THE MAHABHARATA: A Modern Rendering, Vol 1 (83 page)

SIXTEEN UNEARTHLY WEAPONS
 

As they rode, Brihannala felt Urvashi’s curse leave his body. He was a man again. He was Arjuna. All that remained of the eunuch were his clothes and long hair.

They arrived at a lofty sami tree in the forest. Brihannala made Uttara Kumara stop the chariot. He pointed into the branches, “There is a bundle tied there, wrapped in a winding-sheet. Climb up and fetch it down.”

“A corpse!” cried the prince. “I am a kshatriya, eunuch. How can I touch a corpse? I will be defiled.”

Brihannala laughed. “Surely, you belong to one of the great royal houses of the earth. I would never make you do anything that might pollute you. Trust me, wrapped in that cerement is something with which I can face the Kuru army. Your bow and arrows are not quite enough to fight such enemies. Climb the tree and cut the rope that secures the bundle.”

Uttara Kumara brought down the corpse-like bundle. Brihannala said, “Open it, my prince.”

The prince undid the twin knots on the winding-sheet. He peeled away the cloth from whatever it covered. Within, there was another covering of cowhide. Uttara Kumara undid the thongs that bound this layer. When he drew back the flaps, he cried out in awe: it was as if a rainbow had been captive in that hide and now burst forth.

The Matsya prince breathed, “Unearthly weapons! What are they, eunuch?” He knelt beside the dazzling ayudhas, gingerly he reached out to stroke them with his fingertips. “They are so beautiful and they seem to be alive. Even as you and I are, Brihannala.”

Then he grew afraid and backed away once more from the gleaming weapons. He turned to Brihannala and saw the eunuch standing very still, a hint of tears in his eyes.

Uttara Kumara said, “What are these weapons? I have never seen any like them before. They seem to be made of starlight and gandharva jewels. Which is this bow, eunuch, like a serpent of light? The arrows beside it burn like the sun and fire. Ah, they are so lovely and so terrible as well. Whose are they?”

Brihannala said, “These are the Pandavas’ weapons. The bow you touched is the Gandiva; it belongs to Arjuna. There is only one of its kind that remains in the world and it brings undying fame to one who owns it. In olden times, the Gandiva belonged to Brahma, for a thousand years. Then Indra had it for five thousand. Soma, the Moon, owned the bow after Indra and he gave it to the Lord of the sea. Agni had it from Varuna and recently, for the first time since it was wrought, the bow passed into the hands of a mortal man. When Arjuna helped the Fire God burn the Khandava vana, Agni gave him the Gandiva.”

Uttara Kumara stood bewitched. He whispered, “And this other bow, set with turquoise and blue sapphires?”

“That is Bheema’s. The son of the wind subdued the kings of Bharatavarsha with it, before his brother’s Rajasuya yagna.”

“And the one that burns red for the rubies embedded in it?”

“That is Madri’s son, Nakula’s, bow and the one green as leaves is his twin Sahadeva’s. The emeralds upon it are not of this earth. And the most slender bow, with golden bells that tinkle in the breeze, belongs to their eldest brother and their lord, Yudhishtira.”

“And these silver quivers that seem to be made of moonlight?”

“One for each Pandava and look, each arrow in them has one brother’s name engraved upon it. They are magical quivers and they are never empty. When the Pandavas disguised themselves for the thirteenth year of their exile, they tied their weapons to this tree. After the ajnatavasa is over, the sons of Pandu will return for them.”

Like one who had walked into a dream, Uttara Kumara asked, “Where have the Pandavas gone, leaving these weapons here? Where is Draupadi? We heard, a year ago, that they had left the Kamyaka and the Dwaitavana; no one has seen them since. You seem to know so much about them. You even know where they hid their weapons. Brihannala, do you know where Yudhishtira and his brothers are?”

Then, it seemed to the prince that the eunuch was taller than he had been before. Brihannala smiled at him, “Why, my prince, the Pandavas have been very near you. Indeed, they have been your father’s guests in Virata, this past year.”

Astonishment on Uttara Kumara’s face and disbelief; Brihannala went on, “Kanka the dice-player is Yudhishtira. Your father’s cook, Ballava, is Bheema. Damagranthi the stable-hand is Nakula and your cowherd Tantripala is Sahadeva.”

The prince breathed, “And Draupadi?”

