The war was about to commence. Thanks to Krishna, Arjuna got over his reluctance to fight. Everyone was waiting for the first arrow to fly to its target. Then, all witnessed a strange sight. Someone got down from his chariot and started walking forward, towards the enmy ranks. There was no doubt that he was from the Pandava side. Soon, the contour of Yudhishthira walking on foot emerged out of the dust raised from the horses’ hooves . Everyone was puzzled. What was the Pandava planning to do? He was obviously walking unarmed towards the Kauravas. Was he going to abandon war and give in to the enemy?
Yudhishthira with Bhishma
All his brothers in one voice called out the one question that was in everyone’s mind to Yudhishthira, “where and for what are you going, sir?”. Yudhishthira did not bother even to turn back to offer a reply, but, continued walking to the Kaurava side. There were loud exclamations on the Kaurava side at that time. One could hear words that Yudhishthira was scared to face the formidable Kaurava forces and was offering his surrender.
But, Krishna smiled and said that the senior Pandava was going to meet the elder Kauravas for their blessings. When Krishna hinted what Yudhishthira was after, the other four Pandavas also joined him. Meanwhile, Yudhishthira went first to Bhishma and prostrated before him. He said.
“Sire, we are here to face you in battle. Please give us permission and your blessings”.
Bhishma replied. “If you had not come to me this way, I would have cursed you. I am now pleased with you. Tell me what I can do for you”.
Yudhishthira said. “I only ask for one thing, that you will think of us even as you fight on the Kaurava side”.
Bhishma wanted Yudhishthira to be more specific. So, the Pandava asked, “ you are invincible in battle. How can we fight with you?”
But, Bhishma refused to give a direct answer at that time. He simply said that it was not yet time for him to die (he could choose the time of his death) and that the Pandava could approach him again.
With Drona
The Pandavas next went to Drona. They went around and prostrated before him. Then, Yudhishthira spoke. “Sir, we bow to you. Please give us permission to fight with you and also bless us with victory”.
Drona said, as Bhishma did, that the Pandavas did the right thing in coming to him for permission and for his blessings.
Yudhishthira wanted to hear the secret of winning over his teacher which was otherwise impossible. Drona also tried to avoid a direct answer. But, at the end he gave a hint. “If I hear such news that I do not want to hear, that too, from a reliable source, I shall stop fighting”.
The Pandavas also went to Kripa, their first teacher, and Salya, their uncle and received their blessings. Yudhishthira requested Salya, who was an ally of the Pandavas in the normal course, to help him in one way. The King of Madra (Salya) should put down Karna whenever he got a chance during the war. Salya promised that he would try his best in this regard.
Any one to join?
Yudhishthira then announced in the midst of the two armies that any one who wanted to join the Pandava side would be most welcome. Yuyulsu was a son of Dhritarashtra, born to a woman of the merchant class (Vaisya). He used to support the Pandavas in their troubles in the past. Yuyulsu joined the Pandavas in response to Yushithira’s call. This was welcomed with shouts of joy from the Pandava side.
We shall start with the first day’s battle in the next episode.
