In the concluding Episode of ‘Neengalum Vellalaam Oru Kodi, telecast in Star Vijay TV,anchored by Actor Surya, his father and actor Sivakumar remarked that Duryodhana praised Yudhithira because Yudhistira sent word secretly through Katothkacha, son of Arjuna about the vow of Arjuna to kill Jayathratha before sundown the next day for having killed his son Abhimanyu.
Sivakumar seems to have his facts muddled.
The vow of Arjuna reached Duryodhana’s camp after Arjuna vowed to kill Jayathratha.
There were no secret parley between Duryodhana and Yudhitra during the Mahabharata war according to Vyasa.
Hence there was no question of Duryodhana praising Yudhisttra on this issue.
However Duryodhan praises Yudhitstra for having allowed his brother Sahadeva t fix an auspicious date for performing the Human Sacrifice before the start of the Mahabharata War for Duryodhana.
“Yudhisthira and others sat, tears streaming from their eyes. Arjuna defeated Trigartas and returned. The ominous silence in the camp filled his heart with an unknown dread. He too was in a deep and profound shock to learn about the tragic killing of his son in the Chakra-Vyuha in the cruelest manner. Even Krishna could not check his tears, hearing about the death of his favourite Nephew. Arjuna was told all the gruesome details, how six maharathis together killed his son.
Then Arjuna stood up, suddenly and said, Tommorrow, I promise I will kill Jayadratha. If I do not kill him before sunset tommorrow, I will enter the blazing fire with my Gandhiva.
This lifted the gloom from the hearts of the Pandavas camp. They gave lusty cheers and sounded the drums and trumpets. This unusual and uncalled for cheering drew the attention of the spies and they rushed to Duryodhana to give him the news of Arjuna Oath. In Pandava camp no one could sleep. The death of Abhimanyu had caused too much of grief. They were praying that Arjuna fulfills his terrible oath of killing Jayadratha the next day.
Jayadratha was panic-stricken hearing about the oath of Arjuna. He rushed to Drona. He said, “I will run away and go back to my kingdom. Arjuna cannot kill a man who has run away from the battle. It is against the dharma and Arjuna is righteous.” Drona laughed and said, Do not talk of Dharma. By running away you may not be able to save your life. Your life can be saved only if you remain in the battle. The entire Kaurava army and all the heroes will guard you only. You are a no mean fighter yourself. Lord Shiva blessed you. Why are you afraid of Arjuna? If he fails to kill you, he will enter the fire. Once Arjuna is gone, the Pandavas would lose the war.” Duryodhana also agreed with the views of Drona. Now Jayadratha was some what pacified.
It was heart-rendering scene at the Pandavas camp. Arjuna, not having the courage to face his wife Subhadra, asked Krishna to pacify her. It took all task and compassion of Krishna to pacify somehow his sister Subhadra and Draupadi. He asked them to have courage like Kshatriya women and to go to Uttara and comfort her. Subhadra and Draupadi comforted Uttara. She was delirious with sorrow. She was carrying Abhimanyu’s child in her womb, who was to be the sole survivor of the Pandavas.
Krishna could not sleep. He was worried about Arjuna’s oath. He called his charioteer Daruka. He said, Daruka. Tommorrow, the spies tell us that Drona is going to form a very complex and formidable Vyuha to protect Jayadratha. Besides all other Kaurava warriors Drona and Karna will be there to guard Jayadratha. The Sun being in Dakshinayana sets early now a days. Arjuna will not be able to defeat Drona,Karna and all other warriors, to reach Jayadratha. So keep my chariot ready. Keep my bow, Saranga, Chakra Sudarshana and mace Kaumudiki in it. Fix the Garuda banner. Yoke Valahaka, Shaivya, Meghapushpa and Sugnva, my beloved horses. Wear your armour. When I sound ‘Rishabha’ note from Panchajanya, bring the chariot to me. I have taken an oath not to join the war. But Arjuna is my devotee and a friend. I cannot allow his words to be untrue, even if my words become false. The honour of my devotee is dearer to me than my own honour. Arjuna will not be allowed to fail his words, even if I have to kill Drona and Karna with my own hands. Daruka listened to Krishna’s command with tears in his eyes. He said, I will do as my lord commands, but I can see no way Arjuna can fail when the lord of the universe is guiding his chariot. Daruka left to make the necessary preparations. Then Krishna went to sleep as a burden had been cast off his mind.
http://www.urday.in/marjunavow.htm
Jayadratha fought on the side of Duryodhana in the Kurukshetra War. On the 13th day of the Mahabharata war, when the Chakravyuha was launched by Dronacharya, then Jayadrath made use of the first boon granted to him by Lord Shiva. He was able to hold all the Pandava brothers at bay except Arjuna and Krishna who were busy battling elsewhere with Susharma and his brothers. Jayadratha allowed Arjuna’s son Abhimanyu to enter the battle, but effectively closed the opening created by Abhimanyu. Abhimanyu who did not know how to exit from the Chakravyuha got trapped and gets killed in a brutal way by the Kauravas treacherously. After the end of the battle, Jayadratha kicked the dead body of Abhimanyu and rejoiced around it.
The Pandavas were startled and enraged after finding that Jayadratha (whose life was once spared during the Draupadi’s abduction episode in the past) was able to hold the world’s most powerful warriors at bay. Arjuna blamed Jayadratha to be the cause for Abhimanyu’s death. He vowed to kill him the very next day before sunset, failing which Arjuna would kill himself by jumping in a pyre of fire.
Leave a Reply