Chapter 81 Mourning in Pandavas Camp on Death of Youngest Yoddha
Yudhishthira was overcome with grief. “He who defeated Drona, Aswatthama, and Duryodhana in battle and who was like a destructive fire to hostile armies has entered a slumber that knows no awakening. Are you dead, warrior who caused Duhsasana to flee in terror? So what do I have to fight for or win? Why do we need a kingdom right away? What consoling words can I say to Arjuna? What should I say to Subhadra, who is trembling like a cow that has lost a calf? How am I supposed to comfort them with meaningless words? Actually, men’s understanding is destroyed by ambition. I forced this youngster, whose life was all before him in love and joy, to the front lines of combat out of my thirst for triumph, like the idiot who searches for honey and falls into a deep pit below and is destroyed. There is no idiot in the world like me. Instead of keeping Arjuna’s cherished son safe while his father was away, I murdered him.”
Yudhishthira was bemoaning this in his heart. Warriors sat silently all around him, reflecting somberly on the bravery of the young hero and his sad demise. Vyasa had always made it a point to visit the Pandavas whenever they were grieving greatly.
He was also their great-grandfather and instructor. He then showed up in front of Yudhishthira. After forcing the sage to sit down, Yudhishthira said: “I have tried very hard to attain peace of mind, but I am unable to obtain it.
Vyasa said, “You are clever and knowledgeable, and it is not proper that you should permit yourself to be thus deeply distraught. Knowing the nature of death, it is improper for you to grieve in an uneducated manner.”
Vyasa then comforted the grieving Dharmaputra: “Brahma was anxious when he fashioned living things. These lives will proliferate until they outnumber anything the planet can support. There doesn’t appear to be a method to handle this. This flame of Brahma’s mind swelled until it threatened to extinguish the entirety of creation at once. Rudra then arrived and begged for the suppression of this terrible fire. The enormous fire was under Brahma’s control, and he turned it into the rule of Death, which is known to mankind. The creator’s law, which regulates the balance between life and death, manifests itself in many different ways, including war, illness, and accidents. So, death is a necessary rule of existence, established for the benefit of the entire planet. Being impatient with death or expressing excessive grief for the deceased is not real wisdom. There is no justification for feeling sorry for the dead. We may have good reason to be sad for the people who are still here.”
After offering these consoling remarks, Krishna Dwaipayana left the room.
Following their victory against and killing of the samsaptakas, Dhananjaya and Krishna were making their way back to their camp.
Arjuna remarked, “Govinda, I’m not sure why, but my mind is not at peace. My mouth is dry, and I have a heavy sense of impending loss in my heart. I wonder if Yudhishthira has experienced any tragedies. Krishna, I’m terrified of something.”
“Yudhishthira shouldn’t be a cause for anxiety,” said Krishna. “He is secure, as are your other brothers.”
They stopped along the route to offer evening prayers.
They got back on the chariot and drove over to the camp. Arjuna began to have increasingly dire predictions of disaster as they neared the camp.
“Janardana, the camp is devoid of the customary opportune music. The troops lower their heads and turn away when they notice me from a distance. They are acting in an odd way by doing this. O Madhava, I am quite frightened. Consider my brothers to be secure. I’m perplexed. How come Abhimanyu and his siblings don’t come running out to welcome us today as they usually do?”
They walked into the camp.
“Why do you all have dejected expressions? I don’t see Abhimanyu in this place. How come I don’t see any happy faces? I recognised the lotus pattern in which Drona had set up his soldiers. As far as I know, none of you could breach it. Did Abhimanyu break through the door? If that’s the case, he’s already passed away because I never showed him how to escape that structure. Has he really been killed?”
The devastated father erupted into heartbroken wailing when his worst suspicions were verified by their melancholy quiet and glum eyes that dared not meet his.
“But has my lovely kid really been welcomed by Yama? Have Yudhishthira, Bhimasena, Dhrishtadyumna, and the mighty Satyaki all let the enemy to kill Subhadra’s son? Alas! What solace should I offer Subhadra? How do I address Draupadi? And what consolation may be provided to Uttara, and to whom?”
Vasudeva addressed his ill buddy. “Arjuna, my beloved, do not succumb to sorrow in this way. As Kshatriyas, we must use weapons to live and to die. Those who have chosen the life of arms and enter war with the intention of staying put always have death close by. Warriors need to always be prepared to die young.
Even as a young lad, Abhimanyu has reached the triumphant heights that battle-weary warriors desire to scale. In fact, all kshatriyas are required to strive towards Abhimanyu’s objective, which they all highly want. Your brothers and other rulers will lose heart if you succumb to sadness in such an excessive way. Instead of crying, encourage them to have bravery and fortitude.”
When Dhananjaya asked for the complete account of his valiant son’s demise, Yudhishthira narrated it as follows: “Abhimanyu was prompted by me to approach the enemy’s formation. He was the only one among us, in my opinion, who could pull it off. “Make your way inside the lotus array, and we’ll be right behind you,” was said.
“Your father and uncle will be grateful for this wonderful gesture you did,” I replied. “The young hero followed instructions, shattered the formidable formation, and entered. As planned, we followed behind him.”
“But at that precise moment, the evil Jayadratha arrived and successfully halted us. We were unable to follow Abhimanyu because he immediately closed up the opening in the formation. We were kept out by the Sindhu, and when they did it, Oh, shame on Kshatriyas! He was surrounded by a group of valiant soldiers who killed him after isolating him.”
Arjuna was once again overcome with sorrow at hearing the entire tale, and he collapsed to the ground in a faint.
After he had recovered, he swore: “I’m going to kill this Jayadratha who killed my kid before the sun sets tomorrow. These acharyas will likewise be defeated and killed if Drona and Kripa stand between him and me.” He then twitched the Gandiva string while saying this, causing Krishna to blow the Panchajanya.
Bhima then added: “To the sons of Dhritarashtra, this twang of Arjuna’s bow and this blare of Krishna’s conch shall be the call of Death!”
Keep Mahabharat Book at Home and Read Daily – DO NOT FALL TO FAKE PROPAGANDA and Allow Enemies to Weaken our Dharma and Bharat
This historical epic Mahabharat is known as fifth Veda. It is a common misconception spread by mlecchas; muslims and christian missionaries, and secular Hindus that reading Mahabharat or keeping it at home will likely lead to arguments and fighting. All of this misinformation was spread by illiterate mlecchas and anti-Hindus, and it is completely incorrect. It is done to mentally weaken Hindus so that they avoid reading Mahabharat. Because Mahabharat invokes bravery, pride and sense of confidence in Hindus.
Keep a copy of Mahabharat at home and read it online at the HariBhakt website. Mahabharat is rightly called the fifth Veda for Kaliyuga people because it is a tool and guidance to invoke confidence and bravery in Sanatan Dharmi Hindus.
You can read complete Mahabharat by following Chapter links given below. You can check Glossary of Mahabharat here.
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