Mahabharata Udyoga Parva: Day 5

Part 1 of the series can be found here
Part 2 of the series can be found here
Part 3 of the series can be found here 
Part 4 of the series can be found here

Guru Parampara

Narayanam Padmabhavam Vasishtam Shakthim
Cha Tatputra Parasarancha Vyasam
Sukam Goudapadam Mahantam
Govinda Yogindra Mathasya Shishyam

Shree Shankaracharya Mathasya Padma
Padamcha Hasta Malakan Cha Shishyam
Tam Trotakam Vartikakaramanyan
Asmad Gurun San Tatamana Thosmi

The Guru Parampara is

1. Narayana
2. Padmabhava (Brahma)
3. Vashishta
4. Shakthi
5. Parasara
6. Vyasa
7. Suka
8. Gaudapada
9. Govinda Yogindra
10. Sankara
11. Padmapada, Hastamalaka, Sureshwaracharya, Totakacharya and others

What is Udyoga?

The Udyoga Parva has a different flavor – fewer stories and more substance. 

Udyoga literally translates to effort. Everybody should put in effort. Every creature puts in effort – from ants to insects to animals. Ants are said to be the antithesis to laziness. For all creatures other than human beings, effort is search for food. Human beings, possessing the sixth sense, don’t pursue food alone, they pursue other endeavours. 

Goddess Mahalakshmi follows the shadow of the person who puts in efforts.

In this Loka, effort is required for the following:

1. To be a good person
2. To live well
3. To be straightforward
4. To attain fame
5. To receive an education
6. To gain money
7. To raise a family 
8. To be wealthy
9. To maintain good health

For a good afterlife, efforts need to be taken in this life, there will not be opportunities in other realms to perform karma:

• Punya (Accrue merits through good actions)
• Dana (Charity)
• Dharma (Righteous actions)
• Nitya Karma (Performing Daily Duties Diligently)
• Performing Karma such as Shraddha and Tarpana diligently
• Visiting Punya Tirthams
• Swami Darshanam at temples

Various Efforts Taken by People in the Udyoga Parva

As the name of the parva suggests, various people took various efforts in this parva. Here is an enumeration of the efforts (and a sneak preview):

• Ulooka Bhattar went to Hasthinapura to speak to Duryodhana on behalf of the Pandavas
• Sanjaya went to the Pandavas as a messenger of the Kauravas (this involves Dhrtharashtra’s efforts as well)
• Vidura’s efforts in teaching Dhrtharasthra 
• Sanatsujatha’s efforts
• Krishna’s efforts in mediation
• Duryodhana’s efforts to prepare for the war
• Kunti’s efforts in appealing to Karna
• Various war efforts

Krishna and Others Weigh in on Pandavas’s Plan of Action

On the day of Abhimanyu’s wedding with Uttaraa, the warrior guests celebrated heartily and slept heartily at night in their assigned accommodation. The next morning, they all congregated at Virata’s Sabha to weigh in with their opinions on the Pandavas’ further course of action.

Krishna
Krishna went first. He said that Sakuni did not play a fair game in the gambling game, and in any case the Pandavas have completed their 13 years of Vana vasa and Ajnata vasa. Krishna further said that the Pandavas’ share of the kingdom is ancestral property, so He really doesn’t understand Duryodhana’s stance. He therefore suggests sending a messenger to Duryodhana.

Balarama
Balarama weighs in next. He’s always liked Duryodhana. He wanted Subhadra to get married to Duryodhana and not Arjuna. In a text called Yaksha Gaanam, it is mentioned that he wanted his daughter to get married to Duryodhana’s son. 

Balarama asks everyone not to get angry at Duryodhana. “Yudhishtira gambled on his own will. He can be polite, humble and ask Duryodhana for half the kingdom”, he said.

Satyaki
Satyaki spoke, disagreeing with Balarama.

“How can you defend Duryodhana’s invite to Yudhishtira to gamble?”, he asked Balarama. “Who did Duryodhana issue the invitation to? Dharmaputra, who is a mahatma. Who didn’t know how to gamble”.

Satyaki further said it is not okay to be polite and humble with Duryodhana, disagreeing with Balarama’s suggestion.  

Drupada
Drupada said reconciliation is unlikely to work out. However, there is not enough information to wage a war.

He volunteered to send a messenger to Duryodhana to state the Pandavas’ position and get Duryodhana’s stance. He sent his priest Ulooka Bhattar to Duryodhana’s court.  

Duryodhana and Arjuna Call Upon Krishna

Krishna returned back to Dwaraka.

