Let us recall that Karna was in command of the Kaurava army from the 16th day of war. Not much happened that day, though. Karna thought that what he lacked was a good charioteer. Salya was his choice for that role. The Madra king accepted the task on one condition. He should be free to criticize Karna whenever he bragged about his own greatness.
There was a promise that Salya had given to the Pandavas that is worth remembering in this context. Nakula and Sahadeva were his nephews. The king had come with one Akshauhini (battalion) of army to fight the war on the side of the Pandavas. Duryodhana cleverly managed to get him to his side. When the Pandavas heard about that, they asked for one favour from Salya. Karna was the biggest challenge to Arjuna and he was known to be moody. Praises boosted the ego of the son of the charioteer and then he was capable of accomplishing great tasks. On the contrary, criticism put down his morale. Hence, Salya was made to promise that he would try and put down Karna whenever he got an opportunity. It is difficult to know whether the Madra king remembered his words to his nephews in stipulating the condition for accepting his new role as Karna’s charioteer.
With Salya on the charioteers’ seat Karna was all set to settle score with Arjuna on the 17th day. Both the sides built their formations with utmost care. Karna stood at the front of the Kaurava army which then marched against the Pandavas with the blowing of trumpets and bugles and with the noise raised by soldiers on the march.
Yudhishthira pointed out Karna to Arjuna. “Look at the battle formation of the Kauravas as built by Karna. He is leading the army from the front. Make sure that we resist their attack effectively. You must personally take care of the challenge of Karna”.
Arjuna agreed to do his best against his enemy.
“Here comes Arjuna”
Salya noticed from a distance the chariot of Arjuna bearing the mark of Hanuman on his mast. He called out to Karna seated behind him in the chariot. “There comes Arjuna whom you have been so eagerly waiting to meet. You can see for yourself the trail of destruction he is leaving behind all along the path he has travelled. But, I warn you of one thing. The omens that appear in the sky and all around us are not in our favour. Take on him as best as you can, keeping this in mind”.
But, the chariot of Arjuna disappeared in the next instant in the midst of the suicide squad of the Trigarthas. Karna said to Salya looking at that. “The Trigarthas would finish him even before I get my chance”.
Karna torments Yudhishthira
Karna, then, asked Salya to turn the chariot against the other Pandavas. Great was the damage he caused in the enemy ranks that day. Several of the Pandava heroes came against Karna and had to turn back in distress. Yudhishthira was greatly angered looking at the loss of men on his side and challenged Karna for combat. The two fought fiercely exchanging several divine weapons against one another. But, soon, Yudhishthira was in trouble. Karna’s powerful arrows started tormenting the Pandava after piercing through his armour. Soon, he found his chariot broken to pieces by the arrows of Karna. Yudhishthira jumped down in time and started running away to save his own life.
But, Karna did not want to let out his prey that easily. He followed Yudhishthira on foot and placed his hand on the shoulder of the Panadava. He said. “You are born as a Kshatrya. It is not worthy of you to turn your back in combat. Or, may be you are only fit to perform sacrificial rituals as a Brahmin. In that case I let you go”. Karna’s insulting words pierced through the heart of the Pandava prince. He walked away hanging his dead down in shame. The big battalion of forces of the Pandavas that surrounded him also retreated when they found their commander exiting from the battle field. Karna followed the Pandava army from behind and continued to thrash it with his powerful arrows.
Bhima against Karna.
But, the Pandavas staged a come back lead by Bhima. Seeing that, Karna asked Salya to turn his chariot towards the Pandava. Bhima’s anger flared up seeing Karna face to face.
Salya noticed the mood of Bhima and spoke to Karna. “Look at Bhima. I have seen him in this ferocious mood only twice before – after the death of Abhimanyu and of his own son, Ghatotkacha. It will be an uphill task for you to face the Pandava when he is so angry”. Karna agreed that Salya had a point there. Yet, he wanted to face Bhima at any cost. His hope was that he might get Arjuna on the scene if he managed to put Bhima in any sort of trouble.
With this resolve Karna fought a pitched battle against Bhima. The Pandava was wounded by Karna’s well marked arrows. That only flared up Bhima’s anger even further. He came all out against Karna and sent arrows from his bow that was pulled as far as his ears. Bhima’s arrows found the target on Karna’s chest piercing through his armour. Salya noticed that his protégé even lost his consciousness as a result and quickly drove the chariot away from the scene. The huge army of the Kauravas also took to flight behind the chariot of the commander.
Bhima against the sons of Dhritarashtra
Duryodhana noticed the plight of his army and sent six of his brothers against Bhima. The sons of Dhritarashtra encircled the Pandava and started sending showers of arrow against the enemy. That was the opportunity Bhima was so eagerly awaiting. He fought against them with a vengeance. Soon, his arrows cut the head of each of them down.
(To be continued)
