by Kotru, Umesh
Chapter-21
Karna in Command
The distraught Kaurava army returned to their camp with a feeling of deep anguish at having lost their Commander-in-chief Guru Dronacharya. Duryodhana together with his leading generals huddled together in his grand tent to discuss the future course of the war and need for revising the strategy. Seated in the midst of his commanders, Duryodhana announced, “Friends, the Pandavas have managed to kill Guru Dronacharya and Pitamaha Bhishma by dubious means. They attacked Pitamaha while hiding behind Shikhandi and got Guruji to lay down his arms by resorting to outright lies. I still can’t believe that, of all people, Yudhishthira could speak lies. It would not have been possible for anyone in the Pandava army to overcome them under normal circumstances. I also feel that Guruji and Pitamaha were half hearted in their approach on account of the soft corner they had for the Pandavas. The loss of Pitamaha and Guruji has resulted in serious damage to our fighting capabilities and greatly diminished our capacity to retaliate. But at the same time I believe that there is no need for us to feel disheartened, as long as we have heroes like Karna and Ashvatthama on our side. Both of them have no parallel in this entire world. Karna has already demonstrated his capabilities by decimating a major part of the Pandava army. He has killed the mighty Ghatotkacha and defeated the powerful Bhima and Satyaki. Karna and Ashvatthama have unlimited powers, given their knowledge of divine weapons. I am sure together they will soon be able to achieve complete victory over the Pandavas. On his day even Indra along with his army of Devatas can not face Karna in battle.”
At this point Ashvatthama got up from his seat and said, “I am in complete agreement with Maharaj Duryodhana. At the same time, I realise that we are not the same force we were at the commencement of hostilities. I also concede that there is no match for Karna in our army at present. I, therefore, propose that we anoint Karna as our next Commander-in-Chief. He is the most suitable general to lead our army at this moment. Moreover, in this hour of need, the entire Kaurava army is looking towards Karna to lead the charge.” Everybody present expressed their agreement to this proposal to appoint Karna as the next Commander-in-Chief. Duryodhana then ordered for immediate arrangements to be made for formal appointment of Karna as the Commander-in-Chief of the Kaurava army. Amidst chanting of Vedic mantras and blowing of conches, Karna was appointed to lead the Kaurava army.
Next morning, as usual at the time of sunrise the entire Kaurava army was mobilised for battle for the sixteenth day. Beholding Karna ready to lead them, the whole army was filled with renewed energy and their spirits soared high once again. Forgetting about the loss of the great stalwarts, Bhishma and Dronacharya, the entire army started shouting slogans in praise of Karna. He arranged the army in Capricorn formation, placing himself at the head, and proceeded to the battlefield. On the other hand, Dhrishtadyumna arranged the Pandava army in a crescent formation. Immediately upon commencement of hostilities, intense battle ensued between the two armies. The two warring armies appeared like a vast ocean of humanity agitating the battlefield. Ashvatthama engaged Bhima while Duhshasana was pitched against Sahadeva. Arjuna started taking a heavy toll of the surviving members of the Samshaptakas with whom he had fought almost on a daily basis. On the other hand Karna mounted a ferocious attack on the Panchala and Shringa warriors. He inflicted heavy damage on those armies, which forced Dhrishtadyumna, Satyaki, Nakula and the sons of Draupadi to simultaneously mount an attack on Karna.
In the mean time, Duryodhana ordered his elephant brigade to attack the Pandava army. The elephants wreaked havoc on the Pandava warriors. Many of them got trampled by the huge bodied pachyderms, while several others were thrown from their chariots and their horses by the elephants with their huge tusks and trunks. Observing the army under attack from mighty elephants, Dhrishtadyumna and Satyaki rushed to their rescue. They managed to kill several elephants including their riders, while the rest of them were forced to flee. Meanwhile Nakula moved to confront Karna. Addressing him Nakula said, “Today I am happy that I have got an opportunity to fight with you. In my opinion, you are the main reason for Duryodhana starting this war against us. He has been behaving in the manner he does, mainly on account of his belief in your power, which you always keep boasting about. I will put an end to that belief of yours today by killing you. Prepare to fight me and die at my hands.” Karna responded with a laugh and said, “Son, do not speak in such a manner with your elders. I am impressed by your courageous words; but words alone will lead you nowhere. You have to back up your words with real deeds. You are not fit to die at my hands. Go and engage with someone who is your equal, or prepare yourself further to be able to face me.”
