The Fateful Evening part 2

Part 116

Jatasura's son Alambusha confronted Bheemasena's son in that dreadful night.Ghatotkacha displayed extra ordinary valour and fought at a time with Karna and Alambusha.The Kaurava army got agitated unable to find solace from Ghatotkacha that night.Ghatotkacha soon overpowered Alambusha and killed him much to the terror of Duryothan.
Ghatotkacha then challenged Karna and moved towards him saying" I will slay Karna now and then kill Duryothan the cause of this terrible battle.
For some time both Karna and Ghatotkacha fought with bow and shafts that filled the dark sky with fierce sparks.Both of them proved equal in every way by withstanding the shafts of each other.
Ghatotkacha created illusion and created many Rakshasas with dangerous weapons. Karna nullified his illusion and stood proud of his achievement.
Great battle continued between them. Karna countered every attack of Ghatotkacha and proved his mettle.When Ghatotkacha showered a rain of stones Karna cleared them with his vayavya weapon.
Ghatotkacha then hurled Asani a powerful weapon at Karna but Karna jumped down from his chariot and took hold of it and hurled it back on Ghatotkacha .The Rakshasa jumped from his chariot and saved himself.He then became invisible and flew into the sky.
Ghatotkacha then killed a great demon by name Alayudha who came to fight with Bheema.Then he fought again with Karna by using his illusional power.He showered powerful shafts,lances and maces on Kaurava army without being visible. Ghatotkacha destroyed the Kaurava army in large number using his illusional powers.All of them including Duryothana pleaded with him." O Karna. Kill this Rakshasa now itself. You can think of Arjuna latter. If you don't kill the demon we all will be destroyed by him now itself."
Karna decided then to use his Sakti weapon and took it in his hand. The Vasavi Sakti that he took from Indra in exchange of his armour made all the creatures tremble in fear. Then Karna hurled it on Ghatotkacha by reciting proper mantras. Ghatotkacha who assumed a huge form fell like a mountain  on the ground killing many soldiers crushed under his body.

Ghatotkacha's death brought gloom in Pandava side. The five brothers wept thinking of Gahtotkacha's valour and his courage. The Kaurava side rejoiced but Duryothan could not digest the fact that Karna's Vasavi Sakti killed some one other than Arjun. He asked Karna." Friend,since five days you are fighting here. You came face to face with Arjun everyday.Then why didn't you hurl the Sakti on him? You should have remembered that weapon atleast when you were overpowered by Dhananjay while protecting Jayathrath. If Arjun died with that there wouldn't be any Ghatotkacha to slaughter us. Krishna will follow Arjun,so do others. What is the reason for your negligence?"
      Karna stared in confusion and stammered." Every day I used to make a resolution that I will slay Arjun with Sakti. But as soon as I enter the field I used to forget my decision. I am totally confused. The Sakti weapon was wasted on insignificant Ghatotkacha."
     Sakuni muttered under his breath." I am sure. Vaasudev created this illusion for you. He must have done something to make you forget about Sakti weapon."
     At that moment exactly Satyaki posed the same question to Krishna." Why didn't Karna use it on Arjun till now! What would have been done if he did so.?"
Every one waited for Krishna's answer.Krishna got up placed his hand round the shoulders of Jishnu and said." I made Karn forget about using Sakti on Arjum.I created illusion."
Arjun smirked." Madhav,why did you do so? Am I not capable to tackle that Sakti? It is an insult to my prowess."
Krishna smiled and continued." My dear Parth, you are capable. We discussed it earlier. Tell me do you want to negate your father's special Weapon and bring I'll fame to him?"
Arjun nodded his head " never. I would rather submit myself to honour his weapon."
Krishna continued." Satyaki,Parth has greater astras like Pasupat,Brahmasir and Vajr to counter that Sakti. But if he hurls them the universe will get destroyed along with Sakti weapon.To avoid such disaster Karna's Sakti should be utilised in another way.Unfortunately Ghatotkacha became a victim today,But Arjun is saved from Sakti and from being the cause for universal destruction. I very well know he would prefer to sacrifice himself than cause destruction all over.
Krishna then hugged Arjun and stated loudly." I swear,my father,my brother,my wives,sons and all of you put together can not be equal to Parth for me. He is the most precious one for me. If there is any pleasure offered to me that is greater than the three worlds I would like to share it with Parth only.I could never see the earth devoid of Parth even for a second.Today I consider him to be reborn. Now no one can stop Karna's death at Arjun's hands. I did not sleep even thinking of this Sakti and the way to destroy it without causing harm to the universe. Now I will sleep happily."
Arjun had tears in his eyes.He clung to Krishna's neck and exclaimed." Do I deserve this much love from you?I am humbled." Krishna smiled." You only deserve my love.There are no two ways about it."
Satyaki clapped his hands and hailed." Jai Krishn,Jai Jishnu."
Panchali had tears in her eyes. She folded het hands and confessed." Ghatotkach I am indebted to you my son.you saved the life support of Krishna and Krishnaa."

