In the previous episode, we had witnessed Bhagawan Krishna coming to Arjuna’s rescue once again, as Karna’s “Naaga-Asthram” makes its way towards him. This “Naaga-Asthram” was aimed at Arjuna’s head instead of his chest portion and all Bhagawan Krishna had to do is to get down from the chariot and stand on the ground. As Bhagawan does so, the surface level of Arjuna’s chariot suddenly goes down and the “Naaga-Asthram” goes above Arjuna’s head! Thus, the “Asthram” got wasted as it did not serve the purpose. Karna had specially reserved this “Asthram” for killing Arjuna, however, the effort was completely thwarted with Bhagawan Krishna’s timely divine intervention. As this happens, Karna is now left powerless to defend himself. Even then, Karna puts up a brave show of strength towards Arjuna as he moves further. However, as we’ve seen earlier, Karna carries an unfortunate curse from the Brahmana Rishi, which is yet to come true, but time is getting closer for the same.
Thus, as Karna advances further, his chariot suddenly gets caught amidst a bump on the ground and its wheels break down! This happens out of nowhere and that too, in front of Bhagawan Krishna Himself! Thus, as the chariot breaks down, Karna is about to fall on to the ground. He is weaponless at this moment. However, Bhagawan Krishna says to Arjuna upon seeing Karna thus, “Oh Arjuna! This is the right time for you to kill Karna! Go ahead and hit him with your sharp arrows!” As Bhagawan Krishna openly says thus, Karna’s heart breaks into pieces! This is a very sad and an emotional moment in the entire Mahabharata story – Karna, a noble person by heart is subjected to such a treatment, just because he had joined a wrong companionship. As Bhagawan says thus, Karna replies with a pained heart thus, “Oh Bhagawan! You’re an epitome of “Dharma” and you are saying these words! I’m weaponless and look at my current state! Is it “Raaja-Dharma” to hit a person when he is weaponless in the battlefield?”
As Karna asks thus, Bhagawan Krishna quickly counters him thus, “Oh Karna! I’m very happy that you’re talking about “Dharma” atleast during the time of your death! You’re talking about “Raaja-Dharma” aren’t you? Where did the “Raaja-Dharma” go when Abhimanyu was killed when he was also weaponless? All of you surrounded the poor child and killed him against the same “Raaja-Dharma” that you’re talking about! So is the “Raaja-Dharma” different for you and for him? If killing Abhimanyu can be justified, this also is 100% justifiable! Moreover, when the gambling game happened on that day, you supported Duryodhana when he ordered Draupati’s molestation in public! Where did the “Raaja Dharma” go at that time? Didn’t you think of it then? You demanded Draupati to come and sit on your lap, didn’t you? Where did the “Raaja Dharma” go at that time? You insulted Yudishtra and humiliated him to such an extent with the help of Sahuni! Where did the “Raaja Dharma” go at that time? Oh Karna! Please do not twist “Dharma” as per your convenience! “Dharma” is the same for everyone, including you and me! It is your “Karma Phalam” that you are experiencing here on the battlefield at Kurukshetra!”
These words from Bhagawan Krishna come like fierce arrows towards Karna! Even though Bhagawan Krishna sounds rude and angry upon Karna, we’ve seen earlier that He has a special corner for Karna, because of the fact that circumstances drove him into the path of “Adharma”. Meanwhile as this happens, Bheemasena on the other side is wreaking havoc with the Kaurava army single-handedly! He destroys several of Duryodhana’s brothers on this fateful seventeenth day and he slowly advances towards Ducchaasana. As Bheemasena sees Ducchaasana, all the courtroom events start getting rewinded in Bheemasena’s mind. It should be remembered that Bheemasena had taken a pledge that he would kill Ducchaasana, take the blood from his body and submit it to Draupati, only after which she would tie her hair once again! Thus, upon seeing Ducchaasana in the battlefield, Bheemasena decides that this should be the day wherein his pledge should come true!
So for today, let us understand up to this point and in the next episode, we shall witness the fate of Ducchaasana and Karna in detail! Stay tuned!
The Indian Dharma 