novelraw Arc 3 – Yudha Arambha Parva - Chapter 1 - The Reverence of Yudhiṣṭhira
Arc 3 – Yudha Arambha Parva - Chapter 1 - The Reverence of Yudhiṣṭhira
Sañjaya said:
Beholding Dhanañjaya once more string the mighty bow of victory and lift his shafts, O King, the great car-warriors of the sons of Pāṇḍu roared with joy.
Their voices rose like thunder among stormy clouds, echoing through heaven and earth. Conches of sea-born shell were blown, kettledrums and cymbals clanged, and the horns of battle resounded together—till the tumult seemed to shake the very quarters of the world.
Then, O ruler of men, came the gods themselves—Gandharvas, Pitṛs, Siddhas, and Cāraṇas—drawn by the wonder of that moment. Even the blessed Ṛṣis, radiant in their tapas, came together with the Thousand-eyed Lord of Sacrifices at their head, desiring to behold the impending slaughter of heroes.
When the two hosts—vast as twin oceans—rolled toward one another, trembling yet unyielding, the righteous king Yudhiṣṭhira, son of Dharma, performed an act that filled all hearts with awe.
He laid aside his glittering mail, unstrung his bow, and stepping down from his chariot, turned eastward—the direction of the foe. With joined palms and composed speech, he began to walk on foot, his gaze fixed upon the grandsire.
Dhanañjaya, beholding his elder brother thus proceed unarmed, swiftly descended and followed him. Bhīma, Nakula, and Sahadeva came behind; and Vāsudeva, the Lord of the Yadus, followed in silence. Anxious kings and warriors too left their cars and moved in the same path, like stars following the moon.
The Brothers Question Yudhiṣṭhira
Arjuna spoke first, troubled at heart:
“O king, why dost thou thus abandon us and move alone toward the foe?
Facing east, unarmed and bare of mail, what purpose lies in thy heart?”
Bhīmasena said:
“Whither goest thou, O lord of men, laying down thy arms, thy body unprotected,
While the sons of Dhṛtarāṣṭra, cased in steel, await the clash of war?”
Nakula added:
“Thou art our eldest, O Bhārata! Seeing thee walk thus among spears,
Fear seizes my heart—declare to us, whither thou art bound.”
And Sahadeva said:
“The foes are many and fierce, O king—each resolved upon battle.
Tell us, why dost thou advance toward them on foot and without arms?”
But Yudhiṣṭhira, of restrained speech and tranquil will, answered not. His steps did not falter, nor his eyes turn back.
Then the high-souled Keśava, smiling softly, spoke to them in wisdom.
Krishna Explains
“His purpose is known to me,” said He of unfailing resolve.
“He goeth to salute the elders—to Bhīṣma, Droṇa, and the wise Kṛpa,
To Śalya also, before the war begins.
For it is told in ancient lore, O sons of Pāṇḍu,
That he who bows to his preceptors and kinsmen before battle
Wins victory, being purified of sin.”
Hearing this from Kṛṣṇa’s lips, the army of Dhṛtarāṣṭra murmured with derision. A cry arose among them—of laughter, scorn, and disbelief. The other host, however, stood still in solemn silence.
The Mockery of the Kauravas
“Behold!” they cried, “Yudhiṣṭhira comes in fear!
The king seeks shelter at Bhīṣma’s feet!
Can this trembling heart belong to one born of the Kṣatriya line?
He approaches the foe like a supplicant, not a warrior!”
With waving garments and taunting laughter they glorified the Kauravas, crying “Fie upon Yudhiṣṭhira and his brothers! Fie upon Kṛṣṇa too!”
Yet curiosity soon silenced them. Both hosts watched in wonder, asking within themselves:
“What will Bhīṣma say to this?
What will Yudhiṣṭhira reply?
How will Bhīma, proud of his might, speak—and what will Keśava and Arjuna declare?”
Thus, amid a stillness heavy as thunder before the rain, the Pāṇḍava king approached the grandsire.
Yudhiṣṭhira Bows to Bhīṣma
Through the forest of lances and the rain of glances, Yudhiṣṭhira came to where Bhīṣma stood—a lion among men, his banner bearing the image of the silver palmtree. Surrounded by his brothers, the son of Dharma bowed low, clasping the elder’s feet in reverence.
“O invincible one,” said he, “I salute thee.
Today we must fight thee in righteousness.
Grant us thy permission, O grandsire,
And bestow upon us thy blessing.”
Bhīṣma, son of Śāntanu, his eyes filled with paternal love, replied:
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“Hadst thou not come, O king, to bow before me,
I would have cursed thee for thy forgetfulness and seen thee defeated.
But now I am gratified. Go forth, and may victory be thine.
Ask, O child of Dharma, what boon thou desirest;
For save battle itself, I am bound to grant it.”
Then he sighed, and spoke in bitterness mingled with truth:
“A man is the slave of wealth, but wealth is slave to none.
Thus have I been bound by the Kauravas, O son of Pāṇḍu—
Not by love but by gold. Bound by their gifts,
I must fight against thee though my heart is thine.”
The King’s Request
Yudhiṣṭhira answered humbly:
“O grandsire of the Kurus, my only prayer is this—
That thou, out of affection for us, shalt daily counsel our welfare,
Yet fight for the Kauravas as thou art bound.
This alone is my request.”
Bhīṣma said:
“I shall indeed fight for them, as duty binds me.
Yet tell me, O king, what aid can I render thee while I stand opposed?”
