Arjuna

by Anuja Chandramouli

  Arjuna’s single-minded determination to master the warlike arts has been seen on many occasions. But in his pursuit of excellence he could also display a ruthlessness that was dangerous as it spurred him to destroy any obstacle that stood in his way, even if it was made of flesh, blood, and had feelings.

  Ekalavya was the son of Hiranyadhanush, chief of the Nishada tribe. Archery was his great passion in life, and he aspired to reach great heights in this discipline. When he heard of Drona’s Gurukul, he was delighted and decided to ask the great Brahmin warrior to accept him as a pupil. When he arrived at the academy, the other princes were in the midst of a training session led by Drona. He watched with fascination and waited patiently for an opportune moment to make his request. When Drona ended his lessons and the princes had left, Ekalavya walked up to the preceptor and addressed him respectfully, ‘I am Ekalavya, of the Nishada tribe. Chief Hiranyadhanush is my father. Would you please accept me as your pupil?’

  Drona’s refusal was polite but firm, ‘I instruct only those of royal birth, therefore I cannot accept you.’

  Ekalavya pleaded with him but to no avail. As he made his way back with a heavy heart, his initial bitter disappointment turned to steely resolve.

  Ekalavya made a clay statue of Drona, and every day he would seek the blessing of the statue before commencing his archery practice. He would imagine Drona guiding him through the motions, correcting his mistakes, and urging him on to achieve perfection. Gradually, he became an expert archer, whom few could hope to defeat in single combat.

  It was around this time that the Kuru princes chose to go hunting. They released the dogs and gave themselves over to the chase. They heard a dog barking frantically and spurred their horses in that direction. Suddenly the barking stopped abruptly and the princes reined in their horses in surprise. The dog came into the clearing, its mouth filled with seven well placed arrows but unhurt in any other way. The princes were taken aback at this sight and wondered aloud about the identity of the mystery archer who seemed to be in a league of his own when it came to skill with the bow and arrow.

  The princes made their way to the clearing where Ekalavya was at practice. When questioned about his identity, the Nishada warrior replied, ‘I am Ekalavya, the son of chief Hiranyadhanush. My preceptor is none other than the great Dronacharya himself.’ On hearing these words, Arjuna turned and left at once, his heart blazing with blind jealousy and resentment.

  He went straight to his Guru and complained, ‘You promised to make me the best archer in the world! Today I met someone in the woods who seems to be a better archer. Imagine my surprise when he declared that you were his Guru. How could you betray me like this?’ Drona was perplexed and he asked Arjuna to take him to see the mystery archer.

  On reaching the clearing, Drona understood what had happened. Ekalavya was delighted to see his Guru and approached him with great reverence. He fell at his feet and sought his blessings. Drona was deeply touched despite himself. But Arjuna was almost as dear to him as his own son. Besides, he was the secret weapon he planned to unleash on King Drupada. Therefore he must be appeased at all costs.

  With a heavy heart he addressed the noble young man who stood before him eyes glittering with fervent devotion, ‘Are you willing to pay me my Gurudakshina?’

  ‘Everything I have is yours to claim, Guruji!’ the noble youth replied.

  Stamping out the stirrings of pity that rose unbidden, Drona said, ‘I want you to give me your right thumb as my Gurudakshina.’ Without a word, the righteous woodsman cheerfully severed his right thumb and handed it to Drona. Staunching the bleeding with a rag he went back to his practice, conscientious as ever. But alas, his fingers could no longer perform with their former brilliance. He would always be competent at his chosen discipline but he would no longer have the potential to achieve greatness. Satisfied, Arjuna and Drona left the maimed warrior, having deprived him of any chance for future glory.

  Despite, Drona’s less than honourable conduct in the matter, in Ekalavya’s eyes he remained noble and beyond reproach. However, the youth took a less charitable view of the role played by Arjuna in depriving him of his thumb. Hatred wormed its way into his hitherto kindly soul together with an ardent desire for revenge. Someday, he thought, he would prove to Drona that unlike Ekalavya himself, Arjuna was an unworthy pupil and then with Drona’s blessing he would kill him.