“Your mother’s sairandhri, Malini, is Panchali.”

“And Arjuna?”

And now, it seemed to him he did not know the eunuch at all, his sister’s dance-teacher. Brihannala was transformed into a mythic hero about whom Uttara Kumara had heard glowing legends since he was a child. The one before him said simply, “Why, my prince, I am Arjuna.”

He saw excitement erupt softly on the prince’s face. The next moment, Uttara Kumara was full of doubt. “If you are Arjuna, tell me the ten names you are called and how you had each one.”

“So, it is hard to believe that a eunuch is a kshatriya! My names are Arjuna, Phalguna, Jishnu, Kiriti, Swetavahana, Bhibhatsu, Vijaya, Partha, Savyasachi and Dhananjaya.”

The joy in Uttara Kumara’s eyes grew and grew. On the point of belief, he whispered, “And what do they mean?”

“I was Dhananjaya when I conquered the kings of Bharatavarsha during the Rajasuya yagna and won wealth from them. I am Vijaya because I have never been defeated in battle. The horses the Lord of Fire gave me are white, so I am Swetavahana. My father Indra set a crown on my head in Devaloka, so I am Kiriti. I fight fairly, so am I Bhibhatsu; Savyasachi, being ambidextrous; Arjuna, since my skin has the color of that tree; Phalguna, since I was born under the Uttara Phalguni nakshatra. I am Jishnu because I am fierce when roused and because of my solemn oath: that if anyone spills even a drop of my brother Yudhishtira’s blood on to the ground, I will kill that man and all his clan. Finally, I am Partha because I am my mother Pritha’s son.”

Uttara Kumara knew it was Indra’s son Arjuna, who stood before him. The Matsya prince thought back on the Pandavas’ lives in his father’s palace. In terror, he fell at Arjuna’s feet.

“My lord, I announce myself! I am king Virata’s youngest son Bhoominjaya, also known as Uttara Kumara. I am the first one to whom Arjuna revealed himself after his ajnatavasa: long shall my fame last because of this.

O Kshatriya, I tremble when I think of the menial tasks that you, your brothers and your queen performed in my father’s palace. Humbly and on my father’s behalf, also, I beg you to forgive us if we disrespected you in any way.”

He said all this lying on his face at the Pandava’s feet and his tears falling on the ground. With a laugh, Arjuna raised the youth up and embraced him. Gently he said, “Why should you be afraid or ask my forgiveness? We have all been happy in Virata and your father has been generous to a fault. But come now, prince, the Kauravas are waiting for us. Fear nothing, I swear no harm will come to you.”

The prince smiled radiantly and said, “I swear I shall never be afraid again in my life.”

Arjuna turned to the weapons in the winding-sheet. He folded his hands to them and picked up the Gandiva and his silver quivers. It seemed to Uttara Kumara that both the warrior and the bow shone brighter with each other’s touch. Arjuna took a folded banner from the bundle. He took down the Matsya lion from the chariot and hoisted his own flag in its place. It bore an image of magnificent Hanuman and Viswakarman, who wrought that flag, had placed many powerful spirits upon it. Those superhuman ones, too, took their places again. Arjuna removed the eunuch’s bracelets and bangles from his arms and put on an archer’s golden gloves. He tied his long hair in a white silk scarf, strapped the silver quivers to his back; and now, before an enthralled Uttara Kumara stood Arjuna, the Pandava, ready for battle! No trace of the eunuch Brihannala remained.

In awe, the young prince helped Arjuna into his chariot. Then he climbed into the sarathy’s place and took the reins. Urvashi’s curse ended finally when Pandu’s son took up the Gandiva once more; Arjuna said in a deep man’s voice, “Let us ride.”

The prince flicked his reins over his horses and they flashed forward.

SEVENTEEN DISSENSION
 

As the chariot sped toward the Kaurava army, Arjuna raised Mayaa’s sea-conch, the Devadatta and blew a deep bass on it. As they drew nearer he pulled on the bowstring of the Gandiva and sent a wave of fear through the Kaurava footsoldiers. They saw him transformed; they saw the flag of Hanuman above the youth that had changed places with Arjuna.

Drona cried excitedly, “The eunuch has vanished, here comes Arjuna! Prepare to surrender their herd to the Matsyas, none of us will stand before Indra’s son today.”

