In the previous episode, we had witnessed the continuation of the proceedings during the night of Day Fourteen, which marks a huge turn in the way this war is being fought. For the first time in fourteen days, the war is continuing into the night as well, and because of this, most of the warriors are tired after a long day of fighting. However, this is not going to deter Guru Dhronachaarya, whose energy levels are extremely high even into the night! Meanwhile, we’ve witnessed a huge tiff happening within the Kaurava army wherein Ashwatthama (Guru Dhronachaarya’s son) is extremely unhappy with the way Karna abused Sage Kripachaarya in front of everyone in the battlefield. At one stage, Ashwatthama decides to rush towards Karna and kill him then and there, even while the war is going on full-fledged! This is the first instance of in-fighting that is happening within the Kaurava army camp.
So in today’s episode, we shall witness in-depth as to why both Karna and Sage Kripachaarya ended up abusing each other. As I’ve mentioned in the previous episode itself, Karna has this weakness – To constantly keep talking great about himself and to underestimate whoever comes in front of him – Be it the Paandavas or anybody from the Kauravas. In this way, Karna talks to Sage Kripachaarya thus, “Oh Sage! Look at my strength! Look at the weapons that I possess! With all these, I can tear up Arjuna into pieces! I have the “Shakti-Aayudham” with me, which was gifted to me by Indra. I also have the “Brahma-Asthram” with me! Who in this world can have greater weapons than me? With all these, I’m going to kill Arjuna and with this, the rest of the Paandava brothers are going to die subsequently very easily!” As Karna boasts about himself thus, Sage Kripachaarya gets frustrated. Rather than going forward and fighting the war, Sage Kripachaarya is seeing Karna talking unwanted stuff in front of him and everybody else. Unable to bear this beyond a point, Sage Kripachaarya decides to give it back to Karna. He says thus, “Oh Karna! Yes! You have all the weapons and “Asthras” with you. However, all of us know how you fought against Arjuna in the Viraata Desha! You were not even able to stand in front of Arjuna for a few minutes put together! Where were all your so-called weapons at that time? Why did you run away like a coward? When Duryodhana tried to imprison the “Gandharvas” and when Arjuna came to fight against Duryodhana, you were also there, weren’t you? Arjuna made you run for your money and released all the “Gandharvas”, didn’t he? At that time where did all your strength and “Asthras” go? Moreover, there have been several instances apart from these two, wherein you’ve fought against Arjuna – Right from childhood days. Tell me one instance wherein you were able to outsmart Arjuna! Hence, rather than talking, take your weapons and try to prove yourself first! When you are amidst us in the tents, your speech knows no bounds! However, the moment you see Arjuna’s chariot advancing towards you, all your words come down and you succumb to him!”
These words from Sage Kripachaarya irks Karna! His ego gets hurt! Karna gives a stern reply thus, “Oh Sage Kripachaarya! Isn’t it normal for a great warrior to proclaim his strengths in front of everyone, including the enemy? Isn’t it a way how a great warrior motivates himself to go for the kill? Oh Sage Kripachaarya! How will you understand all these? You are a “Brahmana Rishi” and you should be sitting at your home and performing penance! If a Brahmana Rishi comes to the battlefield – This is the greatest mismatch I’ve ever seen and this is why you never seem to understand even the basics of warfare! Oh Sage Kripachaarya! I’m a great Kshatrya warrior! If someone from the enemy camp would have dared to speak the way you’ve done to me, I would have cut his tongue into pieces at the very moment itself!”
Now this last sentence is pretty unwarranted from Karna, given the critical situation at which the entire Kaurava army is in! This sentence is enough for Ashwatthama to get extremely furious! How can a charioteer’s son insult a great sage like this? Thus, Ashwatthama rushes towards Karna in a bid to fight and kill him on the spot! So for today, let us understand this discussion clearly and in the next episode, we shall move on from this infighting instance to see what happens next! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 