Collection of My articles on Mahabharata.. - Page 3

Sudarshana chakra can not be termed as Astra. It was Sashtra.

Krishna did not need any mantra related to astra to invoke it.

In Mahabharat Agnidev brought it for Krishna during Khandav dahan.But we should not think that it was not with Krishna before. It always was with him but reached him through Agni in that avatar.

Pavaka then, addressing Krishna, said, 'With this, O slayer of Madhu, thou shalt be able without doubt to vanquish in battle even foes that are not human. With this weapon, without doubt, thou shalt be superior in battle to men and gods, and Rakshasas and Pisachas, and Daityas and Nagas. And thou shalt certainly be able with this to smite all. And, O Madhava, hurled by thee in battle at thy foes, this weapon will irresistibly slay the enemy and again come back into thy hands

The discus Sudarsana can be hurled without reciting any mantra. After killing the rival it then comes back into Krishna’s hands.

In Mahabharat we witnessed the death of Sishupala with this Sudarshana.

And while Sisupala was speaking thus, the exalted slayer of Madhu thought in his mind of the discus that humbleth the pride of the Asuras. And as soon as the discus came into his hands, skilled in speech the illustrious one loudly uttered these words,--'Listen ye lords of earth, why this one had hitherto been pardoned by me. As asked by his mother, a hundred offences (of his) were to be pardoned by me. Even this was the boon she had asked, and even this I granted her. That number, ye kings, hath become full. I shall now slay him in your presence, ye monarchs.' Having said this, the chief of the Yadus, that slayer of all foes, in anger, instantly cut off the head of the ruler of Chedi by means of his discus. And the mighty-armed one fell down like a cliff struck with thunder.

Sudarshan the discus ,the eternal weapon of Vishnu.

Yes. It belongs to Vishnu. It got great significance among the weapons of Vishnu that killed many asuras.

Yudhishtira happened to see the Sudarshana in embodied form,when he went to Vaikuntha.

It was not a mere weapon. It takes form whenever Vishnu desired..like in Ramavatar,

Vaishnava kshetras alott special place for Sudarshana in their worship formalities.

Chakrasnan ,bathing the Chakra in Pushkarini marks the end of Brahmotsav in Tirumala Tirupati,the highly acclaimed kshetras Of our age.

Vedanta Desikacharya hailed Sudarshana in his Ashtakam..recitation Of these verses cures illness and bestows good health.

The first verse of the ashtakam..

pratibhaṭaśreṇi bhīṣaṇa varaguṇastoma bhūṣaṇa
janibhayasthāna tāraṇa jagadavasthāna kāraṇa ।
nikhiladuṣkarma karśana nigamasaddharma darśana
jaya jaya śrī sudarśana jaya jaya śrī sudarśana ॥

O shrI sudarshana! All the enemies of your Lord's devotees run away fearing
your prowess. All auspicious attributes find their home in you. Those ,
Who worship you cross the 'shoreless' ocean of Samsara and free themselves
from their cycles of births and deaths. The entire Universe is stabilized
by your mighty power. You cut asunder all the sins of those who approach
you as their refuge. You bless all of your devotees with the knowledge
about the righteous conduct prescribed by the Vedas. O Lord sudarshana
of these auspicious attributes! Hail to Thee! Hail to Thee!

Ignorant persons like Aswathama desired to hold the Sudarshana but failed to do so.

So Sudarshana was the eternal companion of Vishnu ,wielded by him in every yuga..

He doesn’t need any recitation Of mantra to hurl it.

Kisari Mohan Ganguli English Translation Adi Parva CCXXVII

Sabha Parva Section XLIV

Sudarshanashtakam by Vedanta deshikacharya translated by Sadagopan.

1. Keeping aside all the reasons,Pandavas preferred to stay at Hastinapur because of Dhritarashtra.
   
2. Dhritarashtra was shattered with the death of his sons and would not have accepted the idea of dislocation by moving over to Indraprasth.
3. They can not leave Dhritarashtra behind and move over since he, and Gandhari need their services .
4. Kunti won’t come to Indraprasth if Dhritarashtra and Gandhari are left behind.
5. Yudhishtira and Arjuna would never have desired discomfort for the old King,who was in the last phase of his life.
6. Apart from that,Indraprasth would not have brought solace to Pandavas….considering their loss of children who lived happily with them before they went on Exile.Golden days won’t return ever. So for Pandavas,for Draupadi and Subhadra also Indraprasth won’t give solace.Memories of Abhimanyu and UPA Pandavas will haunt them there.
7. Hastinapur was a better option since their father Pandu used to be the ruling king there and people of Hastinapur would love to see his legacy continue ..if Yudhishtir occupied the throne of his father.
8. Draupadi was insulted and Pandavas were cheated in KurusabhA. It will be poetic justice if they rule from where they lost everything.
9. Hastinapur people always stood by Pandavas. They cried when laksha grih fire happened,when Dice game resulted in Exile. They wholeheartedly welcomed them back after war specially hailing Draupadi.

