Thirukolur Penpillai Rahasyam-55

 இரு கையும் விட்டேனோ த்ரௌபதியைப் போலே
இந்திரபிரஸ்தம் உருவாக்கப்பட்டு, யுதிஷ்டிரன் மன்னனாக முடிசூட்டப்பட்டான். விழாவில் கலந்துகொண்ட துரியோதனன், அரண்மனையை சுற்றிப் பார்க்கும் போது நீரில் விழுந்து விட, அதைக் கண்ட த்ரௌபதி நகைக்க, துரியோதனனின் கோபத்திற்கு வழி வகுத்தது.

சகுனியின் துணை கொண்டு, திட்டம் தீட்டி, பாண்டவர்களையும் த்ரௌபதியையும் அஸ்தினாபுரம் வரவழைத்தான் துரியோதனன். சகுனியுடன் யுதிஷ்டிரன் சூதாடினான். நாட்டை இழந்தான். அரண்மனையை இழந்தான். செல்வங்களை இழந்தான். தன் தம்பிகளை இழந்தான். தன்னை இழந்தான். இறுதியில், “திரௌபதி அதிர்ஷ்டம் மிக்கவள். அவளைப் பணயம் வைத்து விளையாடு. இழந்தது அனைத்தையும் திருப்பித் தருகிறேன்.” என்று சவால் விட்டான் துரியோதனன். சகுனியின் சூழ்ச்சியின் தொடர் வெற்றிகளின் விளைவாக த்ரௌபதியையும் இழந்தான்.

பாஞ்சால தேசத்து இளவரசி, இந்திரபிரஸ்தம் தேசத்து மகாராணி...பாஞ்சாலி, நொடியில் பணிப்பெண் ஆனாள். துரியோதனன் ஆணையை நிறைவேற்ற, துச்சாதனன் திரௌபதியின் சிகையைப் பிடித்து சபைக்கு இழுத்து வந்தான். சான்றோர்கள் நிறைந்த சபையில் தர்மம் தலைகுனிந்து நிற்க, அனைவரின் முன்னிலையில் துச்சாதனன் துகிலுரிக்க முன் வந்தான்.

தந்தைக்கு நிகரான தந்தையின் நண்பன் துரோணர் உதவிக்கு வரவில்லை. தர்மத்தின் திருஉருவம் பீஷ்மர் உதவிக்கு வரவில்லை. மன்னன் என மகுடம் சூடி அமர்ந்திருக்கும் மன்னனும் வரவில்லை. மற்றவர்களைப் போல், ஏதும் செய்யாது, பேசாது அமர்ந்திருக்கும் பாண்டவர்கள் கூட உதவவில்லை. வாதங்கள் வீணாய்ப்போக, உறவையும், மனிதனையும் நம்பி நின்றால் தான் காப்பாற்றப்பட போவதில்லை என்பதை உணர்ந்து, தன் பலத்தை, தன் துணிச்சலை விடுத்து, “கோவிந்தா” என்று குரல் கொடுத்து, தலை மீது இருகரம் கூப்பி வேண்டினாள்.

அழைத்ததும் வந்தான். அவள் மானத்தைக் காத்தான். மானத்தை உயிரை விடவும் பெரியதாய் கருதும் திரௌபதி, ஆடவர் நிறைந்திருக்கும் சபையில், அனைவரின் முன்னிலையில், துகிலுரியப்படும் நேரத்தில், தன் துகில் விட்டு இரு கை கூப்பி நின்று “கோவிந்தா” என்று கூவினால் என்றால், கண்ணனின் மீது அவள் கொண்டுள்ள நம்பிக்கையை என்ன வென்று கூறுவது? நுனிப்புல் அளவு கூட அவநம்பிக்கையோ ஐய்யமோ இல்லாது வேண்டி நின்றாளே!!

திருக்கோளூர் அம்மாள், “திரௌபதி போல் நான் நம்பிக்கை கொண்டிருந்தேனா?” – என்று வினவுகிறார்.

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iru kaiyum vittEnO dhraupadhiyaip pOlE

          

In the great Indian Epic, Mahabharata, after Yudhistra was crowned as the King of Indraprastha, Duryodhana, who was insulted during the ceremony fumed with anger. Duryodhana and his brothers, as per the advice of their uncle Sakuni, desired to seek revenge and designed an evil plan for it! The Kauravas built a new hall in their palace and invited the Pandavas to Hastinapur to see the hall and also for a pleasure game arranged in the evening. In the game of dice, they tricked and defeated the Pandavas through unfair means of Sakuni’s tricks and took over their kingdom, their wealth and even themselves. Finally, they made Yudishtra pledge Draupathi in the game and won her as well.

To seek revenge on Draupathi who laughed at him in Indraprastha, Duryodhana made Duschadhana drag her to the court by holding her hair. With the Pandavas being a slave to Duryodhana, Draupathi who too was now titled as slave, was insulted in the court and they had their revenge. Unable to bear the support Draupathi was getting from Pithamaha Bhishma and Vidhura, resented Duryodhana asked Duschadhana to disrobe her in the court.

