A little later, Ashwatthama who was engaged in an other part of the battle field, is surprised to discover the kaurava army in disarray and running helter-skelter. Asks Kripa for the reason and is aghast at learning about his father's death, extremely angry, he avows, 'Let the earth quench its thirst with the blood of Yudhisthira, who cheated and made my father give up his fight. I can have peace only after killing the panchalas and Dhristadhyumna!'
He then invokes Naryana astra and directs it against the pandavas. This astra takes the form of different weapons and begins to destroy the pandava army. The astra also has the capacity to match the strength of the army it is against and grow in size if required. The pandava army has no answer to this astra and are feeling helpless!
It is Krishna who knows the secret of neutralising this astra, advises the pandava army to drop its weapons. The whole army complies except Bheema. The astra leaves the rest of the army alone and attacks Bheema. Krishna and Arjuna seeing this, run and pull Bheeema down. They counsel him to stop fighting, ' Do you not see the others standing without a fight. If there was a chance of winning would we have not fought?.' Once the whole pandava army stops fighting, the Narayana Astra becomes quiet. There is no further danger from it, as it can be used only once! Ashwatthama tries other astras, but Arjuna has answers to these, so a discouraged Ashwatthama gives up and returns to his camp.
While Vachana Bharata is brief about the war, Kamala's version does have more details. For instance Ashwatthama cannot understand how Naryana Astra was neutralised and did not destroy the pandavas as he had hoped.
Ashwatthama asks Vyasa, 'My lord, why did my astras fail? How could they?' Vyasa explains to him that Krishna and Arjuna are in fact incarnations of Nara and Narayana. 'You cannot either defy them or destroy them. You are trying to do the impossible. Your father has reached the heavens, there is nothing for you to grieve. Go home, my child and think of tomorrow!'
The concept of Astras itself is thought provoking.
In Hindu mythology an astra (Sanskrit: अस्त्र) was a supernatural weapon, presided over by a specific deity. To summon or use an astra required knowledge of a specific incantation/invocation, when armed. The deity invoked would then endow the weapon, making it impossible to counter through regular means. Specific conditions existed involving the usage of astras, the violation of which could be fatal. Because of the power involved, the knowledge involving an astra was passed from a teacher to a pupil by word of mouth alone, and only following the establishment of the student's character. Certain astras had to be handed down from the deity involved directly, knowledge of the incantation being insufficient...wikipedia
More or less a safe system, even if we come across some situations wherein a diety does bestow these Astras to undesirable characters. But luckily for humanity, there is always a Vishnu or a Shiva saving mankind at the nick of time!
Today Proliferation of Nuclear weapons is a serious concern. Again thanks to almighty, it was only used against one country, twice unfortuantely, and after that there have been confrontations and threats, but so far no one has pushed the button! But more and more are into making Nuclear weapons! They neither need the blessing of a guru or a major diety. They can invent or steal the technology!
Again I read that India was the largest buyer of armaments last year! Perhaps placating gods would have been cheaper and more productive.
Wednesday, 30 May 2012
Tuesday, 29 May 2012
It is now Drona's turn. Mahabharata 154
There is full moon early in the morning and in its light the war begins. Soon, Drona kills Drupada, Virata and more. Dhristdhyumna advances to face Drona, while Duryodhana and Karna move to protect him. Drona, very hurt by Duryodhana's criticism, is fighting with a vengeance. In this state it seems impossibe to defeat Drona.
Unless Drona drops his bow and sits quiet, there is no hope of victory for pandavas. This sets Krishna thinking. 'Let someone declare that Aswatthma is dead, Drona will then stop fighting.' No one is willing to do this. Meanwhile Bheema kills an elephant named Ashwatthama and shouts 'Ashwatthma is dead', making sure that Drona hears him. As soon as Drona hears the shout, he becomes very dejected, but as he suspects its veracity, he knows his son's ability as a warrior, he recovers quickly and attacks Drishtadyumna with a renewed vigour.
Looking at the situation, Krishna advises Yudhisthira, 'If Drona continues to fight this way, very soon there will be no army left. It is the truth. A lie is now more important now than truth. There is no sin if you speak a lie to save your life.' Bheema supports Krishna and tells him about what he did just then, 'Drona did not believe me, listen to Govinda so that we can win. If he hears this news from your mouth, he will believe you. You are known to be a truthful person.'
