In the previous episode, we had witnessed Sanjaya concluding his conversation with King Dhritarashtra with regards to how “Dharma” has been “compromised” in this war. We’ve seen Sanjaya giving a strong rebuttal to King Dhritarashtra’s claim that this entire war is completely “Adharmic” in nature and his son is being unduly targeted. Sanjaya recalls how “Dharma” was completely compromised at several stages by King Dhritarashtra himself when the gambling game happened and with several incidents that unfolded henceforth. Saying all this, Sanjaya commences the description of the Day Eleven of the battle at Kurukshetra. At the beginning, we’ve seen Duryodhana approaching Guru Dhronachaarya to request him to somehow capture Yudishtra alive without killing him. Even though for a moment, Guru Dhronachaarya thinks that Duryodhana has finally mended his ways, he was wrong in his assessment about the intent with which Duryodhana asked that question. Later on, as Duryodhana revealed his sadistic intention behind capturing Yudishtra alive, Guru Dhronachaarya feels extremely bad.
As this happens, Duryodhana reveals further thus, “Oh Guru Dhronachaarya! If you’re able to capture Yudishtra alive, I will call him for a game of gambling once again. I will win that game and at the end of it I will once again send him to the forest for another twelve years, plus one more year of “Agnyaatavaasam”. In the meanwhile, I will be happily ruling the Hastinapura kingdom with the excitement of seeing Yudishtra and his brothers suffering! This is my aim! I somehow want Yudishtra to keep experiencing suffering after suffering and this gives me a lot of happiness!” Upon hearing this, Guru Dhronachaarya doesn’t know what to reply to Duryodhana! His heart is bubbling with pain upon hearing these wicked words of Duryodhana, but, just like Bhishmachaarya, Guru Dhronachaarya is also not able to talk back to Duryodhana, condemning his words! However, he has to give some reply to Duryodhana, isn’t it? So Guru Dhronachaarya keeps his reply very short by saying thus, “Oh Duryodhana! This can be done, provided Arjuna is not coming from any side to shield him! If Arjuna barges in from somewhere during the pursuit, it might not be possible to corner Yudishtra! So Duryodhana! It is your responsibility to keep Arjuna away from Yudishtra for the entire day! You keep him occupied by making him fight with the others in the army, meanwhile I’ll try and corner Yudishtra!”
With this, the Day Eleven at Kurukshetra begins! The Kauravas come up with the “Shakata Vyuham” and the Paandavas come up with the “Krauncha Vyuham”. The entire strategy is aimed at somehow isolating Yudishtra from the rest of the crowd. The Paandavas understand this strategy and during the entire eleventh day, Bheemasena and Arjuna guard Yudishtra from either sides and with this, Guru Dhronachaarya is unable to approach Yudishtra for a one-on-one fight at all! Being in the close proximity of Yudishtra, both Bheemasena and Arjuna unleash their fury on the Kaurava army and kill several important people on that day. The Kaurava army makes several attempts to isolate Yudishtra, but all their attempts are thwarted by the Bheemasena-Arjuna combo. Duryodhana also tries his bit too, but is being continuously blocked by Bheemasena. There’s also a Duryodhana vs. Bheemasena fight once more, but it is for a very brief period. This time, Bheemasena’s aim is not to kill Duryodhana, but only to prevent him from advancing inside.
Thus, the eleventh day of the war comes to a conclusion with the Kaurava army encountering a big lapse! Inspite of their best attempts, they are not able to penetrate the Paandava army and breach Bheemasena and Arjuna’s vigil. Both of them are too strong and because of their befitting replies, the Kaurava army starts running into complete chaos! Guru Dhronachaarya’s plan is completely thrown out of gear as he is unable to even move a step closer to Yudishtra! So at the end of the eleventh day, the Paandavas are a happier camp and the Kauravas have a lot of things to ponder over! With this note, we shall conclude Day Eleven at Kurukshetra and in the next episode, we shall continue with what is going to happen during Day Twelve! Stay tuned for an interesting accord!
The Indian Dharma 