In the previous episode, we had witnessed Duryodhana getting his act together by bringing in eleven “Akshauhinis” of his army marching towards Kurukshetra. This comes at a time when the Paandava army which is seven “Akshauhinis” strong, has already reached Kurukshetra and is getting ready for the marquee battle. Just like how Yudishtra has appointed Drishtadhyumna as his “Senapati” (Commander-in-chief), Duryodhana too appoints Bhishmachaarya as his “Senapati”. As the entire army of Duryodhana reaches Kurukshetra and all the make-shift tents are set up, Duryodhana formally requests Bhishmachaarya to take full charge of the army right from day one onwards. Bhishmachaarya too accepts the request of Duryodhana, but with one condition. So what is that condition? Let us continue this discussion in today’s episode.
As Duryodhana requests, Bhishmachaarya replies thus, “Oh Duryodhana! You’ve given me an important responsibility, however, let me make one thing very clear with you at the onset itself – I will valiantly fight with everyone in the Paandava army, including Yudishtra, Bheemasena, Arjuna, Saatyaki, Drishtadhyumna, etc. I shall kill tens of thousands of people in the war. But I won’t kill the five Paandava brothers! I may be engaged in a fierce battle with all the five of them, either individually or together. I may even win the battle against all of them single handedly. However, I will not go to the extent of killing any of them! I’ve taken this pledge much earlier in my life, but this is the time that I’ve to confess this to you! So Duryodhana, if you still want me to lead the army as your “Senapati”, I’m ready to do so. However, if you have other ideas, I’m open for it!”
This is a pledge which Bhishmachaarya takes. However, in our earlier episodes, we’ve witnessed Bheemasena taking an exactly opposite pledge. When the infamous gambling episode took place and when Draupati was molested in public, Bheemasena took a pledge that he would be the one who would be killing all the hundred Kaurava brothers including Duryodhana and Ducchaasana. Thus, Bheemasena has come to the battlefield with a savage resolution. However, here we’re seeing Bhishmachaarya taking a pledge in the opposite direction wherein he is not going to kill any of the five Paandava brothers! Upon hearing this from Bhishmachaarya, Duryodhana somehow concludes then and there that there is no scope for him to win this war! Readers should remember this clearly!
Even as Bhishmachaarya takes the “Prathignya” thus, he continues further – “Oh Duryodhana! Please note one more thing – If your friend Karna is in the battlefield alongside me and even if I’m the commander-in-chief, Karna is not going to listen to even a single word that I’m going to say. He is going to operate in his own fashion due to the vengeance that he carries within himself. So, if I’m in the battlefield, let Karna not be there, and if Karna is in the battlefield, I’ll not be there. So you make the decision accordingly as to whom you want in the battlefield alongside you!” As Bhishmachaarya says thus, Duryodhana is in a state of confusion to choose between Bhishmachaarya and Karna. Both are excellent warriors with infinite capabilities. Looking at Duryodhana’s confused face, Karna immediately responds thus, “Oh Duryodhana! Please do not worry! Let Bhishmachaarya take the lead and I shall be away until the time he’s in this position. If at all there’s a time when Bhishmachaarya feels that he doesn’t want to fight, I shall come into the picture. So till that time, I’m staying away from the battlefield. You proceed with Bhishmachaarya and all of us know what he is capable of!”
Saying thus, Karna distances himself from the battlefield affairs for the moment, and for today, we shall understand up to this point. In the next episode, we shall continue this discussion forward to witness what is Duryodhana’s and Yudishtra’s next course of actions! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 