Sampoorna Mahabharatam • సంపూర్ణ శ్రీమహాభారతము • Episode 5

Story in brief
Dhritarashtra said, ‘Sanjaya, when I heard that Arjuna went to heaven and obtained divine weapons, when I heard that Pandavas entered deep forests and met Kubera, when Arjuna saved my sons who were bound by Gandharvas in the forest, when I learnt that Dharmaraja perfectly answered Yamadharma’s questions pleasing him, and when my sons failed to locate Pandavas who were in incognito, I lost hope of victory.
When I heard that Bheema killed Kichaka and his 105 brothers; that during Gograhana Arjuna defeated my entire army, when I heard that Virata’s daughter married Abhimanyu, and when I heard that Dharmaraja assembled 7 akshauhini army for battle, I lost hope of victory.
When I heard that the Supreme Lord Krishna was whole-heartedly working for the Pandavas victory, I lost hope of victory’
Despite this realization, Dhritarashtra did nothing to prevent the war due to extreme filial love. Such love only spoils children. It would be nice if he had taken the right steps at the right time.
‘When Narada declared that he had seen Arjuna-Krishna in heaven as Nara-Narayana, I lost hope of victory. When Krishna who was here on peace mission failed in securing it, when Duryodhana-Karna tried to imprison Him and when Krishna showed his universal form, I lost hope of victory.
When I heard that prior to returning, Krishna consoled Kunti, that Bhishma, Drona were also blessing Pandavas and when Karna refused to fight under Bhishma’s leadership, I lost hope for victory.
When I heard that Krishna-Arjuna gathered together for battle, when I heard that Krishna showed his universal form to Arjuna, and when I heard that Bhishma who daily killed 10000 warriors did not kill even one prominent Pandava warrior, I lost hope for victory
When I heard that Bhishma revealed to the Pandavas the plan to kill him and that Arjuna standing behind Shikhandi attacked Bhishma leaving him on a bed of arrows, I lost hope of victory.
When I heard that Arjuna pierced the earth and obtained water to quench Bhishma’s thirst, when I heard that wind, sun and moon favour the Pandavas, when I heard that the dogs chased my sons filling them with fear, when I heard that Drona did not kill Pandavas, when Abhimanyu entered the battle-array created by Drona and when my sons who could not kill Arjuna killed his young son and rejoiced, I lost hope for victory.
When I heard that Arjuna vowed to kill Jayadratha, when he created a pond for his thirsty fatigued horses, when Arjuna killed him and when I heard that Satyaki killed the herd of elephants on his path to reach Krishna-Arjuna, I lost hope of victory.
When Karna spared Bhima’s life, when Drona, Krtavarma and others collectively could not save Jayadratha, I lost hope for victory.
When I heard that Krishna caused Karna to use upon Ghatotkacha the divine weapon reserved for Arjuna, when Dristaduymna broke the war rules to slay Drona, when I heard that the Narayana astra released by Aswatthama failed in its mission, when I heard that Bheema drank Dushasana’s blood and when I heard that Arjuna killed Karna, I lost hope of victory.
When I heard that Dharmaraja conquered Ashwatthama-Kritavarma, that he killed Shalya and Sahadeva killed Shakuni, I lost hope for victory.
When I heard that with Krishna’s assistance Duryodhana was unrighteously killed by Bhima, I lost hope of victory. When I heard that Ashwatthama killed Draupadi’s sons and Panchalas, when I heard that the weapon released by Ashwatthama destroyed Uttara’s womb, I lost hope of victory.
When I heard that the Brahmashiro weapon released by Ashwatthama was nullified by Arjuna, when I heard that Ashwatthama gave away the crown-jewel from his head, I lost hope of victory.
When I heard that Ashwatthama had hurled a weapon to destroy Uttara’s fetus, and that time Krishna-Vyasa bound him with curses, I lost hope of victory.
Pitiable is Gandhari’s grief with the death of all sons, grandsons, brothers and kinsmen. Pandavas accomplished an inconceivable feat of obtaining a kingdom without enemies. This war has left me with extreme difficulties.
In my camp only Ashwatthama, Kripa and Krtavarma remain alive. The 5 Pandavas, Krishna and Satyaki are alive in that camp. The rest of the 18 akshauhini army has been slain. Darkness has enveloped me. I am losing consciousness. My mind is agitated’- saying this Dhritarashtra swooned.
Sanjaya revived him. ‘I do not aspire to live longer’- saying this, Dhritarashtra wept and swooned again. Sanjaya consoled saying, ‘O King, from Maharishis Vyasa and Narada you have heard of many saintly kings who righteously conquered earth, performed Yagnas, earned renown and then merged into time.
Shaibya, Srnjaya, Suhotra, Rantideva, Kākshivanta, Ausija, Bahlika, Damana, Sharyati, Nala, Vishwamitra, Saidya, Ambarisha, Marut, Manu, Ikshvaku, Gaya, Bharata, Srirama, Shashabindu, Bhagiratha, Krtavirya, Janmejaya, Yayati - Maharishi Narada narrated the stories of the 24 kings when Saibya was lamenting loss of sons.