How could they be called Pandavas? Here is the answer if you have the patience to read.

Pandu said thus to Kunti convincing her to follow Niyoga and beget children.

svaya~njAtaH praNItashcha parikrItashcha yaH sutaH |
paunarbhavashcha kAnInaH svairiNyAM yashcha jAyate || 28||

dattaH krItaH kRRitrimashcha upagachChetsvayaM cha yaH |
sahoDho jAtaretAshcha hInayonidhRRitashcha yaH || 29||

pUrvapUrvatamAbhAve matvA lipseta vai sutam |
uttamAdavarAH pu.nsaH kA~NkShante putramApadi || 30||

apatyaM dharmaphaladaM shreShThaM vindanti sAdhavaH |
AtmashukrAdapi pRRithe manuH svAyambhuvo.abravIt || 31||

Excerpt

The religious institutes mention six kinds of sons that are heirs and kinsmen, and six other kinds that are not heirs but kinsmen. I shall speak of them presently. O Pritha, listen to me. They are: 1st, the son begotten by one's own self upon his wedded wife; 2nd, the son begotten upon one’s wife by an accomplished person from motives of kindness 3rd, the son begotten upon one's wife by a person for pecuniary consideration; 4th, the son begotten upon the wife after the husband's death; 5th, the maiden-born son; 6th, the son born of an unchaste wife; 7th, the son given; 8th, the son bought for a consideration; 9th, the son self-given; 10th, the son received with a pregnant bride; 11th, the brother's son; and 12th, the son begotten upon a wife of lower caste. On failure of offspring of a prior class, the mother should desire to have offspring of the next class. In times of distress, men solicit offspring from accomplished younger brothers. The self-born Manu hath said that men failing to have legitimate offspring of their own may have offspring begotten upon their wives by others,, for sons confer the highest religious merit. Therefore, O Kunti, being destitute myself of the power of procreation, I command thee to raise good offspring through some person who is either equal or superior to me.

Pandu himself urged Kunti to get sons by others who are either equal or superior to him.

Manu Dharma Sastra approved of this as quoted above by Pandu.

Pandavas belong to the second kind as cited above.Pranitaah.

This happens with the approval of husband.The process is Niyoga and the children begotten will get the name of their mother’s husband as their father.

Kshetraja :

The son begotten by niyoga, as approved by the shastra, from one's own wife by another man with the consent of the husband, , is known as Kshetraja.

In Niyoga the son belongs not to the biological father but to the husband of the woman who begets him.

Bhishma in Anusasana Parva told the same and called such son niruktaja.

hishma said, '. The son that is begotten upon one's wife by a person whom one has invited for the task, is called Niruktaja.

So Pandavas have every right to claim the throne of Hastinapur.

Now the same point applies to the births of Dhritarashtra,Pandu and Vidura.

Despite being begotten by Veda Vyasa they truly became the sons of Vichitravirya but not called the sons of Vedavyasa.

If Pandavas are not worthy to be called heirs to the throne..Dhritarashtra and Pandu also won’t have the right to sit on the throne.

If only Pandavas are singled out to make Duryodhana ,the rightful heir,neither he nor his father posessed the right to call themselves rightful successors to Kuru Vamsh. Think over.

Kisari mohan Ganguli English Translation Adi Parva Section CXX Anusasana Parva Section XLIX

Bori Critical Edition Sanskrit version Adi Parva ch. 111

None other than Arjuna saw the Viswarup that was shown by Krishna in Kurukshetra.

Ofcourse Sanjaya saw that since he was given Devine vision by Vyasa.

Validation? Here it is from the lord himself. Take it.

dronam ca bhismam ca jayadratham ca
karnam tathanyan api yodha-viran
maya hatams tvam jahi ma vyathistha
yudhyasva jetasi rane sapatnan

Drona, Bhishma, Jayadratha, Karna, and other brave warriors -- those have already been slain by Me; you do kill; be not distressed with fear; fight and you shall conquer your enemies in the battl

If Bhishma and Karna were present there,Krishna won’t say the above verse in such a way…

Krishna was telling Arjuna about those who were not present in the vicinity and who were about to die in battle.

Where did Krishna deliver Gita?

In the middle of both the armies. In the chariot of Arjuna.

Where was Bhishma Then?

He was in the front of Kaurava army as the commander. So he can not be nearer to Arjuna’s chariot at all.

Where was Karna then?

He was not at all present in battlefield as per his own vow to not participate in war till Bhishma’s death.

So his presence anywhere nearer to Krishna and Arjuna is ruled out.

Why would Bhishma or Karna need gita?

Bhishma had no problem to fight the war.He decided to fight Pandavas by being with Duryodhana He had no dilemma in doing so.

Karna anyway told Krishna about his stand , When he came to Hastinapur.

Karna was not reluctant to fight his brothers. He wanted to fight Arjuna at any cost.

What is gita?

It was not a discourse that was arranged where Krishna was the orator . It was not meant for others who were not in need or who didn’t hesitate to fight and kill .

