History Analysis / Mahabharata

After executing this raid, thinking he’d won, Ashwathama returned to find Duryodhana’s dead. With no king left to serve anymore, Ashwathama relocated to Sage Vyasa’s Ashram to do penance. He thinks he needs to atone because this nighttime raid wasn’t an honorable Warriorly thing to do. But because he actually failed his mission, the enraged Pandavas corner him there. And then this intra-dynastic conflict almost destroys the entire universe when both sides fire [[SacredBowAndArrows brahmastras]],at each other. Since the brahmastra is guaranteed to destroy whatever it is fired at, two of them fired at each other will destroy the universe. Vyas’s realizes this and implores both Arjuna and Ashwathama to recall their weapons. Arjuna complies, but Ashwathama, bereft of the knowledge to do so, cannot recall his brahmastra. When reprimanded for his foolishness in using this kind of weapon for a mere mortal conflict, and told to redirect his brahmastra, Ashwathama uses it to kill Arjuna’s as yet unborn grandson. For this act, the jewel embedded in Ashwathama’s forehead is cut out of him, leaving an open bleeding wound. Krishna then condemns him to [[WoundThatWillNotHeal suffer from that wound bleeding and oozing pus for eternity]] and to wander the world [[TheGrovel begging for sympathy and acceptance]] but [[NoSympathy never receiving any]].

What kind of warfare is it where you spread a malicious lie about an old man’s son dying, and then execute that defenseless old man in cold blood while he is deep in the throes of grief and shock? ’’’Psychological Warfare’’’! Very effective psychological warfare through the clever use of disinformation to sap an adversary’s will to fight, and then “[[JustForPun executing]]” a tactical action while the effect of that disinformation is most profound. Psychological operations often use disinformation, propaganda, the generation of disturbing stimuli such as pictures and sounds to lower enemy morale. Think back to the infamous Tokyo Rose and Axis Sally warning American infantrymen during UsefulNotes/WorldWar2 that their wives or girlfriends were sleeping around on them while they were risking their lives. Think back to American troops blasting rock music in Panama to fray Noriega’s nerves to get him to surrender. Even outside warfare, this tactic is used, like for example “sledging” in cricket, or catcher trash talk in baseball. Psychological warfare may not be an honorable way to fight, but it is an effective way to win. The Pandavas' shame at having used this tactic is because they are still in the process of transitioning from honor-bound Warriors to results-oriented Soldiers.

That war also started out just like any other typical Kshatriyas war. There was an intricate CodeOfConduct about who to duel, when to duel, how to duel, barring warriors from ganging up on a lone enemy, halting warfare at sundown etc. These rules were laid down by Bhishma, who, despite fighting for the Kauravas, was actually fighting as a LawfulNeutral - inflicting only sufficient damage so as to keep the conflict stalemated. However, after he is taken down on day ten, the conflict ‘’changes’’.

On Day 17, Arjuna finally engages Karna in an archery duel. In the midst of this duel, Karna’s chariot wheel gets stuck in the mud and partially sinks into it. Karna dismounts to free the stuck wheel, and as he is struggling with it, Arjuna shoots him dead. The remaining Kaurava allies spin this as an act of cowardice - after all, the CodeOfConduct forbade a chariot borne archer from attacking a defenseless dismounted opponent. Sure, a curse manifested that ensured Karna’s death in this manner, but this incident also serves as an important lesson in maneuver warfare.

Bhishma was effectively an InvincibleHero who could not be killed due to his boon of being able to choose when he can die. As a LawfulNeutral, he didn’t go all out to defeat the Pandavas and win the war, but he didn’t let the Kauravas be defeated either. His “strategy” was to turn this conflict into a ForeverWar that no side could win - until both sides grew weary and sat down to negotiate. In order to further this strategy of intentional impasse, he imposed a CodeOfConduct that in many cases allowed for a warrior to be defeated without having to be killed [[note]] an unarmed, unconscious, dismounted warrior must be allowed to retreat to his tent [[/note]]. However, an impasse is still an impediment to total victory. Krishna understands this and devises a “clever plan” to completely neutralize Bhishma - via LoopholeAbuse.

That war also started out just like any other typical Kshatriyas war. There were intricate RulesOfEngagement about who to duel, when to duel, how to duel, barring warriors from ganging up on a lone enemy, halting warfare at sundown etc. These rules were laid down by Bhishma, who, despite fighting for the Kauravas, was actually fighting as a LawfulNeutral - inflicting only sufficient damage so as to keep the conflict stalemated. However, after he is taken down on day ten, the conflict ‘’changes’’.

Bhishma was effectively an InvincibleHero who could not be killed due to his boon of being able to choose when he can die. As a LawfulNeutral, he didn’t go all out to defeat the Pandavas and win the war, but he didn’t let the Kauravas be defeated either. His “strategy” was to turn this conflict into a ForeverWar that no side could win - until both sides grew weary and sat down to negotiate. In order to further this strategy of intentional impasse, he imposed complex RulesOfEngagement that in many cases allowed for a warrior to be defeated without having to be killed [[note]] an unarmed, unconscious, dismounted warrior must be allowed to retreat to his tent [[/note]]. However, an impasse is still an impediment to total victory. Krishna understands this and devises a “clever plan” to completely neutralize Bhishma - via LoopholeAbuse.

