Mb107. The Eighteenth Day Of The Battle Poem by Rajaram Ramachandran

MAHABHARATA

The eighteenth day started.
Duryodhana just sorted
What was so far done?
Things yet to be done?

Who was to lead them?
This was their problem.
Aswatthama proposed Salya.
It was approved by Duryodhana.

For Duryodhana, Salya
Was more than Krishna
In driving the chariots
And laying out the war plots.

Salya was too happy,
Also the army was happy,
They hoped for a winning chance
With his military experience.

How great Salya was,
Pandavas knew this.
Who should then lead
From Pandavas side?

Krishna told Yudhisthira,
"Both Myself and Arjuna,
We can't fight Salya,
Who's more than Bhisma."

"Once he came to you.
For victory he blessed you.
He may not defeat you.
Nor, he'll like to kill you."

"So, you're the better choice,
Avail this great chance,
Earn credit and finish the war.
As the last leader you're."

For this Yudhishthira said,
"Krishna, you're our guide.
So, whatever you say,
We'll simply obey."

Yudhishthira on the one side
And Salya on the other side
They led the war this day,
So happy were they to say.

The Salya's dead sharp shot
Smashed Yudhishthira's chariot.
The latter sent a ‘Sakti' head
That cut his head, he was dead.

Bhima killed the surviving sons
Of Dhritarashtra for their sins.
Next, Sakuni's neck got cut,
When Sahadeva's arrow hit.

Duryodhana lost his chariot.
With no one to support,
He left the place on foot.
He was cursing his ill fate.

Kripacharya, Kritavarma,
And the third Aswatthama,
They escaped death and ran,
With no specific future plan.