Mb085. The Fifth Day Of The Battle Poem by Rajaram Ramachandran

MAHABHARATA

Dhritarashtra was in distress,
At his sons facing reverses,
He felt for their heavy losses.
But he was quite helpless.

"Is there, in our camp, none?
To give my sons protection.
The chief of our army men,
Where has Bhisma gone? "

Into tears when he burst,
Sanjay calmed him first.
He said, "Pandavas rest
Firmly on a cause just."

"So, no wonder, they win.
Your sons didn't listen.
Injustice they had done.
Sins they reap, one by one."

"Every one of us advised,
But our words you despised.
It's going to help you how,
When you're distressed now? "

"Last night, to consult Bhisma,
To his tent went Duryodhana.
Who was told, to make peace
That will turn his life ease."

"Bhima also told, his advice
Wasn't on war, but on peace.
Had Duryodhana cared to listen,
It would've saved our men."

Sanjay's words gave some relief,
But the king was full of grief,
O'er the death of his sons,
Who were obstinate ones.

The battle resumed next day,
That was on the fifth day.
The loss was very heavy,
Causing Duryodhana worry.

When he went to complain,
To him Drona did explain.
"Prince, you try to listen,
Pandavas will surely win."

"Their strength, you know not,
In deep sea you're caught."
We're doing our best,
And fight with no rest."

Thousands, Arjuna killed,
His promise he fulfilled,
What Krishna expected,
Till the sunset he did.