In the previous episode, we had witnessed a very important conversation that is going on between Sanjaya and King Dhritarashtra. This happens at a time when Ashwatthama has destroyed the Upa-Pandavas, Drishtadhyumna, Shikhandi, etc. at night as everyone was fast asleep. Upon coming to know of what has happened, King Dhritarashtra yet again asks a foolish question to Sanjaya that why didn’t Ashwatthama do this on Day One itself and if such a thing would have happened, Duryodhana would have been completely unharmed! For this, Sanjaya blasts King Dhritarashtra for this question itself. Sanjaya explains that had Ashwatthama tried such an act on Day One, he would have been destroyed then and there by Arjuna and Bhagawan Krishna. Moreover, all of them were fresh on Day One, with Bhishmachaarya leading the way. Would Bhishmachaarya, a person who is known for his value systems and “Raaja-Dharma” allow such a heinous crime to happen in front of his eyes and under his leadership? Saying thus, Sanjaya explains the mindset of Ashwatthama here – He has done such a criminal act because of the fear that he has for Arjuna, Yudishtra and Bhagawan Krishna. Had he really possessed the guts, he should have fought them on the nineteenth day on the battlefield, rather than resorting to such an unethical act!
Saying thus, Sanjaya lambasts King Dhritarashtra for his stupid reasoning, and in the meanwhile, Ashwatthama goes back along with Sage Kripachaarya and Krita-Varma to the place where Duryodhana is still battling his life. We’ve earlier seen that Duryodhana is fatally injured and there’s no way he can come back to his normalcy from here on. Ashwatthama meets Duryodhana once again and says thus, “Oh Duryodhana! You had sent me on a mission to wreak havoc on the Paandava side, and I’ve kept up your words! I’ve destroyed a huge number of people – Drishtadhyumna, Shikhandi, the Upa-Pandavas, etc. Around 20-25 people have been brutally killed! Oh Duryodhana! I came here to convey this happy news to you! But Duryodhana! The only thing that is saddening me is this – While we share this happy news, you are not going to be alive for long. If you are not there, what are we going to do in this world? We would be orphaned! We’ve fought this entire war together for the past eighteen days, for your sake only. We wanted to see you as our king. Now if the king himself is no more, whom are we going to live for in this world?”
Saying thus, Ashwatthama continues further – “Oh Duryodhana! The person who was behind my father’s unethical killing – Drishtadhyumna – I murdered him brutally while he was fast asleep! The person who was behind our great Bhishmachaarya’s killing – Shikhandi – I murdered him as well! Moreover, I killed all the Upa-Pandavas, which means that the entire next generation of Yudishtra and Co. are completely wiped out! This will be a huge shocker for Yudishtra, from which he will never be able to come out for the rest of his life!” As Ashwatthama says this with a lot of fury and satisfaction, Duryodhana has a smile on his face! He replies to Ashwatthama thus, “Oh Ashwatthama! Now I feel bad for not making you the “Senapati” on Day One itself! You’ve achieved today, what neither Bhishmachaarya, Guru Dhronachaarya or my dear friend Karna could achieve! Of course, all of them fought valiantly, but they should have thought like how you did in a smart way! Today I’m extremely happy and when you said that Yudishtra would never be able to come out of this rude shock and grief, my heart pounds very happily! Henceforth, I wouldn’t bother if I’m alive or dead in this world. I’m declaring today – We have won this war against Yudishtra! He is reduced to rubbles, and I’m extremely happy upon hearing this great news from you! Oh Ashwatthama! Do not worry about me henceforth! We shall definitely meet at the “Svarga-Lokha” sometime very soon!”
Saying thus, Duryodhana expresses his pleasure upon hearing that Yudishtra is under great suffering! So for today, let us understand up to this point, and we shall continue this discussion further in the next episode to witness what Ashwatthama is going to do next! Stay tuned!
The Indian Dharma 