The last days of Dwaraka (Contd.)

Arjuna started for Indraprastha in his chariot on the seventh day as planned. The ladies of Dwaraka followed him keeping Vajra, the great grand son of Krishna, in front. All others followed them from behind. There were Brahmins chanting verses from the Vedas and Kshatriyas and Vaisyas carrying all the wealth they had amassed. They travelled mounting on whatever animals- horses, elephants, camels or bullocks- they could find. A large number of them travelled on foot. There were so many in the group that it appeared like an ocean that emerged out of Dwaraka moving in the direction of Indraprastha.

As the people moved out of each part of the city the western sea moved in flooding the place with water. Soon, the entire Dwaraka went under sea spreading a veil, as though, over the glory of its past. The citizens turned back and saw with horror how their dear city perished as they looked on. They thanked gods for their luck for remaining alive in the face of calamity.

The attack

They stayed at various places on their way as the journey took several days. In the middle they had to pass through the land of ‘Pancanada’. They were traditional enemies of Yadavas. Finding a group consisting mainly of old men, women and children on the move protected by one lone man, Arjuna, the Pancanadas launched an attack from all sides.

Arjuna was furious seeing the impertinence of the enemies. He had his Gandiva in hand which had sent thousands of skilled warriors to the abode of Yama. In contrast, the Pancanadas were mere wayside vagabonds holding sticks in hand as weapons. Yet, they dared to attack a group protected by Savyasaci, one who could send arrows with his right and left hands with equal ease!

Arjuna gave them a warning to avoid a conflict. “Do not even dare to try facing me, if you value your life!” But, the Pancanadas did not take Arjuna or his Gandiva seriously. They started pulling young women and disappearing with them as it pleased them .

Arjuna was furious and started to tie the string to his Gandiva. To his surprise he found that he struggled to do the task which he used to do so easily even before an arrow of enemy reached him. He, somehow, got his Gandiva ready and sent a few arrows. But, the hero of the Mahabharata war realized that he had forgotten the secret of all his divine weapons. Even his ordinary arrows turned out to be without their usual power. Soon, his quill, reputed to hold an unlimited supply of arrows became empty. The Pandava was embarrassed with his own incompetence in facing an enemy that was just ordinary. As Arjuna watched helplessly, the enemies disappeared with a large number of Yadava women and most of the precious jewels the army carried. Finally, when Arjuna reached Indraprastha he had a much reduced group of Yadavas remaining.

Some of the wives of Krishna, including Rukmini, abandoned their lives embracing fire lit specially for the purpose. Others like Satyabhama retired to forests for meditation.

Meeting with Vedavyasa

Arjuna, in due course, installed Vajra as the king of Indraprastha. After a few days Arjuna went to meet sage Vyasa in his hermitage in the forest. Vyasa received him with love and enquired of his well being. Arjuna, then, narrated the tragedies in Dwaraka and of his own unfortunate encounter with the Pancanada people on his way back from there. He concluded saying, “Krishna, who was my friend, guide and well wisher has disappeared from my life for ever. Besides, I have realized that I have become almost an invalid in front of enemies. I do not know why I should continue to live in this helpless condition. You have been the guide for all of us throughout. Please advise me the right course of action.”

Vyasa listened to the heartening tales of Arjuna with composure. Then, he said. “Do not lament over the tragedies in Dwaraka or of the Yadavas. Krishna has left us after successfully completing his mission of incarnation, of destroying evil from this world. You also have done great deeds when it was expected of you. Your divine weapons have left you because they had served their purpose. Now, it is time for you and your brothers to move on to the other world.”

Arjuna listened to the wise counsel of the sage with reverence. When he finished the Pandava took his leave and returned to Hastinapura. There he recounted his meeting with Vyasa to his brothers.

We conclude here the “book of the iron pestle (mausala parvam)” which consisted only of a single chapter.