Before Ulooka Bhattar could reach Duryodhana’s court, Duryodhana decided to call upon Krishna in Dwaraka, to seek Krishna’s support for the inevitable war takes place. Duryodhana sends word and makes and appointment to see Krishna. Arjuna too decides to visit Krishna impromptu.

Krishna, though aware that Duryodhana will visit, decides to take a nap. He tells his attendant to let Duryodhana in if he comes. He also arranges for two chairs in his room – one near his head, and one near his foot.

Duryodhana comes at the specified time and the attendant lets him in. Seeing Krishna asleep, Duryodhana thinks “Krishna knows I’m coming, yet He chooses to sleep, the nerve!”. He also sees the two chairs. Sitting near the feet – surely that is not befitting a person of Duryodhana’s stature? He made himself at home in the chair near Krishna’s head. 

Arjuna too arrives. Being a frequent visitor to Dwaraka, the attendant is familiar with Arjuna and lets him in. Arjuna acknowledges Duryodhana and sits on the chair near Krishna’s feet. The notion that sitting near Krishna’s feet could be construed as an insult doesn’t occur to Arjuna. Arjuna looks at Krishna lovingly.

Krishna wakes up and greets Arjuna. Arjuna clears his throat and gestures towards Duryodhana. Krishna greets Duryodhana. Duryodhana doesn’t beat around the bush and gets to the point. “A war between the Kauravas and Pandavas is likely to ensue, Krishna. I’m here to seek Your support in the war. Both Arjuna and I are equal to you.” Krishna then asks Arjuna the purpose of his visit. The same exact reason as Duryodhana, said Arjuna.

Duryodhana immediately said, “But I came first!”. Krishna said, “That is true, but I saw Arjuna. Also, Arjuna is younger. I have two choices to offer – I’ll give Arjuna first preference.”

Krishna Offers Arjuna Two Choices

Krishna offers two choices to Arjuna. An army of 100 million warriors, with each warrior possessing strength of Krisna. Or Krishna, but with the condition that He won’t bring weapons and He won’t fight. 

When Arjuna opened his mouth to speak, Krishna cautioned him, “Arjuna, think carefully before making your choice.”

Arjuna started by saying, “The army of 100 million warriors …”. Duryodhana’s heart skipped a few beats. He, of course, wanted the army. Arjuna finished his sentence with, “Well, I don’t want that army. I want You, Krishna!”

Duryodhana breathes a huge sigh of relief. Krishna, to keep up His word, immediately sends this army of warriors to Hasthinapura. Duryodhana takes leave of Krishna and goes to see Balarama, his close friend, and teacher. 

Duryodhana Calls Upon Balarama

Duryodhana goes to see Balarama, and after exchanging pleasantries, he asks for Balarama’s help in the same way he asked Krishna.

Balarama, being shrewd, probes further.
Balarama: “When did you come?”
Duryodhana: “I came a short while ago to see Krishna. I got an army of 100 million warriors from Krishna. If you join the army, it will be the icing on the cake.” 
Balarama: “Though Krishna and I fight with each other on occasion, we are inseparable. We have never battled against each other – not now – not in the past – do you recall Rama and Lakshmana battling each other?
“I don’t see fit to fight against Krishna. In fact, I won’t fight on either side. Assume that the 100 million warrior army is a gift from me as well. Now, go and fight a fair battle, Duryodhana!”

In the meantime, Krishna tells Arjuna:
Krishna: “Arjuna, didn’t I ask you to choose carefully? Why did you eschew the army of 100 million warriors?”
Arjuna: “Krishna, if You are with me, victory is mine. I have a request – please be my charioteer.”

Duryodhana Tricks Shalya

Duryodhana’s next task is to find a charioteer for Karna whose skill matches Krishna. He gets to know Shalya is passing by Hasthinapura on his way to visit the Pandavas. Duryodhana sets up a trap for Shalya.

He prepares elaborate arrangements along Shalya’s route for Shalya and his men to eat, drink and rest. Duryodhana made sure not to enter the forefront, and made sure Shalya didn’t see him. 

Shalya was more than pleased with the hospitality, and asked to see the person behind these arrangements, expecting to see Yudhshtira. To his surprise, he saw Duryodhana make his appearance. Shalya nevertheless expressed his gratitude and asked Duryodhana if he needed any favour in return.

“Actually, yes – could you join my army for the upcoming war?”, asked Duryodhana. Shalya had no option but to agree. 

Duryodhana repeatedly mentioned how Shalya’s prowess was equal to Krishna. Shalya was very pleased on hearing this comparison. When Duryodhana mentioned this comparison a few times, Shalya suspected an ulterior motive. And indeed, Duryodhana asked Shalya to be the charioteer for Karna. Shalya agreed. 

