Epic Retold: The Mahabharata in Tweets (19 page)

‘That wretched Duryodhana!’ Yudhistira laments. ‘This was his plan. To use Trigartha as dirt in our eyes so he could attack us elsewhere!’

Virata sits down heavily when he hears his son Uttara has marched out against Duryodhana with the remaining soldiers and palace guards.

‘Uttara is but a child,’ the king says. ‘He has not seen war before! He has picked up a weapon only in training.’

I order a head count of the soldiers accompanying the prince. A few good warriors have gone with him, including Nakula and Sahadeva.

‘That eunuch Brihannala is driving the prince,’ someone says. ‘The maid Malini insisted on it. Said she was a great charioteer.’

Arjuna off to war! Flowers in his braided hair, reins in his perfumed hand! I suppress a smile.

Yudhistira sighs, relieved. ‘Your highness, no harm will befall Uttara,’ he says. ‘Brihannala is an expert. She will protect the prince.’

Uttara returns victorious just as I am about to set out with reinforcements. I draw Arjuna and the twins aside. Yudhistira joins us.

‘You should have been there, brother!’ Nakula cannot contain his excitement. ‘You should have seen how Arjuna fought!’

I look at Arjuna. War lust still clouds his eyes. I ask, ‘Who fought alongside Duryodhana?’

‘Everyone. Kripa, Drona, Bhishma, Ashwathma, Dushasana—and Karna.’

The capture of cattle is considered royal entertainment. Like hunting. But I am surprised the teachers were part of Duryodhana’s folly.

Sahadeva had managed to retrieve our weapons on the way. So Arjuna had gone into battle with Gandiva and the new additions to his quiver.

Bhishma and Drona had not taken part in the battle. They stood in the back row and watched from their chariots.

‘The rest got what they deserved!’ Sahadeva says gleefully. ‘If they thought they had nothing to fear in Virata, they thought wrong!’

Under Arjuna’s sustained attack, Ashwathma had retreated. Kripa had followed quickly, when Arjuna killed his horses with the Naga arrows.

Karna had tested Arjuna for some time. But he had faltered under my brother’s stream of arrows and retired bleeding all over.

‘The son of the charioteer stood no chance!’ Nakula continues the tale. ‘Brother kept switching hands, changing the angle of attack!’

My brother had faced the might of the Kauravas on his own! My heart swells with pride. I embrace Arjuna.

‘It was like the first battle of the Pandava-Kaurava war,’ Arjuna says. ‘They were all there—and we won!’

Yudhistira shakes his head wearily. ‘Do you not understand what this means?’ he asks. ‘This battle was not innocent!

‘Nobody who saw Arjuna in combat would have been fooled. They suspected we were here. That is why the elders came. To see for themselves.

‘We have not won, child. We have been discovered. Do you know what that means?’

NO

EPISODE 27

TWEETS 60

No.

I will not agree to another spell in the forest for Duryodhana’s pleasure.

Splashing water on to my torso, I attempt to wash away the stains of battle. The cuts on my chest and shoulders sting under the wet cloth.

I had walked away after Yudhistira’s pronouncement. He can point to the scriptures all he wants. But my mind is clear.

I will not allow Duryodhana another thirteen years of life. I will not walk another jungle trail.

The water in the wooden tub is crimson when I climb out. Slowly I make my way through the empty kitchen to my living quarters.

Running footsteps. A soldier, with another summons. Will this day never end?

I am ushered into the main court hall. My brothers are present. And the king has a welcome guest. Krishna!

Krishna embraces me, smiling as usual. The look on Virata’s face indicates he has been told of our true identities.

‘I have sent the star charts and calculations to Hastinapur,’ Krishna says. ‘The incognito year has ended!’

I look at Yudhistira. Nakula says quickly, ‘Elder brother miscalculated!’

‘The year ended according to the lunar calendar,’ Yudhistira says, frowning. ‘I accounted for another month as per the solar calendar.’

He does not look convinced. Krishna consoles, ‘Duryodhana will state otherwise. But the astrologers will know the calculations are sound.’

The next few days are joyous. After overcoming his embarrassment, Virata is quick to order a feast in our honour.

After twelve years in the forest and a year in cook’s garb, silk sits strangely on my skin. Sleep evades me amid the soft sheets.

It is a relief to see Arjuna out of his disguise, though.

And Draupadi! In robes of red, thick locks flowing like black lava past her waist, she eclipses all.

Once or twice, I catch Queen Sudeshna’s resentful eyes on her. I smile inwardly. How fate twists life!

In between comes a marriage proposal for Princess Uttaraa, Virata’s young daughter.

It is Krishna’s idea. It will bring us closer to Virata and seal the alliance.

