In the previous episode, we had witnessed the continuation of what is happening post the demise of Jayatrada. Now, we’re entering into the next “Upa-Parva” called “Ghatodgaja-Vada Parva” which starts with a sad note of Sanjaya explaining to King Dhritarashtra that his son Duryodhana is going to meet Guru Dhronachaarya with grief. Duryodhana laments to Guru Dhronachaarya that all his friends, relatives, near and dear ones are dying one after the other in this war and it is turning completely disastrous. If this continues, Duryodhana wonders what is the use of becoming a king after everyone is dead! For whom is he going to rule the kingdom? Who will guide him? Who will advise him on the right path for taking decisions? Bhishmachaarya is no more now! Similarly, other key people who were trusted aides of Duryodhana are no more! Saying all this, Duryodhana feels that there is no point in fighting this war any further and he almost comes to a conclusion that he doesn’t want to become a king henceforth!
Readers might remember that this is the same conclusion to which Yudishtra came to, before the war began. He had said the same words to Bhagawan Krishna and asked Him if this war should really be fought, which would consume all his near and dear ones! This is the similar note upon which Arjuna stumbled too, which led to the birth of the auspicious Bhagawad Gita! Now, fourteen days into the war, Duryodhana is having the same thought! Moving on further, Duryodhana continues his accord to Guru Dhronachaarya thus, “Oh Guru Dhronachaarya! My mind has completely lost interest in ruling the Hastinapura kingdom any further. Without any of my near and dear ones, who is going to guide me to perform the “Raajasuya Yaaga”? Who is going to guide me on performing the “Ashwamedha Yaaga”? Who is going to be my trusted aides? Thus, my mind is very clear now – I do not want this kingdom anymore and I do not wish to be the king! However, my mind also says this – Given the fact that the Paandava brothers have wreaked havoc in this manner, I should give it back to them in the way that they will understand! I’m not going to run away from this battlefield, even though I wish to. I shall definitely give a befitting reply to the Paandava brothers for all that they’ve done to me over these fourteen days! I’ll definitely kill all the five Paandava brothers mercilessly. However, after I do so, I do not feel the urge to rule the kingdom!”
Duryodhana continues further thus, “Oh Guru Dhronachaarya! There is one person called Arjuna, who is killing virtually everyone who is trying to protect me on the battlefield. However, you, as the Senapati, are unwilling to make a move against Arjuna. You are letting him kill all my folks! Neither you are taking a step forward to neutralize him, nor are you attacking him in a way that is equivalent to him! If this continues, I’m sure that you are not going to protect me on the battlefield! Hence, what is the purpose of me living in this world anymore? I do not have the security for my life! Also, I’ve lost all my near and dear ones! So for whom am I alive still? What am I going to establish and accomplish?”
As Duryodhana asks fiery questions thus, Guru Dhronachaarya replies back slowly – “Oh Duryodhana! Each and every word that you’re saying is piercing my heart! I’ve told you several times in the past – It is impossible for anybody to defeat the Arjuna-Bhagawan Krishna combo on any battlefield and on any given day! You are trying to do something that is highly impossible! You are not realizing this right from the beginning. Oh Duryodhana! Let me tell you one more thing – You’re thinking that all of our people are getting killed with Arjuna’s arrows. It is not true. On that fateful day when your uncle Sahuni rolled the dice illegally against Yudishtra’s favour, you humiliated him so badly, didn’t you? It is the same dice that is coming as sharp arrows today to kill all of you who abused Draupati and Yudishtra! We’ve walked the path of “Adharma” grossly and it is time that we pay a heavy price for it! Hence, the dice is what is coming as sharp arrows to kill all of us, and we do not have any other option but to sit under it and take it!”
Saying thus, Guru Dhronachaarya once again tries to make Duryodhana understand the practicality of things, and with this, we shall wait till the next episode to witness what Duryodhana had to answer to Guru Dhronachaarya’s words. Is he going to accept Guru Dhronachaarya’s words atleast now? Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 