Meanwhile the Pandavas, Dhrishtadyumna and many other warriors had cordially welcomed Krishnadeva. With them finally we reached the tallest and capacious pavilion raised for Krishnadeva at the centre of the Pandava base. Maharaja Virata and Drupada were inside the pavilion. Krishnadeva politely offered obeisance to them.
We took some rest and had some fruits. The first evening of the dark fortnight of Margashirsha descended on Kurukshetra. In the capacious pavilion of Krishnadeva a statue of Goddess Ida was placed facing east. Now for the duration of the Great War all military tactics of the Pandava army were going to be determined from this pavilion of Krishnadeva. In this pavilion the Pandavas offered red flowers to Goddess Ida and arranged their first council in the presence of selected rathis, maharathis, and atirathis. Yadavaraja Srikrishnadeva sat on an elevated golden seat covered with tiger skin at the centre of the pavilion. On his right sat Panchala king Drupada, Matsya king Virata, Draupadi’s brother Dhrishtadyumna, and Pandava brothers Yudhishthira, Bhimsena, Arjuna, and Nakula-Sahadeva. On the left were me, Shishupala’s son Dhrishtaketu, Chekitana, Jarasandha’s son Jayasena, Malayadhwaja of the Pandyas, Uttamauja, Vyaghradutta, Sihasena, Satyajita, and Shikhandi of the Panchalas, Uttara of the Viratas, his brothers Shweta, Shatanika, Vasudana, next to him Pauravaraja, Malavaraja and many more warriors.
The important council to choose the commander of the Pandava army began. Gently opening the subject Krishnadeva said, “All of you should unanimously, collectively choose a warrior who is capable of competently leading our seven akshauhini army. Everyone should speak their mind openly. Just remember that this person of your choice will be responsible for the lives of innumerable warriors. Leaders of seven divisions to work under this commander are also to be chosen right now.”
Now the council turned very solemn. A few moments passed by. Then first the youngest Pandava Sahadeva spoke, “The Viratas have helped us a lot during the tough and testing time of our incognito living. They are participating in this war with their one akshauhini army. In my opinion Maharaja Virata should be appointed as the commander of the Pandava army.”
There was some discussion in the council about that name in soft voices. Without stretching the matter any further Maharaja Virata himself spoke, “I am not afraid of taking any responsibility. But I feel this council should select a young warrior as the commander, considering the fact that aged grandsire Bhishma is the commander of the Kaurava army.”
Krishnadeva smiled at his honest statement. With his usual playfulness, he said, “Then does it mean that the Kauravas have made a mistake in appointing aged grandsire as their commander? I don’t think so. Nakula, what do you say?” He directed the question towards the exquisitely handsome son of Madri. Nakula stood up promptly, and said, “Oh Lord of Dwaraka, in fact you should have been the commander of our army. But you have taken a vow of abstaining from the war. You have renounced your weapons. You are going to be only the unarmed charioteer of Arjuna’s Nandighosha chariot! In such circumstances, I feel that the leader of the Panchalas who form the largest part of our army should hold this responsibility. Maharaja Drupada should accept the commandership of our army.”
Hearing that the experienced, aged Drupada himself stood up and said, “Aren’t Bhimsena or Arjuna of Pandavas capable of holding the commandership? Only a large number of soldiers should not be the criterion for this. Why don’t we appoint Bhimsena as the commander?”
Drupada’s remark was worth considering. In a few moments Bhimsena himself stood up and said, “Grandsire is the Kaurava commander, so in my opinion it would be apt to appoint Panchala-son Shikhandi as the commander.”
Now there was a clearly audible buzz of conflicting thoughts in the council. At that point Krishnadeva said, “With consideration of all aspects Satyaki of the Yadavas and master archer Arjuna of the Pandavas are perfectly fit to be the commander of Pandava army. But in war the end result is considered important. So, taking all this into consideration I think all of us should appoint Panchala’s young prince Dhrishtadyumna as the commander of Pandava army!”
All mighty warriors in the council unanimously hailed Panchala Prince Dhrishtadyumna and accepted him as the commander. The face of Dhrishtadyumna who was born out of a yajna became flushed, bright like yajna fire, while accepting that responsibility. As his chest puffed, the iron armour on it tightened.
