To punishment the avenger

One of the Pandava charioteers had somehow escaped from the total massacre by Aswatthama. He reported the matter the same night to Yudhishthira who was sleeping by the river side.

All the Pandavas were grief stricken hearing the death of their children and of their kinsmen. Yudhishthira called Nakula aside and said. “I cannot even imagine how our dear wife, the daughter of the Panchala king and the mother of our children would take this. You must go immediately and get her here.” Accordingly, the young Pandava brought Draupadi where they had encamped at night.

Yudhishthira did not go wrong in guessing the condition in which his dear wife was. Draupadi got into a state of shock when she heard the death of her innocent children and brothers at the hands of a reckless enemy committing a heinous act by way of revenge. The good lady collapsed on the bare floor as soon as she reached the place.

When she opened her eyes she looked at Yudhishthira and spoke hurting words. “It is fortunate, my dear husband, that you would enjoy ruling over the whole empire, even though we have lost all our children”. Then she declared. “If someone does not immediately punish the sinner, Aswatthama, I am going to fast until death right from this moment”.

Yudhishthira tried to pacify his wife with the words, “console yourself that your children have reached heaven and attained immortality”. But, that was not what the princess of Panchala wanted to hear. So, she turned to Bhima. “You were the one who came to my rescue whenever I was in trouble. Please find the son of Drona who has committed this outrage against our children and destroy him without delay”.

That was enough to launch Bhima hastily on the quick pursuit of the hot headed enemy.

Krishna worried

Krishna was not around at that time. When he came to know what happened he spoke to Yudhishthira. “How could you let Bhima run after so dangerous an enemy? Don’t you remember that our Acharya had given the all destructive arrow, the Brahma Astra to his son? Bhima will be totally helpless against such a powerful enemy”.

Krishna continued recalling a past incident. The Pandavas and Kauravas had completed their training under Drona. The Acharya had developed a special regard to Arjuna because of his unique qualities which included the total control oh his emotions. So, Drona called Arjuna one day and gave him the secret of the all-powerful weapon, the Brahmastra. He said that he was confident that the weapon would be safe in the hands of his accomplished pupil.

The Acharya was not that sure of his own son who, he knew, was highly temperamental and prone to act rashly under circumstances. So, Drona had kept the secret of Brhmastra away from him.

But, Aswatthama became touchy about it, thinking that he was entitled for something that his father possessed, especially if that was given to Arjuna. So, he started complaining about it to his father. The Acharya, finally, had to yield, but after giving him a stiff warning. “Son, you must refrain from using this weapon, especially against humans unless it becomes absolutely imperative”.

An offer to Krishna

Krishna, then, recalled one strange incident. He had already settled in Dwaraka by then. One day the son of Drona called on him quite unexpectedly and announced. “Krishna, I have received the Brahmastra from my father. I want to exchange this with a weapon of yours, preferably, with your discus, the Sudarshana”.

Krishna was amused with the offer. He told his visitor. “If you are so keen, you are welcome to pick any one of my weapons of your choice”.

Aswatthama was highly pleased with his luck. He tried to pick the Sudarshana with his left hand. Failing to do so he used his right and then both his hands with all his might. Even then he could not even stir the formidable weapon from its position.

Krishna, then, smiled and spoke to him. “There is none in the entire world who is dearer to me than Arjuna. I have not offered the Sudarshan even to him. Why, I have not favoured my own son, Pradyumna, with this weapon. By the bye, who do you want to fight against, with my Sudarshana?”

Aswatthama replied. “Krishna, it is you that I wanted to fight with you!”. Krishna smiled and said. ““You are a gifted warrior. There is no doubt about it. But, remember that the entire human race with the gods and demons included would not match even to one hundredth of me in valour”.

In hot pursuit of the enemy

Krishna told the above story to Yudhishthira and said. “The son of Drona felt embarrassed afterwards. But, I blessed him and offered various other gifts to him and sent him off from Dwaraka. I told the story to you to remind you that he has the highly destructive Brahmastra and to give you an idea of his immature character. So, we should not waste even a minute to go after Bhima for his safety”.

So saying, Krishna and the four Pandavas hastily climbed into their own chariots and drove the way Bhima had left.

(To be continued)

The War – Day 18 (Part 11)

Let us remember that Krishna had anticipated trouble and taken the five Pandavas and Sathyaki to spend the night at the river side. Every one else was in the Pandava camp thoroughly exhausted and deeply in sleep.

