With begging pardon from those who believe in Mahabharat as a religious story and understand that all details is stated in Mahabharat are cent percent true, so there is no place for criticizing it because in this great war Lord Krishna himself took part as a Saarthi of Arjuna, so it is very clear from this fact that Lord Krishna fully supported Pandavas and their army. I am writing this article after having watched the Mahabharat serial telecasted during lockdown period on Doordarshan (Bharti) concluded a few days ago. I had watched the Mahabharat serial earlier too when I was a child. Then I had enjoyed of watching the Mahabharat and had reached at the conclusion that Pandavas were right to fight Kauravas for taking back their states from the possession of Kauravas. I also thought the way of winning the battle by Pandavas was right. After passing 30 years when this serial was again telecasted, I took again interest for waching it. But this time I watched this serial as a mature minded person, so I found a number of wrong things in the story of Mahabharat. Since I am a Journalist, so my conscious compells me to throw light on the wrong things of the Mahabharat felt by me. I am not bringing these unethical and blameworthy things of Mahabharat into light not with a bad intention, but as a narrator who wants to tell the people what he watches, listen and reads. Although I know that this article of mine based on unethical and blameworthy things of Mahabharat will cause anger in many people but I am compelled to through light on these unethical and blameworthy things of Mahabharat because of my responsibility as a Journalist to tell the people what is right and what is wrong?
In my views, the battle of Mahabharat could be prevented for happening it and could be saved lacs of lives of soldiers of both sides who were killed during the 18 days of Mahabharat battle, if honest attempt of preventing it could be made by the both sides. All we know that the Mahabharat battle took place because of the date of ending of Agyaatvaas (self concealment) of Pandavas from the eyes of rivals. Infact Duryodhan wanted to search out the Pandavas during the period of Agyaatvaas, so he had ordered his chief of detectives for finding out the Pandavas. The Detectives succeeded in searching out of Pandavas during the period of their Agyaatvaas. They all had taken shelter in the Raj Bhavan of King Matsya as his servants. Duryodhan hatched a conspiracy for bringing Pandavas out from Raj Bhavan of King of Matsya. Under this conspiracy Duryodhan succeeded in pursuing Bhishma Pitamah for launching an attack on Kingdom of Matsya under the command of Bhishma Pitamah as a chief head of army of Kauravas. An attack was launched, Arjuna came out from the Raj Mahal for fighting this battle from the side of kingdom of Matsya. When he blew his shell as a sign of beginning the battle, Duryodhan recognised him at once and Bhishma Pitamah said it was Arjuna and since he was recognised during the period of Agyaatvaas, So we should return back to Hastinapur but Bhishma Pitamah did not agree to do so.
However the battle was fought and Arjuna alone defeated all the Hastinapur army by using an arrow which produce substance making people unconscious resulting in all soldiers and warriors of this army Bhishma Pitamah, Dronacharya, Kripacharya, Karna, Duryodhan, Ashwatthama, etc. became unconscious. Thus in this way Virat battle ended. Since Duryodhan succeeded in his plan to recognize Pandavas during the period of Agyaatvaas by launching a battle against Kingdom of Matsya, so he raised the matter of Agyaatvaas which had been disrupted on the day of Virat battle. The period of Agyaatvaas was still remain, so Pandavas must went for Vanvaas for period of 12 years and Agyaatvaas for 1 year. On the other hand Pandavas claimed that period of Agyaatvaas had ended one day earlier of Virat battle, so it is their right to get return back their state of Indraprastha. In this way the date of ending of the of the period of Agyaatvaas became a controversial issue as Dhritrashtra, the king of Hastinapur and the father of Duryodhan also said that issue of Agyaatvaas had become controversial because opinions of experts on this issue were different. This controversy was not resolved as both sides were adamant on their points of views. This is occassion, when honest attempts for preventing battle of Mahabharat should be made by resolving the controversy about the date of ending of the period of Agyaatvaas. In my view, if this controversy could had been resolved, the battle of Mahabharat could had not taken praised. It is a matter of surprised that Lord Krishna also did not take interest in resolving this controversy. It means that Lord Krishna was also of this view that period of Agyaatvaas had come to end one day before Virat battle. As far as the controversy relating to the period of Agyaatvaas is concerned, the statement of Duryodhan about not ending of the period of Agyaatvaas on the day of Virat battle seems correct. The reason is that Duryodhan wanted to bring an end of the period of Agyaatvaas before actual end of Agyaatvaas from the very beginning, so that Pandavas could be recognized before end of the period of Agyaatvaas and they could be compelled for going to Vanvaas and Agyaatvaas again. In this situation, he would have perfect knowledge about the date of beginning and date of ending.