Duryodhana snapped, “Acharya, you forget yourself! You are disheartening our men. Anyway, we did not come here to seek battle, only to unmask the Pandavas. We have seen Arjuna before the end of the ajnatavasa. If they are men of honor, they must go back to the forest for another twelve years.

And why does Arjuna’s very name strike such terror in the hearts of the Kurus? Bheeshma, Drona, Kripa and Aswatthama stand petrified in their chariots. I say what if it is Arjuna? Won’t the Kuru army face Indra or Yama, if they came to challenge us?”

Karna rode up and said in disgust, “Not a man in our army wants to fight because of what Drona said. But, Duryodhana, to Karna it does not matter who the enemy is. Let it be Bhargava or Indra, Arjuna by himself or with Krishna beside him: for you, I will fight them all, by myself if need be!

I pray that is Arjuna; for thirteen years, I have dreamt of this encounter. I will cover him with arrows, till he is like a mountain mantled in the crimson flowers of spring. Then, as Garuda does a serpent in his talons, I will pluck him out of his chariot.

I know the thought of Arjuna has been a thorn in your heart, Duryodhana. Today I will remove it forever. As for the rest of you: stand by, if you dare not fight and watch me!”

He spoke with such contempt that Kripa cried, “Do you never think of anything but war and killing? A kshatriya only fights when he cannot avoid battle, but you are always eager to cover yourself in blood. Why must you try to prove you are Arjuna’s equal? We all know how much better than you he is.

But why bother to make you see sense? You are so stubborn, Karna, you would reach your hand into a cobra’s mouth to show how brave you are. Instead of boasting, let us stand together. Let Bheeshma, Drona, Aswatthama, Kripa, Karna and Duryodhana unite to contain Arjuna today. He has waited thirteen years to be at us and even together, I fear we will not hold him. To speak of facing him alone is foolishness; Karna, you don’t know what you are saying.”

Karna swore at this. “Kripa has lost his manhood seeing Arjuna, but I don’t need him or any of you to face the Pandava. I, alone, am enough. Duryodhana, today your friend will discharge a part of his debt to you. My lord, a brahmana’s advice should be sought only when a yagna is to be performed, a feast held, or the poor fed. Since they tremble at Arjuna’s name, let Kripa and Drona ride back to Hastinapura. I will fight by myself.”

Aswatthama cried in rage, “Duryodhana, the Matsya herd is still in Matsya lands. Your friend talks as if the battle is over and Arjuna has already been defeated. As for brahmanas, they are not given to bragging. They are like the elements.

Does fire boast it can consume all it touches? Does the sun sing that he lights up the earth? And the earth, our mother, does she say, ‘Look at me, how wonderful I am: how heavy the burden I bear, how marvelous my fortitude!’

No, for the truly great have no need to boast: their deeds speak for them. Only the ineffectual and the impotent are full of talk and little else.”

Aswatthama turned on Duryodhana. “Brahmanas don’t win kingdoms by cheating at dice. A vaishya may earn his livelihood by buying and selling, even by cheating; it is in his blood. But who has seen a kshatriya doing these things?

Karna talks so glibly of brahmanas being afraid. Duryodhana, did you conquer Indraprastha with arms? Did you send your cousins into exile after beating them in battle? Why, you did not play dice yourself against Yudhishtira, but had a cheat play for you.

Do you remember what Vidura said then? ‘All creatures inherit the patience of the earth to varying degrees, even the ants and little insects. And the greatest men are the most forbearing of all.’ But you went too far, when you and your brother humiliated Draupadi in the Kuru sabha. Your nemesis rides at you in that chariot. Arjuna has not forgotten that day, it is burnt in fire on his heart. He has no use for patience today and none of us will escape his wrath.

This fool dares call my father and my uncle cowards. They spoke knowing Arjuna’s worth, as I do. This braggart is no archer compared to Arjuna. He is just consumed by envy, alas, the same envy that has been your ruin. You could have been such a great king, Duryodhana, if only you hadn’t let your envy of the Pandavas rule your life.”

Aswatthama said, “Duryodhana, let Virata take the field today and I will fight for you. But I will not fight Arjuna. He is as dear to me as my father and Karna has wronged them both.”

He flung down his bow and quiver.

