"I
AM like a shipwrecked man seeking to save himself by swimming in a storm tossed
ocean. I shall surely drown, overwhelmed in this sea of sorrow." Again and
again, when Sanjaya related the happenings of the great battle, Dhritarashtra
would thus lament, unable to bear his grief. "Bhima is going to kill all
my sons," he said. "I do not believe there is anyone with prowess
enough in our army to protect my sons from death. Did Bhishma, Drona, Kripa and
Aswatthama look on unconcerned when our army fled in terror? What indeed is
their plan? When and how are they going to help Duryodhana? How are my sons to
escape from destruction?" Saying thus, the blind old king burst into
tears.
"Calm
yourself, King," said Sanjaya. "The Pandavas rest on the strength of
a just cause. So, they win. Your sons are brave but their thoughts are wicked.
Therefore, luck does not favor them. They have done great injustice to the
Pandavas, and they are reaping the harvest of their sins. The Pandavas are not
winning by charms or magic incantations. They are fighting according to the
practice of kshatriyas. Their cause being just, they have strength. Friends
advised you, but you discarded wise counsel. Vidura, Bhishma, Drona and I tried
to stop you in your unwise course, but you did not listen and you went on. Like
a foolish sick man who refuses to drink bitter medicine, you obstinately
refused to follow our advice, which would have saved your people, preferring to
do as your foolish son desired. You are in distress now. Last night, Duryodhana
asked Bhishma the same question as you put to me now. And Bhishma gave the same
answer as I give you." When the fighting was stopped on the evening of the
fourth day, Duryodhana went by himself to Bhishma's tent and, bowing
reverently, said: "Grandsire, the world knows that you are a warrior who
knows not fear. The same is the case with Drona, Kripa, Aswatthama, Kritavarma,
Sudakshin, Bhurisravas, Vikarna and Bhagadatta. Death has no terror for these
veterans. There is no doubt, the prowess of these great warriors is limitless,
even like your own. All the Pandavas combined cannot defeat any one of you.
What then is the mystery behind this daily defeat of our army at the hands of
the sons of Kunti?"
Bhishma
replied: "Prince, listen to me. I have given you advice on every occasion
and told you what was good for you. But, you have always refused to follow what
your elders counselled you to do. Again, I tell you that it is best for you to
make peace with Pandu's sons. For your good as well as for that of the world,
that is the only course that should be followed. Belonging to the same royal
house, you can all enjoy this vast country as yours. I gave you this advice,
but you disregarded it and have grievously wronged the Pandavas, the fruit of
which you are now reaping. The Pandavas are protected by Krishna
himself. How then can you hope for victory? Even now, it is not loo late for
making peace and that is the way to rule your kingdom, making the Pandavas,
your powerful brothers, friends instead of enemies. Destruction awaits you if
you insult Dhananjaya and Krishna, who are none other than Nara and Narayana." Duryodhana took
leave and went to his tent, but he could not sleep that night. The battle was
resumed the next morning. Bhishma arrayed the Kaurava forces in a strong
formation. So did Dhrishtadyumna for the Pandava army. Bhima stood at the head
of the advance lines as usual. And Sikhandin, Dhrishtadyumna and Satyaki stood
behind, securely guarding the main body, aided by other generals. Dharmaputra
and the twin brothers held the rear. Bhishma bent his bow and discharged his
shafts. The Pandava army suffered greatly under the grandsire's attack.
Dhananjaya saw this and retaliated by fierce shafts aimed at Bhishma. Duryodhana
went to Drona and complained bitterly according to his custom. Drona upbraided
him severely: "Obstinate prince, you talk without understanding. You are
ignorant of the Pandavas' strength. We are doing our best." Drona's
powerful attack on the Pandava army was too much for Satyaki who was meeting it
and Bhima therefore turned his attentions to Drona. The battle grew fiercer
still. Drona, Bhishma and Salya made a combined attack on Bhima. Sikhandin
supported Bhima by pouring a shower of arrows on Bhishma. As soon as Sikhandin
stepped in, Bhishma turned away. For Sikhandin was born a girl, and Bhishma's
principles did not permit him to attack a woman.
In
the end, this same objection proved to be the cause of Bhishma's death. When
Drona saw Bhishma turn away, he attacked Sikhandin fiercely and compelled him
to withdraw. There was a promiscuous battle the whole of the morning of the
fifth day, and the slaughter was terrific. In the after noon, Duryodhana sent a
large force to oppose Satyaki. But Satyaki destroyed it completely and advanced
to attack Bhurisravas. Bhurisravas, who was a powerful opponent, put Satyaki's
men to fight, and pressed Satyaki himself so fiercely that he was in distress.
Satyaki's
ten sons saw their father's plight and sought to relieve him by launching an
offensive against Bhurisravas, but Bhurisravas undaunted by numbers, opposed
the combined attack and was not to be shaken. His well-aimed darts broke their
weapons and they were all slain, strewn on the field like so many tall trees
struck down by lightning. Satyaki, wild with rage and grief, drove forward at a
furious pace to slay Bhurisravas. The chariots of the two warriors dashed
against each other and crumbled to pieces. And the warriors stood face to face
with sword and shield in desperate single combat.
Then,
Bhima came and took away Satyaki by force into his chariot and drove away. For
Bhima knew that Bhurisravas was an unrivalled swordsman and he did not want
Satyaki to be slain. Arjuna killed thousands of warriors that evening. The
soldiers, dispatched against him by Duryodhana, perished like moths in the
fire. As the sun went down and Bhishma gave orders to cease fighting, the
princes on the Pandava army surrounded Arjuna and greeted him with loud cries
of admiration and victory. The armies on both sides retired to camp, along with
the tired horses and elephants.
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