VIRAT WAR STORY !!

Virat war is the most glorious war in Mahabharat. This war shows the superiority of Arjun over all great warriors of that time. Arjun defeated the entire kaurav army single handedly with an inexperienced charioteer (Uttara). 

First of all I will list out the misconceptions about Virat war.

* Arjun arrived at the battlefield as Brihannala(an eunuch) and no one recognized him
* None of the Kaurav warriors were prepared for a battle so they lost the battle against the surprise attack of Arjun.
* All kaurav warriors never fought with Arjun thinking of an eunuch is arrived.
* Arjun got help from Agni, Vayu and Lord Hanuman
* Arjun cheated all by using Sammohan Astra

Now lets clear out these misconceptions.

* Arjun arrived at the battlefield as Brihannala (an eunuch) and no one recognized him.

Arjun was not really an eunuch at the time of Virat Yudh. He used to dress as an eunuch. The 13th year was already over and Arjun had regained his manhood before the war itself. It is clearly mentioned in the epic.

SOURCE : KMG ORIGINAL TRANSLATION OF VED VYAS MAHABHARAT.

“Arjun said to Uttara, ‘I tell thee truly that I am only observing this vow for a whole year agreeable to the behest of my elder brother. O thou of mighty arms, I am not truly one of the neuter sex, but I have adopted this vow of eunuchism from subservience to another’s will and from desire of religious merit. O prince, know me now to have completed my vow.’

www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m04/m04045.htm

Sakra to Arjun, ‘O thou best of beings, havingobtained thee, O child, Pritha hath today become a truly blessed mother. O mightyarmed one, thou hast now vanquished even Rishis by the patience and self-control. But, O giver of proper respect, the curse that Urvasi hath denounced on thee will be to thy benefit, O child, and stand thee in good stead. O sinless one, ye will have on earth to pass the 13th year
(of your exile), unknown to all. It is then that thou shalt suffer the curse of Urvasi. And having passed one ear as a dancer without manhood, thou shalt regain thy power on the expiration of the term.”

www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m03/m03046.htm

Arjun told to Uttara that he is not an eunuch at that time. Indra blessed Arjun by saying that Arjun would be an eunuch only for one year. He will regain his manhood after completing his one year of secret exile. Pandavas had completed their 1 year of secret exile already. Bhishma himself told that Pandavas completed their secret year. So it is clear that Arjun was not an eunuch at Virat war.

“ And beholding him thus running, the kurus began to argue, ‘Who is this person, thus disguised like fire concealed in ashes? He is partly a man and partly a woman. Although bearing a neutral form he resembleth Arjuna. His are same head and neck, and his the same his the same arms like unto a couple of maces. And this one’s gait also is like unto his. He can be none else than Dhananjaya. As Indra is among the celestials, so Dhananjaya is among men. Who else in this world than Dhananjaya, would alone come against us?” This clearly states that the kurus had recognized Arjun at the first sight itself.

www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m04/m04038.htm

Drona said, ‘ Violent and hot are the winds that below, showering gravels in perfusion.The sky also is overcast with a gloom of ashy hue………………….The horses are shedding tears, and our banners are trembling though moved by none. Such being the inauspicious indications seen, a great danger is at hand……………….This mighty bowman, this foremost of all wielders of weapons, this hero that hath come in the habit of a person of the 3rd sex, is the son of Pritha. There is no doubt of this.”

