War Day 16 - Karn as Commander-in-Chief Day 1 (contd 2)

On 16th day of the war, the 1st day of the leadership of Karn, after Drone is dead...

The 15th day of the Kurukshetra war had ended disastrously for the Kaurav. All in Kaurav army were very sad. Especially Karn, the king Duryodhan, Dushaasan and Shakuni could not sleep in their tents after this great loss so they passed their night in Duryodhan's tent. Next day they appointed Karn as their Commander-in-chief. Duryodhan said - Both Bheeshm and Drone favored Paandav thus they fought with out any vigor. Both have fallen now, both were fallen when they were without weapons and by unfair means. But you are different, you hate Paandav as much as I do. I am leaving my army in your able hands to lead us to victory." Karn was very happy to hear the words of Duryodhan. He said - "I will be too happy to fight with Paandav and kill Arjun." Duryodhan was sure of his victory this time.

According to Mahabharata Serial on TV
A fierce battle took place between them. Among other duels, the interesting duel was between Karn and Nakul. As both advanced towards each other, Nakul said - "I have been wanting to see you since so many days. You are the root cause of evil, if I will kill you today I will be at peace." Karn replied according to his great chivalry - "You are a great archer. Show it what you intend to do." They both fought well for a long time like Bheem and Karn fought on the day Jayadrath fell. Karn cut his bow, sword, shield etc and defeated him, Nakul ran away from the battlefield, but Karn caught him by the noose of his bow and said - "Fight with your equals only, I am much superior to you." then he proceeded towards Sahadev." and released him. Nakul went to Yudhishthir.

No one saw the tears in the corners of Karn's eyes, no one except Krishn. He said to Himself - "Karn is Karn. He remembers his promise, he can never kill any of the Paandav except Arjun.

Karn was in a great fury. He was destroying Paandav's army like anything. Nobody had the courage to fight with him. The war raged till the end of the day. A large portion of both the armies had been slaughtered. In the evening both armies retired.

Duryodhan must have been very dissatisfied with Karn when he saw that Karn did not kill Arjun, when he did not kill Nakul, but he did not say a word in his criticism. In fact he was very fond of him. Besides, he knew that Karn was just as disappointed that he couldn't kill Arjun. Before departing Karn said - "Arjun fights very well. He is skillful. He has a Saarathee who tells him what to do when, in fact that is keeping him alive. But tomorrow I will do it." Duryodhan held his hands and consoled him, "Yes, I know it, I know it."

Karn could not sleep so he went to Duryodhan's tent and discussed the plans for future. Karn knew in his heart that it was his last night with Duryodhan. He said - "Tomorrow, either I will kill him or I will lose my life. I will not return to the camp without any one of them happening. I am not boasting myself but I am just stating the facts about both of us. Both of us have Divine Astra at our command. But in grace and in power I am superior to Arjun. I have a bow called Vijaya given to me by Bhaargav and it is superior to Arjun's Gaandeev. This was especially made by Vishwakarmaa for Indra.

And now I tell you how he is superior to me. His bow is Divine and his quivers are inexhaustible. Even his chariot is Divine, his horses are Divine both given by Agni to him and his banner (flag) has the great Hanumaan (see also Bheem and Hanumaan) presiding over it. Krishn, the protector is controlling the reins of his horses. These three things makes him superior fighter to me. I am superior to Arjun, but I have no good Saarathee (charioteer). I know Shalya is a better Saarathee than Krishn. His driving is much superior to Krishn's. Krishn knows the Ashwahridaya, but Shalya is the master in that art." Duryodhan embraced him and said - "Let us go to Shalya." and they went to Shalya's tent.