In the previous episode, we had witnessed the conclusion of an important conversation between Sage Vyaasa and Yudishtra, wherein Sage Vyaasa consoles Yudishtra to move on with the rest of the war proceedings, after Abhimanyu’s untimely and unethical killing. Meanwhile, Arjuna and Bhagawan Krishna return back to the Kurukshetra battlefield after killing all the Trigatthas. As Arjuna returns to the Paandava camp, he sees everyone sitting with a glum face with Abhimanyu missing from the lot! Immediately Arjuna understands what had conspired earlier during the day when he was not there in the battlefield on Day Thirteen. Abhimanyu has been killed while he was trying to come out of the “Chakra Vyuga”! Abhimanyu was mercilessly and ruthlessly attacked from all sides by Duryodhana and Co. and especially when he was weaponless, the entire gang slaughtered him to death! Arjuna also learns that Yudishtra and Co. were trying to follow Abhimanyu inside the “Chakra-Vyuga”, but thanks to Jayatrada’s boon, they were imprisoned for a while as this treacherous event unfolded!
Upon knowing all this, Arjuna is brimming with anger and frustration! He lets out a huge cry and immediately picks up his weapons and tries to rush towards Duryodhana’s camp, in a bid to kill him then and there! All these are happening during the night of the thirteenth day of the war. However, as Arjuna tries to rush with anger, Bhagawan Krishna stops him. Bhagawan Krishna tells Arjuna thus, “Oh Arjuna! I understand your pain and anger, but this is not the time to retaliate. You are a great warrior, but sometimes you lack patience and perseverance. You’ve to develop that in you! Oh Arjuna! Abhimanyu was a great warrior, however, he was destined to meet his end today. Nobody could have stopped it. It was bound to happen. However, look at how valiantly he has fought – He has killed several “Maharathis” on the other side single-handedly today! This has created a severe dent in the Kaurava camp and the due credits for this is for Abhimanyu. You’ve to feel happy for Abhimanyu’s immense contribution to this war. Oh Arjuna! Rather than mourning Abhimanyu’s death, you should feel proud that you are a father of such a great warrior and you should pay tributes to him!”
As Bhagawan Krishna says thus with a lengthy accord, Arjuna somewhat gets consoled and now we move into a very important phase. Arjuna now takes an important “Shapatham” (Vow / Resolve) – He says in front of everyone thus, “Oh Yudishtra! Oh Bhagawan Krishna! The person who was instrumental behind Abhimanyu’s demise was Jayatrada, isn’t it? Tomorrow is the fourteenth day of the war and by tomorrow evening, I pledge to kill Jayatrada before sunset! If such a thing doesn’t happen, I shall create a fire and jump into it and die! Hence, by tomorrow evening, either Arjuna or Jayatrada will be alive in this world! This is the resolve I’m taking within myself and in front of all of you! However, oh Bhagawan Krishna! If Jayatrada surrenders to your divine lotus feet, I will not touch him. Rather, if he goes to anyone else in the battlefield seeking surrender, he will not be spared by me tomorrow! His demise is damn sure in my hands only!”
It is to be noted here that Arjuna takes this resolve at the end of Day Thirteen of the Kurukshetra war. The next day is Day Fourteen and the war is going to turn vigorous from here on. The Paandava brothers are going to fight the war with a savage resolution of thrashing the Kaurava army left right and centre as they are super-charged after Abhimanyu’s demise. Meanwhile, as Arjuna takes this important resolve, some spies from Duryodhana’s camp carry this news to Jayatrada! They explain Arjuna’s firm resolve and with this, Jayatrada begins to shake with fear! He immediately feels that if he has to be alive by the end of tomorrow, the only option is to flee away from the battlefield somehow! If he’s there, he’s going to be finished by Arjuna, come what may! Hence, Jayatrada starts packing up all his bags to leave the Kurukshetra battlefield!
So for today, let us understand up to this point and in the next episode we shall witness whether Jayatrada was successful in escaping out of Kurukshetra or not! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 