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| Saguni and Duryodhana |
“Duryodhana, do whatever it takes to
get Krishna on our side. We need him, desperately.”- Saguni spoke looking at
the map.
Though there is a desire for peace in
the hearts of King Yudhistra and King Dhritarashtra, Duryodhana being inflexible in war prepared with plans
for his victory. And, in getting armies and Kings to their side, both Pandavas
and Kauravas had their eyes fixed on Dwaraka.
“Desperately!?!
Him?! Are you thinking clearly?” – Confused Duchadhana asked his uncle.
“Think
Duchadhana! There’s none wiser than me in influencing. Krishna is wise and he
can manipulate people’s words and even the situation diplomatically. If we have
both of us in our side, victory is ours, without doubt. And we all know that
Krishna will be the brain of the Pandavas side with Arjuna and Bhīma being the
muscle power. We take out their brain. We win. Simple isn’t it?”- Saguni spoke
his devious plan.
“Wow!
Brilliant uncle! That’s best. Along with Grandsire Bhishma, Dronacharya, Karna
and now, the mighty army of Dwaraka and Krishna! Pandavas will surrender to me
even before the war. Brilliant!”- Duryodhana applauded his uncle.
“Don’t waste time and go immediately to Dwaraka.
Use your virtue and mind your behavior in front of your Guru Balram. Krishna
knows when you are acting. It’s not easy to pacify him. So, pacify Balram.” –
Saguni advised Duryodhana.
Duryodhana left for Dwaraka immediately. Meanwhile, Arjuna too set out for Dwaraka to
seek support.
****
“Both of you are related to me. And also, both
the sides are accountable for what has happened in the court that day. So I
have decided not to fight. I and Krishna won’t be fighting. And, Dwaraka won’t
be participating in this war and will not be supporting both of you.”- King
Balram was firm in his decision.
Disappointed, Arjuna and Duryodhana retired to
their respective chamber.
“Brother! We can’t stay away from the war. If we
stay away, our people might think that we have accepted that what happened to
Draupathi is fair. At least for the sake of Draupathi and future women, we have
to participate in the war.” – Krishna tried to convince his brother.
“Krishna! We both know that they came here
seeking our help because the side we fight will win, for sure. Both Duryodhana
and Yudhistra are responsible for what has happened and I don’t prefer favoring
just one.”- Balram was firm in his decision.
“Brother! We’ll keep your word. We will support
both. You stay away from the war. I, on the other hand, will participate, but
without taking weapon in my hands. For the sake of participation, we will send
just our Akshauhinis to the war. Let them decide on what they want. The
war is theirs.” – Krishna convinced Balram.
Balram accepted Krishna’s proposal and the
message reached both Duryodhana and Arjuna.
“Krishna is the generalissimo of Narayani Sena.
Go, meet him and get whichever you want. I’m fine with whatever he chooses.”-
Balram stood out as per the covenant.
Krishna was in his chamber, lying on his bed made
of fine feathers and the frames made out of gold and decorated with gems and
precious stones. Duryodhana was the first to rush to Krishna’s chamber. Seeing
Krishna having a peaceful sleep and not intent in waking him up, he sat on a
chair that was next to Krishna’s bed, beside his pillow side. Arjuna came in
and noticed Duryodhana seated and Krishna sleeping.
Duryodhana grinned, thinking “You’re always late,
Arjuna. This time, he and his army is going to be mine.” Arjuna ignored
Duryodhana and stood in front of Krishna’s bed, near Krishna’s feet, with his
arms folded out of devotion.
Moments passed in absolute silence. Krishna woke
up and saw Arjuna standing in front of him. “O Arjuna! When did you come!? You
should have waked me up, right? What brings you here?”
Before Arjuna could answer, aware of the
situation, Duryodhana hurried- “I came here before Arjuna. I’m waiting here for
a long time beseeching your assistance in the forthcoming war.”
Aware, yet pretending unaware, Krishna said – “O
Duryodhana! I didn’t notice you as you were sitting on my head. I mean, beside
my head. It’s good to see you both together.”