Yudhisthira yields to Bheema's request and shouts अश्वत्थाम हत: and softly कुञ्जर: (Ashwatthama the elephant is dead!). Hearing this and believing it this time, Drona looses interest in the fight. In spite of the sudden drop in his energy, he kills the charioteer of Dhristadyumna breaks his bow. Both Satyaki and Arjuna come to support and Bheema takes Dhristhadyumna on his chariot and addresses Drona, 'If Brahmins do not learn the skills of an archer and engage in wars, Khsatriyas will be saved. Non-violence is a supreme dharma and Brahmins are the basis for this dharma. Among brahmins you are the greatest. The person for whom you took to teaching the use of arms is now lying down dead!
Drona reacting to Bheema's words, gives up the fight, 'Kripa, Karna, Duryodhana you take over now. Let both you and the pandavas be blessed. I am keeping down my arms'. and cries 'Oh Ashwatthama!' And after blessing every being he goes into a yogic trance. As he starts meditating a bright light leaves his body.
Drhristadhyumna then jumps down from the chariot and strides close to the inert body of Drona and holds his tuft and quickly cuts off his head. Thus ends the life of a man, who at eighty five fought like a sixteen year old!
Drona was the Royal guru and one wonders whether it was necessary for him get involved directly in the war. As I read about him in Wikipedia, I was surprised with some of the details, some strange, but not during those times!
Whoever contributed to wikipedia, was highly critical of Drona, the Brahmin guru!
Drona was born a Bharadwaja brahmin in 9000BC Dehradun. Drona implies that he was not gestated in a womb, but outside the human body in a droon (vessel). The story of Drona's birth is recounted dramatically in Mahābhārata, Book I: Adi Parva, and Sambhava Parva.
Bharadwaja went with his companions to the Ganges to perform his ablutions. There he beheld a beautiful apsara named Ghritachi who had come to bathe. The sage was overcome by desire, causing him to produce a reproductive fluid. Bharadwaja captured the fluid in a vessel called a drona, and Drona/Dronacharya himself sprang from the fluid thus preserved. Drona would later boast that he had sprung from Bharadwaja without ever having been in a womb.
Drona married Kripi, the sister of Kripa, the royal teacher of the princes and other children of the kings born out of maidservants in Hastinapura. Like Drona himself, Kripi and her brother had not been gestated in a womb, but outside the human body (see Kripa page). Kripi and Drona had a son, Ashwathama.
The strongest criticism of Drona springs from his behavior towards Ekalavya and his strong bias in favor of Arjuna. Drona similarly rejected Karna, as he did not belong to the kshatriya caste. Thus, Drona inadvertently laid the foundation for Karna's great rivalry with Arjuna.
It was Drona's own greed, snobbery and lust for power, position, name and fame as a teacher of rich and high-born pupils that led to his betrayal of his dharma as a teacher, for teachers are bound to teach those who are the fittest to learn, and not those who have the most power and wealth.
It may also be concluded that he was responsible for the devious murder of Abhimanyu, as it was he who had suggested simultaneously attacking and disabling the tired, outnumbered and trapped warrior.
The Government of India annually awards the Dronacharya Award for excellence in sports tutelage to the best sports teachers and coaches in India.
It is believed that the city of Gurgaon (literally - "Village of the Guru") was founded as "Guru Gram" by Drona on land given to him by Dhritarashtra, the king of Hastinapur in recognition of his teachings of martial arts to the princes, and the 'Dronacharya Tank', still exists within the Gurgaon city, along with a village called Gurgaon.
Unless Drona drops his bow and sits quiet, there is no hope of victory for pandavas. This sets Krishna thinking. 'Let someone declare that Aswatthma is dead, Drona will then stop fighting.' No one is willing to do this. Meanwhile Bheema kills an elephant named Ashwatthama and shouts 'Ashwatthma is dead', making sure that Drona hears him. As soon as Drona hears the shout, he becomes very dejected, but as he suspects its veracity, he knows his son's ability as a warrior, he recovers quickly and attacks Drishtadyumna with a renewed vigour.
Looking at the situation, Krishna advises Yudhisthira, 'If Drona continues to fight this way, very soon there will be no army left. It is the truth. A lie is now more important now than truth. There is no sin if you speak a lie to save your life.' Bheema supports Krishna and tells him about what he did just then, 'Drona did not believe me, listen to Govinda so that we can win. If he hears this news from your mouth, he will believe you. You are known to be a truthful person.'