An obstacle

Aswatthama reached the camp of the Pandavas in a great hurry. The other two followed him right behind. They found the entrance guarded by a ferocious looking ghost-like figure (Bhoota). Aswatthama could not tolerate an obstacle on his path. He sent a sharp arrow against the guard hoping to quickly remove the nuisance. But, he found that his arrow had no effect on the guarding spirit at the gate. The son of Drona started sending the special weapons in his kit one by one, but, they all failed against the formidable keeper of the Pandava camp.

Aswatthama was frustrated. Time was crucial for the new Kaurava commander for the success of his plan. He started praying to Lord Siva, the God of ghosts. The Lord was soon pleased with his prayers and appeared before the Kaurava warrior. Siva said. “I posted the ghost to test you. I am pleased with your devotion. I know that the time has come for the Panchalas to depart from this world.” In the next moment the surprised Aswatthama found that both the Lord and the ghost had disappeared from the scene.

The main target

Now the entire Pandava camp lay wide open in front of the son of Drona. Asking Kripa and Kritavarma to guard the entrance he searched for his main enemy first. He had no difficulty in spotting Dhrishtadyumna deeply in sleep in his own quarter. Aswatthama gave him a kick that made the sleeping Panchala wake up with a startled expression. That was precisely the intention of the person who stood menacingly over him. In the next instant, the Panchala found himself being strangled by the bare arms of his attacker. He realized immediately who his enemy was and what his intention was.

Without offering any resistance Dhrishtadyumna pleaded with his tormentor. “Son of Drona, you are welcome to kill me, but, please make it quick, that too with a weapon”.

That was what Aswatthama was not going to do. He replied. “You lied to my father that made him throw his weapons away. Remember that he was also your own teacher. It was then that you, like a coward, killed him. You do not deserve the heaven meant for brave warriors who die fighting.” So saying, Aswatthama strangled his enemy to death.

The massacre

The groans coming out of the dying Panchala awoke others who were sleeping near by.

The desire for vengeance had turned Aswatthama, who was a Brahmin by birth, into a demon, thirsty for blood of every one in the camp. Pandava warriors like Uttamoujas and Yudhamanyu soon became the targets for Aswatthama’s weapons. Next he turned to Sikhandi and all other Panchala princes. They were all trying to get up from deep sleep and were anyway too tired to offer any resistance.

The five sons of Draupadi quickly got ready to challenge the enemy who broke into their midst in the middle of night. But, the son of Drona killed them all one by one without much difficulty.

What followed was a total massacre. The son of Drona went from bed to bed killing every one who lay down exhausted and deep in sleep. If any one tried to escape, he was chased and cut down without mercy. The two guarding the entrance took care of any who were lucky to escape from the sword of Aswatthama.

Soon, the Pandava camp resembled a battle field with bodies of soldiers strewn all over. Aswatthama was satisfied that he had finished the task that he had come to accomplish. The three then set the camp ablaze making sure that if any one was left out, he would surely perish in the fire.

To the dying Kaurava

Aswatthama said. “If our leader is still alive, I want to take this news quickly to him”. So saying he rushed to the spot where Duryodhana was lying down. The Kaurava prince was still breathing, though feebly. The son of Drona bent down and spoke gently in the ears of the dying prince. “My friend, I have kept my word. I have killed every one found in the Pandava camp. Dhrishtadyumna, Sikhandi and the sons of the Pandava have all been killed. So are all the soldiers of the combined Pandava and Panchala forces. Only seven are left on the Pandava side, the five sons of Pandu, Krishna and Satyaki. They were not to be found anywhere in the camp. ”

Duryodhana opened his eyes slowly. He had heard what he so desperately wanted to hear. He said. “What you have done makes me happy beyond words. No one else, including Bhishma, your father and Karna could do what you have done for me. Now I can die fully satisfied that we have settled the score with the Pandavas”. With those words the valiant Kaurava breathed his last.

With the death of Duryodhana the chapter of “the killing of the sleeping soldiers (souptika vadha parvam)” comes to a close. We may treat that the war ends here, though related incidents continue through the next episodes.

The War – Day 18 (Part 10)

We now begin the “book of the sleeping men (souptika parvam)” which starts with the chapter titled “the killing of the sleeping men (souptika vadha parvam)”

Aswatthama took a pledge to avenge the death of his father in the presence of the dying Duryodhana. He, then, fled to a nearby forest on horse back in the company of Kritavarma and Kripa. They were scared that the Pandavas might be hot on their chase. They would be slaughtered mercilessly unless they hid themselves safely somewhere.

