Memory refresher
Let us recall the background a bit. We are talking about the Kuru dynasty in which Bhishma was born. He did not marry for the sake of his step sons, Dhritarashtra and Pandu. The former was blind and had hundred sons. He was still living when the story unfolded. Pandu died young. He had five sons, Yudhishthira, Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula and Sahadeva. All the cousins are entitled to the term, Kaurava. Usually, the sons of Dhritarashtra are referred by that name and the sons of Pandu, by the Pandavas. The story is centred around the claim to the throne of the Kurus.
Duryodhana - the eldest son of Dhritarasjtra and the current ruler of the Kaurava empire
Bhishma - the grand uncle of the Kauravas (including the Pandavas)
Drona - the Brahmin teacher who taught archery to the Kaurava princes
Kripa - the first teacher of the Kauravas and the brother-in-law of Drona
Aswatthama - Drona’s son and an extraordinary warrior
Uttara reassured
Prince Uttara was surprised beyond words that it was Arjuna who all along stayed among the ladies as the eunuch Brihannala. He was also apologetic for any lapses that might have occurred on his part. With Arjuna behind him it was a different Uttara, full of confidence and energy, who drove the chariot. He was willing to go wherever the heroic Pandava wanted him to, without fear of the formidable Kauravas..
The divine weapons
Arjuna sat praying in the chariot for a while to invoke the divine weapons. He also prayed to Hanuman who usually decorated his flag mast. He then blew on his conch shell, the Devadatta. That noise frightened Uttara like never before. The Kaurava warriors and the animals of war all panicked hearing the terrible noise.
To face Arjuna
The Kaurava elders were now certain that it was Arjuna who was coming to challenge them. The sound of his Devadatta heralded the arrival on the scene of the mighty Pandava.
Duryodhana thought that the Pandavas broke their promise to spend a year in hiding by sending Arjuna to war. Bhishma pointed out that the Pandavas had, indeed, completed the stipulated year in hiding as per the lunar calendar, taking the “extra months” into consideration (two extra months in the course of thirteen years). So, there was no way the Pandavas could be sent back to forest again. The Kauravas had to face Arjuna and fight to their best.
Karna boasted that he would face Arjuna alone. All others could return to Hastinapura. He would fulfill his promise to kill Arjuna in battle that day.
But, Kripa went over all the heroic deeds of Arjuna during the twelve years in exile. It was foolish even to think of facing him all alone. Drona supported Kripa. He joked that it would be easier to win over the Pandavas through dice than by fighting a direct war.
Bhishma suggested that they make a battle formation in which Aswatthama and Kripa kept the two sides and Drona, in the centre. Karna should be in the front and he, Bhishma, would keep the rear. Duryodhana should return to Hastinapura with part of the cattle.
When Arjuna reached in front of the Kaurava army he did not find Duryodhana there. He guessed what the Kaurava plan would be. So, he asked Uttara to drive the chariot in the direction of Hastinapura. They, soon, caught up with the escaping Duryodhana.
Bhishma and the other Kaurava elders were worried when they found Arjuna rushing behind Duryodhana. So, they went after Arjuna’s chariot. Karna was the first to challenge Arjuna for a direction confrontation. A long fierce battle took pace between the two. Karna was badly wounded and took flight from the scene at the end. Arjuna faced the veteran Kaurava warriors like Drona and Bhishma and defeated all one by one. At the end the Kauravas had to return to Hastinapura totally defeated leaving the cattle they stole from Virata behind.
Virata elated
King Virata was playing dice with Kanka when the news of Uttara’s victory reached him. Yudhishthira, hearing that, remarked that when Brihannala was with Uttara victory was surely on their side. Virata did not take Yudhishthira’s remark kindly.
Soon, Uttara arrived on the scene. The Virata king embraced his son and showered praises on him for his remarkable victory against stalwarts like Bhishma and Drona. But, Uttara replied. “Father, the credit goes to the son of god who came to my assistance in the battle field. But for him, I would not have achieved anything. He has disappeared for today, but, has promised to return after a day or two”.
The chapter on the “Capturing of Cattle (Goharana Parvam )” ends here. We learn about the Pandavas formally ending their stay in disguise in the next chapter.
