The Gandharva

In my last post, I mentioned the story of the Pandavas and the Kurus and how they met the Gandharva warriors.  I remember the tale as told to me by my Guru Mahārāja, B.R. Śrīdhara. The way he told it, we must overcome sectarian differences to find unity among brothers, even when the family differences are strong. I have adapted this section from my memories of his telling the tale and by consulting the excellent translation of K.M. Ganguli, which is in the public domain. This is a retelling of the Mahābharata I've been working on. I hope you find it to your satisfaction.

The Pandavas. Left to right: Bhima, kneeling with mace, Yudhisthira seated with Draupadi, Arjuna on the Right. The twins, Nakula and Sahadeva in back.

Krishna meets with the Pandavas in Exile in the Forest

And so it was that Markandeya spent a long time in the forest, with Krishna and Satyabhama, the Pandavas and all the gathered saints and spoke at great length about the purpose of life citing many examples and stories from the ancient histories and Puranas. He discussed the importance of brahmanas and the rules for kings as well as the proper conduct for women. And when it came time for him to leave, he departed into the deep heart of the forest.

And Krishna also, the slayer of Madhu, also called Janardana, having conversed at great length for many days with the sons of Pandu and with those brahmanas headed by Markandeya, mounted his golden chariot and called for Satyabhama. Satyabhama was sad to say goodbye to Draupadi and told her, “O thou of black eyes, it has been foretold that one day you will rule Hastinapura in peace with your husbands. So be it.” And so saying bade them farewell, mounting the chariot of  Krishna. And Krishna, vanished into the woods just as a lightning flash that appears in the sky briefly and then disappears.

With the end of Krishna’s visit, the sons of Pandu moved once again through the forest until the had reached the lake and woods known as Dwaita.

Now it came to pass that a learned brahmana had been following the company of the Pandavas for some time.

A Brahmana in Hastinapura

And so it came to pass, that one day that brahmana left the forest and the Pandavas behind, and in his wanderings came to Hastinapura. There he was received by the old blind King, Dhritarasthra.  And when the king asked him about his adventures, seeking truth in the universe, the brahmana replied that he had spent time in the forest with the exiled Yudhisthira.

With this the blind King took a great interest and so the brahmana who was an excellent storyteller described the sons of Pandu. He told the King that they were weak and emaciated from fasting and from performing penances and austerities in the forest. Shadows of their former selves they were reduced going to exposure to wind and sun. And hearing this the old blind King took pity on them, and was afflicted with grief to think that those royal princes were now swimming in a river of sorrow.

He asked, "and how is Yudhisthira?"

The brahmana described what he'd seen. He told of how Arjuna had returned from the heavenly planets armed with godly weapons: how he was readier than ever to march against the Kurus in deadly battle. How Bhima had sent many a ghostly warrior and many of forest monster to the court of death. He mentioned that the twins spent hours daily readying themselves for war. He told of how Yudhisthira had spoken with Krishna and that the Pandavas now had many allies: The Vrishnis, the Madhus, and even Yakshas and Rakshasas, friends of Bhima's son Ghatotkacha. He spoke of Bhima's alliance with Hanuman and the godly weapons bestowed by Shiva, Vayu, and Indra. He explained that while the sons of Pandu had suffered various kinds of hardships, they were now hardened by experience and readier than ever for war.

And thanking the brahmana, giving him arms, and sending him on his way, the blind King went to his son Duryodhana and told him everything. Duryodhana in his turn sought counsel with Shakuni and Karna. And in this way by discussion they began to make a conspiracy.

And Shakuni argued that the best course would be to attack the Pandavas in the forest, now while they were weak.  He said, "Your rivals the Pandavas have been exiled to the forest lo these long years. And so you rule the kingdom of Hastinapura alone. Yudhisthira and his brothers have been forgotten and are nothing more than the stuff of legends, while the people love you and kings from north and south offer you treasure in tribute. Now is the time to consolidate your power. Let us ride forth into the forest with a huge entourage of followers. You can ride with your queens dressed in fine silks of gold thread. And when the starving and miserable Draupadi, dressed in rags and deerskins beholds the opulence of our retinue she will be humiliated and tear her hair in despair.  We shall humiliate the Pandavas with our wealth.  And by so doing either they will be so disheartened that they will renounce the idea of war, or so feverish that they shall attack us unprepared. When they attack we shall waste them and cut them down like so many dried sheafs of wheat after the harvest.”

A Plot is hatched

And hearing the words of the clever Shakuni, the cruel Duryodhana took heart and said, “I like this. This is a good plan. But what of my father the king. He is always melancholy and rues the day we exiled the Pandavas. He feels sympathy for Yudhisthira and his brothers. I don’t think he will allow us to penetrate the forest where they are exiled. And he has the backing of Drona our military guru and of Bhishma the great grand-father of us all. O clever Shakuni, we need a pretext to go into that forest.”

