We’re at a critical juncture during the early hours of Day Fourteen at Kurukshetra wherein Bhagawan Krishna is taking Arjuna to meet Bhagawan Shiva in his dreams, in a bid to obtain and activate the “Paashupata-Asthram”. This is extremely significant, considering Arjuna’s pledge that he would kill Jayatrada by dusk on Day Fourteen, else, he would jump into the fire and sacrifice his life! If the “Paashupata-Asthram” is not with Arjuna, Jayatrada is invincible in the battlefield with enormous powers. Also, it should be remembered by readers here that Jayatrada is an expert in “Maaya-Yuddham” (Illusionary warfare), as he had obtained several boons in the past. This is the main reason that Duryodhana trusts Jayatrada so much in order to keep the Paandavas at check. Understanding all this, Bhagawan Krishna is swiftly taking Arjuna to Kailasa Parvata (The divine abode of Bhagawan Shiva) in his dreams itself, as there is not much time left to physically go and come back. Upon Bhagawan Krishna’s request, Bhagawan Shiva instructs the key “Mantras” behind the “Paashupata-Asthram” to Arjuna in his dream itself and with that, Bhagawan Krishna brings him back to Kurukshetra!
It should be noted here that all these events are unfolding in Arjuna’s dreams and not in reality. All that Arjuna did was to surrender to Bhagawan Krishna’s divine lotus feet, and the rest is being taken care of by Bhagawan Krishna Himself! This shows clearly that if we have the faith and surrender to Bhagawan, He will take care of us in the way He should, and also at the right time. Thus, with Arjuna re-obtaining the “Paashupata-Asthram”, the “Pratignya Parva” comes to an end. Thus, here we’ve seen how Arjuna wept bitterly over his son, Abhimanyu’s demise and as a result, he has taken an important “Pratignya” that by the end of Day Fourteen at Kurukshetra, either himself or Jayatrada would be alive!
Moving forward thus, we now enter into the next Upa-Parva – The “Jayatrada-Vadha-Parva”. The Parva is commencing with King Dhritarashtra’s accord to Sanjaya thus – “Oh Sanjaya! I’m understanding that Arjuna has taken an important “Pratignya” to somehow kill Jayatrada by end of the day. How is Arjuna able to take such ambitious pledges? Isn’t there anybody in the Kaurava camp who can stop Arjuna’s aggression on the battlefield? Where did Duryodhana go? Where did Guru Dhronachaarya go? Where did Sahuni and Karna go? Why aren’t they doing enough to stop the aggressive Arjuna? Why is Arjuna able to advance so much without any resistance from our side?” As King Dhritarashtra asks a series of questions thus, Sanjaya commences his narrative on the Day Fourteen of what happened at Kurukshetra. Sanjaya begins thus, “Oh King Dhritarashtra! Jayatrada is extremely powerful with several unique skillsets pertaining to “Maaya-Yuddham”. However, having said that, Jayatrada has an imminent threat from Arjuna today and hence, Guru Dhronachaarya is up for the challenge – He is mustering up the Kaurava army from all four directions around Jayatrada in a bid to protect him from Arjuna. On the outer side, Guru Dhronachaarya arranges the “Chakra-Vyugam” once again. Inside several layers of the “Chakra-Vyugam”, he arranges the “Padma-Vyugam”. Inside the “Padma-Vyugam”, he arranges the “Suchi-Vyugam”. The word “Suchi” means needle. Perhaps, Day Fourteen is the only day wherein multiple “Vyugams” are being created by the Kaurava army. Till now we’ve seen only one “Vyugam” per day. Thus, within all these several “Vyugams”, Jayatrada is stationed safely. Mainstream warriors like Sage Kripachaarya, Krita Varma, King Shalya, Guru Dhronachaary, etc. are safeguarding him from all directions within these several “Vyugams”.
Now, as Day Fourteen begins, Arjuna makes a grand entry into the battlefield, along with his four brothers and his army! As Arjuna approaches the vicinity of the Kaurava army, he is surprised to see several “Vyugams” being formed and it seems a daunting task for any warrior to breach them and enter inside to fight. Upon seeing this, Arjuna tells Bhagawan Krishna thus, “Oh Bhagawan! Please drive our chariot further and further into the “Vyugams”. I’m going to break open their strategies from all sides single-handedly! All that you need to do is keep riding the chariot without stopping even for a moment! Guru Dhronachaarya is standing right at the centre of the “Chakra-Vyugam”. I feel that if we’ve to break open, Guru Dhronachaarya should first be isolated and taken away from there! So let me commence my “floor test” with Guru Dhronachaarya first and see how it goes!”
Thus, Arjuna gets ready for a marquee battle, even as Bhagawan Krishna also keeps charging him up every now and then with some motivational words. As Arjuna says, Bhagawan Krishna swiftly rides the chariot towards the mammoth Kaurava army stationed in different patterns. Arjuna announces his arrival in a grand style with several arrows pointed towards one segment of the army, in a bid to break open the “Chakra-Vyuga” from one side! So for today, let us understand up to this point and in the next episode, we shall witness a spectacular battle between the “Guru-Sishya” combine – Arjuna and Guru Dhronachaarya! Stay tuned for a very interesting accord! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 