man
wears it as a bullock might do. You will
see some fun now!"
Saying thus, Arjuna proceeded to shoot
his arrows, first depriving Duryodhana of
his horses, his charioteer and his car.
Then, Arjuna broke his bow and disarmed
him completely. There after he sent
needle-eye darts which pierced just those
parts of Duryodhana's body that were not
covered by armor, until he could bear it no
longer and turned and fled.
When Duryodhana was thus discomfited,
Krishna blew his conch and it sent a thrill
of fear in Jayadratha's army. The warriors
around the Sindhu king were surprised.
They at once got ready in their chariots
and Bhurisravas, Chala, Karna,
Vrishasena, Kripa, Salya, Aswatthama
and Jayadratha, eight of them, arrayed
their forces against Arjuna.
84. YUDHISHTHIRA'S MISGIVINGS
WHEN the Pandavas saw Duryodhana
proceeding in the direction of Arjuna, they
attacked the Kaurava army in force so as
to hold Drona and prevent him from going
to Jayadratha's rescue.
So, Dhrishtadyumna led his forces
repeatedly against Drona. As a result of
all this, the Kaurava army had to fight on
three fronts, and was greatly weakened.
Driving his chariot right against Drona's,
Dhrishtadyumna attacked him violently.
Drona's chestnut horses and the Panchala's
dove-colored ones were entangled with
one another and presented a picturesque
sight like the clouds at sunset.
Dhrishtadyumna threw away his bow and,
sword and shield in hand, he sprang upon
Drona's chariot. Now standing on the
shafts of the vehicle, now on the horses
and now on the yoke, he attacked Drona
bewilderingly, all the while seeming to
scorch him with baleful and bloodshot
eyes.
Long did this fight go on. Drona pulled
his bow in great wrath and sent a shaft,
which would have drunk the Panchala's
life but for the unexpected intervention of
Satyaki who sent an arrow and diverted
the acharya's shaft.
Drona then turned and attacked Satyaki,
which enabled the Panchala warriors to
take Dhrishtadyumna away. Drona,
hissing like a black cobra, his eyes red
with anger, advanced on Satyaki who was
among the front rank warriors on the
Pandava side and who, when he saw
Drona desiring battle, went forward to
accept the challenge.
"Here is the man who, giving up his
vocation as a brahmana has taken up the
profession of fighting and is causing
distress to the Pandavas," Satyaki said to
his charioteer. "This man is the principal
cause of Duryodhana's arrogance. This
man fancies himself a very great soldier
and is ever bursting with conceit. I must
teach him a lesson. Take the chariot up
quickly."
Satyaki's charioteer accordingly lashed the
silver-white horses and took the car at a
great pace. Satyaki and Drona shot shafts
at one another so quick that they covered
the sun, and the battlefield was in
darkness for a while. The steel shafts
swished glimmering like newly-sloughed
snakes rushing about.
The chariot hoods and the flagstaffs on
both sides were battered down. Drona as
well as Satyaki were bleeding profusely.
The warriors on either side stood still
watching the duel and they did not blow
their conchs or raise their war cries or
sound their lion-roars.
The Devas, Vidyadharas, Gandharvas and
Yakshas watched the great battle from
above. Drona's bow was broken by a wellaimed
shaft from Satyaki, and the son of
Bharadwaja had to take another bow and,
even as he strung it, Satyaki shot it down
again. Drona took up another bow that
too was shot down.
And so it went on till Drona lost a
hundred and one bows without being able
to shoot an arrow. The great acharya said
to himself: "This man Satyaki is a warrior
in the class of Sri Rama, Kartavirya,
Dhananjaya and Bhishma,"and was glad
he had an opponent worthy of him.
It was a craftsman's professional joy at
skill displayed in the art he loved. For
every specially-charged shaft that Drona
sent, Satyaki had a ready answer of
equivalent quality. Long did this equal
combat continue. Drona of unrivalled skill
in archery then resolved on killing Satyaki
and sent the fire astra. But Satyaki saw
this and, losing no time, sent the Varuna
astra to counteract it.
But now Satyaki's strength began to fail
and, seeing this, the Kaurava warriors
were glad and shouted in satisfaction.
When Yudhishthira saw Satyaki was hard
pressed, he told those nearby to go to
Satyaki's relief. "Our great and good hero
Yuyudhana (Satyaki) is being
overpowered by Drona. You should go
there at once," he said to Dhrishtadyumna.
"The brahmana will otherwise slay
Satyaki in a few minutes. Why are you
hesitating? Go at once. Drona is playing
with Satyaki as a cat plays with a bird.
Satyaki is indeed in the paws of the
Destroyer." Yudhishthira ordered the
army to make a powerful attack on Drona.
Satyaki was saved with difficulty. Just
then, the sound of Krishna's conch was
heard from the sector where Arjuna was
fighting.
"O Satyaki, I hear Panchajanya," cried
Yudhishthira; "but the twang of Arjuna's
bow does not accompany it. I fear Arjuna
has been surrounded by Jayadratha's
friends and is in danger. Arjuna is
opposed by forces both in front of him
and in his rear. He pierced the Kaurava
ranks in the morning and he has not come
back yet though the greater part of the day
is gone. How is it that only Krishna's
conch is heard? I fear Dhananjaya has
been slain and therefore Krishna has taken
up arms. Satyaki, there is nothing you
cannot accomplish. Your bosom friend
Arjuna, he, who taught you, is in mortal
danger. Often has Arjuna spoken to me
admiringly of your great skill and
prowess. 'There is not another soldier like
Satyaki,' he said to me when we were in
the forest. Oh, look there! The dust is
rising that side. I am certain Arjuna has
been surrounded. Jayadratha is a powerful
warrior, and there are many enemy
warriors there helping him and resolved to
die in defence of him. Go at once,
Satyaki." Thus did Dharmaputra speak in
great trepidation.
Satyaki, who was weary after his battle
with Drona, replied: "Faultless among
men, I shall obey your command. What
would I not do for Dhananjaya's sake? My
life is the merest trifle in my eyes. If you
order me, I am ready to fight the gods
themselves. But allow me to put before
you what the wise Vasudeva and Arjuna
told me when they left. 'Until we return
after slaying Jayadratha you should not
leave Yudhishthira's side. Be vigilant in
protecting him. We entrust this to you in
confidence and go. There is only one
warrior in the Kaurava army whom we
fear, and he is Drona. You know his
sworn intention. We go leaving
Dharmaputra's safety in our hands.' Thus
said Vasudeva and Arjuna to me when
they went. Arjuna laid this trust on me,
believing me fit for it. How can I
disregard his command? Do not have any
fear about Arjuna's safety. No one can
defeat him. The Sindhu king and the
others cannot cope with a sixteenth part of
Arjuna. Dharmaputra, to whom shall I
entrust your safety if I must go? I see no
one here who can stand against Drona if
he comes to seize you. Do not ask me to
go. Consider well before you command
me to leave."
"Satyaki," replied Yudhishthira, "I have
thought over it. As I have weighed the
danger against the need and I have
concluded that you must go. You leave
me with my full permission. Here is the
powerful Bhima to look to my safety.
There is Dhrishtadyumna also, and there
are many others besides. There is no need
to worry about me."
So saying, Yudhishthira placed a boxful
of arrows and other weapons in Satyaki's
chariot and got fresh horses yoked thereto
and sent Satyaki uttering benedictions on
him.
"Bhimasena, Yudhishthira is your charge.
Be vigilant," said Satyaki, and went to
join Dhananjaya.
Satyaki met with violent resistance as he
proceeded to dash through the Kaurava
forces. But he cut his way through bearing
down all opposition. But the resistance
was very stiff and his progress was slow.
When Drona saw Satyaki part from
Yudhishthira, he began to assault the
Pandava formation without rest or
interval, until it began to break and retreat.
Yudhishthira was greatly agitated.
85. YUDHISHTHIRA'S FOND HOPE
"ARJUNA has not returned, nor has
Satyaki, who was sent after him. Bhima,
my fear grows. I hear the Panchajanya,
but not the twang of Arjuna's bowstring.
Satyaki, that bravest and most loyal of
friends, has not come back with any
tidings. My anxiety is increasing every
moment," said Yudhishthira to Bhima in
great perplexity of mind.
"I have never seen you so agitated,"
replied Bhimasena. "Do, not let your
fortitude grow less. Command me as you
please. Do not let the wheels of your mind
stick in the mud of anxiety."
"Dearest Bhima, I fear your brother has
been slain, and it seems to me Madhava
has now himself taken up arms. I hear the
conch of Madhava but I hear not the
resounding twang of Gandiva. I fear
Dhananjaya, the unrivalled hero, in whom
were centerd all our hopes, has been
killed. My mind is confused. If you would
do as I tell you, go at once to where
Arjuna is. Join him and Satyaki, and do
what needs to be done, and come back.
Satyaki, under orders from me, pierced
the Kaurava ranks and proceeded in the
direction of Arjuna. You go now, and do
likewise and, if you indeed see them alive,
I shall know it by your lion-roar."
"My Lord, do not grieve. I shall go and let
you know they are safe," said Bhima, and
immediately turning to Dhrishtadyumna
said: "Panchala, you know very well that
Drona is seeking, by some means or other,
to seize Dharmaputra alive. Our foremost
duty is to protect the King. But I must also
obey him and fulfil his command. And so
I go, trusting him to your care."
"Bhima, do not be concerned. Go with an
assured mind. Drona cannot take
Yudhishthira without first killing me,"
said the heroic son of Drupada, sworn
enemy of Drona. And Bhima hurried
away.
The Kauravas surrounded Bhima in full
force and vowed to prevent him from
going to Arjuna's relief. But like a lion
scattering less noble beasts he put his
enemies to flight, killing no less than
eleven of the sons of Dhritarashtra. Bhima
then approached Drona himself. "Stop,"
cried Drona. "Here I am, your enemy.
You cannot proceed further without
defeating me. Your brother Arjuna went
in with my consent. But I cannot let you
go." Drona spoke thus believing that he
would receive the same courtesy from
Bhima as he did from Arjuna. But Bhima
was furious at hearing these words of
Drona, and answered scornfully.
"Oh brahmana, it was not with your
permission that Arjuna went. He broke
your resistance and pierced your battle
lines fighting his way through, but he did
not hurt you out of pity. But I shall not,
like Arjuna, show mercy to you. I am your
enemy. Once upon a time, you were our
preceptor and were like a father to us. We
respected you as such. Now, you have
yourself said you are our enemy. May it
be so!" Saying this, Bhima aimed his
mace at Drona's chariot that crumbled to
pieces. And Drona had to take to another
chariot.
The second chariot too was broken to
pieces. And Bhima forced his way
through overcoming all opposition. Drona
lost eight chariots that day. And the army
of the Bhojas, that tried to stop Bhima,
was completely destroyed.
He proceeded mowing down all
opposition and reached where Arjuna was
fighting Jayadratha's forces.
As soon as he saw Arjuna, Bhima roared
like a lion. Hearing that roar, Krishna and
Arjuna were exceedingly pleased and
raised yells of joy. Yudhishthira heard
these roars and, relieved of his doubts and
anxieties, he pronounced blessings on
Arjuna. And he thought within himself:
"Before the sun sets today, Arjuna's oath
will be fulfilled. He will slay the man who
caused Abhimanyu's death and will return
in triumph. Duryodhana may sue for
peace after Jayadratha's death. Seeing so
many of his brothers slain, it is possible
that foolish Duryodhana may see light.
The lives of numerous kings and great
warriors have been sacrificed on the field
of battle and even the stubborn and
narrow-visioned Duryodhana may now
see his fault and ask for peace. Will this
indeed happen? The great grandsire
Bhishma has been offered as a sacrifice.
Will this wicked enmity end with it and
shall we be saved from further cruel
destruction?"
While thus Yudhishthira was fondly
hoping and dreaming of peace, the battle
was raging with great fury where Bhima,
Satyaki and Arjuna were engaging the
enemy.
Only the Lord knows through what travail
the world must evolve. His ways are
inscrutable.
86. KARNA AND BHIMA
ARJUNA had left Yudhishthira behind to
repel Drona's attacks and had gone to
make good his word that before sunset
Jayadratha would lie dead on the field of
battle.
Jayadratha had been the main cause of
Abhimanyu's death. He it was who had
effectively prevented the relief of
Abhimanyu by the Pandavas, and thereby
caused Abhimanyu to be isolated,
overpowered and slain.
We have seen how Yudhishthira in his
anxiety sent first Satyaki and then Bhima
to join Arjuna in his battle against
Jayadratha. Bhima reached where Arjuna
was engaged and sounded his simhanada
(lion-roar). Dharmaputra heard the lionroar
of Bhima and knew that Arjuna was
found alive.
It was the fourteenth day and the battle
raged fiercely at many points, between
Satyaki and Bhurisravas at one place,
between Bhima and Karna at another and
between Arjuna and Jayadratha at a third.
Drona remained at the main front resisting
the attack of the Panchalas and the
Pandavas, and leading a counter-offensive
against them.
Duryodhana arrived with his forces at the
sector where Arjuna attacked Jayadratha,
but was soon defeated and turned back.
The battle thus raged long and furiously
on more than one front. The armies were
so deployed that each side was exposed to
danger in its rear.
Duryodhana was speaking to Drona:
"Arjuna, Bhima and Satyaki have treated
us with contempt and proceeded
successfully to Jayadratha's sector and
they are pressing hard on the Sindhu king.
It is indeed strange that, under your
command, our battle array should have
been broken and our plans completely
foiled. Everyone asks how it is that the
great Drona with all his mastery of the
science of war has been so badly
outmaneuvered. What answer shall I
make? I have been betrayed by you."
Duryodhana thus, once again, bitterly
reproached Drona, who replied
unperturbed:
"Duryodhana, your accusations are as
unworthy as they are contrary to truth.
There is nothing to be gained by talking
about what is past and beyond repair.
Think of what is to be done now."
"Sir, it is for you to advise me. Tell me
what should be done. Give your best
consideration to the difficulties of the
situation and decide and let us do it
quickly." Puzzled and perplexed, thus did
Duryodhana plead.
Drona replied: "My son, the situation is no
doubt serious. Three great generals have
advanced, outmanoeuvring us. But they
have as much reason to be anxious as we,
for their rear is now left as open to attack
as ours. We are on both sides of them and
their position is not therefore safe. Be
heartened, go up to Jayadratha again, and
do all you can to support him. It is of no
avail to dishearten oneself by dwelling on
past defeats and difficulties. It is best I
stay here and send you reinforcements as
and when required. I must keep the
Panchalas and Pandava army engaged
here. Otherwise, we shall be wholly
destroyed."
Accordingly, Duryodhana went with fresh
reinforcements again to where Arjuna was
directing his attack on Jayadratha.
The narrative of the fourteenth day's
fighting at Kurukshetra shows that, even
in the Mahabharata times, the modern
tactics of turning and enveloping
movements was not unknown.
The advantages and risks of such strategy
appear to have been fully understood and
discussed even in those days. Arjuna's
flanking manoeuvres perplexed his
enemies greatly. The story of that day's
battle between Bhima and Karna reads
very much like a chapter from the
narrative of a modern war.
Bhima did not desire to fight Karna or
remain long engaged with him. He was
eager to reach where Arjuna was. But
Radheya would, by no means, permit him
to do this. He showered his arrows on
Bhimasena and stopped him from
proceeding.
The contrast between the two warriors
was striking. Karna's handsome lotus-like
face was radiant with smiles when he
attacked Bhima saying: "Do not show
your back," "Now, do not flee like a
coward," and so on.
Bhima was all anger when taunted in this
manner. He was maddened by Karna's
smiles. The battle was fierce but Karna
did everything with a smiling air of ease
whereas Bhima's face glowed with rage
and his movements were violent.
Karna would keep at a distance and send
his well-aimed shafts but Bhima would
disregard the arrows and javelins failing
thick upon him and always try to close
with Karna.
Radheya did everything he did, calmly
and with graceful ease, whereas
Bhimasena fumed and fretted with
impatience, as he showed his amazing
strength of limb.
Bhima was red with bleeding wounds all
over and presented the appearance of an
Asoka tree in full blossom. But he minded
them not, as he attacked Karna cutting
bows in twain and smashing his chariot.
When Karna had to run for a fresh chariot,
there was no smile on his face. For anger
rose in him, like the sea on a full moon
day, as he attacked Bhima. Both showed
the strength of tigers and the speed of
eagles and their anger was now like that
of serpents in a fury.
Bhima brought before his mind all the
insults and injuries which he and his
brothers and Draupadi had suffered, and
fought desperately, caring not for life.
The two cars dashed against each other
and the milk white horses of Karna's
chariot and Bhimasena's black horses
jostled in the combat like clouds in a
thunderstorm.
Karna's bow was shattered and his
charioteer reeled and fell. Karna then
hurled a javelin at Bhima. But Bhima
parried it and continued pouring his
arrows on Karna, who had taken up a
fresh bow.
Again and again did Karna lose his
chariot. Duryodhana saw Karna's plight
and calling his brother Durjaya said: "This
wicked Pandava will kill Karna. Go at
once and attack Bhima and save Karna's
life."
Durjaya went as ordered and attacked
Bhima who, in a rage sent seven shafts
which sent Durjaya's horses and his
charioteer to the abode of Yama and
Durjaya himself fell mortally wounded.
Seeing his bleeding body wriggling on the
ground like a wounded snake, Karna was
overwhelmed with grief and circled round
the hero, paying mournful honor to the
dead.
Bhima did not stop but continued the fight
and greatly harassed Karna. Karna once
again had to find a fresh chariot. He sent
well aimed shafts and hit Bhima who in a
fury hurled his mace at Karna and it
crashed on Karna's chariot and killed his
charioteer and horses and broke the
flagstaff. Karna now stood on the ground
with bent bow.
Duryodhana now sent another brother to
relieve Karna. Durmukha went
accordingly and took Karna on his chariot.
Seeing yet another son of Dhritarashtra
come to offer himself up to death, Bhima
licked his lips in gusto and sent nine
shafts on the newly arrived enemy. And,
even as Karna climbed up to take his seat
in the chariot, Durmukha's armor was
broken and he fell lifeless.
When Karna saw the warrior bathed in
blood and lying dead by his side, he was
again overwhelmed with grief and stood
motionless for a while.
Bhima relentlessly continued his attack on
Karna. His sharp arrows pierced Karna's
coat of armor and he was in pain.
But he too at once returned the attack and
wounded Bhima all over.
Still the Pandava would not stop and
attacked Karna furiously. The sight of so
many of Duryodhana's brothers dying for
his sake one after another was too much
for Karna.
This, and the physical pain of his own
wounds made him lose courage and he
turned away defeated. But, when Bhima
stood up on the field of battle red with
wounds all over like a flaming fire and
emitted a triumphant yell, he could not
brook it but returned to the combat.
87. PLEDGE RESPECTED
DHRITARASHTRA, hearing of the
slaughter of his sons and the check
received by Karna, was desolate. "O
Sanjaya, like moths falling in the fire, my
sons are being destroyed. The stubborn
Duryodhana has led the lads Durmukha
and Durjaya, to their doom. Alas, I have
lost these boys! The fool said: 'Karna,
unrivalled among men for courage and the
accomplishment of war, is on our side.
Who then can defeat us? Even the gods
cannot win a battle against me when
Karna is on my side. What can these
Pandavas do to me?' But now he has seen
Karna beating a retreat when Bhimasena
attacked him. Has he seen wisdom at least
now? Alas, Sanjaya, my son has earned
the undying hatred of the son of Vayu,
Bhima, who has the strength of the god of
death! We are indeed ruined!"
Sanjaya replied: "O king, was it not you
who brought about this unquenchable
hatred, listening to the words of your
foolish and stubborn son? To you indeed
must be traced this greater disaster. You
are now but reaping the fruit of your
discarding the advice of Bhishma and the
other elders. Blame yourself, king. Do not
blame Karna and the brave warriors who
have done their best in battle."
After thus admonishing the blind king,
Sanjaya proceeded to tell him what
happened. Five sons of Dhritarashtra,
Durmarsha, Dussaha, Durmata, Durdhara
and Jaya, when they saw Karna put to
flight by Bhima at once rushed on the
latter.
When Karna saw this, he was heartened
and turned back to resume his attack.
Bhimasena at first ignored the sons of
Dhritarashtra and concentrated on Karna.
But they became so violent in their assault
that Bhima got incensed and, turning his
attentions on them, disposed of all five of
them. They lay dead on the field, with
their horses and their charioteers.
The young warriors with their bleeding
wounds presented the appearance of a
forest with trees, uprooted by a strong
wind and lying flat on the ground with
their beautiful red blossoms.
