1. Why had Pandavas made Dhrishtdyumn as commander-in-chief of his military instead of Arjuna?
The Pandavas made Dhrishtadyumna, the prince of Panchala, the commander-in-chief of their military during the Kurukshetra war for several strategic and symbolic reasons:
1. Prophecy and Destiny:
Dhrishtadyumna was born from a sacrificial fire with the divine purpose of killing Dronacharya, the chief commander of the Kauravas. His very existence was tied to the war, making him an ideal leader.
This prophecy gave him a significant psychological advantage over Dronacharya, which was crucial in battle.
2. Experience and Capability:
Dhrishtadyumna was a well-trained warrior, educated in military strategy and warfare under the guidance of Dronacharya himself. His understanding of Kaurava tactics made him a capable leader.
3. Strategic Decision:
Appointing Dhrishtadyumna allowed Arjuna to focus on his primary role as the greatest archer and warrior on the battlefield. As a commander, Arjuna would have been burdened with responsibilities beyond direct combat, reducing his effectiveness.
4. Symbolism and Morale:
Dhrishtadyumna's appointment symbolized the unity between the Pandavas and the Panchalas. Since Draupadi, Dhrishtadyumna’s sister, had been wronged by the Kauravas, his leadership was also a message of justice and vengeance.
His leadership reinforced the alliance between the Pandavas and their allies, ensuring a united front.
5. Avoiding Favoritism:
Choosing Arjuna as the commander might have appeared biased since he was a Pandava. Dhrishtadyumna, being from an allied kingdom, was a more neutral choice, maintaining harmony among the allies.
6. Division of Roles:
Each Pandava had a specific role in the war. Arjuna, being the finest archer and the possessor of divine weapons, was best utilized on the battlefield rather than in a leadership role that required constant strategizing and coordination.
By making Dhrishtadyumna the commander, the Pandavas ensured effective leadership while allowing Arjuna and the other Pandavas to focus on their respective strengths, contributing to their overall strategy in the war.
Dhrishtadyumna remained the commander-in-chief of the Pandava army throughout the entire Kurukshetra war, up to its conclusion. Here’s how his role played out during the war:
1. From Start to Finish:
Dhrishtadyumna led the Pandava army from the first day of the battle to the final day. Despite several challenges, his leadership remained intact.
He played a critical role in organizing and deploying the Pandava forces according to the changing circumstances of the war.
2. Key Achievements:
He was instrumental in the strategies that led to the downfall of key Kaurava warriors. Notably, he fulfilled his destiny by killing Dronacharya on the fifteenth day of the war, using a clever psychological ploy (with the help of Yudhishthira's declaration about Ashwatthama’s death).
3. Reasons for Continuity:
The Pandavas did not replace him because of his effectiveness as a leader and the strategic advantage he provided. His leadership ensured that the alliance among the Pandavas and their allies remained strong.
4. End of the War:
Dhrishtadyumna survived the Kurukshetra war itself, but his end came soon after. During Ashwatthama’s night raid on the Pandava camp after the war, Dhrishtadyumna was killed while he was sleeping. This act was considered dishonorable, as Dhrishtadyumna was slain without the opportunity to defend himself.
In summary, Dhrishtadyumna was the commander-in-chief of the Pandava army throughout the war and played a pivotal role in their ultimate victory, fulfilling his destiny and contributing to the fall of the Kauravas.
What is the 50 unique facts about the Mahabharata War.
Here is a list of 50 unique and fascinating facts about the Mahabharata War, also known as the Kurukshetra War:
General Overview
1. The war lasted for 18 days, with intense battles fought every day.
2. It was fought on the Kurukshetra battlefield, also called Dharmakshetra, symbolizing the struggle between dharma (righteousness) and adharma (unrighteousness).