“This chastiser of foes is the valiant son of Pritha surnamed Savyasachin……………………….Therefore, ye kauravas, I do not see any hero who can withstand him. It is said that the Lord Mahadeva himself, disguised in the attire of a hunter, was gratified by this son of Pritha in the battle on the mountains of Himavat.”

www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m04/m04039.htm

Drona spoke thus, “That is the banner top of Partha which shineth at a distance, and that is the ape that roareth frightfully……..Behold, these two shafts coming together fall at my feet, and two others pass off barely touching my ears. #Completing the period of exile and having achieved many wonderful feats, Partha saluteth me and whispereth in my ears.”

www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m04/m04053.htm

Here we can see that Drona clearly identifies the eunuch as Arjun and he warns all kauravas to be prepared for battle. Anyone with a little bit of commonsense can understand that Arjun was recognized by Kauravas. Without recognizing Arjun, Drona will never ask kauravas to be prepared for battle. All knows that except Krishna the only mortal who can wield Gandiv is Arjun. Arjun came there with Gandiv. What proof you need much to recognize that it was Arjun?

* No Kaurav warriors were prepared for a battle so they lost the battle against the surprise attack of Arjun.

This claim seems to be ridiculous for those who read original Ved Vyas translation of Mahabharat. Kauravas were there to fight with the Mathsyas. All of them expected Matsyas army and they were prepared for battle(Note that instead of Mathsya army Arjun came there alone). How can Kurus stand there expecting for Matsyas army without preparing for the fight?

“Bhishma said, ‘Listen to what I regard as proper, if it pleases thee. I should always say what is for thy good, O Kaurava. Proceed thou towards capital,without loss of time, taking with thee a fourth part of the army. And let another fourth march, escorting the kine. With half the troops we will fight the Pandava. Myself and Drona, and Karna and Aswatthaman and Kripa will resoulutely withstand Vibhatsu, or the king of Matsyas, or Indra himself, if he approaches. Indeed, we will withstand any of these like the bank withstand the surging sea.’

And having sent away the king and then the kine, Bhishma began to array the soldiers in order of battle. And addressing the preceptor, he said, ‘O preceptor, stand thou in the centre, and let Aswathamman stand on the left, and let the wise Kripa, son of Saradwata, defend the right wing, and let Karna of the Suta caste, clad in mail, stand in the van. I will stand in the rear of the whole army, protecting it from the point.”

Drona said, “Behold, these two shafts coming together fall at my feet, and two others pass off barely touching my ears. Completing the period of exile and having achieved many wonderful feats, Partha saluteth me and whispereth in my ears.”

Now it is clear that all kauravas were prepared for the battle and all of them were expecting Arjun. Arjun started the war after saluting his preceptor.

Karna said, ‘ Hard though he be as Indra’s thunderbolt and possessed of the energy of the chief of celestials, I will surely grind Partha, even as one afflicts an elephant by means of burning brands.’

‘Discharged from my bow, my arrows like venomous snakes will pierce Partha’s body.’

www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m04/m04048.htm

These words clearly indicates Karna was eagerly expecting Arjun for combat. No one can say that Karna wasn’t prepared for a battle.

* All kaurav warriors never fought with Arjun thinking of an eunuch is arrived.

We can only laugh to this kind of foolishnesses. I have already proved that all the kaurava warriors recognized Arjun and were expecting him for a battle. I don’t think all the kaurav maharathis are fools( At least Bhishma, Drona, Aswathamma, Kripa were not fools) not to fight with Arjun after they recognized him.

Here I am providing links of the war between Arjun and Kauravas.

www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m04/m04054.htm (Arjun vs Karna)

www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m04/m04055.htm

www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m04/m04057.htm (Arjun vs Kripa)
In the battle between Arjun and Kripa, Arjun completely defeated his antagonist and Kripa was taken away by the warriors of his division. All of the warriors of Kripa’s army then surrounded Arjun and showered arrows on him. Those who are blaming that Arjun cheated all please answer me, What was the cheating did by Arjun in this encounter? All warriors attacked arjun from all sides. Is this written on the law of war? Arjun was able to slay Kripa when Kripa was first defeated and reeled of his place. But Arjun never did that. He ceased the discharge of his shafts in order to respect his opponent. That is Vibhatsu ( Who always fight in a fair manner). All Critics of Arjun should thank Arjun for not slaying Kripa (one of the great warrior of Kaurav army).

www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m04/m04058.htm (Arjun vs Drona)