The question arises, where did the seed of battle of Mahabharat was sown. All we know that when Hastinapur was divided into two parts for handing over one part to Pandavas. Pandavas gave name of their part of land Indraprastha. They got constructed a beautiful palace in Indraprastha and invited Duryodhan and his party for watching the new constructed palace. When Duryodhan and his party came there and Duryodhan entered the room considering the floor of the room was made of concrete but floor was not actually made of concrete. In fact, it was a masterpiece of construction which based one who entered the room because the floor was not floor but a tank in actual, so when Duryodhan entered the room, he fell in the tank. On this occasion Draupadi, the wife of five Pandavas was taunted by saying it that 'a child of a blind person is to be blind'. This taunt made by Draupadi made him extremely angry and it is understood that the taunt made against Duryodhan by Draupadi was the real cause of the battle of Mahabharat. For taking revenge from Draupadi Duryodhan planned a play of Chaucer with Pandavas. In this play of Chaucer, Pandavas got defeated by Duryodhan who not only won all their properties but also their wife Draupadi. Then Duryodhan ordered his younger brother Dushashan for bringing Draupadi in Rajya Sabha and consequently to disrobe her. All these unethical behaviours with Draupadi were meted out by Duryodhan for taking revenge from Draupadi for calling him 'a child of blind person is to be blind'. Here it will be a necessary to remind the readers about all details of results holding the play of Chaucer by 2 times. All these above incidents inched towards beginning of battle of Mahabharat, Although an attempt was made by Pandavas for preventing the battle of Mahabharat. But this attempt was made under the consideration that they had successfully completed the period of Agyaatvaas and so they had right to be returned Indraprastha by Dhritrashtra, the King of Hastinapur. In my view Pandavas were on the wrong side for asking Indraprastha to be return by Dhritrashtra because the controversy about ending and not ending about of the period of Agyaatvsas. In this situation no unprejudice person accept the demand of Pandavas to be returned Indraprastha, so there attempt for preventing battle failed because Duryodhan flatly denied the demand of Pandavas to be return them Indraprastha, when an emissary of Pandavas came in Rajya Sabha and presented their demand of Indraprastha to be returned them but he was returned back with negative reply from Hastinapur. Then Lord Krishna decided himself to go to Hastinapur for presenting the old claim of Pandavas with their consent knowing it that his peace proposal will not be accepted by the Dhritrashtra and Duryodhan. Instead of it, Lord Krishna went in the Rajya Sabha of Hastinapur. The result was same as presumed by Lord Krishna. On this occasion Duryodhan rejecting his all proposals decidedly said he could not give Pandavas land even equal to tip of needle. In this connection the reply of Duryodhan maintained earlier statements that Pandavas must go again for Vanvaas and Agyaatvaas as they had been recognised before end of period of Agyaatvaas. The question arises did it was proper for Lord Krishna to go to Hastinapur for presenting the claim of Pandavas to be returned them Indraprastha? In the above situation I appeal to the readers that they should find out the answer of this question?
However this Battle of Mahabharat began in the name of religious battle against the unreligious acts of Hastinapur Kingdom. Today it seems strange about knowing it that a property dispute between two families how can be turned into a battle of religious acts and unreligious acts. Did Battle of Mahabharat was religious battle against and religious elements because in the Rajya Sabha of Hastinapur attempt of disrobing of Draupadi was made and demand of returning Indraprastha to Pandavas was denied by Duryodhan? Infact attempt of disrobing Draupadi in the Rajya Sabha of Hastinapur was a very-very serious, criminal, immoral and anti-religious act. Attempt of disrobing Draupadi was a barbaric attack on the dignity, honour, respect and tenderness of women and it was unpardonable. In fact it were Pandavas especially Yudhishthir whoever responsible for degrading dignity, respect, honour and tenderness of women by staking Draupadi in the play of Chaucer, so if anyone blame Duryodhan and this party for degrading the position of women we must first arrange punishment for Yudhishthir and then after for Duryodhan and his party.
