Danavas assure the despondent Duryodhana
Duryodhana’s Prayopavesh
Dismissed by the king Yudhishthira, Suyodhana, bending his head down in shame and afflicted with grief and melancholy, set out slowly. The king, accompanied by his four kinds of forces, proceeded towards his city, his heart rent in grief and filled with thoughts of his defeat, along the way in a region that abounded in grass and water. The king encamped on a delightful piece of ground as pleased him best, with his elephants and cars and cavalry and infantry stationed all around.
As the king Duryodhana was seated on an elevated bedstead endued with the effulgence of fire, himself looking like the moon under an eclipse, towards the small hours of the morning Karna, approaching him, said,
“Fortunate it is, O son of Gandhari, that you are alive! Fortunate it is, that we have once more met! By good luck it is that you have vanquished the Gandharvas capable of assuming any form at will. It is by good luck alone, that I am enabled to see your brothers, mighty warriors all, come off victorious from that encounter, having subjugated their foes! As regards myself, assailed by all the Gandharvas, I fled before your eyes, unable to rally our flying host. Assailed by the foe with all his might, my body mangled with their arrows, I sought safety in flight. This however, seemed to me to be a great marvel that I see you all come safe and sound in body, with your wives, troops, and vehicles, out of that super-human encounter. There is no other man in this world who can achieve what you have achieved in battle to-day with your brothers."
Thus addressed by Karna, king Duryodhana replied unto the ruler of the Angas in a voice choked with tears. Duryodhana said,
“O Radheya! You do know not what has happened. Therefore, I do not resent your words. You think that the hostile Gandharvas have been vanquished by me with my own energy. My brothers aided by me fought with the Gandharvas. The slaughtered, indeed, on both sides were great. But when those brave Gandharvas, resorting to their many powers of illusion, ascended the skies and began to fight with us then onwards, our encounter with them ceased to be an equal one. Defeat then was ours and even captivity. Afflicted with sorrow, we along with our attendants and counsellors and children and wives and troops and vehicles were taken by them through the skies. It was then that some soldiers of ours and some brave officers repaired in grief unto the sons of Pandu, those heroes that never refuse succour to those that ask for it. Having gone to them they said, “Here is king Duryodhana, who with his younger brothers and friends and wives is being led away a captive by the Gandharvas along the sky. Blessed be you. Liberate the king along with the women of the royal household! Suffer no insult to be offered unto all the ladies of the Kuru race.” When they had spoken thus, the eldest of Pandu's sons, who is endued with a virtuous soul then conciliated his brothers and commanded them to liberate us. Then those bulls among men, the Pandavas, overtaking the Gandharvas, solicited our release in soft words, although fully able to effect it by force of arms. When the Gandharvas, addressed in such conciliatory words, refused to set us at liberty, then Arjuna and Bhima and the twins endued with mighty energy, shot showers of arrows at the Gandharvas. Then the Gandharvas, abandoning the fight, fled through the sky, dragging our melancholy selves after them, filled with joy. Then we saw a network of arrows spread all around by Arjuna, who was also shooting celestial weapons upon the foe. Seeing the points of the horizon covered by Arjuna with a thick network of sharp arrows, his friend, the chief of the Gandharvas, showed himself. Chitrasena and Arjuna, embracing each other, enquired after each other's welfare. The other sons of Pandu also embraced the chief of the Gandharvas and were embraced by him. Enquiries of courtesy passed between them also. The brave Gandharvas then abandoning their weapons and mail mingled in a friendly spirit with the Pandavas. Chitrasena and Arjuna worshipped each other with regard.”
