It is a dark day for the pandava brothers. A war is brewing between members of their family. This is something they never wanted to happen. They do not wish to see the destruction and chaos that war will bring.
In the hopes of avoiding it, Yudhishthira comes up with an idea, "If we issue a one-on-one challenge against Duryodhan and our cousins we might be able to resolve our issues without bloodshed. There is no guarantee that they will accept but if they do, we will need to determine who among us will fight. What do you think, my brothers?" Yudhishthira looks around at each of his four younger brothers as he asks the question.
The brothers have a long discussion on strategies, strengths and weaknesses before they continue to the battlefield. They bring their army with them as a sign of their strength and resolve. They do not intend to start a war, but they will fight one if they have to. When the other side arrives, the five brothers step forward and walk out to the middle of the field. There they wait for five of their opposition to arrive.
Duryodhan with one of his brothers along with Drona, Bhisma and Karna meet the brothers in between the two forces. Duryodhan takes the opportunity to speak mockingly to the brothers, "What's this? Are you surrendering to me already?"
Bhima's face grows red and he opens his mouth to respond. Before he can, Yudhishthira raises his hand to stop him. In a calm, cool and collected voice but with fire in his eyes, Yudhishthira answers, "We are here to issue a challenge before too much blood is shed. We challenge you to a one-on-one fight against our chosen champion, Arjun. If our side wins, we get our kingdom and our status back. If your side wins, then we'll leave and you'll never have to see us again."
Drona gathers his companions to discuss the challenge. There are mixed opinions but Karna convinces them to accept with a plea for the chance to finally fight Arjun uninterrupted.
At this, Bhisma takes Karna aside to talk. "There is something you should know," Bhisma takes a deep breath to steady his heart, "Arjun and the other Pandavas are your brothers. Kunti is your mother by birth."
Karna grinds his teeth and clenches his fists for a minute before stopping. Then after a long pause, Karna accepts this fact with a small sad smile, "Then I have even more reason to fight in this challenge. It will prevent their deaths just as much as Duryodhan's and his brothers' deaths."
Bhisma nods at this in acceptance and gives his blessings to Karna to fight, "Then may Duryodhan accept the outcome of your challenge, whatever it may be."
Meanwhile, Drona approaches the Pandavas and tells them the decision for Karna to accept the challenge against Arjun.
They discuss the challenge and determine it will take place in the field they are standing in and will begin at the break of dawn the next day. Then each side turns away and walks back to their side to report the decision to their forces.
The next day, Karna and Arjun walk to the center of the field just before the sun is up. As soon as the sunlight reaches them, the challenge will begin. Each champion stands ready to fight, bow in one hand and a single arrow ready to notch in the other. They wait as the sunlight slowly creeps across the field. When it is barely a foot away, each one notches the arrow in hand, raises the bow and prepares to fire. The sunlight touches their feet. Both arrows fly towards their respective targets. Both arrows hit their mark. Arjun and Karna both fall down.
The closest spectators rush forward to check on their champions. Arjun lays on the ground clutching his arm. The arrow flew right into his shoulder. It's a very painful wound but not a mortal one. Karna lays on the ground with a peaceful smile, he's not clutching his arm or any part of his body. And nor would he ever again, the arrow pierced straight through his heart. Bhisma, the first one to arrive at Karna's side, is the only one who truly understands the peaceful smile. Arjun is the only other who understands that he didn't live by chance, but by Karna's skill.
Duryodhan is angry but the honor he has, little though it may be, keeps him from breaking the agreement of the challenge. He will surely try to rid himself of the Pandavas again, but for now he has something else to focus on. Instead of war, both sides prepare for the funeral of a man who saved many lives.
Old Indian Funeral - image found
here
Author's Note:
I began writing this thinking about a way for the brothers and their cousins to avoid the war in the second half of The Five Tall Sons of Pandu. In the original, many many people die. And I honestly hated the fighting between family (and ya I know I did the same thing with putting Arjun and Karna against each other).
As I was writing I ended up completely changing the end and made Karna decide to die to prevent a war and the deaths of all of his family and friends.
Also, the title (which I thought of after I wrote the end) is inspired by Spock's quote "The needs of the may outweigh the needs of the few."
Bibliography:
The Indian Story Book: The Five Tall Sons of Pandu by Richard Wilson found
here