When Karna saw another batch of princes
slaughtered for his sake he fought more
grimly than ever before. Bhima too was
more violent than before, thinking of all
the evil that Karna had wrought against
the Pandavas.
He used his bow so as to disarm Karna
completely. His horses and charioteer
were also laid low. Karna now jumped
down from his chariot and hurled his
mace at Bhima.
But Bhima warded it off with shafts from
his powerful bow and covered Karna with
a shower of arrows and forced him to turn
back and walk on foot.
Duryodhana, who watched this combat,
was greatly grieved and sent seven of his
brothers Chitra, Upachitra, Chitraksha,
Charuchitra, Sarasana, Chitrayudha and
Chitravarman, to relieve Radheya.
They gave battle to Bhima displaying
great skill and energy. But fell dead one
after another, for Bhima's passion was
roused and his attack was irresistible.
When Karna saw so many of the sons of
Dhritarashtra sacrificing themselves for
him, his face was wet with tears and he
mounted a fresh chariot and began to
attack Bhima with deadly effect.
The two combatants clashed like clouds in
a thunderstorm. Kesava, Satyaki and
Arjuna were filled with admiration and
joy as they watched Bhima fighting.
Bhurisravas, Kripacharya, Aswatthama,
Salya, Jayadratha and many other warriors
of the Kaurava army also broke into
exclamations, astonished at the way in
which Bhima fought.
Duryodhana was stung to the quick and
burned with anger. Karna's plight caused
him extreme anxiety. He feared Bhima
would kill Radheya that day, and sent
seven more of his brothers directing them
to surround Bhima and attack him
simultaneously.
The seven brothers sent by Duryodhana
attacked Bhima. But fell one after another,
struck down by his arrows. Vikarna, who
was killed last, was beloved of all.
When Bhima saw him fall dead after a
brave fight, he was deeply moved and
exclaimed: "Alas, O Vikarna, you were
just and knew what was dharma! You
fought in loyal obedience to the call of
duty. I had to kill even you. Indeed this
battle is a curse upon us wherein men like
you and the grandsire Bhishma have had
to be slaughtered."
Seeing Duryodhana's brothers, who came
to help him, slain one after another in this
manner, Karna was overwhelmed by
anguish. He leant back on his seat in the
chariot and closed his eyes unable to bear
the sight.
Then recovering control over his emotions
he hardened his heart and began again his
attack on Bhima. Bow after bow was
broken up by Bhimasena's shaft, but
Karna kept the battle.
Eighteen times he had to take up a fresh
bow. Karna had long ago discarded his
smile and his face showed savage anger
even as Bhima's. They now glared fiercely
at each other as they fought.
Yudhishthira now heard Bhima's roar rise
above the tumult of battle, and heartened
by it, he fought Drona with increased
vigor.
In the renewed and fierce battle between
Bhima and Karna, Bhima lost his horses
and charioteer. Soon his chariot also was
smashed to pieces. Then, Bhima hurled
his spear at Karna who was in his chariot
and as Karna parried it with his shaft,
Bhima advanced with sword and shield.
But Karna broke the shield at once with
his shafts. Then, Bhima whirled his sword
and hurled it, and it cut Karna's bow into
two and fell on the ground. But Karna
took up yet another bow and assailed
Bhima with arrows more fiercely than
before.
Bhima, in a fit of uncontrollable rage,
sprang upon Karna. Radheya took cover
behind his flagstaff and escaped
destruction. Thereupon, Bhima jumped
out of Karna's car down into the field of
battle where, deprived of all arms, he used
the elephants lying dead on the ground to
protect himself from Karna's arrows and
continued the fight.
He picked up anything he could lay hands
upon, wheels of broken chariots, the limbs
of horses and elephants that were lying
about, and hurling them at Karna, kept
him engaged without interval. But this
could not long continue and Bhima was
soon at a great disadvantage. Karna said
exultingly:
"Foolish glutton, you do not know the
science of war; why do you engage
yourself in battle here? Go to the jungle
and fill yourself with fruits and roots and
grow fat. You are a savage, not fit for
kshatriya battle. Get away!" Hurling
insulting taunts at him, he made the
helpless Bhima burn with rage, but
mindful of his word to Kunti, refrained
from killing him.
"There, Arjuna! See how poor Bhima is
being harassed by Karna," said Krishna.
Dhananjaya's eyes burned red with wrath,
when he saw the plight of his valiant
brother.
He bent his Gandiva bow and discharged
his arrows on Karna who then gladly
turned his attentions from Bhima to
Arjuna. He had pledged his word to Kunti
not to kill more than one of the Pandavas
and he reserved that option for the great
Arjuna.
88. SOMADATTA'S END
"THERE comes the valorous Satyaki,"
said Krishna, the charioteer, to
Dhananjaya. "Your disciple and friend is
marching up, triumphantly breaking
through enemy ranks."
"I do not like it, Madhava," replied
Arjuna. "It was not right for him to have
left Dharmaputra and come here to join
me. Drona is there ever seeking an
opportunity to seize Dharmaputra. Satyaki
should have stuck to his post there to
guard him. Instead, he has come here. Old
Bhurisravas has intercepted Satyaki. It
was a great mistake for Yudhishthira to
have sent Satyaki away here."
There was a family feud between
Bhurisravas and Satyaki that made them
inveterate foes.
It had come about this way. When Devaki,
who was to be the blessed mother of Sri
Krishna, was a maiden, many princes
competed for her hand and there was a
great battle between Somadatta and Sini
over it.
Sini won, and on behalf of Vasudeva he
placed Devaki in his chariot and took her
away. Since that incident there was feud
between the two clans, the Sini family and
that of Somadatta. Satyaki was Sini's
grandson.
Bhurisravas was Somadatta's son. When
they found themselves on opposite sides
in the Kurukshetra battle, it was natural
that, as soon as Bhurisravas saw Satyaki,
the old warrior challenged Satyaki to
battle.
"Oh Satyaki," cried Bhurisravas, "I know
you strut about thinking yourself a man of
great prowess. Here now I have you in my
power and will presently finish you. Long
have I sought for this meeting. Like
Indrajit destroyed Dasaratha's son
Lakshmana, you will die today and go to
the abode of Yama, gladdening the hearts
of many a bereaved widow."
Satyaki laughed. "Have done with your
vaunting," he interrupted. "Words are not
deeds and do not frighten fighting men.
Demonstrate your valor in action and do
not indulge in dry thunder like autumn
clouds."
After this exchange of words, the battle
began, and the combat was as between
two fierce lions. Their horses were killed,
their bows were broken, and both were
rendered chariotless.
They were now standing on the ground
fighting with swords and shields, till their
shields were hacked to bits and their
swords broken. Then they were locked in
a deadly embrace without weapons.
They rolled together on the ground. They
leaped up and they sprang on each other.
They fell down again and so the combat
went on for a long while.
Partha's mind was at the time concentrated
on Jayadratha's movements and he did not
watch this combat between Satyaki and
the son of Somadatta.
But his charioteer Krishna was deeply
concerned about Satyaki's fate. For
Krishna knew about their family feud.
"Dhananjaya," said Krishna, "Satyaki is
exhausted. Bhurisravas is going to kill
him now."
Still Arjuna was following only
Jayadratha's movements.
"Satyaki who came after an exhausting
battle with the Kaurava forces has been
forced to accept Bhurisravas' challenge,"
said Krishna again. "It is a most unequal
battle. Unless we help him, beloved
Yuyudhana will be slain."
Even as Krishna was saying this,
Bhurisravas lifted Satyaki up and brought
him crashing to the ground and all the
men around in the Kaurava army
exclaimed: "Yuyudhana is dead!"
Again Krishna importuned: "Satyaki is
lying almost dead on the field, the best
among the Vrishni clan. One who came to
help you, is being killed before your eyes.
You are looking on, doing nothing."
Bhurisravas caught hold of the prostrate
Satyaki and dragged him on the ground as
a lion drags its elephant prey.
Arjuna was in a great conflict of mind.
"Bhurisravas has not been called to battle
by me, nor has he challenged me to fight.
How can I send my shaft at Bhurisravas
when he is engaged with another? My
mind recoils from such an act, although it
is true a friend who came to help me is
being slaughtered before my eyes."
Just as Arjuna finished saying this to
Krishna, the sky was darkened by a cloud
of arrows sent by Jayadratha. Arjuna
replied with a shower of arrows, but he
constantly turned with pain to where
Satyaki was in the mortal grip of
Bhurisravas.
Krishna again pressed Arjuna to consider
Satyaki's condition. "O Partha, Satyaki
has lost all his weapons and he is now in
Bhurisravas' power, helpless."
When Arjuna turned, he saw Bhurisravas
with his foot on the prostrate body of
Satyaki and sword upraised to slay him.
Before Bhurisravas could deliver the fatal
thrust, Arjuna shot an arrow which went
with the speed of lightning and the next
moment the uplifted arm fell chopped off
to the ground still holding the sword.
Bhurisravas, all amazed, turned and saw
who had done it.
"Son of Kunti," he exclaimed, "I had not
expected this of you! It befits not a
warrior to shoot from behind in this
manner. I was engaged in combat with
someone else and you have attacked me
without notice. Indeed, then, no man can
resist the evil influence of the company he
keeps, as your unchivalrous conduct
proves. Dhananjaya, when you go back to
your brother Dharmaputra, what account
are you going to give him of this valorous
deed. Ah! Who taught you this low trick,
Arjuna? Did you learn this from your
father Indra or from your teachers Drona
and Kripa? What code of conduct was it
that permitted you to shoot your arrow at
a man who was engaged in combat with
another and could not so much as turn his
eyes on you? You have done the deed of a
low-bred fellow and foully besmirched
your honor. You must have been
instigated into it by the son of Vasudeva.
It was not in your own nature to do it. No
one with princely blood in his veins would
think of such a dastardly deed. I know you
have been incited to it by that
contemptible Krishna."
Thus did Bhurisravas with his right arm
cut off, bitterly denounce Krishna and
Arjuna in the Kurukshetra field.
Said Partha: "Bhurisravas, you are old and
age seems to have affected your judgment.
You accuse Hrishikesa and me without
cause. How could I look on doing nothing,
when, before my eyes, you were in the act
of killing my friend, who came and risked
his life in battle on my behalf, one who
was like a right hand to me, and whom
you were going to stab when he was lying
helpless on the ground? I would have
deserved to go to hell if I had failed to
intervene. You say, I have been ruined by
keeping company with Madhava. Who in
the wide world would not wish to be so
ruined? You have spoken out of confused
understanding. Satyaki who was weary
and exhausted when he came here and
who was inadequately armed, was
challenged by you to give battle. You
overcame him. Having been defeated, he
lay on the ground, powerless. What code
of honor enabled you to raise your sword
to thrust it into the body of the fallen
warrior and slay him? Do I not remember
how you cheered the man who killed my
boy Abhimanyu when he stood
staggering, exhausted and weaponless, his
coat of armor torn off?"
Bhurisravas who heard this did not answer
but spread his arrows on the ground with
his left hand and made a seat for
meditation.
The old warrior sat in yoga and the sight
deeply moved all the Kaurava soldiers.
They cheered Bhurisravas and uttered
reproaches against Krishna and Arjuna.
Arjuna spoke: "Brave men, I am sworn to
protect every friend within bow-shot of
me and I cannot let an enemy kill him. It
is my sacred pledge. Why do you blame
me? It is not right to hurl reproaches
without due thought."
After saying this to the warriors in the
field who reproached him, he turned to
Bhurisravas and said: "O excellent among
brave men, you have protected many who
have gone to you for help. You know that
what has happened is due to your own
error. There is no justice in blaming me. If
you like, let us all blame the violence
which governs kshatriya life."
Bhurisravas, who heard this, lowered his
head in salutation.
Satyaki now recovered consciousness and
rose. Carried away by the impetuosity of
his passion, he picked up a sword and,
advancing to Bhurisravas, sitting in yoga
on his seat of arrows, even when all
around were shouting in horror and before
Krishna and Arjuna, who rushed to the
spot, could prevent him, with one swift
and powerful cut, he struck off the old
warrior's head which rolled down, while
the body was still in the posture of
meditation.
The gods and the siddhas, who looked on
from above the battlefield, uttered
blessings on Bhurisravas. Everyone in the
field condemned Satyaki's act.
Satyaki maintained he was right, saying:
"After I fell down senseless, this enemy of
my family placed his foot on my prostrate
figure and attempted to kill me. I may slay
him in whatever posture he might choose
to be." But none approved of his conduct.
The slaying of Bhurisravas is one of the
many situations of moral conflict woven
into the story of the Mahabharata to
demonstrate that, when hatred and anger
have been roused, codes of honor and
dharma are powerless to control them.
89. JAYADRATHA SLAIN
"THE decisive hour has come, Karna,"
said Duryodhana, "If before nightfall this
day Jayadratha is not slain, Arjuna will be
disgraced and he will kill himself, for not
having redeemed his oath. With Arjuna's
death, the destruction of the Pandavas is
certain and this kingdom will be ours in
unquestioned and absolute sovereignty.
Dhananjaya swore this impossible oath in
a moment of thoughtlessness, because the
gods had willed it that he should be thus
destroyed by his own hand. It seems my
stars are now in the ascendant. We should
not let this opportunity slip. We must see
somehow that his challenge fails. The
whole thing depends on you. Your great
skill in battle is on trial today. Prove
yourself this day. See the sun has sloped
down in the west. Within the little time
left before nightfall, I do not think it
possible for Partha to reach Jayadratha.
You, Aswatthama, Salya, Kripa, and I
must guard Jayadratha and do all we can
to see that he does not fall into Arjuna's
hands during the next few hours before
sunset."
"My king," Karna replied "I have been
wounded all over by Bhimasena, and am
so weary that my limbs have no power in
them. Still, I shall put forth all the strength
that is in me. I only live to serve you."
When Karna and Duryodhana were thus
planning, Arjuna was engaged in a great
attack on the Kaurava army and putting
forth all his strength, so that before sunset
he could break through to Jayadratha.
Krishna put his Panchajanya in his mouth
and blew a loud note in the rishabha
swara, which was the signal for his own
charioteer Daruka to arrive at once with
his chariot.
When it came, Satyaki took his place in it,
and attacked Karna vigorously and
skilfully, keeping him fully engaged.
Daruka's mastery of driving and Satyaki's
archery were such as brought down the
gods to witness the combat.
Karna's four chariot horses were disabled
and the charioteer was unseated. Then the
flagstaff was cut asunder and the chariot
was smashed. The great Karna stood
chariotless and the event produced a great
flutter in the Kaurava army.
Karna had to run and climb up into
Duryodhana's chariot. Sanjaya here tells
Dhritarashtra to whom he was relating the
incident: "The greatest adepts in archery
are Krishna, Partha and Satyaki. There is
not a fourth to match them!"
Arjuna broke through the Kaurava
opposition and reached Jayadratha.
Inflamed by the thought of the slaughter
of Abhimanyu, and all the great wrongs
inflicted by the Kauravas, Arjuna fought
with fury.
Savyasachin as he was, he discharged
shafts from the Gandiva bow, now using
one hand and now the other. He struck
terror and confusion among his enemies,
who felt as if Death had come to the
battlefield with wide-open jaws.
It is only the poet of the Mahabharata that
can describe the combat that raged
between Arjuna and Aswatthama and the
other great warriors that protected the
king of Sindhu. They fought fiercely but
were all defeated and could not prevent
Arjuna from reaching Jayadratha. The
attack on Jayadratha began and the battle
raged long. Both sides were constantly
looking westwards, for the day was
nearing its end. The Saindhava was no
mean foe, and taxed to the full, Arjuna's
strength and skill were hard put to it.
The sun sank towards the horizon and
reddened, but the battle did not cease.
"There is but a very little time left. It
seems Jayadratha has been saved and
Arjuna's challenge has failed. The vow is
unfulfilled and Arjuna is going to be
disgraced," said Duryodhana to himself in
great glee.
Then, there was darkness and the cry went
round in both armies: "It is sunset and
Jayadratha has not been killed. Arjuna has
lost." The Pandavas were depressed and
there were shouts of joy in the Kaurava
army.
Jayadratha turned to the western horizon
and thought within himself, "I am saved!"
for he did not see the sun then and thought
the time-limit of danger from Arjuna was
over.
At that moment, however, Krishna said to
Arjuna: "Dhananjaya, the Sindhu raja is
looking at the horizon. I have caused this
darkness. The sun is still up and has not
set. Do your work. This is the moment for
it, for Jayadratha is off his guard."
A shaft flew from the Gandiva bow, and,
like a vulture swooping down on a
chicken, carried away Jayadratha's head.
"Listen, Arjuna," cried Krishna, "send
your shafts in swift relays, so that the head
may be supported from falling to the earth
and borne into Vriddhakshatra's lap."
And Arjuna sent his wonderful arrows
that carried away the head in the air. It
was a strange sight. Vriddhakshatra was in
his ashrama sitting in the open absorbed in
his evening meditation with eyes closed,
when his son's head with beautiful black
hair and golden earrings gently dropped
into his lap.
The old king finished his meditation and
got up, when the head rolled down and
fell on the ground. And, as ordained,
Vriddhakshatra's head burst into a
hundred fragments. Jayadratha and his
father together reached the abode of the
brave.
Kesava, Dhananjaya, Bhima, Satyaki,
Yudhamanyu and Uttamaujas blew their
conchs and Dharmaraja who heard the
triumphant noise knew that it meant that
Arjuna had redeemed his oath and that the
Saindhava had been slain.
Then, Yudhishthira led his army fiercely
against Drona. It was nightfall, but on the
fourteenth day of the battle the rule of
cease-fire at sunset was not observed. As
the passions rose from day to day, one by
one the rules and restraints broke down.
90. DRONA PASSES AWAY
ALL those who have heard the story of
the Mahabharata know about
Ghatotkacha, Bhimasena's famous son by
his asura wife. There are two young men
among the Mahabharata figures who
embody all the qualities of heroism,
fortitude, strength, courage, and
amiability. They are Arjuna's son,
Abhimanyu, and Bhima's son,
Ghatotkacha. Both of them gave up their
lives on the Kurukshetra battlefield.
Towards the latter part of the
Mahabharata fight, the hatred roused on
both sides did not find satisfaction in
battle conducted during the daytime and
close at nightfall. On the fourteenth day,
when the sunset, they did not cease
fighting but went on with it in torchlight.
The Kurukshetra field presented a strange
sight, the like of which had not been seen
before in Bharatadesa. The generals and
soldiers on both sides were engaged in
battle, with thousands of torches burning
and using signals specially devised for
nighttime.
Ghatotkacha and his troops of asuras who
are strongest at night, found darkness an
additional advantage and violently
attacked Duryodhana's army.
Duryodhana's heart sank within him when
he saw thousands of his men destroyed by
Ghatotkacha and his demon army moving
in the air and attacking in weird and
unexpected ways.
"Kill this fellow at once, Karna, for
otherwise, soon our whole army will cease
to be. Finish him without further delay."
Thus begged all the perplexed Kauravas
of Karna.
Karna was himself angry and bewildered,
having just been wounded by one of the
asura's arrows. He had with him no doubt
the spear of unerring effect which Indra
had given to him. But it could be used
only once, and he had carefully husbanded
it for exclusive use on Arjuna with whom
a decisive encounter he knew was
inevitable.
But in the confusion and wrath of that
eerie midnight melee, Karna, impelled by
a sudden urge, hurled the missile at the
young giant. Thus was Arjuna saved, but
at great cost. Bhima's beloved son,
Ghatotkacha, who from mid-air was
showering his deadly arrows on the
Kaurava army, dropped dead, plunging
the Pandavas in grief.
The battle did not stop. Drona spread fear
and destruction in the Pandava army by
his relentless attacks. "O Arjuna," said
Krishna, "there is none that can defeat this
Drona, fighting according to the strict
rules of war. We cannot cope with him
unless dharma is discarded. We have no
other way open. There is but one thing
that will make him desist from fighting. If
he hears that Aswatthama is dead, Drona
will lose all interest in life and throw
down his weapons. Someone must
therefore tell Drona that Aswatthama has
been slain."
Arjuna shrank in horror at the proposal, as
he could not bring himself to tell a lie.
Those who were nearby with him also
rejected the idea, for no one was minded
to be a party to deceit.
Yudhishthira stood for a while reflecting
deeply. "I shall bear the burden of this
sin," he said and resolved the deadlock!
It was strange. But when the ocean was
churned at the beginning of the world and
the dread poison rose threatening to
consume the gods, did not Rudra come
forward to swallow it and save them? To
save the friend who had wholly depended
on him, Rama was driven to bear the sin
of killing Vali, in disregard of the rules of
fairplay. So also, now did Yudhishthira
decide to bear the shame of it, for there
was no other way.
