Bhishma’s Five Golden Arrows :- The Story of Loyalty and Honor:

 

Numerous stories in the Mahabharata often go unnoticed, but they could have had a significant impact if they hadn't occurred. One such story is about the Five Golden Arrows, powerful enough to kill the five Pandavas and instantly end the war.

"The divine arrows were created from the life force of Bhishma."

Bhishma, the mighty and greatest warrior, was the Kourava Army's supreme commander.  After a few days of the war, Duryodhana was upset with Bhishma. He thought that Bhishma was not giving his heart and soul to the war and siding with Pandavas but fighting with Kauravas just for his promise to protect Hastinapur. Duryodhana went ahead and confronted Bhishma. An upset Bhishma, greatly enraged, immediately picked up five golden arrows and chanted the mantras declaring “Tomorrow I will kill the Pandavas with these golden arrows”.

Duryodana, not believing Bhishma's words, asked Bhishma to give him supervision of the Five Golden Arrows, saying that he would keep them with him and return them the next morning. Bhishma then gave them to Duryodhana, stating that these arrows were powerful enough to kill all the Pandavas and would never fail because he had put his years of penance and life force into those five arrows. Duryodhana gladly accepted the arrows, convinced that they would assure his victory in the war. He was eager to test them the next day. However, he suspected that Bhishma might betray him and was reluctant to hand over the arrows to him. Duryodhana was determined not to let the arrows fall into Bhishma's hands.

The legend goes that Duryodana once came to the forest to display his wealth and power in contrast to the Pandavas, who were living in exile near Dwitavana Lake because he had taken over their kingdom. He set up his camp on the opposite side of a pond where the Pandavas used to stay.

Before Duryodhana arrived with his wife, friends, and army, the Gandharva king Chitrasena had taken over the lake with their accomplices.

When Duryodhana's soldiers requested the Gandharva group to vacate the lake for their king, Chitrasena, the leader of the group by the lake, laughed at them and stated that they only recognized Indra as their king. This led to a conflict between the two sides, resulting in a fierce battle. Ultimately, Duryodhana was defeated by Chitrasena and taken captive.

Upon hearing the news, Yudhishtira ordered both Bhima and Arjuna to go and rescue them, as the enmity was between the two families. Chitrasena did not want to fight with the Pandavas, especially with Arjuna, and upon their request, he released Duryodhana and all his forces.

Duryodhana, feeling ashamed as a Kshatriya, asked Arjuna what boon he would like. Arjuna replied that he would ask for the favor later when he needed it.

Meanwhile, Lord Krishna received the news of these five arrows from his spies. He quickly made a plan and called Arjuna and reminded him of the boon Duryodana had promised. Lord Krishna requested him to meet Duryodana and ask for the Five Golden Arrows, as the war with  Bhishma was at a very critical stage.

When Arjuna met Duryodana and asked for the five golden-imbued arrows, Duryodana was shocked. However, knowing his honor and duty as a Kshatriya, he declared, "I will give you the five golden arrows. But can you please tell me who told you about their existence?" Arjuna replied with a smile, "Who else other than Shri Krishna could have advised me?" Afterward, Duryodhana honorably kept his word and gave the five golden arrows, imbued with a lifetime of austerity and power by Bhishma.

Later, Duryodhana broke his customary manner and privately conceded, "All the Rishis say Krishna is the Supreme God. Maybe they are right." Shocked and convinced by Arjuna’s knowledge of the five golden arrows, Duryodhana secretly got on his knees and said a quick prayer to Lord Krishna.

The next morning, Duryodhana went to Bhishma again, informing him of all that had happened and requesting another five golden-imbued arrows. To this, Bhishma laughed and replied, “That is not possible, child. The will of the Lord is supreme and undeniable."I have already expended the power of my lifelong practice of celibacy and self-discipline in those five arrows – a strength potent enough to end all five Pandavas. However, Krishna, as the Supreme Lord who can foresee past, present, and future, has arranged for you to willingly relinquish the five golden arrows. However, tomorrow I shall fight like a lion, and this time, either I will kill Arjuna or I will make Lord Krishna break His promise of not picking up any weapons during the war.” 

The exchange of favors between Arjuna and Duryodhana demonstrated the warrior code of honor, which highly valued loyalty, respect, and gratitude. Arjuna's request for the arrows was not driven by malice, but rather a strategic move to prevent the Kauravas from gaining an unfair advantage in the war. In return, Duryodhana honored his debt to Arjuna by giving him what he had requested, even though it meant giving up a weapon that could potentially have won the war for him.