Episode # 826 – Important rules to be followed during the war – An important discussion!!!

In the previous episode, we had witnessed the commencement of the all-important Bhishma Parva, wherein the Mahabharata war was about to commence at Kurukshetra battlefield. Both the camps are taking their pole positions in the battlefield and are getting ready for the inevitable war. The Paandava army led by Drishtadhyumna is slowly building up on one end of the battlefield and the Kaurava army led by the great Bhishmachaarya is gearing itself up on the other end. At this juncture, we’re entering into the first “Upa-Parva” under the Bhishma Parva , which is called “Jambu-Khanda-Vinirmana Parva”. Here, we’re going to witness an accord on the entire “Jambu-Khandam” (Earth) as a whole, with an enormous accord on the important mountains, oceans, rivers, land masses, countries, territories, etc. that it comprises. So we shall first set up the context for this discussion, as we move into the accord. 

Now we would be wondering from where this “off-shoot” discussion about the world is coming. This is being asked by King Dhritarashtra to Sanjaya. We’ve earlier witnessed that Sanjaya is the one who is going to explain the minute-by-minute happenings of the upcoming war to King Dhritarashtra, as he is going to see the proceedings live through the divine pair of eyes gifted by Sage Vyaasa. This entire discussion is being done by Sage Vaishampayana to King Janame-Jaya. This Upa-Parva discussion commences at this point where King Janame-Jaya is going to ask an important question to Sage Vaishampayana. Now this is where readers should not get confused. In the Mahabharata text, we will look into conversations within conversations, and the first ring of conversation is always between Sage Vaishampayana and King Janame-Jaya. We should remember that this entire Mahabharata story discussion stems from this conversation only. King Janame-Jaya asks Sage Vaishampayana thus, “Oh Sage! What did my great grandfathers do at Kurukshetra? How did the war proceedings begin? Who fought with whom? Please tell me in detail!” 

As King Janame-Jaya asks thus, Sage Vaishampayana replies back – “Oh Janame-Jaya! Now, we are witnessing the proceedings at the battlefield and you’ve asked a very important question. Now that all of them have reached Kurukshetra, tent accommodations and food facilities were provided to all of them assembled there. Moreover, facilities for their resting and sleeping, along with medical first-aid were also created at a large scale, given the mammoth size of both the armies. Along with all these, the rules and regulations for the battle are also mutually decided. For instance, those who are in the chariots, should only fight with those who are in chariots. Those who are on top of horses, should only fight with their counterparts who are riding horses. Soldiers who are on foot, should only fight with their counterpart soldiers who are also on foot. Those who are taking food, water, medical supplies, etc. to the battlefield should not be touched by either camps. Similarly, those who do not have any weapons in their hands, should not be fought with. The war will only happen during the day time and once the sun sets in during the dusk period of the day, the war should stop at any cost. Thus, all these rules are drafted and communicated to both the camps in advance, as they are getting themselves ready. 

As this is happening on the Kurukshetra battlefield, Sage Vyaasa once again comes to Hastinapura palace to meet King Dhritarashtra and Sanjaya. As Sage Vyaasa settles down, he tells King Dhritarashtra thus, “Oh my dear son! Along with Sanjaya, I’m ready to give you also a divine pair of eyes, through which you can see the war proceedings. I’m sure you are also eager to witness the war proceedings. Hence, I came to give you the divine pair of eyes, with which, you yourself can see the proceedings live, which nobody else can see, except Sanjaya!” As Sage Vyaasa says thus, King Dhritarashtra thinks for a while and is going to reply to him. So for today, let us understand up to this point, and in the next episode, we shall understand what King Dhritarashtra is going to say, and how the conversation is going to build on from here! Stay tuned for an interesting accord! 🙂