THE GREAT KURUKSHETRA WAR - EIGHTEENTH DAY

On the 18th day, Nakul killed Satyasena and Sushena sons of Karna, Yudhishthira killed king Shalya, Sahadeva killed Shakuni, and Bhima killed Duryodhana's remaining brothers.Realizing that he had been defeated, Duryodhana fled the battlefield .

On the eighteenth day of the great war, Duryodhana, his brothers, Kripa and Kritavarma, Salya and Asvatthama, and other warriors bathed in the waters of the Sarasvathi river before dawn. He said to Asvatthama, "Worthy son of the worthy preceptor we have to march to the battlefield today electing the generalissimo. To me you are more than a preceptor. I require your guidance now." Asvatthama repied, "King of Kings, Salya is a veteran warrior, well know for his versatile talents, matchless in might and majesty. He is the one person, who commands fear as well as respect of both the camps. Salya has the stature as well as the sensibility to do justice to the onerous responsibility of the post of generalissimo of our army at this critical juncture. I am confident that he can lead us all to victory against the enemy forces."

Duryodhana together with his brothers Duspradarsana and others followed by Kritavarma, Asvatthama and Satyasena, the son of Karna, approached Salya and requested Salya to lead the Kaurva armies as the commander- in -chief saying, "Great Warrior, we all request you to be the generalissimo." Salya replied, "I am pleased with your gesture. I have pledged my life to you on the day I threw my lot with your side. Today, I re-dedicated myself to your cause. Don't worry that Bhishma has fallen, Drona and Karna are dead. I promise to kill Sri Krishna and Arjuna today when I meet them on the battlefield and crown you with victory."

The Kaurava forces were enthused at the bold stand taken by Salya and cheered him bowing their conches and clarions. Duryodhana was happy and said to Salya, "Mighty Warrior, I feel I should have made you the commander- in- chief earlier. Anyway, better late than never. You have installed into my heart the refreshing hope of victory. You have the capability to play the historic role which you so gallantly accepted. The Kaurava armies longed to move under the leadership of Salya with renewed enthusiasm and rejuvenated effulgence. Salya could cast a magic spell on the king and the commoner and he boosted up the morale of the Kauravas. Duryodhana honestly entertained the fond hope that Salya would undoubtedly conquer the Pandavas that day.

The great grandsire Bhishma with his reputation as the greatest warrior of the times fell on the battlefield. Drona, venerated as the master of the bow, died. Karna, universally recognized as a matchless hero, was no more. The stalwarts fell one by one inexorably; still Duryodhana believed that Salya would conquer the Pandavas. That was the hypnotism of hope. Salya was anointed as the generalissimo of the Kaurava armies with the customary pomp and fanfare. The holy water of the Sarasvathi was brought by the priests in a golden jug and was sprinkled over the head of Salya to the accomplishment of Vedic hymns and the martial band in an impressive ceremony. The Pandava spies returned from the Kaurava camp and reported the matter to Yudhisthira who went to Sri Krishna together with his brothers for consultation. He said to Sri Krishna, "Madhava, Salya is now the Kaurava generalissimo. What shall we do? We must finish the war today." Sri Krishna said, "Great King, I endorse your view. But don't think that it will be an easy walk over today, you should not devalue Salya, and he is a great warrior than Karna, to be placed on par with Bhishma or Drona. Salya is superior to Arjuna in age and ability. All these days Salya was a dormant fire camouflaged by the ashes. Today he is the generalissimo. If I and Arjuna attack him he will not spare either of us. Yudhisthira exclaimed, "Then Sri Krishna, you must tell us the way out."


Sri Krishna replied, "Noble soul, it is not proper on your part to expose me and Arjuna to the fury of Salya. I propose that you must attack him and kill him today. He came to you and blessed you with victory. Having given his solemn benediction to you, he will not have the face to defeat you, not to speak of killing you. Yudhisthira said, "Sri Krishna, I can only say I am thy tool, I will lead the attack on the Kaurava generalissimo today."

At sunrise the two armies charged against each other with unprecedented ferocity eager to gain the upper hand in the final encounter. Bhimasena was on the lookout for the Kaurava princes and killed Durvishaya, Duspradharshana and others. Sahedeva killed Uluka, the son of Sakuni. Nakula killed Chitrasena, Satyasena and Susarma, the son of Karna. Asvatthama killed Suratha, a Panchala prince. Kripa and Kritavarma were locked in single combats with Sikhandi and Satyaki respectively. Dhristadyumna killed Salva along with his elephant. Sakuni with the help of his cavalry charged on Nakula but after a fierce fight and heavy losses on both sides lost his life in the battle. Yudhisthira and Salya were locked in a single combat for a long time.

