Kurukshetra War - Day 18

          On the command of their King, the armies prepared for the battle. Armored and with weapons in their grip, standing on their equipped steeds or elephants and some on foot, the warriors gathered, hoping for victory. The Pandavas who came to battle with 7 Akshauhinis had only 6,000 cars, 6,000 elephants, 10,000 horses and one million foot soldiers by their side whereas the mighty Kaurava army, which comprised of 11 Akshauhinis seventeen days back was left with 11,000 cars, 10,700 elephants, 200,000 horses and three million foot soldiers.

          Placing the invincible King Salya as their generalissimo, the Kaurava army marched for the battle. Meanwhile, in the Pandavas camp, Krishna addressed –“With the loss of Pithamaha, Dronacharya and Karna, Duryodhana has got only King Salya in his side who is experienced and skilled in leading the army. King Salya is invincible in the battle by anyone because his power grows when his enemy battles aggressively.  He received a boon that he will obtain half of his foe’s strength, who meets him in the battle with aggression. So, I think it would be wise if Bhīma or Arjuna do not engage with King Salya in the battle. The only person suitable for slaying King Salya will be King Yudhistra.”

Taking Krishna’s words as command-received, the Pandavas rushed to the battlefield and with the sunrise, the battle commenced. Receiving the Pandava soldiers with his showers of darts, King Salya slew them in hundreds. Kekaya King Dhrishtaketu’s son, Prince Chekitana was slayed by Duryodhana, pierced by a pointy and golden winged dart in the chest.

For one last day!!!

Karna’s son Chitrasena encountered Nakula and with his pointy shafts, he cut off the bow of Nakula and slew the steeds and the charioteer. With his sword and shield in hand, raged Nakula rushed against Chitrasena defending himself from the shafts of his foe. Ascending the chariot of Chitrasena, in a wink of an eye, in the sight of his brothers and the Kaurava army, he beheaded Chitrasena. Beholding his brother dead, Sushena and Satyasena rushed against Nakula. Nakula, standing on his grounded chariot with his new bow and darts in hand, beheaded Satyasena, not before slaying his foe’s steeds and charioteer. With a golden winged dart, Nakula, without losing time, beheaded Sushena.

While Arjuna was engaged in exterminating the chariot warriors of the Kaurava army, King Yudhistra, defended by Bhīma, Sahadeva and Nakula, rushed to defend the Pandava soldiers being scorched by King Salya. King Yudhistra, received by King Salya with a dense shower of darts, fell on his chariot, pierced by the darts. As Bhīma and his brothers, accompanied by the UpaPandavas defended Yudhistra from Salya, Krpacharya, Saguni and Aswathama rushed to defend their generalissimo.

Sahadeva, in the encounter, beheaded Salya’s son Rukmaratha with his sword. Recovering from his pain, Yudhistra began to pierce Salya and his defenders with his dart. Piercing Chandrasena with seventy darts and Drumasena with sixty four, Yudhistra exterminated the two defenders of Salya’s chariot wheels. Raged, Salya slew 25 Maharathas of the Chedi Kingdom who were defending King Yudhistra. With Bhīma resisting Duryodhana and his brothers, Satyaki resisting King Saguni and Uluka, Yudhistra engaged with Salya. Arjuna engaged in slaying the warriors who were trying to escape from the wrath of Bhīma and Dhrishtadyumna.     

Duryodhana attacked by Bhima!

With  Bhīma assassinating Duryodhana’s charioteer and making Duryodhana fell unconscious, Aswathama and Kritavarman who were defending Salya, deserted Salya and rushed to save Duryodhana from the irrepressibly running steeds. Utilizing the opportunity, King Yudhistra, hurled the mighty Kala Rathri Astra (Death Night) at Salya. Pierced by the dart in his chest, Salya fell lifeless on the ground. Ceasing not to enjoy the moment, Yudhistra speedily beheaded the younger brother of Salya along with his steeds and charioteer. Delighted at the death of Salya, Satyaki began to chase and slew the frightened and fleeing Kaurava soldiers.

Raged at their King’s death, 1700 chariot warriors and 21,000 foot soldiers of Madra proceeded against Yudhistra. Arjuna, resisting them from reaching Yudhistra, slew every single Madra chariot warrior along with their steeds and charioteer while Bhīma slew the 21,000 armed foot soldiers with his mace in hand. With the extermination of the Madra warriors, no soldier in the Kaurava army desired to battle and began to flee.

King Yudhistra slays King Salya!

Duryodhana, witnessing his army fleeing, addressed – “The Pandava soldiers are still lesser than ours. United, we can slay them all. Kshatriyas in the battlefield will never have fear for their death or foe.”

