DEFEAT OF KARNA BY BHIMA IN THE RAJSUYI YAGYA.

DEFEAT OF KARNA BY BHIMA AT RAJSUYI YAGYA.

There are some fanatics of Karna who can't digest the fact that their idol has been repeatedly defeated by mighty Bhima for archery prac- tice throughout the whole epic.The best incident which proves the superiority of Bhima over Karna is Bhima's Rajsuya conquest where Bhima easily defeated Radheya Karna who was equipped with his divine armour and ear rings but as always his fanatics finds plenty of excuses to cover this failure of their idol. But there is a point which they can't refute that is if lord Karna wasn't defeated by Bhima in his Rajsuya conquest then why did he attended Pandavas's Rajsuya Yajna. Pandavas had invited Duryodhana as a guest not Karna but still Karna attended their Yajna which clearly means that he accepted the superiority of Pandavas.

There is one more point which can't be refuted by any means even by the gods.Read this narrative

Sabha Parva , Section-27 (Bibek Debroy translation of BORI CE )

Narrative :- " O king! Having subjugated Jarasandha’s son and extracted tribute from him, the powerful one marched with all of them against Karna. The earth trembled with his fourfold army. The best of the Pandavas fought with Karna, the destroyer of enemies. O descendant of the Bharata lineage! He vanquished Karna in battle and brought him under his sway."[1]

Now the main point is in this narrative Karna who was defeated by Bhima is regarded as the destroyer of enemies.Karna fans says that there were many Karna at that time but among all of them only Radheya Karna was regarded as the destroyer of enemies. Here is the proof-

BORI:- KARNA PARVA - SECTION- 56

I think that Pandaveya’s valour was extremely wonderful. Did Radheya Karna, the destroyer of enemies, act towards all the Kuru warriors in accordance with his vow[2]

BORI :- KARNA PARVA SECTION - 6

O king! Having become the commander, Karna, the destroyer of enemies, instructed that the soldiers should be yoked and should wait for the sun to rise.[3]

Now here in both of these narratives Radheya Karna is regarded as the destroyer of enemies just like that Karna who was defeated by Bhima in the Rajsuya conquest unlike those two Kaurava Karnas who were never regarded as the destroyer of enemies.

So now it's clear like water that Radheya Karna was defeated by Bhima for archery pra ctice in Rajsuya conquest.

So now dear Karna fanatics keep burning in the fire of truth and in the heat of jealously.

Credit:- Shantam Sharma

Attribution:- Bibey debroy translation of BORI CE

- By Maut

Footnotes

[1] The Mahabharata in Sanskrit

[2] The Mahabharata in Sanskrit

[3] The Mahabharata in Sanskrit

MISCONCEPTION:- SHAKUNI DEFEATED YUDHISHTHIRA FAIRLY IN THE DICE GAME

Some Karna fans always create a misconception that Shakuni fairly defeated Yudhishthira in the dice game, he did not cheat in the dice game but truth is , he defeated Yudhishthira by deceit, he even used maya during the Dice game thats why Yudhishthira lost the game of dice.

Here are some narrative from BORI CE, Which prove that Yudhishthira was not defeated fairly

1) YUDHISHTHIRA TOLD SHAKUNI DURING DICE GAME THAT YOU WON BY USING DECEIT.

BORI CE, SABHA PARVA-54

Narr:-‘Yudhishthira said, “O Shakuni! You have won this gamble from me by using deceit. Let us

now grasp the dice and play a thousand times. 

2) VAISHAMPAYANA HIMSELF ACCEPTED THAT SHAKUNI USED DECEIT IN THE DICE GAME

BORI CE, SABHA PARVA-54

Narr:- Vaishampayana said, ‘Having heard this, Shakuni used deceit and told Yudhishthira, “I

have won.”

3)ACCORDING TO BHIMA, SHAKUNI DEFEATED YUDHISHTHIRA THROUGH DECEIT

BORI CE, SABHA PARVA-68

 Bhimasena said,

“O Duhshasana! Cruel, harsh and rough words are possible for you. Who else will boast of

riches obtained through deceit?

4) VIDURA ALSO ACCEPTED THAT SHAKUNI DEFEATED YUDHISHTHIRA UNFAIRLY

BORI CE, SABHA PARVA-71

Narr:- ‘Vidura replied, “Though your sons robbed him of his kingdom and his riches through

deceit, the mind of the intelligent Dharmaraja does not deviate from dharma. 

5) YUDHISTHIRA TOLD HIS BROTHERS THAT SHAKUNI WAS USING ILLUSION IN THE DICE GAME THATS WHY HE GOT DEFEATED.

BORI CE,VANA PARVA, SECTION-35

‘Yudhishthira said, “O descendant of the Bharata lineage! There is no doubt that all this is

true. Your sharp words pierce me like barbs and weaken me. But I cannot blame you. My

wrong course of action has brought this adversity and misery on us. I took up the dice with a

desire to take away the sovereignty and kingdom of Dhritarashtra’s son. It was thus that

Subala’s son, the skilful and deceitful gambler, played with me for Suyodhana’s sake. O

Bhimasena! Shakuni, the dweller of the mountains,225 is knowledgeable in great maya. He

hurled out the dice in the middle of the sabha. He used maya against me, who did not know

any maya. It is then that I saw the deceit. I saw that the dice would always follow the wishes

of Shakuni and favour him in odds and evens.

6) CREATER OF MAHABHARAT, VYASA HIMSELF TOLD DHRITRASHTRA THAT YUDHISTHIRA WAS DEFEATED BY DECEIT.

BORI CE, VANA PARVA-9

Narr:- ‘Vyasa said, “O immensely wise Dhritarashtra! Listen to my words. I will tell you what will

bring supreme welfare to all the Kouravas. O mighty-armed one! It does not please me that

the Pandavas have gone to the forest and that they have been deceitfully defeated by

Duryodhana’s followers. 

7) DHRISTRASTRA ALSO ACCEPTED

BORI CE, VANA PARVA-226

Dhristrastra said:-

Narr:-  The son of the wind-god is strong and is equal to the wind-god in strength.

It is certain that his terrible energy is restrained by dharma. It is certain that he sighs,

suffering this in rage. Tossing and turning on the ground, he desires the death of my sons. He

is restrained by truth and dharma. He is waiting for the time when he can overcome them in

battle. Ajatashatru was vanquished through deceit and Duhshasana spoke harsh words to him

then. 

