In the previous episode, we had witnessed two important and separate events – One, wherein Karna clearly expresses his role in the war – He will not come to the battlefield until the point when Bhishmachaarya is leading the army as the “Senapati”. If at all there’s a point wherein Bhishmachaarya is absent in the battlefield, Karna will take over. This answer clearly sends a message of not having that confidence of winning the war, isn’t it? Secondly, when Balarama comes to meet Yudishtra, Yudishtra requests the support of Balarama in the war. However, Balarama declines the request because he feels that if he supports Yudishtra and Bheemasena, it would be a bias against Duryodhana. We should remember here that both Bheemasena and Duryodhana are Balarama’s disciples in the “Gadha-Yuddham” and hence, Balarama refuses to take sides in this upcoming war. Conveying his stance thus, Balarama leaves for a “Teertha-Yatra” and hands over the responsibility to Bhagawan Krishna entirely to protect the Paandavas at Kurukshetra.
As Balarama leaves thus, now it is time to look at what is happening at Hastinapura. Duryodhana and Co. have already left for Kurukshetra and now King Dhritarashtra is all alone, as usual in a state of confusion and tension. His tension is more towards what will happen to his son Duryodhana, more than the concern towards Yudishtra and Co. As King Dhritarashtra is in such a state, Sanjaya enters into his chamber and sits near him. Sanjaya slowly asks King Dhritarashtra thus, “Oh King! The war is about to begin in some time. All the people are set and ready for the fight. However, you’re here in the palace and you do not have the vision to see what is happening as well. How are you going to watch the proceedings of the war and how are you going to update yourself on what is going on in the battlefield?”
As Sanjaya asks thus, King Dhritarashtra replies back – “Oh Sanjaya! Even I was also thinking the same thing as to how to view the proceedings of the war at Kurukshetra! What do I do? How do I get to know what’s happening there?” As King Dhritarashtra asks thus, Sanjaya thinks for a moment and replies back – “Oh King Dhritarashtra! I shall narrate the proceeding to you as and when I get to see it. I shall narrate it instance by instance! You do not need to worry about it!” It is at this time precisely when Sage Vyaasa makes his way into the Hastinapura courtroom. As Sage Vyaasa arrives, both King Dhritarashtra and Sanjaya receive him with all the due respects. Sage Vyaasa understands the situation quickly and the intention of King Dhritarashtra and Sanjaya too. Sage Vyaasa immediately responds thus, “Oh King Dhritarashtra! You’re very anxious to know what is going on at Kurukshetra, aren’t you? Now let me do one thing for you – I shall give a divine pair of eyes to Sanjaya, through which he can see live whatever is happening in the battlefield! As and when Sanjaya is watching the proceedings live, he will keep updating you on what exactly is happening!”
Saying thus, Sage Vyaasa provides his divine “Anugraha” to Sanjaya and with this, Sanjaya obtains a divine pair of eyes from Sage Vyaasa. With this, we come to the end of this Parva and as we move into the next Parva, “Ulooka-Dhoota-Aadhamana Parva”, we are going to witness how both the armies are beginning to make their way into the Kurukshetra battlefield and with this, the proceedings of the war is about to begin. So for today, let us understand up to this point, and in the next episode, we shall continue with this discussion to witness how the armies get ready and how they proceed towards Kurukshetra! Stay tuned for an interesting accord! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 