Week 14: Reading Diary A - The Duel

Reading Diary Pg. 307-349
Mahabharata by William Buck

• The beginning of this reading talks about Duryodhana, who uses power to keep anyone from entering the lake, making it impenetrable. I'm thinking he did this in order to exert power and prove he is strong. The others did not take this so well, and it eventually caused a duel. Yudhishthira began speaking to him from the other side of the lake, since he couldn't cross into the waters, proposing that Duryodhana fight one of the Pandavas brothers. This lead to a duel between him and Bhima. As Bhima had swore earlier in the reading, he smashes Duryodhana's thighs. 
• Arjuna comes into play after the battle has ceased, and as he comes in on his chariot and dismounts it, the chariot immediately disintegrates into ashes. This has occurred because Drona had actually destroyed his chariot prior to him riding in on it. Krishna had the power to hold it together by illusion long enough for him to get back, but as soon as he gets off it was depleted. As I read this story, I wonder if Arjuna was aware of this before it had happened, or if it was a shock? 
• Back to the duel between Duryodhana and Bhima. Duryodhana is on the verge of death at this point. Sanjaya, Kripa, Kritavarman, and Ashwarrhaman pay him a visit, only to find him in immense pain, but still alive. He then goes to tell them about the story of Death and how he is not sorry to die because he is glad to have fallen in battle like a warrior rather than to become a a slave. His dying words to Krippa are that he needs to make sure Ashwatthaman becomes the commanding general. 
• Ashwattahaman prepares to raid the Pandavas camp, desperately wanting revenge. They are somwwhat tricked by the Pandavas deciding to sleep outside of their camp that night, which is where they were headed to raid. Ashwattahman goes to tell Duryodhana news, and he officially dies.  
• There are only three survivors of the Kaurava army - Kripa, Kritavarman, and Ashwatthaman. Dhrishtadyumna is the only one on the other side to live. He goes on to tell the Pandavas and Krishna that the camp had been raided. Bhima is outraged by this news and seeks out Ashwatthaman. Meanwhile, Krishna convinces Arjuna to stop Bhima from attacking Ashwatthaman, because he is in possession of the Brahman-astra. Also known as Brahman mantra, it is an extremely powerful weapon created by Brahma. After looking in to that a little bit more, I read that it can be compared equivalent to modern day anatomic weapons, nuclear and thermonuclear bombs.