Indian Myth and LegendMackenzie, Donald A. (Donald Alexander)
History
Indian Myth and Legend
Mackenzie, Donald A. (Donald Alexander)
Hindu mythology; Legends -- India
When it was told to Arjuna that his son was slain, the mighty warrior
wept silently and lay upon the ground. At length he leapt up and
cried: “May the curse of a father and the vengeance of a warrior
smite the murderers of my boy!... May I never reach heaven if I do
not slay Jayadratha on the morrow....” A spy hastened to the camp of
the Kauravas and told of the vow which Arjuna had taken. Jayadratha
trembled with fear.
Early next morning Arjuna spake to Krishna, saying: “Drive swiftly, for
this will be a day of great slaughter.” He desired to find Jayadratha;
with him went Bhima and Satyaki. Many warriors engaged them in battle,
for the Kauravas hoped to contrive that the sun should go down ere
Arjuna could fulfil his terrible vow.
Mounted on an elephant, Duhsasana opposed Arjuna; but the lordly
tusker took flight when the rattling chariot drew nigh. Drona blocked
the way; but Arjuna refused combat, saying: “Thou art as a father
unto me.... Let me find the slayer of my son....” He passed on. Then
Duryodhana came up and engaged him. Karna fought with Bhima, and
Bhurisrava attacked Satyaki. Long waged the bitter conflicts, and at
length Krishna perceived that his kinsman was about to be slain. He
called to Arjuna, who cast a celestial weapon at Bhurisrava, which cut
off both his arms; then Satyaki slew him. Many warriors confronted
Arjuna thereafter, and many fell. But the day wore on and evening drew
nigh, and he could not find Jayadratha. At length Arjuna bade Krishna
to drive furiously onward, and to pause not until he found the slayer
of his son. The chariot sped like to a whirlwind, until at length
Arjuna beheld the evil-hearted Jayadratha; he was guarded by Karna and
five great warriors, and at that time the sun had begun to set.
Karna leapt forward and engaged Arjuna; but Krishna, by reason of his
divine power, caused a dark cloud to obscure the sun, whereupon all
men believed that night had fallen. Karna at once withdrew; but Arjuna
drove on, and as the sun shot forth its last ray of dazzling light, he
dashed upon Jayadratha as a falcon swoops down upon its prey. Brief
was the struggle, for ere daylight faded utterly, Arjuna overthrew
the slayer of his son and cut off his head. Bhima uttered a roar of
triumph when he saw the head of Jayadratha held aloft, and the Kauravas
sorrowed greatly because that their wicked design had been thwarted.
Night fell, but the fighting was renewed. In the darkness and confusion
men slew their kinsmen, fathers cut down their sons, and brothers
fought against brothers. Yudhishthira sent men with torches to light up
the blood-red plain, and the battle was waged for many hours. Swords
were splintered and spears were lost, and warriors threw great boulders
and chariot wheels against one another. All men were maddened with the
thirst for blood, and the night was filled with horrors.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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