Before Karna ended his retort, Nakula started firing sharp arrows at him which he cut down easily with his own arrows. Karna in return fired several shafts at Nakula, which inflicted minor injuries at various places on his body. Gathering more courage, Nakula started fighting with greater vigour and even managed to cut down Karna’s bow. This encouraged Nakula a lot and also impressed the other Pandava warriors, who were fighting the Kaurava army along with Nakula. Karna, remembering his promise to Kunti, however kept himself restrained in his counter attacks. At one point it appeared that Nakula was gaining an upper hand, which surprised Nakula himself. After a while, Karna cut down Nakula’s bow and destroyed his other weapons as well. He killed Nakula’s charioteer and his horses. Karna fired numerous arrows at Nakula’s chariot which broke it into pieces. Having thus been rendered without a vehicle and any weapons, Nakula found himself in a very precarious position against a mighty opponent. In order to save his life he turned back and ran away. Karna jumped down from his chariot and pursued Nakula. He soon caught up with Nakula and put his bow around his neck. Thus restraining Nakula with his bow, Karna spoke, “Son, I warned you against confronting me. I advise you to pick an opponent based on your capability. Go and sit at your home or go back to your elder brothers and seek their protection. Never ever commit a similar mistake. I consider you an innocent kid and am therefore letting you go in spite of your disrespectful utterances.” This way Karna, even though being perfectly capable of killing Nakula, let him go in order to keep the promise he had made to Kunti.
Nakula felt very ashamed of himself and rushed towards the chariot of Yudhishthira. After mounting the chariot, Nakula narrated the humiliation he suffered at Karna’s hands to him. Karna on the other hand resumed his attack on the Pandava army. By the afternoon on that day, Karna had inflicted considerable damage on the Pandava army. Seeing this Shri Krishna addressed Arjuna and said, “Partha, the way Karna is decimating our army is cause for serious concern. I cannot see where your other brothers are at this moment. I am anxious on account of Yudhishthira.” Arjuna requested Shri Krishna to lead his chariot towards the Kaurava army, so that he could mount a counter-attack. Shri Krishna swiftly took Arjuna in the direction where the Kaurava and Pandava armies were engaged in fierce fighting. Arjuna subdued several powerful warriors in the Kaurava army and killed scores of soldiers. In the process many powerful allies of Duryodhana like Chandradeva, Satyasena, Saushruti and Mitrasena were killed by Arjuna. Due to the ferocity of the fighting, the battlefield resembled a vast slaughter house and numerous blood soaked bodies lay strewn everywhere. The wheels of Arjuna’s chariot and his horses trampled upon a number of dead bodies while progressing amidst the Kaurava army. In the process of firing a volley of arrows towards the enemy, Arjuna looked as if he was engaged in a dance of death in his chariot driven by white horses and guided by Shri Krishna.
In another corner of the battlefield, Duryodhana faced Yudhishthira. He taunted him and said, “You coward, I have been looking for an opportunity to meet you. So far you have been hiding behind your brother Arjuna. Today I will send you to the abode of Yama.” Yudhishthira replied in an angry tone, “Duryodhana, this is a war and not a game of dice. Your tricks are not going to work here. Be alert and brace for my attack. I am not afraid of your threats. This is my opportunity to seek revenge
against all your misadventures against me and my brothers.” Both Duryodhana and Yudhishthira started shooting arrows at each other. After a prolonged battle between the two heroes, Yudhishthira managed to badly injure Duryodhana with his weapons and forced him to retreat.