Bhima lifted his iron mace and brought it
down on the head of a huge elephant
called Aswatthama and it fell dead. After
killing the elephant Aswatthama,
Bhimasena went near the division
commanded by Drona and roared so that
all might hear.
"I have killed Aswatthama!" Bhimasena
who, until then, had never done or even
contemplated an ignoble act, was, as he
uttered these words, greatly ashamed.
They knocked against his very heart, but
could they be true? Drona heard these
words as he was in the act of discharging
a Brahmastra. "Yudhishthira, is it true my
son has been slain?" Dronacharya asked
addressing Dharmaputra.
The acharya thought that Yudhishthira
would not utter an untruth, even for the
kingship of the three worlds.
When Drona asked thus, Krishna was
terribly perturbed. "If Yudhishthira fails
us now and shrinks from uttering an
untruth, we are lost. Drona's Brahmastra is
of unquenchable potency and the
Pandavas will be destroyed," he said.
And Yudhishthira himself stood trembling
in horror of what he was about to do, but
within him also was the desire to win.
"Let it be my sin," he said to himself and
hardened his heart, and said aloud: "Yes,
it is true that Aswatthama has been
killed."
But, as he was saying it, he felt again the
disgrace of it and added in a low and
tremulous voice, "Aswatthama, the
elephant" words which were however
drowned in the din and were not heard by
Drona.
"O king, thus was a great sin committed,"
said Sanjaya to the blind Dhritarashtra,
while relating the events of the battle to
him.
When the words of untruth came out of
Yudhishthira's mouth, the wheels of his
chariot, which until then always stood and
moved four inches above the ground and
never touched it at once came down and
touched the earth.
Yudhishthira, who till then had stood
apart from the world so full of untruth,
suddenly became of the earth, earthy. He
too desired victory and slipped into the
way of untruth and so his chariot came
down to the common road of mankind.
When Drona heard that his beloved son
had been slain, all his attachment to life
snapped. And desire vanished as if it had
never been there. When the veteran was in
that mood, Bhimasena loudly spoke
indicting him in harsh words:
"You brahmanas, abandoning the
legitimate functions of your varna and
taking to the Kshatriya profession of arms,
have brought ruin to princes. If you
brahmanas had not gone astray from the
duties belonging to you by birth, the
princes would not have been led to this
destruction. You teach that non-killing is
the highest dharma and that the brahmana
is the supporter and nourisher of that
dharma. Yet, you have rejected that
wisdom which is yours by birth, and
shamelessly undertaken the profession of
killing. It was our misfortune that you
descended to this sinful life."
These taunts of Bhimasena caused
excruciating pain to Drona who had
already lost the will to live. He threw his
weapons away and sat down in yoga on
the floor of his chariot and was soon in a
trance.
At this moment Dhrishtadyumna with
drawn sword, came and climbed in to the
chariot and heedless of cries of horror and
deprecation from all around he fulfilled
his destiny as the slayer of Drona by
sweeping off the old warrior's head. And
the soul of the son of Bharadwaja issued
out in a visible blaze of fight and mounted
heavenwards.
The Mahabharata is a great and wonderful
story. The sorrows of human life are
painted with sublime beauty and rolled
out in a grand panorama. Behind the story
of errors and sorrows the poet enables us
to have a vision of the Transcendent
Reality. Thus it is that the Mahabharata,
though a story, has come to be a book of
dharma. This book, in style and substance,
is altogether different from tales and
romances. In modern novels, dramas and
pictures, exciting scenes are enacted, the
hero passes through dangers and
difficulties and finally marries a woman
whom he loves. Or else everything seems
to go on happily but suddenly things go
wrong and terrible misfortune happens
and the curtain drops. This is the art
scheme of ordinary sensational stories.
The Ramayana and the Mahabharata are
quite a different kind of artistic creation.
When we read them, our inner being is
seized and cleansed, so to say, by being
passed alternately through joys and
sorrows, and we are finally lifted above
both and taken to the Transcendent and
Real.
91. THE DEATH OF KARNA
WHEN Drona died, the princes of the
Kaurava army installed Karna as
Generalissimo. Karna stood up in his
gorgeous war chariot driven by Salya. The
dauntless confidence of his bearing and
his great renown as a warrior heartened
the Kauravas. The battle again began.
Readers of the stars were consulted and
the Pandavas chose the propitious hour for
grim battle. Arjuna led the attack on
Karna, supported by Bhimasena
immediately behind his chariot.
Duhsasana made a concentrated attack on
Bhima and sent a shower of arrows at
him. Bhima chuckled and said to himself.
"I have this wretch now safe in my hands.
I shall today redeem my promise to
Draupadi. Too long has my oath waited
for performance."
As Bhima thus bethought himself of what
Duhsasana had done to Draupadi, the
anger within him blazed up uncontrollably
and throwing down all his weapons, he
jumped from his chariot and leapt upon
Duhsasana like a tiger on its prey, hurled
him down and broke his limbs.
"Wicked beast, is this the wretched hand
that held Draupadi by the hair? Here, I
tear out the root from your body. If there
be any here wishing to help you, let him
come forward and try!"
Glaring hatefully at Duryodhana as he
roared this challenge, Bhimasena tore
Duhsasana's arm out and threw the
bleeding limb on the battlefield.
And then he fulfilled the terrible oath he
had taken thirteen years before. He sucked
and drank the blood from his enemy's
body like a beast of prey and danced on
the bloody field, mad with passion. "I
have done it!" he roared. "The oath I
swore against this great sinner has been
redeemed. It only remains to redeem my
oath as regards Duryodhana. The
sacrificial fire is ready. Let that victim
also prepare."
The scene made everyone shudder. Even
great Karna was shaken as he saw Bhima
in this ecstasy of wrath. "Do not flinch,"
said Salya to Karna. "It does not befit you
to show any sign that may be mistaken for
fear. When Duryodhana stands quivering
in despair; it is not right that you also
should lose heart. After the great
Duhsasana's death, the army's hope rests
solely on you. You must now bear the full
burden. Like the gallant warrior you are,
seek single combat with Arjuna, and win
eternal glory on earth or the soldier's
heaven!" At these words, Karna recovered
his courageous spirit. With eyes red with
wrath and unshed tears, he bade Salya
drive the chariot towards Arjuna.
"Enough of fighting," said Aswatthama
addressing Duryodhana earnestly. "Let us
terminate this disastrous enmity. Beloved
friend, make peace with the Pandavas.
Stop the battle."
"What? Did you not hear the words that
the stubborn Bhima uttered when like a
ravening beast, he drank human blood and
danced over my brother's mangled body?
What talk can there be now of peace?
Why do you speak vain words!" said
Duryodhana. Saying thus, he ordered a
fresh disposition of the forces, and gave
the command for attack.
Then followed a great battle. The son of
Surya sent a dazzling arrow, which spat
fire and made for Arjuna, like a serpent
with its flaming double-tongue out. Then
Krishna, Arjuna's charioteer, at the nick of
time, pressed the vehicle down five
fingers deep in the mud, so that the
serpent shaft just missed Partha's head but
struck off his helmet! Arjuna was red with
shame and anger and he fixed a dart on his
bow to make an end of Karna.
And Karna's fated hour was come, and as
had been foretold, the left wheel of his
chariot suddenly sank in the bloody mire.
He jumped down on the ground to lift the
wheel up from the mud.
"Wait a minute!" he cried. "My chariot
has sunk in the ground. Great warrior as
you are, and knowing dharma as you do,
you would certainly not take unfair
advantage of this accident. I shall
presently set my car right and give you all
the battle you want."
Arjuna hesitated. Karna was now
somewhat perturbed on account of the
mishap. He remembered the curse that had
been pronounced on him, and again
appealed to Arjuna's sense of honor.
Krishna intervened. "Ha, Karna!" be
exclaimed, "it is well that you too
remember that there are things like
fairplay and chivalry! Now that you are in
difficulty, you remember them indeed.
But when you and Duryodhana and
Duhsasana and Sakuni dragged Draupadi
to the Hall of Assembly and insulted her,
how was it you forgot them utterly? You
helped to inveigle Dharmaputra, who was
fond of play but was unskilled at it, to
gamble, and you cheated him. Where had
your fairplay hidden itself then? Was it
fairplay to refuse to give to Yudhishthira
his kingdom when according to the pledge
the twelve years of forest life and the
thirteenth year incognito were duly
completed? What had happened to the
dharma you appeal for now? You
conspired with the wicked men who
sought to poison and kill Bhima. You
acquiesced in the plot to burn the
Pandavas alive when sleeping in the
palace of wax into which they had been
lured. What had happened to dharma all
that time? What did dharma tell you when
violent hands were laid on Draupadi and
you were looking on enjoying the sight?
Did you not then mock at her saying:
'Your husbands have left you unprotected,
go and marry another husband'? The
tongue that was not ashamed to utter those
words now talks of chivalry. Chivalry
indeed! When a mob of you surrounded
the young Abhimanyu and shamelessly
slew him, was that chivalry? Wicked man,
do not talk now of chivalry and fairplay,
for you have never honored them!"
When Krishna was denouncing him in this
manner in order to urge Arjuna to prompt
action, Karna bent his head in shame and
uttered not a word. Karna silently
ascended the chariot leaving the wheel
still stuck in the mud and took his bow
and sent an arrow at Arjuna with unerring
aim and such power that it stunned him
for a moment.
Karna utilised the respite won, to jump
down again and hurriedly tried to lift the
chariot wheel up. But the curse was too
strong for him and fortune had deserted
the great warrior.
The wheel would not budge, though he
strove with all his great strength. Then he
tried to recall the mantras of mighty astras
he had learnt from Parasurama, but his
memory failed in the hour of his need,
even as Parasurama had foretold.
"Waste no more time, Arjuna," cried
Madhava. "Send your shaft and slay your
wicked enemy."
Arjuna's mind was wavering. His hand
hesitated to do what was not chivalrous.
But when Krishna said this, the poet says:
"Arjuna accepted this command of the
Lord and sent an arrow which cut and
severed the head of the Radheya."
The poet had not the heart to impute this
act to Arjuna who was the embodiment of
nobility. It was the Lord Krishna that
incited Arjuna to kill Karna when he was
vainly trying to raise his chariot out of the
mud in which it had stuck. According to
the code of honor and laws of war
prevailing then, it was wholly wrong.
Who could bear the responsibility for
breaches of dharma except the Lord
Himself? The lesson is that it is vanity to
hope, through physical violence and war,
to put down wrong. The battle for right,
conducted through physical force leads to
numerous wrongs and, in the net result,
adharma increases.
92. DURYODHANA
WHEN Duryodhana beheld Karna's death,
his grief knew no bounds. Kripacharya
was deeply moved by Duryodhana's
anguish of heart and said: "Moved by
ambition and greed we placed too great a
burden on friends. They have
uncomplainingly borne it and laid down
their lives on the battlefield and attained
the happy regions above. There is but one
course left to you to make peace with the
Pandavas. Do not, O King, any longer
continue this ruinous fight."
Even at that moment of deep despair,
Duryodhana did not relish this counsel.
"Perhaps, there was a time for that, but it
is long past. What talk can there be of
peace between the Pandavas and us with
all this inexpiable blood between us, the
blood of our dearest and theirs? If I
surrender in order to escape death, how
can I escape the contempt of the world?
What happiness can I hope to have in a
life so ignobly saved? And what joy can I
hope to find in sovereignty, secured by a
peace after my brothers and relatives have
all been slain?"
These words of Duryodhana were lustily
cheered by the others. They supported his
stand and they chose Salya and gave him
the supreme command from then on.
Salya was mighty of limb and as brave as
any of the warriors who had been killed.
The army was arrayed under his
leadership and the battle raged fiercely.
On the side of the Pandavas, Yudhishthira
now led the attack personally against
Salya. It astonished everyone to see how
the man, who was till then the very
incarnation of gentle ness, fought so
furiously.
The battle was equal for a long while,
when Yudhishthira hurled at Salya, his
spear that went straight and struck him.
Like the great flagstaff at the end of a
festive function, Salya's body lay lifeless
on the field, crimson with blood.
When Salya, the last of the great generals,
fell dead, the Kaurava army lost all hope.
The surviving sons of Dhritarashtra,
however, joined together and attacked
Bhima from all sides. He slew them all.
The son of Vayu had nourished his
burning anger for thirteen years from the
time Draupadi was insulted in the Hall of
Assembly. He said to himself now: "I
have not lived in vain, but Duryodhana
still lives," and smiled grimly.
Sakuni led the attack on Sahadeva's
division. After a while, Sahadeva
discharged a sharp-edged sword-arrow
saying: "Fool, here is the reward for your
great sin." It went straight and cut through
Sakuni's neck like a sword. And the head,
which was at the root of all the wicked
deeds of the Kauravas, rolled on the
ground.
Left leaderless, the wreck of the broken
army scattered and fled in all directions,
pursued and slaughtered to a man by the
exulting victors.
"'Thus utterly was destroyed thine army of
eleven Akshauhinis, O! Bharata, out of
the thousands of kings, who espoused thy
cause in their pride and might, only
Duryodhana could be seen on that
battlefield, fainting and sore wounded,"
said Sanjaya, describing the debacle to the
blind king.
After doing, in vain, all he could to rally
his defeated army, Duryodhana, left
almost alone, took up his mace and
walked towards a pool of water. His
whole frame was burning like fire, and
water attracted him. "The wise Vidura
knew what would happen and he told us,"
he said to himself, as he entered the water.
Of what avail is wisdom that comes too
late? What has been done must produce its
result that has to be suffered. That is the
law. Yudhishthira and his brothers arrived
there in relentless, pursuit of their great
enemy.
"Duryodhana!" exclaimed Yudhishthira,
"after destroying family and tribe, would
you yourself escape death by concealing
yourself in this pond? Where is your pride
now? Have you no shame? Come up and
fight. A kshatriya by birth, do you shrink
battle and death?"
Stung to the quick by these words,
Duryodhana replied with dignity: "I have
not come here, Dharmaputra, a fugitive
for my life. It was not fear that brought
me here. I stepped into the water to cool
the fire that is raging within me. I neither
fear death nor wish to live, but why
should I fight? The earth has now nothing
left that I came to fight for! All those who
stood by me have been slain. My desire
for kingdom is gone. I leave the world to
you without a rival. Enjoy it in undisputed
sovereignty."
Yudhishthira replied: "Now, that is really
generous, especially after you said you
would not allow us even a needle-point of
land. When we begged for peace and
entreated you to give us a portion, you
spurned our proposal. Now, you say we
may take it all. It is not for kingdom or
land that we fight. Must I recount all your
sins? The wrongs you did us, and the
outrage you perpetrated on Draupadi,
cannot be expiated except with your life."
Sanjaya, who related the events to the
blind old king, here said: "When your son
Duryodhana heard these harsh and cruel
words spoken by Dharmaputra, he at once
rose from the water, mace in hand."
Stepping out of the pool, the unfortunate
Duryodhana said: "Come, one by one, all
of you, for I am single. You five will
surely not join together and attack me who
am alone and without armor, weary and
wounded all over."
Yudhishthira replied sharply: "If indeed it
be wrong for many to join together and
attack a single person, pray tell us how
Abhimanyu was attacked and killed? Did
you not consent to many combining and
attacking that boy, standing all alone
amidst your crowd? Yes, when men face
misfortune, they see and preach dharma
and chivalry to others. Wear your coat of
armor. Choose any of us you like and
fight. Die and go to swarga or win and be
king."
Accordingly, the combat began between
Bhima and Duryodhana. Sparks of fire
flew when their maces clashed.
Duryodhana and Bhima were equal in
strength and skill, and the battle raged
long, and the issue hung doubtful. Those,
who stood watching, were debating as to
whom would win. Krishna said to Arjuna
that Bhima would redeem the oath he
swore in the Hall of Assembly and smash
Duryodhana's thighs. Bhima heard this
and, at that moment, the memory of the
great outrage came vividly to his mind.
He leaped like a lion and came down with
his mace on Duryodhana's thighs and
broke them and Duryodhana fell heavily
on the ground, wounded to death.
Bhima jumped on the prostrate body of
his enemy, stamped on his head with his
heavy foot and danced a terrible dance.
"Cease, Bhima," cried Dharmaraja. "You
have paid off the debt. Duryodhana is a
prince and a cousin. It is not right to put
your foot on his head."
Said Krishna:"Soon the wicked man's soul
will depart from the body. Sons of Pandu,
Duryodhana and his friends have been
slain. Why linger here? On to your
chariots."
When Krishna said this, the face of the
fallen Duryodhana glowed like a blazing
fire with anger and hatred. Turning his
eyes towards Krishna be said:
"By base tricks you contrived the death of
warriors, who fought bravely according to
the laws of war. You could not have
dreamt of victory in a fair fight with
Karna or Bhishma or Drona. Have you not
a spark of shame left?"
Even dying, Duryodhana felt no regret for
all that he had done.
"Duryodhana," said Krishna, "vainly do
you accuse others. Greed and pride of
power led you to unnumbered wicked
deeds and you are reaping as you sowed."
"Wretch!" replied Duryodhana. "Living, I
was a great prince, generous friend, and a
terrible foe. All human joys, such joys as
kings wish for in vain, and even Gods do
not despise, have been mine, in their
fullness. A warrior's death is the fitting
crown of such a life. Dying, I go
triumphantly to swarga to join my friends
and my brothers who have gone there
already and are waiting to welcome me.
You remain here below, your objects
defeated and yourselves the object of
contempt of all kshatriyas. I do not mind
Bhima putting his foot on my head as I lie
helpless on the ground with legs broken.
What care I? In a few minutes more will
not the feet of crows and vultures settle on
my head?"
When Duryodhana said this, flowers were
showered down from the heavens by the
gods. Inordinate desire took Duryodhana
into the wrong path, whence ensued anger
and numerous breaches of dharma. But no
one could question the unconquerable
spirit of Dhritarashtra's son.
93. THE PANDAVAS REPROACHED
WHEN the war was nearing its end,
Balarama arrived at Kurukshetra after
completing his tour of holy places. He
came just when Bhima and Duryodhana
were engaged in their last mortal combat.
He saw Bhima aiming the deadly blow
which broke Duryodhana's thighs, and his
anger flamed up at this great breach of the
rules of single combat.
"Fie upon you all! Would any kshatriya
hit below the navel? This Bhima has
offended the law most disgracefully," he
exclaimed and impatiently going up to his
brother Krishna, shouted:
"You can look on and tolerate all this. But
I cannot bear to see such unclean
fighting!" Saying this he advanced
towards the offending Bhima with
upraised plough. The plough was
Balarama's weapon on supreme occasions,
as the discus was Krishna's. Krishna was
alarmed when he saw his elder brother
advancing in a passion towards Bhima.
He rushed forward and, intercepting him,
said: "The Pandavas are our friends and
closest relations. They have been the
victims of insufferable wrongs at the
hands of Duryodhana. When Draupadi
was insulted in the Assembly Hall, Bhima
vowed: 'I will one day in battle break the
two thighs of Duryodhana with this mace
and kill him.' He proclaimed this solemn
oath at that time and everyone has known
it. It is the duty of a kshatriya to fulfil the
vow he has solemnly taken. Do not let
your anger mislead you and do not be
unjust to the innocent Pandavas. You
should, before condemning Bhima, take
into account all the wrongs that the
Kauravas have done to the Pandavas.
Nothing but error can result if one
proceeds to judge conduct without taking
into account the chain of events leading
up to it. You cannot snatch a particular act
out of its context and proceed to give
judgment on it alone without gross
injustice. The era of Kali has arrived,
when the laws of a previous age cannot
apply. It was not wrong for Bhima to
strike below the navel an enemy who had
wickedly contrived against his life on
many occasions. It was because of
Duryodhana's foul instigation that Karna
sent a shaft from behind and broke
Abhimanyu's bowstring when he was
defending himself against heavy odds.
Arjuna's young son was attacked by
numerous warriors who surrounded him,
when he stood all by himself in the field,
deprived of bow and chariot, and in a
most cowardly manner, killed him.
Duryodhana thought evil and practised
deception from the time of his birth and
has brought about the destruction of his
people. There is no sin in Bhima killing
this man. Bhima bore the wrongs done
and kept his wrath within himself for
thirteen long years. Duryodhana knew
well that Bhima had sworn to break his
thighs and kill him. When he challenged
the aggrieved Pandavas to battle, he knew
very well that he invited Bhima to make
good his oath. How can you think that it
was wrong for Bhima to do this?"
Krishna's words did not change
Balarama's opinion, but his anger
subsided. "Duryodhana will attain the
happy regions reserved for the brave.