8) ASHWTHAMA TOLD KARNA THAT YOU OBTAINED THE KINGDOM OF PANDAVAS THROUGH DECEIT AND YOU ARE NOT CAPABLE TO DEFEAT ARJUNA IN BATTLE

Ashwthama to karna

BORI CE, VIRATA PARVA-45

Narr:- What kshatriya should be

satisfied at having obtained a kingdom through gambling? That is cruel and should be for

other ordinary men. Having obtained riches through deceit and fraud, what wise man will

boast of it, like a vendor of flesh? In which duel in battle have you vanquished Dhananjaya,

Nakula or Sahadeva? Whose riches have you robbed?

9) AT LAST KRISHNA HIMSELF ACCEPTED THAT SHAKUNI HAD PLAYED THE DECEITFUL GAME

BORI CE, UDHYOG PARVA-1

Narr:- ‘Krishna said, “It is known to all of you how Yudhishthira was defeated by Soubala

4

in a

deceitful game of dice and lost his kingdom

........,..................2ND PART..........................

# WHY DID YUDHISHTHIRA PLAYED THE DICE OF GAME?

Because Yudhishthira had taken the vow that if someone will challange him then he will not refuse. It is the main reason that why did he play the dice game

BORI CE, SABHA PARVA, SECTION-52

O Vidura! I do not wish to go and

gamble on King Dhritarashtra’s command. A father always has a son’s welfare in mind.Therefore, tell me what I should do.123 I have no desire to gamble with Shakuni. But if the

confident124 one challenges me in the sabha, I will never refuse, because that has been my

eternal vow.”’

-BY MAUT

ARJUNA-THE EXCEPTIONAL AND SUPREME ARCHER (PART-2)

This is a continuation of one of our previous post where we proved how archery was exceptionally performed by Arjuna.

Here's the link of our previous post :- 

http://arjunajishnu.blogspot.com/2020/06/arjuna-exceptional-and-supreme-archer.html?m=1

And here's the next part of that post 

1) ARJUNA NEEDED GANDIVA BOW AND INFINITE ARROWS BECAUSE HE WAS SUCH A POWERFUL AND EXTRAORDINARY ARCHER THAT ORDINARY BOWS COULD NOT BEAR THE STRENGTH OF HIS ARMS AND LIMITED ARROWS WOULD BE EXHAUSTED QUICKLY DUE TO THE LIGHTNESS OF HIS HANDS -

ADI PARVA Section - 215 (BORI CE, Dr. Bibek Debroy translation)

On hearing these words, Bibhatsu told the

fire, who wished to burn down Khandava, despite being restrained by Shatakratu.16 “I have

many excellent and divine weapons with which I am capable of fighting many wielders of the

vajra. O illustrious one! But I do not possess a bow that can bear the strength of my arms and

withstand the strength and speed I bring to battle. Because of my speed, I need arrows that

are inexhaustible. 

2) ARJUNA DEFEATS DURYODHAN WHO WAS EQUIPPED WITH SHIVA'S IMPENETRABLE ARMOUR BY SHOOTING ARROWS ON AREAS WHICH WERE UNCOVERED WITH ARMOUR LIKE HANDS,FINGERS ETC. AGAIN A GREAT ARCHERY FEAT-

DRONA PARVA Section-78 (BORI CE, Dr. Bibek Debroy translation)

At this, Partha became enraged in that battle and licked the corners of his

mouth. He did not see any part of the body that was not protected by the armour. He released

some well-directed and sharp arrows that were like death. These killed his134 horses and the

two charioteers who guarded his flanks.135 The valiant Savyasachi severed his colourful

bow, the leather guards on his hands and shattered his chariot into fragments. With sharp

arrows, he deprived Duryodhana of his chariot. Arjuna then pierced both his palms. Onseeing that the supreme archer was in such great difficulty and was afflicted by Dhananjaya’sarrows, many rushed there to save him

3) ARJUNA CUT THE MIGHTY AGNEYASTRA SHOT BY KARNA JUST BY USING ORDINARY ARROWS

DRONA PARVA Section-31 (BORI CE, Dr. Bibek Debroy translation)

Adhiratha’s son assured

them that they need not be frightened and advanced in Arjuna’s direction. He was foremost

among all the Bharata rathas and was the one who brought delight to all the Bharatas. He

was supreme among those who knew about weapons and he invoked the agneya weapon. A

mass of blazing arrows was released by the one who wielded a blazing bow. But Dhananjaya

repulsed that mass of arrows with his net of arrows. Weapon was countered by weapon and

these arrows preserved life.

 4) ARJUNA WAS THE ONLY ARCHER WHO COULD SHOOT THE ARROWS WITHIN A RANGE OF 1 KROSHA

KARNA PARVA Section-57 (BORI CE, Dr. Bibek Debroy translation)

He grasps many arrows tufted with the feathers of herons. He shoots them as ifthey were but one. They descend at the distance of one krosha and do not deviate from their aim.

VANA PARVA Section-255 (BORI CE, Dr. Bibek Debroy translation)

Manly Arjuna performed an extraordinary act. He killed

Saindhava’s horses from a distance that was one krosha away. 

5). ARJUNA WAS THE ONLY ARCHER WHO COULD SHOOT 500 ARROWS AT SINGLE STRETCH

UDYOGA PARVA Section-88 (BORI CE, Dr. Bibek Debroy translation)

O Keshava! With his

two arms, Arjuna rivals the thousand-armed Arjuna

48 and always surpasses him. With a singlethrust, he unleashes five hundred arrows.

6) ARJUNA SHOT 600 ARROWS IN LESS THAN A SECOND AS IF THEY WERE ONLY ONE. WARRIORS LIKE KARNA HAVE NEVER ACHIEVED SUCH A FEAT

DRONA PARVA Section-66 (BORI CE, Dr. Bibek Debroy translation)

At this, Partha strung a great bow. He was supreme amongthose who were skilled in the use of all weapons and was better than the preceptor. Hequickly released six hundred arrows, as if he had grasped one alone.

7) ARJUNA KILLED TEN LAKHS GANDHARVAS IN A SINGLE SHOT

VANA PARVA Section-234 (BORI CE, Dr. Bibek Debroy translation)

 In that war,insolent about his strength, Arjuna used his agneya weapon to send a million gandharvas toYama’s abode.

8) ARJUNA PRAISED BY HIS FRIEND CHITRASENA FOR HIS SUPERHUMAN ARCHERY SKILLS WHEN HE SHOT ARROWS IN ONE CONTINUOUS LINE DURING VIRATA WAR

VIRATA PARVA Section-59 (BORI CE, Dr. Bibek Debroy translation)

 On witnessing this extraordinary

sight, the powerful gandharva Chitrasena was extremely delighted and told the king of the

gods these words of praise. “Look at the way these arrows, the destroyers of enemies, travel.