One of the most terrible battle occurred in Virat war is between Arjun and Drona. If you read the link you can understand yourself how terrible was that. The narrator himself used the word fierce and terrible battle. In this battle Drona was the one who first used Divya astras like Aindra, Vayavya, Agneya. Arjun baffled this Divya astras with his own. This again weakens Arjun haters claim that no warriors did power attack on Arjun thinking that Arjun is an eununch. Drona will never use Divya astras on an eunuch. And all warriors surrounded and attacked Arjun. From this it is clear that all were recognized Arjun and fought with Arjun terribly and did power attacks. Arjun asked Drona to first attack him. And at the end of the battle narrator said that Partha gave Drona an opportunity to leave the field.

www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m04/m04059.htm (Arjun vs Aswatama)

www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m04/m04060.htm (Arjun vs Karna)

www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m04/m04061.htm (Arjun vs Dussasana, Vikarna, Dussaha, Vivingsati)

www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m04/m04062.htm

In the last link it is clearly stated that all kaurav warriors attacked Arjun united with their full power.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘Then, O thou of the Bharata race, all the great car warriors of the Kurus, united together, began to assail Arjun to the best of their might from all sides.”

www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m04/m04063.htm (Arjun vs Bhishma)

Another dreadful battle in virat war was between Arjun and Bhishma. They fought each other terribly. Lot of divine personalities observed this great battle and praised both warriors. Here comes the Second kick for the Arjun haters that saying no kaurav warriors used celestial weapons/Did power attack on Arjun thinking him as an eunuch.

“And unable to bear this, Bhishma though cognizant of the Pandava’s might, covered Dhananjaya with a powerful celestial weapon. And the son of Pandu of immeasurable soul, hurling in return a celestial weapon at Bhishma, received that from Bhishma like a hill receiving a deep mass of clouds.”

“And those illustrious warriors ranged on the field of battle, using the celestial weapons obtained from Prajapati and Indra, and Agni and the fierce Rudra, and Kuvera, and Varuna and Yama, and Vayu. And all beings were greatly surpraised, upon beholding those warriors engaged in combat.”

At the end of battle Bhishma was deeply afflicted by Arjun was then taken away.
“And sorely afflicted ith pain Ganga’s son of mighty arms and irresistible in battle, stood for a long time leaning on the pole of his car. And beholding him deprived of consciousness the driver of his car steeds, calling to mind the instructions about protecting the warriors when in a swoon, led him away for safety.”

www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m04/m04064.htm (Arjun defeats Duryodhan, Vikarna and their armies)

Now it is clear that all Kaurava warriors fought with arjun very fiercely. No one showed mercy to Arjun thinking that he is an eunuch. Both Drona and Bhishma used a lot of Divya astras against Arjun. And all warriors attacked Arjun from all sides united.

* Arjun got help from Agni, Vayu and Lord Hanuman
This is an another foolish statement by some frustrated Arjun haters. Read the entire narrative of Virat war yourself. There is no mention of lord Agni’s help by giving inexhaustible arrows to Arjun at the time of Virat war. Arjun got his inexhaustible arrows from his quiver which he got at the time of Khandava war. Another statement is that Lord Vayu gave Speep to Arjun’s arrows. There is no such a foolish statement in kmg translation of mahabharat. Next comes Lord Hanuman. Hanuman sat on the flag of Arjun as its symbol. No sentence is there which states that Hanuman gave stability to Arjuns chariot. All Arjun haters should remember one thing that Arjun was alone when he fought with Entire Kaurav army including Maharathi’s like Bhishma, Drona, Kripa, Karna, Aswathamma, and several others. All of these warriors were attacking Arjun who was standing alone in his chariot with an inexperienced charioteer. So Arjuns chariot really needs help. One more thing why all are saying about chariot and Hanuman? Why no one talking about Arjun who was alone in that chariot? It was Arjun who fought with Kauravas not Hanuman.

