In the previous episode, we had witnessed Duryodhana giving his reply to the entire discussion that has been taking place post Sanjaya’s visit to Viraata Desha to meet Yudishtra. As Sanjaya, Vidura, Bhishmachaarya, Guru Dhronachaarya, etc. are of a unified opinion that Indraprastha should be given back to Yudishtra since he had obliged and fulfilled all the conditions set by Duryodhana during the gambling game episode and also to put an end to the raging feud between both the camps. King Dhritarashtra too tries his part to mend Duryodhana’s ways and to make him relent from his adamant stance. However, Duryodhana is determined in his stance! The moment Guru Dhronachaarya talks about Karna and explains how opportunistic he is, Duryodhana fumes in anger and retaliates that he requires none of the seniors in the courtroom to rally behind him during the war and he can manage single handedly with Karna and Ducchaasana by his side! By saying thus, Duryodhana gives a feeler that all the efforts taken by Sanjaya, Vidura and King Dhritarashtra himself to mend Duryodhana’s arrogance are in vain! Duryodhana seems to be sticking on with his stance, even as he continues with his reply further to explain his final decision.
Moving on further, Duryodhana continues thus, “Oh King Dhritarashtra! Oh Bhishmachaarya! Oh Guru Dhronachaarya! Oh Vidura! Oh Sanjaya! Let me make my stance very clear here – I’m not going to give away even an inch of Hastinapura to Yudishtra and Co. If at all Yudishtra wants to claim his Indraprastha, let him do so in terms of fighting a war! I shall not relent from my stance even for a single moment. I do not want to give Hastinapura to someone who doesn’t even deserve an inch of land! If Yudishtra has the guts really, let him come and fight and through that, let him reclaim Indraprastha if at all he can!”
It is to be noted here that this is the first time Duryodhana is expressing this intention in front of everyone. Upon hearing this stubborn and adamant answer from Duryodhana, the entire courtroom is stunned into silence! Bhishmachaarya looks at Duryodhana with anger! Guru Dhronachaarya is fuming! King Dhritarashtra doesn’t even know how to react! The fate seems to be written clearly on the wall for the entire Kaurava clan! Vidura and Sanjaya look at each other helplessly! Until now, Vidura was atleast raising objections whenever required. But now, after Duryodhana has expressed his adamant decision, he too doesn’t know what to talk about! As this stunned silence prevails, many people start walking away from the courtroom! The effort to broker peace has come to a grinding halt and it has come to an inconclusive end and hence, all of them including Bhishmachaarya and Guru Dhronachaarya walk away in frustration. As people leave one by one, Sanjaya is the only one who stays back.
As Sanjaya stays back thus, King Dhritatashtra asks him a very important question – “Oh Sanjaya! Till now you were explaining what Yudishtra, Bheemasena and Arjuna said. You were also telling about Viraata king’s opinion as well. However, Bhagawan Krishna is also by Yudishtra’s side, isn’t He? You’ve never told us what Bhagawan Krishna’s opinion on this was until now! Hence, please tell us Bhagawan Krishna’s opinion and based on that, we may decide on further course of actions. As King Dhritarashtra asks thus, Sanjaya replies back – “Oh King Dhritarashtra! You’ve asked a very important question here, for which I cannot give you an answer here in the public courtroom. I shall give you the answer during a one-on-one meeting with you!” Hearing this from Sanjaya, King Dhritarashtra immediately gets up from his throne and leads Sanjaya into his chamber for a one-on-one meeting! Now Sanjaya explains thus, “Oh King Dhritarashtra! When I had asked for Bhagawan Krishna’s opinion, Arjuna led me into his “Antahpura” wherein there was a golden throne. Draupati, Satyabhama and Bhagawan Krishna were there, talking with each other. While this was going on, I saw something which I cannot even explain in words! But still, I shall try doing so! I shall try to explain what exactly I saw, but after I finish this explanation, please do not ask me for further descriptions. I shall not be able to give any further explanations!
This reply from Sanjaya sends shivers down the spine of King Dhritarashtra! What was that which Sanjaya saw so uniquely? What was the message from it? King Dhritatashtra is very eager to know, and so are we, isn’t it? 🙂 So for today, let us understand up to this point and in the next episode, we shall witness what Sanjaya’s description is going to be in this important context! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 