In the previous episode, we had witnessed Bhagawan Krishna pacifying Balarama as he advanced swiftly towards Bheemasena to kill him for the heinous crime of hitting Duryodhana below his waist. In the beginning, Bheemasena had justified his act as he had been insulted several times in the most disastrous ways possible. There were several attempts in the past to kill Bheemasena and Co. in the most heinous ways possible, however, nobody raised voice for them in those times. But now, what is the point in raising voice when Duryodhana is subjected to third-rated treatment? Bhagawan Krishna also echoes Bheemasena’s points of view, by adding that the advent of the “Kali Yuga” is very close by and all acts of “Dharma” will be considered as “Adharma” and vice versa. With this, Balarama becomes silent, but not very convinced. Unable to stand there for more time, Balarama gets into his chariot and goes away from Kurukshetra – Perhaps once and forever!
As Balarama moves away, Bhagawan Krishna, along with Yudishtra and the Paandava brothers come back to their tents. Duryodhana is still alive, but is grimacing in intense pain and is almost in a “Coma” stage. He’s hardly able to utter a single word through his mouth, as he’s very badly injured. Meanwhile, as Yudishtra and Co. return back to their tents, all of them are ecstatic over the victory and the demise of Duryodhana and Co. However, Yudishtra has a very important concern and he approaches Bhagawan Krishna with it. Yudishtra says thus, “Oh Bhagawan Krishna! I understand that we’ve won over the Kauravas finally after an eighteen-day long war. However, I have one sad feeling within me – King Dhritarashtra, who is at Hastinapura, will be extremely sad upon losing all his hundred sons in the war. I do not know in what mental and physical condition he is right now. From the position of a father, I can understand that the loss of all his sons would be an extreme heartbreak for him. Oh Bhagawan Krishna! Can you go to Hastinapura and find out what is the status with King Dhritarashtra currently? Can you do this help on behalf of all of us?”
As Yudishtra asks thus, Bhagawan Krishna immediately accepts Yudishtra’s words. He replies thus, “Oh Yudishtra! Your words are very valid. I appreciate your concern for King Dhritarashtra, even though his sons were your biggest enemies. This is the characteristic of a “Dharma-Atma”! Till now I’ve executed all your requests, and this one is no exception. Definitely I shall go to Hastinapura immediately and check out what is happening there. I shall try and console King Dhritarashtra and Gaandhaari at Hastinapura. They will be in inconsolable grief of losing all their sons in the war. Even though a Kshatriya warrior doesn’t bother much about such losses, losing his own children in the war can be extremely painful for a father and a mother. I shall now go to Hastinapura and do the needful!”
Saying thus, Bhagawan Krishna packs His bags and leaves for Hastinapura to meet King Dhritarashtra and Gaandhaari. Meanwhile, on the Kurukshetra battlefield, we’ve seen that Duryodhana is still battling his life after being fatally hit by Bheemasena. At this time, Ashwatthama comes to see Duryodhana. The other two people – Krita Varma and Sage Kripachaarya have already fled the place as Bheemasena won over Duryodhana in the “Gadha-Yuddham”. Now there is nobody except Ashwatthama who comes to the rescue of Duryodhana. Upon seeing Duryodhana’s pitiable state, Ashwatthama couldn’t control his tears. Duryodhana talks to Ashwatthama in a meek voice thus, “Oh Ashwatthama! Look at my pitiable condition currently! I’m not even able to get up and drink a glass of water, even though I’m very thirsty! At this time, everybody has deserted me, except you! I’m so grateful for you!” As Duryodhana says thus, Ashwatthama brings water to Duryodhana and sprinkles on his face and with this, Ashwatthama reassures of his companionship with Duryodhana till his last breath. He asks Duryodhana what to do next, for which, Duryodhana could not even look up and answer his question. At this time, Ashwatthama gets enraged with anger on the Paandava brothers and is going to take a very important pledge in front of the dying Duryodhana.
With this pledge, we come to the end of the “Shalya Parva”. This is a long “Parva”, which comprises of three “Upa-Parvas”, starting from “Shalya-Vadha-Parva” to “Hrada-Pravesha Parva” to the final “Gadhaa-Yuddha Parva” where Duryodhana is on the ground, injured very badly! So for today, let us understand up to this point and in the next episode, we shall continue this discussion further! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 