Duryodhana's boon

Duryodhana leaves for  Kamyakavana Lake

          The Pandavas were in exile after cheated in the game of dice by Saguni and Duryodhana. They, along with their wife Draupathi lived in a small cottage on the banks of the Kamyakavana Lake. Duryodhana came to know about this and as his only aim was to insult and trouble the Pandavas, he tried to show off his wealth and rich life to them. So, Duryodhana took his chariot that’s made out of gold and silver, studded with pearls and the seats studded with precious stones.  He was accompanied by his wives and maids who wore precious stone studded ornaments.

As his only aim was to affront the Pandavas by showing his sumptuousness, he commanded his servants to make arrangements for the tents on the banks of the lake, close to the Pandavas’ cottage. He went hunting, killed animals and made bonfire and had food with high quality alcohol. He was enjoying himself in the worldly pleasures which the Pandavas couldn’t have. He made sure every day he gets to eat different foods prepared deliciously using all sorts of spices.

One evening, he went to have bath in the lake. At that time, Chitrasena, the king of the Gandharvas who was passing by with his army of Gandharvas saw the maids and wives of Duryodhana. The maids and wives of Duryodhana looked stunningly beautiful wearing silk costumes and jewels made out of precious and glittering stones and pearls.

He ordered his army, “Those ladies are so beautiful. I would like to have them in my palace along with the other apsaras. Go and get them.”

The Gandharvas threatened Duryodhana’s servants and scared them away. They destroyed everything in the bivouacs. Duryodhana’s army too was attacked by the Gandharvas. Vicious Duryodhana came with Saguni and Karna and fought with the Gandharvas. Seeing the Gandharvas being attacked, King Chitrasena too joined them.

“Leave this place now. I’m Duryodhana, Prince of Hastinapur. The unassailable. Don’t get killed by me.”-Duryodhana warned King Chitrasena and his army.

Karna unconscious

A fierce battle ensued between them. Karna showered a volley of arrows at the Gandharvas. They were unable to stand against Karna’s talent. Looking at his Gandharvas struggling to save their lives, King Chitrasena who was battling Duryodhana and Saguni came to their rescue. King Chitrasena used the Sammohan astra and as a result, Duryodhana’s soldiers, Karna, Saguni and Duryodhana fell unconscious. Gandharvas broke Karna and Duryodhana’s chariots. They then prisoned Duryodhana and his wives and flew towards heaven.

Seeing this, Duryodhana’s minister and servants ran to the hut of the Pandavas and informed Yudhistra about the incident and asked for help.

On hearing the situation Bhīma laughed out aloud, “That spineless Duryodhana was not even able to help his wives and maids! He deserves it, for what he has done to Draupathi. Brother, I request you to leave this issue. It’s not our problem.”

“No Bhīma. It is our problem. Duryodhana is our brother. It’s a shame that King Chitrasena has captured and imprisoned the women of our family. When an outsider comes and intrudes our family women, we should stand against the outsider. We should hold to the family. Bhīma, You and Arjuna go and rescue the imprisoned Duryodhana and his wives and maids.”

Bhima attacking Gandharvas

Obeying the order from Yudhistra, Bhīma and Arjuna chased King Chitrasena. With his Mahakarshan Astra, Arjuna brought King Chitrasena’s chariot down to earth. Arjuna brought down the other Gandharvas with his divine weapon. King Chitrasena knew about the divine powers of Arjuna. He also knew about Arjuna’s celestial weapons and boons. So he did not wish to fight against Arjuna. On Arjuna’s command, King Chitrasena released the imprisoned people.

King Chitrasena cordially met Arjuna, “Arjuna, Duryodhana is a great sinner. I know what he has done to you brothers and to Draupathi. I also know that he came here just to harass you people. Yet, you have shown your grace and dignity in rescuing him and his wives. Duryodhana doesn’t deserve it.”

