The War – Day 14 (part 1)

The 13th day’s war had ended in the most tragic death of the heroic Pandava, Abhimanyu. The sorrow of his grieving father turned into a resolve for revenge on the main culprit, Jayadratha, who trapped the young prince inside the Kaurava army. Arjuna proclaimed that he would kill the Sindhu king before the sun set next day. Else, he would end his own life. Drona and Duryodhana promised the frightened Jayadratha that they would do all in their power to protect him. That was how the day ended on the thirteenth.

Yudhishthira was worried. The war on his side crucially depended upon Arjuna. He made special prayers for his brother’s victory. He offered valuable gifts to Brahmins and, in turn, received their blessings.

Yet, Yudhishthira remained apprehensive. He approached Krishna. “O! You, the destroyer of the demon, Madhu, today we need your help more than ever. You know all about our sorrow and how we are fighting for justice through this war. Arjuna’s dangerous oath has put us in a fix. Only you can save us from this situation”.

Krishna consoled the Pandava assuring him of victory against the Sindhu king and, ultimately, in the war.

The formation of the Kaurava army

Drona had put a lot of thoughts behind arraying his forces that day. He made a combination of several formations in which there was the circular one followed by one that looked like a wagon. There was a lotus formation behind that inside which was a needle shaped array. The entire formation spread over an area ten miles wide and twenty four long. Duryodhana and several other Kauravas guarded the formation at its vital points. Drona, himself, stood at the fore front.
Jayadratha was placed six miles behind all this. He had a huge battalion consisting of hundred thousand soldiers on horse back just to protect him. Besides, veterans like Karna, Aswatthama, Kripa and Salya stood guarding him.

On the whole it was a formidable arrangement and looked impenetrable for any enemy. The confidence that it gave to the Kaurava army was such that one could hear shouts challenging the Pandavas. “Where is Arjuna and where is his friend, Krishna? Where is that giant, Bhimasena? Let them come. We shall finish them all in no time”.

Durmarshana, the son of Dhritarashtra, was particularly ebullient. He had a battalion at his disposal. He challenged Arjuna saying that he would defeat the Pandava on his own.

Arjuna’s arrival

At that time all heard the blowing of Arjuna’s conch shell, the Devadatta. The monkey on his mast could be sighted from afar fluttering in the wind. Slowly Arjuna’s chariot driven by Krishna appeared at a distance. The Pandava shone with his Gandiva like the god of death appearing in person on the battle field. He was undaunted looking at the ocean of the Kaurava army and the intricate formation Drona had made. He blew on his conch shell again and again. That, itself, was enough to create terror in the minds of the Kaurava soldiers.

Start of the battle

Arjuna asked Krishna to drive on straight into the elephant battalion of Durmarshana that stood at the front of the enemy ranks. Then, arrows started coming out the Gandiva in quick succession with its terrifying twanging sound. The elephants started falling down in large numbers struck by Arjuna’s sharp arrows. Many turned back and made a major stampede within the Kaurava forces. The army lead by Durmarshana took to flight. The Kaurava himself was seriously wounded by Arjuna’s arrows and had to escape from the scene in great hurry.
Arjuna, then, made an all out thrust into the Kaurava army breaking through the formations of Drona one by one. The other Pandava warriors lead by Dhrishtadyumna followed Arjuna and fought through the Kaurava forces in a breathtaking battle.

Dussasana against Arjuna

Dussasana was enraged finding his brother turned away by Arjuna. He challenged the Pandava with a huge elephant battalion of his own. The two fought fiercely against each other for a while. Soon, Arjuna’s arrows scattered the Kaurava forces in all directions. Dussasana, himself, was so tormented that he took refuge behind Drona.

Arjuna against Drona.

Arjuna then drove on to face his teacher. He greeted Drona. “Sir, I bow at your feet. Please bless me so that I may defeat the Sindhu king in today’s battle”.

Drona replied. “But, you have to win over me first”. So saying, the Acharya started dispatching powerful arrows against Arjuna and Krishna. For every arrow of Arjuna there were many that came like fire from Drona. Before Arjuna thought of cutting his opponent’s bow, Drona’s arrow cut the string of the Gandiva into two. The teacher and disciple fought like foes, equal in power and skill in combat.

After a while Krishna spoke to Arjuna. “Let us not waste time on the Acharya. Our real enemy is elsewhere, who is still far away, out of sight”.

Arjuna, accordingly, tried to pass Drona keeping to his right. (Going around a deity or revered persons through the left is a way of showing respect).

But, Drona shouted. “Where are you going without facing your enemy?”

To that Arjuna replied. “Sir, you are not my enemy, but, teacher”.

With those words he asked Krishna to drive on. Several other Kaurava warriors challenged the progress of Arjuna.

We shall learn about it in the next episode.