Yudhishthira worried again
The Senior Pandava was a worried man towards the evening on the 14th day of war. Arjuna had disappeared early in the morning in the vast Kaurava army in search of Jayadratha. There has been no news of him after that. Satyaki was sent to learn some news of Krishna and Arjuna. There has been no news of him either.
So, Yudhishthira called Bhima to his side and explained his worry to him. Bhima promised to bring good news of the missing Pandava heroes soon. Keeping Dhrushtadyumna to guard his elder brother Bhima plunged deep into the Kaurava army.
Drona blocked Bhima’s path as he was there in the forefront of his army. The Acharya mentioned to the Pandava how Arjuna and Satyaki managed to get away from him. The hint was that that was the only way for Bhima, too, if he wanted to proceed any further. But, Bhima’s nature was very different. As far as he was concerned he was fighting a war. It did not matter who his enemy was. So, instead of avoiding his teacher he faced the formidable Drona. The two fought fiercely like two equal foes for a while. Bhima, then, with a sudden movement swung his huge mace against the chariot of Drona and crushed it into pieces. Dussasana rushed to the spot along with several of his brothers to save the Acharya from Bhima. The Pandava’s attention turned then against his sworn enemies. Bhima killed three of Duryodhana’s brothers on the spot and moved forward leaving Drona behind.
Arjuna located
Bhima, in this way, moved further breaking through array after array of the Kaurava army. He soon reached the place where Satyaki was fighting against an army of the frontier men (Mleccha).
Bhima did not wait much longer there. He had accomplished part of his mission. He needed to find his brother who could be way ahead, deep inside the Kaurava army. Advancing even further Bhima located Arjuna at a distance. He then roared aloud once and then again a second time which reverberated throughout the Kaurava army and reached where Yudhishthira was waiting impatiently. The elder Pandava was highly pleased listening to the message from Bhima that clearly meant that both Arjuna and Satyaki were safe.
Bhima against Karna
Karna was very unhappy that Bhima also managed to fight through all the defenses that the Kauravas had so carefully built. He challenged Bhima for a duel and started sending sharp arrows against the Pandava. Bhima was in a fearful mood that day. He fought so ferociously that Karna had to escape with his life.
Duryodhana complains to Drona.
The Kaurava prince was very unhappy with the developments of the day. Arjuna had broken through layer after layer of the Kaurava defenses. Both Satyaki and Bhima did the same. Drona could have the excuse that his main aim was to get Yudhishthira alive. But, even that had not happened. So, Duryodhana went to the Acharya and complained bitterly about the reverses his army faced that day.
Drona was in a different mood that day. He said. “This war is unlike the game of dice you won by deceit with the help of your uncle. What you have now are arrows in place of dice that pierce through our warriors. Winning and losing are part of the game in war. What is required is the courage to face the enemy with resolve. I shall keep vigil where I am and hold our army together from further damage. Your attention must be to save the life of Jayadratha, because, that is where the main action is today”. Drona sent Duryodhana away with those words.
Karna returns to face Bhima
Karna soon came back to Bhima unable to bear the humiliating defeat from the Pandava. He always thought that it was only Arjuna who could face him in battle. What a shame that he had to escape for life from Bhima! So, Karna resumed his fight against the Pandava with renewed vigour. But, Bhima was unfazed finding Karna back on the attack. Karna started making fun of Bhima for the bondage and exile of the Pandavas and all the humiliations they had gone through. This enraged Bhima beyond measure. He unleashed such a terrible attack against his enemy that Karna had to flee in panic for the second time. But, he returned again. Several brothers of Duryodhana also arrived on the scene to support Karna. The Kauravas and Bhima fought fiercely for a long time. The battle was at times equal and on occasions in favor of Karna. At the end Bhima killed several more of the Kaurava princes like Durjaya and Durmukha.
Satyaki with Arjuna
Meanwhile, Satyaki had broken through all resistances and managed to reach where Arjuna stood fighting. Krishna noticed the arrival of his dear friend from a distance. He spoke to Arjuna. “Here comes your disciple, Satyaki. I am sure that he is being sent by Yudhishthira to enquire about us. Satyaki must have made several heroic battles against the like of Drona before he reached here”.
But, Arjuna was unhappy that Satyaki should have left Yudhishthira behind risking his capture by Drona. As he was worrying about his brother, Arjuna noticed that the formidable Bhurisravas had arrived in front of Satyaki to offer him a stiff battle.
We shall learn about the interesting, but, sad event in the next episode.
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