In the previous episode, we had witnessed Sanjaya and King Dhritarashtra spending some time together and at this moment, Sage Vyaasa arrives at Hastinapura. As King Dhritarashtra is contemplating upon how to view the proceedings of the war with the latest updates, Sage Vyaasa understands this and gives Sanjaya a divine pair of eyes with which he can see all the proceedings of the war. With this, Sanjaya assures King Dhritarashtra that he would keep providing live updates as and when something important happens. In the meanwhile, the armies from both the camps make their way into the Kurukshetra battlefield and start taking their positions one after the other. We should remember that Bhishmachaarya is leading the Kaurava army and Drishtadhyumna is leading the Paandava army.
In the meanwhile, Duryodhana thinks of a wicked plan to somehow demoralize the Paandava camp at the last minute. For this, he sends a messenger by name Ulooka to meet Yudishtra. This last-minute messenger’s job is not for brokering peace, but to threaten the Paandava camp and to make them run away from Kurukshetra. Accordingly Ulooka comes to meet Yudishtra during the late evening hours of the day. Ulooka tells Yudishtra thus, “Oh Yudishtra! I’ve come from Duryodhana’s side as a messenger to convey a very important message from Duryodhana. Oh Yudishtra! Please understand one thing clearly – Our army is eleven-Akshauhini strong, whereas yours is just of seven Akshauhinis. We have several experts in warfare such as Bhishmachaarya, Guru Dhronachaarya, Sage Kripachaarya, Duryodhana himself along with his ninety-nine brothers! By proceeding with this war, you are trying to attack a mammoth power with your very limited resources. Hence, the resultant of this war will be your failure and a huge disaster is going to come by for your side. Hence, I’m warning you – Even now it is not too late. Please run away from here, if you’ve to live your lives peacefully and if you really want to avoid disaster!”
As Ulooka says thus, Bheemasena and Arjuna are starting to rage with anger! Both of them come forward immediately towards Ulooka, even as Bheemasena prepares to attack Ulooka then and there and thrash him! However, Yudishtra and Arjuna stop Bheemasena from doing so and Arjuna replies back thus, “Oh Ulooka! Please do not talk this crap to us! We’re leaving you alive only because you are a messenger. If not, we would have killed you then and there! Go and tell your Duryodhana that even if our army is smaller than his, we know how to win wars. We’re experts in doing so. If I get into the battlefield, I can single-handedly take on Duryodhana with my bow and arrow. If Bheemasena gets into the battlefield, he can single-handedly toss Duryodhana several kilometres away from the spot with his raw muscle power! Moreover, even if we have a small army, according to the “Yuddha-Shaastra”, we know how to create and execute strategies to take on a bigger army than ours! Hence, your gimmick of playing mind games with us will not work at any cost! If Duryodhana has the guts, let him come and face the war, rather than resorting to petty politics like this! There were many occasions wherein Duryodhana has been rendered helpless by us in the past! Hence, Duryodhana should come to the battlefield and talk, if he really has the courage!”
Saying thus, Arjuna gives a befitting reply to Ulooka. Yudishtra too on his part explains to Ulooka that it is not appropriate on Duryodhana’s part to play cheap mind games with the Paandavas. If he really has the guts and courage, he should come and fight the war with the Pandava camp, rather than talking all this nonsense! With this, Ulooka goes back to Duryodhana, bruised and insulted! So for today, we shall understand up to this point, and we shall continue with this discussion forward in the next episode as well! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 