When Draupathi cried out for help, none came for her aid, including Pithamaha Bheeshma, her father-like Drona who is also a friend of Draupathi’s father, the King and even her husbands-the Pandavas.  Realizing that she can neither depend on her own self nor on her husbands and the great people around her or even on others for her protection, she surrendered herself to the Lord completely. At that time, she remembered the sage Vasishta's words that Narayana is the sole refuge and surrendered to Him with both hands raised over her head:

shanka chakra gadApANe dvArakanilayAchyuta!

govinda! puNDarIkAksha! rakshamAm sharaNAgatam

It is next to impossible for a woman to give up her natural sense of modesty and let go of her dress while she is being disrobed in front of many men. But Draupathi, without even a single finch of doubt, raised her hands above her head and pleaded Krishna for help. Such was her faith in Krishna. At that time, Sri Krishna was battling in the outskirts of Dwaraka. And from there, He gave protection to Draupathi by providing her attire until Duschadhana got exhausted and gave up.

Thirukkolur Ammal is asking "Did I show complete faith in the Lord like Draupathi?"

Thirukolur Penpillai Rahasyam-44

பூவைக் கொடுத்தேனோ மாலாகாரரைப் போலே

கம்சனின் அழைப்பையேற்று, ஸ்ரீ கிருஷ்ணனும் பலராமனும் அக்ரூரருடன் மதுரா வந்தடைந்தனர். மதுரா நகர மக்களிடையே நாகரீகம், உடை, நடை என அனைத்திலும் ஸ்ரீ கிருஷ்ணனும் பலராமனும் தனித்து தெரிய, தாங்களும் மதுரா மக்களுக்குயேற்றது போல் மாற எண்ணினர்.

வண்ணான் ஒருவரிடம் இருந்து அழகிய வஸ்த்ரம் வாங்கிக்கொண்டனர். அழகிய புதிய மாலைகளை அணிய விரும்பி, மதுரா நகரின் கடைவீதியில் உள்ள மாலாகாரரின் குடிலுக்கு சென்றனர். மாலாகாரர் என்றார் பூமாலைகள் தொடுத்து விற்பவர் என்று அர்த்தம். பாகவதம், அம்மாலாகாரரின் பெயர் சுதாமா என்று கூறுகிறது. ஸ்ரீ கிருஷ்ணனையும் பலராமனையும் கண்ட சுதாமா அவர்களை அடையாளம் கண்டு கொண்டார். அவர்களின் பாதங்களில் விழுந்து வணங்கிய சுதாமா, அவர்கள் விரும்பியது போல் சிறந்த, அழகான, வாசனை மலர்கள் கொண்டு தொடுக்கப்பட்ட மாலைகள் இரண்டை எடுத்து அவர்களுக்கு கொடுத்தார்.

மாலையை ஸ்ரீ கிருஷ்ணனிடமும் பலராமனிடமும் வழங்கும் முன், தன் முகத்தை ஒரு துணியால் மூடிக்கொண்டு கொடுத்தார். மாலையின் அழகில் மயங்கி, அதை தான் உபயோகிக்க எண்ணம் கொண்டால் அம்மாலை ஸ்ரீ கிருஷ்ணனை சென்று சேராமல் போய்விடும். மேலும், அதனால் தன் முகம் வாடினால் அது ஸ்ரீ கிருஷ்ணனுக்கும் பலராமனுக்கும் வருத்தத்தை அளிக்கும். தனது சிறந்த படைப்பு, ஸ்ரீ கிருஷ்ணனுக்கே சமர்ப்பணம். எனவே, தனது முகத்தை துணியால் மறைத்துக்கொண்டு மாலைகளை கொடுத்தார். சுதாமாவின் இச்செயலை, அக்ரூரர் பாராட்டினார் என்கிறது கீதா பாஷ்யம்.

திருக்கோளூர் அம்மாள், “மாலாகாரர் போல், எதையும் எதிர்பார்க்காமல் ஸ்ரீ கிருஷ்ணனிடம் அன்பு காட்டினேனா?” – என்று வினவுகிறார்.

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pUvaik koduththEnO mAlAkAraraip pOlE

Krishna and Balrama reached Mathura along with Akrura, accepting the invitation of King Kamsa. Looking at the people and the new lifestyle in Mathura which is no way like that in Gokulam, they too decided to look not like an outsider! They got new clothes from a washerman and when they wished to wear new and fragrant flowers, they entered a small street in the market place and reached for the home of a Malakara. Malakara is referred to people who make garlands.

Bhagavatam says that the florist’s name was Sudhama. Upon seeing them both, Sudhama recognized their greatness and fell at their feet. The two, who looked like freshly blossomed lotuses themselves, asked him for flowers. Sudhama praised them and gave them an attractive garland made with the most beautiful and fragrant flowers. Before giving the garland to them, Sudhama covered his face with a piece of cloth, so that he would not be captivated at the looks of the garland and also, he would make sure the best garland reached the Lord in the best way, without his heart having any worries for him, not being able to wear that flower! Such was the love of Sudhama towards the Lord. Krishna was pleased by the affection shown by Sudhama and gave him several boons.

