Chapter-II
The Dejection of Arjuna
It begins with the description of main warriors of both the sides who have assembled on the historic city of Kurukshetra for the battle. It starts with Kaurava King Dhratrashtra asking Sanjaya to tell him what his and Pandu’s sons are doing. To it wise Sanjaya replies that Kaurava Prince Duroyadha after taking a view of the Pandava army approaches Guru Dronacharya and tells him to look at Pandava army which is commanded by their army chief Dhrashtdhyuma- son of King Dupad and brother of Drupadi. This army is adorned with a number of brave warriors wielding mighty bows, and nothing less in military prowess than Bhima or Arjuna. This army consists of Satyaki, Virata, and warrior chief Dhrupada, Dhrstaketu, Cekitana, and the brave rulers of Kasi, Purujit, Kuntibhoja, best among the humans Shaibya, Yudhamanu, Uttarmauja, Abhimanyu- Son of Subhadra and five sons of Druapadi, and all of them are Maharathis ( Great Charioteers). Duryodhana, The Kaurava Prince, tells their Commander-in Chief Guru Dronacharya that in the Kaurav camp there are illustrious warriors like Karna, Bhishma, Krpa, Asvasthama, Vikarna and Bhurishrava, son of Somadutta and the like that is capable of subduing any foe. Both the armies are adorned with modern weapons and missiles. Kaurava army led by Great Bhishama is simply invincible while Pandava army led by Bhima is just like sitting ducks. Then the grand old man of Kauravas Bhishma roaring like a lion blew his conch that cheered up Duryodhana and it was followed by kettle drums, conches, tabors and other drums that produced tumultous noise in the battlefield. Seated in a glorious chariot drawn by white horses Lord Krsna and Pandava Prince Arjuna blew their conches Panchaganya and Devadutta respectively, while Bheem blew his conch Paundhra. Pandava ruler Yudhishtra blew his conch Anantvijaya while Nakula and Sahdev blew their conchs Sughasa and Manipusaka respectively. Conchs were also blown by excellent archers King of Kashi, and the great warrior Shikhandi, Dhrasthadhuma, Virata, invincible Satyaki, Drupada, five sons of Drupadi and mighty Abhimanyu from all the sides. And this terrible sound renting through the heavens and the earth instilled fear in the hearts of Dhratrashtra’s sons. Then Arjuna taking his mighty bow Gandiva in his hand requested his charioteer Lord Krishana to take his chariot between two armies and to keep it there till he observed these warriors carefully drawn up for the battle and the warriors he has to face in the battle. Then Lord Krishna drove the grand chariot of Arjuna between the two armies in front of Bhishma, Drona and all the kings supporting the Kauravas and told him to view his adversaries. Arjuna stationed between both the armies saw his uncles, granduncles, teachers, great grand uncles, maternal uncles, brothers and cousins, sons and nephews, grand nephews a number of his friends, father-in-law and well wishers on both the sides. Seeing the relations present in the battlefield his heart was filled with compassion and told Krishna that at seeing the kinsmen ready for battle his limbs are listless, and his mouth is parched and a shiver runs through his his body and hair stand upright even at the thought of raising weapons against them and his mighty and grand bow Gandiva is slipping from his hand and he is barely able to stand as he does not see any good in killing his own relatives in the battle. He tells Krishna that he does not wish victory, nor kingdom, nor pleasures or luxuries and even life would be meaningless without his friends, teachers, and relatives. These people for whom we desire throne, luxuries, and pleasures of life are ready to fight in the battlefield. So he doesn’t want to kill them even for the sake of throne of three worlds leave aside single kingdom. Happiness and contentment cannot be achieved by killing one’s own relatives as the remorse of sin will overtake the mind that will prevent any happiness in life after the battle. So Arjuna tells Krishna to avoid the crime of slaying one’s own teachers and relatives and destroy one’s own family even if these people are full of evil and blinded by greed and other vices. Age old family traditions disappear with the destruction of a family and vice takes over the entire tribe and with disappearance of menfolk women get corrupt and with their corruption follows the evil of intermixture of castes and races. Admixture of blood damns the entire tribe and the race itself and it is commonly believed that people who have lost their family traditions dwell in hell for ever. It is a pity that moved out by the lust for throne and enjoyment they have decided to slay their own friends, teachers and relatives . Instead of killing them it would be far better if if Kauravas kill him unarmed and without offering any resistance in the battlefield. Thus after his long speech Arjuna, the Pandava Prince threw his arrows and bow on the ground and sank into the hinder part of the Chariot.
This chapter throws light on history of ancient India, various branches of fighting forces prevalent at that time like Archers, Lancers, Infantry, Cavalry, Charioteers and the like. There is also mention of Maharathis that can be compared to today’s Armoured Corps. There is also mention of three types of Cavalries- Horse, elephant and camel. Archers and Lancers can be comprehended as artillery of ancient India.
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