Yudhisthira yields to Bheema's request and shouts अश्वत्थाम हत: and softly कुञ्जर: (Ashwatthama the elephant is dead!). Hearing this and believing it this time, Drona looses interest in the fight. In spite of the sudden drop in his energy, he kills the charioteer of Dhristadyumna breaks his bow. Both Satyaki and Arjuna come to support and Bheema takes Dhristhadyumna on his chariot and addresses Drona, 'If Brahmins do not learn the skills of an archer and engage in wars, Khsatriyas will be saved. Non-violence is a supreme dharma and Brahmins are the basis for this dharma. Among brahmins you are the greatest. The person for whom you took to teaching the use of arms is now lying down dead!
Drona reacting to Bheema's words, gives up the fight, 'Kripa, Karna, Duryodhana you take over now. Let both you and the pandavas be blessed. I am keeping down my arms'. and cries 'Oh Ashwatthama!' And after blessing every being he goes into a yogic trance. As he starts meditating a bright light leaves his body.
Drhristadhyumna then jumps down from the chariot and strides close to the inert body of Drona and holds his tuft and quickly cuts off his head. Thus ends the life of a man, who at eighty five fought like a sixteen year old!
Drona was the Royal guru and one wonders whether it was necessary for him get involved directly in the war. As I read about him in Wikipedia, I was surprised with some of the details, some strange, but not during those times!
Whoever contributed to wikipedia, was highly critical of Drona, the Brahmin guru!
Drona was born a Bharadwaja brahmin in 9000BC Dehradun. Drona implies that he was not gestated in a womb, but outside the human body in a droon (vessel). The story of Drona's birth is recounted dramatically in Mahābhārata, Book I: Adi Parva, and Sambhava Parva.
Bharadwaja went with his companions to the Ganges to perform his ablutions. There he beheld a beautiful apsara named Ghritachi who had come to bathe. The sage was overcome by desire, causing him to produce a reproductive fluid. Bharadwaja captured the fluid in a vessel called a drona, and Drona/Dronacharya himself sprang from the fluid thus preserved. Drona would later boast that he had sprung from Bharadwaja without ever having been in a womb.
Drona married Kripi, the sister of Kripa, the royal teacher of the princes and other children of the kings born out of maidservants in Hastinapura. Like Drona himself, Kripi and her brother had not been gestated in a womb, but outside the human body (see Kripa page). Kripi and Drona had a son, Ashwathama.
The strongest criticism of Drona springs from his behavior towards Ekalavya and his strong bias in favor of Arjuna. Drona similarly rejected Karna, as he did not belong to the kshatriya caste. Thus, Drona inadvertently laid the foundation for Karna's great rivalry with Arjuna.
It was Drona's own greed, snobbery and lust for power, position, name and fame as a teacher of rich and high-born pupils that led to his betrayal of his dharma as a teacher, for teachers are bound to teach those who are the fittest to learn, and not those who have the most power and wealth.
It may also be concluded that he was responsible for the devious murder of Abhimanyu, as it was he who had suggested simultaneously attacking and disabling the tired, outnumbered and trapped warrior.
The Government of India annually awards the Dronacharya Award for excellence in sports tutelage to the best sports teachers and coaches in India.
It is believed that the city of Gurgaon (literally - "Village of the Guru") was founded as "Guru Gram" by Drona on land given to him by Dhritarashtra, the king of Hastinapur in recognition of his teachings of martial arts to the princes, and the 'Dronacharya Tank', still exists within the Gurgaon city, along with a village called Gurgaon.
Monday, 28 May 2012
Ghatotkacha is the next one to go. Strangely Krishna cannot contain his joy at this. Mahabharata 153
With the battle field lit with lanterns, Satyaki and Dhristadhyumna fight with great valour, Bheema kills Bahlika, ten brothers of Duryodhana and five brothers of Sakuni. Arjuna expresses a desire to fight with Karna, but Krishna does not agree and calls Ghatotkacha and tells him, 'Look child! This is the right time for you to show your prowess. You have Bheema's strength and many weapons. You can also fight an illusory war. In addition the rakshas have more power in the night. Hence fight with Karna and by killing him you will help pandavas immensely. We all hope that our children will come to our aid here and hereafter!'
