48. THE FEAR OF DHRITARASHTRA

SRIMAD MAHABHARATA > AARANYA PARVA > INDRALOKA GAMANA PARVA > CHAPTER 48 - THE FEAR OF DHRITARASHTRA

“Janamejaya said, ‘These feats (Karma in Sanskrit) of Paarthaa (Arjuna) filled with immeasurable energy, were certainly marvellous. O Brahmana, what did Dhritarashtra of great wisdom say, when he heard of them?’

“Vaishampaayana said, ‘Ambika’s son, king Dhritarashtra, having heard of Arjuna’s arrival and stay at Indraloka, from Dwaipaayana (Vyaasa), that foremost of Rishis, spoke to Sanjaya, saying, ‘O charioteer, do you know in detail the acts of the intelligent Arjuna, of which I have heard from beginning to end? O charioteer, my wretched (Mandaatma in Sanskrit) and sinful son is even now engaged in a policy of the most vulgar kind. Of wicked soul (Durbuddhi in Sanskrit), he (Duryodhana) will certainly depopulate the earth. The Mahatma whose words even in joke are true (Yudhishthira), and who has Dhananjaya to fight for him, is sure to win the three worlds. Who that is even beyond the influence of Death and Decay will be able to stay before Arjuna, when he will scatter his barbed and sharp-pointed arrows sharpened on stone? My wretched (Duraatma in Sanskrit) sons, who have to fight with the invincible Paandavaas are indeed, all doomed. Thinking day and night, I see not the warrior among us that is able to stay in battle before the wielder of the Gaandeeva. If Drona, or Karna, or even Bhishma advance against him in battle, a great calamity is likely to befall the earth. But even in that case, I see not the way to our success Karna is kind and forgetful. Aachaarya Drona is old, and the teacher (of Arjuna). Arjuna, however, is angry, strong, proud, of firm and steady prowess. As all these warriors are invincible, a terrible fight will take place between them. All of them are heroes (Shoora in Sanskrit) skilled in weapons and of great reputation. They would not wish for the sovereignty of the world, if it was to be purchased by defeat.

“Indeed, peace will be restored only on the death of these or of Phaalguna. The slayer of Arjuna, however, does not exist, nor does one that can vanquish him. Oh, how shall that anger of his which has myself for its object be pacified. Equal to the chief of Devas (Lord Indra), that hero (Veera in Sanskrit) pleased Agni at Khaandava (forest) and defeated all the monarchs of the earth on the occasion of the great Raajasooya. O Sanjaya, the Vajra falling on the mountain top, leaves a portion unconsumed; but the arrows, O child (Sanjaya), that are shot by Kireeti (Arjuna) leave not a rack behind. As the rays of the Sun, heat this mobile and immobile universe, so will the arrows shot by Arjuna’s hands scorch my sons. It seems to me that the Chamoos of the Bharatas, terrified at the sound of Arjuna’s chariot-wheels, are already broken through in all directions. Vidhaatra has created Arjuna as an all-consuming Destroyer. He stays in battle as an enemy, vomitting and scattering swarms of arrows. Who is there that will defeat him?’”