Dhritarashtra Speaks

MAHA-P007

The story continues with Dhritarashtra on hearing the defeat of his sons in the hands of Pandavas narrates to his charioteer Sanjaya the different events in Mahabharata that hints the wicked nature of his sons which lead to their defeat.

Sanjaya (means "victory") is Dhritarashtra's (the father of the Kauravas) advisor and also his charioteer. Sanjaya, had the gift of seeing events at a distance granted by the sage Vyasa, narrates to Dhritarashtra the events in the battle of Kurukshetra, including the Bhagavad-Gita. He is brutally frank in his recital of battle events with his own opinions, predicting the destruction of the Kauravas at the hands of Pandavas and Krishna.

Shakuni was the personification of Dvapara Yuga (a period of time), was the brother of Gandhari. He was portrayed as an extremely intelligent but devious old man, who was very fond of his nephew Duryodhana, yet wished the destruction of the entire Kuru family. He won the kingdom of the Pandavas' for his nephew, as a wager in a rigged game of dice. The dice that were used were made with Shakuni's father's thigh bones and would always do his bidding.

Karna is one of the central characters in Mahabharata. He was made the King of Anga by Duryodhana. Karna is considered to be one of the greatest warriors of Mahabharata by authorities including Krishna and Bhishma, as stated in the original text by Rishi Vyasa. He was the son of Surya (the Sun god) and Kunti. He was born to Kunti, before her marriage with Pandu. He is the closest friend of Duryodhana. Karna fought on his behalf against his own brothers the Pandavas at the Kurukshetra war. He was considered as the epitome of generosity.

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"And Dhritarashtra hearing the ill news of the success of the Pandavas and recollecting the resolutions of Duryodhana, Karna, and Shakuni, pondered for a while and addressed to Sanjaya the following speech:-

‘Sanjaya, hear all that I have to say and don’t treat me with contempt. You are well-versed in the shastras, intelligent and endowed with wisdom. My inclination was never to war, nor did I delight in the destruction of my race. I made no distinction between my own children and the children of Pandu. My own sons were prone to willfulness and despised me because I am old. My miserable plight and through paternal affection, blinded my wisdom. I was foolish not to correct the thoughtless Duryodhana ever growing in madness. Having been a spectator of the riches of the mighty sons of Pandu, my son was derided for his discomfiture while ascending the hall. Duryodhana was unable to bear it all and unable himself to overcome the sons of Pandu in the field. Though being a warrior by birth (Ruling cast), Duryodhana was not willing to gain wealth by his own exertion. Duryodhana getting the help of the king of Gandhara (Shakuni) concerted an unfair game at dice and cheated Pandavas.

----------Anand Hariharan.