The battle of Mahabharat is known as a battle of religious against the unreligious elements. It was told again and again during the battle period by Lord Krishna and in this context speech of Lord Krishna in the very beginning getting Arjuna understood for beginning the battle as Arjuna had denied to fight with the Kaurava's army consisting of people whoever is dears one as Bhishma Pitamah, Dronacharya, Kripacharya, Ashwatthama, Karna, Duryodhan etc. were included. Lord Krishna told Arjuna that he was fighting a Dharmyuddh (Religious Battle) against unreligious elements and whoever fighting this battle with the unreligious elements were not your near and dear relatives, but your enemies. So, you must fight against them when this battle began and when it ended, we saw a number of warriors of Kaurava's army were killed by Pandavas by adopting unethical way who could not be killed by Pandavas following the rules of battle set out in the very beginning by Bhishma Pitamah. In other sense all warriors of Kaurava's army killed by Pandavas by adopting method of cheating, treachery and dishonesty on the instigation of Lord Krishna. Pandavas could not win the battle of Mahabharat. When the battle began Bhishma Pitamah was appointed as army chief of Kaurava's army while Duryodhan knew it Bhishma Pitamah was loyal to Pandavas. Instead of it, Bhishma Pitamah was appointed as a chief of his army. Here this fact must be remembered that Bhishma Pitamah was granted a boon of 'Ichcha Mrityu' (he will die when he wishes). It means he will never be killed by anyone. In the battle of Mahabharat, Pandavas were not able to go ahead even and inch towards victory after battle of many days. Then Yudhisthir was sent to Bhishma Pitamah in the night and requested him to return back the blessing 'be victorious' as he could not win this battle as long as he would fight this as a chief of Kaurava's army. At this point Bhishma Pitamah revealed the secret of being removed him from the battlefield. He told Yudhishthir to bring an woman in front of him during the period of battle. Since he could not use arms against any woman and this was the occasion for Arjuna to hit me with his arrows. Next morning when battle began Arjuna came on his chariot with Shikhandi (An Eunuch). When Bhishma Pitamah and Arjuna were attacking by using arrows, only then Shikandi was brought before Arjuna in front of Bhishma Pitamah. Having seen Shikhandi in front of him instead of Arjuna, Bhishma Pitamah kept his bow and arrow on the chariot because he could not use them against Shikhandi who belong to be third gender. To attack on armless person during battle field as a violation of battle rules, Arjuna hesitated to attack on armless Bhishma Pitamah. Here Lord Krishna instigated Arjuna for attacking on Bhishma Pitamah, preaching him that Bhishma Pitamah was an enemy not his relative. On being provoked by Lord Krishna, he attacked on Bhishma Pitamah with using a number of arrows which turned into bed of arrows for Bhishma Pitamah. Now Bhishma Pitamah could not take part in the battle but he would live as long as he wished. Thus Bhishma Pitamah was removed from the battlefield on being used Shikandi as a female person. After removing from the battlefield, Pandavas had to face Dronacharya as a army chief of Kauravas. He (Dronacharya) also proved as a big obstruction by Pandavas for winning the battle. Then Lord Krishna adviced Pandavas to kill the elephant named Ashwatthama taking part in the battle and got this rumour spreaded that Ashwatthama was killed in the battle. Having hearing this rumour, Dronacharya army chief of Kauravas was shocked because he understood that his son Ashwatthama was killed in the battle. So, he came to Yudhishthir for verification of death of his son Ashwatthama, but Yudhishthir first wanted to tell the truth about the death of Ashwatthama. But Lord Krishna adviced him not to tell the truth having seen Yudhishthir to be inclined to tell truth, Lord Krishna adviced him to confirm the rumour of death of Ashwatthama in reply of Dronacharya's enquiry. In fact Dronacharya had come to Yudhishthir for confirmation of his son thinking it that Yudhishthir would tell the truth as he was called 'Dharmraj Yudhishthir'. On being confirmed about the rumour relating the death of Ashwatthama by Yudhishthir, Dronacharya kept his bow and arrow on the chariot and