Duryodhana continued:
“Arjuna, then approaching Chitrasena, smilingly addressed him in these manly words: “O hero, it suits you to set free my brothers. They are incapable of being insulted as long as the sons of Pandu are alive.” Thus addressed by the illustrious son of Pandu, the chief of the Gandharvas disclosed to the Pandavas the objective with which we had come to that place, viz., that we came there for casting our eyes on the sons of Pandu with their wife, all plunged in misery. While the Gandharva was disclosing those counsels of ours, overwhelmed with shame, I desired the earth to yield me a crevice, so that I might disappear there and then. The Gandharvas then, accompanied by the Pandavas, went to Yudhishthira, and, disclosing to him also the reasons of our coming there, made us over, bound as we were, to him. What greater sorrow could be mine than that I should thus be offered as a tribute to Yudhishthira, in the very sight of the women of our household, myself in chains and plunged in misery, and under the absolute control of my enemies. They, who have always been persecuted by me, they to whom I have always been a foe released me from captivity, and wretch that I am, I am indebted to them for my life. If I had met with my death in that great battle, that would have been far better than that I should have obtained my life in this way. If I had been slain by the Gandharvas, my fame would have spread over the whole earth, and I should have obtained auspicious regions of eternal bliss in the heaven of Indra. Listen to me, therefore, as to what I intend to do now. I will stay here forgoing all food, while you all return home. Let all my brothers also go to Hastinapura. Let all our friends, including Karna, and all our relatives headed by Duhshasana, return now to the capital. Insulted by the foe, I myself will not return there. I who had before received from the foe his respect, I who had always enchanced the respect of my friends, have now become a source of sorrow to friends and of joy to enemies. What shall I now say to the king, going to Hastinapur? What will Bhishma and Drona, Kripa, and Drona's son, Vidura and Sanjaya, Bahlika and Somadatta and other revered seniors, - what will the principal men of the other orders and men of independent professions, say to me and what shall I say to them in reply? Having hitherto stayed over the heads of my enemies, having hitherto trod upon their breasts, I have fallen away from my position. How shall I ever speak with them? Insolent men having obtained prosperity and knowledge and affluence, are seldom blessed for any length of time like myself puffed up with vanity. Alas! Led by folly I have done a highly improper and wicked act, for which, fool that I am, I have fallen into such distress. Therefore, I will perish by starving, life having become insupportable to me. Relieved from distress by the foe, what man of spirit is there who can drag on his existence? Proud as I am, shorn of manliness, the foe has laughed at me, for the Pandavas possessed of prowess have looked at me plunged in misery!"
While giving way to such reflections Duryodhana spoke unto Duhshasana thus:
“O Duhshasana! Listen to these words of mine! Accepting this installation that I offer you, be the king in my place. Rule the wide earth protected by Karna and Subala's sons. Like Indra himself looking after the Maruts, cherish your brothers in such a way that they may all confide in you. Let the friends and relatives depend on you like the gods depending on him of a hundred sacrifices. Always should you bestow pensions on Brahmanas, without idleness, and be you ever the refuge of your friends and relatives. Like Vishnu looking after the celestials, you should always look after all consanguineous relatives. You should also ever cherish your superiors. Go, rule you the earth gladdening your friends and reproving your foes.”
And clasping his neck, Duryodhana said, “Go!”
Hearing these words of his, Duhshasana in perfect cheerlessness and overwhelmed with great sorrow, his voice choked in tears, said, with joined hands and bending his head unto his eldest brother, “Relent!” Saying this he fell down on earth with heavy heart. Afflicted with grief, that tiger among men, shedding his tears on the feet of his brother again said,
“This will never be! The earth may split, the vault of heaven may break in pieces, the sun may cast off his splendour, the moon may abandon his coolness, the wind may forsake its speed, the Himavat may be moved from its site, the waters of the ocean may dry up, and fire may abandon its heat, yet I, O king! may never rule the earth without you.”
And Duhshasana repeatedly said, “Relent, O king! You alone shall be king in our race for a hundred years.” Having spoken thus unto the king, Duhshasana began to weep melodiously catching the feet of his eldest brother deserving of worship from him.
