SAUMBHAKA

Saumbhaka was an amphibious city on wheels and wings which carried tanks and planes in Mahabharat times. Similar to present-day science fiction craft this military aircraft was developed by Salva.

As soon as Sri Krishna learnt that the Pandavas had lost their Kingdom in the game of dice and were living in exile, he rushed to the Kamyaka forest to see them. Earlier he was engaged in a bitter fight and prolonged warfare with Salva, the brother of Sisupala for about ten months. No sooner Salva heard about the death of Sisupala at the hands of Sri Krishna then he invaded Dvaraka, mustering all his resources. By that time Sri Krishna did not reach Dvaraka from Indraprasatha where he was still taking part in the convocation of Rajasuya yaga. Indraprasatha to Dvaraka was a long journey and Salva could wreak havoc before Sri Krishna reached Dvaraka. Salva developed supra military space craft entitled ' Saumbhaka', an amphibious city on wheels and wings which carried tribious tanks and planes. A vivid description of Saumbhaka is given in the epic very much like science fiction of modern times. Salva laid seize to the city of Dvaraka. The Yadava heroes in the absence of Sri Krishna made all the necessary preparations to defend the city.

Dvaraka was an impregnable water fort specially constructed to withstand the fiercest onslaught by the most powerful enemies. It was an island with natural protection afforded by the sea. It was guarded by an ever vigilant garrison. Supply of food was ensured to the citizens as well as soldiers. Iron spikes were planted around the fortress in the moats. Bridges were demolished. The entry and exit of all traffic to and from the city were regulated by passes and watch words. Foreign ships were forbidden to enter the harbor and prohibition was strictly enforced. Cannons were placed at vantage points and ammunition was stored in secret places. Latest weapons were supplied to the soldiers in sufficient numbers together with the traditional arms like swords, axes, discs, bows and arrows, maces, hooks, javelins and spears of various varieties.

The Yadava warriors headed by Sambha, Pradyumna and Charudheshna attacked the invading forces which were entrenched in the plains outside the city gates. Charudheshna killed Vegavanta, one of the generals of the enemy camp, and the attacking army began to flee helter-skelter. Salva entered the battlefield regrouping his armies and fierce fight ensued between him and Pradyyumna, son of Sri Krishna. Salva, by an extraordinary display of his technological innovations overpowered Pradyumna who swooned and fell motionless in his chariot. The charioteer skillfully drove the chariot away from the battlefield. When Pradyumna regained consciousness he found fault with the charioteer saying, "Death is preferable to defeat for a true warrior." The charioteer, the son of Daruka, the charioteer of Sri Krishna replied, "It is the duty of the warrior to protect his charioteer and the charioteer in turn must protect his warrior. I have done my duty. Now that I have gained first hand experience of the fight with the crafty Salva, I think you can face him again with redoubled vigour and valour." Pradyumna directed him to drive the chariot to the battle front.


Salva and Pradyumna reviewed the fight. Pradyumna lost no time. Salva threw the fire missile at Pradyumna who countered it with the water missile. Pradyumna hurled the invincible Brahmastra at Salva who fell unconscious in his chariot. Eventually Salva retreated from Dvaraka with the Sambhaka. When Sri Krishna returned from the Rajasuyayaga, he saw Dvaraka afflicted with the recent ravages of war and vowed, "I will not return to Dvaraka unless I kill Salva." The war drum was sounded and all the soldiers were summoned. The battalions were suitably equipped. Baladeva the elder brother of Sri Krishna was entrusted with the task of guarding Dvaraka. The Brahmins blessed Sri Krishna who started on the chariot drawn by Sugriva, and driven by Daruka. The flag with eagle wing fluttered in the air. Sri Krishna blew his conch Panchajanya and the army marched passing by many mountains and lakes, cities and villages. Salva left his capital hotly pursued by Sri Krishna. At last Salva was spotted at the country known as Murtikavata on the seacoast.

