THE VANITY FAIR

A grand programme was prepared on a festive scale for the royal march to Dvaitavana ostensibly for the sake of hunting. This was termed the vanity fair as it was attended by the aristocrats, cavalcade of chariots and cavalry, courtiers and courtesans.

Some Brahmins who lived along with the Pandavas in the forest came to Dhritarashtra and told them how the born princes were undergoing hardships and privations due to man-made misfortune. The brahamanas being pro- pandava blamed the blind king that he did not avert the catastrophe. Dhritarashtra was suffering not only guilty conscience but also the fear that his sons would reap the consequences. However Duhsasana, Karna and Sakuni headed by Duryodhana were gloating over the so- called sad plight and severe sufferings of the Pandavas. They wanted to shine by contrast by going to Dvaitavana where the Pandavas were residing as commoners in exile on the pretext of a hunting mission exhibiting all their royalty and riches, pomp and power attended by the aristocractic nobility and imperial armies, the cavalcade of chariots and cavalry, courtiers and courtesans. A grand programme was prepared on a festive scale for the royal march to Dvaitavana ostensibly for the sake of hunting. But there was only one snag. They feared that Dhritarashtra would not accept the proposal.

Next morning Karna came out with a novel notion. "Protection of the cows is one of the foremost duties of the state", he announced to Duryodhana, "and Dvaitavana is infested with wild beasts. Large hords of imperial kine are stationed there; the head of the department of cattle and animal husbandry can be asked to represent to the king to send a hunting expedition to Dvaitavana for killing the wild beasts and killing the kine." "Excellent idea", exclaimed Sakuni, "the king cannot refuse permission for the protection of the sacred cow." They approached Dhritarashtra, taking them with a cowherd named "Samanga" who was tutored and briefed fully. Samanga told the blind King, "Dvaitavana is the best pace on earth for rearing the kine but of late the forest is infested wild beasts which prey on kine. I have come to request you to send prince Duryodhana there on a hunting expedition for the sake of destroying the wild beasts and protecting the cattle." Duryodhana said that he would lead the hunting party as it was the primary duty of a prince to afford the protection of the cows.


But Dhritarashtra had his own misgivings. He knew that the Pandavas were residing at Dvaitavana. He said, "The Pandavas are there smarting under the humiliation of defeat and disgrace. Till now, Dharmaputra is able to control them but if you go there, their pent -up wrath may burst out. I advise you to live in peace and security till the pledged period is completed. It is not wise to disturb the sleeping dogs; then it is much more foolish to provoke the hungry lions by dashing into their dens. I regret that I did not pay heed to Vidura’s words of wisdom. It is not because of poverty that we have driven the Pandvas to the forest; we became prey to the covetousness and we grabbed more than what we can gulp because of giddy greed. How can we escape the wrath of Bhima? I hear that Arjuna has acquired super game missiles and superior weapons. If warfare means valour, Pandavas have it in abundance; if warfare means weaponary they are game for it too. Mischief and manipulation can win a game of dice and certainly not a mighty war. If victory means something more than mere human effort, Sri Krishna is on their side. Bhima has killed Jarsandha, Hidimba, Baka and Kimmira. Why should you fall into the fiery wrath of Bhima like moths? I cannot grant you your foolish request."

Karna stood up and said, "I request your majesty to give us permission to perform the sacred duty of protecting the cows. I solemnly promise that our march to the Dvaitavana is an excursion and not an expedition, and never a fight. I assure that we have no intention to touch even a blade of grass in the possession of the Pandavas. We go there to protect the cows, certainly not for provoking the Pandavas." Sakuni added, "I hope Karna has allayed the fears of the King. Non-violent show of our strength is necessary to demoralize the opposition. I may say that Dharamaputra wil never be provoked easily and act in haste before fulfilling the pledge. Prince Duryodhana is not a child and he cannot remain a minor behind the blind king for ever. It is the duty of a father to encourage Duryodhana, the heir apparent and groom him for the great responsibilities ahead. The specific request which has come from the chief of the cowherds from Dvaitavana should not be brushed aside." Dhritarashtra who had the propensity to speak like an angel but act like the devil, fell a victim to the pre-planned persuasion and granted permission to Durydhana and the party to proceed to Dvaitavana for the avowed purpose of protecting the cows.

