5 arrows: Bhishma and Duryodhana

A brief recap: 

Part 1: Duryodhana felt enraged as eight of his brothers were killed so far after the end of eighth day battle in Kurukshetra, while Kauravas were not even close to capturing Pandavas. His provoking accusation leads Bhishma to take a vow to kill all the Pandavas before next dusk with five golden arrows on which he had imbued his life’s penance.

Part 2: Krishna summoned Arjuna and explained to him about Bhishma's vow with 5 arrows. Not knowing what to do, Arjuna begged Krishna to suggest Pandavas a way out. Krishna asked Arjuna to visit Duryodhana's tent and ask for the 5 arrows.

Part 3: Overwhelmed by Arjuna's presence in his tent, Duryodhana offered Arjuna to ask whatever he wants, not knowing his clever ploy. Counting his lucky stars for this volunteer offer, Arjuna asked Duryodhana for those 5 golden arrows.

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Every new day begins with a sunrise. After a day-long struggle, every living being on Earth goes to sleep with a hope that the modern-day beckons them with a new beginning. The first ray of the sun is significant. One who sees the first ray of Sun is blessed to see a new hope and begin his day on a positive note. Often, a layer of cloud obscures the view changing expectation to despair. A layer of cloud, in the form of 5 arrows, had covered the aspect of Bhishma. Ever since he gave the 5 golden arrows to Duryodhana, Bhishma could not be at peace with himself. 

"How could I do this? How did I allow myself to be provoked by Duryodhana? I should have handled the situation in a better way. What more am I going to do to fulfill my vow? Dear God! What have I done to face this situation? Please answer me", he let out a silent prayer.

With a heavy heart, he donned the attire of commander-in-chief. Every passing minute felt like an arrow piercing through his body. Letting out a long sigh of despair, he left his tent and marched towards Duryodhana's place.

"My dear Duryodhana, to make you happy, I imbibed my lifelong penance on five golden arrows and have it in your possession. I am pretty sure you must have rejoiced your night with the assurance that the five Pandavas will be killed in the battlefield today with those arrows. It is now time to fulfill my vow and satisfy your desire. Bring me those five arrows.", he commanded.

The grief-stricken Duryodhana walked sluggishly towards Bhishma and said in an inaudible voice, "Dear Pitamah, those 5 golden arrows are no longer in my possession".

"What happened Duryodhana? You look troubled. Tell me what happened to those 5 golden arrows? Did someone steal from your tent? How dare!  I will soon find the thief and behead him in front of your eyes. Do not worry."

"No, my dear great-grandfather. Nobody stole those 5 arrows from me."

"What happened then?"

"Last night, Arjuna came to my tent after you left. Overwhelmed by his presence, I immediately offered him to ask whatever he wants, not knowing his clever ploy. He asked for those 5 arrows. I did not have a choice!"

"Unbelievable! How did Arjuna know about those 5 arrows?", Bhishma asked far-fetched.

"I have no idea Pitamah. But I do believe that cowherd Krishna must be behind all this."

Hearing this, Bhishma's face was distorted with rage. "How dare that Krishna tricked you into breaking my vow? To fulfill my vow is my dharma. People call me Bhishma for that very reason! In today's battlefield, I will break Krishna's vow!", he thundered.

What was Krishna's vow? Did Bhishma succeed in breaking Krishna's promise? What happened next? The final part of this five-part series will bring the closure.

Ahalya

Overnight mist blanketed the sky over river Ganges. Soon, the first rays of the rising sun would melt them and make way for a clear morning sky. Gautama arrived at the riverbank, disrobed himself, jumped into the river and took a bath. The ice-cold water on his naked body woke each and every cell, made him feel rejuvenated.

It is during twilight that Gautama would take a bath in river Ganges and perform his morning rituals, followed by offering prayers to the Sun God. He would chant the mantra to Sun God, requesting him to help remove his ignorance and fill his mind with the light of knowledge.

But on that particular day, the Sun God did not appear to accept his offering. Foggy night obscured the view of the moon-lit sky. Deep darkness prevailed everywhere, including his mind.

"Why am I feeling different today?", he asked the question to himself. He could not continue with his daily ritual. Something was bothering him.

"I must find out what is going on with me," he said with determination. He stopped his rituals mid-way, walked home deeply contemplating on his thoughts. He lost control of his mind, and in turn, his senses. A sudden feeling of sexual urge pervaded him. Every part of his body longed to have sex with a beautiful girl.

