In the previous episode, we had witnessed Duryodhana intervening between Sage Kripachaarya, Ashwatthama and Karna and dosing down the tension that was brewing in between them. Duryodhana makes a timely intervention at a stage wherein there was a huge fight that was about to break out between Ashwatthama and Karna. All this is happening during the night of the fourteenth day at Kurukshetra battlefield, wherein on one hand, a fierce fight is going on between Guru Dhronachaarya and the Paandava camp. This Ashwatthama-Karna encounter is happening on the sidelines of the ongoing unique battle. Duryodhana doses down the fight by explaining that this is not the time for internal issues to be taken forward. Especially at a time when the Kaurava camp is running out of options after the demise of Jayatrada and as Bhishmachaarya is unavailable, this is not the time for the feud between the duo. As Duryodhana explains his stance very clearly thus, Ashwatthama and Karna stopped their feud and decided to obey Duryodhana’s words, as both of them are fighting for Duryodhana’s cause.
Moving on further thus, the war continues into the night of the fourteenth day. The moment Karna proclaims that he has the “Shakti-Aayudham” with him, Bhagawan Krishna hears it very clearly from a long distance itself. Now, since Karna has started talking about it openly, it means that he is going to use it very soon. If he uses the “Shakti-Aayudham”, neither Arjuna nor any of the Paandava brothers would be able to survive, as it is extremely powerful. Hence, now the daunting task for Bhagawan Krishna is to somehow make Karna “waste” the “Shakti-Aayudham” that he’s boasting about. It should be remembered that this weapon can only be employed once and not for a second time. This “Shakti-Aayudham” was gifted by Indra to Karna many years ago. Thus, thinking about all these, Bhagawan Krishna comes to a conclusion – To send Ghatodgaja to the battlefield as the leader of the Paandava army. Bhagawan Krishna calls Ghatodgaja and says thus, “Oh Ghatodgaja! Tonight you have an important task to accomplish – You should be the saviour of all your fathers. You’ve to go forward and defend all of us by unleashing your full strength on the Kaurava army. For doing this during the night time, you are the right person, as your fathers do not have the full capacity to fight at night!”
Bhagawan Krishna continues further thus, “Oh Ghatodgaja! There are two main Raakshasas on Duryodhana’s side too – One is Alambusha and the other is Alaayudha. Duryodhana is motivating both of them to come forward and fight against us. In order to encounter both of them, there’s nobody else in our camp who is better-suited than you. Hence, you go forward and try to neutralize both of them! Moreover, Karna is in a threatening mode tonight and he is determined to employ the “Shakti-Aayudham” on all of us. You should show your talent today and somehow try and neutralize that “Shakti-Aayudham” that Karna has in his possession. Hence, your responsibility for tonight is to somehow destroy Karna along with his “Shakti-Aayudham” and thereby earn a great name and fame to your father Bheemasena!”
As Bhagawan Krishna says thus, Ghatodgaja is more than happy to oblige! Ghatodgaja replies thus, “Oh Bhagawan! Thank you for giving me this opportunity to fight and protect all of you! If you think for a moment, you yourself can save all of us, however, you want me to perform this task. I shall oblige and take this as a great “Anugraha” from you!”
Saying thus, Ghatodgaja bows down to Bhagawan Krishna, obtains His divine “Anugraha” and sets off into the battlefield! As we’ve seen earlier, Ghatodgaja unleashes his potential straightaway and starts doing a huge battle as if he’s doing it for fun! Whoever comes in front of Ghatodgaja meets a ghastly fatal end to their lives! The fury in which Ghatodgaja is in is completely unmatchable! As we’ve seen, Duryodhana sends the two Raakshasas from his side to counter Ghatodgaja. Alambusha puts up a good fight against Ghatodgaja, however, Alambusha is no match to Ghatodgaja’s strength. After a few minutes of fighting with Alambusha, Ghatodgaja thinks that he’s wasting his time by fighting with him and hence captures him in his hands, squeezes him to death and throws him away quite effortlessly! Similarly on the other hand, Bheemasena, his father is fighting with Alaayudha. A huge fight breaks out between the two and Bheemasena at one stage is on the verge of losing, primarily because he’s unable to fight to his full potential as it is night! However, Ghatodgaja intervenes from nowhere, captures Alaayudha and kills him too with bare minimal effort!
Thus, both the Raakshasas that Duryodhana had by his side met a fatal end in the hands of Ghatodgaja. Upon seeing this, the Kaurava army starts trembling with fear! All the important warriors in the Kaurava camp rally behind Karna, who leads the pack in attacking Ghatodgaja. A huge war breaks out between Karna and Ghatodgaja and at one point, Karna is at the verge of losing, thus exposing the other warriors to Ghatodgaja’s fury! So for today, let us understand up to this point and we shall continue this important discussion further in the next episode! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 