As Jishnu releases his divine weapons, they are linked in a chain. Men will not believe this, because they

185 do not exist among them. There has been a wonderful collection of these

ancient and great weapons. The soldiers are incapable of looking at Pandava. He dazzles like

the midday sun in the sky. They are both famous in their deeds. They are skilled in battle.

They are equal in their exploits. They are extremely difficult to vanquish in battle.” 

9) ARJUNA KILLED 7 AKSHOUHINI ARMY IN A SINGLE DAY

DRONA PARVA Section-125 (BORI CE, Dr. Bibek Debroy translation)

‘“Duryodhana said, ‘O preceptor! Behold the great destruction of those whose heads have

been sprinkled.27 I placed my grandfather, the brave Bhishma, at the forefront of the battle.

Having slain him, the avaricious Shikhandi satisfied his old desire. With all the Panchalas, he

is now afflicting the vanguard of the army. There is the other invincible one, your discipleSavyasachi. He has destroyed seven akshouhinis and has killed King Jayadratha

ADI PARVA Section-2 (BORI CE, Dr. Bibek Debroy translation)

Angered at Abhimanyu’s death, Partha killed King Jayadratha and seven akshouhinis of soldiers in battleand killed in war the remaining sanshaptakas

10) ARJUNA WAS THE ONLY WARRIOR WHO WAS CAPABLE TO DESTROY ALL THE THREE WORLDS IN THE TWINKLING OF THE EYE

UDYOGA PARVA Section-195 (BORI CE, Dr. Bibek Debroy translation)

Thus addressed by the king, Gudakesha Dhananjaya

looked towards Vasudeva and replied in these words. “All of them are great-souled and

skilled in the use of weapons. They can fight in many ways. O great king! There is no doubt

that they will kill your soldiers. But I speak the truth when I say that you should not betortured in your mind. When I have Vasudeva as an aide, on a single chariot, I can slay the

three worlds in an instant, with the immortals, with their mobile and immobile objects, and

with everything that is the past, the present and the future.

11) ARJUNA THE ONLY WARRIOR TO DESTROY THE SUPREME ARMOR OF KARNA ON 17TH DAY

KARNA PARVA Section-66 (BORI CE, Dr. Bibek Debroy translation)

Arjuna drew his bow all the way back up to his ears and struck him with twelve sharp arrows. Those

iron arrows were like venomous serpents in their force. He drew his bow all the way back up to his

ears and shot them. They were released well. They shattered his supreme and colourful armour, as ifthey were robbing him of his life.

So, from all the evidences provided above any neutral and sensible person will clearly conclude that Arjuna was the greatest exceptional archer whose prowess could be surpassed only by Lord Shiva.

- Avenger

PATHETIC FAILURE OF KARNA IN THE TASK OF DRAUPADI SWAYMWARA.

Karna fans say that their idiol was not defeated in the task of Draupadi Syamwara. According to them Draupadi stopped Karna from participating and called him a Sutputra, which is totally false according to BORI CE.

The truth is that Karna participated and failed to string the bow in Draupadi syamwara. Draupadi never stopped him from participating.

DHRISTDUYMNA ANNOUNCED THAT KARNA WOULD PARTICIPATE IN SWYAMWARA.

BORI CE, ADI PARVA, SECTION-177

दुर्यॊधनॊ दुर्विषहॊ दुर्मुखॊ दुष्प्रधर्षणः

      विविंशतिर विकर्णश च सहॊ दुःशासनः समः

  2 युयुत्सुर वातवेगश च भीमवेगधरस तथा

      उग्रायुधॊ बलाकी च कनकायुर विरॊचनः

  3 सुकुण्डलश चित्रसेनः सुवर्चाः कनकध्वजः

      नन्दकॊ बाहुशाली च कुण्डजॊ विकटस तथा

  4 एते चान्ये च बहवॊ धार्तराट्रा महाबलाः

      कर्णेन सहिता वीरास तवदर्थं समुपागताः

https://sacred-texts.com/hin/mbs/mbs01177.htm

Debroy translation of BORI CE

Stuff:- ‘Dhrishtadyumna said, “Duryodhana, Durvisaha, Durmukha, Dushpradharshana, Vivimshati, Vikarna, Saha, Duhshasana, Sama, Yuyutsu, Vatavega, Bhimavegadhara, Ugrayudha, Balaki,

Kanakayu, Virochana, Sukundula, Chitrasena, Suvarcha, Kanakadhvaja, Nandaka, Bahushali, Kunduja and Vikata—these and others are the immensely powerful sons of Dhritarashtra.

These warriors have come WITH KARNA FOR YOUR HAND.

1ST PROOF FROM BORI CE, WHICH SAYS THAT KARNA FAILED TO STRING THE BOW IN SWYAMWARA

BORI CE, ADI PARVA-179

यदा निवृत्ता राजानॊ धनुषः सज्य कर्मणि

      अथॊदतिष्ठद विप्राणां मध्याज जिष्णुर उदारधीः

https://sacred-texts.com/hin/mbs/mbs01179.htm

Debroy translation:-

Vaishampayana said, ‘When ALL THE KINGS gave up attempting to string the bow, the great souled Jishnu arose from among the Brahmanas.

ACCORDING TO THE ABOVE NARRATIVE, All the kings who had come for Draupadi's hand were failed in the Swyamwara and it is a universal truth that Karna too was a king.

# 2ND PROOF FROM BORI CE, WHICH SAYS THAT KING KARNA FAILED TO STRING THE BOW IN THE SWYAMWARA

BORI CE, ADI PARVA, SECTION-179

यत कर्ण शल्य परमुखैः पार्थिवैर लॊकविश्रुतैः

      नानृतं बलवद्भिर हि धनुर्वेदा परायणैः

  5 तत कथं तव अकृतास्त्रेण पराणतॊ दुर्बलीयसा

      बटु मात्रेण शक्यं हि सज्यं कर्तुं धनुर दविजाः

https://sacred-texts.com/hin/mbs/mbs01179.htm

Word to word translation :-

यत = If

कर्ण = Karna

शल्य = Shalya

परमुखै : = foremost

पार्थिवै = King

लॊकविश्रुतैः = who are famous in the world

नानृतं = could not

बलवद्भिर = have great strength

धनुर्वेदा = archery

परायणैः = well versed

तत = that/ this

कथं = how

तव अकृतास्त्रेण = No knowledge of weapon

पराणतॊ = suceed

दुर्बलीयसा = weakling

बटु मात्रेण = Brahmana

शक्यं = can

सज्यं कर्तु धनुर = string the bow

दवीजा: = O Brahmanas

Misconception about the meaning of पार्थिवै :-

i). Proof from Sanskrit dictionary :-

पार्थिव = King

http://spokensanskrit.org/index.php?direct=au&mode=3&script=hk&tran_input=%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B5

Cross reference :-

King = पार्थिव

http://spokensanskrit.org/index.php?direct=au&mode=3&script=hk&tran_input=king

ENGLISH TRANSLATION:-

“O Brahmanas! If foremost of kings like Karna and Shalya, who are famous

in the world, have great strength and are well versed in Dhanur Veda, could not string the bow, how can this

weakling Brahmana, with no knowledge of weapons, succeed?

