Duryodhana Defeated
Before an anxious audience, the final duel of Kurukshetra’s long and bloody war began.
The warrior styles that characterized them were immediately evident: the two were very different from each other: Bhima obviously more powerful, Duryodhana more skilled and regal. Both had had Balarama as a teacher and studied intensely for the same number of months, in theory they had the same chances of victory.
The blows they fired were of an impressive vigor, just as incredible were the agility and dexterity with which one or the other parried or dodged the other’s moves. Sometimes it was Bhima who fell to the ground under the strong blows of the adversary, at other times Duryodhana, bleeding and torn, found himself in difficulty. But the thing that immediately became clear was that ultimately Duryodhana was not the predestined victim who should have succumbed to nothingness, crushed by the devastating force of the Pandava. Even Bhima was surprised: he didn’t think he was so clever. He had always been certain that if he found himself fighting Duryodhana, he would defeat him with derisory ease. Evidently he was wrong.
“In your opinion, which of the two is the best?” Arjuna asked Krishna.
“From what we have seen so far Duryodhana is certainly more skilled,” replied the latter with a streak of reproach. “This duel should never have happened. It was just another gamble your brother likes so much.”
Arjuna was worried.
“So what can we do to help Bhima? It wouldn’t be fair to lose everything now that we have won a devastating war, and so many good soldiers have died just to lead us to triumph.”
Krishna smiled and winked.
“There is nothing we can do. Bhima just has to remember his oath and act as he should.”
Arjuna nodded to show that he understood, and smiled in turn.
Krishna had given the solution.
The duel went on for hours.
The two felt exhausted; they had been fighting for eighteen days, and both had suffered serious injuries. Blood flowed copiously from many parts of their bodies. Suddenly the Pandava felt within himself that the last hour of Duryodhana had arrived, and he looked in the direction of Arjuna. The latter slapped himself on the side.
Bhima got the message.
He pretended to want to throw a blow against the opponent’s chest, who jumped high to avoid it, but with a very rapid reversal of movements Vayu’s son hit him in the side, in an area of the body usually prohibited by the rules of single duels .
The mace struck Duryodhana’s body causing a crash of thunder: with his hips broken, he fell into the dust, mortally wounded. A loud hum rose from the crowd; it had been an unfair act.
Nobody celebrated that victory. But Bhima did not seem particularly worried, nor did he regret the way he had achieved it. Jumping for joy, he shouted “I did it, I did it!”
“Cursed of our kind,” he cried then, “do you remember when you showed your thigh to Draupadi, inviting her to come with you? Then I swore I would break it with my club. Now I did. And you remember that while I and my brothers were leaving Hastinapura to go into exile you, making fun of me, laughing and calling me ‘cow, cow’? That time I made a vow that when I defeated you in a duel and had you at my mercy, I would put my foot on your head. It’s the last oath that I need to take, and now I will.”
And before Yudhisthira could somehow stop him, Bhima pushed his mighty foot on the wounded man’s head, and plunged it into the dust.
While Bhima was being dragged by force by Arjuna and Satyaki, Yudhisthira bent over the dying man.
“Duryodhana, forgive my brother for what he has done. You are a Bharata, and you must still be respected. Unfortunately sometimes Bhima cannot control his fury.”
“No, I don’t feel offense for that,” the Kaurava replied in a gasp of pain, “After all, I die and go to Svarga, while he will have to live again and be remembered as a person who has won a duel in an unfair way.”
And in that place, in Samanta-panchaka, while Bhima still not at all appeased kicked to lash out at the hated enemy, and Duryodhana on the ground was bleeding, dying, and Yudhisthira bent down begging for forgiveness, and everyone scolded the son of Vayu for that act, there was a heavy atmosphere of tragedy.
Suddenly from the group of warriors present, Balarama emerged with fury, menacingly brandishing His favorite weapon. Intent on doing summary justice, He rushed at the offender, gritting his teeth.
“You have triumphed in this duel in the most wicked and cruel way imaginable, and moreover you have humiliated a disciple of mine by placing your foot on his head at a time when he could no longer defend himself. The blood of Duryodhana calls your demise and now I will kill you.”
But Krishna was able to stop Him and spoke to Him, reminding Him of all the wrongs committed by Duryodhana.
“Bhima acted like this because he had vows to fulfill. A Kshatriya who fails to fulfill his duties will never be able to reach the heavenly planets. For this reason I have not been against his behavior. He is to be forgiven, as it was far too serious the bullying that the Pandava brothers had to endure because of Duryodhana.”
At those words, Balarama gave up on fighting and approached Duryodhana.
“Die with dignity, O king. Unlike Bhima, you will be remembered as a good fighter, while his memory will always be marked by the stain of treachery.”
And without saying goodbye to the Pandavas, Balarama got into the chariot and left in the direction of Dvaraka.
Bhima was shocked by the words of his master, and could not find peace.
“Don’t worry,” Krishna consoled him. “I know my brother well, and I know He will subside in time. Don’t worry, enjoy this dazzling victory.”
Thus, reassured by Krishna’s words, Bhima approached his brother Yudhisthira with folded hands.
“By defeating the evil Duryodhana who will soon die, I have regained the kingdom. From today you are still the emperor of the world, and you can rule without worry, as your enemies are all dead. With a king like you, no one will know suffering anymore. No more hunger and degradation of descending into inferior species of life. And as for any mistake I may have committed, know that I did it in the belief that I was right. Please forgive me and grant me your blessings.”
At these words Yudhisthira embraced his glorious brother with great transport and joy, and at that gesture everyone shouted loudly, thus celebrating Bhima’s great feat.
Left alone, Duryodhana now dying, the Pandavas and their allies left.
This is a section of the book “Maha-bharata, Vol. 2”.
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