We are at a crucial juncture of Day Seventeen at Kurukshetra wherein several of Duryodhana’s brothers including Ducchaasana are killed by Bheemasena single-handedly. As this happens on one side, Arjuna is taking on Karna in a marquee battle with both of them trying to neutralize each other with several “Ashtrams”. In the meanwhile, Arjuna kills Karna’s son, Virochana, which sends shockwaves to Karna as it happens right in front of his eyes. As Karna weeps bitterly, Arjuna taunts him with his son Abhimanyu’s killing, wherein all the key Kaurava warriors plotted against him in an “Adharmic” way. As Arjuna recalls the past thus, Karna’s fury increases several folds and he launches a scathing attack on Arjuna with several “Asthrams” back to back. A huge battle between the duo ensues, as the Devas (Celestial Beings) gather all over the skies to watch this spectacle unfold. On one hand, Karna is “Surya-Putra” (Son of Surya Bhagawan) and on the other is Arjuna, who is “Indra Putra” (Son of Indra) trying to take on each other! The entire world comes to a standstill as this war takes place!
Thus, Karna attacks Arjuna with several “Asthrams” and Arjuna counters Karna with equivalent “Asthrams”. Both of them are in a savage resolution to finish each other off on this day somehow. If Karna comes up with the “Vaarunaasthram”, Arjuna counters it with the “Aagneya Asthram”. If Karna comes up with any kind of “Sarpa-Asthrams”, Arjuna counters them diligently with the “Garuda-Asthram”. On the other hand, if Arjuna comes up with the “Indra-Asthram”, Karna successfully counters it with the “Brahma-Asthram”. If Arjuna comes up with the “Mohana-Asthram”, Karna successfully neutralizes it with the “Jhimbhana-Asthram”. Thus, on Day Seventeen, an unprecedented war breaks out at Kurukshetra with both Arjuna and Karna attacking each other fiercely. This kind of intensity on the battlefield was not there when Bhishmachaarya and Guru Dhronachaarya were present. However now, the real zeal from these great warriors emerges, which makes them go for the kill!
As this war happens at an entirely different level of intensity altogether, there is no respite from either of them for a long time! However, the war has to come to a logical conclusion at some point in time, isn’t it? This is where Bhagawan Krishna silently swings into action. Till this moment, He is just a mute spectator to what is going on between the two of them. Now as Bhagawan Krishna slowly starts thinking that “enough is enough”, all sorts of bad omens start reflecting in front of Karna. At the same time, all good omens start reflecting in front of Arjuna. Here, Sage Vyaasa narrates an important point – If a person’s death comes closer, there will be several ways through which all kinds of negativities will enter into him / her. For instance, when someone advises us in a constructive manner, we will not be able to comprehend it. Our ego will come in the front and stop us from paying heed to their advice. Secondly, even if we might have enormous thinking power and shrewdness, when it comes to the time of death, all this will be compromised! Even if we could have consulted some experienced people before making crucial decisions, our mind will not allow us to do so. In such ways, the “Mrithyu Devata” will start playing her role when the time of demise for a person comes closer, and this is exactly what happens in Karna’s case as well.
At this moment, all the Maharishis and Veda-Pandits praise Arjuna and motivate him further. All of them say to Arjuna thus, “Oh Arjuna! Till now you’ve done a great job! Please go ahead! Today you will earn the tag of being the best warrior in this world, who stood by the cause of “Dharma”!” In the meanwhile, there is a war of words going on between Surya Bhagawan and Indra. While Indra boasts in front of Surya Bhagawan that his son Arjuna is going to win over Karna today, Surya Bhagawan gets offended. At this time, Bhagawan Brahma intervenes and says thus, “Oh Devas! Please be sure that Arjuna is going to win this war! I know that Surya Bhagawan will be offended by this, but this is for the cause of “Dharma”. If Karna ends up winning, “Dharma” will be on the losing side, and the very purpose of Bhagawan Krishna’s incarnation will be defeated! Oh Indra! Oh Surya Bhagawan! Please remember that day when all of us went to Bhagawan Vishnu to request Him to incarnate. He has obeyed our request, and it is our duty to support Him in whatever way possible!”
Saying thus, Bhagawan Brahma pacifies both Indra and Surya Bhagawan. In the meanwhile, the army on both sides have started reducing considerably. Foot soldiers are continuously losing their lives in thousands, and the same is the case with animals like elephants and horses. This is quite dangerous for both sides, as this war has been continuing for seventeen long days now! Sensing this innate danger, Ashwatthama goes to Duryodhana and is going to talk about something very important. So for today, let us understand up to this point and we shall wait till the next episode to see what Ashwatthama is going to tell Duryodhana! Stay tuned!
The Indian Dharma 