Gadhayuddha Parva is the seventy-seventh Upa Parva included in the ninth Maha Parva, named as Shalya Parva. Vaishampayana continued narration to Janamejaya in reply to his queries as follows.
When was there a mutual fight in the Mahabharata war?
अश्टादश दिनान्यद्य युद्धस्यास्य जनार्दन ।
वर्तमानस्य महतः समासाद्य परस्परं ॥
‘Today being the eighteenth day, O Janardana, the day for mutual fight has approached’. Arjuna was speaking with Krishna.
Arjuna and other Pandava brothers were spectators for the mutual fight between Bhima and Duryodhana. There was no soldier supporting with weapons on the eighteenth day but Balarama was the referee there. Balarama was away from the Mahabharata war but a most powerful warrior. Krishna had supported his pilgrimage and his impartial stand.
What did Arjuna hint in the mace fight engaged by Bhima?
धनंजयस्तु श्रुत्वैतत्केशवस्य महात्मनः ।
प्रेक्षतो भीमसेनस्य हस्तेनोरुमताडयत् ॥
Meaning: Arjuna on hearing the words of great Krishna, had brought the attention of Bhima, during his fighting with Duryodhana, shown by slapping his own left lap, hinting him to blow the thigh with the mace. The Sanskrit of Vyasa is seen here. But the original verses were shuffled within the palm leaf bundles. Mahabharata war had been fought for eighteen days only as told by Vyasa.
What did Vyasa tell to Yudhishtira at Upaplava that was remembered by him then?
उपप्लव्ये महर्षिर्मे कृष्णद्वैपायनोऽब्रवीत् ।
यतो धर्मस्ततः कृष्णो यतः कष्णस्ततो जयः ॥
Yudhishtira remembered the words of Vyasa since he had informed him at Upaplava about the success of the war, as Dharma it is Krishna, he follows it, and hence, where there is Krishna there is the success. Pandavas had won it by Krishna.
Who were absent in the Gadayuddha and what they were doing then? How was law and order observed automatically there?
Kripa and Kritavarma had no role in the Gadayuddha. Kripa was entrusted as the security for the emperor’s throne. Kritavarma was entrusted as the security for the Dwaraka city then and went there. Since Ashvathama had killed Drishtadyumna and Shikhandi, they were absent.
Since Ashvathama had killed Upa-pandavas, they were also absent. Ashvathama had been properly controlled on the previous night, and he had already left to Badarikashrama. All these people were absent there. When Balarama had arrived, law and order was observed automatically. Since he was on the way of his pilgrimage, he had entered Kurukshetra.
How did Yudhishtira arrive near the water tank with his brothers and Krishna?
When Yudhishtira and his brothers confirmed the presence of Duryodhana hiding under the water in the tank with Krishna, they had come by chariots. Drum beatings and huge sound were lauded there and none of Kripa, Kritavarma or Ashvathama was there since they had already escaped from the scenery.
How was Duryodhana invited for the mace fight by them?
Yudhishtira had criticized Duryodhana for hiding under water and spoke insulting words calling him a coward, unfit for being the emperor. Duryodhana had replied to them with soft words. He also offered Yudhishtira to have the entire world and let him take rest under water.
Then, Yudhishtira reminded him about his controversial words of denying land, prior to the start of the war, announced in the treaty assembly along with Karna. Duryodhana had not come out till the early morning of the eighteenth day.
Finally, Bhima had hit the water with his mace and simultaneously Duryodhana also made up his mind to come out of the water to fight him, with his mace. Water waves had forced him to get out.
What were the offers provided to Duryodhana by Yudhishtira?
Yudhishtira had offered Duryodhana sufficient options to select one of the Pandava brothers for his mace fight. Duryodhana was allowed to put his crown and golden safety covers. Without giving a chance for Krishna to speak about his opinions, Yudhishtira had hurriedly shown his generosity to Duryodhana before the people.
Why Krishna had commented on Yudhishtira for his offers?
