In the previous episode, we had witnessed the continuation of the discussion between Sanjaya and King Dhritarashtra and the others, with regards to handing over Indraprastha to Yudishtra. After Sanjaya tables his detailed report on his visit to Viraata-Desha, Bhishmachaarya, Guru Dhronachaarya, etc. have their say on it, and as a result, King Dhritarashtra starts getting jittery. He now reminds himself about Bheemasena’s brutal vow that he had taken during that infamous gambling episode when Draupati was publicly insulted and manhandled. With this, King Dhritarashtra’s fear is very simple – What if Bheemasena succeeds in fulfilling his vow that he would bludgeon Ducchaasana and give his blood to Draupati to wash her hair? Are the Paandava brothers too strong to destroy the entire Karuava clan mercilessly? As this fear grips King Dhritarashtra, he somehow comes to a conclusion that the best way to put an end to this brewing feud is to hand over Indraprastha to Yudishtra. But he has other doubts as well – Will handing over Indraprastha to Yudishtra put an end to this issue? Or, will Yudishtra react in some other way? This is where, Sanjaya once again intervenes and advises King Dhritarashtra to mend Duryodhana’s ways.
As all these arguments happen in the public courtroom, Duryodhana is keenly listening to all of these. It is now his turn to respond at a time when all people who are assembled there are expecting Duryodhana to relent atleast now. Duryodhana gets up and says, “Oh King Dhritarashtra! I’m surprised that you’re getting carried away by the talks of all these cowards sitting here! Just because Bheemasena is powerful, should the entire world fear for him and succumb in front of him? Is this the way a brave king talks? We are “Kshatryas” and we should always have confidence in ourselves! Look at our army! We have Karna who has proved time and again that he is a great warrior and can defeat anyone and everyone on his given day! In addition, we have KritaVarma, who is also an accomplished warrior! We have Ashwatthaama and Guru Dhronachaarya with us! Bhishmachaarya himself is a great warrior and even the celestial beings cannot stand in front of him during a war! Our army is like a huge whale in the ocean! Whereas, their army is just like a small jellyfish struggling in a mighty ocean! We shall destroy them altogether and please do not worry! Oh King Dhritarashtra! Please do not get scared by the scary talks that these people are giving! Sanjaya and Vidura are talking out of fear! Do not succumb into their fear mongering! You should have confidence in our people, who are great warriors with proven track records!”
Saying thus, Duryodhana tries to convince King Dhritarashtra. By doing so with a detailed accord that spans for four “Adhyaayas” thus, Duryodhana conveys his final decision. But before that, King Dhritarashtra once again tries to advise him thus, “Oh Duryodhana! Please understand the reality. You are living in a fictitious and an illusionary world! You do not know what disaster in a war is. You are playing with fire. Please let your ego off! Please come for a compromise. This is good for you as well as for Yudishtra and Co. Ultimately as a king and as a father, I want all my sons to be happy and prosperous and for that, compromise between brothers is necessary! Why don’t you understand this? Moreover, a war will only be detrimental to the entire kingdom. War is never a solution for a peaceful life! You may still win the war with all the might that you have. But what if Yudishtra, who is losing today, comes back for a war again and again with you later on? Will you spend your entire time fighting wars repeatedly or will you like to spend your time peacefully with other important administrative works of the kingdom? You should think on these lines too. Just because you have a grudge on Yudishtra, it doesn’t mean that you would deny his rightful claim of Indraprastha! Oh Duryodhana! It is you who had assured on that day that once the thirteen-year period of “Vana-Vasam” is over, Indraprastha will be handed over to Yudishtra. Now that he has completed it successfully, isn’t it your duty to duly hand it over to Yudishtra? Why are you standing your ground like this unnecessarily?”
Saying thus, King Dhritarashtra tries to mend Duryodhana’s ways, both as a father and as a king. But the important question here is whether Duryodhana is ready to pay heed! We shall find this out in the next episode when Duryodhana comes up with his final decision! Stay tuned for an important accord! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 