FLATTERED VANITY

In the epic Mahabharata, King Shalya was the brother of Madri as well as the ruler of the kingdom of Madra.. Shalya, being a skilled archer,a powerful mace fighter and formidable warrior, was tricked by Duryodana to fight the war on the side of the Kauravas.

Human nature is complex. Very often man is a curious compound of contradictory emotions and conflicting sentiments. Every human character in real life is invariably an enigma wrapped up in a riddle. The Mahabharatha has depicted varied characters, holding the mirror up to realism. The character of Salya is a typical example. Salya, the maternal uncle of Nakula and Sahadeva was expected to fight on the side of the Pandavas. In fact, Yudhisthira took this help for granted. He sent Arjuna to Dvaraka to meet Sri Krishna. Sri Krishna, the staunchest ally of the Pandavas, in spite of his professed love and affection towards them, sent his army to fight on the side of the Kauravas. Salya was a versatile warrior self conscious of his seniority and stature. Duryodhana wanted him over to his side by pampering his self importance. Salya’s love for the Pandavas came into conflict with his hatred for Sri Krishna who was given the place of pride in the Pandava camp. Salya, if he joined the Pandava camp must reconcile himself to a secondary position. The Mahbharatha war, for many people provided the rare opportunity for self fulfilment. Some utilized the occasion to settle their old scores. Salya’s soul yearned for recognition and optimum utilization of his versatile talents. He considered himself superior to chariot driving; to Bhima in the mace battle and to Arjuna in archery. There was a lurking fear in the subconscious mind of Salya that he would be relegated to a back seat in the Pandava camp. Yudhisthira did nothing to allay Salya’s misgivings and took his support for granted. In the last resort Yudhisthira preferred Sri Krishna to Salya.

Duryodhana exploited the situation successfully. When Salya started with his armies to go to Upaplavya to join the Pandava ranks, Duryodhana organized receptions at various points on the way and tickled his vanity. Special guest houses were constructed en route for his stay with all amenities and luxuries. Delicious dishes and drinks were served to Salya and his armies. Salya presumed that all those arrangements were made by the Pandavas. He called the concerned officials to offer his compliments. They told him, "Best of brave warriors, we are the ministers of Duryodhana who has arranged all these receptions with meticulous care. He has got fruits from Gandhara and wines from the royal palace of Hastinapura. The dancers and musicians were picked from various troupes ranging from different parts of the country. If you are pleased to summon Duryodhana, he will and pay his respects to you in person." Salya was mightily pleased and at that opportune moment Duryodhana called on Salya. Salya embraced him warmly and said, "King of Kings, I appreciate your gesture and good will, ask any boon and I will grant it." Duryodhana said, best of the brave warriors, I want you to fight on my side in the ensuing war; I know your worth and you will occupy a worthy place in my heart and an honourable position in our camp. You know that the Pandava camp is preoccupied with the deification of Lord Krishna, we want you on our side as our counter balance." Salya was faced with an unexpected situation, suddenly. Prompted by his flattered ego, he said, "Be it so, I have pledged my word to you already."


However, Salya soon got his conscience and told Duryodhana, "King of Kings, this is an unforeseen development. The Pandavas will be expecting me. I must meet Yudhisthira and apprise him of my decision, in gentlemanly way. I promise to return to you as early as possible." Duryodhana replied, 'I consider you as my savior, not as my slave; you can do as you please. My only request to you is to remember me and your responsibility." Salya went to Upaplavya and met the Pandavas. Dharmaputra received Salya with due hospitality, and narrated the sufferings and sorrows they underwent. Nakula narrated how Yudhisthira brought him and his brothers back to life from the ordeal of Yaksha. Salya said to Yudhisthira, "Kunti is more than a mother to Nakula and Sahadeva; you are more than a brother to them. You have made my responsibility very light." Yudhisthira replied, "You are more than a maternal uncle not only to the twins but to all our brothers. We look to you as a savior and it is indeed very kind of you to come to us well in advance of the inevitable war to help us."

Salya was placed in a very embarrassing situation and was stunned for a while and searched for suitable words to reply and he was non plussed. Salya who always considered himself to be a prodigy of prowess looked upon himself as a perfidious pygmy standing before a moral giant obliged to plead guilty of criminal conduct. However he pulled himself up and said to Yudhisthira, "Noble nephew, I have come to beg your pardon and clear my conscience. I was trapped by Duryodhana and I promised him to fight on his side." Salya narrated to Dharmaraj in detail the unsolicited hospitality arranged by Duryodhana during the journey.

Salya tried to provide some consolation to Yudhisthira. He said, "One sparrow does not make the summer. I may join the Kaurava forces but I know righteousness is on your side. Where there is rrighteousness, verily victory is there. I may fight on the opposite side but I wish you success. Dhritarashtra is blind; but Duryodhana is blinder; he does not read the writing on the wall. He is digging his own grave. I have come to cheer you up and wish you success." Yudhisthira replied, "Great Uncle, we know that your blessings are with us. Duryodhana is in dire need of you. Karna is his prize boy. He will request you to be Karana’s charioteer especially when he plans the final attack on Arjuna, as a counter balance to Sri Krishna. I have no right to ask you not to accept the assignment when you have accepted willy-nilly to be on their side. However, I do not desire that Arjuna should die at the hands of Karna because of you."

Salya was glad that he could catch an opportunity from a point of no return to pleasant reconciliation with his nephews. He promised Yudhisthira, "I do think Duryodhana will dare to ask me to drive the chariot of the son of the charioteer; if he asks, I may turn down his request. Even if I am persuaded to accept the proposal, I promise that Arjuna will not die at the hands of Karna while I drive his chariot. After all, your fears are quite unfounded. Why do you think that the bellicose braggart to be superior to Arjuna?" Yudhisthira rose and bowed to the feet of Salya saying, "Our affectionate Uncle Salya has saved Arjuna." He said elaborating his stand. "The most outstanding leaders of the Kaurava side are Bhishma, Drona, Salya and Karna. Our grandsire will not kill us, though he may indulge in indiscrimante slaughter of our armies. Drona may try to capture me alive but will never kill me. I need to speak to you about yourself. Even if I attack you, you may prefer to die at my hands rather than kill me. But Karna is the only warrior who has vowed to kill Arjuna. Now that you have promised to save Arjuna, you will be the actual architect of your victory. Now I have only one thing to pray for. Duryodhana is bound to request you to drive the chariot of Karna. Please accept the request for the sake of saving your nephew."

Salya said, "Noble nephew, do not worry. The arrogant son of the charioteer is bound to blow his own trumpet and indulge in self glorification. I can never tolerate it; I will cut him to his size and he will be discouraged. Discouragement can cause semi death; Arjuna can easily over power him. You can count on my promise. I am happy I have eased my consciousness." Yudhisthira replied, "I can sleep in solace hereafter." The uncle and nephews spent a happy time rejoicing over their reconciliation. Salya, predicted that the proud Suyodhana, arrogant as well as ambitious was doomed to downfall and destruction and narrated the story of Nahusha who was cursed by sage Agasthya offended by his impudent exhortation. Salya also explained the story of Nahusha which teaches the moral pride goeth before fall. Salya also said, " Duryodhana is doomed to dowfall like Nahusha and you will regain the throne like Indra. The humiliation and insults endured by Draupadi will soon pass off as historic lessons of warning for succeeding generations. Dharmaputra, you need not worry about Karna; the interests of Arjuna, believe me, will be quite safe in my hands.’ The Pandavas gave a royal send off to uncle Salya. They escorted him up to the outskirts of the city. Salya returned to Hastinapura in high spirits, as a hot favourite of both the contending camps.