In the previous episode, we had witnessed Brihannala “learning” from Utthara Kumara as to how to ride a chariot. Of course, Brihannala (Arjuna) is an expert in this as one of the world’s greatest warriors of all times, but, due to the compelling circumstances, he decides to pull it along! This is quite a comical phase of Arjuna’s life wherein he even has to pretend of not knowing to wear a “Kavacha” (Protective shield) and a few women have to come and make him wear it properly. Thus, as Brihannala is somehow ready, Utthara Kumara is about to start and the women of the queen’s “Antahpura” have a request to him – To bring all the top “Vasthras” of the enemies against whom Utthara Kumara is going to win over! Utthara Kumara exudes confidence of victory to all of them (He sounds a bit overconfident), and in today’s episode, let us continue with what happened next.
Moving on further, Brihannala rides the chariot along the way through which the enemy sounds are being heard. This leads Brihannala and Utthara Kumara to the precise place where all the weapons of the Paandava brothers are kept hidden. We’ve already seen this earlier during the start of the Viraata Parva itself that before entering into the Viraata Desha, the Paandavas had hidden all their weapons, including Arjuna’s famed “Gaandepa” bow inside a huge banyan tree. It is precisely near this same tree that Arjuna is now going for the fight, along with Utthara Kumara. As the journey progresses further, Utthara Kumara is talking to Brihannala thus, “Oh Brihannala! Let us go a bit faster! I taught you how to drive the chariot, didn’t I? We should go fast, finish the war as quickly as possible – Maybe within the next 30-45 minutes and return back even more quickly than before! We should ensure that our father is protected too, as he had gone to the northern end of the kingdom which is also under attack! Hence, we should finish off the enemy as quickly as possible and come back!”
As Utthara Kumara talks thus, Brihannala laughs within himself and thinks thus, “Oh wow! This child doesn’t know who he is going to fight against! He doesn’t even know the might of Bhishmachaarya and Guru Dhronachaarya. If even one of them starts showering him with arrows, this child will lose within just 5 minutes! What a pity! Maybe he will realize the depth of the situation when he sees all of them standing in front of him in the warfield!” As Arjuna thinks thus, their chariot reaches the battlefield. At the battlefield, all the big-heads of Hastinapura are standing – Bhishmachaarya, Guru Dhronachaarya, Sage Kripachaarya, Duryodhana, Karna, Ducchaasana, etc.! So now the question is very simple – Does Utthara Kumara maintain his confidence, or is he going to panic? What is going to be his reaction upon seeing a sea of an army as his enemy? An interesting accord awaits us tomorrow! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 