It appeared on the 14th night that Karna, alone, would end the war for the Kauravas. None among the Pandavas could face the formidable son of the charioteer that day. Even Dhrishtadyumna, after waging a brave war against him, was thoroughly defeated. Yudhishthira was worried. He approached Krishna for his wise counsel.
Krishna said. “Only two on our side have any chance against Karna when he is fighting in the present form - Arjuna and Ghatotkacha. But, I do not want Arjuna to face him at this stage”.
So, the choice narrowed down on the son of Bhima. Krishna, himself, called the brave Ghatotkacha to his side and talked to him. Krishna said. “The time has come for you to show your real mettle in this war. You have many divine weapons in your stock. You are also adept in illusory warfare. See how Karna is destroying our forces mercilessly. Only you can meet him in battle today. You will be paying your due to your father through today’s battle”.
Ghatotkacha was eager to show his superior power and skill against a formidable enemy like Karna. He marched into the battle field in high spirits.
The end of Alambusha
As the demon was approaching Karna, Duryodhana was worried. He wanted to protect his friend against all dangers. So, he sent Alambusha, the son of Jatasura, to face Ghatotkacha. The two fought with bow and arrows and clubs. They also grappled with each other like two champion wrestlers for a while. At the end Ghatotkacha managed to chop the head of his foe with his sword.
After killing his enemy Ghatotkacha challenged Karna for a duel. The fought against one another for a while. It was then that Ghatotkacha was diverted again for another battle.
The killing of Alayudha
The brother of the demon Baka, by name Alayudha, had kept a grudge against Bhima for the killing of his brother. He attacked the Pandava on the 14th night with all his might. Finding that his father might be in trouble Ghatotkacha joined the battle against the demon. It ended as a ferocious duel between the two demons, Alayudha and Ghatotkacha. The son of Bhima, finally, put an end to the life of his foe with a powerful stroke of his sword.
Against Karna
Ghatotkacha, then, turned against Karna. The battle between the two became so violent that all the Pandavas and Kauravas were equally awestruck. Against the arrows with divine power dispatched by Karna the demon employed his powers of illusion. He disappeared in one moment and appeared as hundreds of Ghatotkacha all holding mighty arms. He caused rain with huge boulders creating terror among the Kaurava ranks. He used the opportunity to kill hundreds and thousands among the Kaurava ranks. Karna stood boldly against the demon using his arrows to nullify the effect of each illusion. But, Ghatotkacha, it appeared, had an endless stock of them.
At the end the Kauravas were so terror stricken that they pleaded with Karna to put an end to the demon by any means. Karna was in a dilemma. None of his arrows seemed to make an impact against the son of Bhima. He was left with the thunder bolt like weapon (Sakthi) he got from Indra. But, that was earmarked against his arch rival, Arjuna.
But, all the Kauravas continued to press Karna for action. What was the sense in keeping the weapon for use against Arjuna? If Ghatotkacha continued like this, there would be none left among the Kauravas to continue the war.
Karna was, finally, compelled to employ his closely guarded weapon. He dispatched the spear like weapon against the enemy. The unfailing Sakthi hit the chest of the demon and he fell down dead immediately.
There was relief and widespread cheers from the Kaurava ranks at the end of the formidable Ghatotkacha. The Pandavas were grief stricken. The son of Bhima was their favourite hero very much like the son of Arjuna, Abhimanyu. Both had perished fighting for their parents.
There was one person among the Pandavas who displayed relief and happiness. That was Krishna. He rejoiced aloud. “Karna has wasted his weapon on Ghatotkacha. Now, Arjuna is safe”.
When asked Krishna explained how he had carefully guarded Arjuna against possible dangers ahead and meticulously plotted the destruction of formidable enemies in advance. He cited the killing of Jarasandha (by Bhima in a duel) as one such move by him ahead of the Rajasooya.
Yudhishthira was very upset with the sad news. He remembered all the good services the son of Bhima had rendered on various occasions. He started marching immediately against Karna for revenge with a contingent of army. Krishna tried to dissuade him without success. Then, Vyasa appeared on the scene. He consoled the senior Pandava with the words that Karna was sure to use his special weapon against one of the Pandava heroes. If it was not Ghatotkacha, it would definitely have been Arjuna. After hearing the wise words of Veda Vyasa the Pandavas ended the battle for the day.
The 14th day (and night) was one of the bloodiest in the entire Mahabharata war. Several great warriors like Jayadratha and Ghatotkacha died that day along with thousands of others. Bhima killed nearly half of all the hundred sons of Dhritarashtra on that single day.
With this ends the chapter on “the killing of Ghatotkacha (Ghatotkacha Vadha Parvam)”.