Beholding Duhshasana and Duryodhana thus weeping, Karna in great grief approached them both and said,
“You, Kuru princes! why do you thus yield to sorrow like ordinary men, from senselessness? Mere weeping can never ease a sorrowing man's grief. When weeping can never remove one's griefs, what do you gain by thus giving way to sorrow? Summon patience to your aid! Do not gladden the foe by such conduct. O king! The Pandavas only did their duty in liberating you. Those who reside in the dominions of the king, should always do what is agreeable to the king. Protected by you, the Pandavas are residing happily in your dominion. It befits you not to indulge in such sorrow like an ordinary person. See! Your uterine brothers are all sad and cheerless at seeing you resolved to put an end to your life by forgoing food. Blessed be you! Rise up and come to your city and console these your uterine brothers."
Karna continued,
“O king! This conduct of yours to-day appears to be childish. What is to be wondered at, in this that the Pandavas liberated you when you were vanquished by the foe? Those that reside in the territories of the king, especially those amongst them that lead the profession of arms, should always do what is agreeable to the king whether they happen to be known to their monarch or unknown to him. It happened often that foremost men who crush the ranks of the hostile host, are vanquished by them, and are rescued by their own troops. They that leading the profession of arms, reside in the king's realm should always combine and exert themselves to the best of their power, for the king. If, therefore, the Pandavas, who live in the territories, have liberated you, what is there to be regretted at in this? That the Pandavas did not follow you when you did march forth to battle at the head of your troops, has been an improper act on their part. They had before this come under your power, becoming your slaves. They are, therefore, bound to aid you now, being endued with courage and might and incapable of turning away from the field of battle. You are enjoying all the rich possessions of the Pandavas. Behold them yet alive! They have not resolved to die, forgoing all food. Blessed be you! Rise up, O king! It befits you not to indulge in great sorrow long. It is the certain duty of those that reside in the king's realm to do what is agreeable to the king. Where should the regret be in all this? If you do not act according to my words I shall stay here employed in reverentially serving your feet. I do not desire to live deprived of your company. If you resolve to slay yourself by forgoing food, you will simply be an object of laughter with other kings."
Thus addressed by Karna, king Duryodhana, firmly resolved to leave the world, desired not to rise from where he sat.
Beholding king Duryodhana, incapable of putting up with an insult, seated with the resolution of giving up life by forgoing food, Shakuni said these words to comfort him.
Shakuni said,
“O son of the Kuru race! You have just heard what Karna said. His words are, indeed fraught with wisdom. Why would you abandoning, from foolishness, the high prosperity that I won for you, cast off your life today yielding to silliness? It seems to me to-day that you have never waited upon the old. He that cannot control sudden accession of joy or grief, is lost even though he may have obtained prosperity, like an unburnt earthen vessel in water. That king who is entirely destitute of courage, who has no spark of manliness, who is the slave of procrastination, who always acts with indiscretion, who is addicted to sensual pleasures, is seldom respected by his subjects. Benefited as you have been, whence is this unreasonable grief of yours? Do not undo this graceful act done by the sons of Pritha, by indulging in such grief. When you should joy and reward the Pandavas, you are grieving? Indeed, this behaviour of yours is inconsistent. Be cheerful, do not cast away your life; but remember with a pleased heart the good they have done you. Give back unto the sons of Pritha their kingdom, and win both virtue and renown by such conduct. By acting in this way, you may be grateful. Establish brotherly relations with the Pandavas by being friends, and give them their paternal kingdom, for then you will be happy!”
Hearing these words of Shakuni, and seeing the brave Duhshasana lying prostrate before him unmanned by fraternal love, the king raised Duhshasana and, clasping him in his well round arms, smelt his head from affection. Hearing these words of Karna and Saubala, king Duryodhana lost heart more than ever, and he was overwhelmed with shame and utter despair overtook his soul. Hearing all that his friends said, he answered with sorrow,
“I have nothing more to do with virtue, wealth, friendship, affluence, sovereignty, and enjoyments. Do not obstruct my purpose, but leave me all of you. I am firmly resolved to cast away my life by forgoing food. Return to the city, and treat my superiors there respectfully.”
Thus addressed by him, they replied to that royal grinder of foes, saying, “O monarch! The course that you take, is ours too. How can we enter the city without you?”
