One of the important battles in the afternoon of the 14th day was fought by Nakula and Sahadeva. The Pandava brothers defeated two sons of Dhritarashtra in separate battles.
The demon, Alambusha, who figured in several hair-raising combats was defeated by Satyaki that day. Later, Ghatotkacha, Bhima’s son born of Hidimbi, killed the demon in a battle that was fought with illusion making tricks by both the sides. The Pandavas, lead by Satyaki, killed a large number of prominent warriors on the Kaurava side by the evening.
Elsewhere Arjuna was waging a single handed war against the combined Kaurava forces in his attempt to get near Jayadratha. There were so many who surrounded him that Arjuna’s chariot got often fully covered by the arrows sent by them. The two, Krishna and Arjuna, could not even see one another. At one point Krishna shouted to the Pandava from the charioteer’s seat. “Arjuna, I can hardly see you. You may also be wondering whether I am alive or not. I get to know about you only from the twangs of your Gandiva. Let us do one thing. I shall occasionally blow on my Panchajanyam (Krishna’s own conch shell) to let you know that I am, still, holding the reins. Similarly, do not give any respite to your Gandiva. We will also frighten the enemies in the process”.
Yudhishthira’s misgivings
It must be one such sound from the Panchajanya that reached Yudhishthira from afar. He could easily recognize the sound anywhere. He gave a sharp ear for the sound from Arjuna’s bow that usually followed. But, he could not hear anything. The elder Pandava was worried. Arjuna was all alone, engulfed by the vast Kaurava army with so many eminent warriors like Drona. Would anything have happened to him? Why should Krishna, otherwise, blow on his conch shell?
He called Satyaki to his side. “Listen to the Panchajanya! There is no sound from the Gandiva. I am worried that something wrong would have happened to Arjuna. Your teacher (Arjuna) has left us early in the morning with Krishna. There has been no news from him afterwards. The sun is about to set. Do go and find out, if he is alive and whether he needs any help. You are the only one I can trust to break through all the hurdles in the Kaurava army as Arjuna, himself, has done”.
Satyaki was in two minds. He had accepted the exclusive charge of the senior Pandava. Drona had his mind fully set on capturing him alive. But, how can he refuse a request by the venerable Yudhishthira? Finally, the Vrishni veteran (Satyaki) called Bhima aside and handed his charge over to the able hands of the Pandava. Then, he set off in search of his teacher.
Satyaki’s journey
The Yadava warrior had to meet Drona at the very front of the Kaurava army. He fought against his formidable enemy for a while. Then, he knew that engaging the Acharya in battle was futile. So, he did exactly what Arjuna had done and passed Drona keeping to his right as a way of paying him respect. Drona tried to chase Satyaki from behind, but, Satyaki drove off quickly without even bothering to look at the Kaurava commander.
Then, other Pandava heroes like Dhrishtadyumna blocked Drona’s way giving time for Satyaki to penetrate deep into the Kaurava array.
Satyaki against Kritavarma
Kritavarma was one of the Vrishni clan and a friend of Krishna who happened to join the Kauravas right from the beginning. Satyaki had to face Kritavarma who formed the next array of army behind Drona. The Vrishni warrior gave a stiff resistance to Satyaki. Other Pandavas had, meanwhile, reached Satyaki for support. Kritavarma fought valiantly against the combined Pandava forces. He managed to push back the Pandavas with his powerful arrows.
Satyaki alone stood against the onslaught of the Vrishni hero. After a prolonged battle Satyaki destroyed the chariot of Kritavarma and in the confusion so created broke through the array of Kritavarma’s forces.
Drona eventually caught up with Satyaki and gave stiff resistance to his advance. The two fought a fierce battle. At the end Satyaki managed to kill the charioteer of Drona. Immediately he sent arrows to frighten the horses of Drona which carried Drona’s chariot out of his control. In the confusion the Kaurava army started running in all directions.
Duryodhana rushed to the scene along with his brother Dussasana and uncle, Sakuni. Satyaki was in high spirits after winning over Drona. He made the Kauravas run for their lives within no time.
He then spoke to his charioteer. “We are now close to where Arjuna is fighting against Jayadratha. I can hear the incessant sound emanating from the Gandiva. It looks that Arjuna is going to keep his pledge before the sun sets today”.
(To be Continued)