FROM THE THE ABOVE NARRATIVE, It is clear as water that king karna failed to string the bow and got defeated in the task.

NOWADAYS KARNA FANS ARE CREATING THEIR OWN SANSKRIT DICTIONARY AND TRANSLATION AFTER GETTING DEFEATED BY AUTHENTIC TRANSLATION OF BORI CE. THEY ARE REJECTING THE ENTIRE TRANSLATION OF SCHOLAR TO HIDE THE FAILURE OF THEIR HERO HAHAHA. WHO CARES ABOUT THEIR TRANSLATION? HAHAHA

THERE ARE TWO SCHOLAR WHO TRANSLATED THE ENTIRE BORI CE INTO ANOTHER LANGUAGE AND BOTH OF THEM MENTIONED THE FAILURE OF KING KARNA IN THE TASK OF DRAUPADI SYAMWARA.

BIBEY DEBROY MISTRANSLATED ONLY ONE WORD IN THAT SHLOKA, NOT THE ENTIRE SHOLKA. WHICH HAS BEEN PROVED FROM EVERY SANSKRIT DICTIONARY AND OTHER TRANSLATION OF BORI CE THAT "PARTHIVA MEANS KING, NOT KSHTRIYA"

ONE TRANSLATOR CAN BE WRONG BUT EVERY TRANSLATOR CAN NOT BE WRONG!

PROOF FROM HINDI TRANSLATION OF BORI MAHABHARAT BY PADAM BHUSHAN SATWALEKAR

हे द्विजगण ! जो धनुष धनुर्वेद में पंडित, बलवान् , कर्ण और शल्य आदि लोको में प्रशंसित राजाओ के द्वारा नहीं झुकाया जा सका | अस्त्रविद्या को न जाननेवाले , शक्ति में दुर्बल एक बटु उस धनुष पर डोरी कैसे चढ़ा सकेगा

https://archive.org/stream/Mahabharata_with_Hindi_Translation_-_SD_Satwalekar/01%20Mahabharat%20Adi%20Parva%20-%20SD%20Satwalekar%201968#page/n914/mode/1up

HINDI TRANSLATION of BORI CE also says that Karna failed in Swyamwara.

..................

## The employ of Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute and General editor of BORI MB Mr. M.A Mehendale has confirmed that according to Shloka number 4 of Adi parva-section 179 of BORI MAHABHARAT, Radheya Karna failed to string the bow in the swayamvar of Draupadi in his book "Interpolations in Mahabharata".Here's the link from where you can download the PDF of his book :-

https://archive.org/details/InterpolationsInTheMahabharata

While explaining the fact that why the line नहिं वयम सुतं of Draupadi in which Draupadi rejects Karna is removed as an interpolation from BORI CE he clearly says that Karna failed in the swayamvar that's why there is no point of Draupadi rejecting him.

MISCONCEOTION:- DRAUPADI SWYAMWARA WAS NOT OPEN FOR ALL CASTE.

NOTE :- FIRST OF ALL, IN THE ENTIRE MAHABHARATA IT IS NOWHERE WRITTEN THAT DRAUPADI SWAYAMVAR WAS FOR KSHTRIYAS ONLY.

BTW IF SWAYAMVAR WAS NOT OPEN FOR ALL THE CASTES THEN WHY DID KING DRUPADA ASKED DHRISHTDHYUMNA THAT WHO WON HIS DAUGHTER, IS HE SHUDRA OR VAISHYA OR OTHER LOW CASTE. IT CLEARLY MEANS THAT SWAYAMVAR WAS OPEN FOR ALL CASTES

BORI CE, ADI PARVA-184

King Drupada to Dhristduymna:-

The great-souled one asked Dhrishtadyumna,

“Where has Krishna gone? Who has taken her away? Is it a Shudra or one of low birth? Has a

Vaishya who pays taxes placed his feet on my head? Has a garland been thrown away on a

cremation ground? O son! Or is it a foremost man from our own varna, or is it one from a

higher varna?50 Or has a lower being51 placed his foot on my head and defiled Krishna?

YUDHISTHIRA TOLD THE PRIEST OF KING DRUPADA THAT YOU DONT HAVE ANY RIGHT TO ASK ABOUT THE VARNA(CASTE) OF ARJUNA SO IT AGAIN PROVES THAT SWAYMWARA WAS OPEN FOR ALL CASTES

BORI CE, ADI PARVA-185

‘Yudhishthira then spoke to the Brahmana. “The king of Panchala gave his daughter away according to his wishes and according to his own dharma. He set a price and this brave one has won her in accordance with that. Therefore, no questions can be asked about his varna,

action, intention, means of living, lineage or gotra. All those questions have been answered by the act of stringing the bow and striking the target. 

CONCLUSION:- KARNA FAILED IN THE TASK OF DRAUPADI SYAMWARA. KARNA FANS CAN CRY AS MUCH AS THEY WANTS BUT TRUTH WILL ALWAYS DEFEAT THEM.

Credit- Avenger

-BY MAUT

EXPOSING THE FUNNY EXCUSES GIVEN BY KARNA FANS ABOUT GANDHARVAS WAR, ALSO ARCHERY PRACTICE OF GANDHARVAS ON SUTPUTRA KARNA.

