In Book 5, Section 132 Kunti is
talking with Krishna after he reports that Duryodhana has rejected the peace
offer and asks her for message to carry to her sons. In reply Kunti sends this
message to Yudhishtra: “You are looking at virtues in isolation without paying
attention to your duties as a kshatriya
and as a king. I do not act want you to act in anger and in vanity, but be
valorous. Only a king can create history. You cannot take care of your subjects
if you are unsteady with too much compassion. As a kshatriya you need to live by the might of your arms. Go and get
the kingdom which you lost”. In essence, Kunti wants Yudhishtra to fight.
In a sub-story called Jaya, Kunti
even teases him (in Book 5, Sec 133) with statements such as “It is better to
die pulling the fangs of a snake than live miserable like a dog” and “It is
better to burn fiercely for a few moments than smoke for ever and ever”. After
all those sharp remarks she says: “I said all this to test your understanding
and manliness and to encourage you, and not to hurt you”. The son in that story says: “Thanks mother,
when you were talking I did not talk much only so I can hear all your sweet
words”. She obviously thinks that her son is too patient and passive and wants
him to get angry and show some emotion! It is just beautiful to read these
passages.
Names of various forms of
battle-field formations and names of units and the numbers of infantry,
cavalry, elephants and chariots for each unit are mentioned in Section 156.
There is a comment that there can be only ONE commander in the field. It says
that one cannot win a battle if there is more than one general since there will
be conflicting plans and jealousy.
In secion 160, Dhrithrashtra laments about his
inability to control his son, his weakness for his son and says that destiny
has determined that there should be war. Sanjaya comes on strong and says: “Do
not just blame Duryodhana. When someone gets into trouble due to his
misconduct, he cannot blame the gods or time. We all reap the consequences of
our actions. When Yudhishtra lost the game of dice, he bore the consequences
without complaining. Now, we have to face the consequences of our actions. Is
man the agents of his actions? There are three opinions: some say that
everything is ordained by God; some say that our acts are the result of
free-will; and others say that our acts are the result of those of our past
lives (Karma)”.
During the descriptions of the
arrangements of the 11 units (Akshauni)
of the Kauravas and 7 units of Pandavas, Bhishma is describing the arrangements
of Kaurava forces with leaders of each of the units. It is clear that Bhishma
did not have good opinion of Karna. He says that Karna seems to boast too much
and also too kind hearted. Bhishma has
doubts about Aswattaman also because he “loves life too much”. Bhishma also
says that he will put all his efforts as the Commander-in-Chief of the
Kauravas, except he will not do two things: he will not engage the five Pandava
brothers in personal battle and he will not fight Shikandin who was born as a
female and then became male.
Karna also shows that he does not
care for Bhishma and says: “he is getting too old and when people get too old
they become like children. And, I will not fight as long as Bhishma is in the
command”!
Later comes the story of
Shikandin. The story-telling style of Vyasa is again at its best when Bhishma
himself tells the events leading up to Shikandin making a vow to kill Bhishma.
Indeed, that is what happens during the war. Bhishma refuses to engage in
battle with a “woman” and therefore becomes the target.
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