Though addressed in all manner of ways by his friends and counsellors and brothers and relatives, the king did not waver from his purpose. The son of Dhritarashtra, in accordance with his purpose, spread Kusha grass on the earth, and purifying himself by touching water, sat down upon that spot. Clad in rags and Kusha grass, he set himself to observe the highest vow. Stopping all speech, that tiger among kings, moved by the desire of going to heaven, began to pray and worship internally suspending all external intercourse.
The Danavas stop Duryodhana from Prayopavesh and give assurances
Meanwhile the fierce Daityas and the Danavas who had been defeated long ago by the celestials and had been dwelling in the nether regions, having ascertained Duryodhana's purpose and knowing that if the king died, their party would be weakened, commenced a sacrifice with fire for summoning Duryodhana to their presence. Mantra knowing persons then commenced with the help of formulae declared by Brihaspati and Ushanas, those rites that are indicated in the Atharva Veda and the Upanishads and which are capable of being achieved by mantras and prayers. Brahmins of rigid vows, well-versed in the Vedas and the branches, began, with rapt soul, to pour libations of clarified butter and milk into the fire, uttering mantras. After those rites were ended, a strange goddess, with mouth wide open, arose from the sacrificial fire, saying, “What am I to do?”
The Daityas with well-pleased hearts, commanded her, saying, “Bring you here the royal son of Dhritarashtra, who is even now observing the vow of starvation for getting rid of his life.” Thus commanded, she went away saying, “So be it.”
She went in the twinkling of an eye to that spot where Suyodhana was. Taking up the king back to the nether regions, and having brought him thus in a moment, she apprised the Danavas of it. The Danavas beholding the king brought into their midst in the night, united together, and all of them with well-pleased hearts and eyes expanded in delight addressed these flattering words to Duryodhana.
The Danavas said,
“O Suyodhana! You are ever surrounded by heroes and illustrious men. Why have you, then, undertaken to do such a rash act as the vow of starvation? The suicide ever sinks into hell and becomes the subject of calumnious speech. Nor do intelligent persons like you ever set their hands to acts that are sinful and opposed to their best interests and striking at the very root of their purposes. Restrain this resolve of yours, therefore, which is destructive of morality, profit, and happiness, of fame, prowess, and energy, and which enhancs the joy of foes. Know the truth, the celestial origin of your soul, and the maker of your body, and then summon patience to your aid. In days of old, we obtained you, by ascetic austerities from Maheswara. The upper part of your body is wholly made of an assemblage of Vajras, and is, therefore, invulnerable to weapons of every description. The lower part of your body, capable of captivating the female heart by its comeliness was made of flowers by the goddess herself, the wife of Mahadeva. Your body is thus, the creation of Maheswara himself and his goddess. Therefore, you are of celestial origin, not human.
Other brave Kshatriyas of mighty energy headed by Bhagadatta, and all acquainted with celestial weapons, will slay your foes. Therefore, let this grief of yours cease. You have no cause for fear. For aiding you, many heroic Danavas have been born on the earth. Other Asuras will also possess Bhishma and Drona and Kama and others. Possessed by those Asuras, these heroes will cast away their kindness and fight with your foes. Indeed, when the Danavas will enter their heart and possess them completely, flinging all affections to a distance, becoming hard-hearted, these warriors will strike every body opposed to them in battle without sparing sons, brothers, fathers, friends, disciples, relatives, even children and old men. Blinded by ignorance and wrath, and impelled by that destiny which has been ordained by the Creator, these tigers among men, with hearts steeped in sin, will depopulate the earth by hurling and shooting all kinds of weapons, with great manliness and strength and always addressing one another boastfully with words such as these, “You shall not escape from me today with life.”