Dhrishtadyumna who was selected as the Pandava commander politely offered obeisance to aged Drupada and Virata. As per Yudhishthira’s instruction Pandava soldiers brought the golden seat specially made for the commander in front of the pavilion. The salvers prepared with all the things required for Abhishek were also brought in front of the pavilion. Everyone came out of the pavilion. Dhaumya rishi and the Matsya priest ignited the fire in the yajna pit, and offered various sacrificial sticks in to it. Then they requested the Pandava commander to take his seat. Dhrishtadyumna sat on the golden seat in a warrior pose. Oblations were offered in the yajna pit in front of the commander’s seat amidst the mantras incanted by the disciples of both aacharyas. Holy sanctified water of seven rivers such as Ganga, Sindhu, and Yamuna was sprinkled from a golden vessel on the Pandava commander’s head by aacharya, amidst the incantation of mantras. Gallant Dhrishtadyumna got completely drenched under that holy water. He left for his pavilion nearby to change into the new and special war costume of the commander. The attendants wiped the seat of the commander clean with a dry cloth and placed it facing east. On both sides of this seat the golden seats of all major warriors were placed. As per Krishnadeva’s instruction a simple sandalwood seat was placed for him on the right of the commander’s seat.
Now this council arranged outside the pavilion was formally under the charge of the commander. Taking his seat Dhrishtadyumna brought his hands together and requested, “As the commander of the seven akshauhini army of the Pandavas I request the Lord of Dwaraka to announce the leaders of the seven regiments of our army!” I looked at commander Dhrishtadyumna with utmost pride. He was undoubtedly proving to be a perfect commander by making this request to Krishnadeva. Krishnadeva smilingly arose from the sandalwood seat and demonstrating the ideal behaviour of a warrior to all the Pandava warriors he said, “As per our commander’s instruction I am announcing the names of the leaders of the seven regiments. The total number of our army has come to seven akshauhini. Commander Dhrishtadyumna himself would lead one akshauhini of the Panchala army. Panchala king Maharaja Drupada will be leading the second akshauhini of the Panchala army. The third akshauhini will be led by Matsya king Maharaja Virata. The fourth akshauhini will take orders from Drupada’s son mighty warrior Shikhandi. My Yadava commander, maharathi Satyaki also known as Yuyudhana will lead the fifth akshauhini comprised of a large number of our Yadava warriors. The sixth akshauhini will follow orders of maharathi Chekitana and the seventh akshauhini will be led by Maharathi, gallant and mighty Bhimsena.” Krishnadeva concluded the commander selection council in front of the pavilion.
Krishnadeva and I along with a few selected armed warriors started walking towards the area at the far back of the army encampment in torchlight. The pavilions for the Pandava army’s royal ladies were located here. We arrived at Kuntidevi’s pavilion. Draupadidevi was also present here. The other wives of Bhimsena and Arjuna also sat around her. As soon as we entered, the Lord of Dwaraka started leaning forward to touch the feet of Kuntidevi. Holding him in deep embrace just like grandsire, she said, “Krishna, it is good that you did not yoke my Arjuna with the responsibility of a commander. He should always remain free and unrestrained to fight dauntlessly. You have kept him as such. Indeed, I do feel that Dharma and Victory are bound to be there wherever you and he will be.”
Krishnadeva inquired about Draupadidevi’s wellbeing. Putting his hand on Subhadradevi’s head he blessed her, ‘May you live long’.
We bade farewell to all and after examining all armouries came back to Krishnadeva’s pavilion. Krishnadev assigned me a special task as soon as we came in. He said, “Satyaki,
you meet the Kuru commander Bhishma and let him know that Panchala prince Dhrishtadyumna has been unanimously chosen as our commander.”
So, I took his leave and left for grandsire Bhishma’s pavilion in the Kuru army with two Yadava soldiers carrying burning torches in their hands. Right at the entrance of the pavilion an armed guard stopped me. Probably some crucial discussion had taken place recently in the pavilion of the Kuru commander. I heard fleeting words of Karna, the king of Anga, “Until this old and egotistic Bhishma who calls me an ardhrathi falls on the battleground I will not step onto the battleground at all! I will remain in my pavilion worshiping the sun god.”
After that world conqueror Karna came out of the Kuru commander’s pavilion and briskly walked towards his pavilion in front me. I curiously entered commander Bhishma’s pavilion. There I came to know what had just taken place, from the whispering discussions among the kings and gallant warriors who had assembled.
