Yudhishthira in grief

The new book titled “the book of peace (Saanti parvam)” starts with the long chapter, “Instruction on the duty of kings (raja dharma anuSaasana parvam)”. Nearly five thousand stanzas of poetry are contained in this chapter alone.

Kunti reveals her secret

It was in the context of the last rites for the dead that Kunti revealed the secret of Karna’s birth to her other sons. (This was done in the final section of the last chapter. We had covered that much earlier). She wanted her sons, as the younger brothers, to perform the ritual themselves for Karna. Already Yudhishthira was overwhelmed with grief on account of the killing of all his kith and kin. The curse on Krishna and the Yadavas by Gandhari took his grief to new heights. The awareness, that the one whom he and his brothers had taken all along as the worst of enemies and one whom Arjuna killed at his own pressing request was, in fact, his elder brother, was too much for the righteous Pandava to bear.

Several sages lead by the venerable Narada paid a visit to the Pandavas at that time. Their mission was to congratulate the Pandavas on their great victory, at the same time to condole them for the loss of their dear ones.

Narada addressed Yudhishthira and said. “It is fortunate that you won this great and virtuous victory with your own strength and with the help of Krishna. Hope, you have not stored undue grief in your mind along with all the riches that you have amassed in your coffers”.

That question made Yudhishthira to lose control of his pent up emotions. He replied. “You are right in one respect. I have won this war with the blessing of Krishna and of Brahmins (like you) and with the prowess of Bhima and Arjuna. Yet, my mind is in turmoil on account of the great loss of life of my own people. I feel defeated than won a victory in this war. Look at the ladies like Draupadi and Subhadra who are disconsolate in their sorrow”.

The elder Pandava, then, told the sage the secret of Karna as was just revealed by his mother. He continued. “None of us realized that we fought against our own brother and killed him. We had heard about the visit of our mother to him and the promise he had made to spare four of us in battle. Yet, we did not suspect that the truth could be so tragic. In fact, now I remember that I often wondered at the resemblance of his feet to those of my mother. Why did we have to kill him? Why the wheels of chariot had to stick in mud at the crucial point in the battle?”

The curses on Karna

It was then that the sage narrated the story of Karna, how he was denied the knowledge of Brahmaastra by Drona, how he ended up as the disciple of “Rama with the axe (Parasurama)” and how all that effort was wasted because of the curse by his teacher.

Karna had approached the tempestuous Rama in the guise of a Brahmin. The ploy of a demon that attacked Karna taking the form of an insect did the damage. Karna had borne the pain with courage with the intent of not waking up his teacher who was sleeping on his lap. Parasurama did not have to think hard to see through Karna’s lie. A Brahmin, soft by nature, would not have tolerated the pain with that much courage. Parasurama cursed Karna that the latter would forget all that he had painstakingly learned when needed.

Narada also narrated the curse of another Brahmin whose cow was killed by Karna by mistake. It was this curse that caused the wheel of Karna’s chariot to sink at the crucial moment.

We had covered these stories earlier.

Karna’s tales of heroism

Sage Narada continued, going into the heroic deeds of Karna. He had helped Duryodhana to take the princess of Kalinga by force in the middle of her marriage (Swayamvaram). The kings who had gathered there in the hope of winning the hands of the princess had challenged Duryodhana for a fight. It was Karna’s skill alone that foiled their attack.

The great Jaraasandha of Magadha later invited him for a duel when he had heard about the pursuits of the latter. The king who had never tasted defeat (whom Bhima later killed before the war) realized that he was about to be beaten. At that point he gave up the fight and gifted Karna with the kingdom of Anga.

The sage also told Yudhishthira how Indra induced Karna to gift him with the “in-built” armour and protecting ear rings (kavaca and kundala). It was in return that the king of gods gave the unfailing weapon, the Sakti, to Karna. Unfortunately for Karna, that was wasted on the son of Bhima, the powerful Ghatotkacha.

The intention of Narada was to soften the feelings of Yudhishthira by going into the greatness of Karna. The sage also tried to impress on the Pandava that circumstances lead to the downfall of his elder brother. There was no need to feel guilty for something that was inevitable.