HERE'S THE FIGHT SEQUENCE OF KARNA WITH GANDHARVAS:-

Vana Parva, Section-230 ( BORI CE )

Debroy translation:-

‘On seeing the gandharvas swiftly descend on them with raised weapons, the sons of Dhritarashtra could be seen to flee in all the directions. On seeing that the sons of Dhritarashtra were fleeing from the field of battle, the brave Vaikartana33 was the only one who wasn’t reluctant to do battle. On seeing the great army of gandharvas descend on him, Radheya repulsed them with a mighty shower of arrows. With great lightness of hand, the suta’s son killed hundreds of gandharvas with kshurapras,34 vishikhas,35 bhallas,36 vatsadantas37 and iron arrows. The maharatha sliced off the heads of many gandharvas and in a short while, dispersed all of Chitrasena’s army. Although the gandharvas were killed by the intelligent son of the suta, they returned again in hundreds and thousands. In a short instant, the earth was covered with gandharvas and Chitrasena’s soldiers descended with great force. Then King Duryodhana, Shakuni Soubala, Duhshasana, Vikarna and other sons of Dhritarashtra ascended chariots that screeched like Garuda and began to kill those soldiers. They fought again, placing Karna at the forefront. There was the giant roar of chariots and the stamping of the feet of horses. Supporting Vaikartana, they repulsed the gandharvas. Then all the gandharvas descended on the Kouravas and the battle that raged was extremely terrible. It made the body hair stand up. Oppressed by the arrows, the gandharvas began to wilt. On seeing that the gandharvas were suffering, the Kouravyas roared loudly. On seeing that the gandharvas were frightened, Chitrasena was overcome with anger. He angrily flew up from his seat, resolving to kill them. That brave one began to fight with weapons of maya, following wonderful paths. The Kouravyas were bewildered because of Chitrasena’s maya. O descendant of the Bharata lineage! It seemed as if each one of Dhritrarashtra’s sons was assailed and surrounded by ten gandharvas.‘O king! Being thus oppressed by a great army, they were frightened. They fled the field of battle and went to where King Yudhishthira was, seeking refuge with him. Everywhere, the soldiers of the sons of Dhritarashtra were being destroyed. O king! Vaikartana Karna was the only one who stood immobile like a mountain. Duryodhana, Karna and Shakuni Soubala were severely wounded in the field of battle, but kept fighting the gandharvas. With a desire to kill Karna in battle, hundreds and thousands of gandharvas rushed collectively towards him. With a desire to kill the son of the suta, the immensely strong ones surrounded him from all sides, with swords, javelins, spears and maces. Some sliced off the yoke,38 others brought down the flagpole. Some brought down the shafts, the horses and the charioteer. Some sliced down the umbrella, others the fenders39 and the diadem. In many thousands, the gandharvas shattered the chariot. Holding a sword and a shield in his hand, the son of the suta jumped down from the chariot. He leapt onto Vikarna’s chariot and whipped the horses, so that he might escape.

HERE’S THE FIGHT SEQUENCE OF ARJUNA WITH GANDHARVAS:-

Vana Parva Section-234 (BORI CE)

Debroy translation:-

Vaishampayana said, ‘The gandharvas were bedecked with golden garlands and possessed celestial weapons. They enveloped them with blazing arrows from all the directions. There were four brave Pandavas and thousands of gandharvas. O king! They attacked each other in that battle and it was extraordinary. Just as the gandharvas had shattered the chariots of Karna and the sons of Dhritarashtra into a hundred pieces, they attempted to do it again. O king! Hundreds of gandharvas attacked them in that battle and the tigers among men repulsed them with many showers of arrows. Repulsed by showers of arrows in all the directions, those travellers of the sky could not approach near the sons of Pandu. On seeing that the gandharvas were angered, Arjuna used great and celestial weapons against them. In that war, insolent about his strength, Arjuna used his agneya weapon to send a million gandharvas to Yama’s abode. O king! With his sharp arrows, Bhima, the great archer and supreme among strong ones in battle, killed hundreds of gandharvas. O king! Insolent of their strength, Madri’s two sons fought and captured and killed hundreds of enemies. When the gandharvas were thus killed by the great-souled ones with celestial weapons, they took to the sky and took the sons of Dhritarashtra with them. But Kunti’s son, Dhananjaya, saw them arise. He surrounded them on all sides with a great net of arrows. Having been tied down by that net of arrows, they were like birds in a cage. They angrily hurled showers of maces, spears and swords at Arjuna. But Dhananjaya pierced the bodies of the gandharvas with bhallas. Heads, legs and arms55 fell down from above like a shower of rocks and the others took fright. When the gandharvas were being killed by the great-souled Pandava, who was on the ground, they showered down arrows on him from the sky. But Savyasachi, the energetic scorcher of enemies, repulsed all of them with his own weapons and began to pierce the gandharvas. Arjuna, the descendant of the Kuru lineage, unleashed his weapons—sthunakarna, indrajala, soura, agneya and soumya.56 The gandharvas were burnt up by the arrows of Kunti’s son. They were in supreme despondence, like the daityas at Shakra’s hands. When they tried to escape upwards, his net of arrows restrained them. When they tried to slither away, Savyasachi restrained them with his bhallas. ‘O descendant of the Bharata lineage! On seeing the gandharvas terrified by Kunti’s intelligent son, Chitrasena grasped a mace and rushed towards Savyasachi. In that battle, he held the iron mace in his hand. But with his arrows, Partha sliced the mace into seven pieces. On seeing that the mace had been cut into many pieces by the arrows of the nimble one, he57 made himself invisible and began to fight with Pandava. Established in the sky, he repulsed those celestial weapons. The powerful king of the gandharvas hid himself through his powers of maya. Arjuna saw that he was invisible and was striking. He therefore attacked him with divine weapons that could travel in the sky, invoked with mantras. Arjuna was angered. Dhananjaya used the weapon known as shabdabheda58 and restrained his disappearance into many different forms. Pierced by the weapons of the great-souled Arjuna, the gandharva revealed himself to his beloved friend.59 On seeing his friend Chitrasena, fighting feebly in battle,60 the bull among the Pandavas withdrew the weapon he had released. When all the other Pandavas saw that Dhananjaya had withdrawn his weapons, they too restrained their swift steeds and their bows and arrows. Chitrasena, Bhima, Savyasachi and the twins then asked about each other’s welfare, while they were astride their respective chariots.’

POINT TO BE NOTED FROM BOTH ABOVE NARRATIVE:-

Point no.1)- Karna managed to repulse/kill some Gandharvas in the fight but many Gandharvas again returned to fight Karna and this times those Gandharvas broke the chariot of Karna and made him run away from battlefield to save his life.

Point no.2)- It should be noted that Karna faced only few thousands of Gandharvas but got defeated by them but Arjuna alone faced 1 million(4.5 akshouni) Gandharvas in single times still defeated them

Notice this line:- Arjuna used his agneya weapon to send a million gandharvas to Yama’s abode.

Point no.3)- Gandharvas tried to break the chariot of Arjuna also but failed to do so because of Arjuna being 10 times greater warrior to Karna and all the Kauravas combined.

Point no.4)- Gandharvas tried to escape from Arjuna but Arjuna trapped them using net of his arrows so Karna could have done the same if he had enough skills.

Point no.5)- Gandharvas were angry on Arjuna

Point no.6)- Arjuna managed to create a condition of using celestial weapons by not letting the repulsed Gandharvas reaching the chariots of him and his brothers using ordinary arrows but Karna failed to do so and that's why he was unable to use celestial weapons.