Swami Ramanuja praises Sudama along with Akrura in his Gita Bashyam. It is due to this that many of our Azhwars and Acharyas seek to perform flower service to the Lord.

Thirukkolur Ammal is asking "Did I show the selfless love exhibited by Malakara?"

Thirukolur Penpillai Rahasyam-43

பூசக் கொடுத்தேனோ கூனியைப் போலே

கிருஷ்ணரும் பலராமரும் அக்ரூரருடன் கம்சனின் அரண்மனைக்கு வரும்போது வழியில், மதுராவின் அழகை ரசித்துக் கொண்டே வந்தனர். கடைவீதி, மக்கள் கூட்டம், நாகரீக வாழ்க்கை என சிறிதும் கோகுலத்தின் சுவடு இல்லா மதுரா நகரின் வாழ்க்கையை ரசித்தபடி வீதியில் நடந்து வந்தனர்.

கிருஷ்ணனின் லீலைகள் அறிந்த மதுரா மக்கள் கிருஷ்ணனையும் பலராமனையும் அதிசயத்துடன் பார்த்தனர்! அக்கூட்டத்தில், கம்சனின் அரண்மனையில் வேலை புரியும் பெண்ணொருத்தி வளைந்த கூனுடன் நின்று கொண்டிருந்தாள். திருவத்திரை என்னும் பெயர் கொண்ட அவள், கம்சனுக்கும், அரண்மனை பெண்களுக்கும் வாசனை திரவியங்களும் சந்தனமும் அரைத்து கொடுப்பார்.

மாலினி என பெயர் கொண்ட அவள், மிகவும் அழகானவள். சில ஆண்டுகளுக்கு முன் நோய் வாய்ப்பட்டதில் கூன் விழுந்து, கழுத்துப் பகுதி சாய்ந்தும், ஒரு கால் வேலை செய்யாமலும் போக, மக்கள் அவளை கிண்டல் செய்யும் விதமாக “திருவத்திரை”, அதாவது மூன்று குறைபாடுகள் கொண்டவள், என அழைத்தனர்!

சிறு வயது கிருஷ்ணனின் லீலைகளை கேட்டு ரசித்த அவள், கிருஷ்ணனால் தனது நிலையை மாற்ற முடியும் என மாறா நம்பிக்கை கொண்டிருந்தாள். “கிருஷ்ணன் வருவான், என் நிலை மாறும்!” – என தன்னை மக்கள் கிண்டல் செய்த போதெல்லாம் தன் மனதை தேற்றிக்கொள்வாள்.

கிருஷ்ணனை கண்டதும், அவனருகே சென்று, “நீ வருவாய் என நான் அனுதினமும் காத்துக் கிடந்தேன்! என் நம்பிக்கை பொய்க்கவில்லை!”, என்றாள்.

புன்னகைத்த கிருஷ்ணன், அவளிடம்- “கையில் என்ன வைத்துள்ளீர்”, என்றான்.

“சந்தனம். அரசனுக்கு!”- என்ற அவளிடம், “எங்களுக்கும் தர முடியுமா?”-என்று கூறி, இருவரும் கை நீட்டினர்!

“நான் கொடுத்து வைத்தவள். உங்களின் அழகு மார்புக்கு என் சந்தனமா!”- என்று கூறி, கம்சனுக்கு இவ்விஷயம் தெரியவந்தால் தனக்கு தண்டனை கிடைக்கும் என்பதையும் பொருட்படுத்தாமல், கையில் உள்ள சந்தனத்தை கிருஷ்ணனுக்கும் பலராமனுக்கும் கொடுத்தார். அவளது பணிவைக் கண்டு மகிழ்ந்த கிருஷ்ணர், அவளது கூன் உடலை அழகான உடல் அமைப்பாக்கி அருள்புரிந்தார்.

திருக்கோளூர் அம்மாள், “கூனியைப் போல், விளைவுகளை எண்ணிப் பார்க்காமல் சந்தனம் பூசக் கொடுத்தேனோ?”, என்கிறார்!

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pUsak koduththEnO kUniyaip pOlE

Krishna and Balaram arrived in Mathura along with Akrura, accepting the invitation from King Kamsa. They had never been in a big town before, so they were excitedly looking at everything. As they walked from street to street, their reputation spread. People started talking about the little things they did in their childhood.

There was a lady in Mathura who was called by the people as Trivakra. Tri-vakra means “three deformities.” She was a hunchback, her neck was distorted, and one of her knees had gone totally stiff so she had to drag it when she walked. She was also called Kubja. Kubja means “dwarf.” She was a very beautiful woman but about 20 years ago, she was afflicted by some disease and became a cripple. Though her given name was Malini, people just called her Trivakra – “three deformities” – and teased her, cursed her and made fun of her.

She was an expert with perfumes, herbs, and grasses and handled the perfume for all the ladies in the palace. Listening to the stories of Krishna’s childhood and his lilas, Trivakra had fallen deeply in love with Krishna. With her heart she believed, one day, when Krishna comes and touches her, everything will be okay.