It was a dense forest that they entered. The three refreshed themselves drinking the cool water from a nearby stream. The horses were let to drink to their fill and tied up giving them the much needed rest.

There was a huge banyan tree close by and the three, thoroughly exhausted, lied down underneath it. Kripa and Kritavarma soon went into deep sleep. Aswatthama was too absorbed in thoughts of revenge. Sleep escaped him altogether.

The Owl and the Crows

The hollow of the tree’s branches housed hundreds of crows. Soon, an owl arrived on the scene. The two, the owl and the crows, are said to be legendary enemies. The owl has poor vision during the day and is confined to its nest. Then the crows attack the owl and destroy the young and old alike.

Now it was the owl’s turn. It started attacking the nests of the crows one by one. The crows were fast asleep in their nests. It was anyway too dark for the crows to see what was happening. The owl had good vision at night. Besides, it had the advantageous position right at the opening of the nests.

The crows had no chance of escape. The owl visited the nests one by one and killed all the crows mercilessly.

An Inspiration

That sight drew the attention of Aswatthama. He thought that the owl came to give him a valuable lesson. The son of Drona awoke his uncle, Kripa, from his deep sleep and spoke. “The Pandavas have played foul at every stage in the war. That was how they have won against us. Now only the three of us are left on the Kaurava side. We fare no chance against the Pandava forces in straight combat. But, if we attack them now while they are asleep with a carefree mind, we can inflict heavy casualty on them and thereby take revenge for all the cruelties they have inflicted on us. Forget all the principles of the Kshatriyas (warrior class) and let us fight the battle in the only way left for us”.

Kripa asked Aswatthama to take rest for the rest of the night. The next morning he and Kritavarma would accompany his nephew to face the Pandavas.

But, Aswatthama refused to budge from his resolve. He said. “I am too deeply in sorrow to go to sleep. I shall not rest until I put an end to the life of Dhrishtadyumna who killed my father in the most heinous way.”

Kripa said. “Let us go, if you are so bent on an attack on the Pandavas now itself. But, remember that we shall be committing a crime for which we shall definitely end up in the worst of all hells. You earned impeccable reputation through your fair deals all through the war. Think twice before you lose all that through a hasty act”.

But, Aswatthama was already burning with a passion for revenge that no words of caution changed his mind. He replied. “There is none in the whole world who can change my mind at this stage”. With those words the son of Drona quickly bridled his horse and started towards the Pandava camp. Left with no other choice the other two followed him.

(To be continued)

The War – Day 18 (Part 9)

Duryodhana’s parting words

Sanjaya found Duryodhana lying down in the dust and profusely bleeding from his broken thigh. He was wailing over his own pitiable condition. At the same time the proud prince was hissing like a cobra at his enemies.

He lamented. “I was the lord of eleven divisions (AkshauhiNi) of army commanded by great warriors like Bhishma and Drona commanded. Yet, I find myself in this pitiable condition. None can overcome what fate one has in store”.

“Sanjaya, please tell all our people who remain alive that Bhima felled me using unfair tactics. The Pandavas, besides, have committed several such heinous crimes to win the war. The way they put down Bhishma, Drona, Bhurisravas and Karna was cruel and unpardonable”

“You must convey the following words of mine to my aggrieved parents. I ruled the land that spread as far as the oceans on all the sides. I went to all the hostile kingdoms, won them in straight battles and made them my vassals. I was formidable to my enemies and generous to the needy. I performed great sacrificial rituals with the money I so amassed. At the end I have been beaten by Bhima in a battle that was against the codes. But, luckily, I never had to be a slave to an enemy after losing a battle”.

“You must tell my friends like Aswatthama, Kripa and Kritavarma that they should never trust the Pandavas who have cheated us throughout this war. Tell them all that I am now going the way Drona, Karna, Salya and Sakuni went”.

The Kaurava prince was not repentant even a bit. Even at his death bed we find him in his usual haughty mood.

A new commander

The son of Drona (Aswatthama) rushed to Duryodhana in the company of Kripa and Kritavarma when he heard the news. When Duryodhana saw his friends he repeated the same words that he had spoken to Sanjaya. Aswatthama got into an uncontrollable rage. He swore in front of his friend. “I know how Dhrishtadyumna killed my father after getting Yudhishthira speak the lie about my death. Mark my words! I shall send all the Panchalas to the abode of Yama (God of Death). I shall thus avenge the death of my father”.