Accordingly Ghatotkacha proceeds and kills Alayudha and others. He then confronts Karna and after a fierce fight disappears into the skies and engages in a deceptive war. This creates a havoc in the kaurava ranks and battle field is filled with cries of despair. Hearing this, Karna uses a very powerful astra known as Vijayanthi and Ghatotkacha is struck and falls from the sky and dies. This news saddens Bheema and Yudhisthira. While they and the rest of pandavas are sad, surprisingly Krishna looks happy and roars like a lion and embraces Arjuna!
Arjuna is perplexed and asks Krishna to explain. Krishna tells Arjuna, 'It is an extremely good news Arjuna. I am a very relieved person. As Karna has expended his power against Ghatotkacha, take it that he is dead! Fortunately for us, his कवच armour and his कुण्डल ear-ring were given away earlier, now his special powers are gone. If these three things were still with him he could have won the three worlds easily. By giving up the first two to Indra in exchange for the special powers, he had assumed that he could easily kill you. Now you are safe as he is just an ordinary human being. It is now possible to defeat and kill him'. Soon the fighting stops and the army is able to rest.
We now see how far a friendship can go! Krishna knowingly sends Ghatotkacha to his death to save his friend Arjuna, thus pandavas. It could be because Ghatotkacha is just a half-pandava and in reality more of a rakshasa.
The other versions are different. Bheema invites Ghatotkacha to join pandavas as some rakshasas with old enmities towards pandavas join Duryodhana and pandavas need him to counter their ability to wage a 'Maya yuddha'. When Ghatotkacha creates a havoc with the kaurava army by becoming invisible and waging war from the skies, it is Duryodhana who requests Karna to do something or the entire kaurava army would be demolished.
Whatever the reason, it is Krishna who realises the significance of Karna using his most powerful astra to kill Ghatotkacha. Karna has nothing more left to defeat Arjuna after using up this astra to save the kaurava army.
Anyway Ghatotkacha is not totally forgotten. 'There is a temple built in Manali, Himachal Pradesh for Ghatotkacha near Hidimba Devi Temple.'- Wikipedia
Who or what are rakshasas?
rakshas, is a race of mythological humanoid beings or unrighteous spirit in Hindu and Buddhist religion. Rakshasas are also called man-eaters ("Nri-chakshas," "Kravyads"). A female Rakshasa is called a Rakshasi, and a female Rakshasa in human form is a Manushya-Rakshasi. Often Asura and Rakshasa are interchangeably used.-Wikipedia
Tara remembered seeing panadava temples in Yogyakarta in Indonesia.
Sites of temples in Dieng can be grouped into four parts, namely the First Pandava temple as a place of worship Arjuna temple, Heroine temple, Puntodewo temple, Sembrada temple, and Semar temple. The second group Ghatotkacha Temple. The third group of Bhima temple.
There is also a mention of a monument in Bali. The war between Ghatotkacha and Karna.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/a_s_h_pune/5082431907/
Accordingly Ghatotkacha proceeds and kills Alayudha and others. He then confronts Karna and after a fierce fight disappears into the skies and engages in a deceptive war. This creates a havoc in the kaurava ranks and battle field is filled with cries of despair. Hearing this, Karna uses a very powerful astra known as Vijayanthi and Ghatotkacha is struck and falls from the sky and dies. This news saddens Bheema and Yudhisthira. While they and the rest of pandavas are sad, surprisingly Krishna looks happy and roars like a lion and embraces Arjuna!
Arjuna is perplexed and asks Krishna to explain. Krishna tells Arjuna, 'It is an extremely good news Arjuna. I am a very relieved person. As Karna has expended his power against Ghatotkacha, take it that he is dead! Fortunately for us, his कवच armour and his कुण्डल ear-ring were given away earlier, now his special powers are gone. If these three things were still with him he could have won the three worlds easily. By giving up the first two to Indra in exchange for the special powers, he had assumed that he could easily kill you. Now you are safe as he is just an ordinary human being. It is now possible to defeat and kill him'. Soon the fighting stops and the army is able to rest.
We now see how far a friendship can go! Krishna knowingly sends Ghatotkacha to his death to save his friend Arjuna, thus pandavas. It could be because Ghatotkacha is just a half-pandava and in reality more of a rakshasa.
