In the previous episode, we had witnessed a very important conversation between Sanjaya and King Dhritarashtra, at the backdrop of Duryodhana going and hiding himself inside a huge lake. The moment King Dhritarashtra understands that his son is left all alone to defend himself and everybody around him has died, he asks Sanjaya as to how Duryodhana is still surviving. He asks about his whereabouts and safety. At this point, Sanjaya explains that Ashwatthama, Sage Kripachaarya and Krita Varma are there to safeguard Duryodhana for the moment, and also slams King Dhritarashtra that he is still worried only about his son, who is an extraordinary coward when it comes to waging a war and undertaking leadership roles on the battlefield. Sanjaya slams King Dhritarashtra that Duryodhana’s ego and cowardly acts have taken away the lives of several people like Bhishmachaarya, Guru Dhronachaarya, Karna, King Shalya, along with his ninety-nine Kaurava brothers. Never in these eighteen days of the war at Kurukshetra did Duryodhana come forward to take up the role of “Senapati” and Sanjaya says that he did not want to do it, because of his selfish attitude. He wanted to put everybody’s lives at stake in front of the Paandava camp and he conveniently hid behind all of them till now! If such is the case, how will Duryodhana rule a kingdom by taking the onus of responsibility as a leader?
Meanwhile, in the Kurukshetra battlefield, Ashwatthama and Sage Kripachaarya along with Krita Varma launch a search operation to find out where Duryodhana is. They know for a fact that he is alive, but is hiding somewhere. Upon an important message from Sanjaya who was on his way back to Hastinapura at that time, the trio reach the lake where Duryodhana is hiding under. At a time when none of the Paandava brothers are around, they decide to have a conversation with Duryodhana. Sensing Duryodhana’s presence within the lake, Ashwatthama talks to Duryodhana thus, “Oh Duryodhana! You are a great “Kshatrya” warrior! Why are you going and hiding yourself like this without fighting the war further? Of course, there has been enormous destruction on our side and only the four of us are alive at the moment. But please understand one thing clearly – All is not well in the Paandava camp too. They have also faced mass destruction like we’ve had. It is only that they are a few more in number at the moment as compared to us. But that doesn’t matter much! If you come out now, we can join hands and attack them together. Oh Duryodhana! Please come out! This is not good for you as a leader and also for the Hastinapura kingdom! Also, let me tell you one thing clearly – I will not take out my “Kavacham” (Protective equipment) from my body unless and until I kill all of them! This is an oath that I’m hereby taking in front of you today!”
As Ashwatthama says thus, Duryodhana replies from beneath the waters – “Oh Ashwatthama! Please do not worry! I’m not hiding here. I came here to take a break. I’m badly injured and my body is full of blood stains. I want to heal myself fully before I come out and start fighting once again! I know that you are with me and you are extremely capable of doing anything in this world! I’m very confident! However, please give me some time and I will definitely come out!” As Duryodhana says thus, Ashwatthama becomes happy. Meanwhile, there are two people who are cooks for the Paandava camp, crossing somewhere close to the lake where Duryodhana and Ashwatthama are talking with each other. These cooks are puzzled upon seeing this trio trying to talk with someone inside the lake! These two people are Bheemasena’s trusted aides who cook excellent food for him. They know very well that Bheemasena is on the constant lookout for Duryodhana and now when they get to hear Duryodhana’s voice coming out from beneath the waters of the lake, they immediately understand that Duryodhana is still alive and is very much hiding inside this lake only! Meanwhile, Yudishtra had also announced a reward for anyone who finds out Duryodhana’s whereabouts and informs them.
Thus, as the cooks identify Duryodhana, they immediately run back to the Paandava camp and meet Bheemasena. They tell Bheemasena thus, “Oh Bheemasena! We have found out where Duryodhana is. He is hiding inside a lake like a coward and doesn’t want to come out of it, fearing you! You can go to that lakefront and find this out for yourself!” Upon hearing this, Bheemasena, who is sitting with Yudishtra, Arjuna and Bhagawan Krishna is extremely happy! He gives a lot of rewards to both the cooks and all of them immediately rush to the lakefront where Duryodhana is hiding! So for now, let us understand up to this point and we shall witness what happened next, in the next episode! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 