ARJUNA' S GRIEF AND VOW

Arjuna was a man who had taken many vows. Two of them landed him in trouble. One vow was that he would kill anyone who insulted his skill in archery. Another vow was that he would kill anyone who hurt Yudhishthira.

In the southern sector, the Samsaptakas gave the toughest fight to Arjuna and perished at his hands unflinchingly. After the conclusuion of the days' battle, Arjuna and Sri Krishna started for their camps. Arjuna who looked weary after the strenuous battle said to Sri Krishna, "I do not know what happened to Dharmaputra. The Samsaptakas did not give me time even to think of him. Drona is a hard task master. My mind is agitated. After the sunset I did not hear the usual clarion sound, the joyous bugles and the lion roars from our armies. Did you hear them?" Sri Krishna replied, "I did not, but we were preoccupied with the Samsaptakas. Anyway, let us first go to my camp and have the refreshing bath and put on fresh clothes and then go to Yudhisthira. He is perfectly safe." So saying, Sri Krishna drove the chariot swiftly to his camp. Sri Krishna and Arjuna started for Yudhisthira's camp. Arjuna said, "Krishna I find the route rather desolate. The soldiers, who are standing guard at the junctions, surprisingly, are not saluting me. The evening orchestra is dumb. The silence and stillness are intriguing." Sri Krishna told him, ‘Yudhisthira is safe, your brothers are safe. As usual there must be a minor mishap. Yudhisthira, who is sentimental and sensitive might have ordered state mourning. Let us go inside and ascertain the truth.

Arjuna said , "Madahava, I heard that the preceptor had arranged the Kaurava armies in the Lotus formation. Nobody else except Abhimanyu has the know-how to break it. I do not find Abhimanyu here to receive us." Sri Krishna tried to console him, "This is not your tent. This is Yudhisthira's encampment. Why should Abhimanyu be here?" Meanwhile they heard Yudhisthira sobbing; he was crying aloud saying, "O Abhimanyu, the greatest warrior of the world, you have defeated the mighty confederacy of great warriors. Cruel death has snatched you away. You have humbled the masters of the bow, Drona, Karna and Kripa, Asvathamma and Salya, but cruel death has snatched you away." Tears were rolling down his cheeks and he was losing his consciousness every now and then. Arjuna listened to the sobbing of Yudhisthira overwhelmed with sorrow. He too wept like a child. After some time, Yudhisthira came to consciousness and wept bitterly embracing Arjuna. He said, "Arjuna, I sent Abhimanyu to break the lotus formation. I have murdered my own child with my own hands" and he cried aloud eulogizing his bravery on the battlefield. Sri Krishna intervened, "Dharmaputra there is nothing wrong in alloting that work to him. You are assigning duties to everybody. The ways of destiny are verily mysterious." Arjuna asked Yudhisthira, "Why did he go alone? What about Bhima? What about Dhrishtadyumna? What about Satyaki and others? The whole thing is enigmatic, you could have disarrayed the lotus formation in no time."


Yudhisthira replied, "It was exactly our plan. All of us followed Abhimanyu, Bhima and Satyaki, Dhrishtadyumna and Sikhandi, Chekitana and Virata, everybody was there. In fact I led the encounter. But all of a sudden Saindhava appeared on the scene as a bolt from the blue. Surprisingly, he held all of us at bay. We were expecting to break through every minute. Later, we learnt that he obtained a boon from Shiva to defeat us on a single day. Unfortunately that happened to be today. Otherwise we would have smashed the lotus formation within few minutes. Our plan was foiled by Saindhava Jayadratha." Arjuna's fury knew no bounds. Immediately he stood up and vowed, "I will kill Saindhava tomorrow before sunset on the open battlefield. Let Drona obstruct and Duryodhana fight. Even if Lord Shiva comes I will not spare him. If I cannot fulfill my vow, I will immolate myself in fire along with my Gandiva bow." There were tumultuous acclamations from the soldiers on watch duty. The whole atmosphere of mournful gloom was suddenly changed into militant challenge. The royal orchestra, hitherto silent, suddenly sprang to life and burst forth martial music. The military band played the marching song. Bhima blew his conch.

