The Eleventh Day
When Drona gave the signal, the militias, still numerous despite the terrible carnage of the previous ten days, hurled themselves against each other.
The first part of the day was marked by the usual series of fantastic duels between the Maharathas. Sahadeva and Shakuni, Drona and Dhristadyumna, Vivimsati and Bhima, Bhurishrava and Shikhandi, Ghatotkacha and Alambusha – all these great and famous heroes engaged in fierce fights that delighted martial arts lovers. Virata was the first to meet Karna, and he immediately had to recognize his extraordinary abilities. Abhimanyu was no exception, while Bhima forced Shalya to save himself by jumping on Kritavarma’s chariot.
That morning another great warrior came to light: Vrishasena, son of Karna, caused serious concern to the Pandava army, until he was effectively opposed by Shatanika, the son of Nakula. But despite the new arrivals, it was the Kaurava army that suffered the most that morning.
Drona, who was always attentive to the movements of the Pandavas, realized that at that moment Arjuna was not in the vicinity of Yudhisthira, and ardently wishing to put an end to that bloody war, attacked him vehemently. The major of the Pandavas defended himself valiantly, but the acarya clearly proved too strong for him and only the providential arrival of Dhristadyumna saved him from capture.
In that area of the camp the melee became so furious that huge clouds of dust prevented everyone from having a clear view. Drona defeated first Satyaki, then the sons of Draupadi and finally Virata: he gave the impression of being unstoppable. But when it seemed that nothing could stop him from capturing Yudhisthira, Arjuna appeared.
“You have been my guru,” he shouted, “much of what I know I owe to you and for that I have the utmost respect for you; but you should never have promised Duryodhana to capture my brother. Defend yourself against me now!”
Thanks to Krishna’s exceptional guidance, Arjuna fought like his father Indra when he fought against the asuras. He could not understand it: Bhishma had fallen a few hours earlier and Duryodhana persisted with his evil plans; not even the death of such a dear person had succeeded in inducing him to think closer to the rules of morality. Driven by an uncontrollable fury and fighting like never before, he managed to repel the attack of Drona.
At sunset, Arjuna’s face still betrayed the signs of deep anger, but it also revealed an undisguised satisfaction; the teacher had made his day difficult, yet he had managed to contain his action.
This is a section of the book “Maha-bharata, Vol. 2”.
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