"If thinking about sex gives me so much pleasure, how would I feel if I actually have it?", his mind asked lustily. He knew the answer.

"Having sex would give me the same feeling as being crowned as king of heaven[1]. But what about my penance?", he engaged his mind with the conversation.

"Don't you want to enjoy all that the materialistic world has to offer?"

"I am a sage. I had renounced everything, and I am living a detached life in a small hut deep inside this forest. Of what use is the worldly enjoyment to me?"

"You had lived your entire life as an A-halya[2]. Now you deserve to have sex and feel what it is like to be the king of heaven", his mind lured him with pleasing words.

He almost gave up arguing with his mind. "Maybe my mind is correct. I have not had sex with a woman in my entire life. Don't I deserve to experience sex at least once?" he asked himself.

Years of penance had taught him how to deal with an open mind. Soon, like the mist exposed to the first ray of sun, the darkness that prevailed in his mind also disappeared.

"How could I even think of having materialistic enjoyment?", he asked himself disbelieving he allowed his mind to lure him. "I deserve to be punished."

He could neither curse A-halya nor the thought of becoming king of heaven!

"Dear Ram, the noblest of all noblemen in this world, please forgive me for my sinful thoughts. Make my mind numb like a stone, that which cannot have any feelings", he prayed to Lord Ram. "I surrender unto your Lotus feet. Please have mercy on me and take complete control of myself".

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[1] Lord Indra.

[2] A-halya means un-plowed, which can also mean a virgin.

5 arrows: Arjuna and Duryodhana

A brief recap from Part 1: Duryodhana felt enraged as eight of his brothers were killed so far after the end of eighth day battle in Kurukshetra, while Kauravas were not even close to capturing Pandavas. His provoking accusation leads Bhishma to take a vow to kill all the Pandavas before next dusk with five golden arrows on which he had imbued his life’s penance.

Part 2: Krishna summoned Arjuna and explained to him about Bhishma's vow with 5 arrows. Not knowing what to do, Arjuna begged Krishna to suggest Pandavas a way out. Krishna asked Arjuna to visit Duryodhana's tent and ask for the 5 arrows.

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“Welcome my dear Arjuna! What a pleasant surprise? Have you come here to accept the defeat of Pandavas? Did your elder brother Yudhistra send you here with a deal to surrender?”, Duryodhana continued to direct all the questions towards Arjuna.

Unsure of where to start, Arjuna was measuring his pace and said, “First let me in my dear brother, won't you?”

“Of course! Do come in. I shall fight with you only on the battlefield. Be my guest here. After all, you had saved my life when I was fighting with Chitrasena”. Duryodhana recollected the incident that happened just before the beginning of the Kurukshetra war. I feel happy to receive you here in my tent in the middle of this historic battle. Ask me whatever you want. I, Duryodhana, will fulfill your wish”, he continued.

Hearing those words, Arjuna clearly understood Krishna's plan. “I must admit that I was thinking about every possible way to avoid conflicts that may arise due to my visit here. But you surprised me by recollecting the fight between Chitrasena and myself, whom your own close friend and a mighty warrior, Karna, could not defeat. I have indeed come here to ask you for a favor. How magnanimous of you to offer me a wish even before I asked!” Arjuna replied in the same length.

“What is it that you want Arjuna? Feel free to ask me whatever you want. Do you want a small kingdom for yourself? I shall certainly give it to you, now that you have entered my tent with open hands”.

“Thank you, my dear brother, for such a generous offer. But no, thank you. I do not want any kingdom for myself, nor am I going to ask you the same for my brothers. I have come here to ask you the 5 arrows which our great grandfather Bhishma had given it to you”.

“But, how did you even know about those 5 arrows?”, Duryodhana stammered. “Certainly, I shall not give those arrows to you. Those five arrows are meant to kill each one of your brothers including yourself tomorrow on the battlefield”.

"You cannot go back on your own words, Duryodhana. It does not befit your status”, Arjuna hits Duryodhana where it hurts, his ego.

Holding a deep grudge, Duryodhana handed over the 5 golden arrows which were earmarked to kill the Pandavas and win the war the next day.

Did Duryodhana craft his own defeat in the battle? Was Pitamah Bhishma happy with this sudden change of events? More mysteries will be unfolded in next parts of the series.