On Day 17, Arjuna finally engages Karna in an archery duel. In the midst of this duel, Karna’s chariot wheel gets stuck in the mud and partially sinks into it. Karna dismounts to free the stuck wheel, and as he is struggling with it, Arjuna shoots him dead. The remaining Kaurava allies spin this as an act of cowardice - after all, the RulesOfEngagement forbade a chariot borne archer from attacking a defenseless dismounted opponent. Sure, a curse manifested that ensured Karna’s death in this manner, but this incident also serves as an important lesson in maneuver warfare.

After executing this raid, thinking he’d won, Ashwathama returned to find Duryodhana’s dead. With no king left to serve anymore, Ashwathama relocated to Sage Vyasa’s Ashram to do penance. He thinks he needs to atone because this nighttime raid wasn’t an honorable Warriorly thing to do. But because he actually failed his mission, the enraged Pandavas corner him there. And then this intra-dynastic conflict almost destroys the entire universe when both sides fire [[SacredBowAndArrow brahmastras]],at each other. Since the brahmastra is guaranteed to destroy whatever it is fired at, two of them fired at each other will destroy the universe. Vyas’s realizes this and implores both Arjuna and Ashwathama to recall their weapons. Arjuna complies, but Ashwathama, bereft of the knowledge to do so, cannot recall his brahmastra. When reprimanded for his foolishness in using this kind of weapon for a mere mortal conflict, and told to redirect his brahmastra, Ashwathama uses it to kill Arjuna’s as yet unborn grandson. For this act, the jewel embedded in Ashwathama’s forehead is cut out of him, leaving an open bleeding wound. Krishna then condemns him to [[WoundThatWillNotHeal suffer from that wound bleeding and oozing pus for eternity]] and to wander the world [[TheGrovel begging for sympathy and acceptance]] but [[NoSympathy never receiving any]].

A [[AddedAlliterativeAppeal devastated, despondent Dronacharya]] throws his weapons away, dismounts from his chariot and just sits down on the ground in shock and grief. He has clearly passed the DespairEventHorizon. Drishtadyumna, the son of the recently slain Drupad immediately also dismounts from his chariot, draws his sword and executes Dronacharya by decapitation right then and there. [[YouKilledMyFather His father is avenged!]]

Think that defeating Duryodhana and leaving him to die would end the war? Think again! Because [[RealityEnsues as long as he lives and is lucid, Duryodhana can still dole out orders to his surviving army.]] Andhe does exactly that by ordering his new General Ashwathama to break the most sacrosanct rule of warfare - to never attack an enemy when he is asleep at night. And in this raid, Ashwathama killed five sleeping boys - Draupadi’s five sons, also known as the Uppa-Pandavas.

In the beginning of the war, Duryodhana wants to appoint his best friend Karna as his General-in-Chief. But he is forced to appoint Bheeshma for political reasons - namely to gain all of Bheeshma’s allies and gain a numerical advantage. But, after about eight days into the war and nothing to show for it, Duryodhana angrily berates Bheeshma for not trying to win the war. Insolent disrespectful behavior? Yes! Because Bheeshma is his grandsire and is a superior warrior. But Bheeshma is also acting like any political General - doing just enough to keep his job and avoid defeat, but also not willing to try to win the war outright. And just like how Abraham Lincoln and FDR routinely criticized and even fired ineffective generals, Duryodhana was trying to do the same. After Bheeshma fell in battle, Duryodhana was forced to appoint his old mentor Dronacharya in order to retain Bheeshma’s allies.

What kind of warfare is it where you spread a malicious lie about an old man’s son dying, and then execute that defenseless old man in cold blood while he is deep in the throes of grief and shock? ’’’Psychological Warfare’’’! Very effective psychological warfare through the clever use of disinformation to sap an adversary’s will to fight, and then “[[JustForPun executing]]” a tactical action while the effect of that disinformation is most profound. Psychological operations often use disinformation, propaganda, the generation of disturbing stimuli such as pictures and sounds to lower enemy morale. Think back to the infamous Tokyo Rose and Axis Sally warning American infantrymen during UsefulNotes/WorldWar2 that their wives or girlfriends were [[YourCheatingHeart sleeping around on them while they were risking their lives]]. Think back to American troops blasting rock music in Panama to fray Noriega’s nerves to get him to surrender. Even outside warfare, this tactic is used, like for example “sledging” in cricket, or catcher trash talk in baseball. Psychological warfare may not be an honorable way to fight, but it is an effective way to win. The Pandavas' shame at having used this tactic is because they are still in the process of transitioning from honor-bound Warriors to results-oriented Soldiers.

