In the previous episode, we had witnessed a brief background of Karna’s “Naaga-Asthram”. When Arjuna and Bhagawan Krishna together destroyed the “Kaandava-Vanam” several decades ago, all the snakes in that area bore the brunt of Arjuna’s assault. However, one of the snakes, Snake Ashwasena managed to escape from there and hide somewhere for all these years. Now as Arjuna and Karna take on each other at Kurukshetra, Snake Ashwasena sees this as the right opportunity to seek revenge against Arjuna for the heinous crime that he had committed. Snake Ashwasena crawls to Karna and explains the whole background and in turn, Karna is also happy to welcome Snake Ashwasena towards him, as both their agendas are similar – To destroy Arjuna. As decided by both of them, Snake Ashwasena crawls and coils around Karna’s arrow and now Karna is locking it into his bow for one decisive blow against Arjuna, even as Bhagawan Krishna is watching all this unfold!
Now it is time for Karna to take aim at Arjuna. He points his bow and arrow towards Arjuna’s head, specifically towards his left eye. As Karna does this, all the Devas standing above the skies start shaking with fear! Indra says to all the Devas out of fear thus, “Oh my God! Karna has found out a new innovative way to kill Arjuna now. This ordinary arrow of Karna has become a “Naaga-Asthram”, thanks to Snake Ashwasena. If this “Naaga-Asthram” hits Arjuna, he will die on the spot! Moreover, Arjuna does not have a counter for this, as far as I know. I was the one who taught Arjuna several things, but little did I know that Snake Ashwasena has managed to escape and he will come as a huge enemy in front of Arjuna today! Now what is Arjuna going to do?” Endorsing Indra’s words, all the other Devas including Vaayu Bhagawan and Agni Bhagawan look at Karna and Arjuna in awe!
As this happens, simultaneously King Shalya is watching Karna keenly for his actions. As Karna takes aim at Arjuna, King Shalya asks thus, “Oh Karna! Where are you aiming?” Karna replies thus, “Oh King Shalya! I’m aiming for a point just beneath Arjuna’s eye!” As Karna says thus, King Shalya replies back immediately – – “Oh Karna! You’re once again making a mistake! Rather than aiming anywhere at Arjuna’s face, take an aim at Arjuna’s neck or chest portion. Only then the “Asthram” will have its full effect! Oh Karna! I know you’ve locked your arrow. Now change the location to which it has to go!” Now this is where Karna is going to falter big time. Karna has a thought in his mind always – When an arrow is locked by him towards an enemy, it is locked forever! He doesn’t change the target or the location where the arrow has to hit the enemy! If he has to change any of these, Karna feels that it is an insult to him and his bow! Now that King Shalya is asking him to change the location of the target (Arjuna), Karna’s ego gets hurt very badly yet again! We’ve to remember that Karna has already locked his arrow along with Snake Ashwasena, and it is after Karna has locked his arrow, King Shalya comes up with his suggestion! Perhaps, King Shalya also knows this characteristic and potential “weakness” of Karna and times his advice to perfection!
Now as King Shalya says thus, Karna fumes with anger! His ego is clearly hurt here! He says thus, “Oh King Shalya! Till date, this Karna has never backed out after an arrow has been locked to hit a specific target! Today you are trying to change history! Never will Karna back out or change the location of the target after the arrow is locked! I’m sure this “Naaga-Asthram” is going to suck Arjuna’s life out!” Saying thus, Karna releases the “Naaga-Asthram” very quickly, even before King Shalya could open his mouth and counter him. Thus, the “Naaga-Asthram” is coming with a great speed and with plumes of poisonous smoke towards Arjuna, leaving both Arjuna and Bhagawan Krishna in shock! Bhagawan Krishna can be the only saviour for Arjuna now, as Arjuna is just standing helplessly in front of the incoming “Naaga-Asthram”. It is now or never and Bhagawan Krishna has to swing into action immediately if Arjuna’s life has to be saved! So what does Bhagawan Krishna do now? Let’s wait for the next episode to find out! Stay tuned!
The Indian Dharma 