In the previous episode, we had witnessed Duryodhana continuing to rant in his deathbed. Even after getting into such a huge mess, he is not in a mood to relent and realize the blunders that he had committed. Instead, Duryodhana keeps trying to justify his actions against Yudishtra and consoles himself that it was the problem of “Kaala-Devata” and not his, which reduced him to this level. Ranting thus, Duryodhana calls Ashwatthama near him for some “Unfinished business” towards Yudishtra & Co. We might have thought earlier that with Duryodhana’s defeat, everything came to an end and all is well in the jubilant Paandava camp. But Duryodhana hasn’t given up yet, even during his last stages. He calls for Ashwatthama to pour all his sufferings. Initially we’ve seen that when Yudishtra & Co. came in search of Duryodhana, Ashwatthama, Sage Kripachaarya and Krita Varma managed to escape from that place.
Moving on further thus, Duryodhana calls for Ashwatthama, and also for his helper by name “Chaaruvaaka”. Till now we’ve never seen who this person is. Chaaruvaaka is actually a “Raakshasa”, but works for Duryodhana in several ways as a helper. In fact, when Yudishtra and Co. are going to meet King Dhritarashtra and Gaandhaari in the future (after a few days), they go on a round across the Kurukshetra battlefield to check if someone is alive or not. Duryodhana is still alive even then, and this Chaaruvaaka is guarding him. When Yudishtra comes there, Chaaruvaaka abuses him with all sorts of unparliamentary words on behalf of Duryodhana. We’ve seen that Duryodhana is currently in a state wherein he cannot talk anything loudly. Thus, he deputes Chaaruvaaka for this job of abusing Yudishtra. However, Bhagawan Krishna makes a timely intervention and gives him a befitting answer, both physically and through words and chases him out of the battlefield! If we look at the meaning of this word – “Chaaru-Vaak”, it means, “An exceptional talent of speaking very nicely”! This “Chaaruvaaka” was an expert in talking about all sorts of things in the “Naastika” way – In other words, he would say that Bhagawan doesn’t exist, Karma doesn’t exist, the birth-death cycle doesn’t exist… So on and so forth…
Thus, Duryodhana calls this “Chaaruvaaka” and asks him to bring Ashwatthama, Sage Kripachaarya and Krita Varma beside him immediately. Chaaruvaaka immediately takes Duryodhana’s message and goes in search of the trio, who are still hiding amidst the nearby woods. Upon Chaaruvaaka’s request, the trio comes near Duryodhana. Sage Kripachaarya is shell-shocked to see Duryodhana’s pitiable condition! He feels very sad for what had happened, and Ashwatthama is also speechless! He is simmering with anger too! As Duryodhana laments, Ashwatthama’s anger increases further and further! We’ve to also understand here that Ashwatthama is simmering with anger because his father, Guru Dhronachaarya was killed in the most unethical manner. Because of this, Ashwatthama is wanting to take every ounce of opportunity to kill the Paandavas by seeking revenge on them.
Thus, as Duryodhana laments, Ashwatthama takes a pledge in front of everyone – “Oh Duryodhana! This battle at Kurukshetra should have been won by us by a mile! However, Bhagawan Krishna was the one who was constantly feeding thoughts of “Adharma” into Yudishtra and Co. This was quite evident in the way my father was tricked and killed! Bhagawan Krishna made Yudishtra lie to him that I’m dead! Now let me take a pledge in front of all of you! Oh Duryodhana! Oh Sage Kripachaarya! I shall ensure that I kill all the five Paandava brothers, come what may – Be it ethical or unethical! Be it “Dharma” or “Adharma”! I do not care! I will ensure that they are killed by hook or crook! I shall execute this pledge of mine by tonight, somehow or the other! This is the pledge that I’m taking!”
Saying thus, Ashwatthama storms out of that place! This leaves Sage Kripachaarya and Krita Varma in shock and disbelief! So what is Ashwatthama going to do now? Let us wait till the next episode to find out! Stay tuned!
The Indian Dharma 