Gita was essential for the man who felt shattered on seeing his own people on both sides.

His anguish,his pain and his call for help made Krishna oblige and unveil the secret knowledge..

Bhagawan responded to his dear friend who was the closest to him not only in that birth but also in previous birth as his twin.

He again cleared his doubts through anugita..but

Not every one can have the good fortune that Arjuna had.

When Yudhishtira was in dilemma,Krishna sent him to Bhishma.

Viswarup

Krishna himself said that no one else had seen it before Arjuna and granted him Devine vision.

The Blessed Lord said: My dear Arjuna, happily do I show you this universal form within the material world by My internal potency. No one before you has ever seen this unlimited and glaringly effulgent form.

O best of the Kuru warriors, no one before you has ever seen this universal form of Mine, for neither by studying the Vedas, nor by performing sacrifices, nor by charities or similar activities can this form be seen. Only you have seen this.

Validation

Karna and Bhishma were nowhere nearer when Gita was delivered and Viswarupa was shown.

Karna and Bhishma could not have seen it before as per the above statement of lord himself.

So whoever think that Viswarupa was seen by anyone except Arjuna..are misguided about the opulence Of Viswarup that was not shown before.None could dare to watch it without Devine vision.

Only Uttanka had seen it after the war due to Krishna’s grace.

Bhagawad Gita Ch 11 Viswarupa sandarsana yoga verse 34,47,48

Draupadi did not reject Karna. He failed in the Swayamvara.

Authentic Sanskrit versions clarified the fact.

I answered it by presenting references in my post..Here they are

Proof from Southern EditionKumbhakonam

tato vaikartanaH karNo vR^iShA vai sUtanandanaH .

dhanurabhyAshamAgamya tolayAmAsa taddhanuH .. 1\-202\-34 (8970)

taM chApyAropyamANaM tadromamAtre.abhyatADayat .

trailokyavijayI karNaH satve trailokyavishrutaH .. 1\-202\-35 (8971)

dhanuShA so.api nirdhUta iti sarve bhayAkulAH .

evaM karNe vinirdhUte dhanuShA cha nR^ipottamAH .. 1\-202\-36 (8972)

chakShurbhirapi nApashyanvinamramukhapa~NkajAH .

dR^iShTvA karNaM vinirdhUtaM loke vIrA nR^ipottamAH .. 1\-202\-37 (8973)

nirAshA dhanuruddhAre draupadIsaMgame.api cha .. 1\-202\-38

Translation

“Then the exultant Karna, the son of sun and also the son of suta, came to the vicinity of the bow, strung and mounted the arrow and discharged and missed by one hair-width. Karna, who is famous for strength in three worlds, was also vanquished by this test of arrow..bow. All the kings were frightened by this defeat of Karna in the test of bow. (Excerpt)”

Hence as per Southern Edition Karna failed to hit the target by one hair width.

Gita Press Gorakhpur

AS PER GEETA PRESS-“THE BOW WHICH RUKMI,SUNITH,VAKRA,#KARNA,DURYODHAN,SHALYA,SALVA ETC WERE UNABLE TO STRING EVEN AFTER GREAT EFFORTS,ARJUN DID THAT WITH EASE”

-“WHEN ARJUN WAS ABOUT TO LIFT THE BOW,SOME CLEVER BRAHMINS SAID AMOUNG THEMSELVES-WHEN STRONG WARRIORS LIKE #KARNA AND SALYA AND WORLD FAMOUS KSHATRIYA FAILED,HOW COULD A WEAK BRAHMIN KID STRING THAT BOW”( Excerpt)

Pandit Ramanarayanji Of Gita Press Edition mentioned thus in Footnote about the failure of Karna.

“Neither Bhandarkar nor Dakshinatya,nor Nilakantha mentioned Karna’s success in the test. Nilakantha clearly said he was not able to string the bow and fix the arrow.”

Nilakantha Bhava Dipa

Nilakantha in his commentary specified it is Radheya Karna Who failed about whom the Brahmins are talking about.

PROOF From Bori Critical Edition

Adi Parva Chapter 179 Shloka 4 -

यत्कर्णशल्यप्रमुखैः पार्थिवैर्लोकविश्रुतैः |

नानतं बलवद्भिर्हि धनुर्वेदपरायणैः ||४||

http://sanskritdocuments.org/…/mahabhara…/unic/mbh01_sa.html

IT MEANS EVEN ARCHERS LIKE KARNA AND SALYA FAILED TO STRING THE BOW.

