In the previous episode, we had witnessed Duryodhana sitting inside a huge lake (“Hrada-Pravesham”) and initially the trio of Ashwatthama, Sage Kripachaarya and Krita Varma finding out Duryodhana’s whereabouts and talking with him. Duryodhana clarifies that he is not hiding inside the lake just like that by feeling afraid to face the wrath of Yudishtra and Co. Instead, Duryodhana explains that he is sitting inside the water to let his body heal of all the war-related injuries that he has sustained on Day Eighteen. Just like any other warrior on the Kurukshetra battlefield, Duryodhana has also been bruised heavily during the deadly fight that is still going on. As this conversation continues, Bheemasena’s cook incidentally passes by that lake and he finds out the fact that Duryodhana is inside the waters of this lake. At a time when the Paandava brothers are actively looking out for Duryodhana’s whereabouts, this information comes as a boon to the entire camp.
Moving on thus, as Bheemasena gets to know that Duryodhana is still alive, he heaves a sigh of relief. We’ve to remember here that during that gambling game episode, Bheemasena had pledged in front of the entire courtroom that he would be the one who would kill Duryodhana in the battle. On Day Eighteen, Bheemasena tried his best to locate Duryodhana, but couldn’t do so. But now as Bheemasena knows Duryodhana’s whereabouts, he literally jumps up with a mixture of joy and anger. Bheemasena roars in front of everyone thus, “Oh Yudishtra! Oh Arjuna! Oh Bhagawan Krishna! We should start off from here immediately! Once we know that Duryodhana is still alive, we should not leave him. Even if we spare one enemy, it is dangerous for us! Hence, let us not waste even a single minute and let us ensure that Duryodhana is killed! There should be no compromise on this!”
As Bheemasena roars with anger thus, Bhagawan Krishna immediately says a big “Yes” to whatever he said, even as Yudishtra and Arjuna are looking at both of them with a lot of eagerness. The moment Bhagawan Krishna gives the final approval, the Paandava brothers, along with Saatyaki, Drishtadhyumna, Shikandi, etc. start getting ready for the final assault. Till that time, they were also resting for a while because they’ve also sustained equal amounts of damage as the Kaurava side. Yudishtra and Arjuna are also dressing up their bruises and wounds as the cook comes and conveys the message. However, keeping everything else apart, all of them get ready and are now on their chariots. As the entire caravan trudges along, there is a huge noise heard near the lakefront where the trio of Ashwatthama, Sage Kripachaarya and Krita Varma are standing and talking with Duryodhana. The moment the noise is heard, all the three of them run away from that place and hide themselves amidst the bushes. They know that if they’ve to stand in front of Arjuna or Bheemasena now, they will be finished! Moreover, they had a clear plan – Not to disclose Duryodhana’s whereabouts at any cost. They were clear that the Paandava brothers should find it out by themselves, rather than them disclosing the fact.
Meanwhile, Duryodhana also hears the loud sound of several chariots marching towards the lakefront. As the chariots inch closer, the trio rushes and stands behind tall trees. We should remember here that all the three of them are great “Maharathis” themselves, but still, they did not have the courage to face Yudishtra and Co. at the moment. As the Paandava brothers come closer to the lakefront, they understand that Duryodhana is hiding somewhere inside the waters only, and is refusing to come out. Yudishtra stops the chariot and gets down from it. He walks towards the lakefront and is about to strike a conversation with Duryodhana. So for today, let us understand up to this point and we shall continue with what Yudishtra spoke to Duryodhana in the next episode! Stay tuned!
The Indian Dharma 