Duryodhana Dives Into The Lake
In those last moments, Duryodhana was far from the scene of the clashes when the plain of Kurukshetra faced him from a height, entirely covered with an impressive layer of corpses and debris.
At that moment he remembered Vidura’s words:
“You will be the cause of the destruction of the entire Kshatriya race,” and his mind faltered.
In the throes of remorse and the darkest thoughts, he remembered Karna, Duhssasana, Vikarna and all the other friends and relatives who now lay lifeless in who knows what part of the field. And he began to wander aimlessly around, suffering in soul and body.
Then his horse also fell to the ground; his injuries had been so severe and numerous that it was only a miracle that he had lived up to that day. The Kaurava felt even more alone.
He walked for hours, tortured by the physical pain of his burning wounds and by the pangs of his mind that would not leave him in peace for a single moment.
Suddenly he came across a cool and placid lake and thought that he could refresh himself before resuming the fight and die as a soldier. Accustomed to the greatest luxuries, now he had only the waters of a lake to rest; used to having everything he needed, now he only had his club with him. As he was about to dive into the waters, he saw Sanjaya coming towards him and waited for him.
“It is good to see you still alive,” said the Brahmana. “What are your intentions now? Is there anything I can do for you?”
“Yes. Go back to my father and tell him that I ask forgiveness for all the mistakes I made. Tell him what happened and also that now I will enter this lake to regain my strength, after which I will return to fight against my enemies. Tell him goodbye from me, because it is certain that we will never see each other again.”
After greeting him, Sanjaya got into the chariot and ran to Hastinapura.
On the way he met the other three survivors.
“Sanjaya, where are you going with such a great career? We are looking for Duryodhana and we can’t find him. Do you know where he went?”
“I am going to Hastinapura, as our king asked me. He dived into the waters of Lake Dvaipayana, in order to heal his wounds. After that he wants to resume the fight. Go to him.”
Kripa, Asvatthama and Kritavarma were headed for the lake when they caught a glimpse of the Pandavas and their allies who were evidently looking for Duryodhana. At that point they decided they would do well to wait until the afternoon.
When they arrived at the place indicated to them by Sanjaya, they called Duryodhana.
“O descendant of Kuru, or Bharata,” Asvatthama said, “Emerge from the waters and fight back with us. Do not fear yet another defeat, for the four of us united together can destroy the Pandavas and their allies. You have our word of honor: we will fight with you to the death.”
From the depths of the lake, Duryodhana answered.
“Don’t think that I immersed myself in these waters out of fear; I only did it to soothe the pain of my wounds. As soon as I feel better, I will return to the battlefield.”
While the three talked from the shore and the Kaurava answered from within the waters, hunters who passed by by chance witnessed the scene and, hoping for a reward, went to report everything to the Pandavas. At that news, Bhima became drunk with joy.
“That’s where that coward is hiding,” he shouted. “We have been looking for him everywhere for hours and we could not find him. Friends, the darkness has not yet fallen, let’s run to Dvaipayana and do justice.”
The Pandavas, accompanied by their allies and troops, left immediately and quickly reached the lake.
Alarmed by the sound of approaching horses and chariots, Asvatthama, Kripa and Kritavarma were alarmed and their courage failed.
“Duryodhana, the Pandavas are coming. They have found you. We are tired and wounded, and we don’t feel like resuming the fight right away. We want to go and hide.”
“Go ahead. Don’t worry about me. I’ve already been given too much from my friends.”
Hidden behind a giant banyan tree, the three arranged themselves so they could see what would happen.
This is a section of the book “Maha-bharata, Vol. 2”.
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