After blessing the Pandavas and Draupathi, King Chitrasena left the place with the other Gandharvas. Duryodhana stood humiliated. The wives and maids expressed their gratitude to Arjuna and Bhīma for saving them. Duryodhana was not able to utter a word out of disgrace.

But he stood in front of Arjuna and said, “Arjuna, Thank you for saving my wives. Ask for anything you wish and I will grant you whatever you want and whenever you need it.”-Saying so Duryodhana left to Hastinapur with his wives, Saguni, Karna and army.

Arjuna and the other Pandavas, on the other hand, did not wish to get anything from Duryodhana. Even Draupathi didn’t wish to ask for anything from such an evil hearted person. So, Arjuna ignored the boon.

                                                      *******

Years went on. The Pandavas finished their years of exile and as the peace talks failed, the armies got prepared for the great Kurukshetra war. The war was so tough for the Pandavas with the Kauravas having 11 Akshauhinis and the legendary Pithamaha Bhisma, Dronacharya and Karna on their side. The Pandavas won the seventh day of the war which intensified the rage within Duryodhana. He screamed at his Generalissimo Pithamaha Bhisma for not keeping up his promise and duties and also for favoring the Pandavas which is the reason for his loss. He solely held Pithamaha the responsibility for the loss.

Raged, Pithamaha Bhishma vowed, “Prince Duryodhana! Don’t you ever doubt my duties towards Hastinapur or to the Kauravas family. For you, I will slay every single Maharatha in the Pandavas side except Sikandi and the Pandavas. As I took a vow that I won’t be killing the Pandavas, I will for sure seize them and present them in front of you in the battle tomorrow using my celestial weapon. Consider that this war is over by tomorrow and you will be crowned King for sure.”

Duryodhana, unconvinced in Bhishma’s vow spoke, “Really! I don’t doubt your anger or vow but I still have a doubt on how you will react when you see your favorite disciples tomorrow in the battle. Especially, Arjuna. I don’t think you will be having this rage within you tomorrow once you see them. Show me the special Astra using which you will defeat them.”

Bhishma took a very special arrow from his quiver that was shining gold under the light! An admiring beauty. “Look Duryodhana! I got this after my penance. I got it from Lord Shiva himself. Using this, I can kill or slave anyone and whoever I wish. No matter how strong or skilled they are.”- Bhishma held the arrow in his hands.

“Mmmm, I wonder why you didn’t tell me about this earlier. I would have won the battle in first day itself! The Pandavas would have been dead by now! It’s good that at least you told me now! At least they will die tomorrow in my hands.”- Duryodhana spoke out of over confidence.

Listening to Duryodhana’s words, Bhishma was stunned. He was having a belief that King Drithirashtra will be convincing Duryodhana to not kill the Pandavas. Duryodhana noticed Bhisma’s reaction and he has a wicked thought running in his mind!

Duryodhana grasped the arrow from Pithamaha and spoke, “Pithamaha! I will hold on to this special astra till tomorrow morning. I will give it to you tomorrow when you get to face Arjuna, in the battle field. Who knows, as you know my plan, you might even break the astra, leading me to yet another loss. I’m not going to take the risk again. Take rest well Pithamaha, for we have a big finale tomorrow!”

Saying so, Duryodhana left Bhishma’s camp with delight. Krishna, who came to know about this, tried for yet another plan to save the Pandavas. So, he called upon Arjuna to his marquee.

“Arjuna! You need to go to the Kaurava’s camp, right now. Actually to Duryodhana’s, in particular. I have something that only you can do.”- Krishna, spoke to Arjuna, as usual making him clueless to understand.

“Krishna! What are you talking about? You need me to go to Duryodhana’s camp?! I don’t understand. Even if it’s a message to convey, why should I go? Moreover, if I go now, he might think that I have come to surrender.”- Arjuna spoke without knowing Krishna’s plan.

