Kurukshetra War - Night 4

*** Kauravas Camp ***

Duryodhana, dejected on witnessing the prowess of the Pandavas and the way his army was slaughtered today, lost his hope of victory and pondered about the reasons for his warriors to run away for their lives. In Pithamaha’s bivouac, depressed Duryodhana was having conversation with Pithamaha.

“We have the undefeatable Pithamaha as our generalissimo. And next to him in the chain of command, we have the mighty Dronacharya, Krpacharya, King Salya, Kritavarman, King Bhagadatta, King Bhurisravas, King Sudhakshina, Aswathama, Vikarna, King Saguni, Duchadhana and many more…and yet, why is it my army fought in such a humiliating way today? Combining experience of every soldier in the Pandavas army might not even be equal to these people’s mightiness, strategies, skill, talents and experience in battlefield. Where do we lag and why is it I was humiliated though having eleven Akshauhinis!?” – asked dejected Duryodhana, unable to find answers on his own.

“O Duryodhana, What I am about to say is the same what we have been saying all these days. All the mightiness and experience we have is no match compared to Krishna’s. With Krishna siding with the Pandavas, they will be undefeatable in all the three worlds. None is born in this world, ever, to even defeat those who are protected by Krishna.” – said Pithamaha.

“Everyone speak high about him. Why is it so? He was born in a jail, brought up by Yadavas and became a King! He is a good illusionist. Relying on him, the Pandavas are able to vanquish me!?? ” – asked Duryodhana.

The creator!

“O Son! What you speak is only his origin. What we know is the reason behind his origin. He is not just someone who got lucky. He is the Supreme. He is the creator and protector of all the three worlds. He lived in the past, lives in the present and will be present in the future too, for he has no origin and no end. He is the Supreme soul of every soul on this earth and he is present in the soul of every souls. He is the Lord. The creator, the leader, the protector and to him, we surrender. For, he is Lord Narayan.” – said Pithamaha with his eyes and heart filled with devotion to the Lord.

Listening to Pithamaha’s words, Duryodhana recalled the day Krishna showed his Vishwaroop in Hastinapur court, while Pithamaha continued – “Listen O Duryodhana, Sage Markandeya calls him as the ‘All Soul’, ‘Supreme Soul’ and the ‘Supreme of all beings’. He was born even before the air, water, light, fire and earth. He who sleeps on the ocean like a bright shining pearl created the glorious Vedas, the magnificent Yoga, the Devas and the three worlds. He is the creator, the author, the critic, the actor and also the action.”

“Magnanimous and splendid! If he is such a supreme, why did he come to earth as Krishna?” – asked Duryodhana with respect for Krishna. Pithamaha explained the reason of Krishnavatar.

“For dharma to sustain on this earth, he took the responsibility on his shoulders. Surrendering to him, we can be endued with prosperity. One charming look of his face will bring eternal happiness to the soul. He never failed in protecting those who surrenders to him. Knowing this truth, Draupathi surrendered to him in the Hastinapur court. And for that one act of devotion, he is protecting her till now and will do so, till her death. Same is for Arjuna and Yudhistra. And even for your brother, Yuyutsu, who surrendered to him even in the last moment. Such is his ever loving heart. And for that very reason, they will be undefeatable in this battle” – said Pithamaha in tranquil voice.

Duryodhana remained silence, recalling all the incidents and the mightiness of Krishna in saving the Pandavas.

Pithamaha, noticing Duryodhana’s silence said – “Now that you have known who really Krishna is and Krishna’s love for the Pandavas, you know why they will be invincible. It’s for the same reason, I, Vidhura, Drona and your father pleaded to you –‘Go in peace with the Pandavas’. Ignoring all the opportunities, we have ended here. And for all those disrespects, we, for sure, will be vanquished.”

Realizing the truth behind Krishna and Kurukshetra, Duryodhana rose from his seat and bowed in front of Pithamaha and left for his bivouac without any words spoken.

      *** Hastinapur Palace ***

            On hearing the assault that the Kuru army faced in the battlefield, King Dhritarashtra was dejected and cried for the trouble his sons are in.

            “Sanjaya, it’s been only four days and I can see the mightiness of Krishna and the Pandavas. It appears they cannot be defeated even by gods. There’s no strategy and science of war that Pithamaha Bhishma is unaware of. Even with him as the generalissimo, Pandavas are slaughtering my army, which means it’s all only the acts of destiny. What else I can say? What litanies did those Pandavas do? What enchantment did Krishna used to save the Pandavas?” – cried the depressed King.

            Sanjaya, who was aware of the heart of the King, replied – “It’s not because of prayers and illusions. Even you are aware of the very reason why your army is facing such a slaughter. The Pandavas have dharma on their side. Krishna is with them because of that. Krishna favors the Pandavas because they walked in the path of righteousness. Your sons are addicted to sins and their soul is tainted with evil deeds and acts. Victory favors where morality resides.”

            Sanjaya explained the conversation between Pithamaha and Duryodhana that happened in Pithamaha Bhishma’s bivouac.

            “Your words are true Sanjaya. Vidhura, Pithamaha and Drona warned about the same, every time when I favored my sons. Even Gandhari warned me. Bhīma is going to slain my sons and I will be the only person to swim in the endless ocean of grief, till death. Looks like, I have to carry the penalty for not leading my sons in the path of dharma. I don’t see a way out of this. None is there to save my sons, in this battle. Not even Pithamaha and Karna can.” – cried King Dhritarashtra.

            “O King, Saguni planted the seed of sin in your sons’ hearts. What you reap in the end will only be poisonous fruits. Your sons humiliated the Pandavas, did many deceiving acts, insulted Draupathi and even tried to kill them. For all those devious acts, they are reaping the fruits now. There was once, Krishna, who was ready to protect your sons from this massacre. But you disrespected his words just like how you ignored the words of Vidhura, Pithamaha and Dronacharya. With all these, you favored your son’s sinful deeds, neglecting every door of opportunity to save your sons. All that’s left is to ease your heart and accept the pain.”

         King Dhritarashtra, accepting Sanjaya’s words gave permission for Sanjaya to retire for the day. Spending a sleepless night, the King sobbed, depressed on the fate of his sons.