Karna on the other hand was engaged with Satyaki and an intense battle ensued between the two of them. In another fierce battle, Arjuna destroyed Ashvatthama’s weapons and his chariot and forced Kripacharya as well as Kritavarma to retreat. Karna, who saw this, left Satyaki alone and came forward to confront Arjuna. He rained innumerable arrows on Arjuna and his army, leading to immense depletion of the Pandava army. Satyaki also joined Arjuna to assist him in the fight against Karna. The awesome power of Karna forced all major warriors from the Pandava army to attack Karna in unison. All of them including, Arjuna, Satyaki, Dhrishtadyumna and others, surrounded Karna on all sides. They faced Karna with the firm resolve to finish him off. Karna however was unstoppable at that time. He wrecked the Pandava army like a powerful whirlwind. Under the intense impact of the powerful shafts fired by Karna, the Pandava soldiers started fleeing the battle field. Arjuna somehow managed to cope with Karna’s assault through an incessant volley of arrows. While this battle was going on, sunset took place and the entire battleground was enveloped in semi-darkness which was intensified by the huge clouds of dust that had arisen from all the turmoil. Not intending to extend the fighting into the night, as both sides, having already suffered heavy casualties, decided to call it a day and retreat to their respective camps.
In the evening, while all commanders of the Kaurava army were assembled in Duryodhana’s tent, Karna addressed him, “Maharaj, today on account of sunset the battle had to be stopped at a crucial stage. I would have otherwise achieved victory over the Pandavas today itself. But I promise that tomorrow will be different. I will finish off the Pandava army and achieve complete victory for you.” All the commanders present there expressed their agreement with Karna and felt elated and reassured about their prospects in the war. Thereafter, Duryodhana advised all of them to proceed to their respective tents to rest for the night so as to refresh themselves for the next day’s battle.
Early next morning, Karna again met Duryodhana while everybody was preparing for the war. He said, “Friend, today I will wage a do or die battle with Arjuna. So far, both of us have not got a proper opportunity to face each other, since we have remained engaged in different parts of the battle field. Arjuna will also not hesitate to come near me now after being aware that I no longer possess the Shakti provided to me by Indra. I promise you that today I will return to our camp only after killing Arjuna. Only one of us two will survive the battle today. In my opinion Arjuna’s knowledge of divine weapons is equal or even superior to that of mine; however he is not as good in penetrating tough and far-away targets, nor does he possess the physical strength which I do. I am the wielder of Vijaya (‘Victory’), the bow created by Vishvakarma for Indra. Indra gave it to my Guru Parashuramaji and Guruji gave it to me. This is the same bow which enabled Parashuramaji to achieve complete victory over the entire Kshatriya community twenty one times. My bow is much superior to the Gandiva which Arjuna wields. Using the same bow I will kill Arjuna in today’s battle and bring immense joy to you and our army. I don’t think Arjuna can withstand the fire power of my bow today.”
After a brief pause Karna continued, “While I have told you the areas of my superiority over Arjuna, there are a couple of factors which tilt the balance slightly in favour of Arjuna. He possesses the divine chariot given to him by Agni, which is extremely difficult to destroy. In addition, the chariot is driven by the supreme Lord Shri Krishna himself, who also provides Arjuna his protection. I, therefore, want you to request Maharaj Shalya to be my Sarathi today and assign well-equipped soldiers to protect my chariot on all sides. There is nobody equal to Maharaj Shalya in the art of handling horses. With his support I can neutralise the strategic advantage held by Arjuna against me. If you fulfill this desire of mine, I believe my victory over Arjuna will be assured.”
These words spoken by Karna filled Duryodhana with untold joy and he replied, “Karna, I will do everything required to fulfill your desire to enable you to achieve your objective.” He immediately proceeded to the tent of King Shalya and addressed him with utmost courtesy, “Maharaj, I have come to you with a humble request which, I hope, you won’t turn down.” Shalya replied: “Don’t be so formal Maharaj; I can do anything for you. Now go ahead and let me know what is so troubling as to have prompted you to seek my audience so early in the morning.” Duryodhana said, “Maharaj, my mission to call on you so early in the morning will have a great bearing on the outcome of today’s battle and also the overall war. I have in fact come to request you to please become Karna’s charioteer for today. He is planning to take on Arjuna and seeks your support in achieving victory over his formidable rival. If you accept this proposal, you and Karna together can easily defeat Arjuna. You are capable of providing the same degree of protection to Karna as Arjuna enjoys under Shri Krishna. My hopes are completely pinned on you and Karna. As you are aware, many of our leading commanders have been killed and a major part of our army has been destroyed by the enemy. Under the circumstances, we cannot continue the war for long without decisively tackling the Arjuna menace. I, therefore, request you to kindly give your assent to this proposal.”