  5

  The Tournament

  Drona instructed the Kuru Princes in the science of arms and made mighty warriors of them all. When their education was complete, Drona went to the elders of the royal household. Having paid his respects, he said, ‘Great Lords, I have performed my duty to the best of my ability. The charges entrusted to me are now warriors in the truest sense of the term and at this moment they await your command to display all they have learned under my tutelage.’

  King Dhritarashtra, Bhishma, Vidura, Kripa and the other elders of the household, were pleased at Drona’s words. Dhritarashtra replied, ‘O Acharya, our debt to you is indeed great. Your words have made me very happy. My only regret is that I will not be able to watch this magnificent exhibition with my own eyes. I grant my permission to begin preparations for the tournament this very instant.’ Consequently, under Vidura’s expert supervision, a suitable location was selected and readied for the tournament.

  On the appointed day, people arrived in droves to witness the marvellous spectacle. Every member of the royal household had turned up. The excitement was palpable and spirits ran high. Drona, clad entirely in white, entered the arena, followed by his son, Ashwatthama. After he had performed the inauguration, the tournament began in earnest. The Princes trooped into the arena, delighting the audience with their displays on horses and chariots, their swordsmanship, and their proficiency in archery. The crowds roared their approval and screamed for more. They were treated to a contest between Bheema and Duryodhana with their maces. Spurred by their mutual hatred, the two rivals fought with an intensity that made the exhibition bout look like a no-holds-barred battle. The audience started rooting for their favourites and howled for blood. For a moment it appeared that the Princes would be more than happy to oblige. But Drona sent Ashwatthama to intervene before they succeeded in killing each other. Bheema and Duryodhana left the arena glaring at each other, knowing well that this grudge-match would never end while they both lived.

  Drona then called for silence and announced that Arjuna, the son of Pandu, would appear before them next. The masses were thrilled as they loved the valiant, young hero as their own and stories about his immense skill were already the stuff of legend. Arjuna did not disappoint them as he held them spellbound. Ever the showman, he put up a display designed to fire up the crowd and showcase his skills in conventional archery as well as with an array of celestial weapons. The applause was thunderous and Kunti’s eyes filled with tears as the special place Arjuna held in the hearts of the people became increasingly evident.

  Duryodhana watched in jealous rage, hoping against hope that the ground would open up and swallow Arjuna, keeping him interred in its fathomless depths forever.

  Just as the tournament was drawing to a close, everyone’s attention was drawn to the sound of mighty hands being clapped against each other in challenge. A magnificent youth stepped into the arena, clad in the celestial armour and ear-rings he had been born with. In scornful tones, he spoke to Arjuna, ‘You may think that you are the best but I am here to correct that mistaken premise of yours. I, Karna, can not only perform everything you just have but outperform you as well.’

  Drona reluctantly gave his permission to proceed. He had not reckoned with some stranger upstaging his star pupil. Karna was as good as his word and performed every feat Arjuna had before him. Duryodhana was elated and cheered wholeheartedly. His glee infuriated the Pandavas and they watched the newcomer with baleful eyes. Arjuna was furious that an unknown warrior had stolen his thunder and smarted under the humiliation.

  But Duryodhana went up to Karna a
nd hugging him to his bosom said, ‘Peerless warrior! You have earned my esteem and affection. It is truly fortunate that you have come into my life. I place myself and my kingdom entirely at your disposal.’

  Karna was heartened by this warm approbation, as it was the first time in his life he had received such treatment from the highborn. He replied, ‘Dear Prince, I seek but two things: your eternal friendship and single combat with Arjuna’. Duryodhana was only too pleased to indicate his assent to these demands.

  Arjuna watched the proceedings with supreme distaste and told his opponent, ‘It will give me great pleasure to destroy an upstart and braggart such as you and consign you to the doom you seem to be craving for.’

  Karna remained unperturbed by this harsh outburst and merely remarked with a careless air, ‘Your words, barbed as they are, can do me little damage. I hope for your sake that you have deadlier weapons than a pathetically ineffectual tongue at your disposal. Perhaps it would be wiser to let your arrows do the talking.’