Seeing Krishna and Balram walking in the street, she asked, “Who are these boys?” Someone said, “They are Nanda’s sons. They have come from Gokula.” Her eyes were fixed on Krishna, this blue-bodied, 16-year-old boy, lean and tall, and so graceful in his movement. When she saw the way he was, the gracefulness with which he was handling people and the way he was touching everyone, she suddenly realized this Nanda’s son is Krishna.

She pushed her way through the crowd, looked up at him and said, “I’ve been waiting for you for many years. With every beat of my heart, I’ve been waiting for you!”

Krishna asked her, "Who are you taking this sandal paste for?"

She replied "O beautiful one! I am taking this sandal paste for King Kamsa".

Krishna and Balaram asked her for same sandal. She gave them some, without even considering about the consequences she will get to face when King Kamsa gets to know that she has given something that was meant for the king. Krishna and Balram wore it with pleasure.

Krishna looked at her, smiled and asked, “Why have you been waiting for me? How did you know that I was coming?”

She said, “I simply knew in my heart that you will come one day and you will make me alright.”

Krishna saw the love and longing for him that she had been nurturing within her, and her suffering. Then, Krishna placing His foot on her's and two fingers under her chin lifted her and removed the hunch from her back. He just embraced her and almost forcefully straightened her body. She stood up straight and alright.

Thirukkolur Ammal is asking "Did I give fragrant paste to the Lord like the hunchback, without thinking about consequences?"

Thirukolur Penpillai Rahasyam - 16

யான் ஸத்யம் என்றேனோ க்ருஷ்ணனைப் போலே

"ராமோ விக்ரஹவாந் தர்ம" - ஸ்ரீ ராமன் தர்மத்தின் திருவடிவம். கண்ணன் ஏலா பொய்கள் உரைப்பான் என்பர்.

நாச்சியார் திருமொழியில், ஆண்டாள்-

மாலாய்ப் பிறந்த நம்பியை
மாலே செய்யும் மணாளனை
ஏலாப் பொய்க ளுரைப்பானை
இங்கே போதக் கண்டீரே

-என்ற வரிகளில், “கருமையாய்ப் பிறந்த நம்பியை, மயக்கம் செய்யும் என் மணளானை, ஏற்றுக் கொள்ள முடியாத பொய்கள் பல உரைப்பவனை இங்கே வரப் பார்த்தீர்களா ?” என்று கிருஷ்ணனைப் பற்றி வினவுகிறார்.

 ஆனால், திருகோளூர் அம்மாளோ, ஸ்ரீ கிருஷ்ணனும் உண்மை பேசியதாய் கூறுகின்றார். ஸ்ரீ கிருஷ்ணன் "சனதான தர்ம" திருவடிவம் என்று விவரிகின்றார்.

மகாபாரதத்தில், உத்திரையின் கருவில் உள்ள குழந்தை இறந்தே பிறந்த பொழுது, ஸ்ரீ கிருஷ்ணன் - "நான் பிரம்மச்சரியத்தை கடை பிடிப்பது உண்மையென்றால், நான் இது வரை கூறியது அத்தனையும் உண்மை என்றால், இக்குழந்தை உயிர் பெற்று எழட்டும்!"- என்றார். அக்குழந்தையும் உயிர் பெற்றது!

கண்ணன் பொய்கள் உரைப்பவன் என்று கோகுலத்தில் இருக்கும் யாதவர்களே கூறினாலும், சஞ்சயன் கிருஷ்ணனை சத்தியத்தின் திருஉருவம் என்றார். பிதாமஹா பீஷ்மரோ கிருஷ்ணனை தர்மத்தின் திருவடிவம் என்றார்.

        திருக்கோளூர் அம்மாள், "ஸ்ரீ கிருஷ்ணனின் லீலைகள் அறிந்திருந்தாலும், அவன் வார்த்தைகள் உண்மையே என்று நம்பிக்கையுடன் கிருஷ்ணனே கூறிய போதும், என்னால் அவ்வாறு கூற இயலுமா?"-என்று வினவுகிறார்.

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yAn sathyam enREnO krushNanaip pOlaE

It is said by our Purvacharyas that the truth spoken by Sri Rama and the falsehoods uttered by Sri Krishna are our refuge. However, in this statement by Thirukkolur Ammal it is shown that Sri Krishna too spoke only the truth. Just as Sri Rama was described as "rAmo vigrahavAn dharma:" so too Krishna can be described as "sanAtana dharma".

In his deathbed, when questioned by King Yudishtra, Pithamaha Bhishma pointed to Sri Krishna as dharma personified. Unlike Bhishma, Krishna made adjustments to the ethical priorities according to the ethics of the emergency situation, i.e., the situational ethics of apaddharma, for reaching the grand goal of well-being for each and everyone. Bhishma is very much aware of the situational ethics himself. 

Even in Naachiyar Thirumozhi, Aandal says : 

                                      

                              maalaayp piRandha nambiyai 

                              maalE seyyum maNaaLanai 

                              Elaap poyhaL uraippaanai 

                              iNGkE pOthak kaNdeerE?

-Meaning, "The one who is born black in color like a rain cloud, my charming husband who could hypnotize you with his charming looks, the one who says all those unacceptable lies all the time, did you see him coming here?"