The seeds for this change was actually laid before formal commencement of battle by Krishna, when Arjuna was hesitant about fighting his own kin and even his own guru Dronacharya (more on him later). Krishna flipped the concept of ‘’Kshatriya dharma’’ (warrior code of conduct) to ‘’dharma Kshatriya’’ (warrior fighting for justice) and said that this wasn’t just an ordinary warrior duel, but a war over ideology. Arjuna had to fight not just for control of a kingdom, but for virtue to prevail over evil. He was therefore turning Arjuna into a ‘’soldier with a mission’’. This meant that if the Warrior code was preventing virtue from triumphing over sin, it lost precedence to the greater good of vanquishing that evil foe. He was teaching Arjuna that TheEndJustifiesTheMeans as long as that ‘’end’’ is noble. This is the type of thinking we expect from soldiers today.

! Dronacharya - a Soldier among Warriors

Bhima, upon Krishna’s urging, kills a war elephant named Ashwathama. Ashwathama just happens to be the name of Drona’s beloved son. Bhima then starts roaring “I killed Ashwathama, my guru! I killed him!” Dronacharya doesn’t believe him at first, and demands to talk to Yudhistra, who has a reputation for being absolutely truthful all the time. When Dronacharya asks Yudhistra if this rumor of his son Ashwathama’s death is true, Yudhistira replies “Yes!” [[note: Yudhistira was technically truthful, as someone named Ashwathama did die. It just wasn’t "Dronacharya‘s son Ashwathama". [[/note]]

On Day 14, Arjuna goes on a RoaringRampageOfRevenge, targeting Jayadratha for the death of his son Abhimanyu. He vows to kill Jayadratha before the sun sets, or failing that, immolate himself. While this kind of oath may be common in warrior societies, Day 14 shows how this can actually be a tactical detriment - because you ‘’not only announced to the adversary which target you need to kill, but also a deadline for killing it’’! Your enemy can now turtle up and HoldTheLine against you till your own self-imposed deadline is reached!

However, the reluctance of the other Pandavas to order Bheema to strike the low blow, and the fury that Balarama flies into after that low blow is struck, demonstrates that the very concept of AttackItsWeakPoint is a soldierly thing to do, and not something an honorable warrior will do. This is because weak points not only [[ForMassiveDamage inflict horrendous damage if struck]], they are also difficult to defend. In Duryodhana’s own case, it was near impossible for him to deflect a mace blow aimed low, as the mace is actually unwieldy, while different weapons just cannot stand up to the mace’s bulk. Similarly, a double tap to the head cannot be protected by either armor or dodging.

The situation with Ashwathama and the brahmastra vs brahmastra face off is an examination of what happens when a rational actor squares off against an ''irrational'' actor with WMDs. The rational actor knows that a WMD is primarily a ''deterrent'' and is only to be used when the situation [[GodzillaThreshold is at its most dire]]. An irrational actor like Ashwathama will use WMDs for more baser primal reasons such as hatred or {{Revenge}}. Therefore deterrence will not work. An irrational actor is much more likely to attack first. So, all that a rational actor can do is respond and ensure MutuallyAssuredDestruction. Which may also be something that an irrational adversary [[TakingYouWithMe desires]]. So what else can be done to win this kind of engagement? This incident shows that a unilateral de escalation after an initial retaliatory strike goes a long way. De-escalating almost always gains you the moral high ground since you and your adversary are not in a complete vacuum without other observers. Observers who may either be individually powerful (like Rishi Vyasa in this incident), or collectively powerful such as the entire international community. If a rational actor de-escalates, this powerful onserver(s) will intervene and punish the irrational actor, because he did not de-escalate. But, as shown when Ashwathama redirected his brahmastra towards a fetus, this approach means that the rational actor must accept some amount of massive damage, before his irrational foe is stopped for good.

But what was that sixteen year old boy doing? He wasn’t some noncombatant, nor was he a ChildSoldier meant to be pitied and rescued instead of fought. He was a military age (just barely) male who had conducted a classic behind enemy lines commando raid. The reason he conducted this raid was because the Kauravas had altered their strategy on Day 11. That alteration in strategy is further discussed in the section below on Dronacharya. Basically the Kauravas dared the Pandavas to attack them, turtled up into a seemingly impregnable formation and lured the Pandavas’ best Warrior Arjun away with a diversionary attack. The objective was to defeat and capture Yudhistira, the rather weak eldest Pandava, then ransom him for victory.

While this incident is a horrific tale of feticide averting the apocalypse, this incident would also serve as a prescient study of the dynamics of [[MutuallyAssuredDestruction nuclear brinkmanship]], since in this case, the brahmastra served as an allegory to a WMD. While the usual dynamic is that of a GameOfChicken where just choosing not to play is the best move for both sides, this dynamic assumes the existence of rational actors.

This raid itself wasn’t the [[MoralEventHorizon unpardonable sin that]] Ashwathama committed. The raid was instead an UrExample of a classic nighttime commando raid. Many such raids have been carried out in history and myth, such as the sacking of Troy, the Trenton raid, numerous examples of raids carried out during the American Civil War, World War 2 SOE and Commando raids, and in recent times, the raid that killed Osama Abington Laden. And assassination has also been a long staple in warfare, with the infamous hashishim being the TropeBuilder. This raid could well have become the UrExample of a nighttime assassination - if it had actually succeeded. Because this raid is also a cautionary tale on how not to conduct nighttime raids.