A curse

Kunti tried in her way to console her son. She explained how hard she had tried to win her first born to the side of the Pandavs. If she had succeeded, Karna would have been alive now. Unfortunately, her elder son was adamant. She meant to say that there was no need to feel guilty. Karna refused to save himself from the impending tragedy.

But, the words of his mother took Yudhishthira’s mind in a different direction. All the tragedy could have been avoided, if only his mother had revealed her secret in time. So, it is said that the Pandava put a curse on all women in the world. “May women, henceforth, never be able to keep a secret!”

(To be continued)

The sorrow of Gandhari

Gandhari visited, as we have seen in the last episode, the places where her sons lay lifeless as victims of the recent war. Her sorrow grew in leaps and bounds as she went from one body to the other. It reached the peak when she saw the body of Duryodhana. Seeing the wasted life of the young and valorous Abhimanyu was also too much for the good Gandhara queen to endure.

Gandhatri, next, proceeded to the various places where Karna, Salya, Drona and other veteran Kauravas and Pandavas had fallen. She also paid a visit to Bhishma who was mortally wounded by the arrows of Arjuna. The grandsire was still waiting for the auspicious time of the summer solstice (uttaraayaNa) for his death. He had such a boon that his end was at his command.

A curse on Krishna

The gentle queen of the Kauravas had already undergone undue sufferings during the past thirteen months. Things had gone out of her control one after the other. Heinous crimes were committed by her own sons against their cousins. The war was still to be avoided at all costs. She had failed even there to impose her will. The war in turn caused great tragedies culminating in the virtual destruction of the entire race of the Kurus. The pious lady lived through all that. Now, finally on the battle field, the good Gandhari saw with her own eyes the trail of destruction, of all her children and of so many other great heroes.

The pious lady turned to her companion and saw in him the man who could have prevented the disaster. Krishna, certainly, could have found a way out, if he so wished. Did he try hard enough? Or did he want events to turn this way for some reason?

The Kaurava queen was overwhelmed with sorrow and anger. She turned to Krishna and said. “Krishna, you were quite capable of preventing this tragedy. Why did you abandon the Kauravas and the Pandavas who were your kinsmen? You surely will have to suffer for this. With all the power I must have acquired through my single minded devotion to my husband I put this curse on you. At the end of thirty six years from now the Yadava women will be in the same situation as the ladies in Hastinapura are currently in. Yes, the Yadavas will perish by fighting among themselves. You, after the death of all your own people, shall also meet your death at the hands of a hunter!”

Krishna did not lose his composure even when he heard the hard hitting words of Gandhari. He replied. “I already have anticipated this. In a way I do not entirely resent this. No other human race, not even the gods will be capable of bringing down the Yadava race. They will destroy themselves by mutual fighting.”

The Pandavas were shocked to hear the curse and Krishna’s response to it. The death of so many of their dear and near ones had already saddened the hearts of the Pandavas. It is said that they felt even more dejected with life as a result.

The chapter of the wailing women ends here.

The next chapter, on “performing the last rites (Sraaddha parvam)”, starts with Krishna’s words. He asks Gandhari not to lose heart from grief. Krishna said. “Get up, Gandhari, reign in your grief. You have to blame yourself for the death of all these great warriors, because you failed to control your own son who was jealous towards the Pandavas. Why do you blame me for your failure? You end up with a second tragedy when you unduly grieve on account of the dead or what is lost”. Krishna’s words had the desired effect on the Kaurava queen and she controlled her emotions with great effort.

We get an insight into the profundity of Krishna’s character from the above. Let us remember that these words came from him immediately after Gandhari put a devastating curse on Krishna and his clan.

To the question of Dhritarashtra, Yudhishthira gave an account of the dead and those who went missing. The Pandava, further, described the fate of the dead. All had reached heaven. But, the type of heaven (the abode of Brahma, Indra, Gandharavas, etc.) depended on the courage shown on the battle field. Yudhishthira had acquired this knowledge from sage Lomasa (“lomaSa”) during the thirteen years of stay in forest.