Bhima's fame has been tarnished for all
time. It will be said among men that the
son of Pandu broke the laws of war in
attacking Duryodhana. It will remain
forever a great blot on his good name. I
hate to stay here any longer." So saying
the indignant Balarama immediately left
for Dwaraka.
"Yudhishthira, why this strange silence?"
asked Krishna.
"O Madhava, it hurts me to see Bhima
leap on cousin Duryodhana's mortally
wounded body and trample on his head. I
see the end of the glory of our race. We
were wronged by the Kauravas. I know
the full measure of grief and anger in
Vrikodara's heart, and don't wish to blame
him beyond reason. We have killed
Duryodhana, who was afflicted by
uncontained greed and poverty of
understanding. What serves it now to
debate the ethics of it or nicely to weigh
the propriety of a much wronged man's
revenges?"
Yudhishthira was greatly oppressed in
mind. When men transgress the law,
extenuations and excuses are of no avail
in giving mental satisfaction.
Arjuna, of penetrating intellect, was silent.
He did not show approval of Bhima's act.
Nor did he say anything by way of
detraction. The rest of the people, who
were there, were however loud in
condemnation of Duryodhana and were
reminding one another of all his misdeeds
and errors. Krishna turned towards them
and said:
"Warriors, it is not proper that we go on
speaking against an enemy who has been
defeated and is lying mortally wounded.
We should not speak ill of a dying man.
He was stupid and brought about his own
end. He fell into the company of bad men
and was ruined. Let us go."
Duryodhana, who was stretched on the
ground in intense, agony, when he heard
Krishna say this, went into a paroxysm of
rage. He half raised himself on his arms in
spite of the excruciating pain, and
exclaimed:
"Wretch! Son of a slave! Was not your
father Vasudeva Kamsa's slave? You have
no business to sit or move with princes.
You speak like a shameless wretch. I saw
you instigate Bhima to aim his blow at my
thigh! Do you think I did not see you,
making as though casually talking to
Arjuna, pointing to your thigh, but really
indicating to Bhima that he should strike
me on the thighs, disregarding the laws of
single combat? Till then it had been equal
battle. You have neither pity nor shame.
Did you not contrive the death of the
grandsire Bhishma through stratagem?
You advised Sikhandin to be placed in
front when attacking Bhishma, knowing
that the grandsire would scorn to fight a
woman, and would let himself be mortally
wounded without resistance. You brought
about the end of Dronacharya through
making Dharmaputra utter a falsehood.
You were the father of that deadly lie that
issued from Yudhishthira's mouth, and
made Dronacharya throw his bow away.
Did you not look on without protest, and
rejoice, when that, wretch
Dhrishtadyumna attacked and killed the
acharya who had stopped fighting,
throwing away his weapons, and settled
down in yoga posture for meditation on
the Supreme? Was it not you who
wickedly contrived to make Karna hurl
the fatal spear at Ghatotkacha instead of
reserving it for Arjuna as he had all along
resolved to do? O great sinner, surely it
was you who instigated Satyaki to butcher
Bhurisravas when his right arm had been
foully cut off and he stopped fighting and
spread his arrows for a seat for holy
meditation. It was you who brought about
the death of Karna by inducing Arjuna to
attack him in a cowardly manner when he
was engaged in lifting his chariot wheel
which had sunk and stuck in the mud in
the field of battle. Oh worthless man, sole
cause of our destruction, the whole world
has condemned your act when by sorcery
you made it appear as if the sun had set.
You made Jayadratha, the Sindhu king,
believe that the day was over and he was
past danger, and thus he was slain when
he was off his guard."
Thus did Duryodhana pour his
denunciation against Krishna and then,
exhausted by the pain of his wounds and
the violence of his rage, he fell prostrate
again.
"Son of Gandhari," said Krishna, "why do
you let your anger add to the pain of your
last moments? It is your own misdeeds
that have brought about your end. Do not
attribute it to me. Bhishma and Drona had
to die on account of your sins. So also
were you the cause of the death of Karna
and others. Need I recount all the wrongs
that you were guilty of against the sons of
Pandu? What punishment can be too
severe for the great outrage, which you
inflicted on Draupadi? The animosities
and passions that resulted from your
misdeeds cannot be made ground for
condemning others. All the deceptions
and lapses you charge us with were forced
on us by reason of your wicked conduct.
You have paid off on the battlefield the
debt incurred by your greed. But you are
dying the death of a brave man. You will
go to the happy regions reserved for
kshatriyas who lay down their lives on the
field of battle."
"Krishna, I go to swarga with my friends
and relatives. But you and your friends
will live on earth to suffer," said the
stubborn Duryodhana. "I studied the
Vedas. I have given gifts ordained by law
and I have reigned supreme over all the
sea-girt earth. While I lived, I stood upon
the humbled heads of foes. All human
joys, such joys as even the Gods cannot
despise and kings sigh for in vain, the
very pinnacle of power, were mine. Dying
now, such death as warriors deem the
crown of kshatriya life, I go to meet in
heaven my friends and brothers gone
before, eager to welcome me. Who is
more blest, I, or you who, doomed to
linger here, mourning for slaughtered
friends in desolate homes, find the long
sought triumph but ashes in your mouth?"
said Duryodhana. And the gods showered
flowers down on the dying warrior and the
gandharvas played music and the sky was
illuminated. Vasudeva and the Pandavas
felt small.
"There is truth," said Krishna, "in what
Duryodhana said. You could not have
defeated him by fair means. This wicked
man was invincible in battle."
94. ASWATTHAMA
WHEN Aswatthama heard how
Duryodhana lay mortally injured, and
learnt the details of the combat, his
righteous anger swelled like the sea. The
deception, practised by the Pandavas in
order to bring about his father's end, had
been rankling in his mind.
Now, when he learnt how Duryodhana
had been stricken down mortally against
all rules of chivalry, he went to the spot
where Duryodhana was lying and there
took an oath that he would that night send
the Pandavas to the abode of Yama.
Duryodhana, who was in the last physical
agony of departing life, was transported
with joy when he heard Aswatthama take
this oath. He immediately ordered those
who stood nearby to install Aswatthama
as Supreme Commander of the Army with
due ceremony and, when that was over,
said to Him: "All my hopes are in you."
It was sunset and the forest was in utter
darkness when under a big banian tree
Kripacharya, Kritavarma and Aswatthama
halted for rest. They were so greatly
fatigued that Kripacharya and Kritavarma
fell fast asleep as soon as they lay down.
But Aswatthama did not get sleep, for
sorrow, indignation and hatred burnt
within him. He was listening to the noises
that the nocturnal birds and prowling
beasts began to make as the night
advanced. He was turning over in his
mind how to execute his promise to
Duryodhana.
On the branches of the banian tree, under
which the three warriors were resting,
hundreds of crows roosted. They were all
quiet and asleep until a big owl came and
began to attack the birds one after another
and kill them. When Aswatthama saw the
nocturnal bird of prey tear the helpless
crows, he got an idea. The crows that
could not see at night flew round and
round helplessly and fell victims to the
owl that attacked them violently.
"These wicked Pandavas and the Panchala
that killed my father and all their
supporters can easily be killed by us, if we
surprise them when they are sleeping in
their tents at night even as this owl is
attacking these blind crows. Thus can I
avenge the deeds of foul play they have
practised on us. I am deeply indebted to
this bird of prey from whom I have
received the teaching. There is no offence
in adopting plans to suit one's altered
circumstances. If we can lawfully attack
an enemy, when his army is tired or when
his forces are scattered, why then should
not we, who have lost our armies, attack
our enemies when they are asleep? There
can be nothing wrong in it. Indeed it is
only thus that we can punish and defeat
these Pandavas who have achieved
successes through foul play. We have no
other course open."
Aswatthama made up his mind and he
immediately woke up Kripacharya and
informed him of his plan. Kripacharya,
who heard it, was astonished.
"This can never be," said he. "It is wholly
wrong. To attack men who have retired to
sleep, has never been done before. It
would be an unprecedented crime against
the laws of kshatriya conduct.
Aswatthama, for whom are we fighting?
The man for whose sake we joined in this
war has been fatally wounded and his end
has arrived. We have discharged our
obligations most loyally. We fought our
best for the greedy and wrongheaded
Duryodhana but we failed irretrievably.
There is no purpose now in our continuing
the fight and it is folly to do so. Let us go
to Dhritarashtra and the faultless
Gandhari, and place ourselves at their
disposal. Let us take counsel of wise
Vidura also. They will tell us what lies
before us to do."
When Kripacharya spoke thus,
Aswatthama's grief and indignation
increased and he spoke bitterly:
"Everyone feels sure that what he thinks is
the only right and proper thing to do.
One's understanding naturally limits one's
vision. These Pandavas have been guilty
of the foulest conduct. They killed my
noble and trustful father through a lie.
They have killed Duryodhana against the
laws of chivalry. I have no doubt in my
mind that what I propose to do is quite
proper vengeance for all these foul deeds.
It is only if I carry out this plan that I can
possibly repay my debt to my king and to
my father. I have decided on it and I do
not propose to alter my plan. I am going
tonight to the tents where they are
sleeping having cast off their armor and
there I will kill the Pandavas and
Dhrishtadyumna while they are asleep."
Kripacharya was deeply grieved to hear
Aswatthama speak thus: "You have
attained a great name among men," he
pleaded, "Your spotless character will by
this be blemished, even like a milk-white
cloth bespattered with blood. Never could
it be right to kill sleeping men. Desist
from this."
"Sir, what are you talking? These
Pandavas butchered my father when he
had thrown away all his weapons and had
sat down in prayer. These men have
breached the embankment of dharma and
released the flood, and not a, drop of
dharma is now left! Karna, who was on
the ground putting right the wheel of his
chariot, was murdered by these lawless
rascals. Bhima has killed Duryodhana
with a blow below the navel. What
dharma has been left for us to follow? The
Pandavas have, once for all, destroyed the
wall of dharma. Why should we make
research into law and chivalry when
dealing with these ruffians who have
attained successes by destroying both? If
by killing the sleeping Panchalas, who
butchered my great father, I may be
doomed to rebirth in the body of a foul
bird or of a wriggling worm, I do not care.
I seek such a birth!"
Saying this and, without waiting for an
answer, Aswatthama proceeded to harness
his horses and get his chariot ready to
start. When he was about to leave
Kripacharya and Kritavarma cried: "Stop.
What are you resolved upon doing,
Aswatthama? We cannot approve of it,
but neither can we desert you in your
desperate enterprise. The path you are
bent on treading, we shall also follow. The
sin you are resolved upon, let us share
also." So, they went along with him. Thus
does evil grow! One transgression begets
the next and thus evil grows from evil
submerging righteousness. Evil flourishes
on retaliation.
They reached the Pandava camp.
Dhrishtadyumna had doffed his armor and
was plunged in deep slumber in his tent.
Aswatthama leapt on the sleeping warrior
and, before he could put himself into a
posture of defence, cruelly kicked him to
death.
The same process was relentlessly
repeated until all the Panchalas and all the
sons of Draupadi were killed one by one
when they were plunged in sleep in their
tents.
After having done this deed, the like of
which had never before been considered
possible among kshatriyas, Kripacharya,
Kritavarma and Aswatthama came out of
the tents and set fire to the camp. When
the fire spread, the sleeping soldiers were
awakened and fled hither and thither in
confusion, even like the crows on the
banian tree under which they had rested in
the forest, and they were mercilessly
slaughtered by Aswatthama.
"We have done our duty," said
Dronacharya's son. "Let us go and give
the glad news to Duryodhana, if we can
reach him, before he expires. Let him die
pleased."
The three of them accordingly hurried to
Duryodhana.
95. AVENGED
"O, DURYODHANA, you are yet alive,
hear the news and rejoice! All the
Panchalas have been slaughtered. The
sons of the Pandavas have also been all
done to death. The entire army of theirs
has been destroyed. We made a night
attack on them when they were asleep.
There are only seven survivors now on the
Pandava side. On our side, Kripacharya,
Kritavarma and I remain."
Thus said Aswatthama to the dying
Duryodhana who, on hearing this, slowly
opened his eyes and, with struggling
breath, gasped out these words:
"Aswatthama, you have indeed done for
me what neither the great Bhishma nor the
valiant Karna could achieve! You have
gladdened my heart and I die happy."
Saying this, Duryodhana expired.
When he saw the unexpected destruction
of his army as a result of the attack during
sleep, Yudhishthira gave way to grief and
broke down:
"At the very moment of victory, we have
been totally defeated. The vanquished
have indeed triumphed. Draupadi's
children, who survived the onslaught of
the formidable Karna, have, by our
unwariness, been crushed and destroyed
like vermin. We have allowed ourselves to
be destroyed like a merchant ship which,
having successfully crossed the big seas,
returns home but capsizes in a ditch and is
lost."
Draupadi was overwhelmed by
inconsolable grief. She came to
Dharmaputra's side and wept. "Is there no
one to avenge my children's slaughter, by
destroying this great sinner Aswatthama?"
she cried.
When she said this, the Pandavas
immediately went out in search of the
murderer. They looked for him in all sorts
of places and found him, at last, on the
bank of the Ganga, hiding himself behind
Vyasa.
When he saw the Pandavas and Janardana
approaching, Aswatthama quietly took up
a blade of grass and charged it with the
mantra of destruction and sent it forward
saying: "May this destroy the race of the
Pandavas." And it went straight to the
womb of Uttara who bore in her the son of
Abhimanyu.
The race of the Pandavas would have been
destroyed thereby but for the intervention
of Sri Krishna who saved the child in the
mother's womb. This child was Parikshit
who was later crowned by Yudhishthira
when the Pandavas retired to the forest.
Aswatthama pried out the shining jewel
that was part of his head and gave it to
Bhima, acknowledging his defeat, and
went away to the forest. Bhima took the
great jewel and, going to Draupadi said:
"Angel of spotless purity, this is for you.
The man, who killed your beloved sons,
has been vanquished. Duryodhana has
been destroyed. I have drunk the blood of
Duhsasana. I have avenged the great
outrage and discharged my debts."
Draupadi took the jewel and, going up to
Yudhishthira bowed and said: "Faultless
king, it befits you to wear this in your
crown."
96. WHO CAN GIVE SOLACE?
WHEN the battle was over, Hastinapura
was a city of mourning. All the women
and children were weeping and lamenting
their slain, nearest and dearest. With many
thousands of bereaved women
accompanying, Dhritarashtra went to the
field of battle. At Kurukshetra, the scene
of terrible destruction, the blind king
thought of all that had passed, and wept
aloud. But, of what avail was weeping?
"O king, words of consolation addressed
to a bereaved person do not remove his
grief. Thousands of rulers have given up
their lives in battle for your sons. It is now
time that you should arrange for proper
funeral ceremonies for the dead," said
Sanjaya to Dhritarashtra.
"It is not right to grieve for those who die
in battle. When souls have left their
bodies, there is nothing like relationship,
nothing like brother or son or relative.
Your sons have really no connection with
you. Relationship ends with death, being
only a bodily connection and a mere
minor incident in the soul's eternal life.
From the nowhere do lives come, and,
with death, they again disappear into
nowhere. Why should we weep for them?
Those who die in battle after a heroic fight
go as guests to receive Indra's hospitality.
Grieving for what is past, you cannot gain
anything in the nature of dharma, pleasure
or wealth." Thus, and in many more ways,
did the wise and good Vidura try to
assuage the king's grief.
Vyasa also approached Dhritarashtra
tenderly and said: "Dear son, there is
nothing that you do not know and which
you have to learn from me. You know
very well that all living beings must die.
This great battle came to reduce earth's
burden as I have heard from Lord Vishnu
Himself. That is why this calamity could
not be prevented. Henceforth,
Yudhishthira is your son. You should try
to love him and in that way bear the
burden of life, giving up grief."
Making his way, through the crowd of
weeping women Yudhishthira approached
Dhritarashtra and bowed before him.
Dhritarashtra embraced Yudhishthira, but
there was no love in that embrace.
Then Bhimasena was announced to the
blind king. "Come," said Dhritarashtra.
But Vasudeva was wise. He gently pushed
Bhima aside and placed an iron figure
before the blind Dhritarashtra, knowing
the old king's exceeding anger.
Dhritarashtra hugged the metal statue to
his bosom in a firm embrace and then the
thought came to him of how this man had
killed everyone of his sons. And his wrath
increased to such a pitch that the image
was crushed to pieces in his embrace.
"Ha! My anger has deceived me," cried
Dhritarashtra. "I have killed dear Bhima."
Then Krishna said to the blind king:
"Lord, I knew that it would be thus and I
prevented the disaster. You have not
killed Bhimasena. You have crushed only
an iron image that I placed instead before
you. May your anger be appeased with
what you have done to this image. Bhima
is still alive."
The king was composed somewhat and he
blessed Bhima and the other Pandavas
who then took leave of him and went to
Gandhari.
Vyasa was with Gandhari. "Oh
queen,"said the rishi, "be not angry with
the Pandavas. Did you not tell them even
when the battle began: 'Where there is
dharma, there surely will be victory'? And
so it has happened. It is not right to let the
mind dwell on what is past and nurse
one's anger. You must now call to aid
your great fortitude."
Gandhari said: "Bhagavan, I do not envy
the victory of the Pandavas. It is true that
grief for the death of my sons has robbed
me of my understanding. These Pandavas
also are my sons. I know that Duhsasana
and Sakuni brought about this destruction
of our people. Arjuna and Bhima are
blameless. Pride brought this battle about
and my sons deserve the fate they have
met. I do not complain about it. But then,
in Vasudeva's presence, Bhima called
Duryodhana to battle and they fought.
And, knowing that Duryodhana was
stronger and could not be defeated in
single combat, Bhima struck him below
the navel and killed him. Vasudeva was
looking on. This was wrong and it is this
that I find it impossible to forgive."
Bhima, who heard this, came near and
said: "Mother, I did this to save myself in
battle. Whether it was right or wrong, you
should bear with me. Your son was
invincible in combat and so I did in selfprotection
what was undoubtedly wrong.
He called Yudhishthira to play and
deceived him. We had been wronged by
your son in so many ways. He would not
give back the kingdom, of which be took
unlawful possession. And you know what
your son did to blameless Draupadi. If we
had killed your son on the spot, when he
misbehaved in the Hall of Assembly,
surely you would not have blamed us.
Bound by Dharmaraja's vow, we
restrained ourselves with difficulty then.
We have since discharged honor's debt
and found satisfaction in battle. Mother,
you should forgive me."
"Dear son, if you had left but one out of
my hundred sons and killed all the rest
and satisfied your anger, I and my old
husband would have found solace in that
surviving son for the rest of our lives.
Where is Dharmaputra? Call him." She
said.
Hearing this, Yudhishthira trembled as he,
with clasped hands, approached Gandhari,
whose eyes were bound in a cloth in loyal
lifelong penance for her husband's
blindness. He bowed low before her and
said softly:
"Queen, the cruel Yudhishthira, who
killed your sons, stands before you fit to
be cursed. Do curse me who have
committed great sin. I care not for life or
for kingdom." Saying this, he fell on the
ground and touched her feet.
Gandhari heaved a deep sigh and stood
mute. She turned her head aside knowing
that if, through the cloth with which her
eyes were bound, her vision fell on the
prostrate Yudhishthira he would be
reduced to ashes on the spot. But through
a little space in the cloth, even as she
turned her face away, her eyes fell on the
toe of the prostrate Yudhishthira. At once,
says the poet, the toe was charred black.
Arjuna knew the power of bereaved
Gandhari's wrath, and hid himself behind
Vasudeva. The wise and good Gandhari
suppressed all her anger and blessed the
Pandavas and sent them to Kunti.
Gandhari turned to Draupadi, who was in
lamentation, having lost all her sons.
"Dear girl," said Gandhari. "Do not
grieve. Who can give solace to you and
me? It is through my fault that this great
tribe has been destroyed altogether."
97. YUDHISHTHIRA'S ANGUISH
THE Pandavas performed the til and
water ceremonies for the peace of the
souls of the dead warriors and camped on
the bank of the Ganga for a month.
One day, Narada appeared before
Yudhishthira. "Son, through Krishna's
grace, the valor of Arjuna and the power
of your dharma, you were victorious and
you are the sovereign lord of the land. Are
you happy?" he asked.
Yudhishthira replied: "Bhagavan, it is true
the kingdom has come into my
possession. But my kinsmen are all gone.
We have lost sons that were dear. This
victory appears to me but a great defeat. O
Narada, we took our own brother for an
enemy and killed him, even Karna who
stood rooted like a rock in his honor and
at whose valor the world wondered. This
terrible act of slaying our own brothers
was the result of our sinful attachment to
our possessions. Karna, on the other hand,
kept the promise he gave to our mother
and abstained from killing us. Oh! I am a
sinner, a low fellow who murdered his
own brother. My mind is troubled greatly
at this thought. Karna's feet were so much
like our mother's feet. In the large hall,
when that great outrage was committed
and my anger rose, when I looked at his
feet, which were so much like Kunti's feet,
my wrath subsided. I remember that now
and my grief increases."