Grandsire Bhishma had just announced the list of maharathi, rathi and ardharathi warriors in the Kaurava army. While doing that, at the end he had mentioned world conqueror Karna, the king of Anga who had obtained the Brahmastra from Bhagvan Parashurama, as a mere ardharathi. Karna felt very piqued by that. I was also upset to hear that. But Karna’s reaction spoke for itself. He had left declaring that he will not enter the battleground until Bhishma falls. That he will not fight under egotistic Bhishma who considered himself to be a maharathi and he will not take orders from him as his mere ardharathi subordinate.
As soon as I got this information I met Bhishma, shared the news of the Pandava commander’s appointment with him and came back. I directly went to the pavilion of Krishnadeva and shared this information with him. Then he let out a sigh of relief and said, “Has Karna refrained? That is good for Arjuna. Satyaki, I tried so hard for exactly this to happen! I had sent a message to grandsire through Chief Minister Vrishavarma that, ‘I don’t see any other maharathi in the Kuru army except for Karna! That is why your Kaurava army is not going to be able to survive against our maharathis.’ Grandsire has responded to that message as expected. He has kept his word. I may sometime have to keep his word in future. Let’s see how Goddess Ida helps me at that time!” he spoke very mysteriously. I didn’t understand anything. I was about to ask him something when diverting my attention, he said to me, “Come Yadava commander, let’s go on a round of our seven akshauhini army and inquire of the wellbeing of the major warriors.” He asked me to summon Daruka. So, I presented myself in front of him with Daruka. Now I realized why he had made sure to bring Daruka, Garudadhwaja and all his horses to Kurukshetra. He said to Daruka, “Tomorrow you are to groom all the four horses of our Garudadhwaja, feed them well, adorn them and harness them with your own hands to Arjuna’s Nandighosha chariot. Understand that the four horses of his chariot are also white like the horses of my Garudadhwaja chariot. But I am not at all used to them and they are not used to me. From tomorrow, I shouldn’t at all feel that I am steering the Nandighosha chariot! I should feel that I am steering my own Garudadhwaja chariot.”
He gave some more precautionary instructions to Daruka who was standing in front of him with his palms joined. He said, “Now we will leave for the inspection of the army. But that will be in Arjuna’s Nandighosha chariot with Kapidhwaja along with its horses. Our exhausted horses will rest during that time. I haven’t brought you with me to watch the war on Kurukshetra. I have brought you to look after both the Nandighosha and Garudadhwaja chariot. Relying on you I am also going to take rest like my dear horses Shaibya, Balahaka, Meghapushpa and Sugriva will. Duryodhana has not put a condition of not bringing the Garudadhwaja chariot and charioteer on Kurukshetra!”
Daruka said, ‘Your wish is my command Sire’, and went out and within a short time he stood with Arjuna’s embellished Nandighosha chariot with the Kapidhwaja in front of our pavilion. Krishnadeva, Dhrishtadyumna, Arjuna and I climbed onto the chariot, and Daruka steered it. Until midnight we carefully surveyed all our military regiments.
At midnight Krishnadeva retired to the bed chamber in the inner sanctum of his pavilion. Within a short time, the words of a prayer fell on my ears –
“Om Ishavasyamidam sarvam…. Om Shanti Shanti Shantihi”
I left his pavilion. Far away in the distance burning torches dancing here and there were visible in the encampment of the Kuru army. Probably the Kuru commander grandsire Bhishma had just returned to his pavilion after surveying their eleven akshauhini army.
Our commander Dhrishtadyumna’s pavilion was very close to my tent. Within the night, the tents for other five regiment leaders were also raised around the pavilion of the commander. This arrangement was made for the convenience of initial formation, prompt movements of the army and having necessary meetings of all the regiment leaders. Each regiment leader also had his own tent in his own division also. After the midnight hour, some kind of commotion was heard from the direction of our commander’s pavilion. I went there with selected Yadava warriors like Shini and Avagaha. The commander was standing right at the entrance of his pavilion. He was actually embracing Duryodhana’s brother Yuyutsu! Yuyutsu who was Dhritarashtra’s son born to a maid, had taken the decision of his own accord to leave their side and join hands with the Pandava army. Dhrishtadyumna welcomed him genially.