Then, as asked by the blind king, Yudhishthira got the last rites performed for the dead.

In the next episode we enter the twelfth and the biggest book of Mahabharatam called the “Book of Peace”. It contains the codes of conduct for kings as instructed by sage Vyasa, and Bhishma from his death bed, to Yudhishthira.

The ladies in the battle field

The new chapter “of the wailing women (stree vilaapa parvam)” starts with the ladies of Hastinapuram moving to the battle field in search of their dear ones. Krishna blessed Gandhari with sight to see the dead heroes even without removing her blindfold. With that she moved into the field in search of her sons killed in the recent war.

The battle scene

What the Kaurava ladies saw was highly distressing. Thousands of bodies lay scattered all over with limbs and hair separated. Those who were killed fighting were believed to attain heaven reserved for the heroes (“veera swargam”). They were not given the usual cremation meant to ensure that the departed soul reaches the world above without delay. That may be the reason why the dead were left unattended in the battle field. The result was that it became the feeding ground for an army of carnivorous birds and animals. That was an unforgettable sight for Gandhari , Kunti and others in the group.

As the ladies drove in on chariots they saw jackals and eagles pulling on dead bodies. The sight was so shocking that many fell down from the chariots. Some lost consciousness altogether.

Gandhari called Krishna to her side and spoke. “Krishna, look at these daughters-in-law of mine who have lost their husbands. See, how they are crying like birds in distress. They find the bodies of their dear ones being pecked and pulled by eagles with golden wings. See how great warriors like Drona, Karna and your own nephew, Abhimanyu have become feed for these carnivores. These great warriors and princes should have been sleeping comfortably on silken beds at this time. Instead, they lay on the bare ground. They were used to be woken up in the morning by the song of court musicians. Instead, they lay drowned by the cry of wild birds. Meanwhile jackals and wolves pull on their golden ornaments in an effort to tear the flesh off their body”.

“My daughters-in-law are overwhelmed by the sight. Many beat on their chest and forehead in grief. Often they find the body of their dear ones with the head nowhere in sight. Many are looking for the body after getting hold of the head. A few of them try desperately to place the detached limbs back on the body (as though they hope to bring life back to it)”.

“I must have sinned greatly in my past lives that I have to watch this terrible scene today”.

Near the body of Duryodhana

Soon Gandhari reached the body of her first born. In spite of the best of her resolve to be brave she fell down unconscious at the sight of her beloved son. She embraced the body and started repeating the word “my son!” again and again. She then spoke to Krishna who was by her side. “See, Krishna, how my son lies in the bed (of soil) meant for the heroes. He appears like an elephant that was killed by a lion. Beautiful ladies of the harem attended on him in the past. Now, herds of jackals scavenge on his body. His dear wife is at his side wailing uncontrollably. She is wiping the blood off his body and beating on her head out of grief. I am surprised that my head does not break up into thousand pieces even after watching this pitiable scene”.

Gandhari, accompanied by Krishna and the rest, went to the body of all her other sons. The sight of each of her sons increased her sorrow in leaps and bounds.

The sight of the valerous Abhimanyu

The group of mourners moved on and reached the place where Abhimanyu lay killed on the thirteenth day of the war. His wife, Uttara, was already at his side wailing uncontrollably. The princess of Matsya was heard talking to her dead husband and wailing at the same time. Gandhari narrated the scene to Krishna. She said. “Krishna, it appears that the glow has not yet disappeared from the handsome body of your dear nephew even after death. See, how Uttara is trying to remove the blood soaked armour from his body. She, then, is stroking all over his body and crying pitiably. She also embraces him and even kisses his face as though she feels that her husband is still alive. See how the beautiful wife of Abhimanyu is looking at you and at the lotus like eyes of her husband which are closed for ever. Finding the resemblance she gets into deeper and deeper sorrow. No wonder that she must be finding your resemblance in him not only in appearance but also in his valour. Can you hear what Uttara says?”