The other versions are different. Bheema invites Ghatotkacha to join pandavas as some rakshasas with old enmities towards pandavas join Duryodhana and pandavas need him to counter their ability to wage a 'Maya yuddha'. When Ghatotkacha creates a havoc with the kaurava army by becoming invisible and waging war from the skies, it is Duryodhana who requests Karna to do something or the entire kaurava army would be demolished.
Whatever the reason, it is Krishna who realises the significance of Karna using his most powerful astra to kill Ghatotkacha. Karna has nothing more left to defeat Arjuna after using up this astra to save the kaurava army.
Anyway Ghatotkacha is not totally forgotten. 'There is a temple built in Manali, Himachal Pradesh for Ghatotkacha near Hidimba Devi Temple.'- Wikipedia
Who or what are rakshasas?
rakshas, is a race of mythological humanoid beings or unrighteous spirit in Hindu and Buddhist religion. Rakshasas are also called man-eaters ("Nri-chakshas," "Kravyads"). A female Rakshasa is called a Rakshasi, and a female Rakshasa in human form is a Manushya-Rakshasi. Often Asura and Rakshasa are interchangeably used.-Wikipedia
Tara remembered seeing panadava temples in Yogyakarta in Indonesia.
Sites of temples in Dieng can be grouped into four parts, namely the First Pandava temple as a place of worship Arjuna temple, Heroine temple, Puntodewo temple, Sembrada temple, and Semar temple. The second group Ghatotkacha Temple. The third group of Bhima temple.
There is also a mention of a monument in Bali. The war between Ghatotkacha and Karna.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/a_s_h_pune/5082431907/
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.
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.
Sunday, 27 May 2012
Jayadratha is very worried! Mahabharata 151
Jayadhratha learns about Arjuna's vow from his spies and becomes afraid and does not know how to face this threat to his life. He meets the kings in the kaurava camp and laments, 'I heard that Arjuna has made a vow to kill me tomorrow. Even devas and gandharvas cannot stop him, how can I stand before him alone? If you cannot assure me of my safety, I will quietly go away from here and hide in my country. Give me permission to leave.'
Duryodhana tries to bolster the confidence of his brother-in -law, 'Would Drona, Karna, Dussasana and many more heroic warriors forsake you? You are also no less in your courage and abilities.' He then, in the very night, takes Saindhava to meet Dronacharya.
Drona promises him full protection.'I will construct an impregnable formation which will be impossible for Arjuna to penetrate. Do not be scared of Arjuna. Fight like a true warrior!' And consoles him with, 'We are all in line for death and it is inevitable. Let us do our duty and be ready to go to heaven.'
In the morning, Drona forms a शकट(wedge) vyuha and behind it a Padma vyuha and inside it a सूचि formation. Creates the sharpest offence with Krithavarma, Kamboja, Duryodhana, Karna and many more in front and places Jayadratha behind them. Drona places himself in front of the shakata vyuha.
The war begins, Arjuna defeats Dussasana, Duryodhana in no time and approaches Drona and salutes him. 'Acharaya! Please bless me. You are like my father. You should protect me like you would Ashwatthama. With your loving kindness, I propose to fight with Jayadratha and kill him.'
Drona smiles, 'How can you hope to defeat Jayadratha, without first defeating me?' and starts showering arrows on Arjuna. Krishna realises that there is no way to defeat Drona and suggests that they should not waste time with Drona and suggests, 'Let us leave this Brahmin alone and go further'. Arjuna agrees and Krishna deftly manoeuvres the chariot away from Drona. Drona noticing this shouts 'Hey! How can you leave without defeating your enemy?'
Arjuna replies as they leave Drona, 'You are not my enemy, you are my guru and I am like your son. And there is no one who can hope to defeat you.' And they suddenly turn and penetrate deeper in to the karava army. There is a fierce combat and many are killed. But the warriors who are guarding Jayadratha, keeping a low profile, shield him well.
Krishna sees that it is almost evening and thinks of a ploy. He tells Arjuna, 'I will create an illusion of the sun setting. Jayadratha relieved that he is saved, will raise his head and you must kill him at that moment.' It becomes dark and both the armies thinking that the sun has set, stop fighting and raise their heads to look up! Jayadratha also very happy looks up and Arjuna severs his head with a powerful arrow.
If Jayadratha's head had rolled on to the ground, it would have split Arjuna's head into thousand pieces. But Krishna had told him about this. So Arjuna shoots many more arrows at the severed head and it flies towards Jayadratha's father, Vriddhakshatra, who is offering prayers to the sun at that time and lands on his lap. As his father concludes the prayers and gets up, Jayadratha's head rolls down to the ground and his fathers head splits into smithereens.
