The Pandavas wed Draupadi, and a hurt and humiliated Duryodhana is urged by Sakuni to fight them. Sakuni reasons that since Sisupala, a great warrior, is a friend of Draupadi’s father and also well disposed towards Yudishtra, Sisupala will support the Pandavas. Jarasandha too will offer his help, because he likes Yudishtra too. And then there will be the army of Krishna, which will soon reach. So strike at the Pandavas, now, urges Sakuni.
But there is a sane voice on the side of the Kauravas, and that is the voice of Somadatta’s son, said V.S. Karunakarachariar, in a discourse. Somadatta’s son says there are many parameters to be analysed before waging any battle. One must analyse one’s own powers of endurance. How long can one withstand the power of the enemy? One must analyse the motives of those who advise war. Are these advisers reliable?
One must assess one’s financial strength to wage a war. One must examine the battleground. One must find out if there is some place where one can take refuge, if things go against one. One has to analyse the strength of one’s army. In addition to all this, one must also ask oneself “Is a war really necessary? Wouldn’t peace be better?”
One should know when to fight, when not to. One should know when to march ahead and when to retreat. One should know when to refrain from fighting. One should know how to cause disturbances among the enemy’s supporters. One must enlist the support of the enemy’s enemies. Duryodhana’s enemies — the Pandavas — are strong, and Duryodhana should ponder whether he should attack them, cautions Somadatta’s son. But Duryodhana, without paying heed to this sensible advice, goes ahead and is defeated by his cousins.
