The War – Day 18 (Part 2)

Sakuni

Sakuni was Duryodhana’s maternal uncle. His influence on the Kaurava prince made the major turning points in the story of Mahabharata. The game of dice was his idea. The cunning prince of Gandhara knew the weakness and lack of skill of Yudhishthira in the game. Sakuni, on his part, was an expert. His sleight of hand at the game made victory sure for the Kauravas. He consistently advised Duryodhana against any peace initiatives with the Pandavas. In a sense, the Mahabharata war was mostly his creation.

Fighting continues

The death of the commander did not stop the war on the eighteenth day. The army of Salya turned against Yudhishthira to avenge the death of their king. Duryodhana tried to dissuade them, but, without success.

But, Sakuni thought differently. He urged the Kaurava prince to go after the Pandavas in support of the Madra army. The combined Kaurava forces marched with the battle cries, “dispatch arrows, go and catch the Pandava alive, or else, kill him without mercy!”

But, the Madra soldiers were no match to the Pandavas in spite of the Kaurava support. The entire army of Salya was destroyed by Bhima and Arjuna within the blink of the eyes. The rest of the Kaurava army took to flight in panic. It was only after a lot of persuasion that Duryodhana managed to get them back to the battle field.

The end of Salva

The sagging morale of the Kauravas got a boost when the king of Salva launched an attack against the Pandavas mounted on his elephant. He was a formidable warrior with his ferocious elephant. He managed to penetrate into the Pandava formation dispersing their forces in all directions. Dhrishtadyumna and Satyaki blocked his progress. At the end of a spirited battle the Panchala killed Salva’s elephant with his mace. At the same time Satyaki sent an arrow that brought down the head of the king.

Duryodhana alone stood firm on the battle ground in spite of all the reverses. When Sanjaya reported that day’s battle to the blind king later, his words were, “I saw only one on your side who fought like a man – that was your son, Duryodhana”.

Sakuni was the other warrior of repute remaining on the Kaurava side. He launched an attack against Yudhishthira at that time. The prince of Gandhara killed the horses of Yudhishthira and roared aloud victoriously. Sahadeva came instantly from behind and carried his brother away to safety.

Both Duryodhana and Sakuni wrecked havoc on the Pandava side. Yudhishthira was worried and called Sahadeva to his side. “See how Sakuni is destroying our army. I entrust the task on you to attack the prince of Gandhara and kill him at the end.”

Arjuna’s surprise

Arjuna thought that he had destroyed what was left of the Kauravas. It was then that he observed the return of the Kaurava army lead by Duryodhana. Arjuna exclaimed to Krishna. “Look at the foolishness of the Kaurava prince. Hs started with an army that was like a vast roaring ocean. Now that has been reduced, in comparison, to a mere puddle caused by the hooves of cattle ( Goshpadam). Yet, he would not give up. He was advised again and again by his well wishers like Bhishma, Drona and Vidura to settle for peace. What medicine will work for some one who discarded all those valuable advises?”

With those words Arjuna asked Krishna to drive into the middle of what was left of the Kaurava army. He, then, unleashed such an attack with his Gandiva that Vayasa described it “like burning down a forest of dry bushes”.

In the middle of this large scale destruction of the Kaurava army Satyaki was fighting against Sanjaya, the minister of Dhritarashtra. Sanjaya could not stand the onslaught of Satyaki and lost his consciousness. The Yadava prince took his enemy as captive took him away to the Pandava camp.

Eleven sons of Dhritarashtra encircled Bhima at that time. They covered the Pandava with showers of arrow. Bhima withstood their assault and at the end killed all the eleven of them.

The end of Sakuni

Elsewhere Sahadeva faced the formidable Sakuni supported by his son, Ulooka and a small contingent of the Kaurava soldiers. The Pandava suffered intitial reverses. Recovering fast, he first killed Ulooka, sending a sharp arrow that brought down his head.

Sakuni was sorry to watch the end of his son right in front of his eyes. He remembered the wise counsel of Vidura, but, it was too late. He tried to run away. But, Sahadeva came after him and shouted. “Fight like a warrior. You shall suffer the consequences of your foul game of dice today”. With those words Sahadeva sent a knife edged arrow that brought down the head of the Gandhara prince.

The remaining Kaurava soldiers panicked and fled in all directions. The Pandavas blew on their conch shells and came around Sahadeva to congratulate him for the important victory.

We come to the end of the chapter, “The killing of Salya (Salya vadha parvam)”. But, we continue with the “Book of Salya (Salya parvam)” and the War on Day 18 in the next episodes.