AS
SOON AS Drona assumed command of the Kaurava forces Duryodhana, Karna and
Duhsasana sat in council and decided on a plan. And Duryodhana went to
Dronacharya to put it in operation."Acharya, we desire that you should
capture Yudhishthira alive and give him over to us. We desire nothing more, not
even a total victory. If you achieve this for us, we shall all be exceedingly
satisfied with your conduct of the war." When Drona heard Duryodhana
address him thus, great was his joy, for he hated the very idea of slaying the
Pandava brothers. Even though, to fulfil his obligation, the acharya loyally
joined the Kaurava side against the Pandavas, he loved the sons of Kunti and
especially the pure-minded Yudhishthira. So, when he heard Duryodhana request
that Yudhishthira should be captured alive, he felt greatly relieved.
"Duryodhana, may you be blessed!" the acharya said. "Do you too
wish to abstain from killing Yudhishthira? How it gladdens my heart! Truly,
Yudhishthira is one without an enemy and the name Ajatasatru, which the people have
given to Kunti's eldest son, has been justified by your great decision. When
even you have made up your mind that he should not be killed but should be
captured alive, his unrivalled glory has become ten times enhanced."
"I see, dear Duryodhana, what you intend," Drona continued. "You
wish to defeat the Pandavas in battle and then give them their share in the
kingdom and live in peace and amity with them. I see this clearly from your
desire to capture Yudhishthira alive."
Drona
was exceedingly glad and he said again: "Indeed Yudhishthira is the most
fortunate man on earth. The gods are showering their favors on Kunti's good
son. So has he won the hearts of even enemies." But Duryodhana's motives
in wishing to take Yudhishthira alive were far different. And as soon as Drona
acceded to his proposal and gave his pledge that he would do his best to
capture Yudhishthira, he began to reveal his real intentions. If Yudhishthira
were slain, nothing would be gained by it, and the anger of the Pandavas would
be all the greater. The battle would rage more fiercely than before. And
Duryodhana knew that it would only mean the utter defeat of his army. Even if the fight were to be continued
relentlessly until both armies were destroyed, Krishna
would still remain alive and he would put either Draupadi or Kunti in sovereign
possession of the kingdom.
What
then was the point in killing Yudhishthira? On the other hand, if Yudhishthira
was captured alive, Duryodhana thought, the war would end more speedily and
victoriously for the Kauravas. Thereafter, he could surely play on
Yudhishthira's goodness and his loyalty to the traditional code of kshatriya
conduct. It was pretty certain he could be drawn into the battle of dice again
and sent to the forests once more. Ten days of fighting had demonstrated to
Duryodhana that further fighting would only result in the destruction of the
race, not the fulfilment of the desires. When Duryodhana made his motives clear
to Drona, the acharya was greatly disappointed and he cursed Duryodhana in his
heart. But whatever the reason for it, he was glad that Yudhishthira was not to
be killed. The news that Drona had given a solemn assurance to Duryodhana that
he would take Yudhishthir a prisoner, was carried by their spies to the Pandava
army. The Pandavas knew that, when the acharya was determined on something and
gave his pledged word for executing it, his unrivalled eminence in the art of
war and his valor made it a most serious affair. So, they soon got busy and so
arrayed the forces that Yudhishthira was never left unsupported. Whatever
movements might take place, they always took care to leave sufficient
protection against any surprise attack on Yudhishthira. In the first day's
battle under the leadership of Drona, the acharya amply demonstrated his great
skill and energy. He moved about destroying the Pandava forces like a fire
burning up dry logs. His rapid movements made the Pandava army feel as if Drona
was everywhere at the same time showering arrows like rain and converting the
battlefield into a stage for the dance of the God of Death. He cut the Pandava
army in twain where Dhrishtadyumna stood. Many were the single combats among
renowned warriors. There was a fierce battle between Sahadeva and Sakuni
skilled in illusion warfare. When their chariots broke, they alighted on the
ground. And, like two hills sprung to life and motion, they struck each other
with maces and closed with one another in single combat. Between Bhima and
Vivimsati there was a great battle in which chariots were broken on both sides.
Salya fought his nephew Nakula and harassed him exceedingly, smiling most
provokingly all the time. But, in the end, Salya had his car smashed and his
flag brought down, and he withdrew admitting defeat. Between Kripacharya and
Dhrishtaketu there was a battle in which the latter was worsted. So also was
there fierce fighting between Satyaki and Kritavarma and between Virata and
Karna. Abhimanyu's valor was also demonstrated as he fought Paurava,
Kritavarma, Jayadratha and Salya singlehanded and made them withdraw. Then
there was a great combat between Salya and Bhimasena in which Salya was
defeated and made to retire. The Kaurava forces began to lose courage and the
Pandava army, who saw this, attacked the Kaurava army with renewed energy and
broke its ranks.
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