Point no.7)- Arjuna easily killed a million Gandharvas using his excellent military skills and tactics but Karna killed only thousand Gandharvas due to poor skills and tactics.

Point no.8)- Chitrasena used his illusion powers Indra his fight with Arjuna also like he did in his fight with Karna ( but in a different way due to the great slaughter of his army done by Arjuna ) but only Arjuna succeded in countering those illusions due to his superior skills.

Point no.9)- Arjuna made Gandharvas feeble in fight by injuring them using his weapons.

Point no.10)- Karna had his divine armour and ear rings gifted to him by Surya as a boon to Kunti so the logic of Karna not having celestial advantage is useless here.

So it's clear like water that the fight of Karna with the Gandharvas clearly shows the superiority of Gandharvas over Karna and superiority of Arjuna over Gandharvas and Karna.

But there are some misconceptions in the minds of people due to misinterpratation of texts. So here are the refutation of all those misconceptions :-

Misconception No.1)- Karna actually defeated Gandharvas and made them retreat atleast twice, they kept coming back again and again infinitely and again unlike with Pandavas where the war was stopped which is explained in 2nd point. So technically Karna fought three wars with them and he lost only 3rd time.

Refutation :-

No Karna never ever defeated the Gandharvas as defeated, vanquished, retreated, fled away and ran away aren't used for Gandharvas.

And repulsing is not a defeat, By the way Arjuna also repulsed the Gandharvas and made them incapable to even reach to his chariot forget breaking it.

Misconception No.2)- Gandharvas were no ordinary warriors, the Pandava ancestor Chitrasena the brother of Vichitravirya was defeated and taken forever by the Gandharvas. Here Gandharvas themselves fought feebly (weakly) with Pandavas and they themselves accepted they had come to protect Pandavas so again Arjuna’s victory is nothing here.

Refutation :- Chitrasena just told Arjuna what Indra told him but he never accepted that he actually tried to protect Arjuna. Gandharvas angrily attacked Arjuna hence they weren't mild on him hence Arjuna fought wild Gandharvas not mild Gandharvas.

Gandharvas fought feebly at the end because of their injuries caused by Arjuna and the most important fact is whenever any warrior fought mildly it is mentioned by the narrator for example Sanjaya mentioned Karna fighting mildly in one of his fights with Bhima on 14th day but the same isn't mentioned in the case of Gandharvas because they used their full power against Arjuna.

Misconception No.3)- Karna shattered way stronger illusion of Gatotkacha that even Drona, Ashwathama and others badly failed to counter. Karna only used Shakti Dart because of Krishna’s illusions.

Refutation :- The soldiers of Ghatotkacha destroyed Karna and only Ashvatthama stood to face them

Drona Parva Section-131 (BORI CE)

Debroy translation:-

Once twilight has passed, the rakshasas become even more powerful on earth. In every direction, they brought down a shower of boulders. Iron wheels, catapults, lances, javelins, spears, shataghnis and battleaxes showered down incessantly. On seeing the fierce and terrible state in the field of battle, the kings, your sons and Karna were distressed and fled in different directions.

Secondly, apart from Arjuna nobody countered the illusions of Gandharvas and Arjuna never failed to counter the illusions of Ghatotkacha and he proved invulnerable against demons also ( Nivatkavachas and Kalakeyas ) so there's no evidence which says that Ghatotkacha's illusions were more powerful than that of Gandharvas. Also Karna failed to counter many illusions of Ghatotkacha on 14th night if you want the evidance then you can ask in comment section.

Misconception No.4)- Arjuna faced similar attack as Karna faced but from human soldiers Samspatakas but no Arjuna fan would ever agree to this but you yourself can decide from the verse, It was Krishna who saved Arjuna

Refutation :- Firstly In BORI CE, Nowhere written that Lord Krishna threw away those Samsaptakas too who had seized Arjuna then we can say that according to BORI CE, It is a interpolation.

But for the sake of some peoples , i am considering this interpolation incident (fake claim) as a true incident. Actually Lord Krishna didn't save Arjuna from Samsaptakas because reacting faster and saving are two different things. Arjuna wasn't troubled when Samsaptakas seized him hence he didn't react just like Lord Krishna wasn't troubled in Khandava war so he also didn't react

Adi Parva Section-218

Narr:- At that, the gods, the gandharvas, the yakshas, the rakshasas and the serpents rose up, uttering loud roars and desiring to fight. They were armed with iron clubs, chakras and bhushundis,34 with lightning in them. They were intent on killing Krishna and Partha, their great energy benumbed by their anger. Though they unleashed a fearful shower of weapons, Bibhatsu churned their upper limbs with his sharp arrows.

Here, Arjuna killed those gods, gandharvas, the yakshas, the rakshasas and the serpents who wanted to kill Lord Krishna also but that doesn't mean that Arjuna rescued Lord Krishna and Lord Krishna was unable to kill them.

Misconception No.5)- Unlike Karna Arjuna had celestial bow,celestial quiver and many celestial weapons and equipments hence the comparison of Karna and Arjuna is unfair.

Refutation :-

Why does the art of fighting with weapons is taught to humans not animals ? Because using superior weapons to end the war with least casualties is a sign of superior tactics. What is the use of letting warriors sacrificing their lives in the name of bravery ?

Arjuna had only 3 supporters in Ghosh Yatra i.e Bhima, Nakula and Sehdeva but Karna had many supporters Kauravas, Sakuni and Kuru soldiers.

NOTICE THIS LINE:- There was the giant roar of chariots and the stamping of the feet of horses. Supporting Vaikartana, they repulsed the gandharvas.

Karna let Duryodhana getting captured by Gandharvas at the name of bravery ( only if still anyone thinks that using ordinary weapons is a sign of bravery ) but Arjuna didn't let those Gandharvas even touch his brothers forget about capturing them and using those celestial weapons and equipments he freed Duryodhana also.

Even Lord Krishna used his Sudarshana against Shishupala who didn't had celestial weapons and equipments so does it questions Lord Krishna's prowess against Shishupala ?

Secondly, celestial weapons requires higher strength and skills also. Arjuna said that ordinary bows aren't strong enough to hold the true strength of his arms and if Gandiva was stronger than ordinary bows then it's wielder also needed to possess extraordinary strength.

So Karna not using celestial weapons and equipments proves his lack of skills and tactics.