EIGHTEEN THE KURU ARMY
 

Bheeshma said to Duryodhana, “Karna had no right to insult Drona and Kripa. Pacify the Acharyas, Duryodhana. How will we face the enemy if we are already at war amongst ourselves?”

To Aswatthama, the patriarch said, “Don’t be offended by Karna, he only wanted to put heart in our soldiers. Wise men’s memories are short, Aswatthama and we must stand together against Arjuna.”

Aswatthama said, “Let Drona forgive him and Kripa; and I will as well. But why should this man be so envious of Arjuna?”

Sensing a crisis on his hands, Duryodhana cried, “Acharyas, forgive me! I meant no offence and I beg your pardon.”

He told his friend, “Karna, you should ask the Acharyas’ pardon, too.”

Immediately, Karna flashed an ambiguous smile. He said, “Forgive me, O masters. I meant no harm.”

Drona said, “I have already put my anger behind me, let us forget that sharp words passed between us. I have something else to say; Duryodhana must not meet Arjuna in battle today. There is no telling what the Pandava might do if he sees you. I am also certain Arjuna has not shown himself like this before the ajnatavasa has ended. Let Bheeshma say if I am wrong.”

Duryodhana turned pale. “Pitama, it isn’t true! The year of the ajnatavasa is not over. I have counted the days.”

But Bheeshma said, “Drona is right, my child. I consulted the astrologers before we left Hastinapura and their calculations are immaculate. They said to me, every five years that pass see two months of real time added to them. In thirteen years of the sun, five months and twelve days more than those years elapse: by the moon’s orbit. The Pandavas have already spent five months more than they need have in exile. But Yudhishtira did not want to leave room for any doubt, so he waited until thirteen years of the sun passed.”

Duryodhana’s face seemed to crumble. He cried, “And by the count of the sun?”

“By the count of the sun, the ajnatavasa ended six days ago. If you do not believe me, ask Yudhishtira; even you know your cousin would never lie.”

Bheeshma paused for a moment, looking at Duryodhana in some pity. He said, “Look at Arjuna, he won’t be stopped today. And how much more terrible the Pandavas will be when five of them fight us together. Remember who they are, Duryodhana, besides being your cousins. They are Devaputras, men of destiny born to rule the earth. Make peace with them, my child, you cannot send them back into exile. Time does not obey one man’s will; her wheel of fortune has come round, inexorably. Return their kingdom to the Pandavas and spare the earth such slaughter that you can’t even dream of.”

Duryodhana’s face was grim. Tightly he said, “You say the Pandavas are Devaputras, Pitama. They may be; but they are no blood of mine and I will not give them what was never theirs in the first place. Let us have no more talk of peace, but of bloody war. I mean to fight today and later, as well. If I cannot banish them to the forest peaceably, I will kill them on the field. They came out of nowhere, like a plague into my life. They ruined my youth and stole my birthright from me. I have suffered them for too long. Let them either stay in the wilderness where they were born, or let them die. Pitama, don’t talk to me anymore of peace with the Pandavas.”

Bheeshma’s eyes were moist, as he turned away to watch Arjuna’s chariot paused in the distance.

Drona said, “Let our army be divided in three. Duryodhana, take a fourth part and ride back to Hastinapura. Let another fourth of our men drive the cattle after you. Half of us shall remain here to face Arjuna; Pitama, you command those that stay to fight. Hurry, Arjuna is tired of waiting: here he comes!”

Though his eyes flashed with disappointment, Duryodhana saw the wisdom of what Drona said. He took half the army and turned back toward Hastinapura. Bheeshma began to form the rest of his soldiers in battle array.

“Drona, keep yourself at the heart of our vyuha. Aswatthama, guard the left flank and Kripa, the right. Karna, your place is at the front of our army. You will have what you want and be the first to meet Arjuna. I will be at the rear.”

The Kaurava force deployed itself. Across the open space separating them, Arjuna saw the Kuru army maneuver. He smiled and said to Uttara Kumara, “Look, the chandrakala: the phalanx of the crescent moon! Bheeshma is in command of the Kaurava army; he is a master of the vyuhas. Ride a little to the left, that is the weakest part of this formation.”

As they forged ahead, Arjuna shaded his eyes and beyond the crescent, at its curve, he saw a crimson banner fluttering over a fine chariot: a banner that bore the emblem of a golden palm-tree. It was great Bheeshma’s banner, which struck fear in his enemies’ hearts.