TWO
Drupada sent his erudite and experienced priest to the Kaurava court. This man was a highborn brah-mana and presented himself with dignity before the blind king, Bheeshma, Drona, Vidura and the other Kauravas.
Earlier, before he left the Panchala capital, Drupada had said to him, “You know the gravity of the mission on which I am sending you. You are aware of all the circumstances, the injustice the Pandavas and my child have endured. You know Duryodhana’s character. Vidura was the only one in the Kuru sabha who spoke for dharma on the day the Pandavas were banished. But Dhritarashtra paid him no heed.
Shakuni is a malignant creature; he is the heart of evil in Hastinapura. Duryodhana and the others have gone too far down the path of darkness to turn back now; there is no point talking to them. Address yourself directly to Dhritarashtra. He is old enough to fear death and wise enough, at least by his infirmity, to acknowledge his fear. Yet, he dotes on his son and you might not persuade him. However, though you address the blind king, what you say can influence those wiser than him: Bheeshma, Drona and Kripa. And I am sure the good Vidura will support you.
If you speak of dharma in Hastinapura, at least you will sow some doubt in the minds of Duryodhana’s followers. If you speak of how much their deeds are at variance with the ways of the Kuru sires, the Kaurava may well have to spend some time winning back their hearts. That will be time won for us and we can strengthen our forces. This is the real purpose ofyour embassy to Hastinapura, a subtle and vital one. Set out under the Pushyami nakshatra, at the time of day called Jaya.”
In Upaplavya, Yudhishtira and Virata called Arjuna. Yudhishtira said, “Krishna hasn’t committed himself to our cause. He even said the Kauravas and Pandavas are the same to him and Balarama seems to be against us. More than anything else, this worries me. I want you to ride to Dwaraka and ask Krishna for which side he will fight. He is always mysterious and I will have no peace until I know what he means to do.”
Arjuna set out alone for the city in the sea. He had not gone far, when Duryodhana’s spies learnt of his mission and word reached the Kaurava. Duryodhana burst in on his uncle and main advisor, Shakuni.
“Arjuna is on his way to Dwaraka! What shall I do?”
Shakuni’s serpent eyes flickered for a moment. He said with rare urgency, “You must reach Dwaraka before Arjuna does and ask Krishna to support you in the war. Take your swiftest horses, go now!”
Within the hour, Duryodhana swept toward the ocean-city. Meanwhile, Arjuna went along with no doubt in his mind that Krishna would join the Pandavas. How would the love the Blue God bore his cousins allow him to fight for the Kauravas? Arjuna did not hurry, but went in faith and arrived in fabulous Dwaraka only after Duryodhana did.
It was early morning. The city of dreams lay languid on a sea tinted with the colors of a new day. Arjuna took his chariot across the bridge that led into Dwaraka; the city was just beginning to bestir itself. Still rubbing the sleep from their eyes, some Yadavas came out of their homes to worship the sun. They saw Arjuna, shouted his name in surprise and waved. He arrived in Krishna’s palace and a guard brought him to a waiting room. He saw Duryodhana sat there already, grinning smugly at him.
“Greetings, cousin! Whatever brings you to Dwaraka, young Arjuna? Could it be the same thing I have come for? But I came before you and I will speak to Krishna first.”
Arjuna sat as far away from Duryodhana as he could and said calmly, “What does it matter who came first or last? He who decides all things, for his own reasons, will decide this as well.”
“We shall see.”
Satyaki came into the room. He seemed agitated and flashed Arjuna a dark look as if to say, Why didn’t you come before him?’
He greeted them both perfunctorily and said, “Krishna is still asleep, but you can come in and wait beside his bed. He will speak to you when he wakes up.”
Duryodhana jumped up to follow Satyaki and Arjuna went after them at his ease. In his chamber, Krishna lay asleep. At the head of his bed stood an exquisite chair carved from dark rosewood. Duryodhana crossed to it and sat down. Arjuna went slowly to the foot of the Dark One’s bed and stood there, his eyes shut and his hands folded to the sleeper. Duryodhana fidgeted in his chair. He looked scornfully at his cousin; Arjuna stood motionless at Krishna’s feet, in prayer.
Satyaki had barely left the room, when Krishna opened his eyes, yawned and saw Arjuna at the foot of his bed.
“Arjuna!” he cried. “When did you come?”
“Just now, my Lord.”
Krishna was all smiles. As he rose, there was a cough behind him. He turned to see Duryodhana, sitting stiffly in his chair. The Kaurava said, “Krishna, I came before Arjuna and it is only just that you hear me first.”
Krishna said softly, “How nice to see you, Duryodhana. And I am glad to hear you speaking of justice today!” He scratched his cheek thoughtfully. “Yet, when I awoke, it was Arjuna I saw first. Well, I must be fair to both of you, since you have come so far to seek my advice or help, or…what is it you have come for?”
Duryodhana said, “Krishna, we mean to have war between us. There is no point pretending otherwise, since both of us are mustering armies. I have come to ask you, Krishna, to fight for the Kaura-vas. And I came before he did.”