The old Kaurava queen then repeated the words of Uttara addressed to Abhimanyu. “Are you not hurt lying down on this bare ground? You have spread your arms, resembling the trunk of an elephant, as though you are relaxing after doing some physical exercises. Why are you not speaking to me, though I have not done anything wrong to you? Where are you gone leaving your parents and me behind?”

Uttara could be seen shifting the head of Abhimanyu to her lap and continuing with her wailing. “Who could have dared to kill you, the son of Arjuna and the nephew of Krishna? How can I pardon the veteran Drona, Karna and other Kauravas for attacking you from all around in the most cowardly manner? I cannot even excuse my own people, the Matsyas and the Pandavas, to let you all alone in the midst of the mammoth Kaurava army. How can Arjuna continue to live even after seeing that you have been killed?”

Uttara continued. “My dear husband, when you enjoy yourself in heaven in the company of beautiful Apsara girls, will you think of me? It is my fate that I was given only six months of your company. Then, here you lie killed in battle”.

Ladies of the Matsya kingdom tried then to take Uttara away in an effort to pacify her. They, then, moved to the place where their king, Virata lay killed by the arrow of Drona.

(To be continued)

In the presence of the Kaurava queen

The Pandavas went next to Gandhari with the blessings of Dhritarashtra. The Kaurava queen was a living example for an ideal wife totally devoted to her husband. She had blindfolded herself the day she heard of her betrothal to the blind king. From that day the noble Gandhari lived a life of purity performing austerities as prescribed for a queen.

The daughter of the Gandhara king stood for truth and righteousness in all her thoughts and deeds. She held herself high above board even in the quarrel between her sons and their cousins, the Pandavas. Yet, the death of all her hundred sons was too much for the mother in her to overcome. Hence, when the arrival of the Pandavas was announced her mind went out of control for a moment. Her immediate impulse was to punish them with a curse for the death of her sons.

Vyasa to the rescue

Sage Veda Vyasa could sense the mood of his daughter-in-law in time. He promptly arrived on the scene speaking words to calm down the Kaurava mother. Vyasa said. “The daughter of Ganfdhara, do not vent your anger on the Pandavas. Your son had approached you eighteen days ago (at the start of the war) for your blessings. Did you not say at that time that victory will be where there is righteousness (Dharma)? The Pandavas have won because truth was on their side. If you curse them now for it, it will be highly an unrighteous act. You are an embodiment of patience. It befits your character to forgive the Pandavas for their righteous acts”

Gadhari was pacified by the words of the sage. She replied. “I do not envy the Pandavas nor do I want to see their destruction. My mind went astray because of my pain from the death of my children. I know that the fault was on the side of my children. I agree that Bhima, Arjuna and the other Pandavas were not wrong in killing them. But, why did Bhima have to hit my son below the navel with his mace, that too, while Krishna stood watching? Will honourable men abandon codes of conduct and try to win war at any cost?”

Bhima’s defense

Bhima got somewhat scared of the fury of his aunt. He lamely replied. “I was worried about my own life and acted without thinking what was right or wrong. I confess that I could not have defeated your son without employing tricks that were forbidden. Please forgive me for that. All the injustice committed by your son on us blew up the rage in me like wild fire. Mother, your son’s acts made him our enemy deserving to be punished with death at all costs”.

Gandhari agreed that Bhima had every right to take revenge on her son. But, she asked. “But then, why did you drink the blood of my other son, Dussasana, something which is unheard of as ever committed by any honourable men?”

Bhima tried to defend himself to that by saying that he actually did not drink the blood. He had promised Draupadi of revenge with the blood of Dussasana. That was all that he had done.

Even letting that lame excuse of Bhima to pass, Gandhari finally asked. “Why did you not spare at least one of my hundred sons to support the blind parents in their old age?” There was no reply to that from any who stood around

Gandhari’s wrath

The noble queen then asked for Yudhishthira. The eldest of the Pandavas presented himself before the blind folded queen with trembling and folded hands. Gandhari did not speak anything to her nephew and tried to turn her face down to control her anger that was still raging in her. But, the sight of her burning eyes escaped through the gap of her blind fold and fell on the toe nail of the Pandava. It is said that that part of Yudhishthira was charred to black immediately. Arjuna was awe struck observing the tragedy and hid behind Krishna to save himself.

