Shalya Vadha Parva is the seventy fourth Upa parva in the ninth Maha parva named as Shalya Maha parva. Vaishampayana continued narration to Janamejaya in reply to his queries as follows.

What are the various upa parvas of Shalya parva and what are their contents?

Shalya Maha parva has four upa parvas. Shalya vadha parva, Jalapravesha parva, Saraswata parva and Gadayuddha parva are the four upa parvas.

In the Shalya vadha parva, Dushasana vadha by Bhima on the sixteenth day and the Shalya being killed by Yudhishtira on the seventeenth day are described.

Duryodhana’s hiding in water is the content of the Jalapravesha parva. The Saraswata parva is the description of Balarama’s pilgrimage and his timely return to attend the mace war of Bhima and Duryodhana.

In the Gadayuddha parva, Duryodhana vadha by Bhima during the mace fight on the eighteenth day is described.

Thus, there are four upa parvas containing very interesting histories in Shalya parva.

After Shalya parva, what is the next Maha parva?

After Shalya parva, Sauptika parva is the next Maha parva. On the seventeenth night, Ashvathama had resorted to violence and Duryodhana had hidden under water and these were described in separate chapters. Ashvathama’s cruelties were alone described in the Sauptika Maha parva containing three separate upa parvas. Sauptika upaparva, Aishika upaparva and Ashvathama upaparva are the three chapters after Shalya Maha parva.

The history told by Vyshampayana reflects the replies against curiosity but not the consequence in chronology of time. Gadayuddha happened after Sauptika Maha parva. On the eighteenth day, Duryodhana was alone lying there while Balarama had gone to Dwaraka.   

What did Shalya do when the chariot of Karna could not move in the mud?

Shalya was the charioteer of Karna and he had done his best in the battlefield but the chariot could not move in the mud on the fifteenth day of the war. Due to various curses, also being unlucky, the arrows of Arjuna had hit Karna and Karna had died on the battlefield. Shalya had immediately jumped out of the chariot, climbed his own chariot and visited Duryodhana.

Karna Parva is the seventy third Upa parva in the eighth Maha parva named as Karna Parva. The Karna Mahaparva has only one Upa parva, Karna Upa parva. Vaishampayana continued narration to Janamejaya in reply to his queries as follows.

एको हि योगोऽस्य भवेद्वधाय चिद्रे ह्येनं स्वप्रमत्तः प्रमत्तं ।
कृच्च्रप्राप्तं रथचक्रे निमग्ने हन्याः पूर्वं त्वं तु संज्ञां विचार्य ॥

After killing of Ghatotkacha, Krishna had appreciated Karna. He then told to Arjuna, the only chance available for Arjuna to kill Karna would be when Karna was puzzled but Arjuna was not puzzled, and while his chariot wheel is immersed in mud, I shall signal you. Please remember tomorrow, on the fifteenth day evening.

As commander-in-chief for the Kaurava army, how many days did Karna fight?

तयोर्द्वे दिवसे युद्धं कुरुपांडव सेनयोः ।
कर्णे सेनापतौ राजन्नभूदद्भुतदर्शनं ॥

As commander-in-chief for the Kaurava army, Karna had fought for two days, from the fourteenth day till the fifteenth day evening. Karna had showed wonderful capabilities.

‘But on the fifteenth day evening, in the war between the Kaurava and Pandava armies, O king, Karna had died’, Sanjaya told to Dritarashtra. Arjuna was fighting just for the namesake only but the actual killing was done by Agni that was moving in front of Arjuna described by Vyasa as below. 

What were the bad omens seen on the morning of the fourteenth day?

Narayanastra Parva is the seventy-second Upa parva included in the seventh Maha parva named Drona parva. Vaishampayana continued narration to Janamejaya in reply to his queries as follows.

What was Narayanastra?

Narayastra was a powerful weapon procured by Drona and provided to his son Ashwathama. It was in Parashurama’s custody for many years. Drona desired his son to live safely in the future, so the weapon was given to Ashwathama.

Who was the custodian of Narayanastra?

Ashwathama preserved Narayastra until the thirteenth day night.

Why was Ashwathama very violent after the thirteenth-day night war?

Drona was killed on the thirteenth-day night war by Drishtadyumna. During the night war, a fight between Yudhishtira and Karna was planned by Krishna and Bhima. Since Drona could not be killed in the daytime, it was planned and posted for the nighttime, also under the absence of Arjuna and Satyaki.

Drona Vadha Parva is the seventy-first Upa parva in the seventh Maha parva named as Drona parva. Vaishampayana continued narration to Janamejaya in reply to his queries as follows.

What did Krishna tell regarding Drona to Bhima and Yudhishtira? 

Krishna told regarding the war capabilities of Drona to Bhima and Yudhishtira. Drona was fighting continuously without rest day and night for four and a half days till the thirteenth midnight. Krishna said that, if the death message of Ashwathama was heard by Drona, then he would be withdrawing from the battlefield. At the same time, a team of great Rishis suddenly appeared before Drona and they opined Drona was doing wrong; he should not fight with his students.