Duryodhana was greatly pleased hearing the words of the son of Drona (Droni). He addressed Kripa. “Acharya (teacher), please bring water to install Droni as the commander of our army!”

The consecration ceremony was done as the dying Kaurava watched the scene with great satisfaction. Aswatthama let out a terrible battle cry at the end and set out to execute his pledge in front of his dying friend.

The chapter of “battle with maces (gadaa yuddha parvam) and the Book of Salya (Salya parvam)” end here. But, the battle of the 18^th day continues in the next episode. We have covered only about two thirds of Mahabharatam by volume. But, we are left only roughly with ten percent of the main story. There are interesting stories later, too. We may cover them depending on the interest left with the readers at that time.

The War - Day 18 (Part 8)

Arjuna’s Chariot

The fall of Duryodhana meant the total defeat of the Kauravas. The Pandavas wanted to pay a visit to the camp of their enemies. Each travelled in his own chariot or on animal. Arjuna went with Krishna in his own chariot pulled by eight white horses.

When they reached the site of the camp Krishna asked Arjuna to get down first. The Pandava did as he was told. Krishna, then, alighted next. Immediately, as though by a miracle, the chariot went up in flames.

To the baffled Pandavas Krishna said. “You all look surprised. There is no mystery in this. So many divine weapons, sent by veterans like Bhishma and Drona, have struck this chariot. It is simply because of my presence that it did not burn up on those occasions. Arjuna, you have accomplished your task and this chariot has served the purpose. There is no need to keep the chariot going any more.”

Yudhishthira praises Krishna

Yudhishthira was overwhelmed. He said. “Only you could have protected us from the arrows of Bhishma and Drona. The words of sage Vyasa, “where there is righteousness there is Krishna and where Krishna is, success is sure to be there (yato dharma-statah krishNo yato KrishNa-stato jayah), have indeed come true.”

The Pandavas in the Kaurava camp

With those words Yudhishthira entered the tent. It was empty of all enemy warriors. Only the attendants stood bowing in front of their new masters. It is said that the Pandava soldiers returned carrying the wealth that was left behind by the fleeing Kauravas in the camps.

Krishna’s advice

When they were about to return Krishna told the Pandavas. “Let us stay away from our tent this night”. They decided to encamp near the shores of the river.

Yudhishthira’s anxiety

Yudhishthira had one great apprehension in his mind. He addressed Krishna. “I am scared of Gandhari. She has lost all her sons. She, certainly, would bear in mind that Bhima killed her eldest in an unpardonable way. How will she tolerate us? The lady has acquired immense power through chaste living and long years of meditation. If she sets her mind to curse us, all the Pandavas will be reduced to ashes within no time. Krishna, please save us from this impending calamity. Otherwise, all your efforts in winning the war for us would go waste”.

Krishna in Hastinapura

Krishna agreed to pay a visit to the elderly couple in Hastinapuram. He thought of his charioteer who immediately appeared with the chariot that was made ready for the journey.

The news of Krishna’s arrival was heralded to the blind king immediately. Krishna bowed in front of the elderly couple. Dhritarashtra was already shedding tears of deep sorrow.

Krishna addressed the king. “Sir, you know everything that has happened. You must realize that the Pandavas tried their best to avoid war. They did abide by all the conditioned imposed, unfairly, on them and suffered for thirteen years in forest. After that I came myself and begged just for five villages for the five Pandavas to live in. It was primarily because of your mistake that they were denied what was their legitimate share of the ancestral empire. All the wise men, including Bhishma, Drona and Vidura advised you to settle for a compromise. You did not listen to their words, carried away by your misplaced love for your son. You know that Yudhishthira holds you in high esteem. But, he is hesitant to come and see you in this situation. That is why he asked me to pay you a visit. Remember that the Pandavas are the ones left to perform your last rites . I have this request to make. Please do not find fault with the Pandavas now. Also, it is time that you stop tormenting yourself”.

Krishna, then, turned to Gandhari. “Good lady, you advised your son in the presence of all with the words, where there is Dharma success shall be there. Your prophetic words have come true. Think only that way and kindly do not keep any ill feelings towards the Pandavas!”

Gandhari replied. “Krishna, what you say is true. I am burning all inside my body. My mind wavered for a moment and it could have turned against the Pandavas. But, I am now trying to console myself after listening to your words. Now, for the blind old king and myself, you and the Pandavas are the only refuge”.

With those words, the blameless lady covered her face with her upper garment and started weeping. Krishna consoled her with his soothing words of wisdom.