I also greeted him and came into my pavilion. I had to be present in the service of commander Dhrishtadyumna early in the morning. Saying nightly prayers of Goddess Ida I lay on the bed. Within a moment, I was overcome by sleep. The second day of the dark fortnight of Margashirsha was about to break. I woke up at the Brahma Muhurta listening to the cawing of the wild crows. I looked at my palms and sought forgiveness from the holy land of Kurukshetra saying ‘Please forgive me for putting my feet on you’. I came out of the camp and washed my face. With select Yadava warriors I went to Jyoti sarovar located nearby, bathed in it and came back. With the assistance of the Yadava attendants in my service I put on my Yadava commander costume along with the iron armour on my chest. One attendant fastened a thick-bladed, sheathed sword around my waist. I put my quiver full of various arrows on my back and tied its knot on my chest. On my left shoulder, I hung my ‘Idaprasada’ bow which was worshiped and bedecked with a flower garland. On my right shoulder, I held my huge mace.
As soon as I came out of my camp about twenty-five troop leaders in my akshauhini regiment greeted me saying ‘Hail Idamata’. With them I came to Commander Dhrishtadyumna’s pavilion. The capacious round pavilion of the Pandava commander was surrounded by five other regiment leaders and their assistants. From among the Pandavas only Bhimsena was here. First, the seven regiment leaders greeted each other saying ‘Hail Krishnadeva’ and embraced each other.
The commander entered the pavilion with me, the Panchala king Drupada, Matsya king Virata, Shikhandi, Chekitana, and Bhimsena following him. Two rows of three seats on each side were arranged inside. Between the two rows the elevated seat of the commander was placed. Commander Dhrishtadyumna took his seat. Each one of us also took our seats. Last night itself our commander had thought of our army formation for today. A small clay replica of that formation was placed on a mat on his right hand. Befitting the fact that he was a yajna child he had thought of a yajna pit formation for the very first day of war. With the help of the clay replica he explained the formation with intricate details to all of us. We had some fruits, drank freshly drawn milk and left the pavilion. We explained the yajna pit formation to all the troop leaders in our akshauhini. Along with them we left for the actual battlefield. Soldiers had woken up and after bathing in sarovars such as Jyoti and Sanneth and rivers such as Drishadwati and Saraswati they had returned to their respective camps. They had picked their weapons from the armouries while going back. There was a complex of various armouries. In the armoury of arrows, thousands of arrows such as Chandramukha, Shilimukha, Sarpamukha, Gomukha, Gajasthi, Gavasthi, Bastika, Anjalika, Jidma, Suchi, Naracha, Agnipankha, Suvarnapankha, Chandrapatti, Sannataparva, Grudhrapatra, Kanka
patra, Nataparva, and Balla were filled in various quivers and placed in a row on one side. On the other side thousands of differently shaped and different kinds of bows charged with mantras and with strong and sinewy bow strings were displayed resting against the wall.
Next to the armoury for arrows was the mace armoury. Inside there were hundreds of different kinds of shining gold-plated iron maces such as Suryafuli, Kantakakankana, and Suryabimbi, displayed in rows.
Similarly, in the sword storage room thousands of big and small, sheathed and unsheathed sharp-bladed swords, shields and long-shafted spears were arranged in rows.
Then there were separate armouries for all the weapons like Chakra, Ankusha, pestle, Bhrushundi, Shataghni and Tomara. The entire complex of armouries was surrounded by armed soldiers. Soldiers from all camps were moving towards the armouries in queues. They were picking up their weapons from the chief of each armoury after examining them carefully. Everyone entered the armoury as only a soldier, but left as an armed warrior.
All regiment leaders brought their troops segregated according to weapons in front of commander Dhrishtadyumna. Now Commander Dhrishtadyumna started moving with much agility. He appointed young warriors of Panchalas like Uttamauja, Vyaghradutta, Sihasena, Satyajita and Shatanika, and Vasudana, Uttara and Shweta of the Viratas to work under the six of us. He appointed his brothers Sumitra, Priyadarshana, Dhwajaketu, Chitraketu, Viraketu, Suketu, Suratha and Shantrunjaya to fight under him.
Under the ingenious leadership of maharathi Dhrishtadyumna the formation of our Pandava army in the shape of a yajna pit was complete.
The total number of our soldiers was fifteen lakhs thirty thousand nine hundred. Grandsire Bhishma had arranged the Kaurava army in a crocodile formation in front of us leaving enough space in between. The Kaurava army was comprised of a total of twenty-four lakhs five thousand seven hundred soldiers. The grandsire had appointed eleven regiment leaders for his army including himself. Those were Kritavarma, Bhagadutta, Jayadratha, Shalya, Drona, Shakuni, Susharma, Bhurishrava and Kripa. One akshauhini army was going to battle under each one of them.
Srikrishna- the Lord of the Universe Page 83
