41. Shall be watching your progress- so said Guru Dronacharya

Two worthy disciples were listening with rapt attention. They looked at their Guru with reverence. Their eyes however sought to ask him if he finds them worthy for this purpose. The Guru understood the silent question and cleared the air:

‘I have no doubt about your competence – both of you. You have already excelled in traditional archery. I am happy you can shoot arrows in hundreds and thousands without a break. You have also managed to handle some of the primary grades of divyastras. By that capability, you have already transported yourselves to a different league - you are already admired by your fellow disciples, but’ …..,

the Master continued:

‘These little achievements must not make you complacent. You have potential to achieve more… much more, I’m sure of that. Look! The ability of a great archer is proved not so much in using a divyastra but in being able to withdraw it if the situation demands so – I mean calling back the weapon after launching it. That is indeed an extremely onerous task and requires harder training. Now I would tell you what you must do to achieve that proficiency.’

Then Dronacharya explained the matter in details to both disciples. By the time his talks ended all princes returned and the Guru permitted all of them to break for lunch. Before taking leave Arjun and Aswathama touched his revered feet, as the Master whispered into their ears: ‘I shall be watching your progress!’

40. Arjun and Aswathama belong to a different league of archers

It was a sultry summer noon, Guru Dronacharya was seen sitting under a banyan tree with two of his most favourite disciples – Arjun and Aswathama. He was giving them special lessons. His other disciples were sent to fetch water from the nearby river and they had not returned till then. The princes had a very hard training schedule right from the dawn. They were therefore enjoying the break and seemed to be in no hurry to return. But these two would not like to loose even seconds – especially Arjun was keen to make use of every bit of the waking hours in taking new lessons from his Guru. At present, Dronacharya was taking a special session on ‘divyastra’. Earlier he had told his disciples about both Divyastras and Brahmastras. It was time to begin imparting the lessons to the deserving few. He was thus addressing his most favourite disciple Arjun and his son Aswathama, whom he felt worthy:

‘Divyastras are not for every one. Didn’t I try hard enough to teach these to many of you, but how many have been able to grasp? Few… very few.. ‘ and he continued heaving a sigh,

‘The fact is that divyastras are very powerful weapons that can cause huge destruction of men and material. To handle that power, mere skill does not suffice. One has to develop psychic power. One has to have exemplary self restraint and a meditative mind. Look, such weapons are driven by mantras. Thus only warriors of elevated and focused mind can impart them with life force. These weapons mobilize elemental forces from the Nature which make them so powerful and devastating.’

39. Dhritarashtra and Bhisma

Bhisma understood Dhritarashtra's desire for expansion of his kingdom. But he well knew this was no easy matter, but could happen if only the King was judicious especially with regard to making the choice of his successor. He thus put forth his views:

 

‘But there’s a necessary condition to make this happen. You have to make a statesman’s choice when selecting the crown prince – the one who will succeed you. He can make or mar things.’

At this rejoinder, the blind king again sank into whirlpool of thoughts. He loved his sons dearly and more so Duryodhan. He always longed to see him as his successor. At the same time, he knew Yudhisthir was more competent to shoulder the responsibility. Bhisma, Dronacharya, Kripacharya and other elders and the citizens of Hastinapur were in praise of the eldest son of Kunti and not Duryodhan. As he thought more and more his discomfort only aggravated. So he decided to wind up the session and retire to the palace to share his anxiety with Gandhari.

38. Princes of Hastinapuri will conquer the world!

This brief description of the kings and princes in the holy land of Bharat, some neighbouring and some others distant, did not give much comfort to the blind king.

‘As you say, formidable are these kings and their countries. Sir, tell me as to how then to extend the power of Hastinapur? I am damned, a born blind person.’ 

Seeing him despondent, Bhisma comforted the King:

‘King, you have no reason to give up hope. Look, I alone can conquer all these kings. But then..’

Eager Dhritarashtra could not wait even for seconds, ‘But what Sire?’.

Bhisma sympathised with his impatience and continued,

‘I have grown old and therefore shall not be around to protect the acquisitions for long. The young princes – I mean Kunti’s and your sons are the hopes of Hastinapur. They are being groomed very well by Dronacharya, the most revered of all masters. They will restore the past glories of Hastinapur. May be they would accomplish even more than their ancestors.’

Dhritarashtra was happy. He dreamt of Duryodhan ruling over a vast Kaurava kingdom. But his reverie was snapped by Bhisma:

37. Dhritarashtra and Bhisma discussing plans for conquest

Dhritarashtra was both happy and unhappy hearing Bhisma – happy because he could avoid an immediate engagement with an issue he did not really feel concerned; unhappy because, Srikrishna was the nephew of Kunti. The blind king’s gut assessment was that Shrikrishna would be closer to Kunti’s sons than his. Thoughts of future flashed through his mind. He knew the nature of his sons and sons of Kunti and tried to figure out how would they be affected if Shrikrishna were really the incarnation of God, as Bhisma said.