Yudhishtira had spoken, forgetting Krishna. Yudhishtira was in the wedge of final moment, but would lose the battle if Duryodhana had selected anybody other than Bhima.
Krishna knew, nobody in this world would be able to succeed in a mace fight against Duryodhana since he was practicing it daily for the last thirteen years. When Duryodhana had invited Yudhishtira for the dice game, Yudhishtira had forgotten to consult Krishna and hence suffered for the last thirteen years. Krishna commented just to initiate Bhima into the mace fight.
What did Bhima then declare to rectify Yudhishtira?
Bhima had understood the situation and had come forward. He noticed his teacher Balarama coming with his weapon yoke in his hand and shoulders. He informed Krishna & Yudhishtira, and immediately marched near Balarama and saluted him.
Bhima had then declared to rectify Yudhishtira that he would be fighting with Duryodhana and begged for the blessings of his teacher. Then, Duryodhana also saluted Balarama being his student and begged his permission to fight.
What did Balarama then do?
Balarama was very peaceful and happy to see Krishna with all five Pandavas with Duryodhana together on the banks of Dvaipayana Sarovara. Balarama had smiled.
How did Bhima and Duryodhana greet Balarama?
Bhima and Duryodhana had greeted Balarama by offering water procured from the Sarovara seperately to their teacher as Arghya and Padya. They worshipped Balarama as their teacher and sought blessings from him.
How did Pandavas and Krishna greet Balarama?
Pandavas with Krishna had greeted Balarama by offering water procured from the Sarovara and offering it to him together as he was senior and a relative, and saluted with Arghya and Padya. They worshipped Balarama as their well-wisher and sought blessings from him. Then, Balarama was appointed as the referee for the mace fight.
What did Balarama suggest about Samanta Panchaka?
Balarama had expressed his happiness to see the mace fight of his disciples. He discussed with Krishna for a suitable plateau for their mace fight on the banks of Saraswathi River where the soil would not be sandy. He reminded about Samanta Panchaka. Then, Krishna and all agreed Samanta Pachaka as a suitable site.
What were the bad omens seen when the mace fight started?
The birds had flown from right to left. The elephants and horses also cried badly. It was morning but darkness could be seen like solar eclipse. Vyasa had described all such bad omens seen and indicated the result would be bad. The end would be sad. Duryodhana, Bhima and Balarama had walked to the site at Samanta Panchaka.
How did Vyasa describe the mace fight of Bhima and Duryodhana?
The mace fight was like two mountains were falling together on earth. Thunder with lightening and rain showered. Fight of Bhima and Duryodhana was very wonderful. Duryodhana was shining more than Bhima.
What did Arjuna ask Krishna about the mace fight?
Arjuna asked Krishna about the results of the mace fight between Bhima and Duryodhana. Arjuna guessed, Krishna knew and would foretell things in advance. He asked him who would be the winner in the mace fight finally.
What did Krishna reply to Arjuna during the mace fight?
Krishna replied to Arjuna regarding the mace fight between Bhima and Duryodhana. Krishna had appreciated Duryodhana for his regular daily practice and intimated Arjuna, in this world, nobody could be successful with Duryodhana if the game protocols were perfectly observed. In addition to his opinions, Krishna had reminded Arjuna regarding the vow of Bhima breaking the left thigh with his mace.
How did Duryodhana fall?
Arjuna signaled the fighting Bhima by patting his own thigh. Bhima at once hit the left thigh of Duryodhana. Duryodhana had fallen down since Bhima was more powerful in hitting and the thigh was broken. Duryodhana had seen Krishna. He tried to sit and tried to announce his end as an emperor but he never bent to Bhima.
What did Yudhishtira do when Duryodhana had fallen down?
Yudhishtira expressed his sadness for the falling of Duryodhana in the mace fight.
What did Balarama do when Duryodhana had fallen down?