The gentle Gandhari soon recollected herself and blessed the Pandavas with prosperity.

With Kunti

The Pandavas next went to their mother. Kunti was overwhelmed with emotion at the sight of her sons after such a long time. She had suffered so much during the past thirteen years and more. She had also lost all of her grand children in the war. She covered her face with her upper garment and wept silently. She then embraced her children one by one. Their bodies were still sore with all the wounds they had received from the heavily fought war. Kunti stroked her hands gently over the wounds and blessed them with long life.

With Draupadi

While all this took place, the normally brave Draupadi was weeping uncontrollably lying down on the ground. She had lost all her sons and brothers. The Pandavas and their mother tried to console her. She addressed Kunti and said. “What use is for me with the kingdom that was won at the cost of my sons’ life?” Kunti tried to console her with wise words. “Daughter, do not torment yourself in this manner. We are all equally affected by this tragedy. Think that it is fate that has taken the lives of our dear ones. Let us console ourselves that those who die fighting a war are not to be mourned. (They have gone to heaven).”

With this ends the chapter, “Paying the last tributes (jala praadaanika parvam)”. The word “jala praadaanika” means giving water as part of the last funeral rites. But, it may be noted that there is no mention of that in this chapter. There is a later chapter which covers that aspect.

The Palace in Mourning

We are on the next “book of the womenfolk (stree parvam)” and the first chapter in it, “Paying the last tributes (jala praadaanika parvam)”. The opening scene has the blind Dhritarashtra in deep sorrow. His minister, Sanjaya, and the wise Vidura were at his side trying their best to console the king.

Sanjaya’s consoling words

Dhritarashtra had collapsed on the ground hearing the news of the death of Duryodhana and his other sons. Sanjaya asked him. “Why do you torment yourself with such sorrow? It is not only your sons who are dead. With them are gone men of the entire eighteen divisions (Akshauhinis). It appears that the earth, as far as one can reach, has been laid bare ”.

Dhritarashtra replied. “My sons have died. So have my ministers and all other friends and relations. I have been left all alone to live like an old bird with broken wings. This is the result of my not listening to the wise counsel from the like of Bhishma. Instead, I went by what my son, supported by his wicked friends like Sakuni and Karna, told me. I must have committed great sins in my past life to suffer thus”.

Sanjaya spoke in a matter of facts tone. “You, with your sons, ignited fire that was the wrath of the Pandavas. You, then, inflamed it further by pouring down ghee (clarified butter) made of your insulting words. The same fire has consumed your sons. There is no point in mourning their death now. You must now muster courage with your own wisdom”.

Vidura speaks

The wise Vidura spoke more gently in an effort to pacify the king. He said. “Why do you remain on the floor? Please get up. Death is sure for all living beings. The god of death pulls away the bold and coward alike when their time comes. That happens whether one fights a war or not. And you cannot catch up with them, even if you want to, just by brooding over them. Time (kaalam) is the great force that ends life selectively. Among the people who travel together (in life) one whose time has comes reaches (his end) first”.

“Then, think of the positive aspects. Your sons would now be enjoying the hospitality of the king of gods (Indra), something that is hard to achieve by other means, including by sacrificial rituals, long penance or making generous gifts. Hence, your sons are not to be mourned”.

Vidura spoke words at length giving courage to the king who had thought that all was lost to him.

Sage Veda Vyasa also arrived there at that time and spoke gentle, wise and loving words to the old king.

The journey to the battle field

Dhritarashtra was pacified to a great extent after he heard the wise counsel by Sanjaya, Vidura and Vyasa. He asked for Gandhari, Kunti, Draupadi and other women of the palace to be brought at once so that they could all go together to the site of the great destruction.