‘Abhimanyu has grown into a handsome youth,’ Krishna says. ‘He will make a good match for Uttaraa.’

Virata is delighted at the proposal. It is settled quickly and Krishna sends a messenger to summon Abhimanyu from Dwaraka.

Even as festivities begin on one side, preparations for war continue on the other. Yudhistira spends days immersed in talks with Virata.

Drupada and Drishtadyumna arrive from Panchala. Satyaki accompanies Abhimanyu from Dwaraka. All our major allies are assembled.

Drishtadyumna has become an impressive warrior. In build, he is now my equal. He has restructured the Panchala army in our absence.

Together, we line up Virata’s forces. The old and the weak had to go. We set in motion a punishing training schedule.

Satyaki has brought skilled blacksmiths. Under their supervision, smoke begins to emanate from new workplaces. Our pile of weapons grows.

Drishtadyumna says his friends have pledged support. He has also approached several potential allies, including Drishtaketu in Chedi.

‘We must first explore diplomacy,’ Yudhistira says, after a lengthy discussion with Krishna and Drupada. ‘War is the last option.’

Perhaps seeing the expression on my face, Drupada says gently, ‘Your preparations need not wait. But there are courtesies one must follow.’

A messenger has to be sent to Hastinapur first, demanding the Kauravas give up half their kingdom. Negotiations would begin from there.

Yudhistira mentions Duryodhana would have the larger army if it came to war. More kings are likely to join him than us.

‘He is supported by Bhishma, Drona, Kripa—the elders and our teachers,’ he says. ‘Victory is uncertain.’

Drishtadyumna responds thoughtfully, ‘Negotiations will give us more time to get our forces in shape. We must exploit that.’

As for the elders supporting Duryodhana, Drishtadyumna seems unfazed.

‘Conventionality will be the Kaurava undoing,’ he says. ‘Victory will come to those who do not conform. This is our war!’

The next day, a messenger sets out for Hastinapur. When he returns more than a week later, everyone rushes into the court hall to hear him.

After bowing to Drupada, the priest delivers his message. He had been received well, and Dritarashtra had granted him an audience quickly.

‘Saluting the king,’ the priest says, ‘I offered him these words as from you:

‘“O Dritarashtra, you and Pandu are of the same father. You have equal rights to the Kuru property.

“‘Your sons received their paternal property, but the sons of Pandu did not receive theirs.

“‘Instead of wealth, you gave them wasteland. When they built a kingdom, your son cheated them out of it in a crooked dice game.

“‘Thirteen years have passed. They have met the conditions of their release. Give them their due. Let bygones be erased.’”

Drupada asks for Dritarashtra’s response. As usual the blind man kept silent. Bhishma said the message was valid.

‘They all started arguing and did not let him finish,’ the priest says. ‘Karna ordered me to return. He said they would send a messenger.’

Drupada dismisses the priest. When he turns to us, we all fall silent and listen respectfully.

‘Messengers will come and go,’ he says. ‘Do not let that interrupt your preparations.’

Another week passes. Then the messenger from Hastinapur arrives. It is Sanjaya, Dritarashtra’s trusted servant.

Virata receives him as per custom. After a sumptuous meal and rest, Sanjaya is ushered into the court hall, where we are all waiting.

Yudhistira enquires about the elders first. Is Grandfather well? Is Aunt Gandhari in good health? And the younger ones?

My brother prolongs the courtesies to a painful length till I cut in: ‘Let us hear what the blind man said!’

Sanjaya shoots me a baleful look. Then he says, ‘Listen Yudhistira, Drupada, Virata, for these are the words of King Dritarashtra.

‘“The Pandavas are my own sons. I am happy they are safe after their exile and under the protection of Virata.

‘“But Yudhistira, you staked your kingdom voluntarily, when you could have withdrawn from the game.

‘“So long as you have the support of the Yadavas and the Panchalas and Virata, you cannot be defeated.

‘“With Drona, Bhishma and Kripa supporting them, the Kauravas are also invincible. Only destruction shall result if you go to war.

‘“Son Yudhistira, you know what is right. I can only wish you well.”’

In the silence that hangs in the hall, I try to make sense of the message. Did the blind man just refuse our request?

Seeing my inquiring look, Drishtadyumna says, ‘When you strip away the empty words, this is what he is saying:

‘“Stay in Matsya or Panchala. You will get nothing from us.”’

THE LAST ATTEMPT

EPISODE 28

TWEETS 81

Sanjaya waits in Matsya for two days. In the end, he leaves with expensive presents but no answer.

I am the slow-witted, the idiot. I do not understand what Yudhistira is agonizing over.

What message does he want to send Dritarashtra? What do you tell a man who has spewed venom through gentle words?