As per the mace fight protocols, parts below the naval cavity of Duryodhana should not be hit by the mace. Bhima knew it. During the fighting with Dushasana, Bhima had used his bow and arrows to remove the protective covers armoring over his chest and later hit his heart. Thus, Dushasana was killed on the sixteenth day.
When Duryodhana had fallen down, Balarama was very angry with Bhima. He stood up to reprimand Bhima. But Krishna and other Pandava brothers together captured him and started to console him. Balarama was silent and lifted his yoke weapon and started to Dwaraka. Balarama desired peaceful life only.
What did Krishna do when Duryodhana had fallen down?
Krishna had consoled the angry Balarama, his brother, to calm down.
What did Bhima do when Duryodhana had fallen down?
Duryodhana had fallen. But Bhima was happier and had removed the crown of Duryodhana, stamping with his legs. Yudhishtira had intervened and instructed Bhima not to insult him. Then, Bhima had entered the army camps of Duryodhana and collected all the gems and jewels, offered to Yudhishtira, having won the war.
How did Krishna appreciate after Duryodhana had fallen down?
Krishna had appreciated Duryodhana for his excellent show of mace fight.
How was the war declared as finally ended on the eighteenth day evening?
Yudhishtira declared the war has ended after the fall of Duryodhana. Then, in the evening, he had sent Krishna near Gandhari to inform her the fall of Duryodhana. Sanjaya had already approached Dritarashtra and started narrations.
What happened to the chariot when Krishna and Arjuna had descended?
Krishna and Arjuna had visited their army camps in the chariot. The chariot got burnt when they had descended from it. Krishna informed it was partially burnt during the war and unsuitable for further use. So let it burn he told.
What did Duryodhana expect from Charvaka?
Nobody was alive on the side of Duryodhana to support him after his fall. He was growling at the site and due to hatred against Pandavas, expected Charvaka to put some obstacles on the way of Yudhishtira to the Palace on the nineteenth morning.
What assurance did Krishna give to Kripa in the Palace?
Kripa would be safe and would be living as Chiranjeevi, Krishna assured him.
Why did Krishna console Gandhari and Dritarashtra?
Krishna was a kind-hearted incarnation of God. He praised Gandhari and Dritarashtra. He used consoling words and very soft words for sympathizing Gandhari and Dritarashtra, along with the information of the fall of Duryodhana.
Why did Krishna wish to meet Uttarakumari and Pandavas early?
Uttarakumari was expecting to meet Krishna, since she was disturbed by the curse of Ashvathama. Krishna desired to meet Arjuna and Pandava brothers early since all Upa-pandavas had died then and Pandavas were taking rest in a pig sty to avoid the disturbances of Charvaka.
Krishna took the permission of Gandhari, and returned to the hiding place of Pandavas. Yudhishtira would be entering the Palace on the nineteenth morning at an auspicious time, as decided by Krishna and Kripa. Dhaumya Rishi was invited to the palace to grace the occasion of their entry.
Why did Kritavarma not greet his master Balarama in Kurukshetra?
Kritavarma was ordered by Krishna to return to Dwaraka on the seventeenth day late night. So he was not there to greet Balarama on his arrival in Kurukshetra.
What was Ashvathama doing during the Gadayuddha?
Ashvathama had gone to Badarikashrama and was sitting before Vyasa listening to the history of Krishna and appealing for peace and tranquility with ethics. Drona could not teach him the lessons of Sanatana Dharma, so Vyasa tried to teach it to him. Ashvathama had already surrendered before Krishna and Vyasa was also happy to teach him. His violence of Sauptika Parva would be described in the next parva.
Next post, Mahabharat: Sauptika Parva would be more interesting.
Mahabharat: Aishika Parva would be presented separately in another article.
What are the benefits of reading this story?
On reading this story, children would gain more memory power, great moral strength in their lives in future; creating a sense of self-reliance, leading to peace and progress.
It is humbly prayed for the blessings of God Krishna upon us.
Readers may share this story with children, friends and family.
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