In the previous episode, we had witnessed Duryodhana facing a bitter embarrassment in the hands of Chitrasena and Arjuna. As Chitrasena drags Duryodhana towards the “Svarga Lokha” to give him some apt punishment, Arjuna stops him mid-way and engages in a fierce battle with Chitrasena in a bid to free Duryodhana. Chitrasena realizes quickly with whom he is fighting and reminds Arjuna about his past. Immediately Arjuna too realizes and the fight comes to an end. With this, Duryodhana is freed from the clutches of Chitrasena, according to Arjuna’s request. This incident wherein Duryodhana had to be saved by none other than an enemy himself gives him a lot of shame and embarrassment. On top of this, Karna assumes that Duryodhana had won over Chitrasena and when he starts praising Duryodhana’s “valour”, Duryodhana goes to the extent of deciding to commit a suicide! He doesn’t want to live with this embarrassment any further! He has been defeated left, right and centre, and has been insulted and humiliated too!
Deciding thus, even as Karna and the others try to stop him, Duryodhana commences his journey towards the northern direction in his chariot, firm on what he wants to do. As Duryodhana drives on further and further, he becomes tired and fatigued after a point. This is also because he had taken a “Prathignya” (Vow) not to consume any food and water! Thus, after a point, Duryodhana falls almost unconscious mid-way and he is fast asleep now! At this time, the “Dhaanavas” (One community of Celestial Beings) were looking at what was happening with Duryodhana. They started thinking, “Oh no! If this Duryodhana dies now, the rest of the Kauravas will not be destroyed! Only if Duryodhana is alive and only if he wages a battle later on, will there be an opportunity for the Paandava brothers to destroy the entire Kaurava clan. Hence, we’ve to do something to revive Duryodhana’s health!” Thinking thus, the Dhaanavas come near Duryodhana and create a dream amidst his sleep. They created a dream as if Duryodhana is being gently carried by them and taken in front of the king of the Dhaanavas.
Thus, upon seeing Durydhana, the Dhaanava King explains: “Oh Duryodhana! Till now I’ve been seeing you as a great warrior who is unfazed when it comes to a war. Now, just because you’ve been on the losing side with Chitrasena, why are you getting so unmotivated to an extent of going for a suicide? This is not a characteristic of a great warrior! You should get up, prepare yourself better next time and fight, rather than sulking like this! Moreover, if you’re taking such extreme decisions, imagine the plight of your 99 brothers who are waiting for you. Imagine what Karna will think of you! Don’t you have the responsibility of protecting and taking care of all of them as their elder brother? Moreover, you’re the one who is going to carry forward your father’s legacy as a great king! In future, you’re going to be a great king! This is just a one-off defeat and in the future, you’re going to have an extremely good time ahead! Hence, get up and brace yourself for a bright and a prosperous future! Get yourself prepared to be the next king of the Hastinapura kingdom!”
Saying thus, the King of the Dhaanavas motivates Duryodhana in a wrong way! As Duryodhana sees this dream amidst his sleep, he suddenly wakes up! He feels so refreshed after seeing this dream and with this, Duryodhana assumes that these words of the Dhaanava king are really going to come true in the near future! Thus, Duryodhana gets rejuvenated and returns back to the kingdom with even more arrogance! As he returns back, he narrates this incident to a few people, however, he mars this incident to a few others, and with this, Duryodhana’s arrogance and jealousy towards the Paandava brothers increased multifold – Thanks to the encouraging and motivating words from the Dhaavana king!
So for today, let us understand up to this point and we shall continue this discussion in the next episode as well, to witness what is Duryodhana’s next course of action! Stay tuned for an interesting accord! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 