Mahabharat - Poetry

Udyoga Parva

The Kauravas were seething with rage,

For their vicious efforts had gone in vain.

While the Pandavas extended a gesture of peace,

Their cousins’ vengeance did not cease.

Now Arjuna and Duryodhana,

Headed to Krishna’s abode, Dwaraka.

They waited patiently as he slept,

Arjuna by his feet, Duryodhana by his head.

He gave them two options,

One, his army and ammunition.

The other was himself, not as a fighter,

But as a skilled charioteer.

Arjuna at once chose Krishna,

While the army was chosen by Duryodhana.

As they prepared for war, however,

The Pandavas carried on their peace endeavour.

But Duryodhana refused to settle,

Impatient to vanquish them in battle.

In a final attempt , Kunti approached Karna,

Along with his father, Lord Surya.

Informing him of his true lineage,

“The Pandavas are your brothers,” Kunti said.

However, Karna remained loyal to his friend,

Fighting with him until the end.

Now the war was fast approaching,

And preparations were in full swing.

The Kauravas were led by Bhishma,

And thus ends the Udyoga Parva.