Karna said, “Our herds of cattle are passing through that very forest. What if we go under the pretext of caring for the many cows and bulls that wander there now?”

“Brilliant!” said Shakuni. “The very idea I was looking for. The king shall surely give us permission to care after our kine.”

And so the three laughed and rubbed their hands with glee. The plot was set and they planned on the humiliation of the Pandavas.

And so they went off to see the king, Dhritarastra. They sat in the throne room, asking after his health when their cowherd, Samanga, entered. On a sign from Duryodhana, Samanga turned the conversation to cows and their needs and began to talk of how the herd was stranded in the Dwaita forest. Karna joined the talk. Careful not to mention the Pandavas, he went on about the importance of cow protection. He turned to his friend Duryodhana and said, “O Kaurava, our cattle-stations are now set in a delightful place in the Dwaita forest. Some of the cows are calving. It is an auspicious time to visit them, now that we are in the holy month of Kartikka. The hunting is very good right now after the rainy season and many stags are running free.”

And Dhritarasthra said, “Yes, this is an excellent time there for cow protection and for hunting the wild boars and stags that range free there. But we have heard that those great souls, the Pandavas, have made their home there. After all, they were cheating of their kingdom by deceitful means. It would be a shame to offend them. I do not think it good that you disturb or offend them.”

Shakuni said, “King Yudhisthira is the very emblem of righteousness. Why would he be disturbed if we are engaged in the protection of our own cows? And his brothers follow him, knowing that his decision is true. I don’t think they will be angry with us. Anyway, we are all interested in a good hunt, but we won’t go that way. We will avoid any clash with the Pandavas and will stay away from their camp.”

And having listened the the expert arguments of the clever Shakuni, Dhritarastra gave his permission for a hunting picnic to take place in the Dwaita forest, near where the Pandavas held their camp, provinding Yudhisthira and his brothers were not disturbed.

In this way, Duryodhana, the son of Gandhari set out for the Dwaita forest accompanied by Karna and surrounded by a large host.  Shakuni and Dushasana went with him as well as many other armed prince. The entourage included many ladies of the court dressed in their finery. They set out with many elephants and horses, foot-soldiers and body-guards, as well as many shops and pavilions and traders eager to do business in the great picnic in the Dwaita woods.  Slowly they left Hastinapura behind and wended their way down the road to the great Kamyaka forest. Gradually Duryodhana’s company approached the woods and leaving behind the king’s paved road and the dust and clamour of the city, they entered that sylvan paradise of verdant groves and flowery vales.  And moving from one grove to another, King Duryodhana with  many followers and vehicles penetrated the Kamayaka forest and entered the Dwaita woods.  The long train of followers was astonishing to behold with its many horses and elephants, soldiers ready for battle and brilliant chariot cars. Duryodhana rode at the head along with Karna and Dushashana and their uncle, Shakuni. The cowherd Samanga was their guide and showed them where their cattle-stations were and where the cows were grazing. They reached a delightful shady area with trees and water and began raising tents and pavilions with all the comforts of a palace.  They spent the night there and the next day King Duryodhana set out along with his brothers and inspected the cows and bulls that grazed in that part of the forest.  In this way they marked the bulls and cowsf with special marks, counting all the three-year-old calves. And in the evening the princes along with the cowherds played different sports and picnicked there. The herdsmen played their pipes and drums and danced and sang. They ate lavishly, and then, as the moon rose over the woods, sylvan virgins decked in jewels sported with the son of Dhritarastra, assuring his every princely satisfaction.  And the following day the king surrounded by the ladies of the court gave wealth in charity, and lavished food and drink upon all.

The cruel Duryodhana loved hunting and slaying animals of all kinds and sported by killing hyenas and buffaloes and deer and wild bear who inhabited those hillls. In this way Duryodhana and his followers despoiled that forest, cutting down trees to enjoy the beehives whose fine honey intoxicated his followers and their ladies.   He pierced many an animal with  fast-flying darts from his bow. They chased the blue-throated jays from the trees and ran and sported everywhere. Finally they beheld the wonderful lake, Dwaitayana, near the place where the Pandavas and Draupadi had made their camp. And when his  spies had confirmed  that indeed the Pandavas were near, Duryodhana ordered his men saying, “Let pavilions and pleasure house be constructed here near this lakeside with great splendour and opulence, and spurning no opportunity to humiliate the Pandavas.”

