Why did the Kauravs lose to the Gandhavras?

[ronki23]

The Kauravs had Duryodhan, Dushasana and Karna but they were defeated by the Gandhavras and Duryodhan captured. Is it simply because the Kauravs didn't bring a whole army and only a handful of soldiers?

Doesn't explain why only 5 Pandavs could defeat the Gandhavras when the Kauravs couldn't

 

[Aupmanyav]

"An akshauhini (Sanskrit: अक्षौहिणी akṣauhiṇī) is described in the Mahabharata (Adi Parva 2.15-23) as a battle formation consisting of 21,870 chariots (Sanskrit ratha); 21,870 elephants (Sanskrit gaja); 65,610 horses (Sanskrit turaga) and 109,350 infantry (Sanskrit pada sainyam). Thus one akshauhini consisted of 218,700 warriors (not including the charioteers, who didn't fight). The ratio is 1 chariot : 1 elephant : 3 cavalry : 5 infantry soldiers."
Akshauhini - Wikipedia

As per legend, Kaurava army had 18 Akshohini, Pandavas had 5. But they had Krishna with them, the ultimate problem solver.

 

[ronki23]

"An akshauhini (Sanskrit: अक्षौहिणी akṣauhiṇī) is described in the Mahabharata (Adi Parva 2.15-23) as a battle formation consisting of 21,870 chariots (Sanskrit ratha); 21,870 elephants (Sanskrit gaja); 65,610 horses (Sanskrit turaga) and 109,350 infantry (Sanskrit pada sainyam). Thus one akshauhini consisted of 218,700 warriors (not including the charioteers, who didn't fight). The ratio is 1 chariot : 1 elephant : 3 cavalry : 5 infantry soldiers."
Akshauhini - Wikipedia

As per legend, Kaurava army had 18 Akshohini, Pandavas had 5. But they had Krishna with them, the ultimate problem solver.

Kauravs had 11 Akshauhini, not 18.

Pandavs had 7 Akshauhini, not 5.

Thats beside the point: the Kauravs were captured by the Gandhavras and Karna fled

 

[Aupmanyav]

I am not sure about your figures, also have not heard about Kauravas being captured by Gandharvas. They all died, only Duryodhan survived the war. Karna fought bravely and died in action. He did not leave Duryodhana's side. Perhaps died by Arjuna's arrow. Remember, he was without the armour (kavacha).

 

[ronki23]

I am not sure about your figures, also have not heard about Kauravas being captured by Gandharvas. They all dies, only Duryodhan survived the war. Karna fought bravely and died in action. He did not leave Duryodhana's side. Perhaps died by Arjuna's arrow. Remember, he was without the armour (kavacha).

The Kauravs went to see the Pandavs in the 12th year of the latter's exile. Duryodhan wanted to gloat. The Kauravs went and encroached upon the Gandhavras lake (near to where the Pandavs were staying) and ended up being captured by the Gandhavras (except Karna who fled). It was only because of the Pandavs fighting the Gandhavras that the Kauravs were freed and Duryodhan humiliated.

How could the Kauravs expect to defeat the Pandavas if they couldn't even defeat the Gandhavras?

 

[Aupmanyav]

The Kauravs went to see the Pandavs in the 12th year of the latter's exile. Duryodhan wanted to gloat. The Kauravs went and encroached upon the Gandhavras lake (near to where the Pandavs were staying) and ended up being captured by the Gandhavras (except Karna who fled).

That is a different story two years before the Mahabharata war, and unconnected with it (Yaksha Prashna).