* Arjun cheated all by using Sammohan Astra

Arjun haters said that Using Sammohan astra doesn’t show archery skill of any person, if you gave that Astra to sakuni it will not make him greatest warrior. I accept that. But Arjun never used Sammohan astra at first.
Read the link

www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m04/m04065.htm

All Kaurav maharathis fled away from the battlefield after getting badly defeated by Arjun. By hearing Arjuns joy and words all those Kaurav warriors already deeply afflicted and defeated by Arjun rushed towards Arjun and attacked him simultaneously from all sides. Then only Arjun used his Sammohana astra.

ARJUN VS KARNA in Virat war

Arjun and Karna fought each other twice in Virat war. Being the greatest warrior Arjun defeated Karna both times.
“And he covered Karna’s car with countless shafts like the sun covering the different worlds with rays. And like a lion attacked by an elephant, Arjuna, taking some keen crescent-shaped arrows out of his quiver and drawing his bow to his ear, pierced the Suta’s son on every part of his body. And the grinder of foes pierced Karna’s arms and thighs and head and forehead and neck and other principal parts of his body with whetted shafts endued with the impetuosity of the thunderbolt and shot from Gandiv in battle. And mangled and afflicted by the arrows shot by Partha the son of Pandu, Vikartana’s son, quitted the van of battle, and quickly took to flight, like one elephant vanquished by another.”

“Vaisampayana said, ‘After the son of Radha had fled from the field, other warriors headed by Duryodhana, one after another, fell upon the son of Pandu with their respective divisions.

www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m04/m04054.htm

www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m04/m04055.htm

Here it is clear that Karna fled away from the battlefield unable to fight with Arjun. Some Arjun haters says that Karna used many celestial weapons but Lord Hanuman save Arjun’s chariot each time. And they also said that Karna was not fled he left the field for recovery.
Vaisampayana used the word Fled for Karna not recovery. Arjun killed Karnas brother at the very sight of Karna but Karna was unable to save his brother. Neither Karna nor Arjuna used celestial astras in their first encounter in Virat war.

Second encounter:
“And the warriors that followed the son the son of Radha rushed in crowds at Arjuna, but Partha sent them all to the abode of Yama by means of Arows shot from the Gandiva. And Vibhatsu slew the steeds of Karna by means of sharp and tough arrows shot from the bow string drawn to the ear, and deprived of life they dropped down on the ground. And taking another sharp and blazing arrow endued with great energy, the mighty son of Kunti pierced the breast of Karna. And that arrow, cleaving through his mail, penetrated into his body. And at this, Karna’s vision was obscured and his senses left him. And regaining consciousness, he felt great pain, and leaving the combat Fled in northernly direction.”
www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m04/m04060.htm

Here again Karna got afflicted and defeated badly by Arjun and as usual he fled away. The word used is FLED, not recovery. Both never used celestial astras here too. How can they say Karna used many celestial weapons but LORD HANUMAN protected Arjun?

The next funny statement is that Karna possed Vasavi Sakti of Indra. If Karna want he could finish Arjun within fraction of seconds by Vasavi Sakti.

Arjun defeated Karna twice in Virat war without using any celestial astras. None of Arjun haters know that Arjun had Paasupatha Astra which is capable of destroying 3 worlds. What will happen if Arjun used it on Karna? Not like Karna who kept Vasavi sakti only for Arjun without having the courage to defeat Arjun, Arjun never kept any special astras for Karna or for any other warriors even though he possessed.
Karna himself accepted their defeat in Virat war.
"So also, in Virata's city, moving on a single
car he vanquished all of us, and snatched
from us that wealth of kine, and took from all
the foremost of car-warriors (portions of) their
garments. "

www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m08/m08079.htm

The conclusion : Arjun fought alone against the entire Kaurav army and defeated all of them. It was totally a fair war. Arjun killed Satruntapa, and Sangramjit( Brother of Karna ) in this dreadful battle.