In the previous episode, we had witnessed Bhagawan Krishna re-assuring Duryodhana that He would not take a single weapon in His hand during the war. He also assures that Arjuna will only have His mere presence and not anything more! This makes Duryodhana extremely happy and he returns back to Hastinapura with this news! In due course, we had also witnessed the intricacies of Bhagawan Krishna’s assurance to Duryodhana and we’ve understood how Bhagawan Krishna is an expert in laying “traps” to protect those who follow the path of “Dharma”! Moving on further from here, we’re going to witness an interesting event wherein King Shalya of the Madra Desha is forced to join the Duryodhana camp. This is going to be a fascinating episode wherein King Shalya gets cornered by Duryodhana. Let us see what happens.
As Duryodhana gets back to Hastinapura, immediately after a few days, King Shalya is going somewhere with his big army. On the way, he passes through the outskirts of Hastinapura and at this point in time, he starts feeling extremely tired, hungry and thirsty. Thus, King Shalya and his army rest for a while at a nearby place where there is a good amount of shade from the trees. As King Shalya rests for a while, this news reaches Duryodhana. Somehow, Duryodhana senses this opportunity to pull King Shalya into his fold. In fact, Shalya is the brother of Maadri Devi, who is the mother of Nakula and Sahadeva! Thus, King Shalya is the uncle of Nakula and Sahadeva of the Paandavas. Ideally, he should have been supporting the cause of the Paandavas, isn’t it? Of course, till this moment, King Shalya favours the Paandavas only. But let us see how Duryodhana brings King Shalya into his fold.
Upon seeing King Shalya tired and hungry, Duryodhana sends his team of people with enormous tasty food and water and a few medicines as well, to meet King Shalya. Accordingly, as Duryodhana’s team hands over all these, King Shalya is extremely happy. He devours the entire food and water and with this, he regains his strength to proceed forward. However, King Shalya is so happy that he wants to grant something good to this team. King Shalya says thus, “Oh people! You’ve helped me at a critical time when I was tired and hungry! This is a great gesture that you’ve done to me! In return, I would like to give you something nice, but before that, I would like to know who sent you here!”
Even as King Shalya is talking thus, Duryodhana comes and stands in front of him! As Duryodhana arrives, King Shalya is shocked a bit! He has taken food and water from an enemy camp! Now what does King Shalya do? As per the “Raaja-Dharma”, if a king is devouring food and water from another king’s camp, he should invariably extend his support to the king who served him at a time of need. In this way, King Shalya is now pushed to a corner and it seems that he has no other option but to support Duryodhana’s cause! Using this opportunity, Duryodhana, who also knows the “Raaja-Dharma” extends a welcome to King Shalya thus, “Oh Great King of Madra Desha! I know how powerful you are and what kind of an invincible army you possess! I request your support to fight the battle along with me to defeat Yudishtra and Co. and to protect the Hastinapura kingdom from going into the hands of Yudishtra!”
Left with no other option, King Shalya extends his hands in support of Duryodhana! King Shalya now leans towards Duryodhana’s side, however, King Shalya replies back to him thus, “Oh Duryodhana! I know that you’ve tricked me into this situation, even though you know that I’m the direct uncle of Nakula and Sahadeva! Anyway, it’s fine! As per the rules of the “Raaja-Dharma”, I shall support you and I shall be with you during the war. However, I only have one request – Before I join your camp, I have a few concluding remarks that I’ve to make to my sister’s sons. So let me go to Viraata Desha, meet Yudishtra and Co. and convey these points and come back!”
Saying thus, King Shalya starts his journey towards the Viraata Desha where the Paandavas are currently residing. So for today, let us understand up to this point and we shall wait till the next episode to continue this further! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 