So saying, Yudhishthira heaved a deep
sigh. Narada told him all about Karna and
the curses that had been pronounced on
him on various occasions.
Once, when Karna saw that Arjuna was
superior to him in archery, he approached
Drona and entreated him to teach him how
to wield the Brahmastra. Drona declined
saying it was not open to him to instruct
any but a brahmana of faultless conduct or
a kshatriya who had purified himself by
much penance. Thereupon, Karna went to
the Mahendra hills and deceived
Parasurama by saying that he was a
brahmana and became his disciple. From
him he obtained instruction in archery and
the use of many astras.
One day, when Karna was practising with
his bow in the forest near Parasurama's
asrama, a brahmana's cow was
accidentally hit and killed. The brahmana
was angry and uttered a curse on Karna:
"In battle, your chariot wheels will stick in
the mud and you will be done to death,
even like this innocent cow which you
have killed."
Parasurama was exceedingly fond of
Karna and taught him all the archery he
knew and instructed him fully in the use
and the withdrawing of the Brahmastra.
One day, however, he discovered that the
disciple was not a brahmana. It happened
tha an an insect bit a hole into Karna's
thigh when one afternoon the teacher had
fallen asleep on Karna's lap. Karna bore
the acute pain quietly and did not stir, lest
the master should wake up. The warm
blood trickling from the wound woke up
Parasurama. When he saw what had
happened, he was angry.
"You are a kshatriya; otherwise you could
not have borne this physical pain without
stirring. Tell me the truth. You are not a
brahmana. You have deceived your
teacher. Fool! When your hour comes,
your knowledge of astras will fail you and
what you have learnt from me through
deception will not avail you."
Parasurama's wrath against kshatriyas is
well known and, when he discovered that
Karna was a kshatriya, he cursed him thus
in his anger.
Karna was free in making gifts. One day,
Indra, who was Arjuna's father, came in
the garb of a brahmana and begged of
Karna for a gift of the divine earrings and
armor with which he had been born.
Karna took them out and gave them away
accordingly. From that time, Karna's
strength was reduced.
"Karna's pledge to his mother Kunti that
he would not kill more than one of the
five of you, Parasurarna's curse, the anger
of the brahmana whose cow was killed by
Karna, the way in which his charioteer
Salya depressed him by underrating his
valor and Vasudeva's stratagems, these
combined to bring about Karna's end. Do
not grieve believing that you alone caused
his death." Thus said Narada, but
Yudhishthira was not consoled by these
words.
"Do not blame yourself, son, for Karna's,
death," said Kunti. "His father, the sun
lord himself, pleaded with him. He
begged of him to give up the wickedhearted
Duryodhana and join you. I too
tried hard. But he would not listen to us.
He brought his end on himself."
"You deceived us, mother" said
Yudhishthira, "by hiding the secret of his
birth from us. You became thus the cause
of this great sin. May women never be
able to keep a secret henceforth."
This is the poet's story of how
Yudhishthira cursed all women in his
anguish over having killed his own elder
brother. It is a common notion that
women cannot keep secrets. And this
story is a beautiful conception illustrating
that popular belief.
It may be that in worldly affairs, it is an
advantage to be able to keep secrets. But it
is not great virtue from the point of view
of moral character, and women need not
grieve over an incapacity of this kind, if
indeed Kunti's legacy still persists.
The affectionate temperament natural to
women may perhaps incline them to
openness. But some women do keep
secrets very well indeed, and not a man
possess this ability either. It is a fallacy to
attribute the differences that arise out of
training and occupation on nature itself
and imagine some qualities as peculiar to
a sex.
98. YUDHISHTHIRA COMFORTED
YUDHISHTHIRA'S pain of mind
increased everyday as he thought of all the
kinsmen that had been killed. He was
stricken with intense remorse and decided
he must give up the world go to the forest
and do penance to expiate his sin.
"I see no joy or good," he said to his
brothers, in taking up the office of king or
in worldly enjoyment. Do rule the land
yourselves leaving me free to go to the
forest."
Arjuna talked of the nobility of family life
and the entire good one may do without
taking sanyasa. Bhimasena also spoke and
harshly.
"You talk, alas"' he said, "like a dullwitted
person who has committed to
memory the texts of the sastras without
understanding their sense. Sanyasa is not
the dharma of kshatriyas. The duty of a
kshatriya, is to live an active life and
perform his proper task, not to go to the
forest renouncing activity."
Nakula also contested the propriety of
Dharmaputra's proposal and insisted that
the path of work was the right one to
follow and the way of sanyasa was beset
with difficulties.
Sahadeva also argued likewise and
entreated: "You are my father, my mother,
my teacher, as well as brother. Do not
leave us, bear with us."
Draupadi also spoke. "It was right we
killed Duryodhana and his men. Why
should we regret it? Among the duties of a
king is included the inflicting of just
punishment. It cannot be avoided and is
an essential part of the ruler's duty. You
have meted just punishment too evildoers.
There is no cause whatsoever for
contrition. It is now your sacred duty to
take up the burden of governing the land
according to dharma. Cease grieving."
Then Vyasa spoke to Yudhishthira at
length and explained where his duty lay,
pointing out precedents, and persuaded
him to go to the city and take up the
burden of ruling the land.
Yudhishthira was duly crowned at
Hastinapura. Before taking up the duties
of the State, Yudhishthira went to where
Bhishma lay on his bed of arrows
awaiting his death, and took his blessing
and instruction in dharma. This instruction
of Bhishmacharya to king Yudhishthira is
the famous Santiparva of the
Mahabharata. After the discourse was
over, Bhishma's soul passed out. The king
went to the Ganga and offered libations,
in accordance with ancient custom, for the
peace of the departed soul.
After the ceremony was over,
Yudhishthira went up the bank. There, as
he stood for a while, all the tragic events
came back to his mind, and overcome by
intense grief, he fell senseless on the
ground, like an elephant struck down by
the hunter.
Bhima went up to his big brother and
caressed him tenderly and spoke to him
soothing words. Dhritarashtra also came
up and said to Yudhishthira:
"You should not grieve like this. Arise
and, assisted by your brothers and friends,
reign over the kingdom that awaits your
rule. Your duty now is to do what
appertains to the office of king. Leave
grief to Gandhari and me. You achieved
victory in battle in accordance with the
dharma of warriors. The duties
appertaining to that victory await your
attention now. Fool that I was, I did not
pay heed to the words of Vidura and
committed a great error. I listened to the
ignorant words of Duryodhana and
deceived myself. Like gold seen in a
dream the glory has vanished. My
hundred sons have disappeared into the
world of nowhere. But I have you as my
son now. Do not grieve."
99. ENVY
AFTER the libation ceremony for
Bhishma was over, Vyasa narrated to
grief-stricken Yudhishthira an episode in
Brihaspati's life. The wisest of men are
sometimes affected by envy and suffer
thereby. Brihaspati, teacher to the gods
themselves, was master of all knowledge.
He was learned in all the Vedas and all the
sciences, yet he was once the victim of
this debasing emotion and suffered
disgrace.
Brihaspati had a younger brother,
Samvarta, who was also a person of great
learning and a very good man. Brihaspati
was, for this reason, stricken with envy of
his brother.
In this world men become envious of
others, just because the others are good,
while they themselves are not so good,
and they cannot bear this. It is strange
indeed that men should not suffer even
virtue in others.
Brihaspati harassed Samvarta in many
ways. When he could not stand it any
more, poor Samvarta put on the
appearance of an eccentric and wandered
from place to place, and spent his days in
that way to escape from his brother's
persecution.
King Marutta of the Ikshwaku dynasty
made great penance and obtained from the
Lord of Kailasa a great goldmine in the
Himalayas and, with his resources thus
augmented, he decided to perform a great
Yajna.
Marutta requested Brihaspati to conduct
the yajna for him. But Brihaspati feared
that Marutta would, as a result of the
yajna, overshadow the gods who were his
charge.
He refused to comply with the king's
invitation, despite his pressing entreaties.
Thereupon, king Marutta, who had come
to know about Samvarta found his
whereabouts and approached him with the
invitation to conduct his yajna.
He at first refused and tried to avoid the
honor, but finally yielded. This further
increased Brihaspati's envy of his
unfortunate brother.
"Here is this enemy of mine, Samvarta,
going to conduct king Marutta's great
yajna. What shall I do now?" Thus did
Brihaspati brood over it until his envy
affected his health. His health declined
rapidly and he became thin and pale. His
condition grew worse everyday, until it
attracted the attention of Indra himself.
Indra, chief of the gods, approached the
divine preceptor and saluting him asked:
"Lord, why are you ill? What has caused
this languishing? Do you sleep well? Do
the attendants serve you properly? Do
they anticipate your wishes and not wait
to be told? Do the gods behave
courteously towards you or has there been
any lapse in this respect?"
To Indra's anxious inquiry, Brihaspati
replied: "Deva raja, I sleep on a good bed
and in right time. The attendants serve me
with all devotion. There is nothing
wanting in the respect and courtesies
shown by the gods." Then his voice failed
and he could not proceed. So great was his
prostration of spirit.
"Why are you grieved?" asked Indra
affectionately. "Why have you grown thin
and bloodless? Tell me what troubles your
mind."
Brihaspati then told Indra about it all.
"Samvarta is going to conduct a great
yajna. It is this that has made me wan and
thin. I cannot help it," said he. Indra was
surprised.
"Learned brahmana, there is no object of
desire that is not already yours. You are
wise and learned, and the gods themselves
have accepted you as their priest and wise
counselor. What harm can Samvarta do to
you? There is nothing you can lose on
account of him. Why do you needlessly
take upon yourself this suffering by mere
envy?"
It was amusing that Indra should so far
and so humanly forget his own history as
to give counsel of good conduct. But
Brihaspati refreshed his memory on the
point and asked: "Would you yourself
delightedly watch your enemy's power
growing? Judge me by how you would
have felt had you been in my position. I
beg of you to save me against this
Samvarta. You must find a way to put this
man down."
Indra sent for Agni and said to him: "Go
and stop the yajna of Marutta somehow."
The god of fire agreed and went on this
mission. The trees and the creepers along
his path caught fire and the earth trembled
as he marched roaring.
He presented himself before the king in
his divine form.
The king was mightily pleased to see Agni
stand before him. He ordered the
attendants to do all the usual honors of
hospitality. "Let him be duly seated. Have
his feet laved and bring the gifts proper to
his greatness," said the king, and this was
done.
Agni then explained why he had come.
"Do give up this Samvarta. If you require
a priest, I shall bring Brihaspati himself to
help you."
Samvarta, who heard this, was indignant.
The wrath of one who led the strict life of
a brahmacharin was exceedingly potent.
"Stop this chatter!" he said to Agni. "Do
not let my anger burn you up."
Fire reduces things to ashes, but
brahmacharya can burn up fire itself!
At Samvarta's anger Agni, trembling like
an aspen leaf, retired quickly. He returned
to Indra and told him what had happened.
The king of the gods could not believe the
story. "Agni, you burn up other things in
the world. How can anything burn you?
What is this story of Samvarta’s angry
eyes reducing you to ashes?"'
"Not so, king of the gods," said Agni.
"Brahmic power and the potency born of
brahmacharya are not unknown to you."
Agni thus reminded Indra of what the
latter had suffered; incurring the wrath of
those whom had attained Brahmic power.
Indra did not wrangle but called a
Gandharva had said: "Now, Agni has
failed. I want you to go as my messenger
and ask Marutta to give up Samvarta. Tell
him that if he does not, he will incur my
wrath and be destroyed."
The Gandharva went accordingly to king
Marutta and faithfully conveyed Indra's
message and warning.
The king would not listen. "I cannot be
guilty of the deadly sin of deserting a
trusting friend," said the king: "I cannot
give up Samvarta."
The Gandharva said: "O king, how can
you survive, when Indra hurls his bolt at
you?"
Even as he said this, the clouds above
thundered and everyone knew that the god
of the thunderbolt was coming, and
trembled in fear.
The king was in great fear and entreated
Samvarta to save him.
"Fear not," said Samvarta to the king, and
he proceeded to put the power of his
penance into action.
Indra, who had come to do battle, was
compelled to change over to benevolent
peace and to take part in the yajna as the
radiant god of sacrifices. He received the
burnt offering in proper form and retired.
Brihaspati's plan of envy failed miserably.
Brahmacharya triumphed. Envy is a
deadly sin. It is a universal disease. If
Brihaspati who could defeat the goddess
of knowledge herself in learning became a
victim to envy, what is there to say about
ordinary mortals?
100. UTANGA
WHEN the battle was over, Krishna bade
farewell to the Pandavas and went to
Dwaraka. While on his way, he met his
old brahmana friend Utanga. Krishna
stopped and descending from his chariot
saluted the brahmana.
Utanga returned the greeting and
proceeded to make the usual inquiries
about the health and welfare of relatives.
"Madhava, do your cousins the Pandavas
and the Kauravas love one another as
brothers should? Are they well and
flourishing?" he asked.
The innocent recluse had not heard about
the great battle that had been fought.
Krishna was astounded at the question of
his brahmana friend. For a while, he stood
silent not knowing what to say in reply.
Then he softly disclosed what had
happened.
"Sir, a terrible battle had been fought by
the Pandavas and the Kauravas, I tried
hard and applied every means to prevent
the fight and make peace between them.
But they would not listen. Almost all of
them have perished on the field of battle.
Who can stop the hand of fate?" Then he
related all that had happened.
When Utanga heard the narrative, he was
exceedingly wroth. With eyes red with
indignation he spoke to Madhava:
"Vasudeva, were you there standing by
and did you let all this happen? You have
indeed failed in your duty. You have
surely practised deceit and led them to
destruction. Prepare now to receive my
curse!" Vasudeva smiled and said: "Peace,
peace! Calm yourself. Do not use up the
fruit of your great penances in this anger.
Listen to what I say and then, if you like,
you may pronounce your curse."
Krishna pacified the indignant brahmana
and appeared to him in his all-embracing
form, the Viswarupa.
"I am born in various bodies from time to
time to save the world and establish the
good. In whatever body I am born, I must
act in conformity with the nature of that
body. When I am born as a Deva, I act as
a Deva does. If I appear as a Yaksha or as
a Rakshasa, I do everything like a Yaksha
or a Rakshasa. If I am born as a human
being, or as a beast, I do what is natural to
that birth and complete my task. I begged
very hard of the ignorant Kauravas. They
were arrogant and intoxicated by power
and paid no heed to my advice. I tried to
intimidate them. Therein also I failed. I
was in wrath and showed them even my
Viswarupa. Even that failed to have an
effect. They persisted in wrongdoing.
They waged war and perished. O best
among brahmanas, you have no reason to
be angry with me."
After this explanation of Krishna, Utanga
recovered his calm. Krishna was,
delighted.
"I wish to give a boon to you. What would
you like?" said Krishna.
"Achchyuta," said Utanga, "is it not
enough I have seen Thee and Thy Form
Universal? I do not desire any further
boon."
But Krishna insisted and the desert
wandering simple brahmana said: "Well,
my Lord, if you must give me some boon,
let me find water to drink whenever I
might feel thirsty. Give me this boon."
Krishna smiled. "Is this all? Have it then,"
he said, and proceeded on his journey.
One day Utanga was very thirsty and,
unable to find water anywhere in the
desert, he bethought himself of the boon
he had received.
As soon as be did this, a Nishada appeared
before him, clothed in filthy rags. He had
five hunting hounds in leash and a waterskin
strapped to his shoulder.
The Nishada grinned at Utanga and
saying, "You seem to be thirsty. Here is
water for you," offered the bamboo spout
of his water-skin to the brahmana to drink
from.
Utanga, looking at the man and his dogs
and his water skin, said in disgust:
"Friend, I do not need it, thank you."
Saying this, he thought of Krishna and
reproached him in his mind: "Indeed, was
this all the boon you gave me?"
The outcaste Nishada pressed Utanga over
and over again to quench his thirst, but it
only made Utanga more and more angry
and he refused to drink. The hunter and
his dogs disappeared.
Seeing the strange disappearance of the
Nishada, Utanga reflected: "Who was
this? He could not have been a real
Nishada. It was certainly a test and I have
blundered miserably. My philosophy
deserted me. I rejected the water offered
by the Nishada and proved myself to be
an arrogant fool."
Utanga was in great anguish. A moment
later Madhava himself appeared with
conch and discus. "O Purushottama!"
exclaimed Utanga; "you put me to a
difficult trial. Was it right of you to try me
thus? Make an untouchable offer unclean
water to me, a brahmana, to drink. Was
this kind?" asked Utanga. Utanga spoke in
bitter tones.
Janardana smiled. "O Utanga, for your
sake, when you put my boon into action, I
asked Indra to take amrita to you and give
it to you as water. He said he could not
give to a mortal what would give him
immortality, while he was willing to do
anything else. But I prevailed upon him
and he agreed to take amrita and give it to
you as water, provided I let him do it as a
Chandala and tested your understanding
and found you willing to take water from
a Chandala. I accepted the challenge
believing you had attained jnana and
transcended externals. But you have done
this and made me suffer defeat at Indra's
hands." Utanga saw his mistake and was
ashamed.
101. A POUND OF FLOUR
WHEN Yudhishthira was crowned and
installed as king after the Kurukshetra
battle, he performed an aswamedha yajna.
As was the custom on occasions of this
great horse sacrifice, all the princes of the
land gathered on invitation and the yajna
was completed in great splendor. The
brahmanas and the poor and the destitute
people, who had come in great numbers
from all parts of the country, received
bounteous gifts. Everything was done in
magnificent style and in conformity With
the injunctions relating to the sacrifice.
From somewhere unseen, a weasel
suddenly appeared right in the middle of
the assembled guests and priests in the
great pavilion and, after rolling on the
ground laughed a loud human laugh as if
in derision. The priests were alarmed at
this strange and unnatural occurrence and
wondered whether it was some evil spirit
that had come to pollute and disturb the
sacred rites.
The weasel's body was on one side all
shining gold. This remarkable creature
turned round and took a good view of the
assembly of princes and learned
brahmanas that had come from various
countries and gathered in that great
pavilion and began to speak:
"Princes assembled and priests, listen to
me. You no doubt believe that you have
completed your yajna in splendid style.
Once upon a time, a poor brahmana who
lived in Kurukshetra made a gift of a
pound of maize flour. Your great horse
sacrifice and all the gifts made in that
connection are less than that small gift of
the Kurukshetra brahmana. You seem to
think too much of your yajna. Pray, be not
so vain about it."
The gathering was amazed at this strange
and impertinent speech of the golden
weasel. The brahmana priests, who had
performed the sacrificial rites, went up to
the weasel and spoke to it:
"Wherefrom and why have you come to
this yajna, performed by good and worthy
men? Who are you? Why do you utter
words of scorn about our sacrifice? This
aswamedha has been duly completed in
every detail in accordance with sastraic
injunctions. It is not proper that you
should speak derisively of our great
sacrifice. Everyone that has come to this
yajna has been duly attended to and has
been accorded suitable honors and gifts.
Everyone is pleased with the gifts and
returns happy and contented. The mantras
have been chanted perfectly and the
oblations duly offered. The four castes are
pleased. Why do you speak as you do? Do
explain yourself."
The weasel laughed again and said: "O
brahmanas, what I said is true. I do not
grudge the good fortune of king
Yudhishthira or the good fortune of any of
you. It is not envy that makes me say this.
The yajna, which you have just completed
so showily, is not in truth as great an act
as that gift of the poor brahmana, which I
have seen. And in reward for his gift, he
and his wife, son and daughter-in-law
were immediately taken to swarga. Listen
to my story which is a true narrative of
what I saw myself. Long before you
waged your battle there, a brahmana, lived
in Kurukshetra, who obtained his daily
food by gleaning in the fields. He and his
wife, son and daughter-in-law, all four
lived in this manner. Everyday in the
afternoon they would sit down and have
their only meal for the day. On days when
they failed to find enough grain, they
would fast until the next afternoon. They
would not keep over any thing for the next
day if they got more than they required for
the day. This was the strict unchhavritti
discipline they had pledged themselves to
observe. They passed their days thus for
many years, when a great drought came
and there was famine all over the land. All
cultivation ceased and there was neither
sowing nor harvesting nor any grain
scattered in the fields to be gleaned. For
many days the brahmana and his family
starved. One day, after wandering in
hunger and heat, with great difficulty they
came home with a small quantity of
maize, which they had gathered. They
ground it and after saying their prayers
they divided the flour into four equal parts
and, offering thanks to God, sat down
eagerly to eat. Just then, a brahmana
entered and he was exceedingly hungry.