Krishna's words uttered for the protection of His devotees, may appear like falsehoods but they are not. When He went as the messenger for the Pandavas, Draupadi asked that He help her take her revenge on the Kauravas. At that time, Krishna stated that "The sky might fall down; the Earth may crumble; the Himalayas may break down into pieces; the oceans may become dry; even if all these improbable things were to come true, my words will never be falsified".

Sanjaya too calls Krishna as truth personified.

When Abimanyu’s wife, Uththarai's son was killed in her womb by Ashvaththama's celestial and the most powerful weapon, the Brahmastra, as a revenge against the Pandavas, Krishna stepped forward and vowed-“If it’s true that I have been a good  brahmachari and a speaker of nothing but truth, let this baby be given life.”

And the kid was given life again and was named as Parikshith.

(Some versions say that, Uttarā was terrified by the powerful rays of the weapon and worried about her child, she prayed to her uncle-in-law Krishna for help. Krishna pacified her and protected the child in the womb from the deadly weapon and thus saved his life.)

His words are always true. This is what is being established by Thirukkolur Ammal.

Thirukkolur Ammal is asking – “Did I have the confidence to state that whatever Krishna said is true, after knowing all the lies and lilas done by Krishna?”

Krishnavatar - Timeline

Birth

§  Appearance at midnight of Sravana  (July 19/20) to Devaki.

§  Taken by Vasudeva from Mathura to Nanda and Yasoda in Gokula.

Till 3 Years of age

§  Lived in Gokula.

§  Slaying of Putana, Sakatasura and Trinivarta.

3 – 6 Years of age

§  Moved to Vrindavana.

§  Slaying of Bakasura, Aghasura and Dhenuka.

§  Balarama slays Pralamba.

§  Moved to Nandagrama.

7-10 Years of age

§  Brahma steals and returns cowherd boys.

§  Govardhana Puja.

§  Rasa-lila with the gopis.

§  Invited to Mathura for wrestling match.

§  Krishna slays Canura while Balarama slays Mustika.

§  Krishna slays Kamsa and Balarama killed Kamsa’s brothers.

10-28 Years of age

§  Lived in Mathura.

§  Initiated along with Balarama into chanting Gayatri by Gargamuni.

§  Gurukul with Balarama and Uddhava in the sixty four arts by Sandipani Muni.

§  Protects Mathura from many demons.

29 – 125 Years of age

§  Establishes Dwaraka city.

§  Marriage to Rukmini and 7 principal queens.

§  Marriage to 16,100 princesses.

§  1,61,080 children born to Krishna.

§  Destined death of Sisubala at the hands of Krishna in the Indraprastha city.

§ Saves Draupathi in the Cheer Haran attempted on her, in front of the Pandavas, the Kauravas and the mighty souls.

§  Lord Krishna leaves from Upaplavya to Hastinapur, for peace talk.

§  Warns King Dhridharashtra and shows him about the war and death of his sons.

§  Lunar eclipse, after the failure of peace talk.

§  The war begins.

§ Bhagavad-Gita at Kurukshetra Battle (~90).

§  Saves King Pariksit in the womb.

125 Years of age

§  King Yudhistra’s Aswamedha Yaga and the Mongoose.

§  Yadava race extinction, in his very own hands.

§  Wounded by mistake, by a hunter named Jara.

§  Recites Uddhava Gita to Uddhava.

§  Breathed his last day of Krishnavatar on February 18.

Lord Sri Krishna lived on this earth for 125 years, 8 months and 7 days.

Sage Vyasa composed the epic Mahabharata around 3000 BC.

Kurukshetra War - Day 8

            

      

      With the time for sunrise nearing, the Kaurava warriors formed the Oormi (ocean) array and the Pandava troops formed the Sringataka array(horned formation). Beholding the troops, without any delay, the sun rose in the east and followed by the leonine shouts of the warriors and them banging their shining weapons on their shields and with the drums beaten and conchs blown, the fierce battle began for the eighth day!

          Attacking one another, both the troops engaged in despatching their foes to heaven. Delighted in seeing the energy around him, Pithamaha Bhishma rushed against the Panchala warriors, slaying the mighty archers and cavalries of the Pandava troops. Terrifying not, under Bhīma and their Generalissimo Dhrishtadyumna, the Panchala soldiers rushed against Pithamaha. Duryodhana, along with his brothers came in for Pithamaha's defense and engaged in showering arrows at Bhīma. Responding to mighty Bhishma’s arrows and to those of Duryodhana and his brothers’ at the same time, Bhīma seemed like Lord of Death in the eyes of the Kaurava soldiers. Slaying the charioteer of Pithamaha and turning towards his brothers, with a sharp dart Bhīma beheaded Prince Sunabha, brother of Duryodhana. With the steeds of Bhishma running uncontrollably, the brothers of Duryodhana engaged with Bhīma, unable to control their wrath for their brother’s death.