Turning towards Arjuna, Krishna spoke – “You both
are my relatives. I cannot be favorable to only one of you. So, I leave the
decision in your hands. Brother Balram is not fighting. And, respecting his word,
I too will not be fighting. So, here’s the option for you both. Choose one:
One, Dwaraka’s vast, skilled, talented and mighty Narayani Sena. Second, Me.
Unarmed. Arjuna, the choice is yours. Choose what you prefer.”
Raged, Duryodhana responded, “I came first to see
you, Krishna. It’s my desire that you should be fulfilling first. The decision
should be made by me.”
“Duryodhana… but I saw Arjuna first. So he gets
the preference.”- Krishna responded with serenity.
“O Krishna! Let Duryodhana choose. He arrived
first.”- Arjuna spoke in favor of Duryodhana.
“Arjuna, he might have arrived first but you are
younger to him. So it’s you who deserves the right to ask first.” – Krishna
said with a smiling face.
Waves of distress passed through the nerves of
Duryodhana for he felt, Arjuna, for sure, will ask for the vast and mighty
Narayani Sena and he’s going to be left with only an unarmed Krishna.
Arjuna understood the agitation of Duryodhana.
Smiling to himself, Arjuna said, “Krishna, there’s nothing that you don’t know.
Your army is massive with every soldier trained by yourself. Every soldier
possesses immense talent and battling skill. All those weapons that your army
owns are unique and the way your soldiers fight is exceptional. There’s none
talented to lead such a vast and multi-talented army.”
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| Mighty Narayani Sena! |
Arjuna paused and glanced at Duryodhana who was
agitated and was rotating his eye balls in anguish. Then he continued - “But, I
do not want the muscle power of your army. I would like to have the soul of
that army. Your army is just a drop of your immense power. I would like to have
the source. We would like to have the never ending source of talent, skill,
discipline and dharma. Though what my brother did was wrong, he followed
dharma. Considering that, I would like to have the idol of dharma to assist us.
To guide us in the war. To lead us in the path of dharma. Our destiny is bound
to Narayana and not to Narayani Sena. Our battle is a fight for dharma,
humanity and honor. I would like you to be by our side always, for your words
are more powerful than your weapons. Your thoughts are more compelling than our
talents and skills. But the right to choose you, I don’t have it. I am not
worthy enough to choose you. So, I request you to choose me. I beseech you to
be by my side and lead us.”
“I will be by your side, always. I won’t be
holding the weapons in my hands but, for you, my hands will be controlling your
steeds. I will be your charioteer till the war ends, Arjuna.”- Gratified
Krishna said patting Arjuna’s shoulders.
“Blessed! O Krishna! I give myself in your hands.
Control my mind and lead me in the war.”- Arjuna joined his hands and thanked
Krishna.
Relieved
on listening to Arjuna’s words and forgetting his uncle Saguni’s words,
Duryodhana thought, ‘This Arjuna is real fool. How does he expect to win war
with a charioteer?! I already have more Akshauhini than them. Now, with the
Narayani Sena, I will end up having more powerful and vast army on my side. The
Pandavas are done. I can already feel my victory. This war, for me, is going to
be simple and profitable.’
“Well, I get the mighty, talented, skilled, vast
and gifted army then!”- Duryodhana said with delight filling him.
“Yes Duryodhana! I hope you got what you came
for.”- Krishna said with smile.
“Of course! I got the world’s best army on my
side. I will take leave then.” – Duryodhana bowed to Krishna and glanced at
Arjuna like an insect and left the chamber.
Duryodhana went to his Guru, King Balram and
explained him about the conversation with pride. Though Balram understood Arjuna’s devotion
towards Krishna and Duryodhana’s incompetence in understanding the truth, he
did not comment on it.
“I don’t go with the decision of war Duryodhana.
Also I cannot act against Krishna. As your Guru, all I ask you is to fight by
rules and decency.” – said Balram.
Duryodhana bid farewell to King Balram and went
to Kritavarman. He chose Kritavarman and few of the mighty soldiers for an
Akshauhini and left Dwaraka with pride and happiness.
After Duryodhana’s departure, Arjuna bid farewell
to Balram and returned to Upaplavya along with illustrious Krishna.