Seeing an unexpected guest arrive, they
got up and made due obeisance and asked
him to join them. The pure-souled
brahmana and his wife and son and
daughter-in-law were exceedingly
delighted to have the good fortune of
receiving guest at that juncture. 'Oh best
of brahmanas, I am a poor man. This flour
of maize was obtained in accordance with
dharma. Pray accept this. May blessings
attend on you,' said the brahmana of
Kurukshetra and gave his share of the
flour to the guest. The guest ate it with
avidity but he was still hungry when he
had finished. Seeing his hungry and
unsatisfied look, the brahmana was
grieved and did not know what to do,
when his wife said: 'Lord, give my share
also to him. I shall be glad if the guest's
hunger he satisfied.' Saying this, she
handed her share of the flour to her
husband to be given to the guest. 'Faithful
one,' said the brahmana, 'the beasts and
the birds and all the animals tend the
females of their species with care. May
man do worse? I cannot accept your
suggestion. What shall I gain in this or in
the other world if I leave you to starve and
suffer hunger, you who help me and serve
me to do the sacred duties of a
householder's life? Beloved one, you are
now skin and bone and famished and
exceedingly hungry. How can I leave you
to suffer in that condition and hope to
attain any good by feeding the guest? No,
I cannot accept your offer.' 'You are
versed in the sastras, best of brahmanas',
replied the wife. 'Is it not true that dharma,
artha and all the objects of human activity
are to the common and equal benefit of
both of us who have been joined together?
Do look on me with compassion and take
my share of the flour and satisfy the
requirements of this our guest. You are
hungry as I am and you should not make
any distinction between us. I entreat you
not to deny my request.' The brahmana
yielded and took the wife's share and gave
it to the guest who took it greedily and ate
it. But he was still hungry! Great was the
distress of the poor brahmana of
Kurukshetra. His son, who saw this, came
forward. 'Father, here is my share,' said
he. 'Give it to this guest who seems to be
still hungry. I shall be indeed happy if we
shall thus be able to fulfil our duty.' The
father's distress increased. 'Child!' he
exclaimed, 'old men can stand starvation.
Youth's hunger is severe. I am not able to
find it in my heart to accept what you say.'
The son insisted: 'it is the duty of the son
to look after his father in his declining
years. The son is not different from the
father. Is it not said that the father is born
afresh in his son? My share of the flour is
yours in truth. I beg of you to accept what
I give and feed this hungry guest.' 'Dear
boy, your nobility and your mastery over
the senses fill me with pride. Blessing on
you. I shall accept your share!' said the
father, and he took the son's flour and
gave it to the guest to eat. The guest ate
the third part of the flour also but he was
still hungry! The brahmana, who lived on
scattered grain, was confused. While he
was in distress, not knowing that to do, his
daughter-in-law addressed him thus:
'Lord, I shall give my share too and gladly
complete our efforts to feed this guest. I
beg of you to accept it and bless me, your
child, for, by that, I shall have eternal
good as my reward.' The father-in-law
was sad beyond measure. 'O girl of
spotless character, pale and emaciated as
you are from starvation, you propose to
give your part of the food also to me, so
that I may earn merit by giving it to this
guest. If I accept your offer, I shall indeed
be guilty of cruelty. How could I possibly
look on when you wither in hunger?' The
girl would not listen. 'Father, you are lord
of my lord and master, preceptor of my
preceptor, god of my god. I implore you
to accept my flour. Is not this body of
mine dedicated wholly to serve my lord?
You should help me to attain the good. Do
take this flour, I entreat you.' Thus
implored by his daughter-in-law, the
brahmana accepted her share of the flour
and blessed her saying: 'Loyal girl, may
every good be yours!' The guest received
this last portion avidly and ate it and was
satisfied. 'Blessed is your hospitality,
given with the purest intent and to the
uttermost of your capacity. Your gift has
leased me. Lo there, the gods are
showering flowers in admiration of your
extraordinary sacrifice. See the gods and
the Gandharvas have come down in their
bright chariots with their attendants to
take you with your family to the happy
regions above. Your gift has achieved
swarga for you, as well as for your
ancestors. Hunger destroys the
understanding of men. It makes them go
aside from the path of rectitude. It leads
them to evil thoughts. The pious, when
suffering the pangs of hunger, lose their
steadfastness. But you have, even when
hungry, bravely set aside your attachment
to wife and son and placed dharma above
all else. Rajasuya sacrifices and horse
sacrifices completed in splendor, would
pale into insignificance before the great
sacrifice you have done through this
single act of hospitality. The chariot is
waiting for you. Enter and go to swarga,
you and your family.' Saying this the
mysterious guest disappeared."
Having related this story of the
Kurukshetra brahmana who lived by
gleaning scattered ears of corn in the field,
the weasel continued:
"I was nearby and caught the fragrance
wafted from that flour of the brahmana. It
made my head all gold. I then went and
rolled in joy on the ground where some of
the flour had been scattered. It made one
side of me into bright gold. I turned on the
other side but there was no more flour left
and that part of me is still as it was.
Desirous of getting my body made all
gold, I have been trying every place where
men perform great yajnas and penances. I
heard that Yudhishthira of world fame
was performing a yajna and came here,
believing that this sacrifice might come up
to the standard. But I found it did not. So,
I said that your great aswamedha was not
so great as the loft of flour which that
brahmana made to his guest." The weasel
then disappeared.
102. YUDHISHTHIRA RULES
MAN pursues madly the object of his
desire until it is got. When it is in his
possession, he is soon satisfied, but he
becomes the slave of ever-fresh longings
and fresh griefs and finds no peace.
Although to fight and to kill his enemies
is a Kshatriyas dharma, what joy can one
gets out of power and position and wealth
acquired by slaughter and grief inflicted
on brothers and near relations? It was this
that Arjuna pointed out in his powerful
plea before Krishna when the battle
commenced. Krishna in answer, explained
the principles of man's activities and the
proper discharge of one's duties. But, what
Arjuna felt and argued had also a great
deal of force and there was more truth in it
than appeared on the surface.
The Pandavas defeated the Kauravas and
became the unquestioned sovereigns of
the land. They took up their duties and
discharged them according to dharma.
But, they found not in victory, the joy that
they had expected.
"When the Pandavas won and obtained
the kingdom, how did they treat
Dhritarashtra?" asked king Janamejaya,
and Vaisampayana, who recited Vyasa's
Mahabharata to the king, tells the story.
The Pandavas with the utmost respect
treated Dhritarashtra, who was plunged in
a sea of grief. They tried to make him
happy. They did nothing to make him feel
humiliated. Yudhishthira issued no orders
except with his approval. Gandhari, whose
hundred sons had disappeared like dreamgold,
was looked after by Kuntidevi with
loving and sisterly devotion and Draupadi
dutifully ministered to them both, with
equal respect.
Yudhishthira furnished Dhritarashtra's
house with rich seats and beds and
decorations and all else that was wanted.
He sent from the royal kitchen most
dainty and palatable dishes prepared for
him. Kripacharya, lived with Dhritarashtra
and kept him company. Vyasa comforted
him with instructive stories of olden
times, calculated to assuage his sorrow.
In the administration of affairs of the
State, Yudhishthira consulted
Dhritarashtra and conducted himself so as
to give him the feeling that in truth the
kingdom was ruled on his behalf and that
he, as the eldest member of the family,
was still the supreme authority.
Yudhishthira was most careful in his
speech, never to allow himself to say
anything to cause pain to the bereaved old
man. The princes, who came to
Hastinapura from all parts of the world,
gave Dhritarashtra the same honors; as
they did of old, as if he were still the
emperor.
The women attendants gave Gandhari no
occasion to feel her fallen estate.
Yudhishthira had instructed his brothers
most strictly that nothing should be done
to cause the slightest pain to their uncle,
who had lost all his sons.
The brothers, with perhaps the exception
of Bhima, followed this injunction
faithfully. Dhritarashtra too conducted
himself lovingly towards the Pandavas.
He showed no ill will towards them even
as they showed him no unkindness. The
Pandavas behaved unexceptionably
towards their old uncle. After a time,
however, Bhima began on occasions to
give cause for offence. He would
sometimes, in impatience, countermand
the old man's instructions. He would let
fall in Dhritarashtra's hearing words like
"Those perverse cousins of ours have
themselves to thank for their destruction."
It was not possible for Bhima to forget or
forgive Duryodhana, Karna or Duhsasana.
Gandhari felt intensely grieved when she
noticed that Bhima uttered words, which
pained Dhritarashtra. She was, however, a
noble and enlightened soul. Whenever she
felt pained at what Bhima said, she would
look at Kunti and find peace. For Kunti
was a veritable embodiment of dharma
and inspired forbearance. Fifteen years
passed in this manner.
103. DHRITARASHTRA
FIFTEEN years passed under king
Yudhishthira's reign, when old
Dhritarashtra found himself utterly unable
any longer to bear the burden of grief.
Hurt by Bhima's occasional reproaches, he
found no heart to accept the courtesies and
comforts provided under king
Yudhishthira's orders. Unknown to the
Pandavas, he secretly fasted and
underwent hard penances.
Gandhari too observed manifests and
inflicted privation on her. And one day
Dhritarashtra sent for Dharmaputra and
spoke to him thus:
"Son, blessings on you. I have spent
fifteen happy years under your roof. You
have tended me most lovingly. I have
made gifts and offerings to ancestors and
fulfilled all my desires in that respect.
Bereaved Gandhari, laying aside her own
grief, has ministered to my physical wants
all these years. My cruel sons, who
committed unforgivable wrong to
Draupadi and deprived you of your lawful
inheritance, perished on account of their
sins. But they fought like brave soldiers
and died in the battlefield and have gone
to the happy regions reserved for the
brave. The time has come when with
Gandhari I must do what has to be done
for our next state. You know what the
sastras have lain down. I must now go to
the forest. These robes must be replaced
by bark and tattered old clothes, suitable
for the life of Vanaprastha. I desire to go
and live in the forest, praying for your
good. I want your permission for this. Let
me follow the practice of our fathers. As
king, you will share in the fruits of my
penance."
Yudhishthira received a shock when he
saw Dhritarashtra and heard him say this.
"I did not know," he said, "that you had
been fasting and sleeping on the bare
ground and mortifying your flesh in this
manner. My brothers too were unaware of
this. I was misled into believing you were
well looked after and happy. Father, you
have suffered grief, for which there can be
no solace. I see no good in kingdom or
pleasures. I am a sinner. Desire and
ambition deceived me into this. Let your
son Yuyutsu be king, or anyone else you
choose. Or if you will do so, you yourself
may take up the duties of king and look
after the people. I shall go to the forest.
Let me terminate this chapter of error. I
implore you to save me from further
obloquy and burning shame. I am not the
king. You are the king. You ask me for
permission to go. How then can I give or
refuse permission to you? Let me assure
you that my anger against Duryodhana is
a thing of the past, gone without a trace.
Fate willed it and engulfed us all in
confusion of mind. And events happened
which were not in our control. We are
your children, even like Duryodhana and
his brothers. Gandhari and Kunti is alike
mother to me and command equal regard
and filial affection from me, their child. If
you go away to the forest, I must go with
you and serve you there. If you retire to
the woods and leave me here, what joy
shall I have in kingship? I prostrate myself
before you and implore you to forgive the
errors we have been guilty of. Serving you
will give me true joy and peace of mind.
Give me that opportunity and privilege.
Do not desert me."
Dhritarashtra was deeply moved. But he
said: "Kunti's beloved son, my mind is
fixed on going to the forest and on
penance. I can find no peace otherwise
now. I have lived under your roof for
many years. You and all your people have
served me with unstinted devotion. You
must permit me now to fulfil my wish and
let me go."
Having thus spoken to Yudhishthira, who
stood with clasped hands and trembling
with agitation, Dhritarashtra turned to
Vidura and Kripacharya: "I beg of you to
comfort the king and make him grant my
prayer. My mind is fixed on the forest. I
am unable to speak any more. I am feeling
dry in my throat. Perhaps, it is due to age.
I have talked too much. I am tired."
Saying this, he leaned helplessly on
Gandhari and swooned.
Yudhishthira was unable to bear this
distress of the grand old man, who had
possessed the sinews of an elephant and
had had strength enough to crush the
metal figure of Bhima into powder.
How lean he had become now and
emaciated, with his bones showing
through his skin, piteously leaning
senseless on Gandhari like one destitute.
"Have I caused all this?" he reproached
himself. "Miserable and unworthy am I,
ignorant of dharma, devoid of
intelligence. A curse on my learning!"
He sprinkled water on Dhritarashtra's face
and caressingly stroked him with his soft
hands.
When the old man recovered, he tenderly
clasped the Pandava to his bosom and
muttered: "My dear boy, how sweet is
your touch! I am happy."
Then Vyasa entered. When he was
acquainted with what had happened, he
said to Yudhishthira:
"Do what Dhritarashtra, eldest of the
Kurus, desires. Let him go to the forest.
He is old. All his sons have gone before
him. It is not possible for him much
longer to bear his grief. Gandhari, whom
God has blessed with enlightenment, has
borne her sorrows with courage. Do not
stand in the way of their wishes. Let not
Dhritarashtra pine away and die here. Let
him go and live among the honeyladen
flowers of the forest and breathe their
fragrance, leaving the cares of the world
behind. The dharma of kings is to die in
battle or to spend their last days in
retirement in the forest. Dhritarashtra has
ruled the kingdom and performed yajnas.
When you were in the wilderness for
thirteen years, he enjoyed the wide earth
through his son and gave bounteous gifts.
You left him nothing to desire. The time
has come for him to do penance. Let him
go with your hearty consent, and without
anger in his heart."
Dharmaraja said: "So be it!"
Then Vyasa returned to his hermitage.
104. THE PASSING AWAY OF THE
THREE
WHEN Yudhishthira at last gave his
consent for Dhritarashtra's retirement to
the forest, Dhritarashtra and Gandhari
went back to their residence and broke
their fast.
Kunti sat with Gandhari and they ate
together. Dhritarashtra asked Yudhishthira
to sit by him and gave him his last
blessings.
Then the old man stepped out and, with
his hand resting on Gandhari's shoulder,
slowly walked out of the city on his
journey to the forest.
Gandhari, who, because her lord and
husband was blind, gave up the use of her
eyes and wrapped her face with a cloth all
her life, placed her hand on Kunti's
shoulder and slowly walked along, thus
guided.
Kunti had decided in her mind to go with
Gandhari to the forest. As she walked on,
she was speaking to Yudhishthira: "Son,
do not ever let your speech be angry when
you speak to Sahadeva. Remember with
love Karna who died a hero's death on the
battlefield. He was my son, but I
committed the crime of not disclosing it to
you. Look after Draupadi with unfailing
tenderness. Do not ever give cause for
grief to Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula and
Sahadeva. Keep this ever in mind, son.
The burden of the family is now wholly
on you."
Dharmaputra had till then believed that
Kunti was accompanying Gandhari only
for a distance to say goodbye. When he
heard her speak thus, he was taken aback
and was speechless for a few minutes.
When he recovered from the shock he
said: "Mother, not thus! You blessed us
and sent us to battle. It is not right you
should now desert us and go to the forest."
Yudhishthira's entreaties were however of
no avail. Kunti held to her purpose.
"I must join my lord and husband
wherever he be now. I shall be with
Gandhari and go through the discipline of
forest life and soon join your father. Go
back unagitated. Return to the city. May
your mind ever stand steady on dharma."
Thus did Kunti bless her illustrious son
and depart.
Yudhishthira stood speechless. Kunti went
on her way, looking back occasionally at
him and her other sons.
Each with hand on the shoulder of the
other, this picture of the three elders of the
tribe wending their way to the forest,
leaving their sons behind, is painted by
the poet so vividly that it fills the reader
with solemn grief, as if the parting
happened in his own family now.
Dhritarashtra, Gandhari and Kunti spent
three years in the forest. Sanjaya was with
them. When one day, Dhritarashtra
finished his ablutions and returned to their
hermitage, the forest had caught fire.
The wind blew and the flames spread
everywhere. The deer and the wild boars
ran in herds hither and thither, and rushed
madly to the pools.
Dhritarashtra told Sanjaya: "This fire will
envelop us all. You had better save
yourself."
Saying this, the blind old king, Gandhari
with her eves blindfolded and Kunti sat
down on the ground, the three of them,
facing eastwards in yoga posture and
calmly gave themselves up to the flames.
Sanjaya, who had been to the blind king,
throughout all his days, his only light and
was dear to him like life itself, spent the
rest of his days in the Himalayas as a
sanyasin.
105. KRISHNA PASSES AWAY
KRISHNA ruled at Dwaraka for thirty-six
years after the Kurukshetra battle was
over. The Vrishnis, the Bhopas and other
branches of the Yadavas belonging to
Krishna's tribe spent their days in
unrestrained self-indulgence and luxury.
They lost all sense of discipline and
humility.
Once, some rishis came to Dwaraka. The
arrogant and irreverent Yadavas mocked
these rishis with a practical joke. They
dressed up one of their young men like a
woman and, presenting him to the revered
guests, said: "O ye learned men, tell us
whether this lady will have a boy or a
girl."
The rishis saw through the irreverent joke
and said in anger: "This person will give
birth to a mace, not a boy or a girl and that
mace will prove to be Yama to your tribe
and destroy you all." The rishis departed
after pronouncing this curse.
The foolish Yadavas were rather
perturbed at this unpleasant ending of
what they had thought was a good joke.
Next day, they were in consternation to
see that Samba, the man who had been
dressed up in female clothes, developed
labor pains and lo and behold, gave birth
to a mace! This filled them with terror
because they felt that their end was near
as the rishis had cursed.
They deliberated long and finally ground
the mace to fine powder, which they
scattered in the sea, and thought they, had
thus disposed of the danger.
Nothing happened for some time. Seasons
passed. The rains came and on the beach,
near where they had strewn the fine dust
of the awful club, there sprang up a dense,
crop of rushes.
When the Yadavas saw this, they were
curious and amused, for they had
forgotten all about the curse of the revered
guests.
One day, long after, the Yadavas went to
the beach for a picnic and spent the whole
day in dance and drink and revelry. The
liquor began to work.
At first merry, then pugnacious, they
began to talk without restrain, raking up
old offences and quarrelling, on slight
cause with one another. Among the
Yadavas, Kritavarma had fought on the
side of the Kauravas and Satyaki on that
of the Pandavas.
"Would any Kshatriya attack and kill
sleeping soldiers, O Kritavarma? You
have brought a great and lasting disgrace
on our tribe," said Satyaki, taunting
Kritavarma, and a number of drunken
Yadavas applauded the attack. Kritavarma
could not bear the insult.
"Like a butcher, you slaughtered the great
Bhurisravas when seated in yoga after his
right hand was cut off and you, coward,
dare to taunt me," he exclaimed and a
number of the revelers joined him and
began to scoff at Satyaki for his barbarous
deed.
Soon, all the Yadavas were in the quarrel
on one side or the other and presently
from words they came to blows, which
swiftly developed into a free fight.
Satyaki, with his sword drawn, sprang
upon Kritavarma and cut his head off,
exclaiming: "Here is the end of the
coward who killed sleeping soldiers! "
Others immediately fell upon Satyaki with
their drinking bowls and pots and
anything they could lay hands upon.
Pradyumna, Krishna's son, joined the fray
to rescue Satyaki and there was a
desperate melee in which both Satyaki
and Pradyumna were killed.
Krishna knew that the destined hour was
come, and plucking the tall rushes, which
fringed the beach, laid about him with
them indiscriminately.
This led to every one of the Yadavas
doing the same and there was great
indiscriminate slaughter. The rishis' curse
had begun to work.
The rushes that had grown out of the mace
became each one of them a mace as it was
plucked by the doomed men in their
unreasonable fury. They used them on one
another with deadly effect and soon all of
them were destroyed in this drunken
brawl.
Balarama, who was seeing all this, was
overwhelmed with shame and disgust and
sank to the ground. He gave up his life as
he lay in a yoga trance. Balarama passed
away into the ocean in a stream of light,
which issued from his forehead like a
silver serpent. Thus ended the avatar of
Narayana in Balarama.
Krishna saw all his people thus destroy
themselves as predestined. When he saw
the passing of Balarama, he roamed about
in deep meditation in the wilderness,
pondering on the completion of his avatar.
"The time has come for me to go," he said
to himself and, lying on the ground fell
asleep.
In that wooded beach, a hunter, prowling
for game, saw Vasudeva lying on the
ground among the shrubs. From a
distance, the hunter mistook Krishna for a
wild animal resting on the ground.