These illustrious sons of Pandu also, five in number, will fight with these. Endued with mighty strength and favoured by Fate, they will compass the destruction of these. Many Daityas and Rakshasas that have been born in the Kshatriya order, will fight with great prowess in the battle with your foes, using maces and clubs and lances and various weapons of a superior kind. With respect to the fear that is in your heart rising from Arjuna, we have already settled the means for slaying Arjuna. The soul of the slain Naraka has assumed the form of Karna. Recollecting his former hostility he will encounter both Krishna and Arjuna. That mighty warrior and foremost of smiters, proud of his prowess will vanquish Arjuna in battle as also all your enemies. The wielder of the thunder-bolt, knowing all this, and desirous of saving Arjuna, will in disguise take away from Karna his ear-rings and coat of mail. We also have for that reason appointed hundreds upon hundreds and thousands upon thousands of Daityas and Rakshasas, viz., those that are known by the name of Samshaptakas. These celebrated warriors will slay the heroic Arjuna.
Therefore, grieve not, O king! You will rule the whole earth without a rival. Do not yield to despondency. Conduct such as this does not suit you. If you die, our party becomes weak. Go and don’t let your mind be directed to any other course of action. You are ever our refuge as, indeed, the Pandavas are the refuge of the gods.”
Having addressed him thus, those Daityas embraced that elephant among kings, and those bulls among the Danavas cheered that irrepressible one like a son. Pacifying his mind by soft speech, they permitted him to depart, saying, “Go and attain victory!” When they had given leave to the mighty-armed one, that very goddess carried him back to the spot where he had sat down, intent upon putting an end to his life. Having set that hero down and paid him homage, the goddess vanished, taking the king's permission. When she had gone, king Duryodhana considered all that had happened as a dream. He then thought within himself, “I shall defeat the Pandavas in battle.” Suyodhana thought that Karna and the Samshaptaka army were both able to destroy and intent upon destroying that slayer of foes, Partha. Thus, the hope was strengthened of the wicked minded son of Dhritarashtra, of conquering the Pandavas.
Karna also, his soul and faculties possessed by the inmost soul of Naraka, had at that time cruelly determined to slay Arjuna. Those heroes – the Samsaptakas also, having their sense possessed by the Rakshasas, and influenced by the qualities of emotion and darkness, were desirous of slaying Arjuna. Others with Bhishma, Drona, and Kripa at their head, having their faculties influenced by the Danavas, were not so affectionate towards the sons of Pandu as they had been. But king Suyodhana did not tell any one of this.
When the night passed away, Karna, that offspring of the Sun, with joined hands, smilingly addressed these wise words to king Duryodhana,
“No dead man conquers his foes: it is when he is alive that he can see his good. Where is the good of the dead person; and, O Kauraveya! where is his victory? Therefore, this is no time for grief, or fear or death.”
Having, with his arms embraced that mighty-armed one, he further said,
“Rise up, O king! Why do you lie down? Why do you grieve? Having afflicted your enemies by your prowess, why do you wish for death? Or perhaps fear has possessed you at the sight of Arjuna's prowess. I truly promise unto you that I will slay Arjuna in battle. I swear by my weapon that when the three and ten years shall have passed away, I will bring the sons of Pritha under your subjection.”
Thus addressed by Karna, and remembering the words of the Daityas and supplications made by them his brothers, Suyodhana rose up. Having heard those words of the Daityas that tiger among men, with a firm resolve in his heart arrayed his army, abounding in horses and elephants and cars and infantry. Immensely swarming with white umbrellas, and pennons, and white Chamaras, and cars, and elephants, and foot-soldiers, that mighty army, as it moved like the waters of the Ganga, looked graceful like the firmament, at a season when the clouds have dispersed and the signs of autumn have been but partially developed. Eulogised like a monarch by the best of the Brahmanas blessing with victory, that lord of men Suyodhana, receiving honours paid with innumerable joined palms, and flaming in exceeding splendour, went in the front, accompanied by Karna, and that gambler, the son of Subala. All his brothers with Duhshasana at their head, and Bhurishrava, and Somadatta, and the mighty king Bahlika, followed that lion among kings on his way, with cars of various forms, and horses, and the best of elephants. In a short time, those perpetrators of the Kuru race entered their own city.