Jayadratha's father had earlier thrown a curse that whoever drops his son's head on earth, that persons' head would split at that instant into a thousand pieces. The curse thus became the cause of his own death. If not it would have been Arjuna's head. No sooner Arjuna's vow is fulfilled, the sun appears again and people realise it was Krisna's maya!
This combination of myth and reality in the story is intriguing! God should be on your side, to remind and counteract the various boons given at different times to different people for various reasons. Arjuna was lucky that Krishna was on his side!
Duryodhana tries to bolster the confidence of his brother-in -law, 'Would Drona, Karna, Dussasana and many more heroic warriors forsake you? You are also no less in your courage and abilities.' He then, in the very night, takes Saindhava to meet Dronacharya.
Drona promises him full protection.'I will construct an impregnable formation which will be impossible for Arjuna to penetrate. Do not be scared of Arjuna. Fight like a true warrior!' And consoles him with, 'We are all in line for death and it is inevitable. Let us do our duty and be ready to go to heaven.'
In the morning, Drona forms a शकट(wedge) vyuha and behind it a Padma vyuha and inside it a सूचि formation. Creates the sharpest offence with Krithavarma, Kamboja, Duryodhana, Karna and many more in front and places Jayadratha behind them. Drona places himself in front of the shakata vyuha.
The war begins, Arjuna defeats Dussasana, Duryodhana in no time and approaches Drona and salutes him. 'Acharaya! Please bless me. You are like my father. You should protect me like you would Ashwatthama. With your loving kindness, I propose to fight with Jayadratha and kill him.'
Drona smiles, 'How can you hope to defeat Jayadratha, without first defeating me?' and starts showering arrows on Arjuna. Krishna realises that there is no way to defeat Drona and suggests that they should not waste time with Drona and suggests, 'Let us leave this Brahmin alone and go further'. Arjuna agrees and Krishna deftly manoeuvres the chariot away from Drona. Drona noticing this shouts 'Hey! How can you leave without defeating your enemy?'
Arjuna replies as they leave Drona, 'You are not my enemy, you are my guru and I am like your son. And there is no one who can hope to defeat you.' And they suddenly turn and penetrate deeper in to the karava army. There is a fierce combat and many are killed. But the warriors who are guarding Jayadratha, keeping a low profile, shield him well.
Krishna sees that it is almost evening and thinks of a ploy. He tells Arjuna, 'I will create an illusion of the sun setting. Jayadratha relieved that he is saved, will raise his head and you must kill him at that moment.' It becomes dark and both the armies thinking that the sun has set, stop fighting and raise their heads to look up! Jayadratha also very happy looks up and Arjuna severs his head with a powerful arrow.
If Jayadratha's head had rolled on to the ground, it would have split Arjuna's head into thousand pieces. But Krishna had told him about this. So Arjuna shoots many more arrows at the severed head and it flies towards Jayadratha's father, Vriddhakshatra, who is offering prayers to the sun at that time and lands on his lap. As his father concludes the prayers and gets up, Jayadratha's head rolls down to the ground and his fathers head splits into smithereens.
Jayadratha's father had earlier thrown a curse that whoever drops his son's head on earth, that persons' head would split at that instant into a thousand pieces. The curse thus became the cause of his own death. If not it would have been Arjuna's head. No sooner Arjuna's vow is fulfilled, the sun appears again and people realise it was Krisna's maya!
This combination of myth and reality in the story is intriguing! God should be on your side, to remind and counteract the various boons given at different times to different people for various reasons. Arjuna was lucky that Krishna was on his side!
Saturday, 26 May 2012
Arjuna takes a terrible oath.Mahabharata 150
Krishna advises Arjuna to stop grieving for his son as he has attained Veera swarga, but Arjuna is still inconsolable. He turns to his brothers and asks, his voice quivering with sadness 'Tell me what happened to Abhimanyu. How is it possible that while highly skilled warriors like you were with him, he was killed? If I had known this, I would not have left him alone in the battle field. If Abhimanyu died right in front of your eyes, can we still claim that you are brave and formidable warriors! It is mainly my fault that I believed in you and left him in your care. You are only capable of talking in a sabha and are incapable of protecting a mere boy. The arms and armours with you are just for show!'
