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.
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