Introduction
Let us refresh our acquaintance with the veterans on the Kaurava side. We have come across Kripa, Drona’s brother-in-law, who was the first teacher of the Kauravas and Pandavas. We also have come to know of Jayadratha of the Sindhu kingdom. He had tried to take Draupadi by force while the Pandavas were living in the forest. Bhima had disfigured him after defeating his forces in battle. We have mentioned that the only son of Drona, by name Aswatthama, had come to live in the Kaurava palace along with his father. Drona was very fond of his son and would do anything for his sake. We also have gone through the story of Salya, the uncle of Nakula and Sahadeva, who joined the Kaurava ranks by mistake with his one division of army. All these were great warriors next only to the formidable Bhishma and Drona.
Duryodhana organizes his forces
We have mentioned that the Kauravas ended up having eleven divisions (Akshouhinis) in their army. When Duryodhana heard that the Pandavas had marched to Kurukshetra in battle array, he also ordered his forces to be combat ready. He declared eleven commanders for the divisions. They were Kripa, Drona, Salya Jayadratha, the king of Kamboja by name Sudakshina, Hardikya, Aswatthama, Karna, Yoopaketana, Sakuni and Balheeka (we are yet to meet some of them).
There was no doubt in Duryodhana’s mind who should lead his vast army. He approached Bhsihma with that request. Bhishma accepted the responsibility, but, on one condition. He would kill thousands of enemy soldiers each day of the battle, but, would not hurt any of the five Pandavas at any cost. He also cautioned Duryodhana that Karna may not be willing to fight under his command. Bhsihma was right on that count. When Karna heard about the choice of Bhishma to lead the Kaurava army he declared that he would not join in the fight until Bhishma retired.
The Kaurava army marched next morning, after the Pandavas, to Kurukshetra. Countless number of chariots, elephants, horses and soldiers moved making a big noise. All the soldiers were covered in armour and held various weapons in their raised hands.
Balarama remains neutral
When Balarama heard about the decision on war he came to meet Krishna. He was very sad that such a calamity was to befall in the lot of the Pandavas and Kauravas. He declared that he would be no part of it and announced that he was going on a pilgrimage until the war ended.
The only other royal of standing who did not participate in the war was Rukmi, the brother of Krishna’s wife, Rukmini. Rukmi became an enemy of Krishna when the latter took his sister, Rukmini, by force on the day she was to wed Sisupala. Rukmi came with a division of his army and offered his friendship and service to the Pandavas. He was even boastful saying that he would destroy the entire Kaurava army all by himself and hand over the land so won to the Pandavas. Arjuna did not like the tone of Rukmi’s claims. He politely refusd the offer, saying that the Pandavas were quite capable on their own to meet the Kaurava challenges. Unfortunately for Rukmi, Duryodhana also turned him away saying that he had enough men to fight for him.
Vyasa thus ends the chapter on “March for battle (Sainya Niryana Parvam)”.
