Once it is decided there is no solution except war to solve
the issue between Kaurava’s & Pandava’s. Invitation to join the war was
spread across the Aryavarta from both the parties. Many kings with their army
marched to Kurukshetra to join the battle.
Shalya the king of Madra desh also stepped out of his
kingdom towards Kurukshetra to join the Pandava’s as Nakula & Sahadeva were
his nephew. Shalya had a special affection towards his nephew’s as they were
born from God. He is so inclined to them that he made both of them as their
legal heirs. While traveling towards Kurukshetra; Shalya’s army got special treatment.
They were entertained & were provided excellent quality food &
services. King Shalya was so impressed by this royal treatment that he declared
“The person doing this kind of hospitality even in warfare is simply great
& I will die for him on the sacred ground of Kurukshetra.” He said so as he
thought all this arrangement was made by Pandava’s; but actually it was hosted
by Duryodhana. Later Duryodhana approached him personally & requested to
battle from Kaurava’s. Shalya was unable to turn down his request due to
hospitality he enjoyed.
But somewhere deep in heart he was cursing himself for not
helping his nephews. Then Krishna came into picture; he knows that Shalya is
great mace warrior & skillful charioteer. Krishna told Shalya “Do not blame
yourself; everything happens for a reason. I know at some point of time
Duryodhana will ask you to serve Karna’s charioteer to embarrass Pandava’s on war
field. You can help your nephews by serving Karna.”
“But how it is possible to
help Pandava’s; it is humiliating for me as well to serve Karna as he is shudra
& I am the king of Madra.”- Shalya.
“You just need to praise all Pandav prices & especially
Arjuna in front of Karna. Just demoralize him by your speech while serving him
as a charioteer.”-Krishna.
Shalya accepted to do so. And he actually did the same on 16th
& 17th day of the war. Karna was so much irritated by Shalya;
but he kept mum & focus on battle.
- · As per few mythologist it was Yudhishtira who took promise to demoralize Karna during war instead of Krishna.
- · Shalya demoralized Karna but respect for Karna grown up when Karna defeated Nakula & Sahdeva but didn’t killed them saying they are too young & incompatible to fight with him.
- · When Karna was about to use Nagastra against Arjuna; Shalya interrupted him & asked to him aim on chest instead of head. But Karna did not trust him & fired his arrow; then Krishna came to rescue & pushed Arjuna’s chariot into the ground to save Arjuna. Nagastra was just took off Arjuna’s crown instead of his head.
- · When one wheel of Karna’s chariot was stuck into the land during final battle between Arjuna & Karna. Shalya refused to help Karna even after his multiple requests to get hold of the wheel by saying bluntly “I am just your charioteer; that’s not my work.”
- · At very next moment when Arjuna killed unarmed Karna by Anjalika weapon. Shalya was shocked & condemned Arjuna for his cowardice. After Karna’s death his inclination towards Kaurava’s increased & he was made commander-in-chief of Kaurava’s.
- · Shalya was finally killed by Yudhishthira in spear war.
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