(AGAIN PROVES KARNA FAILED AND NO MENTION OF DRAUPADI CALLING KARNA A SUTA)

G)PROOF FROM Mahabharat Tatparya Nirnaya

EVEN AS PER MADHVACHARYA COMMENTRY(MBTN),KARNA CAME VERY CLOSE TO STRING THE BOW,BUT TOOK A BLOW FROM THAT BOW AND FAILED(DRAUPADI DIDN'T CALL HIM SUTPUTRA)

CHAPTER 19(PandavarAjyalAbhaH) SLOKA 128

prAyo gatAstamanu bhUpatayo.atha karNo

duryodhanArtham anugR^ihya dhanushchakarshha |

rAmAdupAttashubhashixitamAtrato.asau

romAvashishhTamakarod.h dhanushho.antamAshu || 19-128||

TRANSLATION

After some kings followed Jarasandha and left, Karna for the sake of Duryodhana, tried to string the bow, using the training given by Parashurama and could only muster until the gap is a hair-wide and he also gets hit by the bow

http://mahabharata-resources.org/…/chapter_19_prabhanjanach…

--------------------------------------------------------------

H)PROOF FROM Southern Recension PPS Sastri Edition

SLOKAS FROM ADI PARVA,SWAYAMWAR PARVA,CHAPTER 182,

"tato vaikartano karNo vR^ishA vai sUtanandanaH |

dhanurabhyashamAgamya tolayAmAsa taddhanuH || .. 1-182-55"

"evaM karNe vinirdhUte dhanusHA cha nR^ipottamAH || .. 1-182-57"

chaxurbhirapi nApashyanvinamramukhapaN^kajAH |

Screenshot of these slokas from the book:

TRANSLATION:

Then Karna,the Son of Sun and also the Son of Suta came near the bow.Strung and mounted it,discharged the arrow,but missed the target by one hair width.Karna who was famous for his strength in the three worlds also failed in this test of bow.All kings were frightened on the defeat of Karna.

Proof from KMG

And that bow which Rukma, Sunitha, Vakra, Radha's son, Duryodhana, Salya, and many other kings accomplished in the science and practice of arms, could not even with great exertion, string, Arjuna, the son of Indra, that foremost of all persons endued with energy and like unto the younger brother of Indra (Vishnu) in might, strung in the twinkling of an eye.

Adi Parva: Swayamvara Parva: Section CLXL

Points to be noted

The sources I presented would definitely prove the fact. Still there are many retellings like Rajaji Mahabharata which described the same way.

Taking into consideration mostly Sanskrit versions I present my stand which is authentic.

Karna failed in the Swayamvara contest.

In this scenario there is no chance for Draupadi to say..Naham varayami Sutam..I wont select a Suta.

Moreso because Suta caste was not considered low. They were honoured on par with others.

It definitely is an interpolation that is why Bori deleted the part.

Since Draupadi never prevented him from shooting the target,there is no need to discuss the language she used.

But I would like to say Draupadi of the Epic never used venomous,bitter or vitriolic language either to her husbands or to others.She was always courteous,gracious ,dignified,well mannered and respectful.

Draupadi did not reject Karna. She can not since he was a guest of her father. I said it again ,I repeat if at all they don’t like Karna’s participation,Drupada or Drishtadyumna will speak not Draupadi.

She was not asked her opinion when the most crucial decision of her life ,was taken by Yudhishtira..I mean polyandrous marriage.

Women in those days never enjoyed such rights or privileges .Fact.

Footnotes

Bori Critical Edition Of Mahabharata Sanskrit version Adiparva Ch 179

Southern Edition KumbhakonamCh 202

Southern Recension PPS Sastri Edited version Ch 182

Gita Press Gorakhpur Sanskrit with Hindi Translation

Nilakantha Bhavadipa Adi Parva Ch 188

Mahabharata tatparya nirnaya 19- 128

Kisari Mohan Ganguli English Translation Adiparva CLXL

According to Kumbhakonam Edition

The name of the bow used in Swayamvara was kindhura.To which god it belongs not specifically mentioned.

avApya dhR^iShTadyumnaM hi na sa droNamachintayat.

sa tu vairaprasa~NgAchcha bhIShmAdbhayamachintayat.. 1-200-9 (8857)

kanyAdAnAttu sharaNaM so.amanyata mahIpatiH.'

yaj~nasenasya kAmastu pANDavAya kirITine.. 1-200-10 (8858)

dAsyAmi kR^iShmAmiti vai na chainaM vivR^iNoti saH.

`jAmAtR^ibalasaMyogaM mene hi balavattaram..' 1-200-11 (8859)

so.anveShamANaH kaunteyAnpA~nchAlo janamejaya.

dR^iDhaM dhanurathAnamyaM kArayAmAsa bhArata.. 1-200-12 (8860)

`vaiyAghrapadyasyograM vai sR^i~njayasya mahIpatiH.

taddhanuH kindhuraM nAma devadattamupAnayat.. 1-200-13 (8861)

AyasI tasya cha jyA.a.asItpratibaddhA mahAbalA.

na tu jyAM prasahedanyastaddhanuHpravaraM mahat.. 1-200-14 (8862)

sha~NkareNa varaM dattaM prItena cha mahAtmanA

. tanniShphalaM syAnna tu me iti prAmANyamAgataH.. 1-200-15

Having got Drisht dyumna he did not think about Drona.But he thought about the fear from Bhishma because of enemity issue.
He thought of taking resort to kanyadaan by giving his daughter to Arjuna.
He did not reveal it but thought of uniting forces with his son in law make himself stronger
While searching for Pandavas he got a bow made that would not bend.
It was the mighty bow named Kindhura a gift by the gods to Srinjaya Vaiyaghra pada.
The bow string was made with steel,iron.The great bow would not bear another string. It was tied to it.
He thought that Shiva Who was pleased with him offered
the boon ..it won’t go fruitless..he got the evidence..

