Course-change!


Duryodhana said to Susarmā: Proceed with your army & seize Virāta’s cattle. I'll come tomorrow along with other Kauravās


Thus, it was just at expiry of Pāndavās 13th year in exile that Trigartas began to plunder Virāta’s cattle. Cowherd men rushed to royal court & informing the king of the situation, implored him to rescue cows from clutches of Trigartas. Virāta quickly assembled the army, led by his brothers-Satānika & Madirāksa & his eldest son Sānksa


Virāta ordered Satānika: Give chariots to Kanka, Vallabha, Tantripāla & Granthika, for I’m convinced they're actually great kshatriyas & not persons they make themselves out to be. The Pāndavās were given armor. Mounting their chariots, they set out with cheerful hearts. The Matsya army overtook Trigartas by mid-afternoon & a terrible battle ensued. Soon, ground became strewn with innumerable dead bodies


As fighting continued, neither side gained upper hand. At last, Virāta confronted Susarma. While fighting furiously, two kings pierced one another with countless arrows. Susarma managed to kill Virāta’s horses & chariot driver. As Virāta got down from disabled chariot, Susurma quickly took him captive. When surviving Matsya warriors saw their king captured, they fearfully fled from battlefield


Maharāja Yudhisthira ordered Bhima: Go & release Virāta so that we can repay him for maintaining us during past year. Bhima said: Stand aside along with Nakula & Sahadev and watch what I do with an uprooted tree. Yudhisthira said: I’m afraid that if you perform a superhuman feat, we will be recognized. Just fight with ordinary weapons


Bhima obediently picked up his mighty bow & charged at Susarma, challenging him to fight. When Susurma looked back, onrushing Bhima appeared to him just like a second Yamarāja. Still, Trigarta king turned around along with his army to face him


Within moments, Bhima slaughtered numerous enemy fighters. The Matsyas rallied & also inflicted heavy losses upon enemy. Bhima rushed at Susurma, killing his horses & dragging his charioteer to ground. At this time, Madirāksa came to rescue Virāta. Susurma got down from his disabled chariot & ran away from battlefield


Virāta chased Susarma & Bhima challenged him for leaving like a coward. Bhima stood & when Susarma came close, he grabbed him by hair, lifted him into air & smashing on ground. As he lay writhing in agony, Bhima kicked him in the head, placed his knee on Trigarta’s chest & pounded him with fists until he lost consciousness


The tide had changed its course!


Situations change dramatically as we don’t count unknown factors in our strategy. When you run into a wall, it is always pertinent to change course


When Arjun dropped his Gāndiva,lamenting he would not fight, Sri Krsna delivered the timeless wisdom of Bhagvad Gita & it changed the course of Mahabharata. Arjun finally said: Karishye vacanam tava, I will fight as per your instructions


We all need such course-changing guidance


Thoughts? #gameoflife

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