Arjuna was aware that there was no time for him to brood over the tragic end of the Kaurava, Bhurisravas. He drew Krishna’s attention to the task ahead. “Krishna the sun is about to set. I, still, have to accomplish the crucial task on hand, killing my sworn enemy, Jayadratha. Please drive the chariot to the Sindhu king”.
Jayadratha was closely guarded by several of the best Kaurava warriors, Vrishasena (Karna’s son), Salya, Kripa and Aswatthama. Besides, a large contingent of the Kaurava army had surrounded the Sindhu king. Duryodhana persuaded Karna also to join the group until sunset. That would bring the end of Arjuna and then the war was as good as won for the Kauravas.
Arjuna fought furiously. He went round and round the army killing several in the process. The battle field told the story of the level of destruction by the blood that flowed and limbs that lay scattered all over the place. Yet, he could not get near enough to Jayadratha. Krishna spoke after a while. “Arjuna, you will not get a chance until you defeat all these veteran Kaurava warriors. That looks impossible within the short time on hand. I will have to employ some tricks. I shall temporarily hide the sun for a while through my illusory powers. You use that opportunity to achieve your goal”.
The sun goes hiding
Jayadratha, all this time, was hiding behind the array of soldiers guarding him. He would occasionally look up at the setting sun and with glimpses of hope would go hiding behind his guards again.
Then, at last, Jayadratha observed the sun disappearing altogether on the western sky. He heaved a sigh of relief and raised his head nonchalantly. There was a shout of joy from the Kaurava ranks at the same time.
The story of Jayadratha
Krishna spoke to his friend. “Arjuna, look how relaxed the Sindhu king appears. This is the time for you to chop his head with your arrow. But, be careful. If you drop his head down on earth, your own head shall break up into pieces”.
Krishna, then, told the story of Jayadratha. Vruddhakshatra was the father of Jayadratha. He got the son after long waiting. When the boy was born a voice was heard from heaven which said. “This son of yours will become a very renowned king. But, at the end he will be killed by a famous warrior”. Vruddhakshatra was unhappy when he heard this prophesy. He got a boon after long years of penance that whosoever dropped the head of his son on the ground would have his own head scattered into pieces.
Krishna continued. “When Jayadratha was grown his father retired to the forest. He is now doing penance just outside the battle field (Kurukshetra). So, as soon as you cut the head of your enemy send arrows one after another and take the head to the lap of his own father”.
A very strange spectacle
All those who were guarding Jayadratha stood looking at the western sky for an instant. Arjuna did not miss the chance and sent a powerfully drawn arrow that chopped the head of his enemy. This was done before anyone realized what was happening. In the next instant all observed a strange sight. There was a head that arose from the Kaurava ranks. It went up higher and higher in the sky like a comet with a tail of arrow. Then, the trajectory turned towards the forest near the battle field and disappeared altogether. In the total confusion that prevailed the sun re-appeared in the sky for a while and set again for the day.
Vruddhakshatra was seated in the forest performing his prayers to the setting sun. He was disturbed by something that dropped down into his lap all of a sudden. He stood up in bewilderment and dropped the head that had fallen on his lap. In the very instant his head was shattered into pieces as per the boon he, himself, had asked for.
When his task was accomplished Arjuna blew on his conch shell. Bhima heard the sound and realized that Arjuna had kept his promise and let out a lion roar that reached Yudhishthira who was waiting impatiently for the good news.
(The next episode will have the concluding part of the 14th day’s war)