With Arjuna in this state, none is able to talk or even look at him, except Yudhisthira and Krishna. Finally Yudhisthira tells him briefly how it happened. 'We were right behind Abhimanyu, but Saindhava, blessed by a boon by Rudra, stopped all of us from following Abhimanyu. Once he was in, Drona, Kripa, Karna, Ashwathama, Bruhadbala and Kruthavarma surrounded him. He fought valiantly sent hundreds of Rajaputras and Bruhadbala to heaven, then destiny took him away from us, leaving us all desolate. This is what happened.'
Arjuna is overcome with grief and cries 'Oh my son!' He gnashes his teeth and wrings his hand like a man who is delirious with a high fever. He appears as if he has gone mad and announces, 'Here is my oath! I will kill that Saindhava Jayadratha tomorrow. If he runs away scared and deserts the kaurava army or if he comes and surrenders to either me or Krishna, I will spare him. If not, it is certain that I will kill him. Whoever comes to protect him, whether it is Dronacharya or Kripacharya, I will also kill them. If I am unable to do this, let me be derprived my place in heaven and suffer the misfortune that befalls the killers of their own parents. If the sun sets tomorrow and I have not yet killed him , I will offer myself as a sacrifice to agni.' . Having said this, Arjuna rotates his bow Gandhiva around him and sounds his conch Devadatta, Krishna sounds his conch Panchajanya supporting his resolve. Soon others followed with drums and musical instruments and loud war-cries.
With Arjuna in this state, none is able to talk or even look at him, except Yudhisthira and Krishna. Finally Yudhisthira tells him briefly how it happened. 'We were right behind Abhimanyu, but Saindhava, blessed by a boon by Rudra, stopped all of us from following Abhimanyu. Once he was in, Drona, Kripa, Karna, Ashwathama, Bruhadbala and Kruthavarma surrounded him. He fought valiantly sent hundreds of Rajaputras and Bruhadbala to heaven, then destiny took him away from us, leaving us all desolate. This is what happened.'
Arjuna is overcome with grief and cries 'Oh my son!' He gnashes his teeth and wrings his hand like a man who is delirious with a high fever. He appears as if he has gone mad and announces, 'Here is my oath! I will kill that Saindhava Jayadratha tomorrow. If he runs away scared and deserts the kaurava army or if he comes and surrenders to either me or Krishna, I will spare him. If not, it is certain that I will kill him. Whoever comes to protect him, whether it is Dronacharya or Kripacharya, I will also kill them. If I am unable to do this, let me be derprived my place in heaven and suffer the misfortune that befalls the killers of their own parents. If the sun sets tomorrow and I have not yet killed him , I will offer myself as a sacrifice to agni.' . Having said this, Arjuna rotates his bow Gandhiva around him and sounds his conch Devadatta, Krishna sounds his conch Panchajanya supporting his resolve. Soon others followed with drums and musical instruments and loud war-cries.
Thursday, 24 May 2012
Arjuna is devastated. Mahabharata 149
It is evening, the war is stopped for the day. Yudhisthira returns to his tent a very sad man. He does not know how to face Arjuna. As he mourns the loss of an incomparable hero, he does not want war anymore and the thought of victory has no meaning for him.
As Arjuna returns after defeating the warriors who had drawn him out of the battle field, he senses that something is amiss. 'Krishna! Why is it that there is a flutter in my heart? My lips tremble? I have no control over my body. I cannot sit still on the chariot, I have a feeling that a calamity has occurred and the thought does not leave me. I see many signs which signify misfortune. Hope my elder brother and the rest are all safe.' Krishna tries to calm him, 'I am sure that Yudhisthira and others are all safe. Do not worry! It could be a small untoward incidence!'
When they reach the camp, it appears dull like a faded painting. The usual welcome that Arjuna is given everyday, as he returns from the battlefield, is not evident. There is no auspicious chanting, music or beating of the drums and the sound of conches. The camp is quiet, the soldiers avoid meeting his eyes and go about with bowed heads. Abhimanyu who is always present when he returns is not to be seen. These signs further worry Arjuna .