Northern Recension did not name the bow Hence KMG said.

Yajnasena always cherished the desire of bestowing his daughter on Kiriti (Arjuna), the son of Pandu. But he never spoke of it to anybody. And, O Janamejaya, the king of Panchala thinking of Arjuna caused a very stiff bow to be made that was incapable of being bent by any except Arjuna. Causing some machinery to be erected in the sky, the king set up a mark attached to that machinery. And Drupada said, 'He that will string this bow and with these well-adorned arrows shoot the mark above the machine shall obtain my daughter.'CLXXXVII

Bori did not name the bow but said a strong bow was made by Drupada since he has the desire to give his daughter to Kiriti.
Ch 176

yaj~nasenasya kAmastu pANDavAya kirITine |
kRRiShNAM dadyAmiti sadA na chaitadvivRRiNoti saH || 8||

so.anveShamANaH kaunteyAnpA~nchAlyo janamejaya |
dRRiDhaM dhanuranAyamyaM kArayAmAsa bhArata || 9||

yantraM vaihAyasaM chApi kArayAmAsa kRRitrimam |
tena yantreNa sahitaM rAjA lakShyaM cha kA~nchanam || 10||

Gita Press also did not mention any name for the bow but Drupada who wept after hearing the death of Arjuna recovered with the hopeful words of his priest who said that he heard Upasriti that Pandavas are alive. He arranged a strong bow that could be strung by the mightiest person and fixed the target.

Only authentic Mahabharat version that named the bow as Kindhura was Southern Recension.

Not going towards Puranas.....for my own reasons.

Never again the mention of the swayamvara bow happened in authentic Mahabharata versions..(not retellings )

Even Arjuna did not seem to use the bow anytime later.

That was why he requested Agnidev to provide him with a bow that could suit the strength of his arms.

Bori Critical Edition Sanskrit version chapter 176

Kisari Mohan Ganguli English Translation Adi Parva Section CLXXXVII

Southern Recension Kumbhakonam Edition Adi Parva ch 200

Arjuna did not use Pasupata ever in his life time. He always followed what Siva and Drona told him while giving superior astras.

Veda Vyasa validated the fact to Aswathama when the latter could not take back Brahmasira.

Vyasa said, "Pritha's son Dhananjaya, O child, was acquainted with the weapon called brahmashira. Neither from wrath, nor for thy destruction in battle, did he shoot this weapon. Arjuna, on the other hand, used it for baffling thy weapon. He has again withdrawn it. Having obtained even the brahmastra through thy sire's instructions, the mighty-armed Dhananjaya did not fall off from a kshatriya's duties.

This is what Vyasa said regarding Arjuna’s composure and self control. So how could such a person use his Pasupata ever against mortals?

It is described that when Drona used Pasupata and other weapons Arjuna distroyed them with his own weapons.

When Drona failed to gain any ascendency over the son of Pandu, the son of Bharadwaja, that warrior acquainted with the course of all weapons, invoked into existence the Aindra, the Pasupata, the Tvashtra, the Vayavya, and the Yamyaweapons. As soon as those weapons, issued from Drona's bow, Dhananjaya destroyed them quickly. When his weapons were thus duly destroyed by Arjuna with his own weapons, Drona shrouded the son of Pandu with the mightiest of celestial weapons. Every weapon, however, that Drona shot at Partha from desire of vanquishing the latter, was shot by Partha in return for baffling it

Here it is mentioned that Drona’s weapons were baffled by Arjuna with his own. But this can not be the one that Mahadev offered to Arjuna..

Reasons

If Drona himself had Pasupata,there was no need for Arjuna to do severe penance to please Mahadev. Vedavyas need not come all the way and instruct Pratismriti Vidya and ask Yudhishtir to teach that to Arjuna and send him to Himalayas to do severe penance.

Drona could have happily instructed him if he had that devastating weapon of Siva with him.

When Aswathama And Arjuna both shot their Brahmasiras Vedavyas interfered and stopped their collision. He said thus

That region where the weapon called brahmashira is baffled by another high weapon suffers a drought for twelve years, for the clouds do not pour a drop of water there for this period. For this reason, the mighty-armed son of Pandu, although he had the power, would not, from desire of doing good to living creatures, baffle thy weapon with his own.

If two Brahmasiras collide there will be drought for twelve years and hence there will be danger for the existence of living creatures. How come Pasupata which was the most powerful weapon would not have any devastating effect when Drona and Arjuna used them against each other! Why didn’t Vedavyasa come there to stop collision?