  By this time, Arjuna’s rage had reached a murderous pitch. Without further ado and being scrupulously correct in his conduct, he prostrated himself at the feet of his guru, embraced his brothers, and then stood poised to fight. The arena became deathly still as the two antagonists stood ready to duel. There were flashes of lightning and thunder, and the skies darkened with storm clouds. Arjuna’s divine father, Indra, had arrived to show his support. Meanwhile, on Karna’s side, the clouds were split apart by Surya, the Sun God, and Karna stood bathed in golden rays. At that point, none other than Kunti was aware that Karna was the son of Surya and Kunti had conceived him while she was still unwed. But Kunti could not bear the cruel fate of first being compelled to part with her first­born and then witnessing the unfortunate young man become the sworn enemy of his own brother. She collapsed in a dead swoon.

  As the arch rivals took their positions, the venerable Kripa, acting as referee, stepped forward. He said to Karna, ‘Young man, you have just challenged Arjuna, the son of Pandu, a scion of the Kuru race. Before commencing the duel, it behoves you to enlighten us about your origins; then Arjuna may or may not choose to fight you as a Prince may deem it beneath him to duel with strangers or commoners.’ At these words, Karna’s face darkened; he lowered his head in shame as it seemed that no matter what he did or achieved, his lowly birth would forever be held against him.

  Seeing his new friend’s discomfiture, Duryodhana rushed to his rescue. ‘If the only thing that prevents him from engaging Arjuna in single combat is the lack of a kingdom, then it is easily remedied. I crown him as King of Anga.’ And, having obtained the permissions of Bhishma and King Dhritarashtra, Duryodhana placed his own crown on Karna’s brow before ceremoniously scattering rice grains and sprinkling water on his head.

  The entire crowd was up on its feet, praising the impetuous Prince for his magnanimity and kindness. Karna was overwhelmed and looked at his benefactor with profound gratitude. ‘I shall be in your debt forever as the kindness you have done me today can never be repaid in a million lifetimes.’

  Duryodhana shushed him with a benign smile and said, ‘I ask for nothing but your friendship in return.’ And in this manner, Duryodhana won himself a loyal friend and a powerful weapon against the Pandavas.

  At that moment, an old man hobbled into the arena. He was a charioteer named Adhiratha, a suta by caste and he seemed to be in the grip of some powerful emotion. When Karna saw him, he dropped his weapons and bowed before him. Adhiratha hugged his foster son in a tight embrace and shed tears of filial pride.

  Watching this poignant spectacle, Bheema, who had been feeling extremely ill-disposed to the person who had dared to upstage his beloved younger brother, roared with laughter and said spitefully, ‘So you are the son of a mere charioteer! A sutaputra! I am not in the least surprised. Lowly curs like you are not worthy of death at my brother’s hands or ruling a kingdom for that matter. Go pick up the reins in keeping with your station in life and particular talents!’

  Stung by these words, Karna trembled in abject shame and threw a despairing glance heavenward. Duryodhana sprang to his feet and retorted, ‘Bheema! This is exactly the sort of senseless prattle I’d expect from someone of your inferior intellect. It appears to me that there is some mystery surrounding his birth. His celestial armour and ear-rings mark him out as someone special. Be that as it may, there is little point in nitpicking about the origins of great men. Why even the birth of Kripacharya may be traced to a clump of reeds and Dronacharya’s to a household vessel. Questions may be asked about the births of our own fathers. And as for the Pandavas, everyone knows that the story of your births will hardly bear close scrutiny. I think Karna deserves to rule not only Anga but all the three worlds! And if anyone dares to cast slurs against him on account of his birth, he will have to answer to me and I will be pleased to give a fitting reply with my mace.’ So saying, Duryodhana placed his arm on Karna’s shoulder and led him away. The sun set on these tumultuous events and the crowds made their way home chattering about the marvellous things they had seen.