The fight was fierce and protracted. Salva having realized that his forces were being humbled in the conventional warfare, restored to ultra technological innovations. Salva could create artificial cyclone with blasts of hurricane, when not a ray of sunshine was visible for days together. Immediately the sky was littered with a hundred moons and suns. It was not possible to distinguish the night from the day. Sometimes artificial darkness was ushered in. However Sri Krishna countered all the fantastic feats of Salva relentlessly. Meanwhile a Brahmin from Dvaraka came to Sri Krishna and said, "What is the use of your fighting here? Your father, Vasudeva was taken prisoner at Dvaraka by Salva. Better you go back to Dvaraka." Just at that time Sri Krishna saw Vasudeva in the Saumbhaka being pestered by the soldiers of Salva. Sri Krishna involuntarily dropped his bow Sarnga from his hands. The Yadava forces seeing Sri Krishna in a fit of paralysis began to run helter-skelter. However Sri Krishna realized after some time that it was an optical illusion engineered by Salva. Vasudeva was not to be found in the Saumbhaka any longer and the messenger from Dvaraka disappeared. Immediately Saumbhaka assumed the role of Pragjyotisha and Daruka adviced Sri Krishna not to dally any further. Then Sri Krishna hurled his disc and the Saumbhaka came down to the earth crashing and Salve fell down on the ground.

Sri Krishna narrated the whole story to Dharmaputra and told him, "I am sorry I am preoccupied with my fight with Salva. Just at the time you were playing with Sakuni, I was fighting with Salva and his sensational Saumbhaka. Otherwise I woud have come uninvited to Hastinapura and stirred up the cumulative conscience of the Kaurava court against the duplicity of the dice. Women, wine, hunting and gambling are the most vicious vices in this world and if I were with you, I would have stopped you from the disastrous game of dice." The soft hearted Balarama was in tears when he looked at the Pandavas living as exiles in the forest. He said to Sri Krishna, "Noble Yudhisthira and his good brothers, valiant and just are living in the forest as ascetics while the wily Sakuni, Duryodhana and his brothers are steeped in luxury and splendor. When virtue is thrown into the dustbin and vice exalted to the golden throne, no wonder people lose all faith in God. Sacred scriptures which extol righteousness and good conduct appear as mere mockery when we look at the cruel realities of human existence. Can't we do anything to set right the situation?" Satyaki was inspired by the words uttered by Balarama. He stood up and said, "The Panchala king Druapada and the Princess will sail along with us. The Kekayas are our allies. We Yadavas, Vrishnis and Bhojas are here. There is absolutely no need for the Pandavas to waste their lives in the forest. Let us kill Duryodhana and reinstate Dharmaputra on the throne. If the Pandavas want to keep the pledge, let us hand over the kingdom to Abhimanyu meanwhile." At that time the Panchala princes arrived and they joined the discussions after the customary welcome was extended to them, Dhristadyumna said, "I will kill Drona. Bhishma will fall at the hands of my brother Sikhandi. Bhima will annihilate all the Dharatarashtras and Arjuna will slay Karna, the son of the charioteer.

Draupadi was smarting under humiliation and burst in anguish with tears sparkling in her eyes and sobs quivering in her throat. She said to Sri Krishna, " The sons of Dhritarashtra, Duryodhana and Duhsasana who humiliated me so outrageously are still alive in spite of the bravado of Bhima. Dharmaputra's righteousness or the great glamour of Gandiva could not come to my rescue. I prayed to you in sincere supplication and I came out of the ordeal miraculously. Is the prowess of the Pandava brothers doomed to hibernation and atrophy in this pious forest? Krishna you are my beloved brother and I request you to speak out."

Sri Krishna was visibly moved and vowed aloud, "My dear sister, listen to me. The fate of Kauravas has been sealed already. The perpetrators of the most heinous crime, those who have humiliated you shall reap the consequences. Heavens may fall , the seven oceans may go dry, the Himalayas may crumble to pieces, still I will see that the Pandavas regain their Kingdom and are restored to greater glory. Nemesis shall overtake the Kauravas." So saying Sri Krishna wiped out her tears with his upper garment glittering with silken splendor and Draupadi derived supernatural consolation. Dhristadyumna said, "Dharmaputra, please permit me to take my nephews, the Upapandavas with me to Panchala. Their grandfather will be delighted to have them with him and they can enjoy forest life when they are old enough." Sri Krishna said that he may be permitted to take his sister Subhadra and Abhimanyu , his nephew, along with him to Dvaraka. Yudhisthira agreed. Sri Krishna returned to Dvaraka together with the Yadava party. Dhristadyumna went to Panchala taking with him, the sons of Draupadi. The Pandavas then moved from the Kamyaka to the forest called Dvaitavana taking with them the Brahmins, their chariots and weapons, followed by their retinue headed by Indradyumna.