We are following the thrust of Arjuna into the Kaurava army on the fourteenth day of war with the sole aim of getting at Jayadratha. Drona and Duryodhana had done all in their power to make the journey of the Pandava as difficult as possible.
Arjuna had already pierced his way through several such obstacles. Other Pandavas were trying their best to clear the way for Arjuna.
Dhrishtadyumna occupied his arch rival, Drona, in a duel that day. The two fought equally for a while. The Panchala was impatient at the end. He jumped out of chariot, sword in hand, and climbed into that of the Acharya. It appeared that he would achieve his goal at that very instant by killing his sworn enemy with one single stroke of his sword. But, Drona reacted instantaneously and cut the sword of his enemy with his well aimed arrow.
The situation now turned completely against Dhrishtadyumna. There he was, standing unarmed in the chariot of his formidable enemy. Another arrow from Drona would have finished the Panchala. Satyaki happened to notice the precarious condition of his friend and pulled Dhrishtadyumna into his own chariot before it was too late.
That led to a duel between Drona and Satyaki. Both exchanged several divine weapons, each nullifying the effect of the other. Drona was highly impressed by the superb display of skill by his foe. Soon, other warriors joined both the sides and it developed into a full scale battle between the two armies.
Arjuna’s Feat
Meanwhile Arjuna’s chariot, driven by Krishna, had penetrated deep into the Kaurava army. They had pushed aside several of the obstacles placed by veteran Kaurava fighters. It was a tremendous feat on the part of the Pandava.
But, soon Arjuna’s horses were tired. Krishna spoke to his friend. “Arjuna, see how exhausted your horses are, from thirst and work without rest. Our prey is, still, out of sight. We cannot continue long without letting the horses get some rest”.
The Avanti princes, Vinda and Anuvinda, noticed the predicament and together attacked
Arjuna and Krishna. But, the Pandava was nonplussed. He sent well marked arrows against the Avanti princes and killed the two one after the other.
Arjuna then jumped down from his chariot. He had with him his Gandiva and his pair of quivers which held an unlimited supply of arrows. He spoke to Krishna. “Krishna, you may now give some rest to our horses. I shall take care of the enemies in the meanwhile”. Krishna smiled and unyoked the horses. But, where will one find some water for the thirsty animals? Arjuna had an answer for that too. He sent an arrow down deep into the earth. In the next instant water gushed up like a fountain from beneath the soil.
The Kauravas were puzzled by the strange sight in the middle of war. How dare the Pandava ignore all the veterans in the enemy ranks? They attacked Arjuna from all sides. But, the Pandava was prepared to face the challenge. He sent arrows in all directions and kept the enemies at a distance.
Meanwhile Krishna quickly let the horses drink water to their fill and allowed them to relax for a while. Then, he quickly harnessed the horses back to the chariot. Arjuna and Krishna, then, got back into the chariot and faced the enemy with renewed energy. The Kauravas who attacked Arjuna from all around were highly impressed by this unique feat of the Pandava. They could do nothing against him even though he was fighting from the ground.
The arrival of Duryodhana
Krishna, then, drove the chariot to the rear of the Kaurava army where he was sure he would find Jayadratha. They had already travelled a long distance and had broken through several strong resistances. The time was already late in the afternoon. Then, he could spot the Sindhu king at a distance far at the back of the Kaurava forces. By then, the Kaurava army had, as though, lost hopes of protecting Jayadratha.
But, at that very instant Duryodhana appeared on the scene. He then challenged Arjuna. “Arjuna, it is time for you to display your power. See what you can do with your Gandiva and all that you have learnt in archery against me today”.
Arjuna did not take the words of his enemy seriously. He had fought and defeated much greater opponents with ease. He sent a couple of well aimed arrows against the Kaurava. To his surprise they failed to have any impact on Duryodhana. So, the Pandava started dispatching several sharp arrows pulling the string of his Gandiva as far as his ears. Yet, Arjuna’s arrows struck the armour of the Kaurava and dropped down on earth making no dent on the enemy.
Krishna was worried. “What is the matter with you, Arjuna? Are you tired? Or, is it that you do not want to harm your cousin?”
Then, Arjuna realized what was happening. He spoke to his friend and mentor. “Krishna, Duryodhana is wearing the magic armour of our teacher. It can never be penetrated by arrows. I am sure that you would have understood it and were teasing me. Now you see how I tackle the situation. ”
Saying so, Arjuna sent sharp arrows to the part of Duryodhana’s body that was not covered by the armour. Next he selected sharp needle like arrows meant specially to target the joints in the armour and sent them towards his enemy. Duryodhana did not anticipate this. Arjuna’s arrows found targets on every part of his body and blood started flowing profusely. The Kaurava prince stood motionless under the calculated attack of his enemy. Meanwhile, Arjuna cut the bow string of Duryodhana and destroyed his chariot completely. The Kaurava soldiers came in a hurry to save their prince from his precarious condition.
(To be continued)