came down from it and sat on the earth in posture of meditation. At that time Arjuna had stopped his attack on Dronacharya as Dronacharya has become armless, but Lord Krishna reminded him of fighting Dharmyuddh in which violation of rules of battle was not important but the important thing was to kill the enemy, if he was armless too. Listening this preach from Lord Krishna, Arjuna came down from the chariot holding a sword in his hand and chopped of neck of Dronacharya. Is this act of Arjuna not a cowardly act and an act of defeat? When Dronacharya achieved heroic end in the battle, Karna was appointed army chief of Kauravas. He took the command of Kaurava's army and he fought the battle of the day left by Dronacharya. In the evening when battle was inching towards the end, Karna got an opportunity to kill Arjuna at that time of sunset, but he did not kill Arjuna as it would be violation of rules of the battle. Next day under the command of Karna, Kaurava's army fell on Pandava's army and a fierce battle started between Kauravas and Pandavas. Karna and Arjuna were attacking on each other with their arrows. The time was passing and Karna & Arjuna engaged in fierce battle attacking on each other. Meanwhile a wheel of chariot of Karna sank to the earth, so he was unable to fight with Arjuna. In this situation Karna told Arjuna that his chariot's wheel sank to the earth and he was going down from his chariot for pulling out the sanked wheel to the earth. Arjuna stop his attack on Karna, then Lord Krishna provoked him for killing Karna who was armless saying it that it was Karna who had called Draupadi a Vaishya (Whore). Here it should be remembered that when Lord Krishna had gone to see Karna before beginning of the battle of Mahabharat and had proposed him to support Pandavas in the battle being their brother. Karna had rejected this proposal and had told him that he could not go to the camp of Pandavas because Draupadi was there and he could not face her as he had disrespected her in the Rajya Sabha of Hastinapur for which he had been feeling with repenting for it even today. Arjuna become furiouted and he killed armless Karna.
Jayadratha, the king of Sindhu Kingdom was also killed by Arjuna by adopting unethical means. On being killed Abhimanyu in absence of Arjuna from the battlefield. Arjuna was told that Jayadratha had stopped Pandava's army, so that no help could be reached to Abhimanyu and thus Abhimanyu was killed fighting with all warriors of Kaurava's army. Among them Dronacharya, Karna, Duryodhana, Ashwatthama, Shakuni etc. were included. Then Arjuna took oath that tomorrow Jayadratha could not see sunset and if tomorrow Jayadratha could not be killed by me till the sunset time, he would immolate himself sitting on fire. Next morning when battle started Arjuna tried his best to kill Jayadratha all the day but he did not succeeded in his attempt and sun began to set. At that time Lord Krishna got sunset by showing his miracle. Then Jayadratha and other warriors of Kaurava's army became happy and demanded that now Arjuna must immolate himself sitting on fire as he could not kill Jayadratha till sunset time. After sometime the sun rose again and Jayadratha was killed by Arjuna.
In the last Duryodhan took on Bhimsen in Mace duel. The best warrior of Mace duel Bhimsen could not defeat Duryodhan in the battle of Mace fought for a long time. On noticing inability of Bhimsen to defeat Duryodhan, Lord Krishna indicating Bhimsen to hit the thigh of Duryodhan with the Mace. In Mace duel it was prohibited to hit on thigh of a rival. But Bhimsen known as a best warrior of Mace duel hit on the thigh of Duryodhan which caused his death.
Thus we see that the battle of Mahabharat could not be won by Pandavas, if they would fight this battle according to the rules of battle. They killed all warriors of Kaurava's army by violating the battle rules on instigation of Lord Krishna who had turned the property dispute of two families into Dharmyuddh and got Pandavas victory by Adharm way. Those viewers of Mahabharat serial who are not Hindu will criticize the roles of Pandavas along with Lord Krishna for fighting of the battle of Mahabharat by adopting unethical, improper and immoral. In this battle the role of Lord Krishna is very high objectionable.
- Rohit Sharma Vishwakarma
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