The palace of Hastinapura, then, witnessed a scene that brought tears to the eyes of those who were present. All the ladies of the palace, including Gandhari, Kunti, Draupadi, came out of their respective quarters, wailing loudly about the loss of their dear ones. Those who had lost their husbands had removed their entire ornaments and appeared wearing single garments to cover their body and had their hair let lose symbolic of their widowhood. The ladies, as though they had lost their whereabouts, ran here and their like mad women. They embraced one another and tried to find comfort in each other’s company. It was in the company of such a crowd of the royal ladies that Dhritarashtra started to the place where his dear sons had fought and lost their lives.

The Pandavas pay their tribute

Hearing the news of the visit of Dhritarashtra Yudhishthira went to the battle field in the company of his brothers and Krishna to pay his respects to the old king. The Pandavas came forward one by one by turn offering their obeisance as Yudhishithira announced each to the blind king. Dhritarashtra on his part, though burning inside with sorrow, embraced his nephews as they presented themselves to him.

Bhima in trouble

Krishna had come prepared for this difficult meeting. Duryodhana had practiced mace fighting on an iron statue of Bhima during the thirteen years of exile by the Pandavas. Krishna had brought that statue with him for this occasion. When the turn of Bhima came Krishna gave him a signal to stand aside and pushed the iron statue to the old king.

When Bhima was announced Dhritarashtra could not contain himself. The thought of the killing of each of his hundred sons flared up the suppressed anger in the blind king beyond control. It is said that he embraced the iron statue with so much power that it was crushed to pieces instantly. It was believed that Dhritarashtra had the strength of ten thousand elephants in his younger days.

The king quickly collected himself and was highly apologetic. He said. “Oh, what did I do? My anger got the better of me with the result that I have killed my son (nephew)!” Krishna, immediately, corrected him. “Do not torment yourself. Bhima is safe. Anticipating this I had offered the iron statue of Bhima to you. Please control yourself now and bless the Pandavs as they are innocent. You know how they had suffered because of all the injustice done to them by your sons. You ignored all the wise counsel offered by Bhishma and others. I had myself come for truce on behalf of the Pandavas. You ignored all that because of your blind love to your sons. It is not right to hold the death of your children against the Pandavas.”

Dhritarashtra was pacified by the turn of events and by the timely intervention of Krishna. He said. “I am not angry any more with my nephews. Let me embrace them once again and bless them”. The Pandavas, then, came in front of the king one by one and accepted his embrace and blessing.

(To be continued)

The final act of revenge

Starting with the last episode we are on a new chapter titled “the chapter of the blade of grass (Aisheeka Parvam)”. The last episode closed with the hot chase of Aswatthama by Bhima. The other Pandavas, lead by Krishna, were close on his heels fearing about his safety.

When Krishna and the Pandavas finally caught up with Bhima he was already facing the hot headed Aswatthama challenging the son of Drona for battle.

The all destructive arrow

Aswatthama was surprised to find Krishna and all the Pandavas seeking him out. There was no doubt in his mind that they had come for revenge. The son of Drona was unarmed, but, undaunted. He reflected for an instant and thought of the only way to defend himself. He picked up a blade of grass and chanted the secret Mantra of the Brahmastra taught by his father. Aswatthama, then, launched the grass against his enemies.

The innocuous grass became a formidable weapon by the power of the Mantra. A huge ball of fire emerged from the blade of grass, powerful enough to destroy everything on its path. The Pandavas were taken aback by the sudden development.

The Counter attack

Krishna, always sure of the right course of action, told Arjuna. “The son of the Acharya(Droni) has invoked the Brahmastra. It can be countered only by another Brahmastra, taught to you by Drona, himself. Do not waste even a second, else we may all perish under the power of Droni’s arrow”.

Arjuna did accordingly. Before sending his arrow he prayed first for the safety of his opponent who was the son of his teacher and then of himself and his brothers! The two arrows, both equal in power, and each capable of destroying the entire world raced against one another. Waves after waves of heat emerged from them. It is said that several bad omen appeared on the sky at that time indicating disaster.