Duryodhan approached Drona and abused him." O Guru Dron! You are the best of bow wielders. But due to your partiality for Pandavas and my bad luck you are ignoring them and not venturing to kill them.You have all the Devine weapons with you. Still you look passive and considerate."
   Dron was miffed and replied vehemently." Duryothan! I am old in age. Still I am putting forth all my efforts in the battle field.Still you doubt my intention. I tell you. Arjun if excited with wrath then neither devas nor Rakshasas nor mortals can bear him.I need not list out his victories before you. Just yesterday he killed Jayathrath before our eyes killing seven akshouhinis. Don't ever think he is worn out or exhausted.I swear I won't take my armour out until I slaughter Panchalas. But I repeat no one can conquer Arjun never."
Duryothan got angry and admitted." If you are unable to do so myself,Karna,Dussasan and Sakuni will proceed against Arjun and slay him for sure."
Drona laughed and taunted." Duryothan only fools like you think so.Who will return safe having encountered Arjuna in battle? Still if you want you can proceed with your gambler uncle Sakuni and your great friend Karna. There stands the third Pandav the wielder of Gandiva. Go now."
A fierce battle followed with Arjun displaying great technique and skills of archery that made any one and  every one lose their lives there itself. Due.to  the dust raised due to the dense arrows showered by Savyasachi all around,all the troops became blind.
Drona moved away in northern direction and slaughtered the Panchalas mercilessly.Displaying his great prowess he killed King Drupada his eternal foe who once was his friend
                    Arjuna felt bad on seeing his dearest father in law lie down in the battlefield. He remembered his love for him and the way he begot the Fire born for his sake. He descended from his chariot and touched his feet teary eyed. The other Pandavas also mourned Drupada's loss by silently praying for his soul to rest in piece.
But the call of battlefield never let the warrior to brood over the loss of their own people. Soon Arjun found himself face to face with Guru Dron and a terrible battle took place with both of them showing equal prowess and gaining applause.Every astra Drona hurled had been countered with a suitable Astra,by Arjuna.Drona then shrouded Jishnu with the mightiest of weapons.Arjun baffled all of them and won the heart of his teacher.Drona considered himself superior to every one in the world because of having Arjun as his desciple.The Siddhas Devas and Gandharvas who are watching the Guru Sishya battle praised them.Then Drona invoked Brahmastra.The nature and surroundings trembled with the power of that Astra. Arjun fearlessly baffled that with his own Brahmastra and pacified the nature.As no result was seen with both of them proving equals in every way,they diverted their chariots to tackle others much to the despair of Duryothan.
     When her sons brought Drupada's body to her tent,Panchali could not control herself and wept.Even he had left her and went on his final journey.She asked Kirti." When GuruDron killed your grand father your Pitasri is not there to save him?" Kirti nodded his head." No Mata,he was fighting on another side of the battlefield.He reached after Pitamah was struck by Guru Dron."
Sutasom informed Draupadi." Mata Don't worry. Now a great battle is being fought between Guru Dron and his favourite desciple.It was a treat to the eyes."
Kirti retorted." Bhrata,Pitasri will never harm his Guru. Take it for granted.But I miss my Pitamah. I was a kid when mother left me. How affectionately he nourished us all.Mata,Whom ever I loved they are all going away.Bhrata Iravan,Bhrata Abhi,Ghato Bhrata now Pitamah,Kirti broke down.
Panchali took her youngest child on her lap and softened his hair." Kirti. Don't cry. You are a kshatriya Learn to be strong my son."
But Panchali knew she herself is shattered on seeing her beloved father slain. His love,his anxiety to offer her to only Arjun,the pride in his eyes whenever he hear about his achievements,she reminisced everything.Drupad's voice rang in her ears. " There is only one Arjun in Aryavarth,Krishnaa."