On hearing the words of Duryodhana, the fleeing warriors rushed against the Pandavas with rage. Satyaki and Dhrishtadyumna rushed against King Salwa. While Satyaki was engaged in resisting the shafts of Salwa, Dhrishtadyumna engaged in battling against the elephant of Salwa with his mace. Hitting hard on the frontal globe of the elephant repeatedly, Dhrishtadyumna broke the skull of the elephant with his mace and as a result, the elephant fell on the ground wailing aloud. While the elephant was falling, Satyaki, taking the opportunity, beheaded Salwa with a broad headed dart and thus, along with his elephant and the rider, Salwa fell lifeless on the ground.

Ceasing not, Satyaki slew King Kshemakirti with seven shafts and slew the steeds and the charioteer of Kritavarman. Kritavarman was rescued by Krpacharya, before he could be slayed by the roaring Satyaki. Meanwhile, Bhīma engaged in decimating the elephant division of the Kaurava army with his golden mace. Witnessing Bhīma’s rage, the remnant brothers of Duryodhana rushed to defend their army.  Mounting on the car and taking his bow, remembering his vow, Bhīma, with cheered heart showered darts at the approaching brothers. With broad headed darts, cutting the darts of his foes in mid-air, Bhīma slew Srutanta and Jayatsena. Piercing Srutarvan with his darts from head to toe, ceasing not, Bhīma beheaded him and with just three pointy darts targeted to his foe’s chest, Bhīma slew Jaitra, Ravi and Bhurivala. Roaring in delight, Bhīma slew Durvishaha with a broad headed arrow and with ten more darts, he slayed Sujata.

Delighted in near accomplishment of his vow, Bhīma crushed the approaching platoon of the slayed brothers which contained 10,000 diversely armed foot soldiers and 800 cavalries and cavalry archers. Arjuna advanced against the Trigartha warriors who were defending Duryodhana while Bhīma, along with Nakula and Sahadeva rushed towards Duryodhana. Beheading Sudarsana, the last brother of Duryodhana who was alive, Bhīma rushed against Saguni who was attacking King Yudhistra. 

Saguni, who was cherishing his near-victory over Yudhistra who was rescued by Sahadeva after losing his steeds and charioteer, engaged in battling against Bhīma and Sahadeva. Saguni, slaying 700 elephant warriors and 5000 cavalries and 3000 armed foot soldiers of the Pandava army, rushed against Sahadeva with rage. While Bhīma held the entire platoon of Saguni from proceeding forward to defend their King, Sahadeva and Nakula engaged in battling against the vile minded Saguni.

Meanwhile, Arjuna, after exterminating the cavalry division of the Trigartha army, rushed against the remnant Maharathas and Rathas of the Trigarthas. Slaying Trigartha Prince Satyakarman with a razor headed dart and another Trigartha Prince Satyeshu, Arjuna proceeded against the rushing Prasthala warriors of the Trigartha Kingdom. Shooting shafts incessantly, Arjuna beheaded the Prasthala King Susarman and slew 35 sons of the King. Exterminating the Prasthala army and the Trigartha division, Arjuna engaged in crushing the remnant Kaurava army.

Nakula and Sahadeva engage in battling against Saguni and Uluka. Cutting off his foe’s darts in the mid-air, Sahadeva engaged in accomplishing his vow. Piercing Saguni and Uluka with his darts, Nakula broke the bow of Saguni. Sahadeva, in the meantime, beheaded Uluka with a broad headed dart and witnessing his son’s death, Saguni, picking up another bow, sped his shafts at Sahadeva while Nakula engaged in exterminating the Gandhara soldiers.  Pierced by the shafts of Saguni, raged Sahadeva broke the bow of Saguni and slew his foe’s charioteer.

Witnessing the defeat of Saguni, the Gandhara warriors fled, leaving their King. Sahadeva broke the mace of Saguni which was tossed at him. Saguni, standing unarmed, terrified at the prowess of Sahadeva, began to flee. Nakula engaged in pursuing the fleeing soldiers while Sahadeva pursued the fleeing Saguni, addressing – “Cease fleeing and fight like a man! You had fun at the gambling in the court of Hastinapur. Be a Kshatriya and fight with me, King!”

Rushing recklessly against Saguni, Sahadeva sped darts at the King and slew the steeds. As Saguni stood on the grounded chariot, without wasting any moment, Sahadeva, with a broad headed dart, beheaded Saguni. Rejoicing at the death of Saguni, Sahadeva, along with Nakula, exterminated the Gandhara warriors. Meanwhile, Arjuna engaged in consuming the Kaurava warriors like forest fire. Unable to face the prowess and rage of the Pandavas and their army, the Kaurava warriors fled from the battlefield, terrified.