Now here's the final blow :-

1st another defeat of Gandharvas by Arjuna :-

Adi Parva Section-158

Vaishampayana said, ‘Hearing these words, Angaraparna became very angry. He drew his bow and shot flaming arrows that were like extremely venomous snakes. With the torch in his hand, Pandava Dhananjaya warded off the arrows with his excellent shield. Arjuna said, “O gandharva! Don’t try to frighten those who are skilled in the use of weapons, because weapons unleashed at them disappear like froth. O gandharva! I know that gandharvas are superior to men. Therefore, I will fight you with divine weapons, not with the use of maya. In ancient times, this agneya missile was given by Brihaspati, Shatakratu’s38 preceptor, to Bharadvaja. From Bharadvaja it went to Agniveshya and from Agniveshya to my preceptor. Drona, supreme among Brahmanas, gave it to me.” Having said this, the angry Pandava unleashed the blazing agneya weapon at the gandharva and it instantly burnt down his chariot. Knocked unconscious from the energy of the missile, the immensely powerful gandharva fell face down, dislodged from his chariot.Dhananjaya seized him by the hair on his head, which was adorned with garlands, and dragged the one knocked unconscious from the missile towards his brothers. On seeing this, his wife, who was named Kumbhinasi, sought refuge with Yudhishthira so that her husband might be saved.

Here, Arjuna defeated Gandharva Angarpana without even using a bow.

2nd another defeat of Gandharvas by Arjuna :-

Sabha Parva Section-25

On reaching Manasa, the lord Pandava conquered the regions around Hataka, protected by the gandharvas. As tribute, he obtained from the city of the gandharvas supreme horses that were the colour of partridges and speckled, with eyes like those of frogs.

In his Digvijaya, Arjuna defeated Gandharvas in order to conquer Manasa

So Arjuna not being superior to entire race of Gandharvas is completely out of context if we take authentic Mahabharata into consideration.

Source:- BORI CE

ARJUNA - THE EXCEPTIONAL AND SUPREME ARCHER (PART-1)

Mahabharat describes Arjuna as the best warrior of that time,Vyasa again and again retell events where Arjun's lightness of hands and dexterity is shown. From the beginning to end, Arjuna's archery exhibition is really a treat to read.

Let's begin with some incidents involving archery skills -

1) ARJUNA,THE 'ONLY' PUPIL TO HIT THE BIRD'S EYE AT GURUKUL -

ADI PARVA Section-123 ( BORI CE, Dr. Bibek Debroy translation )

‘Smilingly, Drona then summoned Dhananjaya. “This target is for you to shoot down.

Listen. As soon as I ask you to, you must shoot. O son! Stand here for a moment, with your

bow taut.” Thus addressed, Savyasachi drew his bow into a semicircle, aimed at the target

and stood there, as his preceptor had instructed. After a while, Drona asked him in the same

way. “O Arjuna! Do you see the bird seated there? Do you see the tree? Do you see me?”

Arjuna replied, “I can only see the bird. I cannot see the tree. Nor can I see you.” Pleased, the

invincible Drona waited again for a moment. Then he again addressed the Pandava, bull

among warriors. “If you can see the bird, describe it to me.” Arjuna replied, “I can only see

the bird’s head. I cannot see its body.” At Arjuna’s words, Drona was delighted and his hair

stood up. He told Partha, “Shoot,” and he let the arrow go. The Pandava sliced off the head of

the bird on the tree with his sharp arrow and brought it down on the ground. WhenPhalguna352 succeeded in this task, Drona embraced him and deduced that Drupada and hisrelatives had already been vanquished in battle.

 2) ARJUNA,THE 'ONLY' SUITOR TO SUCCEED IN HITTING THE MATSYA YANTRA AT DRAUPADI SWAYAMWAR -

ADI PARVA Section-179 (BORI CE, Dr. Bibek Debroy translation)

‘Arjuna came to where the bow was and stood there like a stationary mountain.

Circumambulating the bow in accordance with the rites, the scorcher of enemies bowed his

head to the bow and joyously grasped it. In the twinkling of an eye, he strung the bow and

grasped the five arrows. Through the hole in the machine, he suddenly pierced the target and

it fell down on the ground. Thereupon, a great roar was heard in the sky and a great clamour

arose in the assembly. The gods rained down celestial flowers on Partha’s head, that killer of

enemies. All the spectators waved their upper garments in joy, or uttered sounds of despair.

Flowers showered down from the sky. The musicians played on hundreds of instruments. In a

sweet voice, the bards and the raconteurs began to chant the praises of the hero. Seeing that

destroyer of enemies

Failure of Karna and Shalya specifically mentioned :- 

Others

among them, who lived by their wisdom and were wise, told each other, “O Brahmanas! If

Kshatriyas like Karna and Shalya, who are famous in the world, have great strength and are

well versed in Dhanur Veda,22 could not string the bow, how can this weakling Brahmana,

with no knowledge of weapons, succeed? 

Prof. M.A Mehendale the honorary scholar cum employ and president of Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute accepted that the rejection of Karna by Draupadi is interpolation because Karna participated and failed there :- 

https://archive.org/details/InterpolationsInTheMahabharata

3) ARJUNA CREATES A ROOF OF ARROWS AT KHANDAVA TO STOP INDRA -

ADI PARVA Section - 218 ( BORI CE, Dr. Bibek Debroy translation )

Vaishampayana said, ‘Summoning his splendid weapons, Pandava Bibhatsu, repulsed the

shower of rain with a shower of arrows. Pandava covered every side of Khandava with his

arrows and drove away that rain from that forest. When the sky was covered withSavyasachi’s arrows, not a single being could escape from there.

 4) ARJUNA WAS CAPABLE OF SHOOTING ARROWS IN THE DARK WITH THE SAME PROFICIENCY -

ADI PARVA Section-123 (BORI CE, Dr. Bibek Debroy translation)

Vaishampayana said, ‘Arjuna took a great deal of care in worshipping his preceptor and

showed the greatest devotion in learning the art of weapons. He became a great favourite of

Drona’s. Drona summoned the cook and told him secretly, “Never give Arjuna any food when

it is dark.” One day, when Arjuna was eating, a wind arose and blew out the lamp and its

light. Arjuna continued to eat in the dark, his hand moving to his mouth from force of habit.

The Pandava then began to practise in the night. O descendant of the Bharata lineage! Drona

heard the twang of his bowstring and came to him and embraced him. 

5) ARJUNA, THE ONLY WARRIOR IN MAHABHARAT WHO WAS CAPABLE OF SHOOTING ARROWS FROM BOTH HANDS -

VIRATA PARVA Section-39 (BORI CE, Dr. Bibek Debroy translation)

Both my hands are right hands when I drawthe Gandiva. Therefore, I am known among gods and men as Savyasachi.

VIRATA PARVA Section-59 (BORI CE, Dr. Bibek Debroy translation)

 O king! As Partha shot arrows with his lefthand and his right, Gandiva looked like an unbroken circle of fire.

