Bhima Captures and Humiliates Jayadratha

Jayadratha saw the two brothers raise their weapons and understood what was coming. He was miserable. He wished to live. He fled. But Bhima was faster. He descended from his chariot and ran after the fleeing king on foot. When he caught him, he grasped him by the hair on his head, raised him up, and crushed him down against the ground. He seized him by the neck and thrashed him. When Jayadratha regained his senses and tried to rise, Bhima kicked him in the head with his feet. He struck him with his thighs and his fists. Under the blows, the king lost consciousness. Arjuna restrained Bhima. "For Duhshala's sake," he said — Duhshala was their sister, Jayadratha's wife — "remember what the king has said." Bhima was not ready to listen. "This wicked and stupid one does not deserve to be alive. This worst of men has oppressed Krishna, who did not deserve it. How can I possibly do what the compassionate king has said? Out of your childish intelligence, you are always trying to restrain me." He took an arrow with a head shaped like a half-moon. He shaved Jayadratha's head until only five tufts of hair remained — the mark of a slave, a public sign of utter humiliation. Jayadratha said nothing. Bhima told him: "If you wish to remain alive, listen to what I am telling you. In public gatherings and assemblies, you must say that you are our slave. I will then grant you your life. This is known to be the custom of the victorious." Jayadratha, scared for his life, agreed. Bhima bound him so he could not move and placed him — unconscious, dirty with dust — on his chariot. He drove to the center of the hermitage where Yudhishthira was seated, and displayed Jayadratha in that state. Yudhishthira looked at him. He laughed. Then he said: "Set him free." Bhima said: "Tell Droupadi that this evil-minded one has become a slave of the sons of Pandu." Yudhishthira replied, affectionately: "If you have any respect for me, act so as to set him free." Droupadi glanced at Yudhishthira. She too told Bhima: "Set the king's slave free — the one you have shaved with five tufts left." Jayadratha was freed. He showed his respects to Yudhishthira. In bewilderment, he honored all the sages who were there. Yudhishthira, the son of Dharma, said: "You are free. Go as a free man. But do not act in this way again. Shame on you. You lusted after a woman. You are mean and your companions are mean. Who but the worst of men can act in this fashion?" Though Jayadratha had performed an evil act, Yudhishthira saw him bereft of his senses and was moved by compassion. "May dharma increase in your intelligence. May your mind never turn towards adharma again. O Jayadratha! Go in peace, with your horses, your chariots and your infantry." Jayadratha was ashamed. He lowered his face a little. He was silent. He left.