The sun has not even reached his zenith point but, Duryodhana saw no single soldier by his side except Aswathama, Krpacharya and Kritavarman while the Pandavas had 2,000 cars, 700 elephants, 5,000 horses and 10,000 foot soldiers left on their side. Raged Bhīma showered darts at Duryodhana and slew the steeds and the charioteer. Unable to witness the extermination of his army, with mace in his hand, raged and humiliated, Duryodhana fled from the battlefield and hid himself beneath the Lake Dvaipayana, making a space beneath the lake using his power of illusion.

Not knowing where Duryodhana is, the exhausted Pandava army retired to their camp, rejoicing at their victory. King Yudhistra announced that he will give wealth to those who informs about the whereabouts of Duryodhana. Meanwhile, Krpacharya, Aswathama and Kritavarman reached the lake and addressed – “Duryodhana, fight with us against Yudhistra. We are more than enough to defeat the Pandavas. Come and fight, to get hold of your victory.”

“Your heart is noble and desires my victory and welfare. But, I do not like to fight now. I am not hiding here out of fear. I am trying to control my anger and clear my mind for I am exhausted. Once I am energized, I will come out and kill every single Pandava soldier by myself. Leave me alone for now. Go and take rest.” –replied Duryodhana from inside the lake.

Unable to get Duryodhana out, the trio left the lake and retired to their camp. Meanwhile, a group of hunters who are assigned to procure meat for Bhīma came by the lake with meat in their shoulders. Exhausted, they were taking rest beneath a tree by the lake side. Overhearing the conversation, delighted in finding Duryodhana, those hunters rushed to inform Bhīma, with desire for wealth.  Filled with delight, they entered the restricted chambers of Bhīma and informed him about the whereabouts of Duryodhana.

"Duryodhana has been found, Krishna!!"

Cheered, Bhīma, along with the King, his brothers, Krishna and the entire army proceeded to the lake. Duryodhana heard the unbridled sounds of drums and conches blown by the Pandava army. Reaching the banks of Lake Dvaipayana, Yudhistra addressed – “Why are you hiding yourself now after being responsible for the death of all the foremost and mighty warriors, Kings, family and friends? You said you are a Kshatriya who accepts death like victory. Come and battle now. Why are you desirous of saving your life alone? Come out…vanquish us and rule the world like you desired.”

On hearing the words of Yudhistra, Duryodhana replied from beneath the lake – “I did not flee out of fear or with desire to live. Out of the tiredness and anger, I entered these waters. Moreover, I do not have any desire to rule the world deprived of my friends, brothers and well-wishers. But I still desire to avenge you all for all the deaths and extermination. After my victory, I will give you the world and the throne. Rule like you are the emperor. I will retire to the woods.Once I am refreshed, I will come out and slay every single one of you.”

“Do not utter such grief filled words, Duryodhana. I never desired for the throne. All we desired was unity among all of us and our share of wealth to live peacefully and with dignity. You refused our request, insulted Krishna and affronted Draupathi. And most of all, blinded by your greed, you did not even think beyond your desire. This world is deprived of your friends and our brothers and son and kin, all because of your greed. Now, you do not have the right to give away the throne. Come and fight!”

Duryodhana coming out for the fight!

Rising from the lake with rage in heart and mace in hand, Duryodhana said -“You are surrounded and defended by your brothers and soldiers. But, I am alone. You all fight against me, one at a time and I will slay you. Today, I will free myself from the debt I owe to my family, friends, Kin and soldiers who died for me.”

Yudhistra, beholding the lonely Duryodhana, addressed – “Duryodhana, I grant you this wish. Fight with any one of us. If you vanquish him, you shall become the King and we all will retire to the woods. We all will stand only as observers. We will not be interfering or defending our brother.”

Witnessing Duryodhana’s delight, Krishna, realizing that no single Pandava brother is match to Duryodhana in handling a mace, addressed –“Yudhistra, what are you talking about? Any one of you five? Duryodhana has lived all his days from his childhood with a desire of slaying Bhīma. He, especially for the past 13 years, lived only thinking about ways to slay Bhīma. I do not see a single person here who will delight Duryodhana than Bhīma in the duel. Against skilled Duryodhana, mighty Bhīma is the one and best opponent!”

Glancing at Duryodhana with smile and rage, Bhīma addressed – “Are you ready to battle against me and lay your life, to accomplish my vow?”

Filled with wrath, Duryodhana replied –“Bhīma, remember that up to this day, I have never been defeated in a duel with my mace in hand! Slain by me, you are going to be the reason for your brothers to live in the woods forever!”

Longing for victory and the foe’s death, both of them stood armed with their mace in their hand and with rage and vengeance in their heart. Duryodhana embraced the right mandala, while Bhimasena took the left. The terrible and extremely callous duel lasted for hours with little time to repose. Attacking and defending, both of them fought vigorously though drenched in blood. Though both of them were dynamic and energetic, Bhīma took most of the blow and fell on the ground. Regaining his senses, he rose and battled again and again.