6) ARJUNA, THE ONLY ARCHER TO KNOW ALL FIVE ARCHERY VIDHIS -

Below are the five archery vidhi's,Arjuna knew them all.

1)Prayoga Vidhi(Simply using/hurling a weapon)

2)Upsanhara Vidhi(Recall/Withdrawing a weapon)

3)Avarti Vidhi(Distress prevention)

4)Prayashachitya Vidhi(This enables the Archer to bring back to life in case an innocent is killed by the Astra)

5)Pratighat Vidhi(Repulsing/Turning back an astra)

VANA PARVA Section-165 (BORI CE, Dr. Bibek Debroy translation)

O extender of the Kuru lineage! You haveobtained ten weapons and five.180 O Partha! Know that you have no equal in all the five

ways. O Dhananjaya! You know how to employ, restrain, return, pacify and counteractthem.181 You know everything about atonement and repulsion.

 7) ARJUNA CREATES AN ARTIFICAL LAKE IN THE MIDDLE OF BATTLE,FOR HIS HORSES TO DRINK WATER. HE IS COMPARED TO VISHWAKARMA HERE,EVEN LORD KRISHNA WAS DELIGHTED ON THIS ACT -

Drona Parva Section - 74 (BORI CE, Dr. Bibek Debroy)

“In the battle, the mighty-armed Janardana fearlessly addressed these words to his beloved Arjuna, supreme among men. ‘O Arjuna! In this battle, there is no well for the horses to drink from. They desire water to drink, not to have a bath.’ Having been thus addressed, Arjuna cheerfully replied, ‘Here.’ He struck the earth with a weapon and created a pure lake from

which the horses could drink. Arrows were the bamboos there. Arrows were the pillars and it was covered with arrows. It was extraordinary. Partha created an abode made out of arrows and this extraordinary deed was like one of Tvashtra’s. At this, Govinda laughed and spoke words of praise. In that great battle, thus did Partha create a pavilion made out of arrows.”’

8 ) ARJUNA CREATES A HALL MADE OF ARROWS FOR HIS HORSES TO REST.

DRONA PARVA Section-75 (BORI CE, Dr. Bibek Debroy translation)

Hrishikesha began to smile, as if he was amidst women, after Arjuna had crated a pavilion made out of arrows in that field of battle. O lord of the earth! While all the soldiers on your side looked on, the lotus-eyed one led the horses inside. Krishna was skilled in all acts connected with horses. He removed all their exhaustion, pain, trembling, nausea and wounds. He removed the stakes with his hands and rubbed the horses down.

 9) ARJUNA DISPLAYS AN EXCELLENT SKILL IN TAKING JAYADRATH'S HEAD TO HIS FATHER'S LAP -

DRONA PARVA Section-121 (BORI CE, Dr. Bibek Debroy translation)

To bring about Jayadratha’s death, Arjuna quickly released it.

Released from Gandiva, that arrow was as swift as a hawk snatching a bird from the top of a

tree. It severed Saindhava’s head. With other arrows, Dhananjaya bore it up again,431 thus

causing grief to his ill-wishers and delight to his well-wishers. At that time, Pandava made the

head look like a kadamba flower and used arrows to convey it to Samantapanchaka. O

venerable one! The energetic King Vriddhakshatra, with whom you have a matrimonial

alliance,432 was engaged in his evening prayers then. He was seated. The head of the king of

Sindhu, with dark hair and earrings, was thrown down on his lap. The head, with its beautiful

earrings, was brought down on his lap. O scorcher of enemies! But King Vriddhakshatra did

not notice it. When the intelligent Vriddhakshatra stood up, after having finished his

meditation, the head was suddenly flung down on the ground.

So it should be clear that Arjuna didn't use Pashupatastra for killing Jayadrath,but using his own archery skill he kept on shooting Jayadrath's head and took it to his father.

10) ON THE 3RD DAY OF KURUKSHETRA WAR,ALL KURU WARRIORS INCLUDING BHISHMA AND DRONA FAIL TO CROSS THE ARROWS OF ARJUN AND ATLAST THEY WERE FORCED TO RETREAT -

BHISHMA PARVA Section - 55 (BORI CE, Dr. Bibek Debroy)

‘“The Chedis, the Panchalas, the Karushas and the Matsyas, together with all the Parthas,

began to roar. The soldiers and leaders of the army153 were terrified, like a herd of deer at

the sight of a lion. The wielder of the Gandiva and Janardana roared in great delight. The

Kurus, together with Bhishma, Drona, Duryodhana and Bahlika, saw that Indra’s terrible

weapon had extended everywhere and was like the end of a yuga. Their limbs were sorely

wounded from the weapon and they saw the sun was withdrawing its rays. They saw that

twilight was near and that the sun was streaked with red. They decided to withdraw. Having

performed deeds and won fame in the world, Dhananjaya had triumphed over the enemies.

Having completed his tasks, together with his brothers, the lord of men retired to his camp

for the night. When night set in, there was a terrible and great uproar among the Kurus. ‘In

the battle, Arjuna has killed ten thousand charioteers and seven hundred elephants. All those

from the eastern regions, all the masses of Souviras, the Kshudrakas and the Malavas have

been brought down. Dhananjaya has accomplished a great deed. No one else is capable of

accomplishing this. O king!154 King Shrutayu, the lord of Ambashtha, Durmarshana,

Chitrasena, Drona, Kripa, Saindhava, Bahlika, Bhurishrava, Shalya and Shala, together with

Bhishma, have been vanquished by Kiriti, the maharatha of the world, through the valour of

his own arms.’ O descendant of the Bharata lineage! Having spoken these words, all those

who were on your side went to their camps. There were thousands of torches to bring

illumination and many beautiful lamps. All the warriors and leaders among the Kurus settled

down for the night, terrified of Kiriti.”’

11) ARJUNA ALONE VANQUISHES THE PROTECTORS OF JAYADARTH,A BEAUTIFUL DESCRIPTION OF ARJUN'S ARCHERY FEAT HERE -

READ ON 😊

DRONA PARVA Section-121 (BORI CE, Dr. Bibek Debroy translation)

‘Sanjaya said, “Dhananjaya was seen to roam around in that battle and he seemed to be

simultaneously everywhere. He exhibited his wonderful weapons. He was like the midday

sun, scorching everything from the sky. None of the beings were capable of glancing at

Pandava. A torrent of arrows issued from the great-souled one’s Gandiva. In that battle, they

seemed to be like an array of swans in the sky. He countered all those brave ones with his

weapons. Through his fierce deeds, he exhibited his terrible self. O king! Arjuna passed all

those rathas and confounded them with his iron arrows, wishing to kill Jayadratha.

Stay tuned for the next part

SOURCE:- BORI CE

- Avenger