We are on a new chapter, “Entering into a pool of water (hradapraveSa parvam)”, in the “book of Salya (Salya parvam)” on the eighteenth day of war.
The sun was about to set when Sakuni was killed. Duryodhana got his scattered army together and sent them against the Pandavas once again. But, they were all killed within no time by the combined forces of Pandavas and Panchalas. Even those who tried to escape were chased down and butchered mercilessly. Hardly anyone, including the animals of war, remained out of the eleven divisions (Akshauhini) of Duryodhana’s army. A few thousand animals and about one hundred thousand soldiers remained on the Pandava side.
Duryodhana was beyond himself with grief looking at the total destruction of his entire army. He remembered the wise words of Vidura, “the war will destroy you along with the entire race of Kshatriya”. He walked slowly eastwards with his mace in hand, sore all over his body with wounds from the war, and with a mind that was totally dejected from defeat. His aim was to reach was a deep pool of water at a distance.
Sajnaya set free
Satyaki was about to chop the head of Sanjaya as ordered by Dhrishtadyumna when Veda Vyasa appeared on the scene. On the advice of the great saint the Pandavas set the Kaurava minister free.
Sanjaya met Duryodhana on the way. He reported his story to the Kaurava prince, concluding, “we are left with three chariots, nothing more”. Duryodhana replied. “I do not find anyone other than you on our side. Tell the king that I am going to spend time in a pool of water”.
When Sanjaya left Duryodhana entered into the pool. He knew the secret of remaining under water as long as he wanted.
Sanjaya encountered the three veterans left on the Kaurava side, Aswatthama, Kritavarma and Kripa. They were desperately looking for Duryodhana all through the battle field littered with the body of thousands of men and animals. They exclaimed. “Luckily, you are alive. Do you know, if Duryodhana is dead or living?” Sanjaya pointed in the direction of the pool to which the Kaurava prince had gone.
The three Kaurava warriors lamented about the pitiable condition of their prince and carried Sanjaya in their chariot of Kripa along with them to the camp.
Kaurava camp deserted
What they saw in their camp was a pathetic scene. The elders were leaving with the womenfolk to the safety of the capital city. They feared Bhima in his angry mood. All the women were crying and beating on their breast and head lamenting about their dear ones killed in the war. Sanjaya left along with the rest to meet the blind king. He reported his imprisonment and escape from death to Dhritarashtra. The king shed tears listening to the total defeat of his army and the death of all his sons. The only surviving son, Duryodhana, had gone hiding.
Yuyulsu
Yuyulsu was the son of Dhritarashtra born of a Vaisya (merchant) woman. He had taken a stand for justice from the beginning. When the war broke out, he had joined the Pandava side. When the war ended he took permission from the Pandavas and returned to the capital city.
A visit to the pool
By the time darkness set in the Kaurava camp was totally deserted. The three veterans remaining on the Kaurava side discretely approached the pool where Duryodhana had taken refuge. There they addressed the Kaurava prince. “Why are you hiding yourself in the pool when we are there to win the war for you? Please come out and join us to take revenge on the Pandavas”.
Duryodhana was heartened to hear the friendly voices. He called out. “How lucky that you three are alive! I am sore all over my body. Let me cool my limbs in the water and recover strength. I shall join you tomorrow in your fight against our enemies”.
The secret escapes
The Pandavas searched everywhere for their main enemy, Duryodhana. There was no trace of the Kaurava prince. It was then that some butchers approached Bhima discretely. They used to supply meat to the Pandava. They happened to overhear the conversation between Duryodhana and his friends at the pool. The butchers had gone to fetch water at that time. They thought that the news would be more valuable than what they earned by selling meat on several days.
They were not wrong. Bhima was overjoyed. He had already killed every other son of Dhritarashtra. His main enemy had escaped from his clutches. Bhima sent the butchers away paying them handsomely for the valuable secret and reported his discovery to Yudhishthira. The elder Pandava approached
A Challenge for battle
To the tormenting words of Yudhishthira, Duryodhana replied. “I did not come here out of fear for my life or in desperation. For that matter, what if, as a living being, I care for my life? Do not worry, Yudhishthira, I shall come out and face you in battle. But, keep in mind that I am all alone and even without my own chariot. But, I do not covet the land any more after the death of all my brothers. It was for their sake that I ruled over the
Yudhishthira retorted. “You speak like a man in distress. I do not want any gift from you, let alone the kingdom. There was a time when we begged for our rightful share. At that time you were not prepared to part even with a needle point of land. Besides, I do not think that you are the lord of any land any more for you to make generous gifts”.
Yudhishthira, thus tried to instigate Duryodhana for battle, the latter trying in his own proud way to defend his action. With that ends the chapter titled “the entering into a pool of water (hradapraveSa parvam)”. However, the war on the eighteenth day continues in the next few episodes.