"Duryodhana is to win, for sure!"-Krishna

“Krishna, whom do you think has got the upper hand in the duel?” – enquired distressed Arjuna.

 “Arjuna, Bhīma is strong and potent but Duryodhana is skilled. Between mightiness and skill, skill always wins. If we fight fairly, Duryodhana is going to win, for sure. If Bhīma remembers his vow clearly, then there are chances for us to win.” – hinted Krishna, remembering his vow to brother Balram.

Arjuna, thinking hard, remembered the vow of Bhīma where he vowed not only to slay the Kaurava brothers but also, to break the thigh of Duryodhana in which he asked Draupathi to sit. Gladdened, Arjuna patted his left thigh signaling Bhīma. Understanding the sign, Bhīma, remembering his vow, whirled his mace and hurled it at the left thigh of Duryodhana. With the thigh bones crushed, Duryodhana fell on the ground, roaring in pain.  Smiling at the vanquished Duryodhana, Bhīma, placing his foot on the neck of Duryodhana, addressed-“I have fulfilled my vow! Let me see, laugh now Duryodhana...like how you laughed at Draupathi, me and my brothers in the court.”

The vow...The curse...The defeat!!!

King Yudhistra, on seeing Bhīma’s act, raised his voice– “Cease Bhīma! Do not act immorally. He is a King, a Kshatriya and above all, he is our brother. Take your foot from his neck, right now. You have accomplished your vow. You do not have the right to insult him like this!”

Turning towards Duryodhana, with teary eyes, Yudhistra said – “Forgive the immature act of Bhīma.  Your defeat is the result of your sinful deeds and desires. Though defeated, you will definitely reach heaven while we, though victorious, will live a cursed life, remembered as the persons responsible for the death of their own family, friends, kin and soldiers. The wives of the soldiers and the Kings will curse us and we get to live bearing all those curses in our heart and seeing their raged and saddened face all the time. Mother Gandhari will remind us of our cruel act for the wealth and throne, till we live. You…like a Kshatriya, retire to heaven with peace in your heart!”

King Balram

Meanwhile, King Balram, who was there knowing about the duel, witnessing Duryodhana lying on the ground, attacked in his thighs became extremely irate and raising his plough in his hand rushed towards Bhīma, yelling- “Bhīma, you fool! In a fair mace fight, no person should be struck below his hip. Ignoring the rules, you hit Duryodhana in his thigh, you ignorant fool!”

Beholding Balram with uplifted plough, Krishna seized his brother and embraced him with his arms, saying –“O brother, the accomplishment of one’s vow is also his duty. Bhīma vowed to break the thigh of Duryodhana. Moreover, Duryodhana has been cursed by Rishi Maitreya that he will be vanquished by his thigh bones broken. As a result of these two, Duryodhana has been struck in his thigh. Give away your anger.”

Though not accepting the words of Krishna, Balram dropped his plough, saying – “I do not accept your words Krishna. But still, as those are your words, I cannot go against it too. For his unfair act, Bhīma will forever be remembered for his crooked act and Duryodhana, for fighting fairly, will be remembered as the foremost warriors of mace fight and will attain eternal blessings.”

Blessing Duryodhana, Balram, ascending his chariot, left Kurukshetra. Casting his eyes with rage on Krishna, Duryodhana addressed –“So, this is how you trick people with your words. You have no shame for battling unethically. It was all because of your fraudulent acts, Pithamaha, Dronacharya, my brothers and my Karna are dead and the Pandavas are victorious. This whole war is your fault and your game!”

Glancing Duryodhana, Krishna said –“Duryodhana, I visited Hastinapur for peace talks. You ceased to even listen to Karna. Because of your greed, the mighty and foremost warriors and Kings and soldiers are lying dead. The reason for your defeat and death is the result of your sins and unrighteous acts.”

Breathing heavily, Duryodhana replied – “I get to die as a Kshatriya! I will gladly reach heaven to join my friends and well-wishers while you all bear the burden of the crown and the effects of battle in this ill-fated world.”

Witnessing the Pandavas hanging their heads low, ashamed of their acts and in hearing Duryodhana’s words, Krishna addressed –“Do not take his words to your heart when you have dharma by your side. The war has come to an end! King Duryodhana has been vanquished! The world will be a better place for the future generations under the leadership of King Yudhistra! Cheer for the victory of the Pandavas! Cheer for your victory everyone!!”

And..the battle ends here!

On hearing the words of Krishna, the warriors blew their conches and soldiers hit their shields with their swords, few waved their weapons and uttered loud shouts of enjoyment. The Pandavas blew their conchs and with Krishna blowing his celestial Panchajanya, the sun set in and the warriors returned to their camp, dancing and cheering one another in delight, leaving the fallen Duryodhana in the bank of Lake Dvaipayana.