Preparation on a grand scale were made for the proposed march. Special arrangements were made for the spectacular display of pomp and power. Sakuni said to Duryodhana, "Let Panchali feel jealous of your splendor and glory. Your munificence and majesty have already become proverbial with the people at large." Duryodhana was pleased and the royal party started followed by the four divisions of the army, the chariots, the elephants, the cavalry and the foot soldiers, important citizens and courtiers, musicians and poets, dancers and dramatic troupes. Thousands of tents were pitched in the Dvaitavana. Special rest houses were constructed for Duryodhana and Duhsasana, Karna and Sakuni. Orders were issued to set up the central control camp on the banks of a pond in the vicinity of the Pandava settlement. Royal auditors were entrusted with the work of inspecting the cattle and verification of the stock. The advanced guards sent to set the central control camp returned to Duryodhana and complained that a Gandharva prince, Chitrasena by name was camping at the specified spot and that his men obstructed the Kaurava soldiers. "Throw them out" was the instaneous order issued by Duryodhana in a tone of defiant arrogance. In fact the mighty army of the Kauravas caould easily pull out the petty tents pitched near the placid pond. But when the matter was reported to Chitrasena the real fight ensued and he drove the Kaurava army into retreat.

The matter was again reported to Duryodhana who came abruptly to the battle front with Karna and Duhsasana. Chitrasena used his magical powers and very soon, the Kauravas lost their chariots and weapons, Karna retreated in great haste to his rest house. But Duryodhana remained on the battle field with adamant foolishness and Chitrasena took him captive and placed him on his chariot hand- cuffed and bound. The Kaurva ministers ran to the Pandavas in panic. Bhimasena was very much delighted to learn about the defeat and disgrace of Duryodhana and exclaimed in great exultation, "I felt that god was sleeping all these days. Now I see he has waited for the opportune moment. Dharmaputra scolded Bhimasena for his silly amusement at the sad plight of Duryodhana and said to him, "One should not rejoice at the unhappiness of even the worst enemy. Without any consideration of retaliation or reconciliation it is our pious duty as well as prudence to go to his rescue." Bhima together with his younger brothers went and attacked the Gandharava forces. Chitrasena retaliated with force. Chitrasena doubted the sincerity of Pandavas and thought he could score a prestigious victory easily. But soon he was disillusioned as he was overpowered by Arjuna, and sued for peace. Arjuna said to him, "We have no quarrel with you. Please come to Yudhistira and beg his pardon." Chitrasena agreed and he was received with due hospitality by Dharmaputra who requested him to release Duryodhana who was immediately set at liberty along with Duhsasana and other captives. Duryodhana stood hanging down his head in shame and then departed to the rest house followed by his party.

Karna who retreated from the battle front never expected Duryodhana would keep on fighting with the Gandharvas nor did he anticpate the intervention of the Pandavas. Duryodhana said to Duhsasana, "I am not returning to Hastinapura. I am undertaking a fast unto death." Turning to Karna he said, "Duhsasana shall be crowned King, I expect you to stand by him." Duhsasana fell at the feet of his elder brother and prayed to give up his fast. He told him, "I want to be your follower; if you die, I will also fast unto death, rather than wear a crown." Karna tried to console Duryodhana saying, "Dvaitavana falls under the jurisdiction of your kingdom. The Pandavas who are residing there are your subjects. It is the fundamental duty of the subjects to fight for their King. Look at the Pandavas , no one undertook any fast unto death even when they were exposed to public humiliation and shame. If you persist in your decision you will be helping the Pandavas and exposing all of us to their mercy."

Sakuni said, "My dear nephew, you are unwittingy getting into the trap laid by the Pandavas. Chitrasena is a close friend of the Pandavas and is a subordinate to Indra, the father of Arjuna. The Gandharvas have outmanoeuvred Karna by black magic and captured you when you were out of guard. They can never kill you; they will be very happy if you commit suicide." But Duryodhana continued the fast. On that night he had a dream in which he was transported to some other world where superhuman beings gave full support to him in the war against the Pandavas and predicted his victory. Next day early in the morning, Karna after performing his morning prayers, resplendent with the radiance of the rising sun, came to Duryodhana and swore taking the sword into his hands solemnly that he would kill Arjuna on the battlefield in the fourteenth year. Duryodhana was delighted and said to him, "I am giving up the fast and I have decided to live to see you fulfil your onerous oath creditably." The royal party returned to Hastinapura.