Pariprashnena — Q&A Archive

Haribol Onkar. According to a version just before the war on the meeting with Duryodhana. Krishna requested him to give half of his country, then five villages, or five houses or at least one house to Pandavas. Duryodhana refuses to give even to give space taken by a needle point. That is the time when Krishna had shown his visvarupa to Duryodhana.

Then why did Duryodhana accept to give 5 mystic arrows empowered by Bhisma to Yudhisthira?

Okay first instance is the last request by Krishna before the battle:

"On the eve of battle I myself came and in the presence of all men begged of thee only five villages. Afflicted by Time, and moved by covetousness, thou didst not grant my request. Through thy fault, O king, all the Kshatriya race hath been exterminated! Bhishma, and Somadatta, and Valhika, and Kripa, and Drona and his son, and the wise Vidura, always solicited thee for peace. Thou didst not, however, follow their counsels!"

The advice that the king regrets not following later: "In the midst of the assembly, Krishna told me what was for my good, saying, "A truce (tense) to hostilities, O king! Let thy son take the whole kingdom! Give but five villages to the Pandavas!" Fool that I was, for not following that advice, I am now obliged to repent so poignantly! "

I have heard that in the middle of the battle Arjuna (or was Yudhisthira as you claim) asked for a boon of five arrows (that Bhishma was to use). Some speakers embellish it suggesting that Duryodhana offered some truce at this point (half of a kingdom or five villages). But I can not see this exact reference in the text. Do you know the exact reference or you just heard it?

It is written in the Mahabharata by Krishna Dharma Pr.
May be we can ask him about this issue.
Is he there on this website as some user?
Because He is too much busy currently in His works He does not answer emails immediately .

Again. In the KDs Mahabharata (Chapter Bhismas Vow) it is Arjuna who goes to get the arrows that Bhishma chanted on from Duryodhana.

Here is a quote from the book that explains it all and answers your question (did you actually read it?), it does not mention the storytellers embelishments about him offering five vilages, just an insult of "have you come to ask for the kingdom without a fight?":

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Duryodhana stood up in surprise as Arjuna was shown in. "Hail, O Partha, " he said, pointing to a seat near his bed. "You are welcome. Tell me why you are here? Have you come to ask for the kingdom without a fight? If so, then I will give it to you at once. "

Arjuna knew that Duryodhana was being facetious. Arjuna would never beg for anything. If he were to take the kingdom now, it would only be at the end of the war, after his enemies were slain. But he obviously wanted something. Duryodhana looked at him curiously.

Arjuna continued to stand. "O hero, I have come here remembering that you offered me a boon. Do you recall that promise?"

Duryodhana shrank with shame as he thought back to that day. "Yes, of course I remember it well. What would you ask of me?"

"I believe you have here five arrows, O Bharata. I wish to have them. "

Duryodhana looked at him with shock, but without hesitation he reached down and picked up the arrows. Placing them across his out-sretched hands, he offered them to Arjuna. "Take them at once, Partha, but pray tell me how you knew about them. "

Taking the arrows and thanking Duryodhana, Arjuna told him that Krishna had informed him of their existence. He then took his leave and returned to Yudhisthiras tent, leaving Duryodhana seated on his bed, wringing his hands. Krishna again!...

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So where did you get it from;-)?