How was Drona Vadha done by Drishtadyumna on the thirteenth night?

Soon after the moonrise, some of the soldiers were alerted by Yudhistira to continue the war in the early night of the thirteenth day.  Karna found that Yudhishtira had been ready for fighting. Bhima was protecting Yudhishtira but they were tired of fighting. Leaving the fight with Satyaki, Karna started attacking Yudhishtira since Drona desired to capture him and make him a war prisoner.

Ghatotkacha Parva is the seventieth Upa parva included in the seventh Maha parva named Drona parva. Vaishampayana continued narration to Janamejaya in reply to his queries as follows.

Duryodhana had requested Drona to kill the demon Ghatotkacha. How and when was it done, and by whom? 

After becoming the commander in chief of the Duryodhana army, on the fourteenth day night, Karna had killed Ghatotkacha. But it was a pending order of Drona to Karna so this narration is included in Drona parva.

Who was Ghatotkacha and when did he join the Pandava army?

Ghatotkacha was the son of Hidimbi and Bhima. He was a demon. His style of war was suited to demons. Ghatotkacha’s references are already mentioned on this website under various parvas like Mrigaswapnodbhava parva, Jatasuravadha parva, Ajagara parva, Amshavatarana parva and Hidimba parva. As soon as the Mahabharata war was declared, Ghatotkacha had started to Kurukshetra and on the ninth day, he had joined his father in the war. On the same day, Drona became more active in keeping Ghatotkacha under control, so this parva is also included under Drona parva.

Since he was a demon, to fight him, Drona recruited many demons into his army. But Drona died first on the thirteenth day night and later on the fourteenth night, Ghatotkacha was killed by Karna when Karna used his preserved Vasavi Astra. Initially, Duryodhana had attacked Ghatotkacha but Duryodhana was defeated by him so Duryodhana had escaped from the battlefield directing Karna to kill him. Later Duryodhana was very happy when Karna had successfully killed Ghatotkacha. 

What did Drona advise Karna regarding the war of Ghatotkacha?

Jayadrathavadha Parva is the sixty-ninth Upa parva included in the seventh Maha parva named as Drona parva. Vaishampayana continued narration to Janamejaya in reply to his queries as follows.

Who was Jayadratha?

Jayadratha was the cousin brother of Duryodhana and the husband of Dushala. He was the king of Sindhu kingdom. His father was usually referred to by the name Saindhava. In his old age, Saindhava had crowned Jayadratha and left for penance. The place called Samanta Panchaka near Kurukshetra was a sacred one and he selected it for his penance.

Saindhava was not bothered about the Mahabharata war and continued his penance there on the river bank. Except for Krishna, nobody knew about it. Krishna had utilized this secret fact to kill Jayadratha. Being an incarnation of God, he desired to bestow Moksha on Saindhava. 

After Drona assumed as commander-in-chief for Duryodhana’s army in consultation with Duryodhana, Drona had rearranged the war protocols. Only one-third of the total strength was brought for the active war in action, and sixteen hours per day were declared at the liberty of the soldiers. The dead animals like elephants and horses, the broken chariots and poisonous arrows were cleared from the leading path of the soldiers. The wooden pieces from the broken chariots were heaped up to create fires.

Some demons, the children of very cruel Asuras like Jatasura (the past enemies of Pandavas) were recruited to Duryodhana’s army to ensure success over Pandavas. The demon Alambala was one of them. Son of Bhima, Ghatotkacha was assigned as the killing target for Alambala. But Alambala requested the help of Karna, so Karna was allowed to protect Alambala in war.

What was the difference in the war protocol of Drona as compared to Bhishma?

Defeating and capturing war prisoners was the aim of Drona. Killing was not mandatory as Bhishma had done. This was the major difference in their protocol.  

Who died first, Drona or Jayadratha?

Pratijna Parva is the sixty-eighth Upa parva included in the seventh Maha parva named as Drona parva. Vaishampayana continued narration to Janamejaya in reply to his queries as follows.

Why was Duryodhana happy with Drona after the eleventh day of war?

Duryodhana was happy with Drona after the eleventh day of the war because, on that day, Abhimanyu, son of Arjuna was killed in action. But Abhimanyu had died happily since he had killed Lakshmana, the son of Duryodhana in action.  

Why Arjuna had taken a vow to fight against Jayadratha as an enemy? 

Arjuna had taken a vow on the true name of ‘Narayana’ to fight with Jayadratha and kill him before the next day’s sunset. Abhimanyu, the son of Arjuna was killed with the help of Chakravyuha formed by the troops of Jayadratha under the army command of Drona. Abhimanyu was trapped and Karna had stabbed him from his back with a shaft ultimately killing Abhimanyu. Arjuna pleaded for the help of Krishna to fulfil his vow. 