Was Siva telling a lie when he said that none of the gods or humans obtained this Astra from him? Wouldn’t he have mentioned if Drona had that or Karna got it?

Bhava replied, 'O powerful one. I will give to thee that favourite weapon of mine called the Pasuputa. O son of Pandu, thou art capable of holding, hurling, and withdrawing it. Neither the chief himself of the gods, nor Yama, nor the king of the Yakshas, nor Varuna, nor Vayu, knoweth it. How could men know anything of it? But, O son of Pritha, this weapon should not be hurled without adequate cause; for if hurled at any foe of little might it may destroy the whole universe. In the three worlds with all their mobile and immobile creatures, there is none who is incapable of being slain by this weapon. And it may be hurled by the mind, by the eye, by words, and by the bow.'"

So how could these words of Siva not considered while judging Arjuna’s use of Pasupata?

Karna also was described as using Pasupata on Pandava army on 17 th day. Arjuna did not even reach the spot to counter it with his own. Nothing happened except loss of soldiers.

Yonder Karna urges forward the mighty car-warriors of the Dhartarashtras towards the son of Pritha with the weapons called Sthunakarna, Indrasjaha and Pasupata, and with clubs and other weapons.

Here Karna was fighting Panchalas and others. Arjuna was busy elsewhere.. So how could this Pasupata got nullified?

Hence

I stick to my point which I always said..There are variations in astras ..the degree of intensity judges the power of astras. Siva has so many astras.. Raudra,Sthunakarna etc..

No other astras described in Mahabharata was mentioned the way Pasupata was ...

Pasupata can neutralise any weapon. It is the best.Anusasana Parva clearly explained the fact.

Verily, that shaft was the excellent Pasupata that mighty and terrible weapon, which is without a second, indescribable for its power, and capable of striking every creature with fear. Of vast proportions, it seemed to constantly vomit sparks of fire. Possessed of one foot, of large teeth, and a thousand heads and thousand Stomachs, it has a thousand arms, a thousand tongues, and a thousand eyes. Indeed, it seemed to continually vomit fire. O thou of mighty arms,that weapon is superior to the Brahma,the Narayana,the Aindra ,The Agneya And Varuna weapons . Verily, it is capable of neutralising every other weapon in the universe.”XIV

Pasupata looks thus in the words of Upamanyu

sharashcha sUryasa~NkAshaH kAlAnalasamadyutiH |
yattadastraM mahAghoraM divyaM pAshupataM mahat || 124||

advitIyamanirdeshyaM sarvabhUtabhayAvaham |
sasphuli~NgaM mahAkAyaM visRRijantamivAnalam || 125||

ekapAdaM mahAdaMShTraM sahasrashirasodaram |
sahasrabhujajihvAkShamudgirantamivAnalam || 126||

brAhmAnnArAyaNAdaindrAdAgneyAdapi vAruNAt |
yadvishiShTaM mahAbAho sarvashastravighAtanam || 127||

yena tattripuraM dagdhvA kShaNAdbhasmIkRRitaM purA |
shareNaikena govinda mahAdevena lIlayA || 128||

And there was a shaft whose splendour looked like that of the sun or of the fire that appears at the end of the Yuga. Verily, that shaft was the excellent Pasupata that mighty and terrible weapon, which is without a second, indescribable for its power, and capable of striking every creature with fear. Of vast proportions, it seemed to constantly vomit sparks of fire. Posessed Of one Foot ,, of large teeth,,and a thousand heads and thousand stomachs,it has thousand arms,a thousand tongues,and a thousand eyes. Indeed, it seemed to continually vomit fire. O thou of mighty arms, that weapon is superior to the Brahma, the Narayana, the Aindra, the Agneya, and the Varuna weapons. Verily, it is capable of neutralising every other weapon in the universe. It was with that weapon that the illustrious Mahadeva had in days of yore, burnt and consumed in a moment the triple city of the Asuras. With the greatest ease, O Govinda, Mahadeva, using that single arrow, achieved that feat. That weapon, shot by Mahadeva's arms, can, without doubt consume in half the time taken up by a twinkling of the eyes the entire universe with all its mobile and immobile creatures.

Obviously the astras used by Drona and Karna can not come close to this Astra ,,described vividly by Vedavyasa. The fact that he sent Arjuna for penance and that he did not bother when Drona and Karna used them.proved the ultimate truth..that Arjuna’s Astra was the most powerful weapon of Siva.

Mahapasupata was the highest Astra and that was posessed by Arjuna by doing severe penance. He never used it in any situation.

Arjuna used Raudrastra on Nivatakavachas

But He did not use Pasupata in his lifetime in any war. Neither did he ought to use it to neutralise because what others had could notcome anywhere nearer to what Arjuna had.