The Gandharvas are not pleased

But as Duryodhana’s men began entering the woods near the lakeshore with the purpose of collecting wood for construction they were turned back by a number of Gandharvas who forbade them to enter, saying, “Dear sirs, the King of the Gandharvas is now within these woods sporting with the celestial apsaras, the courtly dancing girls of heaven. It is not an auspicious time to enter.”

 Now Gandharvas are godlike beings with mystic powers and it is best to avoid offending them. But Duryodhana did not heed the warnings of his men and ordered his soldiers saying, “Punish those wretches who wish to oppose my will.”

And hearing these words of Duryodhana his officers and sons, endowed with great strength, armed for battle and rushed at the Gandharvas who had been guarding the gates of the woods near the lake.

The Gandharvas, upon seeing that warlike host, gently forbade them to enter. But the Kuru soldiers disregarded them and began advancing into the woods, prepared to chop down trees, gather wood, hunt the boars and deers there, and do the will of their master, the cruel king Duryodhana.  So when the Gandharvas realized that the warriors of Duryodhana could not be stopped by words they went to their king, Chitrasena. Chitrasena, upon hearing of the madness and pride of Duryodhana, became enraged, saying, “Punish these miserable curs. Advance and make war.”

Gandharvas versus duryodhana

With this the Gandharvas took up weapons against the followers of Duryodhana and rushed their ranks.

With this the Gandharvas took up weapons against the followers of Duryodhana and rushed their ranks. The soldiers fled they had ran back to Duryodhana. They told the Duryodhana everything that the fierce Gandharva had said. And Duryodhana became enraged. He said, "Punish them. Ride forth and slay them." And so it was that the Army of the sons of Dhirtarastra wrote in their chariots to destroy the Gandharvas. The Gandharva's rushed towards the followers of Duryodhana with the upraised weapons vibrating divine mantras. And the sight of those celestial warriors was such that the Kuru soldiers turned and fled the field of battle. Only the heroic Karna stood his ground. And seeing the mighty host of Gandharvas rushing toward him thirsty for blood, Karna dispatched many of them to the land of the dead. With great dexterity and a light hand he struck down hundreds of soldiers using different kinds of arrows and weapons made of bone and steel. The great warrior made many Gandharva's heads roll, causing panic in their ranks.

And as the troops of Chitrasena were slain in battle, that Gandharva King became enraged and led his warriors forth to crush the army of the kurus. Chitrasena was determined to exterminate the kurus. And being celestial creatures born of the gods the Gandharva's employed there mystic powers and weapons of illusion. With this the kuru warriors were stripped of their senses. They were confused and saw Gandharva's on all sides's pressing them with their sharp weapons. Terrified by the onslaught of Chitrasena the soldiers who had so valiantly supported Karna his attack now turned and fled. Karna himself fought valiantly, but soon the Gandharva warrior's fell upon him in close combat with swords and battle axes and spirits. They smashed the axle of his chariot, and stampeded his horses. They cut down the umbrella of his chariot and destroyed it, breaking his chariot in half. Karna leapt from his chariot, sword and shield in hand. He ran to his friend Vikarna's chariot and to his shame fled the battle.

And as he ran from the battle King Duryodhana himself entered the fray, speeding through the ranks and his chariot and laying down a curtain of fierce arrows. But the Gandharvas paid no heed to his iron darts, but closing upon him cut his chariot into pieces. They killed his horses and driver and shattered his car with their battle axes. All at once the great King of the Gandharvas, Chitrasena himself grabbed Duryodhana by the hair. He seized him with such strength that it appeared that he had torn the very soul from his body. In the same way the Gandharvas arrested Dushasana and the clever Shakuni and took them to their camp.

the pandavas react

And as this was taking place on the battlefield, those soldiers who had fled from the action raced to the ashram of Yudhisthira. And before the proud Bhima and Arjuna, they fell on their knees and prayed for the protection of the Pandavas. Their eyes bulged from their head in terror and sweat dripped from therefore heads as they recounted the events on the field.

"The mighty armed son of Dhirtarastra has been taken captive by the warlike Gandharvas. And now that King, his brothers headed by Dushasana, as well as their queens and all the ladies of the royal xourt are being dragged away in chains. Help us oh my brothers! Only you can save us."

And so the followers of Duryodhana, mad with grief, fell at the feet of the Pandavas and begged for help. The mighty Bhima shook his sides with laughter. He said, "What we might have done with great labor the Gandharva has done for us. It seems to me that a ruthless and deceitful King is trapped in the reactions to his own karma."

But the righteous Yudhisthira turned to his brother and said, "Hold thy tongue. After all, Duryodhana is family. It is true that there is dissension between us, and that we are five against his 100. But, when we are attacked from without, we are 105. Let us ride forth in the chariots that were left behind. We shall see how they deal with the powerful right arm of Arjuna."