Shalya then told Duryodhana he was going to see Yudhishtira. Duryodhana said, “By all means! But please don’t forget your word that you will fight for the Kaurava army!” 

Shalya Visits Yudhishtira

Shalya visits Yudhishtira and tells him what happened. How Duryodhana tricked him into fighting for the Kaurava army.

Yudhishtira: “Can you offer us your help?”
Shalya: “I already told you, I gave my word to Duryodhana I will fight for the Kauravas. I am going to be Karna’s charioteer.”
Yudhishtira: “Right. But can you do something else for us, from the vantage point of being in the enemy camp?”
Shalya: “What do you have in mind?”
Yudhishtira: “When Karna fights Arjuna, can you say something that affects Karna’s mood? That will give Arjuna an edge.”

Now, association makes all the difference. This request doesn’t sound like Yudhishtira at all, does it? Upon hearing Duryodhana’s subterfuge, Yudhishtira got influenced and he made a request that has the flavour of Duryodhana.

And Shalya – he should rightfully refuse such a request – his loyalties should remain with the side he is fighting for. However, agrees to the request for several reasons.

• Shalya’s peeved with Duryodhana for his trickery
• Yudhishtira usually never makes a request. When he made a request, Shalya felt compelled to agree.
• Shalya is aware of the injustice meted to the Pandavas, and the difficulties they had to undergo for 13 years.

  Shalya further offers his blessings to Yudhishtira to win the war.

Shalya Tells Yudhishthira Indra Vijaya Story

Shalya tells Yudhishtira the story of Indra Vijaya – “The act of listening to this story assures victory for you”, he said. 

• Indra cuts off the head of Viswarupa
• That gives him Brahma-Hatya papa (the sin of killing a Brahmana), he got out of it
• He battled Vritrasura
• Vritra puts Indra in his mouth
• Devas manoeuvred to make Vritra yawn
• Indra came out of Vritra’s mouth
• The Vajrayudha was prepared and Indra defeated Vritra
• Due to the Brahma Hatya Dosha, Indra had to hide in a lotus stem
• Nashu was in Indraloka that time
• Nahusha became a python as a result of Agastya’s curse
• Indra overcame the Brahma-Hatya dosha and re-united with Indrani

Whoever tells this story, and whoever listens to this, becomes victorious in their pursuits. 

Ulooka Bhatta Makes His Case to Duryodhana 

Ulooka Bhatta arrives at the Hasthinapura court. He states the Pandavas’s case:

• Right from childhood, the Kauravas have made attempts on the Pandavas’ lives. Well, the Pandavas are still alive. 
• Duryodhana gave a barren piece of land to the Kauravas. With their skill, the Pandavas made this fertile. 
• Gambled using deception and exiled the Pandavas for 13 years.
• The Pandavas are willing to forget all of this, let bygones be bygones and make peace with you. Because if there is a war, people will die.
• But should there be a war, the Pandavas have strength to fight the war.

Bhishma was thrilled on hearing this. “It is Duryodhana’s good fortune that the Pandavas want peace. If they wanted to fight the Kauravas, nobody can stop them.” 

Karna disagreed with Bhishma and a disagreement ensued. Dhrtharasthra asked Bhishma and Karna to not argue, and told Ulooka Bhattar “We haven’t decided if we choose war or peace. We will think over it. I will then Sanjaya over as a messenger.”

Dhrtharashtra Shares His Thoughts with Sanjaya

Dhrtharashtra candidly confides in private to Sanjaya.

“Sanjaya, my children are wicked. They won’t listen to me. They don’t respect the Pandavas. The Pandavas, however, respect everyone.” He further adds, “Duryodhana doesn’t want to give Pandavas their share. But is it so easy to get their share as long as the Pandavas are still alive?”

What did Dhrthrasthra imply? That an attempt should be made on the Pandavas’ lives?

He continues, “I am afraid on hearing Arjuna and Krishna on the same chariot. Chakrapani and Savyasachi in the same chariot. I am also afraid of Yudhishtira’s patience. Patience carries with it great power. And Yudhishtira has shown superhuman patience.”

He then asks Sanjaya to go as a messenger to Yudhishtira and convey Dhrtharashtra’s thoughts. He asks Sanjaya to tell the Pandavas that the Kauravas are wicked, but the Pandavas are not, and will listen. Dhrtharashtra’s thoughts can be summarised as follows:

1. The Pandavas shouldn’t fight the battle
2. The Pandavas shouldn’t ask for their share of property
3. The Pandavas should continue to live the same way in the forest as they did in the 12 years of Vana vasa.  

The entire discourse (in Tamil) can be found here

Picture credit: Yogesa, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons