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गोहरणपर्वन् (goharaNaparvan)

 
Mahabharata
English
Goharaṇaparvan (“the section relating to the robbing of the kine of Virāṭa, ” the 55th of the minor parvans of Mhbhr.
cf. Gograhaṇa). § 552: Meanwhile the spies of Duryodhana returned to Hāstinapura and informed Duryodhana, who was sitting with Droṇa, Karṇa, Kṛpa, Bhīshma, his brothers, and the Trigartas, that they had not found out the Pāṇḍavas, but that Kīcaka (b) had been slain (IV, 25). Kārṇa and Duḥśāsana proposed that the other spies should be sent (IV, 26). Droṇa said: “People like the Pāṇḍavas never perish, let the abode which the Pāṇḍavas are to occupy now be settled” (IV, 27). Bhīshma applauded Droṇa (IV, 28). Kṛpa recommended precautions (IV, 29). The Trigarta king, Suśarman, supported by Karṇa, proposed to invade the city of Virāṭa and to rob his kine and wealth, and thus to take revenge for the invasions of the Matsyas headed by Kīcaka. Duryodhana caused Duḥśāsana to array their forces. Suśarman set out towards the south-east on the seventh day of the dark fortnight, and the Kauravas on the eighth day (IV, 30). After Kīcaka had been slain, Virāṭa began to rest his hopes on the Pāṇḍavas. His brothers, Śatānīka and Madirāksha, and the king himself, and Sūryadatta and Śaṅkha, the eldest son of Virāṭa, put on their coats of mail. Virāṭa also caused Śatānīka to order chariots for Kaṅka, Vallava, Tantripāla, and Dāmagranthi (i.e. Yudhishṭhira, Bhīmasena, Nakula, and Sahadeva in disguise) (IV, 31). The Matsyas overtook the Trigartas shortly before sunset. Śatānīka and Viśālāksha penetrated into the heart of the Trigarta host. Virāṭa, with Sūryadatta in his van and Madirāksha in his rear, began a single combat from chariots against Suśarman (IV, 32). The night interrupted the battle for a while, but it began once more when the moon arose. Suśarman and his younger brother made Virāṭa prisoner, and the Matsyas began to fly
Bhīma would uproot a tree, but was prevented by Yudhishṭhira, lest the people should recognize them
then Bhīma, with Nakula and Sahadeva as protectors of his wheels, rushed against Suśarman, and the Matsya warriors, Virāṭa's son, and Yudhishṭhira, etc., followed him
the charioteer of Suśarman was dragged to the ground. Madirāśva came to the aid of Bhīma. Virāṭa leapt down from the chariot of Suśarman, seising the mace of the latter, and ran in pursuit of him
Suśarman was seized by Bhīma, but set free by Yudhishṭhira (IV, 33). The Pāṇḍavas passed the night on the field of battle honoured by Virāṭa. As proposed by Yudhishṭhira, Virāṭa ordered messengers to proclaim the victory in the city. The messengers repaired to the city that very night, and at sunrise they proclaimed the victory at the city gates (IV, 34). Meanwhile Duryodhana, etc. (), invaded the Matsya country and took away the kine. Hearing this, Bhūmiñjaya (i.e. Uttara), who had been left by the king in the empty city (IV, 35), and whose charioteer had been slain in a great battle, followed the advice of Kṛshṇa (who had been instigated by Arjuna) and sent Uttarā (IV, 36), who prevailed upon Bṛhannalā (= Arjuna in disguise) to become the charioteer of Uttara. Uttarā and her maidens asked Arjuna to bring fine clothes for their dolls when he had vanquished the Kurus (IV, 37). Seeing the host of the Kurus, Uttara became agitated with fear and jumped down from the chariot and began to flee, but was seized by Arjuna and made to hold the reins, while Arjuna had to fight (IV, 38). Bhīshma, Droṇa, etc., suspected the comer to be Arjuna, and many portents were explained by Droṇa in that sense. Karṇa blamed Droṇa, and Duryodhana said that if it were Arjuna the Pāṇḍavas must go into exile for twelve more years (IV, 39). Having reached the śamī tree, Arjuna ordered Uttara to fetch the weapons of the Pāṇḍavas, including Gāṇḍīva, which were deposited there (IV, 40). Believing that a corpse had been tied up in the tree, Uttara refused, but as Arjuna said: “There are only bows in that tree and no corpse, ” he climbed up and unwrapped and untied the bows (IV, 41). Arjuna explained to him to whom the different bows belonged, first mentioning the Gāṇḍīva (), which is honoured by the gods, the Dānavas, and the Gandharvas (IV, 42--43). He then revealed to Uttara that they were the Pāṇḍavas and confirmed it by telling his ten names () (IV, 44). Arjuna took off the bracelets from his arms, etc., recalled to his mind all his weapons, and twanged the Gāṇḍīva with a dreadful sound, whence the Kurus knew that he was Arjuna, then he comforted Uttara by mentioning his former exploits () and his preceptors in arms () (IV, 45). Having taken down the banner with the figure of a lion he set up his own flagstaff bearing the figure of an ape with a lion's tail, which was a celestial illusion (māyā) contrived by Viśvakarman himself, for as soon as he thought of the gift of Agni, Agni ordered the superhuman creatures to take their usual place on that banner, which then fell down from the air on his chariot (read rathe with B.). Droṇa concluded from various omens that it was Arjuna (IV, 46). Duryodhana repeated to Bhīshma, Droṇa, and Kṛpa, his and Karṇa's opinion, that Arjuna must have broken his pledge, and asked Bhīshma to calculate the time. Karṇa blamed Droṇa for praising Arjuna (IV, 47), and declared that he would throw Arjuna down from his chariot that very day (IV, 48). Kṛpa blamed Karṇa and warned him from fighting alone with Arjuna, mentioning his exploits ()
they ought all to fight with Arjuna and not Karṇa alone (IV, 49). Aśvatthāman blamed Karṇa for his vain boast and declared that he would not fight with Arjuna (IV, 50). Bhīshma tried to mediate between Aśvatthāman and Kṛpa on one side and Karṇa on the other side
he was of opinion that fight they must, and therefore this was not the time for quarrel. “The Brāhmāstra and the Vedas are never to be seen combined anywhere else than in Droṇa (and Aśvatthāman).” He was supported by Aśvatthāman and Duryodhana. Droṇa said
“Let such arrangements be made that Arjuna may not be able to approach Duryodhana in battle, and that Duryodhana may not be captured by the foe” (IV, 51). Having calculated the time (“an excess of five months and twelve nights in thirteen years”), Bhīshma declared that the Pāṇḍavas had not broken the pledge. Duryodhana said: “I will not give back the kingdom to the Pāṇḍavas.” Bhīshma proposed that Duryodhana should proceed towards the capital with onefourth of the army, and that one-fourth should escort the kine, while he, Droṇa, Karṇa, Aśvatthāman, and Kṛpa should withstand the foes. This proposal was accepted
Bhīshma placed Droṇa in the centre, Aśvatthāman on the left wing, Kṛpa on the right wing, and Karṇa in the van, and would himself stand in the rear (IV, 52). Droṇa recognized the top of Arjuna's banner, etc. Arjuna directed Uttara to the spot where Duryodhana was
the soldiers became so confounded that they could not even fly, and the kine turned back along the southern road (IV, 53). As Arjuna was advancing towards Duryodhana the Kurus fell upon him, especially Karṇa, who was supported by Citrasena, Saṅgrāmajit (the brother of Karṇa), Śatrusaha, Jaya, and Vikarṇa
Vikarṇa fled
Śatruntapa and many others were slain by Arjuna, so also Saṅgrāmajit
at last Karṇa took to flight (IV, 54). Duryodhana, etc., attacked Arjuna
Arjuna shot at Droṇa, Duḥsaha, Aśvatthāman, Duḥśāsana, and Kṛpa, and wounded Bhīshma, Duryodhana, and Karṇa. Then Arjuna described to Uttara the banners, etc., of Kṛpa, Droṇa, Aśvatthāman, Duryodhana, Karṇa, and Bhīshma (IV, 55). Indra, the gods, the Viśvas, the Aśvins, the Maruts, the Yakshas, the Gandharvas, the Mahoragas, the Nāgas, the Rākshasas, the serpents, the Pitṛs, and the maharshis came to see the combat, likewise, sitting on the chariot of Indra, king Vasumanas, etc. ()
also Agni, Śiva, Soma, Varuṇa, Prajāpati, Dhātṛ, Vidhātṛ, Kubera, Yama, Alambusha, Ugrasena, Tumburu, etc., came there (IV, 56). Arjuna attacked Kṛpa, announced his name, and blew the Devadatta
at last Kṛpa was led away by his soldiers (IV, 57). Droṇa attacked Arjuna
Arjuna said: “I will not strike thee unless thou strikest me first”
with his own weapons Arjuna baffled the Aindra, Vāyavya, and Āgneya weapons, which were shot by Droṇa
a voice was heard in the sky applauding Droṇa
then Aśvatthāman attacked Arjuna, which gave Droṇa an opportunity to leave the field (IV, 58). Aśvatthāman cut off the string of the Gāṇḍīva and was applauded by the gods, and by Droṇa, Bhīshma, Karṇa, and Kṛpa. Arjuna attached a fresh string to the Gāṇḍīva. As Aśvatthāman's arrows became exhausted Karṇa attacked Arjuna (IV, 59), who challenged him to a single combat and rebuked him, because he had fled after the slaughter of his younger brother. At last Karṇa, wounded, fled in a northern direction (IV, 60). Then Arjuna ordered Uttara to take him to Bhīshma
Uttara became afraid and was comforted by Arjuna (d), who enumerated some of his exploits and weapons. Duḥśāsana, Vikarṇa, Duḥsaha, and Viviṃśati rushed towards Arjuna
Duḥśāsana fled
Vikarṇa fell down
Duḥsaha and Viviṃśati were taken away by their warriors (IV, 61). At last the Kauravas fled (IV, 62)
Duryodhana, Karṇa, and Duḥśāsana attempted in vain to defeat Arjuna (IV, 63). Then Bhīshma and Arjuna fought with the Prājāpatya, Aindra, Āgneya, Raudra, Kaubera, Vāruṇa, Yāmya, and Vāyavya weapons
the Gandharva Citrasena showed the two combatants to Indra, who showered celestial flowers down upon them
at last Bhīshma, wounded, lost consciousness and was led away by his charioteer (IV, 64). Duryodhana and then Vikarṇa attacked Arjuna
Vikarṇa ran back and ascended the chariot of Viviṃśati
Duryodhana was wounded and fled, and so did all the warriors (IV, 65). Stung by the censure of Arjuna, Duryodhana returned, and Karṇa, Bhīshma, Droṇa, Kṛpa, Viviṃśati, and Duḥśāsana rushed forwards to protect Duryodhana. Arjuna employed the weapon Sammohana which he had obtained from Indra, and blew his conch so that the Kurus were deprived of their senses. Then he caused Uttara to take away the white garments of Droṇa and Kṛpa, the yellow ones of Karṇa, and the blue ones of Duryodhana and Aśvatthāman, but not those of Bhīshma, because he had not been stupefied. Arjuna wounded Bhīshma, who told Duryodhana to go back to his city, which they all did
Arjuna followed them for a while and worshipped Bhīshma, Droṇa, Aśvatthāman, and Kṛpa
then he, with an arrow, broke the crown of Duryodhana and blew the Devadatta. Then he ordered Uttara to turn back. The gods returned to their respective abodes (IV, 66). A large number of Kuru soldiers issuing from the forest stood before Arjuna with joined palms and were spared. Arjuna said to Uttara: “Do not eulogize the Pāṇḍavas, but say that the feat is thy own.” Then he replaced the weapons on the śamī tree
the monkey ascended to the sky, together with the other creatures on the flagstaff, the illusion (māyā) melted away, and Uttara's own banner was replaced upon the chariot. Arjuna entered the city in the guise of Bṛhannalā, having sent the cowherds to announce the victory (IV, 67). Virāṭa entered his city, followed by the four Pāṇḍavas, and dispatched an army to protect Uttara, though Yudhishṭhira said that, protected by Bṛhannalā, he was able to vanquish even the gods, the Asuras, the Siddhas, and the Yakshas. Meanwhile the messengers of Uttara came and Virāṭa ordered the highways to be decorated, etc., and began to play at dice with Yudhishṭhira, who again repeatedly praised Bṛhannalā. Virāṭa struck Yudhishṭhira with a die, but the blood was prevented from falling on the ground and was washed away by Kṛshṇā, who also, at the injunction of Yudhishṭhira, let Uttara enter alone, that Bṛhannalā should not see him bleeding. Uttara prevailed upon Virāṭa to ask Yudhishṭhira's pardon. When the bleeding had stopped, Bṛhannalā entered (IV, 68). Uttara said: “All this has been accomplished by a devaputra (‘son of a deity’) who then disappeared.” Arjuna gave to Uttarā the garments he had brought (IV, 69).