Chapter 87 Karna Honoured Promise Given to Kunti
As soon as Dhritarashtra learned that his sons had been killed and that Karna had been paid, he was devastated. “My sons are perishing, Sanjaya, like moths to the flames. The boys Durmukha and Durjaya met their end at the hands of the obstinate Duryodhana. I’ve sadly lost track of these lads!”
The idiot king declared: “Karna, unsurpassed among men for bravery and battle success, is on our side. Therefore, who can defeat us? When Karna is on my side, not even the gods can defeat me. What could these Pandavas possibly do to me? But since then, he has witnessed Karna fleeing from Bhimasena’s onslaught. Has he at least now recognised wisdom? Sadly, Sanjaya, my son has earned the ferocious hate of Vayu’s son Bhima, who possesses the power of the god of death. We really are in ruin!”
Sanjaya answered: “O king, were you not the one who, after hearing what your stupid and obstinate son said, caused this insatiable hatred? This bigger catastrophe must be linked to you, in fact. You are currently reaping the benefits of disregarding Bhishma’s and the other elders’ recommendations. You are to blame, king. Don’t hold Karna and the valiant soldiers accountable; they gave it their all in combat.”
Sanjaya then told the blind king what had transpired after reprimanding him in this manner. When they witnessed Karna being chased away by Bhima, the five Dhritarashtra sons Durmarsha, Dussaha, Durmata, Durdhara, and Jaya immediately rushed on the latter.
Karna was encouraged when he observed this and turned around to continue his assault.
Bhimasena first paid Karna more attention than the sons of Dhritarashtra. However, they escalated their violence to the point that Bhima became enraged and turned his attention to them, slaying all five of them. Along with their horses and charioteers, they were all lying dead on the field.
A grove of trees, uprooted by a violent wind and laying flat on the ground with their lovely red flowers, appeared to be the young soldiers with their bleeding wounds.
Karna battled grimly than ever before as he witnessed another group of princes being killed for his benefit. As a result of all the harm that Karna had caused the Pandavas, Bhima was also more aggressive than usual. He utterly disarmed Karna with his bow. His charioteer and horses were also killed. At this point, Karna sprung from his chariot and threw Bhima with his mace. However, Bhima fended it off with arrows from his strong bow, doused Karna in arrows, and made him to turn around and go on foot.
As he saw this battle, Duryodhana was deeply saddened and dispatched seven of his brothers to relieve Radheya: Chitra, Upachitra, Chitraksha, Charuchitra, Sarasana, Chitrayudha, and Chitravarman. They engaged Bhima in combat with great aplomb and ability. but they all perished one after another as a result of Bhima’s relentless onslaught and inflamed fury.
Karna’s face was moist with tears as he watched so many of Dhritarashtra’s sons give their lives in his service. He then mounted a new chariot and started to assault Bhima with lethal might. Like clouds in a rainstorm, the two warriors exchanged blows. As they witnessed Bhima battling, Kesava, Satyaki, and Arjuna were overcome with admiration and happiness.
Astonished at the manner Bhima fought, Bhurisravas, Kripacharya, Aswatthama, Salya, Jayadratha, and several other soldiers in the Kaurava army likewise exclaimed.
Duryodhana was enraged and felt like he had been stung to the core. Karna’s situation made him quite anxious. He despatched seven more of his brothers, telling them to encircle Bhima and attack him simultaneously because of concern that Bhima would kill Radheya that day. Bhima was assaulted by the seven brothers despatched by Duryodhana. But they all succumbed to his arrows, dying one by one. The final person to die, Vikarna, was everyone’s favourite.
After a valiant struggle, Bhima watched him collapse to the ground and was inspired to utter the following: “But Vikarna, you were righteous and conscious of dharma. You carried out your responsibility to fight honourably. Even you had to die for me. Indeed, having to slay men like you and the grandsire Bhishma in this conflict is a punishment upon us.”
Karna was devastated with grief when he witnessed Duryodhana’s brothers, who had come to aid him, being killed one after another in this manner. He closed his eyes and leaned back on his chariot seat because he could not take what he saw. After regaining emotional control, he hardened his heart and resumed his onslaught on Bhima. Bhimasena’s shaft dismantled bow after bow, yet Karna continued the conflict. He had to pick up a new bow 18 times. Karna had lost his grin a long time ago, and both he and Bhima could see the ferocious rage on their faces. They were now squabbling while exchanging vicious glares.
Now when Bhima’s yell could be heard over the din of combat, Yudhishthira was encouraged and attacked Drona with more ferocity.
Bhima lost his horses and charioteer in the furious conflict that erupted between him and Karna once more. His chariot was soon destroyed as well. Then, when Karna, who was riding in his chariot, parried the spear with his shaft, Bhima advanced with his sword and shield.
Karna, however, instantly destroyed the shield with his arrows. Then, Bhima spun and threw his sword, which split Karna’s bow in two and hit the ground. But Karna picked up another bow and launched a ferocious new arrow attack on Bhima.
In a frenzy of irrational wrath, Bhima attacked Karna. Radheya hid behind his flagstaff to prevent being destroyed. After then, Bhima sprang out of Karna’s vehicle and into the battlefield. Lacking any weapons, he utilised the dead elephants that were lying there to shield himself from Karna’s arrows and carried on with the battle. He grabbed whatever he could get his hands on and threw it towards Karna, even the wheels of wrecked chariots and the limbs of horses and elephants that were lying around. But this was not sustainable for long, and Bhima soon found himself in a precarious position. Karna roared with joy, “Foolish glutton, why are you fighting here when you don’t understand the principles of war? Visit the forest, gorge yourself on fruits and roots, and gain weight. You are an animal, unfit for kshatriya combat. Step aside!” He insulted him and incited fury in the defenceless Bhima, but out of respect for Kunti, he refrained from murdering him.
“Now, Arjuna! Watch how Karna is harassing poor Bhima.” Krishna remarked.
When Dhananjaya witnessed the predicament of his brave brother, his eyes flared crimson with rage. Karna eagerly diverted his focus from Bhima to Arjuna when he bent his Gandiva bow and shot his arrows at him. He had promised Kunti that he would not kill more than one Pandava, and he left the choice up to the peerless Arjuna.
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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