Sauptika Parva is the seventy-eighth Upa parva included in the tenth Maha parva named as Sauptika Parva. Vaishampayana continued the narration to Janamejaya in reply to his queries as follows.
What was the unbelievable message as asked by Dritarashtra?
Bhima, having the power of a thousand elephants, had killed all hundred Kauravas in the war. Dritharashtra could not believe this message of Sanjaya.
When did the Sauptika Parva really take place?
Sauptika parva was reported to Dritharashtra on the evening of the eighteenth night after the fall of all Kauravas including Duryodhana. Sauptika means history and the happenings during the sleeping time.
On the seventeenth day evening and at night when Duryodhana had hidden under water, in order to satisfy him, Ashvathama had done heinous actions. With Kritavarma and Kripa as his commandos for his safety, in Sauptika parva, the description of massacre violence of Ashvathama were described. Really, Vyasa had described it as on the seventeenth day night incidences. The cruel role of Ashvathama was described here. Krishna had finally intervened and blessed Pareekshit to live till sixty years.
What did Ashvathama do in the evening after the death of Shalya?
Ashvathama had called Kripa and Kritavarm, rode on their horses into the forest and sat together under a tree. On the tree, one owl had killed many other innocent birds. Ashvathama desired similarly, to kill the remaining Pandava soldiers since Bhima had killed all Kaurava brothers with soldiers except Duryodhana.
Hence, he called Kritavarma and Kripa and returned to the Pandava camps where soldiers were sleeping. Kritavarma had waited outside with a sword. Kripa had shone the lamp for Ashvathama. Ashvathama had killed Shikhandi and his charioteer, and then moved towards Drishtadyumna but the charioteer had escaped from the back door. The charioteer had ascended his horse and rode to report to Yudhishtira about the violence.
Ashvathama had killed Drishtadyumna and all the five Upa-pandavas since the facial resemblances were alike Pandavas. Ashvathama had thought he had killed Pandavas but later Yudhishtira had instructed Arjuna and Bhima to capture Ashvathama alive. Yudhishtira had instructed Nakula to bring all ladies from Upaplava including Uttarakumari there.
After the commitment of violence, the trio had tried to escape into the forest in the darkness. Only Sanjaya had escaped into the Kaurava side medical camp. Duryodhana was hiding under water then. Sanjaya had slept in the Kauravas’ medical camp for his life safety.
Why Sanjaya could not report the violence of Ashvathama on the same night?
Sanjaya was afraid of his life on the seventeenth evening being arrested and imprisoned by Satyaki. He was saved from killing but after the falling of Duryodhana and being declared the war had ended by Yudhishtira, Sanjaya could enter the Palace. It was eighteenth day night. It was the fourth time of reporting about the war to Dritarashtra. Sanjaya was not provided divine powers by Vyasa to save his own life. Later, his divine vision powers were also removed by Vyasa.
What was the opinion expressed by Kripa to Ashvathama?
Since then, Duryodhana was alive under water, Kripa had advised Ashvathama to consult Gandhari for further actions before killing Pandavas. But Ashvathama had declared himself as the commander-in-chief to make Duryodhana happy. So Kripa had not held weapons but only lamp for light and followed him. But he started to advise Ashvathama.
Kritavarma and Kripa would help Ashvathama if on the following morning a war was required. So Kripa advised Ashvathama to have a good sleep and wear protective devices early on the next morning for fighting.
What did Ashvathama finally do?
Using a chariot, Ashvathama had visited the Pandavas enemy camp. He persuaded Kripa and Kritavarma to follow him without making any sound.
What did Ashvathama face on the entrance of the Pandava army camps?
A demon like huge structure appeared on the entrance of the Pandavas’ army camps and it had proved unconquerable by any weapon known to Ashvathama.
What did Ashvathama do to overcome the obstacle in the entrance?
Ashvathama had prayed to Rudra and satisfied him to get a divine sword. He worshipped fire and got powers from Rudra and filled his body with it.
What did Ashvathama do after killing all Pandavas’ soldiers?
He ordered Kritavarma to stay outside the tents and hold the lamp with Kripa. After killing Shikhandi, the charioteer, Drishtadyumna, and all soldiers, he told Kripa to go to the Palace, Kritavarma to Dwaraka and tried to escape in the forests.
The trio tried to escape but who then captured Ashvathama?
The trio tried to escape but Bhima and Pandavas chased them by chariots. Krishna, Arjuna and Yudhishtira had used the chariot of Krishna. Nakula was the charioteer. Bhima was alone in his chariot and had overtaken Ashvathama.
There was no Kripa or Kritavarma but only Ashvathama was captured. He was produced before Krishna for proper trial. Bhima and Arjuna had captured him. Finally, Yudhishtira had penalised and entrusted him under the control of Vyasa.
On the seventeenth day night, where was disturbed sleeping experienced?
On the seventeenth day night, Duryodhana tried to sleep under water in Vaishampayana Sarovara. The five Pandava brothers were in the pig stys near Oghavaty Riverside. They tried to sleep but they had experienced disturbed sleeping. Vyasa had described the war had been fought for eighteen days. Krishna knew the hazardous and tragic actions of Ashvathama since he had given him Aishikastra.
Next post, Mahabharat: Aishika Parva would be more interesting.
Mahabharat: Ashvathama 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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