Pandavas, Krishna & their family- Admiration Thread # 3 - Page 49

Virat Parva 6 - Susharma attacks Matsya kingdom from South

News of Keechak's death reaches Hastinapur
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While Duryodhan and company was pondering over how to discover Pandavas or prepare for the war that would surely result otherwise, spies kept coming everyday from all sides. The report was the same - they could not locate the Pandavas. However, one spy arriving from south-west from the kingdom of Matsya reported that the powerful Keechak, the commander-in-chief of King Virat's forces and Virat's brother-in-law had been killed in a wrestling bout. So badly was he killed that he was unrecognizable - his limbs had been shred apart and his face pounded into pulp. This was sweet news to Hastinapur because Keechak had often been a thorn in their expansionist plans and had thwarted them time and again.

Duryodhan, Karna, Shakuni, and Dushasan gathered more information. Apparently, Keechak was killed in a fight over a beautiful woman who was maid of the queen. It was reported that she had five Gandharva husbands and one of them killed Keechak and all his followers. The nature of Keechak's killing was most suspicious. A woman with reportedly five Gandharva husbands sounded notoriously like Draupadi. The four persons pondered amongst themselves. Were these Draupadi and Pandavas?

Karna said, "O King, there are only four persons who have the capability to kill a giant like Keechak at malla yuddh (wrestling bout). These persons are Shri Balaram, Madra-naresh Shalya, myself and Bheem. I am pretty certain the first two did not kill Keechak. They had no reason to and definitely not going all the way so long and then killing him in secret. I did not do it. That leaves Bheem as the only person who could have done it."

They all agreed. This was definitely Bheem at work. It added up. Keechak had violated a woman with five husbands and had been slain in a manner that bore Bheem's unmistakable stamp.

It so happened that during this time, King Susharma, the king of Trigarta, a friend of Duryodhan and enemy of Virat was present in the room. Susharma had often tried to invade and annex the kingdom of Matsya but everytime routed by the massive might of Keechak. He saw a wonderful opportunity. He said, "O Kurus, if you desire to expand your forces, you can begin by bringing Virat under your subjection. Now he is without Keechak and his followers, there should be little trouble. Let us go and take his wealth. Subjugating him, you shall increase both your treasury and your army by requisitioning his forces. I will bring my own army to assist you. Too many times have the Trigartas been overpowered by Keechak. Now we shall avenge ourselves on the Matsyas."

Duryodhan agreed. He thought of the danavas in his so-called dream - perhaps destiny was favouring him after all. If they went to Virat, they could discover the Pandavas for he was sure that the virtuous Pandavas would not deter from their duty in helping their host. Even if the Pandavas were not there, he could annex the kingdom and eliminate one potential ally on the Pandava side. This was a no-loss situation for him. He stood up and declared, "Susharma has made an excellent suggestion. We should go to the Matsya kingdom immediately. Prepare our army to leave at once. As he has suggested, Susharma will accompany us with his own forces."

Then they made their plans. Susharma's kingdom lay to the South of Matsya. He would gather his forces and attack from that side. The Pandavas, if present, would rush to the south border. The next day, the Kuru army with its full might would attack from the north. They would plunder the kingdom and rob it of its wealth. But Shakuni warned. He said that Pitamah Bhishm and other elders, especially Vidur will not permit this act. So they must go with a pretext.

The same day, Duryodhan went to the rajya sabha and declared his intention of attacking the Matsya kingdom. He said that the Matsya kingom was famed for its cows who gave huge amount of rich milk. The Kurus should possess such a goushala (a herd of cows and milch animals) for themselves. Pitamah Bhishm and other elders were doubtful of the reason. But they could not find any effective counter-argument. After all, the primary objective of a king is to expand and fortify his borders.

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Susharma Attacks
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King Virat was a worried man. Although in one way he was glad to be rid of his oppressive brother-in-law who always defied him, he was also a strong protector. Now his kingdom was exposed. He was pondering as to who best was it to replace him as his commander-in-chief. He was thinking on similar lines in his court one day, when a messenger arrived with disturbing news - the very news that he feared. Susharma of the Trigartas had attacked from the south side and were stealing the cows.

The king hastily gave the orders to assemble the army. His four eldest sons accompanied him. So did Shatanik, Virat's younger brother (not to be confused with Draupadi's son of the same name). Virat said, "I have no doubt that Kanka, Ballava, Tantipal and Granthika will fight. Give them armor and chariots adorned with flags. I do not think such men, endowed as they are with bodies like mountains and arms like elephants' trunks, will not join the battle." But Virat was worried. Trigarta army was strong and much larger. It was Keechak's might and prowess that they were able to repel Susharma in the past. Things were uncertain now.

The Trigarta army was in the process of collecting and herding the cows when they saw the Matsya army. They left their current task and formed themselves to face the Matsya army. A fierce battle ensued on the grazing grounds. As the enraged warriors slew one another, the battle resembled the one that had once taken place between the gods and the demons. A thick dust cloud rose up from the field, obscuring everything and screening the afternoon sun. Thick showers of arrows whistled through the air and warriors fell by the thousands. The screaming fighters hacked at one another with their swords and axes.

As the blood of slain fighters flowed into the dust on the field, the cloud subsided. Heads adorned with helmets and earrings were rolling on the earth. Well-muscled arms, their gloved hands still clutching weapons, lay on the ground like serpents. Shattered chariots and pieces of armor were strewn everywhere. Vultures descended and tore at the bodies of the dead fighters. Jackals surrounded the battlefield.