Bori Critical Edition Of Mahabharata Sanskrit version Anusasana Parva ch.14

Kisari Mohan Ganguli English Translation Drona Parva Section CLXXXVIII

Karna Parva Section 60 Anusasana Parva Section XIV

None could protect Jayadratha

Except Drona none of the maharadhis were fighting outside Suchi Sakata vyuha..So who strived hard to capture Yudhishtir? Only Drona but he also was totally engrossed in defending the entrance of the vyuha from Arjun then Satyaki then Bhima.

14 th day war did not revolve round Yudhishtir. The war was fought to save Jayadradha’s life.

After all those divisions that delight in battle had taken up their stations, Bharadwaja's son, O king, said these words unto Jayadratha. 'Thyself, Somadatta's son, the mighty car-warrior Karna, Aswatthaman, Salya, Vrishasena and Kripa, with a hundred thousand horse, sixty thousand cars, four and ten thousand elephants with rent temples, one and twenty thousand foot-soldiers clad in mail take up your station behind me at the distance of twelve miles. There the very gods with Vasava at their head will not be able to attack thee, what need be said, therefore, of the Pandavas? Take comfort, O ruler of the Sindhus.

Drona was at the entrance but all the other maharadhis were inside Suchi Sakata vyuha trying to stop Arjuna reach Jayadradha.

Karna was the one who was closer to Jayadratha Along with his son,Aswathama,Bhurisravas,Salya and Kripa.

Still he could not save Jayadratha despite his attempts to stop Arjuna from reaching him.

He got defeated multiple times on that day from Arjuna.

Karna was saved by Aswathama from Arjuna’s devastating Astra.

And he covered Karna himself with clouds of shafts in the very sight of thy son. Thus shrouded with arrows the steedless and driverless Karna, stupefied by that arrowy shower, knew not what to do. Beholding him made carless, Aswatthaman, O king, caused him to ride on his car, and continued to fight with Arjuna.

And Karna Along with other protectors,fled leaving Jayadradha to death at Arjuna’s hands.Again he came back to get thrashed by Arjuna.

The final shot uninterrupted

Then cutting off Karna's bow as also of Vrishasena's, Arjuna felled Salya's driver from his niche in the car, with a broad-headed arrow. With many arrows that foremost of victors, viz., Dhananjaya, then deeply pierced in that battle Kripa and Aswatthaman, related as uncle and nephew to each other. Sorely afflicting those mighty car-warriors of thy army thus, the son of Pandu took up a terrible arrow of fiery splendour. Looking like the thunderbolt of Indra, and inspired with divine mantras, that formidable arrow was capable of bearing any strain. And it had been always worshipped with incense and garlands of flowers. Duly inspiring it (by mantras) with the force of the thunderbolt, that descendant, of Kuru, viz., the mighty-armed Arjuna, fixed it on Gandiva. When that arrow of fiery effulgence was fixed on the bowstring, loud shouts, O king, were heard in the welkin.

Arjuna fixed the arrow to kill Jayadratha in presence of Karna and others who were helpless .

The head was severed from body,

the head was kept in the sky before it was thrown on Vriddhakshatra ‘s lap. Karna did not rise to the occasion. Rather Arjuna did not let him interfere. Sheer exhibition of superior archery skills dominated the day..

Kisari mohan Ganguli English Translation Drona Parva Section LXXXVII,CXLIV

Bori said no hiding of Sun on 14 th day..

The truth behind the magic was ..it did not happen at all. Many times I answered the questions related to this,still I feel the need to answer the same question..

There was no magic of Krishna that brought about Saindhava’s death.

Krishna did not cover the Sun as per Bori and I strongly believe there is no need to do so.

Jayadhratha was right before Arjuna and the Maharadhis Of protective ring could not stop him or drive him away. Still time is there for the sun to set.

Sequence of events

saChinnayaShTiH sumahA~nshIryamANaH sharAhataH |
varAhaH sindhurAjasya papAtAgnishikhopamaH || 14||

Then Arjuna, baffling the keen arrows sped by the ruler of the Sindhus, cut off at the same time, with a pair of shafts, the head of Jayadratha's driver and the well-decked standard also of Jayadratha. Its stay cut off and itself pierced and struck with arrows, that standard fell down like a flame of fire.

After Arjuna cut off Jayadhratha’s standard and killed his driver ,then Arjuna was alerted by Krishna by telling the story of Vriddhakshatra .

etasminneva kAle tu drutaM gachChati bhAskare |
abravItpANDavaM tatra tvaramANo janArdanaH || 15||

dhana~njaya shirashChindhi saindhavasya durAtmanaH |
astaM mahIdharashreShThaM yiyAsati divAkaraH || 16|

On seeing the Sun about to go down Krishna said..

O Dhananjaya, quickly cut off the head of the wicked-souled ruler of the Sindhus! The sun is about to get at the mountain of Asta. Listen, however, to the words I say about the slaughter of Jayadratha.

Where is the necessity to hide the sun?

Jayadhratha was before Arjuna,his driver killed,his standard cut off.

The protectors were already thrashed severely multiple times ..

They could not stop Arjuna from killing Jayadhratha’s driver..