Krishna bids farewell.

Sage Vyasa was present there at that time. Krishna bowed before him and said. “I am apprehensive of Dhrishtadyumna. He is hot tempered. He may make a rash move against the Pandavas any time. Let me go quickly”. Vyasa said. “Krishna, go and protect the Pandavas!”. Krishna made a hasty departure after his brief meeting with sage Vyasa.

Sage Vyasa, then, tried on his part to pacify further the blind king and his noble queen.

(To be continued)

The War – Day 18 (Part 7)

Bhima’s Exultation

Bhima could not contain his joy after bringing his main enemy down at the end of a grueling battle. He rushed to Duryodhana who was lying down soaked in blood. Recounting all the wrongs the Kaurava had done towards him and his people Bhima kicked the head and stamped on the face of his enemy with his own left foot.

Yudhishthira Sorry

Yudhishthira came rushing to the scene. He admonished his brother for his behaviour that was not becoming of a gentle prince. He said. “Bhima, you have done what you promised to do, by hook or crook. That is enough. After all, he is our cousin. Do not insult him any more. Remember, he is without his brothers and friends who have all been killed in the war. It is highly immoral to kick on the enemy who has already been fallen down in battle.”

He, then, apologized to Duryodhana. “Brother, please do not get angry on account of Bhima. You must remember that what you got is the result of your own action. You are, in a way, fortunate. You are soon to leave for the world where there will be no more sorrow. We are the unfortunate ones who have to continue living in this world with most of our dear ones already dead.”

Balarama angry

Balarama was beyond himself with anger watching Bhima hit his enemy below the waste which was against the code of mace fight. The mighty Yadava jumped up with his formidable weapon, the axe, raised high in the air. Shouting angrily at Bhima he started rushing to him.

Krishna caught hold of his brother just in time. “Brother, calm down. Think of all the injustice done to the Pandavas by Duryodhana and his people. You must also remember that Duryodhana had sealed his own fate when he received the curse from sage Maitreya. You know the wise saying that the welfare of the self, of the friends, and of the friends of friends is desirable. Similarly, the downfall of the enemy, of the friends of enemy, and of the friends of friends of enemy is also something to be cherished. (Aatma vruddhir mitra vruddhir mitra mitrodaya statha vipareetam dvishas tvetad shadvidhaan vruddhir aatmanah) The Pandavas are the sons of our own maternal aunt, Kunti”.

Balarama was somewhat calmed down by the words of Krishna. But, he said, still in an angry mood. “Whatever you say, Bhima was wrong in hitting Duryodhana on his thighs. He shall suffer for it.”

Krishna continued trying to pacify his brother further. “The epoch of Kali (Kali Yugam) has already set in. The moral codes of conduct will suffer greatly. Let us leave the act of Bhima as one of revenge.”

Krishna’s diplomacy worked. Balarama sat down, though he continued to speak angrily against Bhima for a while.

Krishna, then, spoke to those who had gathered around. “This sinner was already doomed to die the day he rejected the wise words of all his well wishers like Bhishma and Drona. Lucky, that he is now, finally, fallen down in the battle”.

Duryodhana’s rebuke

Duryodhana was listening to all the conversation around him. He raised his head with great effort pressing his two hands firmly on the ground. Then, he started to speak, addressing Krishna. “You, the son of Kamsa’s slave (Vasudeva)! Are you not ashamed to have prompted Bhima to act immorally? Do you think that I did not notice you persuading Arjuna to give the hint to Bhima? You were the one behind every act of unjust behaviour in this war. You persuaded Arjuna to fight against the grandsire keeping Sikhandi as a mere proxy. You asked Yudhishthira to tell the lie that made Drona to drop down his weapons. From then on every other act of cowardice had your stamp of approval on it.”

Krishna replied. “It was on account of your own sin that all the great warriors like Bhishma and Drona perished on the battle ground. All that primarily resulted from your greed for the land which legitimately belonged to the Pandavas”.

“I have acted like a king all through my life. I enjoyed everything that a monarch was entitled to. Now, I am going to die after fighting a battle which is the most covetous way for a king. Bhima would never have defeated me in a straight battle. There is no doubt about that. I am now going to heaven fully contented with the thought that I lived a life keeping my head high all along like a king.”

Krishna turned to the Pandavas around and said. “True, Bhima would not have managed to put down Duryodhana in any other way. If I had not done all those tricks at appropriate points in the war, you would never have won.”

(To be continued)