The End of Jaidratha

The End of Jaidratha

Arjuna came to know that his son, Abhimanyu, had been killed against the code of war. He was told that King Jaidratha was responsible for it. Arjuna was grief-stricken and furious. He took a vow- either he would end King Jaidratha's life before the sun set on the fourteenth day or kill himself. On the fourteenth day the Kaurava army was so arranged as to protect King Jaidratha. But Arjuna cut through the array of soldiers and reached King Jaidratha. But just as he was going to kill him. there was darkness. The Kauravas were happy that the sun had set and Arjuna would now have to kill himself. Arjuna was sorrowful, but Lord Sri Krishna told Arjuna to be ready. The sun reappeared for a few minutes and Arjuna killed King Jaidratha

Abhimanyu The Broken Code of War

Abhimanyu The Broken Code of War

During the battle, Guru Drona had been ordered to capture Yudhisthira alive, so Arjuna always protected him. Once Arjuna had gone after the Kaurava warriors and Yudhisthira with his soldiers unprotected. Guru Drona approached Yudhisthira with his soldiers arranged in the circular formation known as chakravyuh. Arjun's son, Abhimanyu, had learnt from his father how to enter the chakravyuh but did not know how to come out of it. Only Arjuna knew how to break the Chakravyuh. But abhimanyu decided to enter the formation. 

King Jaidhratha, the king of Sindhudesha, had obtained a boon from Lord Shiva that he would be able to stop the Pandavas for one day. He stopped them from entering the chakravyuh to help Abhimanyu. Six warriors including Guru Drona, Duryodhana, and King Karna together attacked Abhimanyu. He lost all his weapons. Finally, the Kaurava warriors broke the code of war they attacked the unnamed Abhimanyu and killed him.

Jaidratha's Boons

Jaidratha's Boons

Jaidratha was humiliated by the way the Pandavas punished him. He could not go back to his kingdom with his head shaven, so he stayed back in the forest. He performed tapasya. Pleased with his devotion, Shiva appeared and granted him a boon. Jaidratha asked that he could defeat the Pandavas. Shiva said, It is not possible. But in a battle you will be able to stop all the Pandavas except Arjuna, for a day.

Jaidratha's Punishment

Jaidratha's Punishment

The Pandava faced many problems during their exile. One day, the Pandavas had gone to look for food and Draupadi was alone in their hut, Jaidratha was fascinated by Draupadi's beauty. He approached her and introduced himself . Draupadi remembered that the king of Sindhudesha was the husband of Dushshala, Duryodhana's sister . So she invited Jaidratha into the hut because he was a relative of the Pandavas. Jaidratha said, "You are so beautiful. Why are you undergoing the hardships of exile with the Pandavas ? Come with me, I will make you my queen." Draupadi felt very insulted when she heard this. She said , "How dare you say that to me. The Pandavas will kill you. " Jaidratha said, "I am not afraid of them. They are no more than beggars now. " He forced Draupadi into his chariot and took her away.

Soon the Pandavas returned to their hut and found Draupadi missing. They were told everything. Bhima was very angry; once again the honour of the Pandavas was at stake. He took his chariot and followed Jaidratha. He captured Jaidratha and dragged him by his hair to Yudhisthira. 

Draupadi was crying bitterly. Seeing this, Bhima asked his elder brother's permission to kill Jaidratha. Yudhisthira said "Jaidratha is our sister's husband. If we kill him, our sister would be widowed. Let us punish him suitably but spare his life." Draupadi said, "By insulting me, he has dishonoured you all . Shave his head but leave five tufts of hair onit. This will be a fitting insult for dishonouring the Pandavas."