Then Yudhiṣṭhira, bowing again, said:
“O grandsire, knower of dharma and might,
Teach me how thou mayest be overcome in battle,
For we seek victory through righteousness, not deceit.”
The Grandsire’s Reply
Bhīṣma smiled faintly, his gaze turned inward.
“O son of Kuntī,” said he, “I see not the being—
No, not even Indra himself—
Who can vanquish me while I fight with full strength.
The time of my death hath not yet arrived.”
Then Yudhiṣṭhira, with folded palms, spoke once more:
“I bow again to thee, O grandsire of our line.
Yet tell me when that hour shall come,
When destiny shall open the gate of thy fall.”
But Bhīṣma only looked toward the sky where the sun shone dim behind gathering clouds. His silence was like a prophecy unspoken, and the earth itself seemed to wait for its fulfilment.
Thus did Yudhiṣṭhira bow to the grandsire before the first blow of war was struck,
And thus did Bhīṣma, bound by wealth yet free in spirit,
Hold his heart between love and duty,
While destiny, unseen, advanced upon them both.
Sañjaya said:
Then, O king, after bowing once more to Bhīṣma, Yudhiṣṭhira accepted the grandsire’s words with reverence and bent head.
The son of Dharma, calm and radiant, turned his steps toward the chariot of Droṇa, his preceptor in arms, walking through the ranks of soldiers whose eyes followed him in awe.
His brothers moved with him, silent and steadfast, as though the moon were followed by its stars.
Standing before the mighty son of Bharadvāja, the king of righteous heart saluted him and circumambulated his car. Then with joined palms he spoke in a voice low but resolute.
Yudhiṣṭhira and Droṇa
“O invincible one,” said Yudhiṣṭhira, “I bow to thee.
Tell me how I may fight without sin,
And how, with thy permission, O most learned Brāhmaṇa,
I may conquer my foes in righteousness.”
Droṇa, his eyes softened by affection, answered:
“Hadst thou come not, O king, and entered battle unblessed,
I would have cursed thee for thy ruin.
But thou hast honoured me; my heart is pleased.
Fight now, O son of Dharma, and win thy victory.
Save battle alone, ask what thou wilt of me.”
And then, as if confessing a secret heavy in his soul, Droṇa added:
“A man is the slave of wealth, but wealth is slave to none—
This truth, O king, binds me.
The Kauravas have chained me with their gifts;
Like one emasculated, I must fight for them,
Yet my heart prays for thy triumph.”
Yudhiṣṭhira bowed again and said:
“Grant me thy blessing, O preceptor,
And daily counsel what is for my good.
Yet fight as thou must for the Kauravas.
This alone I seek from thee.”
Droṇa smiled and replied:
“Victory is already thine, O king,
For where Kṛṣṇa is, there abides righteousness;
And where righteousness is, there victory dwells.
Fight, O son of Kuntī; thou shalt prevail.”
Then Yudhiṣṭhira, ever truthful, asked once more:
“O revered one, reveal what I seek to know—
How may we conquer thee who art unconquerable?”
Droṇa answered solemnly:
“As long as I fight with bow in hand,
No being can subdue me.
But when I shall lay aside my arms,
And turn inward in meditation,
Then, O king, the end shall come.
When words grievous to my heart fall from trusted lips,
I shall renounce battle, and death will find me.
This truth I speak to thee.”
Yudhiṣṭhira and Kṛpa
Having heard the words of the wise son of Bharadvāja, the king bowed low and moved on toward Kṛpa, the son of Śaradwat, the great archer and seer of battle.
He saluted him, circumambulated his car, and spoke humbly:
“O preceptor, with thy permission I will fight,
And, sinless by thy grace, I shall strive for victory.”
Kṛpa replied with a faint smile:
“Hadst thou entered war unblessed, O king,
I would have cursed thee for defeat.
Yet, bound as I am by Kaurava gold,
I must fight for their sake.
For truly, a man is slave to wealth,
But wealth is slave to none.
I too am fettered, O king.
Battle alone excepted, ask what thou desirest.”
Overwhelmed by reverence, Yudhiṣṭhira could only bow in silence. Understanding his unspoken plea, Gautama said gently:
“None can slay me, O son of Dharma, while I stand in battle.
Yet I am pleased by thy coming, and each dawn I shall pray for thy victory.
Go forth, O king, and triumph.”
Honouring him with folded palms, the son of Dharma moved onward toward the ruler of Madra.
Yudhiṣṭhira and Śalya
The king approached Śalya, his maternal uncle, noble and radiant like a mountain of silver.
Saluting him, Yudhiṣṭhira said with folded hands:
“O mighty-armed one, obtain thy leave I must,
To fight without sin and conquer my foes.
Permit me, O king, that I may act righteously.”
Śalya embraced him with affection and said:
“Hadst thou come not, I would have cursed thee, O nephew,
For thy downfall.
But now I am pleased and honoured.
Fight and obtain victory.
Speak, O hero—save battle itself, what dost thou wish?”
And he too uttered that sad refrain:
“A man is the slave of wealth, but wealth is no one’s slave.
The Kauravas have bound me by their gifts;
Therefore, though my heart leans to thee,
I fight for them like one powerless to choose.
Yet name thy desire, and it shall be done.”
Yudhiṣṭhira answered:
“Think daily, O uncle, of my welfare,
And fight as thou wilt for their side.
Yet grant me this boon I sought before—
That thou shalt weaken the might of Karṇa in battle.”
Śalya replied:
“It shall be done, O son of Kuntī.
Thy wish shall bear fruit on the day of contest.
Go now and fight with faith;
I shall watch over thy victory.”