Vikarna - some say he was the third brother some say he was the 30th but in the Kaurava camp he was one among the great warriors rated by Commander in Chief Bhishma as Rathi - the warrior commandeering the great chariot. Only Arjuna, Karna, Drona, Ashwathama, Bhishma and just a handful of greats were better than him the Maharathis or Atirathis or Atimaharathis or Mahamaharathis.
Vikarna - the just
Vikarna's just nature and boldness and stance for justice is evident when Vidura, Kripa, Drona, Bhishma and others were silent in the Hastinapur royal assembly. Vikarna was the first to raise voice against Sakuni playing on behalf of Duryodhana. Vikarna then raises his voice against Draupadi being put as a bet. Vikarna objects when Duryodhana orders that the slaves all surrender the royal garbs.
Vikarna comes out as the best and just in this event.
Duryodhan to Praatikaami, his servant "Pratikaami go tell Draupadi my slave to come and attend to me in the royal court."
Bhima gets up and is held back by Yudhishtir.
"Brother this is adharma, she is our sister in law , our elder brother's wife, our brother's wife. It is not just or right to bring our clan's primary bride into the court and insulting her as slave." Vikarna stands up and objects.
"You are just the younger brother so do not try to argue against elders." Karna admonishes Vikarna.
"In the cause of justice O King of Anga rajya anyone can stand up against even the Gods, then brothers are not greater. To protect a woman it is duty of a man to stand up. I implore you to not do adharma." Vikarna implores his brother again.
Praatikaami meanwhile had gone and returned alone.
"Pratikaami where is the dasi (servant girl)?" asks Duryodhana.
"Rani Draupadi asked me to tell what happened. On hearing all that happened she asked again 'Was it me who was lost first or Yudhishtir?' on replying it was Emperor Yudhishtir, Rani asked me to come to the court and ask 'How can one who already is a slave bet and play his wife? Please ask the great sages Kripa, Drona, Vidura, Bhishma and the Sire King Dhritharashtra and Yudhishtir the Dharmaraja himself." Praatikaami replies.
"Sister in law asked the right question, how can a person a slave bet some one else?" may the great scholars answer that says Vikarna.
"Bring her here and she can then ask all the questions after that." Karna says.
"Praatikaami go and ask her to come." Duryodhan orders.
Vikarna once again raises the question and the action with Bhishma and the elders. All stay silent.
Praatikaami once more returns alone. "Rani Draupadi says she cannot come as her condition is untouchable and not appropriate in every sense to ask her to come to court."
"What appropriate for a slave and wife of five, she is nothing but a low moral woman. Appropriate or inappropriate she can be dragged in here." add Karna.
Duryodhan orders " Go drag her by hair if required and bring her here."
Praatikaami balks. "Ok then maybe son of servant Vidura can get her."
Vidura trembling with anger gets up and says to Dhritharashtra "Remember the ill omens when this son of yours was born?? He will be the cause of destruction for Kuru dynasty."
Bhima the man
Duryodhan then tells Dusshasan "Dusshasan go get her and drag her by her hair if required"
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Vikarna - The Kumbhakarna of Mahabharatha
Historical FictionVikarna one of the 99 brothers of Duryodhana the sons of Gandhari and Dritharashtra. He was the equivalent of Ramayana Kumbhakarna, a maharathi - one who commands the master chariot. Who was only one of 11 such in Kaurava army , so definitely he was...