In the meantime, Yudhistra too came to Krishna’s camp knowing that Arjuna was called by Krishna on an urgent matter. Krishna explained the conversation between Duryodhana and Pithamaha.

Hearing Krishna’s words, fear struck Yudhistra spoke, “Oh Arjuna! Pithamaha has vowed to seize all of us. If he does that, definitely we will lose in the war tomorrow. We all know the skill and talent of Pithamaha. There’s none who can stand against the disciple of great Parasuram. Even the mighty Parasuram was unable to defeat Pithamaha. That’s it then. There’s no way we are going to win this war.”

“Calm down, King Dharmaraja! You are fighting for dharma. Dharma always succeeds.”- comforting Yudhistra, Krishna turned towards Arjuna and spoke, “Arjuna, do you remember? At the time of your exile, you saved Duryodhana’s wives and maids from the King of Gandharvas. Duryodhana too assured you of a boon. This is the right time! Go to Duryodhana and ask for the astra as a boon. He can’t deny it. Don’t delay. Act immediately before it reaches other’s hands.”

 Cheered on Krishna’s idea, Yudhistra asked Arjuna to do as per the advice of Krishna for his victory. But Arjuna was not ready to ask for a boon from Duryodhana.

“Duryodhana is a sinister. I am skilled and I can defeat anyone. Even, Pithamaha Bhishma. Why do you worry about his vow and astra? I don’t wish to go and ask for a boon from that evil minded creature.” – Arjuna spoke with over confidence in his archery skill.

“Oh Arjuna! It’s not time for showing bravery. Just think. What if Pithamaha uses that weapon against King Yudhistra while you are fighting against Aswathama or Dronacharya?  Do you think you will be able to save him from being in a different spot in the battle? No celestial weapon of yours will work against that astra. Even if Pithamaha captures your brother, the war is over. Duryodhana will kill him and will you be able to handle that?” – Krishna made Arjuna realize the situation.

Realizing the truth, Arjuna reluctantly accepted for the plan. So he went to the camp of Duryodhana’s. Hearing that Arjuna has come to see him, Duryodhana was excited. “What happened, Arjuna? The skilled archer! What brings you here? Have you come to surrender? Yudhistra should be doing it in person. Even if your brother, Yudhistra is not here, I will accept your surrender on behalf him. I am not that bad, you know!”- Duryodhana mocked Arjuna.

As per the advice of Krishna, Arjuna controlled his anger and spoke, “Oh mighty Duryodhana! I’m here for you. There’s something I need to ask. From you.”

Totally unaware of the situation Duryodhana spoke, “It’s either today or tomorrow! Only that tonight if it’s surrender, you all might live. If not, by tomorrow, you all will die in the hands of me after Pithamaha captures you all. So, I will consider it as your final wish. What is it that you seek, Oh poor helpless Arjuna? Do you want me not to kill you all?! Afraid of death from my hands!”

“Duryodhana! As a Kshatriya, we are not afraid to die. I’m here to ask for a boon from you. The one you told as a favor for saving you, your wives and maids from Chitrasena, King of Gandharvas.”

Wholly forgotten of that incident, Duryodhana tried to get a grasp on the day’s events. In the meantime, Arjuna spoke, “Duryodhana! I would like to have the celestial astra of Pithamaha Bhishma, which you have. The one he vowed to use it tomorrow to seize us. I don’t want anything else as a favor or even as an auxiliary.”

Left without any options, Duryodhana gave the celestial weapon to Arjuna. After receiving that weapon, Arjuna returned to his camp and gave the weapon to Krishna. Satisfied on seeing the weapon, Yudhistra went to sleep peacefully, breathing a sigh of relief. Krishna destroyed the astra, making sure that no one else can use it.

         While everyone in the Pandavas camp went to bed, relieved, Duryodhana ran towards Pithamaha Bhishma’s bivouac to work out an alternative plan for tomorrow’s battle and of course, to please him with the news of the astra.