In the previous episode, we had witnessed Bhagawan Krishna putting forth a big conclusion that war is increasingly inevitable, and Yudishtra along with his brothers should start getting ready for it. He replies to Saatyaki and the others that Duryodhana has gone even to the extent of insulting and disobeying senior members of King Dhritarashtra’s cabinet such as Bhishmachaarya, Guru Dhronachaarya, Sage Kripachaarya amongst the others, leave alone Sanjaya and Vidura. Nobody seems to have the capability to convince Duryodhana and put him on the track towards “Dharma”. Thus, given this situation, Bhagawan Krishna asserts that all the options including “Saama”, “Dhaana” and “Bhedha” are exhausted. Now the only methodology that is remaining is the “Dhanda-Ubhaayam”, which literally means “taking the stick in hand”. This directly pertains to the option of going for an all-out assault on Duryodhana and Co. in the battlefield.
Thus, as this decision is being taken, we come to the end of the “Bhagawad-Yaana Parva” under the main Udyoga Parva. Subsequently we only have a few small “Upa-Parvas”, with which, we would conclude the Udyoga Parva, and after that, we shall straightaway step into the Bhishma Parva, wherein the battle is going to start at Kurukshetra! So we’re almost there near the beginning of the war and before that, let us witness these small Upa-Parvas as we move on. The next Upa-Parva that we’re going to witness now is the “Sainya-Niryaana Parva”. Thus, as the war has become inevitable, both the Paandava and the Kaurava camps are now getting into action to mobilize their respective armies. Now we’re going to witness all those people who are opting to be on Duryodhana’s side as well as Yudishtra’s side. The Paandava army is a seven-Akshauhini army. We’ve already witnessed the arithmetic behind an “Akshauhini” and I’m not going into the mathematical details here. We shall now straightaway go into the details of the army. For Yudishtra, Saatyaki brings one “Akshauhini” of the army. King Viraata brings the second “Akshauhini”. Subsequently, King Drupata (Father of Draupati) brings the third “Akshauhini”. Similarly, there are several other small kings from the nearby kingdoms who bring the remaining four “Akshauhinis” of the army. Thus, in addition, there are several lakhs of warriors getting ready on the Yudishtra’s side and all of them are well-prepared and well-trained to face any eventuality in case of a war.
Now, for each “Akshauhini” of the army, there should be one leader, isn’t it? Hence, Yudishtra and Co. plan this out in a beautiful way and this highlights the quality of leadership that Yudishtra has in him. Saatyaki, King Drupata, King Viraata, Shikhandi, Drishtadhyumna and Bheemasena are selected to be the leaders for each of the “Akshauhinis” in the army. In similar lines, as the leaders are selected, there should be one Commander-in-chief (Senapathi) to be selected, isn’t it? For this, each one comes up with different suggestions. Nakula comes up with the name of Drishtadhyumna. Sahadeva comes up with Saatyaki’s nomination. Similarly, each of the Paandava brothers suggest one name as per their judgement and understanding. Now it is up to Yudishtra to take the final decision isn’t it? What does he do? He immediately turns to Bhagawan Krishna for His opinion! Bhagawan Krishna explains thus, “Oh Yudishtra and Co.! I thought of several things that would be happening during the commencement of the war and also what would be happening during the course of the war. With all those incidents that are about to unfold, I think Drishtadhyumna should be the right person to be the “Senapathi” (Commander in chief) for our entire army. Of course, all your other suggestions and nominations are perfectly valid, but with the forthcoming incidents that are going to unfold, I feel that Drishtadhyumna would be the right candidate to be the Senapathi for our army!”
Thus, the leadership at every level in the Paandava army is decided, and for today, let us understnad up to this point. We shall wait till the next episode to continue this discussion further! Stay tuned for an important and an interesting accord! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 