He bent his bow and shot an arrow at the
prostrate figure which, piercing his foot in
the insteep, went full through his body.
Thus did the great Vasudeva depart from
the world of men.
106. YUDHISHTHIRA'S FINAL
TRIAL
To Hastinapura came the sad tidings of
the death of Vasudeva and the destruction
of the Yadavas. When the Pandavas
received the news, they lost all remaining
attachment to life on earth.
They crowned Parikshit, son
ofAbhimanyu, as emperor and the five
brothers left the city with Draupadi. They
went out on a pilgrimage, visiting holy
places and finally reached the Himalayas.
A dog joined them somewhere and kept
them company all along. And the seven of
them climbed the mountain on their last
pilgrimage. As they toiled up the
mountain path one by one fell exhausted
and died.
The youngest succumbed first. Draupadi,
Sahadeva and Nakula were released from
the burden of the flesh one after another.
Then followed Arjuna and then great
Bhima too.
Yudhishthira saw his dear ones fall and
die. Yet, serenely he went on not giving
way to grief, for the light of Truth burned
bright before him. Yudhishthira knew
what was shadow and what was
substance.
The dog still followed Yudhishthira. The
lesson enforced by the poet in this episode
of the dog is that dharma is the only
constant companion in life's journey.
It was dharma who, in the shape of the
dog, followed Yudhishthira up the
wearisome mountain path, when his
brothers and wife had gone leaving him
alone.
Finally, when he reached a great height,
Indra appeared in his chariot.
"Your brothers and Draupadi have arrived
before you. You have lagged behind,
burdened with your body. Ascend my
chariot and go with me in the flesh. I have
come to take you," said Indra. But when
Yudhishthira went up to take his seat in
Indra's chariot, the dog also climbed up.
"No, no," said Indra. "There is no place
for dogs in swarga," and pushed the dog
away.
"Then there is no room for me either,"
said Yudhishthira, and refused to enter the
heavenly chariot if he had to leave his
faithful companion behind.
Dharma had come to test Yudhishthira's
loyalty and he was pleased with his son's
conduct. The dog vanished from sight.
Yudhishthira reached swarga. There, he
saw Duryodhana.
The Kuru prince was seated on a beautiful
throne and he shone with the splendor of
the sun and around him stood in
attendance the goddess of heroism and
other angels. He did not see his brothers
or anyone else. Yudhishthira was
astonished.
"Where are my brothers, ye denizens of
swarga?" asked Yudhishthira. "This man
of greed, of limited vision, is here. I do
not care to spend my time in his company.
We were driven by this man's envy and
spite to kill friends and relatives. We
stood tied by dharma to inaction when,
before our eyes, innocent Panchali, united
to us in sacred wedlock, was dragged to
the Hall of the Assembly and insulted
under the orders of this wicked man. I
cannot bear the sight of this man. Tell me,
where are my brothers? I wish to go
where they are." Saying this Yudhishthira
averted his eyes from where Duryodhana
was seated in glory.
Then Narada, the heavenly rishi of
encyclopedic knowledge, smiled
disapprovingly at Yudhishthira and said:
"Renowned prince, this is not right. In
swarga, we harbor no ill will. Do not
speak in this manner about Duryodhana.
The brave Duryodhana has attained his
present state by force of kshatriya dharma.
It is not right to let the things of the flesh
stay in the mind and breed ill will. Do
follow the law and stay here with king
Duryodhana. There is no place in swarga
for hatred. You have arrived here with
your human body; so it is that you have
these inappropriate feelings. Discard
them, son!"
Yudhishthira replied:
"O sage, Duryodhana, who did not know
right from wrong, who was a sinner, who
caused suffering to good men, who fed
enmity and anger and who brought death
to countless men, has attained this swarga
of warriors. Where is that region of
greater glory, which must be the abode of
my brave and good brothers and
Draupadi? I am eager to see them and
Karna, and also all the friends and princes
who gave up their lives in battle for me. I
do not see them here. I desire to meet
again Virata, Drupada, Dhrishtaketu and
Sikhandin, the Panchala prince. I long to
see the dear sons of Draupadi and
Abhimanyu. I do not see them here.
Where are they, who threw their bodies
into the blazing fire of battle for my sake,
like ghee in the sacrifice? I do not see any
of them here. Where are they all? My
place must be among them. At the close of
the battle, my mother Kunti wanted me to
offer libations for Karna also. When I
think of it, even now, grief overwhelms
me. In ignorance of his being my own
blood brother, I caused Karna to be slain.
I am eager to see him. Bhima, dearer to
me than life, Arjuna, who was like Indra
him self, the twins Nakula and Sahadeva
and our dear Panchali, steadfast in
dharma, I long to see and be with them all.
I do not wish to be in heaven, for what
good is it for me to be here, away from
my brothers? Wherever they may be, that
me is swarga; not this place!"
The angels, who heard this, replied:
"O Yudhishthira, if you indeed desire to
be with them, by all means, you may go at
once. There is no need to delay," and they
ordered an attendant to take Yudhishthira.
So, the messenger proceeded in front and
Yudhishthira followed him. As they went
along, it soon became dark and in the
gathering gloom could be dimly seen
things weird and revolting.
He waded through slippery slime of blood
and offal. The path was strewn with
carrion and bones and dead men's hair.
Worms were wriggling everywhere and
there was an insufferable stench in the air.
He saw mutilated human bodies
everywhere.
Yudhishthira was horrified and confused.
A thousand thoughts tortured his mind as
he proceeded.
"How far have we to go yet on this road?
Where indeed are my brothers? Tell me,
my friend," he enquired of the messenger
in deep anguish.
The messenger quietly replied: "If you so
desire, we may turn back." The foul odors
of the place were so sickening that for a
moment Yudhishthira was minded to go
back.
But just then, as if divining his intention,
vaguely familiar voices rose all around in
loud lamentation. "O Dharmaputra, do not
go back! Stay here for a few minutes at
least. Your presence has given us
momentary relief from torture. As you
came, you have brought with you a whiff
of air so sweet and pure that we have
found a little relief in our agony. Son of
Kunti, the very sight of you gives us
comfort and mitigates our suffering. O
stay, be it for ever so short a time. Do not
go back. While you are here, we enjoy a
respite in our torture." Thus the voices
pleaded.
Hearing the loud lamentations that thus
came from all around him, Yudhishthira
stood in painful bewilderment.
Overwhelmed with pity at the poignant
anguish in faintly remembered voices, he
exclaimed:
"Alas wretched souls! Who are ye that
lament like this? Why are you here?"
"Lord, I am Karna," said a voice.
"I am Bhima," said another.
"I am Arjuna," cried a third voice.
"Draupadi," cried another voice in piteous
tone.
"I am Nakula," "I am Sahadeva," "We are
Draupadi's sons," and so on, came
mournful voices from all around, till the
accumulated pain was more that
Yudhishthira could bear.
"What sin indeed have these been guilty
of?" cried he. "Dhritarashtra's son
Duryodhana, what good deeds did he do
to sit like Mahendra in heaven, while
these are in hell? Am I dreaming or am I
awake? Is my mind deranged? Have I
gone crazy?"
Overwhelmed by anger, Yudhishthira
cursed the gods and denounced dharma.
He turned to the angel attendant and said
sharply: "Go back to your masters. I shall
stay here where my dear brothers, for no
other sin than devotion to me, are
consigned to the tortures of hell. Let me
be with them."
The messenger went back and conveyed
to Indra what Yudhishthira had said.
Thus passed the thirteenth part of a day.
Then Indra and Yama appeared before
Yudhishthira where he stood in anguish.
When they came, the darkness rolled
away and the horrid sights disappeared.
The sinners and their suffering were no
more to be seen. A fragrant breeze blew as
Yama, the god of dharma, smiled on his
son Yudhishthira.
"Wisest of men, this is the third time I
have tested you. You chose to remain in
hell for the sake of your brothers. It is
inevitable that kings and rulers must go
through hell if only for a while. So it was
that for the thirtieth part of a day you too
were doomed to suffer the pangs of hell.
Neither the illustrious Savyasachi
(Arjuna) nor your beloved brother Bhima
is really in hell. Nor Karna the just, nor
anyone else who you thought had been
consigned to suffering. It was an illusion
designed to test you. This is not hell, but
swarga. Do you not see there Narada
whose travels cover the three worlds?
Cease grieving."
Thus said Yama to Dharmaputra, who,
thereupon, was transfigured. The mortal
frame was gone and he was a god. With
the disappearance of the human body, also
disappeared all trace of anger and hatred.
Then Yudhishthira saw their Karna and all
his brothers and the sons of Dhritarashtra
also, serene and free from anger, all
having attained the state of the gods. In
this reunion, Yudhishthira at last found
peace and real happiness.
GLOSSARY
Abhimanyu : Son of Arjuna and Subhadra
who was married to Uttara, daughter of
King Virata.
Acharya : Teacher or Guru.
Achuta : A synonym of Sri Krishna.
Adhiratha : Karna's foster-father.
Agastya : A great sage whose life-story
the Pandavas learnt while on pilgrimage
to holy places is wife Lopamudra was
equally a great sage in her own right.
Agnihotra : A sacrifice to God Agni.
Airavata : Indra's elephant.
Ajatasatru : Having no enemy, friend of
all born things, an epithet of Yudhishthira.
Akshayapatra : A wonderful vessel given
to Yudhishthira by the Sun god which
held a never-failing supply of food.
Alambasa : A Rakshasa friend of
Duryodhana who had joined his forces but
Satyaki compelled him to flee from the
battlefield.
Amrit : Ambrosia, the food of the gods,
which makes the partaker immortal.
Anga : Mlechchha kings, a Kaurava
supporter.
Arani : An upper and a lower piece of
wood used for producing fire by attrition.
Artha (Wealth) : one of the objects of
human life, the others being Dharma,
(righteous- ness), Kama (satisfaction of
desires), Moksha (spiritual salvation).
Arundhati : Wife of sage Vasishtha.
Ashtavakra : A towering scholar while
still in his teens.
Asita : A sage who held that gambling
was ruinous and should be avoided by all
wise people.
Asmaka : A Kaurava warrior who
attacked Abhimanyu.
Astra : A missile charged with power by
a holy incantation.
Aswamedha Yajna : A horse sacrifice.
Aswathama : Son of Dronacharya and
last supreme commander of the Kaurava
force.
Bahlika, Dasharna, : States the kings of
which were Kalinga, Magadha, friendly to
the Pandavas, Matsya, Panchala, Salva
Baladev : Balarama, elder brother of Sri
Krishna.
Balarama : Elder brother of Sri Krishna.
Balarama : An avatar or incarnation of
Adisesha the thousand-hooded serpent on
which Lord Mahavishnu reclines in
Vaikuntha.
Bakasura : A voracious, cruel and terribly
strong Rakshasa or demon who lived in a
cave near the city of Ekachakrapura
whom Bhima killed to the great relief of
the citizens.
Bhagadatta : King of Pragjyotisha, a
Kaurava ally.
Bhagawan : Form of address to Gods and
great rishis, example- Bhagawan Sri
Krishna, Narada, Vyasa.
Bharata : Son of Kaikeyi and King
Dashratha, stepbrother of Rama, who was
exceptionally devoted to and loved Rama.
Bharadwaja : A rishi, father of
Yavakrida.
Brahma : Creator of the universe.
Brahmastra : A divine weapon,
irresistible, one given by Lord Brahma
himself.
Brahmacharin : A religious student,
unmarried, who lives with his spiritual
guide, devoted to study and service.
Brahmacharya : Celibacy, chastity; the
stage of life of Vedic study in which
chastity and service are essential.
Brihadaswa : A great sage who visited
the Pandavas in their forest hermitage and
reminded them of King Nala of Nishadha
who also lost his kingdom in the game of
dice and who deserted his wife Damayanti
because of a curse but ultimately regained
both,
Brihadratha : Commander of three
regiments reigned over Magadha and
attained celebrity as a great hero, married
the twin daughters of the Raja of Kasi. His
two wives ate each half of a mango given
by sage Kausika and begot half a child
each. A Rakshasi recovered the two
portions from a dustbin wherein they were
thrown and when they accidentally came
together, they became a chubby baby,
which she presented to the king, saying it
was his child, which later became known
as Jarasandha.
Brihadyumna : A King, a disciple of sage
Raibhya.
Brihannola : Name assumed by Arjuna
while living at Virata's court in incognito.
Brihatbala : A daring warrior who
charged at Abhimanyu caught in the
Kaurava army's net.
Bhima : The second Pandava brother who
excelled in physical prowess as he was
born of the wind-god.
Bhishmaka : King of Vidarbha, father of
Rukmini and Rukma.
Bhishma : The old grandsire to whose
care were committed the five Pandavas by
the rishis when the eldest Yudhishthira
attained the age of sixteen for their proper
upbringing including mastery of the
Vedas, Vedanta and various arts
especially those pertaining to the
Kshatriyas. Later he intervened but
without success to bring about peace and
understanding between the Kauravas and
the Pandavas who ruled separately from
Hastinapura and Indraprastha
respectively. He was the eighth child of
King Santanu and Ganga. Appointed
supreme commander of the Kaurava
armies.
Bhojas : A branch of the Yadava clan
belonging to Krishna's tribe.
Bhuminjaya : Another name of prince
Uttara son of Virata who had proceeded to
fight the Kaurava armies, with Brihannala
as his charioteer.
Burisrwas : One of the powerful kings on
the side of the Kauravas.
Bibhatsu : One of Arjuna's name meaning
a hater of unworthy acts.
Chala : A Kaurava warrior.
Chandala : A person of a degraded caste,
whose conduct was much below standard
and whose cause pollution.
Charachitra : A son of King Dhritarashtra
who perished in the war
Chavadi : Place of public assembly of the
village. It is the property of the entire
community. In it all public business is
transacted, and it serves also as the village
club the headquarters of the village police
and guest house for travellers.
Chekitana : Head of one division of the
Pandava army.
Chitra : A son of Dhritarashtra killed in
the war.
Chitraksha : One of the many sons of
King Dhritarashtra who fell in the war
Chitrasena : King of the Gandharvas who
prevented the Kauravas from putting up
their camp near the pond where he
himself had encamped.
Chitrayudha : A Kaurava prince who laid
down his life in the war.
Chitravarma : A brother of Duryodhana
who was killed in the war
Chitrangada : Elder son of Santanu born
of Matsyagandhi (Satyavati) who
succeeded his father on the throne of
Hastinapura.
Chitrasena : A Kaurava warrior.
Daruka : Sri Krishna's charioteer.
Dasaratha : King of Ayodhya and Rama's
father.
Darshana : A country whose king
attacked Bhagadatta's elephant in an effort
to save Bhima.
Devadatta : Name of Arjuna's conch.
Devaki : Mother of Sri Krishna.
Devata : A sage who condemned the
game of dice as an evil form of gambling
and declared it unfit as entertainment for
good people, as it usually offered scope
for deceit and dishonesty.
Devavrata : The eighth child of Santanu
and Ganga who in time mastered the art
yielding arms and learned the Vedas and
Vedanta as also the sciences known to
Sukra was crowned Yuvaraja (heir
apparent), but later vowed to celibacy and
was known as Bhishma.
Devayani : The beautiful daughter of
Sukracharaya, preceptor of the demons,
who fell in love with Kacha, son of
Brihaspati, preceptor of the Devas.
Devendra : King of the Gods.
Dharma : Righteous course of conduct.
Dharmagranthi : Assumed named of
Nakula at Virata's court.
Dharmananda :The delighted of Dharma,
a name of Yudhishthira, the son of
Dharma or Yama.
Dharmavyadha : He possessed the secret
of good life and lived in the city of
Mithila. He was a meat-seller.
Dhananjaya : One of the names of
Arjuna.
Dhanusaksha : A great sage whom
Medhavi, son of sage Baladhi, once
insulted. He took the form of a bull and
butted at that mountain and broke it to
pieces. Then Medhavi fell down dead.
Dhaumya : Preceptor of the Pandavas,
who accompanied them during their exile
to the Kurijangala forest, singing Sama
hymns addressed to Yama, Lord of Death.
Dhrishtadyumna : Supreme commander of
the Pandava forces eldest brother of
Draupadi.
Dhrishtaketu : A kinsman of the
Pandavas.
Dhritarashtra : Elder son of Vichitravirya
and Ambika, born blind, father of
Duryodhana.
Dharmaputra : The son of Yama, epithet
of Yudhishthira.
Dhartarashtras : Sons of Dhritarashtra
Draupadi : Daughter of King Drupada,
King of Panchala, who married all the five
Pandavas though Arjuna had won her in
the Swayamvara, because of the vow that
they would share everything in common.
Drona : Son of a Brahmana named
Bharadwaja; married a sister of Kripa and
a son Aswathama was born to them; learnt
military art from Parasurama, the maser.
Later he became the instructor to of the
Kaurava and Pandava princes in the use of
arms.
Drupada : King of Panchala, father of
Draupadi who became the wife of the
Pandavas
Duhsasana : Duryodhana's brother who
dragged Draupadi to the hall of assembly
pulling her by her hair.
Durdhara : A son of Dhritarashtra killed
by Bhima in the war.
Durjaya : A brother of Duryodhana who
was sent to attack Bhima, to save Karna's
life but lost his own.
Durmarsha : A son of Dhritarashtra killed
by Bhima.
Durmata : A son of Dhritarashtra who got
killed by Bhima.
Durmukha : A chariot-borne warrior on
the Kaurava side.
Durvasa : A sage known for his anger
who visited the Kauravas.
Durvishaha : A warrior fighting on the
Kaurava side.
Dushkarma : A warrior belonging to the
Kaurava side.
Dussaha : A son of Dhritarashtra killed
by Bhima.
Dwaitayana : A forest where the
Kaurava, cows were being bred and
housed.
Ganapati : Amanuensis of Vvasa who
agreed to write down without pause or
hesitation the story of the Mahabharata
dictated by Vyasa.
Gandhari : Dhritarashtra's wife and queen
mother of the Kauravas.
Gandharvas : A class of celestial beings
regarded as specialists in music.
Gandiva : Arjuna's most potent bow.
Gangadwara : A place where sage
Agastya and his wife performed penance.
Ghalotkacha : Son of Bhima from
demoness Hidimba.
Govinda : One of the epithets of Sri
Krishna and Vishnu; it means a cowkeeper
and refers to Krishna's occupation
in Gokula, the colony of cowherds.
Guru : Revered preceptor, teacher.
Hamsa, Hidimbaka, Kamsa. : Allies of
King Jarasandha; the last married the two
daughters of Jarasandha. Also Krishna's
step-uncle whom Krishna killed.
Halayudha : Plough-weaponed, an epithet
of Balarama who wielded a plough as his
weapon.
Hanuman : Wise and learned monkey
devotee of Sri Rama, who possessed
extraordinary powers of discrimination
and wisdom and who searched and found
Sita in her confinement in Lanka.
Hastinapura : Capital city of the Kauravas.
Hrishikesha : Krishna.
Ilvala : This demon and his brother Vatapi
hated brahmanas implacably. Ilvala would
invite a brahman to a feast at which he
would serve the meat of the goat into
which his brother had turned he. After the
brahmin had partaken of the feast he
would call his brother out who would rend
his way back to life, tearing the belly of
the guest.
Indra : King of the Gods.
Indrajit : Son of Ravana, King of Lanka,
who conquered Indra, the Lord of Gods
and who was killed by Rama's brother
Lakshmana.
Indrasena : A kinsman of the Pandavas.
Indrakila : A mountain Arjuna passed on
his way to the Himalayas to practise
austerities to acquire powerful new
weapons from Lord Mahadeva.
Iravan : Arjuna's son by a Naga wife who
fell in the battle on the eighth day.
Janaka : King of Mithila, a great
Rajarishi; father of Sita, wife of Sri Rama.
Janamejaya : A king who conducted a
great sacrifice for the well being of the
human race.
Janardana : A name of Krishna
Jarasandha : Mighty king of Magadha of
whose prowess all Kshatriyas were afraid.
Killed by Bhima in a thirteen-day nonstop
physical combat: with Sri Krishna
and Arjuna as witnesses.
Jarita, Laputa : Female companions of a
saranga bird, who was a rishi named
Mandapala in his previous birth when he
was refused admission to heaven be cause
he was childless.
Jalasura : A demon killed by Bhima.
Jaya : A son of King Dhritarashtra who
was killed by Bhima in the war
Jayadratha : A warrior on the side of
Kauravas who closed the breach effected
by Abhimanyu in the Chakravyuha
military formation by Dronacharya and
trapped him inside.
Jayatsena : A kinsman of the Pandavas.
Jayatsena : A warrior fighting on the side
of Kauravas.