The saviours

It was difficult to guess what would happen next. At that time, to the surprise of all, two sages appeared in the middle of the two arrows which were dashing against one another. They were the great sages Narada and Vyasa, himself. The sages addressed the warring men facing each other. “You two are fully aware of the destruction this arrow (Brahmastra) is capable of causing. You also know that it should not be used against men, unless it becomes absolutely unavoidable. Why did you behave impulsively like this, with very little apparent provocation?”

Arjuna bowed to the sages and replied. “I used my arrow only with the intention of neutralizing that of my enemy. I obey your command and withdraw mine. I am aware that the arrow of Droni, without the check of mine is now going to destroy all of us. I leave it to you, the revered sages, to protect us from the impending danger”. So saying, Arjuna withdrew his Brahmastra.

Aswatthama, then, offered his obeisance to the divine sages and spoke. “I sent my arrow fearing my life from the wrath of Bhima. I had chanted the Mantra making my weapon potent enough for the total destruction of the entire Pandava race (apaanDaveyam). I realize that I acted in haste.”

Vyasa said. “Son, you must withdraw your weapon immediately. I made Arjuna take his arrow back as I knew of the dangers. Even if the two arrows had destroyed one another, the entire region would go dry without rain for twelve long years. So, you must immediately take back your arrow, too”.

But, Aswatthama confessed that he did not have the capacity to withdraw his arrow. He simply did not have the disciplines for the task (Brahmacharya). The son of Drona said that his arrow will have to be directed at lives in the Pandava camp for it to destroy.

Krishna saves the situation

Krishna thought for a while and said. “Let this arrow target the fetus being carried by Uttara, the wife of Abhimanyu”. Krishna knew in his mind that he was fully capable of protecting the life of the baby yet to be born of Uttara. Aswatthama, accordingly, directed his arrow to the pregnant Uttara.

Krishna then spoke to Aswatthama. “True, that your arrow will kill the baby in the womb of Uttara. But, I shall give new life to it”.

A symbolic defeat

Aswatthama, next, pleaded for his life in the presence of the august sages. Vyasa, mediating on his behalf said. “I know that you carry a divine jewel on your head, which is almost a part of you and more precious than anything found in the entire world. You hand that over to the Pandavas, thereby accepting your total surrender”. Aswattha obeyed the command of the sage and pulled out the special jewel he wore so proudly on his head until that day. Vyasa, then, turned to yudhishthira and said. “You take this precious stone to your dear wife and console her explaining how your enemy has been humiliated. I am sure that Draupadi will accept the jewel in place of the life of the son of your teacher”. Yudhishthira accepted the jewel out of respect to the revered sage.

A curse

Krihna, then, turned to Aswatthama and said. “You will have to bear the consequence of your heinous acts. You shall roam about this world for three thousand years without any hope for salvation. Everyone will avoid your contacts thinking of your cruel deeds. Thus, you will suffer and repent for your own sinful acts.”

Aswatthama heard the curse pronounced by Krishna and withdrew himself to the nearby forest keeping his head low all the time. The Pandavas went to Draupadi in the company of Krishna and the two sages.

Draupadi was somehow consoled by the sages and made to accept the jewel as a token of revenge on behalf of he dear ones. She wanted Yudhishthira to adorn his head with it. The final act of the protracted and disastrous war that caused the lives of thousands of men and animals thus ended with a curse on the son of Drona to roam about the world in disgrace.

The last section of the chapter has a conversation between Yudhishthira and Krishna. The senior Pandava asked Krishna how Lord Siva could have permitted Aswatthama to commit a crime that had no excuse. Krishna went into the days of the first creation (of the world) and the role played by Siva in it. The apparent(unsatisfactory) meaning is that the Lord was capable of destroying the entire world when angry and blessing it with all the boons when pleased.

The boy whose life was saved by Krishna became famous by the name Pareekshit. He died later of snake bite under the curse of a sage. His son, Janamejaya, performed a serpent sacrifice which was the occasion for the narration of the story of Mahabharatam by sage VaiSampaayana.

The current chapter ends with this episode. So does the “book of the sleeping men”.