The Mahabharata is an epic tale of conflict, heroism, and tragedy that has captivated audiences for centuries. One of the most fascinating characters in this story is Duryodhana, the ambitious and ruthless prince who seeks to claim the throne of Hastinapura for himself. While many of Duryodhana’s brothers and allies meet a tragic end in the war, there is one brother who manages to escape: Vikarna. In this article, we will explore the story of Vikarna and how he managed to dodge the five Pandavas and escape alive from the Mahabharata.
Who was Vikarna?
Vikarna was one of the 100 Kaurava brothers, the sons of Dhritarashtra and the brothers of Duryodhana. Unlike Duryodhana and his other brothers, Vikarna was known for his fairness and his sense of justice. During the infamous game of dice, when Duryodhana was cheating to win the kingdom of Hastinapura from the Pandavas, Vikarna spoke out against his brother’s actions and urged him to do the right thing. However, Duryodhana ignored his brother’s advice and continued on his path of destruction.
The Battle of Kurukshetra
As the tensions between the Pandavas and the Kauravas escalated, a war broke out between the two sides. This war, known as the Battle of Kurukshetra, was a brutal and bloody conflict that lasted for 18 days. The Pandavas, led by Arjuna, were determined to reclaim their kingdom and restore order to the land, while the Kauravas, led by Duryodhana, were equally determined to maintain their grip on power.
During the course of the war, many of Duryodhana’s brothers and allies were killed, either by the Pandavas or by their own treacherous actions. Vikarna, however, managed to survive through a combination of luck and cunning.
How Vikarna Escaped Alive
The story of Vikarna’s escape from the Mahabharata is a fascinating one that demonstrates his intelligence and resourcefulness. As the war raged on, Vikarna found himself facing the five Pandava brothers: Yudhishthira, Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula, and Sahadeva. These five brothers were renowned for their martial prowess and their unwavering commitment to justice.
Vikarna knew that he stood little chance of defeating these five warriors in combat, so he devised a clever plan to escape from their grasp. He approached each of the brothers separately and challenged them to a one-on-one battle, hoping to wear them down and escape while they were distracted.
Vikarna’s first opponent was Yudhishthira, the eldest of the Pandava brothers. Yudhishthira was known for his wisdom and his sense of fairness, and he agreed to fight Vikarna on the condition that they fight with equal weapons. Vikarna, however, was carrying a concealed weapon and used it to strike Yudhishthira down before the fight could even begin.
Next, Vikarna challenged Bhima, the strongest of the Pandava brothers. Bhima was eager for the fight and charged at Vikarna with his mace, but Vikarna managed to dodge his attacks and slip away.
Arjuna was Vikarna’s next opponent, and he proved to be the most challenging of the five brothers. Arjuna was a master archer and a skilled warrior, and he managed to land several blows on Vikarna during their battle. However, Vikarna used his quick wits to outmaneuver Arjuna and slip away once again.
Nakula and Sahadeva
Vikarna challenged Nakula to a race, knowing that Nakula would not be able to resist the challenge. As they ran, Vikarna managed to trip Nakula and knock him to the ground, giving him the opportunity to escape once again.
Finally, Vikarna faced Sahadeva in a battle of wits. Sahadeva was known for his intelligence and his ability to anticipate his opponent’s moves, but Vikarna was equally clever. Vikarna used his knowledge of Sahadeva’s tactics to lure him into a trap, allowing him to slip away and escape from the battlefield.
Aftermath
Vikarna’s escape from the Mahabharata was a remarkable feat of cunning and resourcefulness. By challenging each of the five Pandava brothers individually, Vikarna managed to escape from their grasp and avoid certain death. However, his survival was short-lived, as he was later killed by Bhima in a one-on-one battle.
The story of Vikarna’s escape is a fascinating one that highlights the complexities and the moral ambiguity of the Mahabharata. While Vikarna was a member of the Kaurava family, he was also known for his sense of justice and his willingness to speak out against his own family when they were in the wrong. His escape from the Mahabharata was a testament to his intelligence and his resourcefulness, and it serves as a reminder of the power of strategy and tactics in the midst of conflict.
Conclusion
The story of Vikarna’s escape from the Mahabharata is one that has captivated audiences for centuries. His ability to dodge the five Pandava brothers and escape from the battlefield is a remarkable feat of cunning and resourcefulness, and it highlights the complexities of the Mahabharata’s characters and their motivations. While Vikarna was ultimately killed in battle, his story serves as a reminder of the power of strategy and tactics in the midst of conflict, and it continues to inspire and fascinate readers and audiences around the world.