Intro
Ghosha means cowherd. Ghoshayatra Parva is the story of the Kauravas going to the stock show near Lake Dvaitavana.
https://crackpot.substack.com/t/ghosha
As It Rhymes
Chapter 9
Vaishampayana said,
1.
Yudhishthira’s rousing words gave Bhima delight.
Bhimasena rocketed to the front to lead the fight.
2.
The men gathered arms and armor.
The Pandava force blazed with valor.
3.
The men looked armed and dangerous the way they carried it.
With gritted teeth they ascended chariots.
4.
The Pandavas charged like a blazing forest fire.
The new chariots the Kurus gifted were fully equipped.
5.
The chariots raced like tigers to the battle site.
The Kaurava soldiers lost their minds seeing and cheering the Pandavas to fight.
6.
Pandu’s sons looked as resplendent as white geese in the sun.
Their chariots flew.
7.
The Pandava chariots flashed like lightning through the forest.
The Kurus believed the Gandharvas would soon be laid to rest.
8.
The musicians saw the Pandava chariots arrive.
The musicians felt a menacing vibe from their drive.
9.
The Pandava chariots were arranged in a perfect phalanx.
‘Release the king!’, Yudhishthira yelled a demand to the band.
10.
The Kauravas licked their lips.
The Gandharva’s entourage of toughs met the Pandavas with hands on hips.
The Pandavas charge slowed to a turkey trot.
11.
The Pandavas soft trot slowed to a canter.
Savyasachi the destroyer of enemies bantered.
12-22.
Arjuna said,
‘Let’s take a walk and talk like men.
Suyodhana may be a sore thumb, but he is our brethren.’
Chapter 10
1-28.
Chitrasena said,
‘Hi old pal.
You know I wouldn’t fight with you unless I had your back.’
29.
Dhananjaya’s grip slipped.
Taut bowstrings slacked.
Men extended hands and wise cracked.
The ponies slowed to a plow horse stall.
30.
Chitrasena, Bhima, Savyasachi and the twins Nakula and Sahadeva dabbed and slapped backs.
Then they sat on their chariots to discuss blab brass tacks.
Notes
[1]
[29] Dhananjaya is Arjuna. Dhananjaya means conqueror of wealth. Arjuna earns this name in Digvijaya https://crackpot.substack.com/t/digvijaya
[30] Savyasachi is Arjuna. Savyasachi means ambidextrous - Arjuna fires the bow equally well from either hand.
Abridged to End
Chapters 11-16
The narrator said,
As it turned out Chitrasena and Arjuna were old friends, as were the Gandharvas and Pandavas. In fact, Chitrasena taught Arjuna how to sing and dance. Partha pursued these artistic paths as alternate forms of martial non-violence. So it was no trouble to negotiate the release of their wayward Kuru cousins. All that was needed as assurances to desist the feud. Yudhishthira’s rousing call to arms was a bunch of dumb show. An okey-doke joke on the anxious Kurus.
In shame, Duryodhana tries to abdicate his claim to the throne to the tearfully dutiful second born son of Gandhari, Duhshasana. The prince throws a toddler fit for the better part of 4 chapters, believe it or not. In the end Duryodhana resolves to fast to death. Karna argues that Duryodhana has no reason to be depressed because as king it is his subjects duty to protect him from calamity. In saving Duryodhana and his brothers from the musician mob, Karna argues, the Pandavas had discharged their duty and affirmed their status as loyal subservient subjects to the king. As for Duryodhana, Karna’s pep talk was enough of a stretch to get Suyodhana back on his horse and eating four squares again. The Kauravas return to Hasthinapura to lick their wounds and regroup.
The Pandavas were not out of the woods yet, as by agreement they had to spend their thirteenth year in exile in hiding - to survive the last year without the advantages of their fame and names.
The end of Goshayatra Parva.