ध्रुवं वै ब्राह्मणे सत्यं ध्रुवा साधुषु सन्नतिः । 
श्रीर्ध्रुवा चापि दक्षेषु ध्रुवो नारायणे जयः ॥

Certainly, truth is the power for a Brahmin. The righteous people upgrade in life due to abiding with truthfulness always. Wealth increases in honest people due to truth. Narayana favors truth and success is certainly bestowed on Narayana’s side.  

अर्जुनेन प्रतिज्ञाते पांचजन्यं जनार्दनः ।
प्रदध्मौ तत्र संक्रुद्धो देवदत्तं धनंजयः ॥ 

Arjuna had celebrated by blowing his conch named Devadatta loudly. To satisfy Arjuna, Krishna had also blown his conch named Panchajanya loudly. It was in the late night of the twelfth night. All the soldiers in the army camps on the side of Pandavas also celebrated by making loud voices with drum beatings. Then, the soldiers of the Kaurava side observed the strange behaviour of the soldiers of the Pandavas side. Ultimately, the news of the vow by Arjuna had reached the ears of Jayadratha.

What Jayadratha had done on the twelfth day night?

Jayadratha was very much afraid of Arjuna. Instead of weeping after the death of Abhimanyu, Arjuna had taken a vow and celebrated in the army camps. Jayadratha had conducted penance for many years and had obtained a boon from God Shiva. Except for Arjuna, nobody in this world of human beings could defeat Jayadratha in war.

Abhimanyu Parva is the sixty-seventh Upa parva included in the seventh Maha parva named Drona parva. Vaishampayana continued narration to Janamejaya in reply to his queries as follows.

How did the war continue on the eleventh day after Dronabhisheka?

Since Bhishma had fallen, Duryodhana had ordered Drona not to stop attacking in the evening but to continue the war until all the Pandavas were killed. Drona had replied to Duryodhana that he would try to capture the Pandavas and oblige them to surrender alive under the Kaurava army, and the later actions would be decided by Duryodhana. Karna was ordered to defeat Satyaki. Jayadratha was happy to protect Drona on the eleventh day of the war. Drona had ordered to form Chakravyuha to satisfy Duryodhana and the Kaurava soldiers.    

How did Drona try to satisfy Duryodhana and make him happier?

To satisfy Duryodhana, Drona assured him he would be forming the most challenging type of alignment of regiments on that day. To make him happier, he announced before Duryodhana that one of the great Pandava warriors would be killed that day. But Drona put a condition on the Samasaptakas. Samasptakas or the Trigarta warriors should be engaged with Arjuna and divert far away from Drona. 

Hence the Trigarta warriors were fighting continuously for two days with Arjuna. Arjuna could not return to his camp on the eleventh day evening but fought with the Samasaptakas day and night continuously for two days, and returned to his camp only after killing all of them on the twelfth day late night. Drona had ordered to form Chakravyuha to satisfy more Kaurava soldiers.    

What Yudhishtira had instructed Abhimanyu?

Yudhishtira did not know about the Chakravyuha type of war blockade. Abhimanyu knew to unblock and enter inside the Chakravyuha. He was very young but did not know how to escape from it. Abhimanyu was very enthusiastic in war being young and engaged in fighting to protect Yudhishtira. While facing the Chakravyuha, Arjuna was not at hand since he had engaged with the Samasaptakas, fighting elsewhere. Drishtadyuma was also engaged with others.

Samasaptaka Parva is the sixty sixth Upa parva included in the seventh Maha parva named as Drona parva. Vaishampayana continued narration to Janamejaya in reply to his queries as follows.

How Drona had arranged the Mahabharata war on the twelfth day of war?

Under the commander-in-chief Drona, the Mahabharata war was fought for three days from the eleventh day morning up to the thirteenth day late night. There was rest for the fighting soldiers on the eleventh day night and on the twelfth day night but the war was not stopped.

Initially, Drona had thought the war should be fought by the soldiers in four parts taking shifts like a relay. One third of the soldiers should go for relief or for personal reasons out of the battle field into their war camps but one third should be always fighting with the enemy soldiers.

Karna was helping Drona on war time basis. Drona had arranged all medical facilities for the needy soldiers by order of Duryodhana. Drona had also arranged all kinds of food facilities for the needy soldiers. Pork (pig-meat) was supplied to the interested non-vegetarian soldiers with the choice of alcohol also. Drona had arranged all resting facilities for the needy soldiers in his war camps.

Ashwathama was not allowed by Duryodhana to fight directly in the battle field. He was allotted the risk of army intelligence, timely reporting of the war plans of the opposite side soldiers. So he was reporting to his father or to Duryodhana timely, avoiding his field exposure. Some of the soldiers started from their camp on the eleventh day morning but continued to proceed on fighting on the twelfth day also. The Samasaptaka warriors had not returned to their camps but went on fighting and died on the twelfth day. 

Who were Samasaptakas? Who were Trigarta warriors?