On second thoughts how could they stop him? He made his horses drink water before their eyes. No one stopped him from doing so ..he fought standing on the ground all the while.

Krishna told him where to place the head and the reason..Enough time for all this..

And Arjuna could immediately get into action and he did.

There ended the matter..Arjuna’s vow fulfilled.

Removing the part of so called magic of hiding the sun,Critical Edition did the right thing…

So no magic..no feigning Sunset..Everything done before sunset.

Bori Critical Edition Of Mahabharata Sanskrit version Drona Parva ch.121

As per Unabridged Editions

It was a wonderful and extraordinary feat done by Arjuna on 14 th evening.

As per Bori Krishna did not hide the Sun with Yoga Vidya.

Krishna alerted Parth to kill Jayadhradha fast as the Sun is going down west.

etasminneva kAle tu drutaM gachChati bhAskare |
abravItpANDavaM tatra tvaramANo janArdanaH || 15||

dhana~njaya shirashChindhi saindhavasya durAtmanaH |
astaM mahIdharashreShThaM yiyAsati divAkaraH || 16||

Here Krishna, observing the Sun going down,hastily alerted Arjuna to cut the head of wicked Jayadhratha before Sunset.…

Then he proceeded to tell about Vriddhakshatra’s boon according to which whoever throws Jayadhradha’s head down will get his head broken into hundred pieces. He asked Arjuna to throw the head on Vriddhakshatra’s lap.

sa~NgrAme yudhyamAnasya vahato mahatIM dhuram |
dharaNyAM mama putrasya pAtayiShyati yaH shiraH || 22||

tasyApi shatadhA mUrdhA phaliShyati na sa.nshayaH || 22|| 121

How did Arjuna kill Jayadhradha?

He scattered the protective Maharadhis Who were guarding Jayadhratha..

Dhananjaya began to strike with terrible shafts the protectors of the ruler of the Sindhus with his arrowy showers, Karna and Drona's son and Kripa and Salya and Vrishasena and Duryodhana.

So quick was he in the use of weapons that no one could mark when Arjuna took out his arrows, when he fixed them on the bowstring, when he stretched---the bow and let them off.

Indeed, while striking the foe, his bow was seen incessantly drawn to a circle. His arrows also were seen incessantly issuing out of his bow and scattered in all directions.

Then cutting off Karna's bow as also of Vrishasena's,

Arjuna felled Salya's driver from his niche in the car, with a broad-headed arrow

. With many arrows that., Dhananjaya, then deeply pierced in that battle Kripa and Aswatthaman,

The Final shot

Arjuna took up a terrible arrow of fiery splendour. Looking like the thunderbolt of Indra, and inspired it with divine mantras. That formidable arrow was capable of bearing any strain.

And it had been always worshipped with incense and garlands of flowers.

Duly inspiring it (by mantras) with the force of the thunderbolt, , the mighty-armed Arjuna, fixed it on Gandiva.

Amazingly wonderful and spectacular show of skills

That shaft, sped from Gandiva, snatched Jayadratha's head away, like a hawk snatching away a smaller bird from the top of a tree.

Dhananjaya, then, with his shafts, sent that head along in the space (without allowing it to fall down).

The head was sent upwards without letting it fall down.

by shooting his shafts repeatedly at it, sent that head outside the limits of Samantapanchaka.

To Samantapanchaka and to Vriddha kshatra’s lap

Meanwhile, king Vriddhakshatra, the father of Jayadhradha endued with great energy, was, engaged in his evening prayers.

Decked with black locks and adorned with ear-rings, that head of Jayadratha was thrown upon Vriddhakshatra's lap, as the latter was saying his prayers in a sitting posture.

Thus thrown on his lap, that head decked with car-rings, was not seen by king Vriddhakshatra

. Vriddhakshatra stood up after finishing his prayers it suddenly fell down on the earth.

And as the head of Jayadratha fell down on the earth, the head of Vriddhakshatra, cracked into a hundred pieces.

At the sight of this, all creatures were filled with wonder. And all of them applauded Vasudeva and the mighty Arjuna.

Krishna covering the sun..as per Unabridged Editions did not take away credit of Arjuna’s accomplishment.For the thrashing of Maharadhis remained the same ,the way they abandoned Jayadhradha also factual truth. They could not stop Arjuna from aiming at Jayadhradha,neither before he cut off the head nor when he kept it in the space. They were dumbfounded witnessing the speed,the clarity and the perfection with which Arjuna did his job. As simple as that.

Fantastic…that much I can say every time I read or write this great Exhibition Of archery skills.

Any lapse or incompetence on part of Arjun would have resulted in his death..But

The confidence with which the feat was performed,the accuracy and precision that made it happen certainly proves the fact..Arjun was unparalelled …an archer par excellence who could perform even in such pressure.

Kisari MohanGanguli English Translation Drona Parva CXLV

Bori Critical Edition Of Mahabharata Sanskrit version Drona Parva ch 121