Episode#72
The Eighteenth day: Yudhishtira now led attack personally against Salya. It astonished everyone to see Yudhishtira - the very incarnation of gentleness fight so furiously! They were at par for a long while, when Yudhishtira hurled a spear at Salya that struck him right in the chest. After seeing Salya lifeless body smeared with crimson blood, the Kauravas army lost all hope as he as the last general of their regiment!
The surviving sons of Dhritarashtra jointly attacked Bhima from all sides but he slew them all. He had nourished his fury for thirteen years ever since Draupadi was insulted I'm the Hall of Dice. He muttered, "I have not lived in vain, but Duryodhana still lives" and smiled grimly.
Sakuni attacked on Sahadeva division who discharged a sharp-edge sword-arrow saying "Fool, here is the reward for your great sins." It went straight and cut through Sakuni neck like a sword. Sakuni fulfilled his promise to his father King Subala that he would avenge the Kuru family's by bringing down their empire! He planted the seeds of hatred between the two families, misguided Duryodhana to do wrong deeds; also led his brothers astray pushing them in the jaws of death! He was also the prime reason why Duryodhana could not marry Subhadra. The root of several evils finally met his own death. Left without a leader, the dismembered army scattered and fled in all directions, pursued and slaughtered, thus was the gory of the Eleven Akshauhinis...!
Sanjay described the war-scenes to the blind king, "Out of the thousands of kings only Duryodhana can be seen on the battlefield, fainting and sorely wounded." Duryodhana took up his mace and walked towards a pool of water. His whole frame was burning like fire, and water attracted him. The wise Vidura knew what would happen and he told us, he said to himself, as he entered the water. Of what avail is wisdom that comes too late? The repercussions have to be ultimately suffered - that is the law.
Yudhishtira and his brothers arrived in pursuit of their great enemy. "Duryodhana!" Exclaimed Yudhishtira, "after destroying family and tribe, would you escape death by concealing yourself in the pond? Where is your pride now? Come up and fight. A Kshatriya by birth, do you have fear for battle and death?"
Stung by these words, Duryodhana replied with dignity "It was not fear that bought me here. I stepped into the water to cool the fire that is raging within me. I neither fear death nor wish to live, but why should I fight? All those who stood by me have been slain. My desire for kingdom is gone. I leave the world to you without rival!" Yudhishtira replied "That is really generous - more so as you had denied us even a needle-point of land. You spurned our proposal for peace. It is not for kingdom or land that we fight. Must I count all your sins? The numerous wrongs you did to us in all these years - Draupadi modesty being violated being the worst, can only be redeemed only with your life."
Sanjay said "When your son Duryodhana heard this words by Yudhishtira, he sprang from the water, mace in hand." Stepping out of the pond, Duryodhana said "Come, one by one for I am single. You give will sure not join together and attack me as I am alone, without armour and wounded."
Yudhishtira replied sharply "If it is wrong to join together and attack a single person, tell us why Abhimanyu was attacked and killed? Did you think before attacking that boy? Did you think jointly attacking that boy, standing alone and weaponless amidst you! Man preaches dharma and chivalry only to others, though they may seldom follow themselves. Now, wear your coat of armour. Choose anyone of us you like and fight." Accordingly, the combat began between Bhima and Duryodhana.
Sparks of fire flew when their maces clashed. Duryodhana and Bhima were equal in strength and skill, and the battle continued for long while the others watched with doubtful eyes and debating minds! Krishna said to Arjuna (loud enough for China to hear) that Bhima would redeem his oath he swore in the Hall of Dice that he will smash Duryodhana's thighs!
Bhima hearing this leaped like a lion and came down with his mace on Duryodhana thighs and broke them he fell heavily on the ground, wounded to death. Bhima jumped on the prostrate body of his enemy, stamped his head with his heavy foot and danced a terrible dance.
"Stop Bhima" cried Yudhishtira. "You have paid off the debt. Duryodhana is a prince and our cousin. It is not right to stamp your foot on his head."
Krishna said, "Soon the wicked man's soul will depart from the body, Sons of Pandu, Duryodhana and his friends have been slain, why linger here....On to your chariots!" When Krishna said this Duryodhana face glowed with anger and hatred...!
Turning his eyes towards Krishna he said: "By base tricks you designed the death of warriors, who fought bravely according to the laws of war. You could not have won in a fair battle with Karna, Bhisma or Drink hence you tricked them and flung death on to them. Have you not a spark of shame left?" Even while dying Duryodhana felt no regret for all that he had done. "Duryodhana" said Krishna "You have no right to accuse others. Your arrogance and greed for power led you to uncountable wicked deeds, you are reaping as you sowed."
Duryodhana replied "As a prince, I was generous friend and a terrible foe, I enjoyed all the human joys as all the Kings do, I enjoyed my life in fullness and now I die a warrior's death which is befitting to every Kshatriya. I will definitely go to Swarga to join my friends and my brothers who are waiting to welcome me. You remain here, your aims defeated and yourselves being object of contempt for all Kshatriya! I don't mind Bhima putting his foot on my head as I lie helpless on the ground; why should I care? In few minutes will not the feet of crows and vultures settle on my head?"
With this utterance, flowers were showered by Gods from the heavens! Inordinate desires took Duryodhana on the wrong path and numerous breaches of Dharma resulted. But no one could question about the unconquerable spirit of Duryodhana.
I have given gifts ordained by law and I regained supreme over all when the war neared its end, Balarama arrived at Kurukshetra after completing his pilgrimage and saw Bhima aiming the deadly blow which broke Duryodhana thighs, his anger flared up at this breach of Rules of Single Combat!
Shame upon you all, would any Kshatriya hit below the navel? Bhima has offended the law most disgracefully." He went impatiently to his brother Krishna and shouted "You can tolerate this breach of norms but I cannot." Saying this he advanced towards Bhima with an upraised plough - which was Balarama weapon on supreme occasions, Krishna was alarmed be rushed and intercepting him "They have been victim of insufferable wrongs at the hands of Duryodhana, when Draupadi was disrobed Bhima had vowed to break thighs of Duryodhana with his mace and kill him." Balarama was not convinced and he immediately left for Dwarka.
Krishna mentioned to Bhima "There is truth, you could not have defeated Duryodhana by fair means. This wicked man was invincible in battle."
And Vasudev Krishna walked towards his chariot, he stopped and looked up on the mountains towards Barbarika, he blessed Barbarika that in Kali Yug he will be worshipped as Khatau Shyamji, he smiled at Vasudev Krishna and closed his eyes, he breathed last and his head rolled down from the wooden post, being his grandfather Bhima did his last prye with tears in his eyes.
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