Salya wrecked the chariot of Yudhisthira but Bhimasena engaged him in a mace fight till Yudhisthira returned to the battlefield equipped with a fresh chariot. At one time Yudhisthira swooned but renewed the fight after regaining consciousness. Salya, meanwhile wrought havoc on the Pandava forces. Eventually Yudhisthira hurled an iron missile ‘Sakthi' on Salya who fell dead on the floor of his chariot. The morale of the Kaurava army was completely shattered with the death of their generalissimo and they fell easy prey to the Pandava warriors. Duryodhana lost his chariot, his charioteer and the horses as well. He stood alone in solitary desolation and walked away from the battlefield on foot, placing his iron mace on his shoulders into the outside wilderness.

In the Kaurava camp, three people, Kripacharya, Kritavarma and Asvatthama escaped death. The Pandavas searched for Duryodhana and learnt that he was hiding in the waters of Dvaipayana lake. The Pandavas together with Sri Krishna went to the lake Dvaipayana. Bhima said that he would dive into the waters of the lake to capture Duryodhana. Sri Krishna said, "Bhimasena, it is a hazardous job. Nobody, except Dharmaputra, can draw Duryodhana out. Yudhisthira addressed Duryodhana in a loud tone. He said, "O king of kings, you have lived a majestic life, ruled over a vast empire, stretching from sea to sea. You are renowned as the exemplary embodiment of dignified demeanour. It is unbecoming of you to hide in a corner of a lake. You have lost your dearest friend Karna in the battle; you have lost all your brothers as well as your sons. Innumerable rulers well versed in the art of warfare have laid down their precious lives for your sake. I cannot rush to the conclusion that you are hiding here for your sweet life. If still you want to cling to your life, tell me I will give half the Kingdom to you. Please come out. Not to speak of a noble warrior like you, even the worst of cowards will not go into hiding after bravely initiating the great war which is sure to be immortalized by future poets. I know that you will not shrink to play the hero's role whether you win or lose, live or die." Duryodhana replied, "Dharmaputra, I herby abdicate my throne. You can rule the kingdom. Now that you have got what you desired, you must be satisfied."

Yudhisthira replied, "Suyodhana, I am not a Brahmin to seek the crown as a benevolent gift from you. I have come to Kurukshetra at your invitation to exercise the right of conquest. We do not want to take unfair advantage. I will provide you with the chariot, and all the weapons you indent. You can choose any one among our five brothers for a single combat using any weapon of your choice; if you win you can rule over the empire; if you die we will rule the kingdom." Duryodhana said, Dharmaputra, you are true to your reputation. I appreciate your magnanimity. I do not want your weapons, nor do I seek any benefit or concessionat your hands. I have my iron mace, which is superior to the one wielded by the god of death – Yama, with me. Come, all of you, or any one of you, to fight with me." So saying, he came out of the waters of the lake, hissing like a snake. Bhima came forward challenging him to the fight and Duryodhana accepted the challenge.

Just at the time, Balarama returned from pilgrimage. Yudhisthira received him warmly and offered him the customary hospitalities. Sri Krishna gave an account of the great war to him. The party moved to Kurukshetra from the Dvaipayana lake for the final encounter. Bhima and Duryodhana were locked up in the mace battle for a long time.Bhima in spite of his enthusiasm and strength was not able to clinch the issue. "What is the way out", Arjuna implored Sri Krishna. "Please come to our rescue once again." Sri Krishna replied, "Bhima was vowed to break the thighs of Duryodhana in the open court on the day of Draupadi's humiliation. There is no other solution. Otherwise, all the herculean efforts we made will go waste." Duryodhana exhibited all his talents and compelled Bhimasena to be on the defensive and hit him hard on the chest. Bhimasena in an excited fury and encouraged by Arjuna, hit Duryodhana below the navel. Duryodhana fell on the battlefield, his two thighs completely fractured. Everybody cursed Bhima for hitting his opponent below the belt. Even Dharmaputra said, "Bhimasena, you have made me to hang my head in shame at the moment of our final victory."