Jnana : Knowledge of the eternal and real
Kacha : Grandson of sage Angiras and
son of Brihaspati, who went to seek
knowledge under Sukracharya as a
brahmacharin. Devayani, the preceptor's
lovely daughter, fell in love with him. The
Asuras (demons) suspecting him of
wanting to steal the secret of reviving the
dead, killed him a number of times. But
due to Devayani's love for him, her father
brought him back to life every time he
was killed. Ultimately the secret was
learnt by the devas who then succeeded in
defeating the asuras.
Kagola : A disciple of the great sage and
teacher of Vedanta, Uddalaka.
Kambojas : Enemies of the Kauravas
whom Karna had defeated
Kamsa : Maternal Uncle of Sri Krishna
and son of Ugrasena, also son-in-law of
Jarasandha, whom Sri Krishna killed.
Kanika : Minister of Sakuni.
Kanka : Assumed name of Yudhishthira at
Virata's court.
Kausikam : A sage who learnt from
Dharmavyadha the secret of Dharma, of
performing one's duty.
Karna : A matchless warrior, son of the
Sun god and Kunti. Disciple of
Parasurama. Also son of Radha, his
foster-mother, and was known as
Radheya.
Kartavirya : A great warrior who defeated
Ravana, King of Lanka.
Kartikeya : Commander of the armies of
the devas.
Kekaya : A brave warrior on the Pandava
side into whose chariot Bhima got during
the fighting on the sixth day.
Kesava : One of the names of Sri Krishna.
Ketama : Another chief whose head was
cut off by Drona.
Khandavaprastha : The ancient capital
from where the ancestors of Pandavas,
Nahusha and Yayati ruled. The Pandavas
rebuilt the ruined city and erected palaces
and forts and renamed it Indraprastha.
Kichaka : Sudeshna's brother,
commander-in-chief of Virata's army, who
made advances to Sairandhri (Draupadi).
He was invited to meet her at night at the
ladies dancing hall and was met instead by
Valala (Bhima) dressed up as a female
who killed him (Kichaka).
Kripacharya : Aswathama's uncle who
advocated a combined assault on Arjuna
in battle as against Karna's boast that he
could take him on single-handed.
Krishna-Dwaipayana : Sage Vyasa.
Krauncha : Curlew-heron.
Krauncha-Vyuha : military formation on a
pattern supposed to resemble a heron with
outstretched beak and spreading wings. In
ancient Indian practice, armies were
arrayed for battle in formations of definite
patterns, each of which had a name such
as Chakra, or Kurma or Krauncha, or
Makara according to a real or fancied
resemblance.
Kritavarma : A notable Yadava warrior
fighting on the side of Kaurava forces.
Kshatradharma : A great warrior on the
side of Pandavas.
Kuchasthala : A city where Krishna
stayed the night on his way to the court of
Dhritarashtra.
Kumbhakarna : Brother of Ravana, King
of Lanka, who was asleep most of the
time because of the curse of Brahma.
Kundinapura : Capital of Vidarbha.
Kunti : She was the daughter of Sura and
was known as Pritha. She was given in
adoption to the king's childless cousin
Kuntibhoja and was named Kunti after her
adoptive father. Sage Durvasa, whom she
had served while he was a guest at her
father's house, gave her a divine mantra
which when repeated would give her a son
from any god whom she would call upon.
Out of childish curiosity, she invoked the
Sun god by repeating the Mantra and then
she gave birth to a son born with divine
armor and earrings. Ashamed, she placed
the child in a sealed box and set it afloat
on a river. The box was picked up by a
childless charioteer and brought up as his
own and became known as Karna. Later,
Kunti chose Pandu as her husband at a
Swayamvara.
Kunti-Madri : Queens of King Pandu
who gave birth to three and two sons
known as the Pandavas in the forest where
he spent many years for having committed
some sin. The sons were known as
Yudhishthira, Bhima. Arjuna, Nakula, and
Sahadeva.
Kurma : Tortoise.
Lakshmana : Younger step-brother of
Rama and son of Sumitra and King
Dasaratha. Duryodhana's gallant young
son also bore this name.
Lomasa : A brahmana sage who advised
the Pandavas to reduce their retinue while
repairing to the forest. Those unable to
bear the hardships of exile were free to go
to the court of Dhritarashtra or Drupada,
king of Panchala. He accompanied
Yudhishthira on his wanderings.
Lopamudra : Daughter of the king of
Vidarbha who married the sage Agastya.
Lord Narayana : Refuge of men;
Mahavishnu.
Madhava : One of the names of Krishna.
It means the Lord of Lakshmi.
Madhusudana : Another name of Krishna,
the slayer of the asura Madhu.
Mahavishnu : Lord of the Universe who
took human birth in order to wrest his
kingdom from Emperor Bali for the
salvation of the world. Lord Vishnu also
took birth as Rama, son of Dasaratha, to
kill Ravana, King of Lanka.
Mahendra : A King who had attained
heaven.
Maitreya : A sage who visited the court of
Dhritarashtra, expressed sorrow at the
Pandava's plight, advised Duryodhana not
to injure the Pandavas for his own good.
Mantra : An incantation with words of
power.
Manasarovar : A sacred lake in the
Himalayas
Mandavya : A sage wrongly punished by
the king by being impaled as the chief of
robbers who had clandestinely hidden
their stolen goods in a corner of his
hermitage when he was in deep
contemplation. Lord Dharma gave him
this punishment for having tortured birds
and bees in his childhood. At this
Mandavya cursed Dharma who was born
as Vidura, the wise, to the servant maid of
Ambalika, wife of King Vichitravirya,
who offered her to Sage Vyasa in place of
Ambalika.
Maricha : A character in the Ramayan,
uncle of Ravana who transformed him self
into a golden deer at the behest of Ravana
to entice Sita.
Markandeya : A sage who told
Yudhishthira the story of a brahmana,
Kausika.
Marutta : A king of the Ikshwaku dynasty
whose sacrifice was performed by
Samvarta in defiance of Indra and
Brihaspati.
Matali : Charioteer of Indra who took
Arjuna to the kingdom of gods.
Medhavi : Son of Sage Baladhi who
desired that his son should live as long as
a certain mountain lasted.
Meru : An ancient mountain. Becoming
jealous of Meru, the Vindya began to
grow very high obstructing the sun, the
moon and the planets. Agastya whom the
Vindhya mountain respected asked it to
stop growing until he crossed it on his
way to the south and returned to the north
again. But he did not return at all, having
settled in the south.
Nahusha : A mighty king who was made
king of the gods because Indra had
disappeared due to his killing Vritra
through sin and deceit.
Nakula : Fourth brother of the Pandavas.
Nala : King of Nishadha who lost his
kingdom in a game of dice and deserted
his wife Damayanti because of a curse.
Nandini : Vasishtha's divinely beautiful
cow.
Nara : Arjuna or Dhananjaya.
Narada : The sage who suddenly appeared
before Dhritarashtra and Vidura as the
latter was describing the departure of the
Pandavas to the forest and uttered a
prophecy that after fourteen years the
Kauravas would be extinct as a result of
Duryodhana's crimes and vanished as
suddenly.
Narayana : Sri Krishna or Krishna;
Vishnu.
Narayanas : Krishna's kinsmen.
Narayanasrama : A charming forest where
the Pandavas had halted during their
wanderings.
Nishadha : A country where Indra, Lord
of the gods had lived once disguised as a
brahmana.
Nishada : An aboriginal hunter
orfisherman: a man of low or degraded
tribe in general; an outcaste.
Panchajanya : Name of Krishna's conch.
Palasa : Butea frondosa, "flame of the
forest".
Panchali : Another name of Draupadi
Queen of the Pandavas and daughter of
King Drupada.
Panchalya : A son of King Drupada who
died in the war.
Pandu : Second son of Vichitravirya and
Ambalika who succeeded to the throne of
Hastinapura on his father's death, as his
elder brother Dhritarashtra was born
blind, father of the Pandavas.
Parasara : A great sage, father of Veda
Vvasa.
Paravasu : Son of Raibhva and elder
brother of Arvavasu whose wife was
violated by Yavakrida, who was killed
with a spear by a fiend for his sin.
Parikshit : Son of Abhimanyu and
grandson of the Pandavas who was
crowned king after the holocaust claimed
the Kauravas and the Pandavas.
Partha : Arjuna.
Parvati : Consort of Siva. Rukmini prayed
to her for saving her from the cruel
Sisupala king of Chedi, as she had set her
heart on marrying Krishna.
Paurava : A Kaurava hero.
Phalguna : Arjuna.
Prabhasa : The Vasu who seized
Vasishtha's divine cow.
Pradyumna : Sri Krishna's son.
Pratikhami : Duryodhana's charioteer.
Pritha : Mother of Karna, Kunti before her
marriage.
Pundarikaksha : Krishna, the lotus-eyed
one.
Purochana : An architect who built a
beautiful wax palace named "Sivam" in
Varanavata.
Purumitra : A Kaurava warrior
Pitamaha : Literally grandfather, which
however carried no imputation of senile
infirmity but denotes the status of the
pater familias.
Ptirushottama : An epithet of Sri Krishna.
It is one of the names of Vishnu and
means the Supreme Being.
Raibhya : A sage whose hermitage was
situated on the banks of the Ganga. The
Pandavas during their wanderings visited
it. This ghat was very holy. Bharata, son
of Dasaratha bathed here. Indra was
cleansed of his sin of killing Vritra
unfairly by bathing in this ghat.
Sanatkumar became one with God. Aditi,
mother of the gods, prayed here to be
blessed with a son.
Radheya : Son of Radha, a name of
Karna, who as a foundling was brought up
as a son by Radha, the wife of the
Charioteer Adhiratha.
Rajasuya : A sacrifice performed by a
king to be entitled to assume the title of
"Emperor".
Ravana : King of Lanka who abducted
Sita, the beautiful wife of Ramachandra.
Rishabha : The second note of the Indian
gamut (Shadja, rishabha, gandhara,
madhyama, panchama, daivata, nishada -
sa, ri, ga, ma, pa, dha, ni.)
Rishyasringa : Son of sage Vibhandaka,
who had grown up seeing no mortal
except his father. The king of Anga,
which was afflicted with a dire famine, to
bring rain and plenty, invited him.
Romapada : King of Anga which was
once visited by a great drought.
Rudra : One of the names of Siva.
Rudra dance : Siva's cosmic dance of
destruction.
Rukma : Heir apparent to the throne of
Vidarbha. When defeated by Balarama
and Krishna he established a new city
Bhojakata, ashamed to return to
Kundinapura, the capital of Vidarbha, and
ruled over it.
Sachidevi : Wife of Indra, king of the
gods on whom Nahusha's evil eye fell.
She was also known as Indrani.
Sahadeva : Youngest of the Pandava
princes who offered the first honors to
Krishna at the Rajasuya sacrifices.
Saibya : A ruler friendly to the Pandavas.
Sairandhri : A maid servant or female
attendant employed in royal female
apartments.
Sakuni : He played dice on behalf of the
Kauravas and succeeded in defeating the
Pandavas by a stratagem. As a result the
latter had to go and live in the forest for
thirteen years. According to the conditions
of the game, the thirteenth and last year of
exile was to be spent incognito. If
discovered by anyone they were again to
repair to the forests for a like term. He
was considered to be the evil genius, who
beguiled Duryodhana to take to evil ways.
Salva : Friend of Sisupala, who besieged
Dwaraka Sri Krishna's kingdom to avenge
Sisupala's death at the latter's hand.
Salya : Ruler of Madradesa and brother of
Madri and uncle of the Pandavas who
because of having received hospitality
from Duryodhana went over to his side.
Samsaptaka : One who has taken a vow to
conquer or die, and never to retreat. The
Samsaptakas were suicide-squads, vowed
to some desperate deed of daring.
Samvarta : Brihaspati's younger brother, a
person of great learning.
Samba : A Yadava youngster dressed as a
woman who gave birth to a mace, as
foretold by rishis.
Sanga : Son of Virata. When king Virata
was wounded, he had to get into Sanga's
chariot, having lost his chariot, horses and
charioteer
Sanjaya : The narrator who tells blind
Dhritarashtra the progress of the war from
day to day. He told the king that a victim
of adverse fate would first become
perverted and loses his sense of right and
wrong. Time would destroy his reason and
drive him to his own destruction.
Sankula Yuddha : A melee, confused
fight, a soldiers battle as distinguished
from the combats of heroes.
Shanta : Wife of sage Rishyasringa.
Santanu : King of Hastinapura, father of
Bhishma.
Sanyasin: One who has renounced the
world and its concerns.
Sarasana : One of the Kaurava brothers
who died in the war.
Sarmishtha : Princes and daughter of king
Vrishaparva who got angry with Devayani
and slapped and pushed her into a dry
well.
Satanika : Virata's son whose bead was
severed by Drona.
Satyajit : A Panchala prince, a hero who
stood by Yudhishthira to prevent his being
taken prisoner by Drona, while Arjuna
was away answering a challenge by the
Samsaptakas (the Trigartas).
Satyaki : A Yadava warrior, friend of
Krishna and the Pandavas who advocated
collecting their forces and defeating the
unrighteous Duryodhana.
Satyavati : A fisherman's daughter who
possessed uncommon beauty and
emanated a divinely sweet fragrance and
king Santanu became enamored of her,
married her and made her his queen.
Satyavrata : Warrior on the Kaurava side.
Saugandhika : A plant that produced a
very beautiful and fragrant flower that
Bhima went to get for Draupadi.
Savyasachin : Ambidexter, one who can
use both hands with equal facility and
effect. A name of Arjuna who could use
his bow with the same skill with either
hands.
Sikhandin : A girl turned man, warrior on
the Pandava side who restored order
among scattered, subdued soldiers,
Drupada's son.
Simhanada : A lion-note or roar; a deep
roar of defiance or triumph which
warriors were wont to utter to inspire
confidence in their friends, of terror in
their enemies.
Saindhava : Jayadratha.
Sini : One of the suitors to Devaki’s hand.
A kinsman of the Kauravas.
Sisupala : King of Chedi. Died at the
hands of Krishna at the time of
Dharmaputra's Rajasuya sacrifice.
Somadutta : One of the suitors to Devaki's
hand. A kinsman of the Kauravas.
Subahu : King of Kulinda in the
Himalayas, ally of the Kauravas.
Subhadra : Wife of Arjuna, sister of Sri
Krishna and mother of Abhimanyu.
Sudakshina : A warrior on the Kaurava
side.
Sudarsana : A warrior on the Kaurava
army.
Sudeshna : Queen of King Virata whom
Sairandhri (Draupadi) served.
Sugriva : Monkey-king, friend of Sri
Rama, and brother of mighty Vali whom
Sri Rama killed.
Sujata : Daughter of Sage Uddalaka and
wife of Kagola, his disciple who had
virtue and devotion but not much of
erudition, mother of Ashtavakra.
Suka : A sage, son of Vyasa, who related
the Srimad Bhagavata to King Parikshit,
grandson of Arjuna.
Sumitra : Abhimanyu's charioteer.
Supratika : Name of King Bhagadatta's
elephant.
Susarma : King of Trigarta, a supporter of
the Kauravas who backed the proposal to
invade Matsya, Virata's country.
Suvarna : A soldier on the Kaurava side.
Sri Rama : Also knew as Rama,
Ramachandra or Sri Rama. Hanumana
tells Bhima how he was deeply thrilled
when he happened to touch Rama's body.
This king of Ayodhya was banished to the
forest for fourteen years, killed Ravana
the king of Lanka who abducted his wife,
Sita.
Srinjayas : Pandava supporters.
Srutayu, Astutayu : Two brothers fighting
on the Kaurava side attacked Arjuna but
were
killed.
Srutayudha : A Kaurava warrior whose
mace hurled at Krishna rebounded
fiercely, killing Srutayudha himself. Her
mother Parnasa had obtained that gift
from Varuna who had specified that the
mace should not be used against one who
does not fight, else it would kill the person
who hurls it.
Swarga : The heaven of Indra where
mortals after death enjoy the results of
their good deeds on earth.
Sveta : A son of King Virata who fell in
battle to Bhishma's arrow.
Tantripala : Assumed name of Sahadeva
at Virata's court.
Uddalaka : A great sage and teacher of
Vedanta.
Umadevi : Wife of Siva.
Unchhavritti : The life of a mendicant,
begging his food.
Upachitra : One of King Dhritarashtra's
sons who perished in the war.
Upaplavya : A place in Matsya Kingdom,
where the Pandavas settled after their
exile of thirteen years.
Urvasi : An apsara in Indra's court, whose
amorous overtures Arjuna declined.
Vaisampayana : Chief disciple of sage
Vyasa who revealed the epic for the
benefit humanity.
Vaishnava : A sacrifice performed by
Duryodhana in the forest. Yayati,
Mandhata, Bharata and others also
performed it.
Vaishnava mantra : An invocation which
endows a missile with some of the
irresistible power of Vishnu.
Vajrayudha : The weapon with which
Indra killed Visvarupa on suspicion
because his mother belonged to the asura
tribe of daityas.
Valala : Assumed name of Bhima when,
he worked as a cook at Virata's court.
Vali : Monkey-king, brother of Sugriva.
Vanaprastha : The third stage of the
dvija's life, when he is required to
relinquish worldly responsibilities to his
heirs and retires to the woods with his
wife for an anchorite's life.
Vandi : Court poet of Mithila who on
being defeated by Sage Ashtavakra in
debate drowned himself in the ocean and
went to the abode of Varuna.
Varanavata : A forest in which the
Pandavas were asked to stay in a waxhouse
which was to be set on fire at
midnight in order to kill the Pandavas
while they were asleep.
Vasishtha : A sage who had cursed the
eight Vasus to be born in the world of
men as sons of Ganga and Santanu. Ganga
threw her seven children in to the river
with a smiling face.
Vasudhana : Another warrior who
perished in the battle on the Twelfth Day.
Vasudeva : An epithet of Krishna. It
means both son of Vasudeva and the
supreme spirit that pervades the universe.
Vedavyasa : Vyasa, author of the
Mahabharata.
Vichitravirya: Younger son of Santanu
who succeeded King Chitrangada on the
throne of Hastinapura. He had two sons,
Dhritarashtra and Pandu.
Vikarna : A son of Dhritarashtra who
declared the staking of Draupadi illegal,
as Yudhishthira himself was a slave and
had lost all his rights. Therefore the
Kauravas had not won Draupadi legally,
he held
Vinda, Anuvinda : Two brothers kings of
Avanti, great soldiers whom were on the
Kaurava side, they suffered defeat at the
hands of Yudhamanyu
Virata : King of Matsya, the country
which was suggested by Bhima to live in
incognito during the thirteenth year of
their exile.
Visoka : Bhima's charioteer.
Visvarupa : Name of Twashta's son who
became the preceptor of the gods,
Brihaspati having left when insulted by
Indra.
Vivimsati : A Kaurava hero.
Viswarupa : All-pervading, all-including
form. See the description in the Bhagavad
Gita chapter eleven.
Vriddhakshatra : King of the Sindhus,
father of Jayadratha into whose lap his son
Jayadratha's head was caused to fall by
Arjuna after cutting off Jayadratha's head.
Vrika : A Panchala prince who fell in
battle.
Vrisha, Achala : Sakuni's brothers.
Vrishnis, Kekayas : Tribals who were
devoted to the Pandavas, who with Sri
Krishna visited the Pandavas in their
exile.
Vrishasena : A warrior on the Kaurava
side.
Vritra : Son of Twashta who was defeated
by Indra's weapons Vajrayudha. He was
born out of his father's sacrificial flames
and became Indra's mortal enemy.
Vrikodara : Wolf-bellied, an epithet of
Bhima, denoting his slimness of waist and
insatiable hunger.
Vyasa : Compiler of the Vedas, son of
sage Parasara.
Vyuha : Battle arrays.
Yama : God of death. God of dharma,
whose son was Yudhishthira. It is he
whose questions Yudhishthira answered
correctly whereupon his dead brothers
were brought back to life on the banks of
the enchanted pool.
Yajna : A sacrifice.
Yaksha : A class of demi-gods, subjects of
Kubera, the god of wealth.
Yavakrida : Son of Sage Bharadwaja who
was bent upon mastering the Vedas.
Yayati : Emperor of the Bharata race who
rescued Devayani from the well into
which she had been thrown by
Sarmishtha. He later married both
Devayani and Sarmishtha. One of the
ancestors of the Pandavas who became
prematurely old due to Sukracharya's
curse.
Yudhamanyu : A prince supporting the
Pandavas.
Yuyudhana : Another name of Satyaki.
Yuyutsu : A noble son of Dhritarashtra
who bent his head in shame and sorrow
when Yudhishthira lost Draupadi. He also
disapproved of the unfair way in which
Abhimanyu was killed.