          Bhīma engaged in showering arrows uninterruptedly and consumed the Kaurava warriors like forest fire. Beholding the armored brothers and recalling his vow, with a sharp dart, he beheaded Prince Aparajitha. Holding his Vayavya bow firmly, with straight darts, he slew Prince Kundhadhara and Prince Panditaka even before the Kauravas could notice. And then, like lightning, with three more pointy darts, he slew Prince Visalaksha right in the neck and then with another straight pointy dart, he fell Prince Mahodhara, letting the dart pierce the chest and appear at his back, piercing the sturdy armor. Ceasing not, with three broad darts, Bhīma beheaded Prince Adityaketu and with an exceedingly sharpened pointy dart, he slew Prince Vahvasin.

Bhima against his Kaurava brothers!

         Beholding the form of Bhīma, the rest of the brothers fled, leaving their platoon and even ignoring the yells of Duryodhana – “Turn back at once and slay that Bhīma!! At least for the sake of your deceased brothers!!”

       After slaying the brothers of Duryodhana, Bhīma, accompanied by the heroic Abhimanyu, rushed against the elephant warriors of the Kaurava troops and engaged in slaughtering them. The wounded elephants ran in pain and crushed the Kaurava warriors near their feat, increasing the death count of the Kaurava division. Arjuna, under the protection of Chekitana and the UpaPandavas, engaged in slaying in hundreds, the Kings of smaller Kingdoms and tribes who joined the Kauravas while Nakula and Sahadeva fought with the knights division of the Kauravas, slaughtering cavalries and steeds in thousands. Satyaki singly engaged with the Kaurava warriors and crushed the Kaurava troops equal to the prowess of Pithamaha Bhishma.

          Beholding his troops being slaughtered and crushed by the Pandavas, filled with grief and rage, clueless Duryodhana rushed towards Bhishma and said – “My brothers are killed! My troops are being slaughtered and rest are retreating, afraid of Bhīma, Arjuna and Abhimanyu. I see that you have no interest towards me and my victory. Still caring for the Pandavas, I hope you are not being loyal to me, to my father and to Hastinapur.”

          Filled with rage on listening to Duryodhana’s words, Pithamaha yelled in anger – “Duryodhana! Don’t you doubt my loyalty to Hastinapur, to your father or to you! I, along with Dronacharya, Gandhari and Vidhura warned you about this and pleaded you and yet, out of your greed and irrational thinking, you alone made this war happen. For your sake, Drona, Karna and myself are battling against our very own kin and friends. Remember what I am about to say: With Lord Krishna by their side, the Pandavas will win this battle and Bhīma will slay every single warrior who opposes him. So, cease envisaging victory and throne and fight with only heaven as your redeemer. Else, seek forgiveness from Krishna and end this battle,right now, for the sake of everyone's welfare!”

           Raged, Duryodhana left the place and engaged in slaughtering the Pandava warriors with wrath. Meanwhile, the Pandava troops too were crushed by Dronacharya, Aswathama, Bhishma and Kritavarman. Under the leadership of their King and princes, the Panchala warriors engaged in a fierce battle against the mighty Bhishma as the sun reached his meridian and scorched the earth with his heat waves.

          Breaching the Pandava cavalry division of Abhimanyu, Gandhara King Saguni rushed in, along with his brothers Gaya, Charmavat and Suka and their platoons. Beholding the Gandhara cavalries and the archers approaching, excited heroic Abhimanyu engaged in crushing them with his sharp darts. Witnessing Abhimanyu’s prowess, intensified Gandhara brothers surrounded him and showered their arrows and lances at him, interminably. Terrified not, Abhimanyu covered them with his perfectly aimed darts which pierced the armor of few, wounded few soldiers gravely, slew steeds and charioteers, beheaded few archers and pierced the chest of few cavalries and spear men and even made few unconscious while the rest fell deprived of life, but not a single dart fell on the ground without blood on it. Before the Gandhara soldiers could regain their senses and get hold of their bow and weapons, drawing his sword and shield, Abhimanyu singly engaged against those warriors, making the warriors and archers tough to strike him. Nearing the chariot of the brothers of King Saguni, Abhimanyu cut off the hands and legs of the Gandhara brothers and slew them with his sharp edged sword, in front of the Gandhara knights and archers. Witnessing the lifeless Gandhara brothers and the fierce Abhimanyu resembling Lord Krishna, the troops fled away along with King Saguni.

          Duryodhana rushed to defend his warriors from Abhimanyu but the valiant Abhimanyu engaged in attacking King Duryodhana gruesomely, making the Kaurava warriors quiver in front of a young kid. Breaking Duryodhana’s bow, Abhimanyu vanquished his uncle in the wink of an eye.

          Smiling at Duryodhana, Abhimanyu said – “Uncle, worry not or feel humiliated for your defeat. I will not slay you. Uncle Bhīma has vowed to accomplish that. If not for his vow, I, myself, would have ended the battle here, right now! Be glad that uncle’s vow saved you from me! Go and live another day to see your defeat and death.”

King Bhagadatta on his elephant Supratika

Beholding Duryodhana standing defend less, King Bhagadatta rushed to the spot with his elephant and cloaked the chariot of Duryodhana from Abhimanyu and his darts. Filled with wrath, Abhimanyu sped an iron dart and it pierced the front lobe of the elephant’s head, making it fell lifeless on the ground. King Bhagadatta standing on ground, picking darts from his dead elephant’s back, started attacking Abhimanyu.