Inside in the tent Pandavas and the rest are quiet and look very pre-occupied. And there is still no sign of Abhimanyu. Arjuna is now very worried, 'How is it you are all so dull? You do not seem to be happy that I have come. Where is Abhimanyu? I heard that Drona had created the Padma vyuha today. Only Abhimanyu is able to go inside this formation. But I have not yet taught him how to come out of it. Hope you did not ask him to penetrate the 'vyuha' and is not killed by the enemies. How can he, who is equal to Keshava in his valour and knowledge, be killed? If my child is dead, it is better that I also die. I will have no peace if I am unable to hear his voice or see his face.' Arjuna continues to wail helplessly in the manner of a merchant who has lost his ship in the seas.
He then looks at Yudhisthira, 'Why has not Abhimanyu, after he has defeated the enemies, come to greet me? Surely our enemies, have brought my son down, it is as if the sun has been knocked down from the skies'. And asks Krishna, 'Earlier I heard the shout of victory from the kauravas, even heard Yuyutsu deriding them for killing a young man sinfully and shamelessly and warning them that Krishna and Arjuna will mete out the right punishment for their evil act. Why did you not tell me earlier? I would have gone and destroyed them all!'
Krishna looks at Arjuna, whose eyes are filled with tears. 'Heroes who do not retreat all have the same temperament. All Khsatriya heroes expect the same fate. The prince has killed many powerful and brave men and has finally attained the state every khsatriya desires. Do not grieve for him. If you continue to grieve, your brothers and other friends will do the same. Go and pacify them.'
I am reminded of the second world war cemetary near the river Kwai in Thailand. It is beautifully maintained, with lots flowers. It is only when you step closer to read the inscriptions that it hits you. Most of the graves are for men who are in their twenties and thirties! It is a cliche', but humans seem to have no qualms about sending their young sons' to death. Now it is also the daughters in some cases!
As Arjuna returns after defeating the warriors who had drawn him out of the battle field, he senses that something is amiss. 'Krishna! Why is it that there is a flutter in my heart? My lips tremble? I have no control over my body. I cannot sit still on the chariot, I have a feeling that a calamity has occurred and the thought does not leave me. I see many signs which signify misfortune. Hope my elder brother and the rest are all safe.' Krishna tries to calm him, 'I am sure that Yudhisthira and others are all safe. Do not worry! It could be a small untoward incidence!'
When they reach the camp, it appears dull like a faded painting. The usual welcome that Arjuna is given everyday, as he returns from the battlefield, is not evident. There is no auspicious chanting, music or beating of the drums and the sound of conches. The camp is quiet, the soldiers avoid meeting his eyes and go about with bowed heads. Abhimanyu who is always present when he returns is not to be seen. These signs further worry Arjuna .
Inside in the tent Pandavas and the rest are quiet and look very pre-occupied. And there is still no sign of Abhimanyu. Arjuna is now very worried, 'How is it you are all so dull? You do not seem to be happy that I have come. Where is Abhimanyu? I heard that Drona had created the Padma vyuha today. Only Abhimanyu is able to go inside this formation. But I have not yet taught him how to come out of it. Hope you did not ask him to penetrate the 'vyuha' and is not killed by the enemies. How can he, who is equal to Keshava in his valour and knowledge, be killed? If my child is dead, it is better that I also die. I will have no peace if I am unable to hear his voice or see his face.' Arjuna continues to wail helplessly in the manner of a merchant who has lost his ship in the seas.
He then looks at Yudhisthira, 'Why has not Abhimanyu, after he has defeated the enemies, come to greet me? Surely our enemies, have brought my son down, it is as if the sun has been knocked down from the skies'. And asks Krishna, 'Earlier I heard the shout of victory from the kauravas, even heard Yuyutsu deriding them for killing a young man sinfully and shamelessly and warning them that Krishna and Arjuna will mete out the right punishment for their evil act. Why did you not tell me earlier? I would have gone and destroyed them all!'
Krishna looks at Arjuna, whose eyes are filled with tears. 'Heroes who do not retreat all have the same temperament. All Khsatriya heroes expect the same fate. The prince has killed many powerful and brave men and has finally attained the state every khsatriya desires. Do not grieve for him. If you continue to grieve, your brothers and other friends will do the same. Go and pacify them.'
I am reminded of the second world war cemetary near the river Kwai in Thailand. It is beautifully maintained, with lots flowers. It is only when you step closer to read the inscriptions that it hits you. Most of the graves are for men who are in their twenties and thirties! It is a cliche', but humans seem to have no qualms about sending their young sons' to death. Now it is also the daughters in some cases!
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