Mahabharata in Prose – Part 37B
A tale of the Dvapara Yuga in prose, based on the Odia Sarala Mahabharata by Lokanath Mishra
In private, the minister Japasura said to Gosingha,
“Shri Krishna is extremely cunning and magical. He has always been the enemy of the demons. He has only suspended the war so that the sacrifice (yajna) may be completed without obstacles. After that, he will surely devise some means to destroy us. Before that happens, we should attempt to annihilate Krishna, Balarama, and the Yadava clan.”
Gosingha did not find this reasoning convincing. He replied,
“If that were so, they would have killed us all in the very first battle. In such righteous acts, men do not resort to violence. Be at ease and enjoy the sacrifice!”
Japasura said,
“I cannot say how far your thinking is correct. I have done my duty. The rest is as you wish.”
Eventually, Gosingha was influenced by Japasura’s words, and the two held a secret consultation.
Ten days passed. Krishna and Balarama, fasting, remained engaged in the yajna. Offerings continued day and night. At midnight, the wicked demons launched an attack. The Yadava army was unprepared. In the darkness, spectators and sages fled in all directions.
Some Yadava soldiers hid the princes, princesses, and women in secret caves on Mount Raivataka. Unarmed, Krishna and Balarama were seized from beside the sacrificial fire by Gosingha and thrown into the yajna pit. He poured all the stored ghee into the fire, intending to later consume their cooked flesh.
However, the Fire God hid Krishna and Balarama within himself. When Gosingha extinguished the fire and searched, he found nothing. Japasura said,
“You poured so much ghee that both must have been burned to ashes. Where will you find them now?”
Deluded with joy at having “killed” Krishna and Balarama, the demons began to dance. They brutally slaughtered the people present and devoured them, then destroyed the sacrificial ground.
Before returning with his army, Gosingha encountered Satyabhama, the beautiful and beloved wife of Sridhara (Krishna), who had been left behind and could not enter the cave with others.
Captivated by her beauty, Gosingha abducted her, tied her to his chariot, intending to keep her in his palace. Minister Japasura clearly perceived the fire of lust in Gosingha’s eyes and warned him:
“In the past, those who were overcome by desire for women brought about their own destruction. Release this woman. It is best for us to return quickly to our kingdom. It is improper to linger at the place of victory.”
But the wicked Gosingha ignored this wise counsel. His desire only grew stronger. He carried Satyabhama away toward his kingdom, followed by his army.
In the darkness, the demon army lost its way and took another path, passing by Mount Manibhadra. Satyabhama cried loudly, “Save me! Save me!”
Arjuna and Shatadhanva were seated on that mountain. From afar, they heard the commotion of the demons. At first, they thought some king was passing with his army. But along with the noise, they heard the pitiful cries of a helpless woman.
Shatadhanva said,
“Some woman is pleading for help.”
Arjuna too was drawn by the cry but could not see who it was in the darkness. He placed a powerful arrow on his bow, invoked it, and commanded:
“Whichever king’s army is passing by this mountain—let their path be blocked until dawn!”
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The entire demon army became trapped in the forest, unable to move forward or backward. Gosingha’s charioteer reported that all directions were blocked.
At dawn, the soldiers informed him,
“O king of demons, a great archer sits upon the mountain. By his arrows, a strong barrier has surrounded us. We cannot break it. It seems he could easily destroy us all if he wished.”
Japasura said to Gosingha,
“See! Someone has blocked our path because of this woman. If we release her here, he may free us.”
Frightened, Gosingha released Satyabhama. Japasura seated her in a chariot and brought her before Arjuna.
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Seeing Satyabhama, Arjuna was astonished. Bowing to her, he asked,
“How did this happen? While my friend Krishna and brother Balarama are present, how did this demon dare abduct you?”
Overwhelmed with sorrow, Satyabhama said that Gosingha had slain Krishna and Balarama.
Hearing everything, Arjuna was filled with fury. Seizing Japasura by the hair with his left hand, he swiftly cut off his head with his sword.
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Enraged by the minister’s death, the demon army attacked. Arjuna instructed Shatadhanva,
“Take my sister-in-law to the cave behind me.”
After they left for safety, Arjuna ordered Japasura’s charioteer to drive his chariot if he wished to live. Mounting it, Arjuna rained arrows upon the enemy. Thousands of demons fell under his sharp shafts.
Gosingha counterattacked. Due to a boon, no weapon could pierce his body. Arjuna used powerful weapons obtained from Agni, but all proved futile. The demon king laughed loudly as the weapons struck him and fell away.
Even the Brahmastra failed. The Pashupata weapon could not harm him either.
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Once, Mother Parvati had given Arjuna a special weapon—the Vaishnavi Chakra—the same with which the goddess Mahamaya had slain the demon Raktavirya. Gosingha’s death was destined through this weapon.
Remembering Mother Bhavani, Arjuna drew the weapon and released the Vaishnavi Chakra. It blazed like a fiery catastrophe. The immense body of Gosingha was reduced to ashes by its flames, and his remaining army was destroyed.
From heaven, the celestial beings who had been watching the battle showered flowers and hailed Arjuna’s victory.
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(To be continued)