And even then, Arjuna himself said, "if the Gandharvas do not surrender and release the son of Dhirtarastra, then I swear by my powerful right arm that this day the earth shall drink the blood of their King."

The pleasure pavilions and tents with different goods and wares were all surrendered to the protection of the Pandavas as were horses, elephants, foot-soldiers, chariots, bows, arrows, and all the weapons of Duryodhana’s royal entourage. The Pandavas prepared themselves for war encasing themselves in chain-mail decorated with gold and armed with celestial weapons of all kinds. And cheered by the words of Yudhisthira, Bhima led the warriors into battle. The Kuru army reformed with a mighty should with Bhima and Arjuna at their head.

They rode into battle against the Gandharvas who were heady with victory. Yudhisthira had instructed that the Pandavas engage in a skirmish only to demonstrate the force of their arms, but the Gandharvas were proud and began a murderous charge. Arjuna appealed to their good sense, reminding them that he was friends with Chitrasena, but the headstrong and reckless Gandharvas ran against him. So it was that Arjuna rained a shower of sharp arrows against them and cut down many Gandharvas. and while the sons of Pandu were only four and the Gandharvas thousands, the battle was terrible. The Gandharvas tried and failed to break the chariots of the Pandavas. And Arjuna became angry and rained celestial weapons upon the Gandharvas, using his fire weapons to burn their ranks. Bhima slew many with his own mighty bow and Nakula and Sahadeva sent many a Gandharva to the court of Yamaraja.

Finally Chitrasena himself came forward and said, “Behold! My old friend Arjuna is battling with me.”

And drawing up his chariot between the hosts, he said, “Hold! Hold thy weapons. I would speak with Arjuna.”

With this the soldiers paused their arms and watched in silence as Arjuna approached Chitrasena on the field of battle. As they grew closer they lay down their weapons and greeted each other with great friendliness, remembering their adventures among the celestials and the affair of Urvasi. Chitrasena sat in his chariot and talked to Arjuna and inquired after the health of his brothers.

And Arjuna said, “What have you against the Kurus, my friend? What is the cause of this bloodshed.”

And Chitrasena smiled, saying, “Why I heard from my spies of Duryodhana’s plan to come here and humiliate you. Indra himself, the lord of rain, your father came to me and said, ‘Capture Duryodhana and his minions. Protect my son.’ For this purpose I have come to Lake Dwaipayana and set my camp. This wicked prince even now is in chains. I shall deliver him to the court of the gods for his judgment. There is no doubt he will be executed for his crimes. I am sorry if I have caused any trouble to your or your brothers. There must be some misunderstanding. But why do you fight my Gandharva soldiers? We are your friends.”

“Release him.” said Arjuna.

“But this vain wretch has deceived and wronged both you and your lord Yudhisthira.”

Yudhisthira appeared before them on a golden chariot. “Release him.” said the king. “You have done us a great act of kindness by humiliating our enemies. But this is not your fight. In good time we shall take Hastinapura by force of arms, but the time is not yet ripe. We thank you for defending the honor of our family and of Draupadi. The envious king who wanted to humiliated us has been humiliated.”

“So be it,” said the Gandharva Chitrasena. He gave orders for his men to retire from the field of battle. Others set about freeing Duryodhana, Dushasana, and the ladies of the court. The Pandavas were pleased to see their sisters and cousins freed from the Gandharva warriors. Finally Duryodhana stepped forward, burning with envy and shame.

Yudhisthira addressed him, saying, “My child, you must avoid such rash acts in the future. The time will come when you will be judged for your deceit, but that time is not now. Return to your capital and take your men. We shall see Hastinapura again soon enough. Now go.”

And Duryodhana was overwhelmed with shame and anguish. He bend his head in grief and melancholy and, gathering his troops and entourage he left the Lake of Dwaitayana and disappeared through the forest the way he had come. He proceeded towards his city thinking of his defeat and burning with envy. On the path he met with Karna who also felt the shame of cowardice having run from the enemy. And Karna saluted him saying, “Duryodhana! You are alive. Then you have conquered the foe where I have failed. I turned and ran like a coward, but you stood your ground and prevailed. You are a true warrior, where I have been shamed by the enemy.”

duryodhana humiliated

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And Duryodhana replied, “No, Karna, it is not so. It is true that we fought hard with the Gandharvas, but I owe my life to our enemies the Pandavas. They have humiliated me once again by rescuing me from the Gandharvas who conquered us all. It was Arjuna who rescued me, having made peace with Chitrasena the lord of the Gandharvas. It is with a heavy heart that I return to Hastinapura, knowing that once again I have been bested by Arjuna and company.” And with this, Duryodhana hung his head and wept.