Krishna turned questioningly to Arjuna, who inclined his head to say that he, also, had come for the same reason. Duryodhana went on smoothly, “Krishna, they say you favor neither the Pandavas nor the Kauravas. It is only dharma you join the one that came to you first. The rishis all say you are the greatest man in the world. You must not violate dharma.”
Krishna nodded gravely at Duryodhana and the Kaurava smiled as if he already had what he wanted; and if Krishna joined him, the Pandavas would be finished! He would have won the war before it began. He would not be surprised if Yudhishtira abandoned the thought of fighting and went back into the jungle for another twelve years. Sending him here was a masterstroke of Shakuni’s.
Krishna said gently, “Duryodhana, I don’t doubt you came before Arjuna; but when I opened my eyes, I saw Arjuna first. To be fair, I cannot turn either of you away. So I will offer you a choice.”
Duryodhana began to protest, but now Krishna’s tone brooked no argument, “Moreover, Arjuna is younger than you are, Duryodhana and he must have the first choice.”
Again, Duryodhana wanted to speak and again Krishna would not let him. “Listen to the choice I offer before you protest. I feel you will both be pleased with my offer. Can you agree to trust me? For once the choice is made, it will bind all three of us. I promise it will be fair to both of you: a choice after your own hearts and neither of you shall be disappointed. Will you trust me?”
Arjuna nodded at once and, after some hesitation, Duryodhana did as well. “Make your offer, Krishna.”
Krishna said, “On one hand, I offer myself, just me mind you and I will carry no weapons during your war, nor strike a blow regardless of who wins or loses. On the other hand, I offer an aksauhini of Yadava warriors1 and they shall bear arms and fight for one of you. Arjuna, you choose first.”
Arjuna did not hesitate. “This is the easiest choice I ever had to make. I choose you, Krishna! Who else do I need in this world, or the next?”
Duryodhana had to restrain himself, so he did not laugh aloud. On one hand, an unarmed Krishna who would not strike a blow and a formidable legion of Vrishni heroes on the other: if he had the first choice, he would certainly have chosen the Yadava warriors. What could Krishna do if he did not fight? It was a laughable choice and what was more, the fool of a Pandava had made it for him.
“Krishna, are you sure you will not fight?”
“I swear it, Duryodhana.”
“Arjuna has chosen and I am content,” said the Kaurava.
He could not keep the glee out of his eyes and Krishna smiled to see it. Duryodhana thanked Krishna quickly and hurried away, thinking his war as good as won, since the Pandavas’ most dangerous ally would not carry a weapon or fight for them. He was so overjoyed he ran straight to his master Balarama.
“My lord!” cried Duryodhana, kneeling before his old guru.
Balarama raised him up. “Duryodhana, I am glad to see you. Have you heard how I defended your cause at Upaplavya?”
“I have heard, my lord and I thank you! I have come to tell you how much what you said there has helped me.”
“How is that? Krishna and Satyaki are against you.”
“Arjuna and I saw Krishna together. He said he would be fair to both of us. He offered us a choice and asked Arjuna to choose first.”
“I told you he favors the Pandavas.”
“Oh no, my lord! In this instance, he has been entirely fair. In fact, Arjuna made a foolish choice and Krishna smiled at me as if to say, ‘Now you have what you want, Duryodhana!’“
“What was the choice he offered?”
Duryodhana laughed, “On one hand, himself and he will bear no arms, nor strike a blow during the war, whatever its outcome. And on the other, a legion of Vrishni warriors who will fight!”
A knowing look had crept into Balarama’s eye. He said softly, “And Arjuna chose Krishna?”
Duryodhana cried, “I would have chosen the aksauhini, even if I had chosen first.”
“I feared as much,” said Balarama with a sigh. “It was no choice he offered you.”
But Duryodhana was too excited to notice his master was not enthused. The Kaurava was already saying, “So, will you fight for me, my lord, as part of the Yadava legion? Then the Pandavas’ fate will be sealed.”
Balarama shook his head. “How can I fight against my brother? I have already told Krishna I will take no part in this war. If you and your cousins do fight, I shall go away on a pilgrimage to pray for all of you. And for Krishna.” He sighed again and put his arm around his pupil’s shoulders. Kindly, he said, “Duryodhana, among all my sishyas, you were always my favorite. You are a brave man, born in a noble house. Fight your war like the proud kshatriya you are. You are a jewel of your line, don’t bring shame on yourself.”
There was such pity in Balarama’s voice, which Duryodhana in his jubilation did not notice. The Kaurava embraced his guru and strode out to his chariot to ride back to Hastinapura with his wonderful news2. How pleased Shakuni would be! When Duryodhana had gone, Balarama sat very still for a long time and a tear glistened in his eye. He rose and poured himself a bowl of wine.
There was no doubt now that there would indeed be war and blood would flow in scarlet streams. It would be Krishna’s great yagna, the one he had been born for and he would cleanse the earth with it. Balarama drained the bowl and set it down.
He whispered, “Oh, my brother, how savage are your ways. Choice! What choice did you offer? You knew both their hearts. The only choice you offered Duryodhana was his death.”