3. Around 4 million warriors participated in the war, according to traditional texts.
4. The Pandavas had 7 akshauhinis (divisions) of army, while the Kauravas had 11 akshauhinis.
5. An akshauhini consisted of 218,700 soldiers, including elephants, chariots, cavalry, and infantry.
Key Characters and Their Roles
6. Dhrishtadyumna, Draupadi's brother, was the commander-in-chief of the Pandava army.
7. Bhishma, the grandsire, was the commander-in-chief of the Kaurava army for the first 10 days.
8. Dronacharya took command of the Kaurava army after Bhishma fell.
9. Karna became the Kaurava commander after Dronacharya's death.
10. Shalya, uncle of Nakula and Sahadeva, was the last commander of the Kaurava army.
11. Krishna did not fight but served as Arjuna’s charioteer and strategist.
12. Ashwatthama, Dronacharya's son, was one of the few survivors of the Kaurava side.
13. Sanjaya, Dhritarashtra’s advisor, narrated the events of the war to the blind king using divine vision.
Divine and Supernatural Elements
14. The Bhagavad Gita, a sacred Hindu scripture, was delivered by Krishna to Arjuna on the battlefield.
15. Several warriors, like Bhishma and Karna, possessed divine weapons (astras) granted by gods.
16. Bhishma had the boon of Ichcha Mrityu (death at will) and chose to die on a bed of arrows.
17. Gandiva, Arjuna’s bow, was gifted by the fire god, Agni.
18. Shakti, a celestial weapon of Karna, could only be used once and was meant for Arjuna but was used on Ghatotkacha instead.
Significant Deaths
19. Bhishma was struck down on the 10th day of the war but stayed alive on the bed of arrows until the war ended.
20. Dronacharya was killed on the 15th day when he laid down his weapons after hearing the false news of Ashwatthama’s death.
21. Karna was slain by Arjuna on the 17th day when his chariot wheel got stuck in the mud.
22. Duryodhana was killed on the 18th day by Bhima, who struck his thigh, violating the rules of mace combat.
23. Ghatotkacha, Bhima’s son, sacrificed his life to weaken the Kaurava side by destroying Karna's Shakti weapon.
Rules and Ethics
24. The war was fought from sunrise to sunset; no fighting occurred at night (except Ashwatthama's raid after the war).
25. The warriors followed codes of honor, like not attacking a warrior without a weapon, though these were often broken.
26. Killing someone who was retreating or defenseless was considered dishonorable.
Notable Strategies
27. The Chakravyuha, a complex military formation, was used by the Kauravas to trap Abhimanyu.
28. Abhimanyu’s death occurred because the Kauravas broke the rules and attacked him simultaneously.
29. Shikhandi was used as a shield by the Pandavas to defeat Bhishma, as Bhishma would not fight someone born a woman.
30. Krishna used cunning strategies, including breaking the rules of war, to ensure victory for the Pandavas.
Special Weapons and Powers
31. Arjuna possessed the Pashupatastra, a weapon given by Lord Shiva, but did not use it in the war.
32. Narayanastra, used by Ashwatthama, could not harm anyone who surrendered.
33. Bhishma used Praswapa Astra, which put his enemies to sleep.
34. The Brahmastra, capable of mass destruction, was invoked several times but rarely used.
Aftermath of the War
35. Only 12 warriors survived the war, including the Pandavas, Krishna, and a few Kauravas like Ashwatthama and Kritavarma.
36. The war ended with the death of all 100 Kaurava brothers.
37. Gandhari cursed Krishna, blaming him for the destruction, which led to the eventual downfall of the Yadava dynasty.
38. The Pandavas ruled Hastinapura after the war, with Yudhishthira becoming king.
39. Ashwatthama, in a fit of vengeance, killed all the remaining Pandava children in a night raid.
Symbolism and Teachings
40. The war symbolizes the eternal struggle between good and evil.
41. It emphasizes the importance of dharma (righteousness) and karma (action).
42. The Bhagavad Gita provides guidance on duty, morality, and spirituality.
43. The war demonstrates the destructive consequences of greed, pride, and jealousy.
Other Interesting Facts
44. Bhishma could kill 10,000 warriors a day but fought defensively for the Kauravas.
45. Krishna broke his vow not to fight when he charged at Bhishma with a wheel to protect Arjuna.
46. Yudhishthira never lied but used a clever statement to mislead Dronacharya about Ashwatthama’s death.
47. The eldest Kaurava, Duryodhana, was skilled in mace combat but lost due to Bhima’s sheer strength and strategy.
48. The Kurukshetra battlefield is believed to have turned red due to the blood of millions of warriors.
49. The Mahabharata is considered the longest epic poem in the world, with over 100,000 verses.
50. The war is believed to have marked the transition from the Dvapara Yuga to the Kali Yuga, the current age of humanity.
These facts showcase the complexity, depth, and enduring legacy of the Mahabharata war, making it one of the most remarkable events in Indian mythology and literature.
