Monday 28 May 2012

Rules of war forgotten! Mahabharata 152

Once Arjuna's oath is fulfilled it is not dark anymore and the sun is visible again. People realise that it is Krishna's doing. Pandavas return to their camps happy, Krishna and Arjuna meet Yudhisthira and inform him of Jayadratha's death. Kaurava camp is depressed and Duryodhana goes to Drona, complains that as Arjuna was his disciple, Drona is partial to him and is indifferent in war and that caused the death of Jayadratha, Saumadatta and others.

Drona says no,  'I have already told you that Arjuna is invincible, in addition I was engaged with Dhrishtadhymna and you know my death will be through him. While I was concentrating on him, none of you were able to protect Jayadratha and then you call me partial to Arjuna. It does not matter! I promise you that I will not remove my armour till I destroy the army of panchalas and pandavas who will attack today!'

Karna speaks in support of Drona, 'Do not blame Dronacharya! This brahmin is fighting with all his strength and with enthusiasm without any thought for his own life. If Arjuna  could avoid him, it is no fault of Drona. Arjuna is young and  he has Krishna as his charioteer. If such a man, with an impenetrable armour is able to breach the formation that is to be expected. If Saindhava died with all of us  protecting him, it was god's will and we have to accept that!...'

As the kauravas are busy talking, the pandava army appear again in the battle field and start fighting. Soon the sun sets. But the war continues with the help of lanterns. Each chariot is lit with five lanterns, the elephants with three and horses with one lantern. As both armies use lanterns the battle field is well lit!

Interesting  how rules laid out gets broken. The clever argue that rules are meant to be broken! In this instance we can argue that it was God Krishna's doing! Then again, the idea of night war would be a natural outcome once lantrens were invented!

The rules of war today! '
A body of customs, practices, usages, conventions, protocols, treaties, laws, and other norms that govern the commencement, conduct, and termination of hostilities between belligerent states or parties.

Frequently violated and sometimes ridiculed, the rules of war have evolved over centuries. They distinguish nations whose armed forces respect some minimal standard of human decency from terrorists, marauders, and other outlaws who use illegal and unrestricted methods of warfare to achieve political, economic, or military objectives.

1 comment:

Raghunath said...

All's fair in (love) and WAR!!

Enter Ghatotkacha