          Witnessing Abhimanyu’s prowess and his talent and skill, proud Bhishma said unto Dronacharya –“Drona! Look at the prowess of that kid Abhimanyu. He defeated King Bhagadatta with just one dart which even Arjuna will not be able to do! He exceeds Arjuna and Karna in his archery skills. Duryodhana is standing against Abhimanyu, defend less. Go and protect the King and King Bhagadatta before Abhimanyu slays them.”

On the command of their generalissimo, Dronacharya, along with King Jayadratha, King Salya, Krpacharya, Aswathama and brothers of Duryodhana, rushed towards Abhimanyu. Beholding Drona and Aswathama, Abhimanyu’s legion fled in all directions. Standing on his chariot like Lord Krishna himself, Abhimanyu singly received the thousands and thousands of warriors rushing towards him with his showers of darts. Invoking celestial Astras, Abhimanyu slew hundreds of Kaurava cavalries and broke the bow of mighty Dronacharya with a crescent shaped arrow. Ceasing not, with his pointy darts, Abhimanyu made Vikarna unconscious, slew the steeds of the Avanti brothers, broke the bow of King Jayadratha and slew the charioteers of Aswathama and Vivinsati.  With loss of control, the chariot of Aswathama and Avanti brothers ran uncontrollably while the rest of the Kings fell unconscious in their chariot seats, struck by Abhimanyu. Amazed and admiring the mightiness of Abhimanyu, proud Bhishma praised him and bound to his duty, he sent elephant warriors against Abhimanyu.

          Witnessing Abhimanyu battling against the most renowned warriors singly, proud King Yudhistra commanded Bhīma to defend Abhimanyu and he rushed against Bhishma to save the Panchala warriors. With 6000 elephant warriors and the UpaPandavas, Bhīma rushed to protect Abhimanyu. Beholding Bhīma, the frightened Kaurava warriors fled away. Using his elephant warriors as fence, Bhīma slaughtered the retreating warriors while Abhimanyu, standing on the other side, slew the receding warriors who were running towards him, trying to find a way out. Bhīma battled against Duryodhana while the UpaPandavas and King Nila slew the Kaurava cavalries and archers in hundreds. Dronacharya, who came in defense for Duryodhana showered arrows at Bhīma. Intensified with wrath, Bhīma sped a crescent shaped pointy dart at Dronacharya and deeply pierced, the Guru fell unconscious in his chariot. Beholding Dronacharya lying unconscious, his charioteer bore the chariot away from the field while Aswathama and Duryodhana rushed against Bhīma. Slaughtering the Kaurava elephant warriors hampering his way, with his mace in his hand, Bhīma rushed towards the approaching Duryodhana and Aswathama. 

        While the Kaurava warriors fled in all directions beholding Bhīma, Abhimanyu entered to defend Bhīma and showered his fiery darts, slaying or wounding the receding and non-receding foes while King Nila engaged in a duel with Aswathama. Responding to King Nila’s arrows, raged Aswathama with a broad headed dart, pierced King Nila in the chest and the wounded King fell unconscious in his chariot. Witnessing King Nila lying unconscious, Abhimanyu rushed towards Aswathama and consumed the Kaurava warriors like blazing meteorite and baffled Aswathama. Unable to withstand the viciousness of the heroic Abhimanyu, the Kaurava warriors retreated from the battlefield, in all possible directions, pressing and stepping on their own soldiers. Showering his darts on the retreating warriors, Abhimanyu slew thousands of cavalries, hundreds of archers and spear men and thousands of chariot warriors. Witnessing the fleeing warriors, Bhishma and Duryodhana rushed to their camp to unify the spiritless soldiers while the Pandava troops excited in their victory blew their conchs and beating their sword with their shield, they praised Abhimanyu .

Raged Duryodhana!

Meanwhile, in Kaurava’s camp, the Kings and the Princes unified their soldiers while Duryodhana explained Pithamaha about Abhimanyu’s prowess and his defeat. Filled with wrath, Duryodhana roared – “Not Arjuna or Bhīma or even the sons of Madri, but, that kid of Arjuna, Abhimanyu… he made me stand on the ground and insulted me in front of my army saying –‘Go and live another day!’ The Pandava troops are slaughtering my army like fire consuming insects. Pithamaha! I desire to slay that big headed Abhimanyu with my very own hands. Do whatever it takes to fulfill my wish.”

Staying calm, Bhishma said unto Duryodhana – “Duryodhana, you are a King. Behave like one and control your senses. According to the Mahayudh rules, as a King, you should fight against Kings only or with the Princes. Your battle should always be against Yudhistra and his brothers. If you desire Abhimanyu’s death, any King under you, on your command or mine, can slay him. You cannot achieve it. If that’s your wish, then, let King Bhagadatta proceed against him.”

“King Bhagadatta!? That Abhimanyu vanquished him with a single dart! You want me to send him to Abhimanyu again!? Whose side are you battling for, Pithamaha!?” – yelled Duryodhana.