Sri Krishna told Yudhisthira, "Grieve not great King, your brother will avenge the death of Abhimanyu and rout the Kaurava armies. You will have the first glimpses of victory tomorrow." Yudhisthira replied, "Sri Krishna, Saindhava may be slain tomorrow. But can I see the smiling face of Abhimanyu again in my life." So saying, Dharmaputra broke down. Medical aid was rendered to him and he regained consciousness. Sri Krishna said to Yudhisthira, "Great soul, you should not weep. If you sob, the whole army will be demoralized." "Arjuna has taken upon himself the heaviest responsibility on account of the terrific oath. Of course, I am confident that he will be able to rise to the occasion and achieve the historic feat. You must inspire Arjuna and bless him." Immediately Yudhisthira stood up and said, "Abhimanyu has achieved immortal glory as one of the greatest heroes of history. His martyrdom is sure to inspire our warriors to scale new heights of heroism. My hearty congratulations to Arjuna on his bold stand."

Arjuna bowed to Yudhisthira's feet seeking his blessings. Dharmaputra said, "Savyasachi, you have my benediction. I wish you success." Sri Krishna told Arjuna, "Great hero,you have embarked on an unprecedented venture which requires superhuman effort. Great achievements are wrought by silent prayer and penance. I advise you to go to your tent; take rest tonight in meditation and prayer, I will go to my sister to console her." Sri Krishna went to see his sister. Subhadra, Panchali and Uttara were there already. They wept bitterly. Sri Krishna said, "Abhimanyu has become an immortal hero. As the proverb goes, those whom angels love, die young. You are the wife of a hero; you are the mother of a hero. You should not grieve. Anyway, everybody must vacate this world when the time comes. All mundane existence is a malignant curse and the mortal body is a prison. The virtuous soul is relieved earlier. Philosophically one must rejoice over his early emancipation. After consoling his sister, Sri Krishna returned to his residence. He knew what a great ordeal lay ahead tomorrow. Arjuna took the terrible vow on the spur of the moment overwhelmed by sorrow. He asked his charioteer Daruka to keep company with him as he could not get sleep. He was equally bereaved. His sister's grief tormented him.

Krishna said to Daruka, "The fate of the contending parties, hanging in the balance all the while, will be decided tomorrow. You must be ready with the chariot. Let our dear horses, - Saibya, Sugriva, Meghapuspaka and Valaha, be yoked to the chariot; hoist the eagle ensign. The equipment, my bow Saranga, my mace, Kaumodaki ,etc, especially my discus must be kept ready for use. You must put on your armour and stand ready to start. If I blow my conch, Panchajanya, successively thrice, you must hurry up to me. I must be prepared for all eventualities. If Arjuna fails to fulfill his vow, I will swing into action. I will not only kill Saindhava, but Duryodhana and Drona, Karna and kripa, Salya and Somadatta on the spot simulataneously." Daruka replied, "Esteemed Sir, of course I will be ready; however, I hope such a contingency will never arise. Savyasachi is a seasoned hero, you are his charioteer. Janardhana, you know that problems are not obstacles, but more often than not, they are rare opportunities for the optimum utilization of latent potentialities. Any problem viewed from a distance is a dangerous tiger. If you tackle it with tact and talent it is a mild cow. After you solve it successfully, it is an obedient donkey to carry your load or luggage. It is good Arjuna is confronted with a real problem tomorrow. I wish you both success."

Spies carried the news of Arjuna's vow to Duryodhana who summoned leaders to a conference. Saindhava Jayadratha trembled with fear and said, "Why should Arjuna vow to kill me. I am not the only culprit. In fact, I was far away from Abhimanyu. Duryodhana, who was an astute and able administrator said to Saindhava, "Beloved brother- in- law, if you flee, Arjuna may leave you, but Bhima will certainly chase you and you will be killed before you cross the frontiers of Kurukshetra. However if you choose to stay with us there is a sure chance of your survival. It is not merely your life that is at stake. Our prestige, our future, our victory and everything is at stake." Saindhava said, "if your want me to be here, I will accept your word of honour. I request the generalissimo to enlighten me about the odds. I wish to know his assessment about myself and Arjuna." Drona said, "Jayadratha and Arjuna, are my students. Both had the same coaching. Arjuna no doubt has improved himself by tireless striving. Anyway Saindhava need not be afraid of Arjuan tomorrow. Cowards die many times before their death. The valiant die only once. Anyway, it is a more difficult task for Arjuna and the Pandavas. Many heads have to roll before they can spot out Saindhava whom we will place at the centre surrounded by our great warriors. I advise Saindhava to sail with us all." The Kaurava warriors blew their conches in acclamation. Bugles were blown and war preparations for the next day were started in right earnest.