Shalya felt offended on being asked to become Karna’s charioteer. He did not consider himself inferior to Karna in any manner. Seething with anger he shouted at Duryodhana, “Maharaj, it seems you have lost faith in my capabilities as a warrior. That is why you are asking me to drive Karna’s chariot. I am no less than Karna. You have no right to insult me like this. If you have any doubt, let me proceed all alone to the battlefield today. You can then witness my real potential for yourself. Don’t ask me to do this lowly job for that Suta Putra. If you are bent upon insulting me like this, I will not participate any further in this war and will return to my land.” After this outburst Shalya got up from his seat and proceeded to leave the place. Duryodhana held him back with folded hands and started pleading with him in a very humble manner.
He said, “Maharaj, please do not get me wrong. I never intended to make you feel less than Karna in any manner. Your capabilities are well known to everyone and you are one of the principal commanders in my army. You are equal to Guru Dronacharya and Pitamaha Bhishma himself. Karna and even I do not stand a chance against you. At the same time, you have no rival when it comes to the science of handling horses. I believe that you are even superior to Shri Krishna in the art of managing horses. I wanted you to agree to become Karna’s charioteer today, so that he can gain an advantage over Arjuna in the battlefield. Kindly accept my prayers and bless me with your concurrence.”
Being an egoistic person, Shalya was pleased by Duryodhana comparing him with Shri Krishna. He also remembered his promise made to Yudhishthira before joining Duryodhana’s camp. After making a show of somehow controlling his anger he said, “You have great persuasive qualities, Maharaj. I am pleased with the way you have presented your case. I am, therefore, inclined to agree to your proposal subject to one condition.” Duryodhana asked, “Maharaj, what is the condition you want to be fulfilled? I am ready to accept any condition in return for your agreement with my proposal.” Shalya replied: “Maharaj, unlike a normal charioteer, while driving Karna’s chariot I want to enjoy the freedom to speak to him in any manner I like, without any hindrance.” [He put this condition in the context of the earlier promise he had made to Yudhishthira before joining the war on Kaurava’s side.] Duryodhana quickly accepted this condition and he made Karna too accord his consent to Shalya’s condition. Duryodhana and Karna were happy with the bargain, because Shalya was not only an expert in the art of handling horses but he also possessed knowledge about first aid and treatment of sick and injured animals. Little did they know of Shalya’s ulterior motive behind his insistence on the strange condition!
In the mean
time, Karna’s chariot was being prepared for battle. Numerous weapons were placed inside the chariot. When the chariot was ready, Karna requested Shalya to mount it first and take control of the horses, which he did. Karna followed suit and Shalya drove the chariot towards the battleground, flanked by the chariots of other Kaurava commanders. While moving forward Karna said, “Maharaj, today you are going to witness a historic battle. Under the impact of my terrible onslaught, you will see how the Pandava army will get decimated. I will achieve what Pitamaha Bhishma and Guru Dronacharya could not, by killing Arjuna.” Shalya intervened in a taunting tone, “Karna, how can you take the Pandava army so lightly? You are under-estimating the real worth of the Pandava heroes. It is not possible for you to overcome the mighty Bhima and Arjuna. You are fully aware about their superiority and still you are boasting like a fool.” Shalya spoke in this fashion in order to try and demoralise Karna. But Shalya’s words did not have much impact on Karna and he simply asked him to continue to take the chariot nearer to the Pandava army. On the other hand, the entire Kaurava army started rallying behind Karna and began shouting slogans to encourage their heroic leader.