As Pithamaha has got used to the yells of Duryodhana, unaffected on his words, Pithamaha continued- “Duryodhana, King Bhagadatta is better than Arjuna. He has got many celestial astras and he can slay Abhimanyu, if he is well defended.”

Nodding to Pithamaha’s words with rage, Duryodhana approved the plan and Pithamaha commanded King Bhagadatta to proceed against the heroic Abhimanyu. The Kaurava warriors returned to the battlefield on the command of their generalissimo, with rage and desire to victory.

King Bhagadatta's legion of elephants

Witnessing King Bhagadatta leading the army in his elephant Supratika and the Kaurava warriors rushing against the Pandavas with rage, on the command of Arjuna and under the leadership of Bhīma, the Pandava warriors raged against the approaching Kaurava warriors. Thus, flamed with rage, the soldiers of both the troops unveiled their talents and weaponry skills, crushing and slaying their foes. Hundreds fell lifeless as the chariot warriors unceasingly shot their pointy darts with greater energy. Spear-men and archers fell attacking each other in hundreds. King Bhagadatta, witnessing Bhīma approaching him, sped thousands of darts which pierced the followers of Bhīma, in different vital parts of their body while his mighty elephant was crushing the Pandava warriors nearby. 

Responding to King Bhagadatta’s arrows, Bhīma slew thousands of Kaurava warriors who were defending Bhagadatta. With greater number of various celestial astras invoked by the chariot warriors and the Kings at the same time, the massacre was greater than any other day, so far in the battle. Together, King Bhagadatta and his elephant, breaking the array formed by the Pandavas, crushed thousands of spike men, foot soldiers and cavalries, along with their steeds. Beholding mighty Bhīma engaged in slaughtering the elephant warriors of the foe, heroic Abhimanyu stepped in to rescue his warriors from the darts of King Bhagadatta. Witnessing the most expected Abhimanyu approaching towards him, King Bhagadatta sped his golden lance at Abhimanyu, which, in the wink of an eye like lightning, Abhimanyu caught in his hands and imperturbably he sped it back at Supratika, the mighty elephant. Roaring aloud with wrath, Bhagadatta shot arrows at Abhimanyu and with serenity, Abhimanyu broke every single dart of it with his  darts, before even the darts could reach him or his warriors. Slaying the steeds and charioteer of Bhīma who came in defense for Abhimanyu, King Bhagadatta roared with delight while the Kaurava troops, witnessing Bhīma standing with his arm holding the golden mace, fled in fear, again.

Bhīma began to thrash the Kaurava warriors with his mace as Abhimanyu faced King Bhagadatta singly. Duryodhana, witnessing the chance to slay Abhimanyu, rushed towards the spot with his legion full of elephant warriors and cavalries, ignoring the words of Pithamaha. Before Duryodhana could reach Bhagadatta, Krishna, along with Arjuna in his chariot, came in defense for their favorite Abhimanyu. As Duryodhana was stopped by Arjuna, King Yudhistra came in defense for Abhimanyu and engaged in battling with Bhagadatta. Bhishma along with his legion went in defense for Duryodhana as Dronacharya, flanked by the brothers of Duryodhana rushed against Bhīma. King Amvastha engaged with the heroic Abhimanyu as Kritavarman rushed towards Satyaki. The battle got fierce disregarding the approaching sunset.

Witnessing Drona approaching towards him with the brothers of Duryodhana, raged like a firing dragon, Bhīma sped various darts towards those heroic souls. With a horse-shoe-headed dart, he slew Prince Vivinsati first and with a broad headed arrow, he slew Prince Kundalin. Emitting numerous arrows  from his bow unremittingly, Bhīma slew Anadhriti, Virajas, Dirghalochana, Dirghavahu, Suvahu and Kanykadhyaja, resisting Dronacharya’s darts at the same time. Beholding the prowess of Bhīma, the remnant brothers of Duryodhana fled from Bhīma’s reach.

Vanquished by Abhimanyu, King Amvastha, who was standing on a grounded chariot, was rescued by Kritavarman. Bhishma, along with Krpacharya battled with Arjuna and the mighty heroes of both the armies slew foremost cavalries and Kings of their enemy side with their pointy darts. Without noticing the reddish sky above them, the warriors were battling viciously, with a desire for either victory or heaven.

Witnessing the brutality in the battlefield where the ground is filled with warriors holding their choice of weapon, lying either dead or deeply wounded, the elephants and steeds lying lifeless or moaning in pain and all those souls lying on ground painted in blood either pierced in their vital parts with spiky darts or smashed and crushed by elephants and the very ground itself filled with weapons like swords, lances, maces, darts and axes painted in blood, unable to bear the callousness and hardheartedness of humans, the sun set in the west, spreading darkness to the world, with a certainty that the darkness in human’s heart is thicker than the darkness that fills the night.

With the sunset, Pithamaha and other foremost warriors blew their conchs and the battle that was fought seeking the death of Abhimanyu came to an end. As Duryodhana and King Bhagadatta stood dejected on their failure, the exhausted warriors and animals of both the armies retired to their respective encampment, with heart and body not equipped for another day’s fight.