Karna and The Grandsire

hurled it at Arjuna.
Arjuna met it with towards Arjuna said: "Dear son Partha,

three arrows which cut it to pieces even give me a cushion befitting a warrior."
as it was speeding through the air. When Arjuna, whose arrows were just
Bhishma then decided to end the combat then burning the grandsire's flesh, heard
and made as if to dismount from his those words addressed to him, he took
chariot, sword and shield in hand. But three arrows from out of his quiver and so
before he could do so, his shield was cut placed them that the grandsire's head
to pieces by Arjuna's arrows. found support on their points.
With arrows sticking all over his body so "Princes," said Bhishma addressing the
thickly that there was not even an inch of assembled chiefs, "Arjuna's arrows were
intervening space, Bhishma fell headlong indeed what my head required to be
to the ground from his chariot. supported on. This pillow gives me
As he fell, the gods, who looked on from satisfaction. Now, I must lie thus until the
above, folded their hands in reverent sun turns north. My soul will not depart
salutation and a gentle breeze, laden with till then. When I pass away, those of you
fragrance and cool raindrops, swept over who may be alive then may come and see
the battlefield. me."
Thus fell the great and good Bhishma, the Then the grandsire turned again to Arjuna
son of Ganga, who came on earth to and said: "I am tormented with thirst. Get
hallow it and all it bears. me some drinking water." At once, Arjuna
The blameless hero who, unasked, made raised his bow, and drawing, it to the ear,
the great renunciation to give joy to his shot a shaft down into the earth near the
father. The undefeated bowman who had grandsire on his right side.
humbled the pride of Rama of the axe. Upon the opening made by the arrow,
The selfless worker for righteousness' there gushed a stream of pure sweet water
sake, thus repaid his debt to Duryodhana, to the very lips of the dying man. Ganga
and lay wounded to death sanctifying with came up, says the poet, to quench her dear
his life-blood the battlefield. As the son's burning thirst. Bhishma drank and
grandsire fell, the hearts of the Kauravas was happy.
also fell along with him. "Duryodhana, may you be wise!" said
Bhishma's body did not touch the ground, Bhishma, addressing the Kaurava prince.
on account of the arrows sticking out all "Did you see how Arjuna brought me
over his body. His body shone more water to quench my thirst? Who else in
brightly than ever before, as it lay as on a this world can do such a deed? Make
bed of honor, supported by the shafts that peace with him without further delay.
had pierced his flesh. May the war cease with my exit. Listen to
Both armies ceased fighting and all the me, son, make peace with the Pandavas."
warriors came running and crowded round The grandsire's words did not please
the great hero, who lay on his bed of Duryodhana. Even when dying, the
arrows. The kings of the earth stood with patient does not like medicine. He objects
bowed heads round him, as the gods to the bitter taste. All the princes retired to
round Brahma. their camps.
"My head hangs down unsupported," said 74. KARNA AND THE GRANDSIRE
the grandsire. The princes who stood near, WHEN he learnt that Bhishma lay
ran and brought cushions. The old warrior wounded and dying, Karna hurried to the
rejected them with a smile and, turning place and fell at his feet and said:
"Eldest of the race. Radha's son, who, Deprived of Bhishma's leadership, the
through no fault of his, incurred your Kaurava forces felt like sheep without a
great displeasure, humbly prostrates shepherd when Bhishma no longer led
himself before you." them. Indeed, even as Bhishma fell
When after humble salutation Karna stood wounded, the men shouted:
up, the grandsire, greatly moved, tenderly "O Karna, you are the one left to lead and
placed his hand on Karna's head and protect us."
blessed him. The Kaurava warriors felt that, if but
"You are not Radha's son, young man," he Karna would agree to take up the
said in loving tones: "You are Kuntidevi's command, victory was certain. During the
own first born. Narada, who knows all the first ten days when Bhishma led the
secrets of the world, himself revealed this forces, the son of Surya kept away from
to me. Son of Surya, truly I entertained no the battle.
dislike for you. But I was grieved to see As already narrated, deeply hurt at the
your increasing hatred of the Pandavas grandsire's contempt, Karna had said: "So
although they gave you no cause for it. I long as you are up fighting, I shall keep
know and admire your valor and your aloof. If you slay the Pandavas and bring
open handedness. And I know also that victory to Duryodhana, I shall be glad.
you belong to the class of Phalguna and And I shall then, taking the king's leave,
Krishna in prowess. It is proper that you go to the forest. But, if you be defeated
befriend the Pandavas. Therein lies the and go to the abode of the brave, I who
right path for you who are their brother. am not deemed by you as an adhiratha
With the closing of my part in this war, (master of chariot warfare) will ride my
may the chapter of your enmity also close. chariot and oppose those whom you deem
This is my wish, Karna." to be of greater prowess than myself. And
Karna listened respectfully and replied: defeating them, bring victory to
"Grandsire I know I am Kunti's son, and Duryodhana."
not charioteer born. But I have eaten Thus had Karna sworn and, with
Duryodhana's salt and must be true to Duryodhana's consent, kept aloof from the
him, to be true to my own lineage. It is battle during the first ten days. Now he
impossible for me to go over to the went on foot to Bhishma who lay on his
Pandavas now. You must permit me to bed of arrows waiting for his end and,
repay with my life, if it so be the debt I saluting him, addressed him thus:
owe to Duryodhana for his love and trust. "Veteran grandsire, vanquisher of
I have erred greatly in word and deed. Parasurama, you lie on the field of battle,
You must forgive me for it all and give struck down by Sikhandin. If you, who
me your blessings." had reached the summit of right living and
The great acharya, who knew all the laws were an embodiment of purity itself, must
of right conduct and what Karna said, lie wounded in this manner, it is clear that
replied: "Do reflect for a while and then no one can attain in this world what he
do as you wish, for that is the right way." deserves by his merit. You were the one
Even when Bhishma was mortally boat on which the Kaurava princes
wounded and lay dying, the battle did not depended for crossing the flood of their
cease. Discarding the grandsire's words of troubles. Heavy indeed will be the blows
wisdom, the Kauravas resumed the battle. that the Pandavas will now deal at the
Kauravas and great will be their

Karna and The Grandsire

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Karna and The Grandsire

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Karna and The Grandsire

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

hurled it at Arjuna.

Arjuna met it with towards Arjuna said: "Dear son Partha,

You might also like

Pfad - The Proxy pFad of © 2024 Garber Painting. All rights reserved.