It is in the 64th Chapter of Karna Parva , a mention of Bhargava Astra was made for the first time in Mahabharata.
Interestingly, here the mention of Vijaya bow, which is also an interpolated version, was also made.
The following are the narrations from 64th Chapter of Karna Parva, which are also available to BORI’s version.
a) Karna discharges Bhargavastra
एवमुक्त्वा महाराज सूतपुत्रः प्रतापवान् । प्रगृह्य विजयं वीरो धनुःश्रेष्ठं पुरातनम् ॥
सज्यं कृत्वा महाराज संमृज्य च पुनः पुनः ॥
संनिवार्य च योधान्स्वान्सत्येन शपथेन च । प्रायोजयदमेयात्मा भार्गवास्त्रं महाबलः ॥
Having said these words, the Suta's son of great valour, that hero, taking up his ancient and foremost of bows called Vijaya, stringed it and rubbed the string repeatedly. Bidding the troops stay on the field after having assured them upon his truth and by an oath, the mighty Karna of immeasurable soul fixed on his bow-string the weapon known by the name of Bhargava.
b) It was further mentioned here that lakhs, crores of arrows were emitted by that Bhargavastra.
ततो राजन्सहस्राणि प्रयुतान्यर्बुदानि च ।
कोटिशश्च शरास्तीक्ष्णा निरगच्छन्महामृधे ॥
From that weapon flowed, O king, millions and millions of keen arrows in that great battle.
c) Thereafter, Arjuna retreats observing the valour of Karna.
पश्य कृष्ण महाबाहो भार्गवास्त्रस्य विक्रमम् । नैतदस्त्रं हि समरे शक्यं हन्तुं कथञ्चन ॥
सूतपुत्रं च संरब्धं पश्य कृष्ण महारणे । अन्तकप्रतिमं वीरं कुर्वाणं कर्म दारुणम् ॥
सुतीक्ष्णं चोदयन्नश्वान्प्रेक्षते मां मुहुर्मुहुः । न च पश्यामि समरे कर्णस्य प्रपलायितम् ॥
जीवन्प्राप्नोति पुरुषः सङ्ख्ये जयपराजयौ । जितस्य तु हृषीकेश वध एव कुतो जयः ॥
Kunti's son Dhananjaya said unto Vasudeva these words, "Behold, O Krishna of mighty arms, the prowess of the bhargava weapon!
It cannot, by any means, be baffled! Behold the Suta's son also, O Krishna, filled with rage in this great battle and resembling the Destroyer himself, in prowess and employed in achieving such a fierce feat! Urging his steeds incessantly, he is repeatedly casting angry glances upon me!
I will never be able to fly away from Karna in battle! The person that is living, may, in battle, meet with either victory or defeat. To the man, however, that is dead, O Hrishikesha, even death is victory. How can defeat be his that is dead?"
——
In view of the following reasons, I have considered the above narrations about Bhargavastra are interpolated ones.
a) According to my study, there were many interpolated stories in the presently available version Mahabharata, consisting of 75,000+ shlokas.
The chapters from 54 to 77 in Karna parva are interpolated, ie., added at a later date. The following narrations will be available in the above interpolated chapters of Karna Parva.
· Retiring of Yudhisthira
· Shri Krishna and Arjuna meeting with Yudhisthira
· Yudhisthira’s angry words against Arjuna, remembering Karna’s valour
· Arjuna’s angered by Yudhisthira’s words
· Arjuna’s vow to kill Karna
b) The 64th Chapter falls in the above range of interpolated stories.
As far as I understood,
· Yudhishira’s doubting Arjuna’s valour is impossible thing. Yudhisthira is very confident of Arjuna’s valour.
· And, Arjuna’s anger towards Yudhisthira is also not possible. Even in the serious situation of humiliation meted out to them and to Draupadi, after the game of dice, Arjuna never showed anger towards Yudhisthira. How will he show anger towards Yudhisthira now?
c) Mention of Vijaya bow, along with Bhargavastra.
As I had already mentioned elsewhere, Karna possessing Vijaya bow is an interpolated story. Hence, mentioning of Bhargavastra alongwith Vijaya bow is also an interpolation.
d) This Bhargavastra was not used by Parashurama in the war with Bhishma
This war was mentioned in the final chapters of Udyoga Parva.
In that war, both Bhishma and Parashurama discharged many DIVINE weapons. However, Bharagastra was not mentioned in those DIVINE weapons.
In that war Parashurama did create a weapon, from which many arrows were discharged. However, Bhishma countered that UNNAMED weapon.
Does it indicate that Parashurama did not possess a DIVINE weapon by name Bhargavastra?
If he is really possessing such a weapon, then why did not he use against Bhishma.
e) Parashurama’s disciple Drona did not know about that Bhargavastra
Parashurama taught every weapon that he knew to Drona. And, Drona taught every weapon that he learnt from his Guru to Arjuna.
Hence, if Drona taught everything that he learnt to Arjuna, usage and countering of Bhargavastra might be known to Arjuna. If that was the case, why did Arjuna retreat?
The only logical conclusion is that Karna did not possess any weapon by name Bhargavastra. The 64th Chapter and subsequent chapter wherein usage of Bhargavastra was mentioned , must be interpolated chapters.
f) Karna did not use Bhargavastra on 14th to 16th days of the war
One to one duel occurred between Karna and Arjuna, from 14th day of the war onwards.
However, it was not mentioned Karna’s possessing and usage of Bhargavastra, against Arjuna from 14th day of the war to 16th day of the war.
Why?
g) It is beneath to his dignity for Arjuna to retreat
Why should a warrior like Arjuna, who faced Divine forces in the Khandavana Dahana episode or Gandharvas in Ghosha Yatra episode, will retreat?
It will be beneath his dignity to retreat.
h) Why did not Karna use the Bhargavastra in Ghosha Yatra?
If Karna is really in possession of Bhargavastra, he should have used against Gandharvas in Ghosha Yatra. Why did not he use it then?
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