  It was a black day for the Pandavas. Duryodhana had managed to win over the masses on that particular day and made the five brothers look petty by comparison. Moreover, they had come to rely on Arjuna’s incredible skills to get them through rough spots and today they had run up against his equal. If this was not bad enough, the charismatic warrior had allied himself with their long­time enemies, the Kauravas.

  Yudhishthira was distraught. Arjuna said nothing to his troubled brothers but his initial fury had been replaced with a steely resolve and cold determination that had seen him overcome obstacles in the past. He promised himself that he would continue relentlessly in his quest for excellence and supremacy as a warrior and would keep his eyes open for the means to further hone his skills. He kept thinking dark thoughts about Karna, knowing intuitively that theirs was an enmity that would live until one of them had been destroyed by the other. Smiling grimly to himself, Arjuna envisioned the day he would crush his enemy. Little did he know then that he was thinking of taking the life of his own brother. He would find out one day, but only after he had translated his thought into action.

  6

  Sworn Rival

  Karna would prove a worthy adversary to Arjuna and was a persistent thorn in his side. Their’s was an epic struggle for supremacy and despite being evenly matched, only one could ultimately emerge the victor. The odds were stacked heavily against Karna from the start. One could be forgiven for assuming that lady luck was in a conspiracy against him. Arjuna, on the other hand, was fortune’s favourite child. Karna’s struggles against the trials and tribulations that fate presented, began from his birth, when he came into the world as the unwanted result of a young girl’s whimsical folly.

  Kunti had received the son-bearing mantra from Durvasa, and driven by the impulse of carefree youth, she felt tempted to try out her occult power immediately. The young girl looked out of her window and saw the sun shining gloriously down on her. In a moment of unthinking impetuosity, she decided to summon Surya to see if the mantra worked. To her consequent dismay, the Sun God did indeed appear before her, resplendent in his divine armour and ear-rings. The refulgent divinity, under the magic spell of Durvasa’s infallible hymn, looked at the beautiful young virgin before him and his eyes sparkled with desire.

  Terrified at the sight, Kunti pleaded with him, ‘Great Lord, please have mercy on a wretched, silly girl. I only used the mantra to see if it would work. As an unmarried maiden, it would be wrong for me to bear your son. The world will denigrate me as a woman of loose morals and no self-respecting man will marry me. I beg of you, please go back to your celestial abode and spare me the terrible fate of an unwed mother.’

  Surya was moved by her touching plea but there was little he could do as he was bound by the power of the mantra. Seeing that there was no escape, Kunti burst into fresh tears and wailed in despair. The Sun God felt sorry for her and said, ‘I have no choice but to place my
seed in your womb but I can do one thing for you...your virginity shall remain intact after you deliver our son’.

  Kunti saw a ray of hope and bowed before Surya in gratitude. Her mind worked frantically to think of ways to save herself from the predicament she had got herself into. With due deference, she said to Surya, ‘O Lord, I thank you for the patience and kindness you have shown me and humbly request you to grant me a boon. Let our son be born with the celestial armour and ear-rings unique to his father, so that I will always be able to recognise him as mine.’

  Surya acceded to her request and Kunti fainted away, worn out by terror and relief. When she came to, the Sun God had left, leaving his son behind in her womb.

  Kunti kept to her chambers during the course of her pregnancy. When she started to show, the baby bump was cleverly hidden under layers of clothing. Her secret remained undiscovered as it was the general consensus that the Princess was behaving strangely and keeping to herself because of some illness. In due course she delivered a beautiful baby boy wearing the accoutrements of his heavenly father. Kunti wept over her first born and shrank away from the terrible task she had set herself.

  Finally, she steeled herself to do what had to be done. She lined a basket with the finest cloth and placed her infant son in it. In the dark of night, she set it afloat on the river, praying to the Gods to watch over him. The abandoned baby was discovered by the charioteer Adhiratha, who took him home to his childless wife, Radha. The couple thanked the Gods for the lovely child they had been given and lavished their love and affection on him. The high­born child, wrapped in the cocoon of his humble foster parents’ love, had no idea that lady luck had just played the meanest trick to bedevil his future.