The Kaurava king grew sullen as he pondered over the future possibilities. All these days, he never apprehended any external influence on the balance of power between the Kaurava and Pandava princes. But now, if Bhisma was to be believed, a new and formidable source of power had now risen in the horizon. Dhritarashtra sank deep in thoughts to search out an alternative that could somehow allay this nascent fear of Srikrishna. But as a seasoned diplomat he was determined not to betray his thoughts. As if he discounted the account given by Bhisma, Dhritarashtra asked him:

‘Sire, for long Kauravas have not gone for conquests. Brother Pandu had spread the fame of the Kuru dynasty far and wide through conquests. But, I, an ill-fated, a born blind.... have not been able to maintain those, let alone add to it. Now, please inform me about the feasibility of a conquest plan.’

To that Bhisma said:

‘King, in this holy land of ancestor Bharat, there are many mighty and powerful kings who are not easy to subjugate. Let me mention some of them. Look at the Far East. Bhagadatta ruling over Pragjyotishpur and vast stretch of coastal countries is simply formidable. He has friendship with  Indra - the Lord of the Heavens. While he rides high on his huge elephant in the battlefield, his enemies simply give up hope of life. In Magadh Jarasandha reigns supreme – his name casts fears in neighboring kingdoms. In the southwest the Matsya kingdom is quite powerful. Its king Birat and his brother-in-law Kichak are powerful warriors. Matsya’s neighbor, I mean the Trigarta kings are also valorous and would fight to the finish to retain their dignity. Five princes ruling the kingdom of Kekoy have surpassed most contemporary royalties by their prowess, courage and gallantry. King Bhismak of Bhojkotpur appears as Lord Yama to his enemies in the battleground. King Shallya of Madra, the uncle of the Pandavas, is also a renowned warrior and feared by opponents. King Sudakhsin of Kamboj, and King Brihadwal of Ayodhya are always avoided by enemies such are their prowess. King, this holy land has many more of such illustrious rulers. They are indeed difficult to exceed.’

36. Pitamaha Bhisma pays tribute to Lord Lrishna in Hastinapur Royal Court

Everyone looked sideways at an old but still extremely well built royalty. The grand patriarch Bhisma was speaking:

‘Jarasandha knows the might of Bhisma too well and would never dare to pick up a fight. But hear me O King, the issue is not Jarasandha.’

‘Then what it is about, Sire?’ –Dhritarashtra reverentially asked.

‘The fact of the matter is that’, Bhisma continued, ‘I have been closely keeping a track of the course of events in Mathura and Vrindavan. Right after his birth Shrikrishna has been manifesting divine powers - accomplishing impossible deeds, which can be done only by almighty God or his incarnation. As a child he has killed several ferocious demons with great ease.’

To many courtiers, these revelations came as a surprise. But Vidur seemed to be aware of most of these and he nodded approvingly as if to register his agreement. Bhisma continued, 

‘Even Lord Brahma and Indra, the king of the heavens, are convinced Shrikrishna is the incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Both had gone for a confrontation with the child Shrikrishna and learnt lessons the hard way. At the end they had to seek his forgiveness…’

Bhisma paused for a while before he resumed,

‘I am sure he does not need any protection from us. On the contrary, he has descended on the earth to protect dharma and the virtuous.’

35. Tidings from Mathura- Kansa out to kill Shrikrishna and Balaram

The magnificent royal court at Hastinapur was deliberating a serious issue. The grandeur of the palace and the royal throne was proverbial. Bhisma, the grand patriarch, Dronacharya, Vidur, Kunik, Balhik and a host of other senior Kaurava royalties flanked King Dhritarashtra. One of the spies, on duty at the southeastern countries, brought some important information. The court was trying to understand its significance. A serious trouble was brewing up in Mathura. Its King Kansa, had sent Akrur to Brajadham to invite Srikrishna and Balaram to his court. The spy had ascertained from reliable sources that Kansa was hatching a plot to get them killed. For this he had already made arrangements. In the guise of tournament, formidable wrestlers Mushtik and Chanur were planted to kill the two young brothers. Shrikrishna and Balaram were the future of the clan of the Yadus, who were both related to and allies of the Kurus. The court was discussing if Hastinapur should do something to foil the plot.

Dhritarashtra himself was not keen. He looked at minister Kunik, who was brilliant and cunning. His abilities lay in always giving advices that would please his master. This time too, Kunik did not disappoint his master:

‘Your Majesty, any involvement in Mathura would be contrary to the interest of Hastinapur. I am confident about it. Acting against Kansa will fetch us the wrath of the invincible Jarasandha, his father in law.’

The court nobles were listening Kunik with rapt attention. A silent agreement in favour of non-intervention seemed to be building up. Encouraged, Kunik continued:

‘Jarasandha could be a dangerous foe. He has already defeated a hundred princes and they all are languishing in his prison. He has a huge army of million ruthless soldiers who can just sweep any big country. Hitherto he has not put his eyes on Hastinapur…’.

When suddenly sounded the thunderous roar -

‘Because he cares for his pair of eyes.’