Susharma, mounted on a golden chariot, came before Virat and bellowed out a challenge. He immediately released a hundred powerful arrows that struck Virat's armor and fell to the ground. Roaring like maddened bulls, the two kings circled one another with their weapons upraised. They discharged arrows like clouds pouring torrents of rain. Seeing him engaging with the Matsya king, Susharma's two brothers came to his assistance. With well-aimed arrows, they killed Virat's four horses and his charioteer. They then slew the warriors protecting his sides and rear. Susharma leapt from his chariot with his sword held high and rushed toward Virat. With his two brothers, he seized Virat and took him captive.

Yudhishthir saw Virat being led away on Susharma's chariot. He quickly went over to Bheem and called out, "The Matsya king has been captured and his army routed. We have lived peacefully in his kingdom this last year and are indebted to the king. Bheem, free Virat and thus repay our debt. We shall then put the Trigartas to flight."

Bheem's eyes glinted at the prospect of the fight. He had been awaiting Yudhishthir's command before engaging in the battle. "So be it," he replied. "Behold my prowess. I shall take hold of that huge tree over there like a mace and disperse the entire Trigarta army." Bheem moved toward a huge sal tree nearby, but Yudhishthir checked him. "O child, do not be rash. If you uproot this tree and perform superhuman deeds, people will be amazed and say, 'Surely this is Bheem.' Take some other weapon so that people will not recognize you. Go on your chariot and the twins will protect your wheels. Release the king."

Bheem urged on his charioteer and raced toward Susharma, who was heading away with the captive king. Nakul and Sahadev rode on either side and carved through the Trigarta forces. Approaching Susharma, Bheem yelled, "Wait! Turn and fight! Behold now a mighty feat of arms as I throw you down with all your followers."

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Susharma defeated and captured
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Bheem let go a steady stream of arrows and Susharma turned to face him. When the Trigarta king saw the powerful Bheem and the twins before him, it seemed to him that Yamaraja, flanked by Death and Time, had come to do battle. Along with his sons and generals he tried to withstand the Pandavas' attack, but hundreds were being killed. Chariots were smashed and elephants slain. Horses with their riders fell like trees blown over in a storm. The Pandavas' forceful arrows swept in clouds through Susharma's ranks and created havoc. Bheem leapt from his chariot and rushed about, whirling his mace, mowing the infantry down like a field of corn.

Witnessing the devastation, Susharma was astonished. It seemed that they would be annihilated by these three warriors. He pulled his bow back to his ear and sent long steel shafts at the roaring Pandavas. Bheem struck the straight-flying arrows with his mace and the twins struck at them with their swords. Encouraged by the Pandavas' prowess, the remainder of Virat's army rallied and charged back into the fight. Yudhishthir rode into their midst, working a great bow. With sharpened arrows the eldest Pandava quickly dispatched a thousand Trigarta warriors to death's abode. Bheem, back on his chariot and fighting alongside his brother, killed seven thousand. Nakul and Sahadev, focusing their efforts on protecting their elder brothers, slew a further thousand brave Trigarta fighters.

Susharma began to retreat and Bheem went after him swiftly. He killed Susharma's four horses and brought him to a halt. Seeing his opportunity, Virat grabbed a mace and leapt from the chariot. The old Matsya king began fighting Susharma's troops, wielding his mace and dancing about like a young man. Susharma jumped from his chariot and raced away. Bheem called out to him, "Stop! It is not becoming of heroes to fly away. With such prowess why did you think of stealing Virat's cows? Why are you now abandoning your followers?"

Susharma, provoked, again turned to face Bheem. "Stand and fight!" he shouted, brandishing his iron club.

Bheem leapt down and rushed toward the bellowing Susharma as a lion attacks a deer. Not caring for Susharma's blows, Bheem seized him by the hair and dashed him to the ground. Pulling him back up, he struck him several fierce blows. Susharma fell gasping to the ground. Bheem placed his knee on his breast and dealt him powerful blows to the head. Susharma lost consciousness and Bheem dragged him to his chariot. He took the insensible Trigarta king to Virat and said, "Behold this sinful man, whom I have captured. Surely he does not deserve to live."

The king replied, "Release the wretch."

Bheem dragged Susharma to his feet and, as he returned to consciousness, snarled at him, "Although I should slay you for stealing the cows, I will release you. According to kshatriya custom, you are now Virat's slave. You must declare this wherever you go. Only if you agree to this condition will you be allowed to live. Go now and do not again perform such rash acts."

Susharma bent his head low and climbed down from the chariot. He bowed to Virat and left, taking with him the remnants of his army.

The Matsyas cheered. They surrounded the Pandavas, still unaware of their identities, and praised them. Virat said, "Today I have been saved by you four heroes. All this kingdom's wealth is as much yours as it is mine. I will bestow upon you richly adorned women and heaps of gems. Tell me what you wish to have and it is yours. Indeed, become the rulers of my kingdom. What more can I say?"

Yudhishthir said humbly, "O King, we are pleased with your words, but it is sufficient for us that you are freed from danger."

"Come," Virat said. "I will install you as king of the Matsyas. How can I rule in your majestic presence? It is due to you alone that I am even able to see my kingdom and my relatives today."

Yudhishthir held up his hands in deference. "We are not able to rule Matsya. Pray forgive us. O King, you should continue to rule this prosperous kingdom in peace and happiness. Send emissaries into the capital to announce your victory. In keeping with the custom of the victorious, we must spend this night on the battlefield."

Virat turned to his ministers and ordered them to carry news of their victory to the city. "Let damsels and courtesans, decked with ornaments and carrying musical instruments, come out of the city to entertain the troops," the king said delightedly. The ministers left at once and the warriors prepared to spend the night on the field.

(Picture depicts Bheem defeating Susharma)