“Do not blame yourself for Karna’s death,” said sage Narada to Yudhishthira, “He himself was responsible for it. I tell you the story behind it.” Right from boyhood Karna was more interested in warfare than in driving a chariot like his father Adhiratha. So, he went to learn the use of the weapons from preceptor […]
Dhritrashtra was inconsolable after learning of the death of Duryodhana and Draupadi’s five sons. Grief-stricken he stated, “By killing Draupadi’s five sons Ashwatthama ended the lineage of Hastinapur.”Then sage Vyasa told Dhritrashtra to treat the Pandavas as his sons and offer adoration to them. Just then all the Pandavas, Draupadi and Krishna reached there. Dhritrashtra
Ashwatthama was planning to do away with the Pandavas that night. He, Kripacharya and Kritavarma were the only warriors left. They all reached the Pandava camp stealthily.In the camp, Draupadi’s five sons were sleeping. Ashwatthama killed them thinking them to be the Pandavas. He also killed Dhrishtdyumna sleeping in another camp. Then he set the
When Duryodhana proved more than a match for Bhima. Krishna patted his thigh to draw the attention of Bhima. Seeing this Bhima recollected his vow and struck Duryodhana’s thigh. As a result, Duryodhana’s thigh bone was broken. Duryodhana fell down and Bhima stamped on him. Duryodhana kept on crying in pain. Just then Balarama reached
On the sixteenth day, Duryodhana appointed Shalya, king of Madra, Commander-in-chief. The war resumed. Bhima was doing away with the rest of Duryodhana’s brothers. Sahadeva sent Shakuni to the abode of the Death-god. Yudhishthira and Shalya were engaged in a fierce battle. Both the maternal uncle and the nephew were adept at throwing javelins. Finally,
Duryodhana felt grieved at the death of Drona. Dhritrashtra was cursing the Pandavas. On the sixteenth day, Karna was appointed the next commander-in-chief of the Kaurava army. Arjuna with Bhima attacked Karna. Finding Karna alone Dushasana reached there. Bhima’s rage was uncontrollable when he looked at Dushasana who had humiliated Draupadi. He tore off Dushasana’s
Filled with rage against the killing of Jayadratha the Kauravas broke the rules of the battle and attacked the Pandavas even after sunset.Ghatotkacha was Bhima’s son by Hidimba (a she-monster). He and his demon forces became more powerful and ferocious at night and attacked the Kaurava army throwing it into complete confusion. Duryodhana told Karna
Arjuna sped to where Jayadratha was. A fierce battle began between the two. Krishna knew that there was a solar eclipse. So, he was quiet. Soon, darkness prevailed. Arjuna was dumb founded. He dropped his Gandiva. Jayadratha with the other Kaurava warriors went up to Arjuna and burst out laughing. Jayadratha spoke out, “Bring logs
The Kaurava army was to defend Jayadratha on the fourteenth day because they knew of Arjuna’s vow to slay him. Drona placed Jayadratha safely at the back with a strong formation around him. The day’s battle began as Arjuna started to tear through the Kaurava forces, moving steadily closer to Jayadratha. Duryodhana, as usual, accused
On the thirteenth day, Arjuna was carried away once more by the army led by Susharma. Fighting against Susharma, Arjuna was led away in the southern direction. Krishna knew all this. So, he was smiling when Arjuna was not there. Drona arrayed his forces in chakravyuha (lotus formation). Abhimanyu knew how to enter the formation,
Drona commanded the army. Duryodhana knew that Drona too did not wish to harm the Pandavas. So, he devised a crafty scheme. On the eleventh day Duryodhana, Karna and Dushasana persuaded Drona to take Yudhishthira captive. They stated that they would not harm the other Pandavas. It made Drona very happy. The spy of the
On the ninth day, Bhishma caused serious harm to the Pandava army. The Pandavas knew that Bhishma had to be killed if they wanted to win the battle. So, keeping Shikhandi in front of him, Arjuna attacked Bhishma. Seeing Shikhandi Bhishma gave up his bow and arrows.As Bhishma fell, the arrows supported his body, preventing
Being blind Dhritrashtra could not witness the battle. So, sage Veda Vyasa had provided Sanjaya with divine vision so that Sanjaya might watch the proceedings taking place on the battlefield. Sanjaya daily narrated to the king the scene of the battlefield.One day, Dhritrashtra complained that Sanjaya gave him only bad news. There was nothing to
On the fourth day, both the sides came to battle. Duryodhana tried to surround Abhimanyu unethically but Dhrishtdyumna dashed his plan to the ground. Thereafter, Duryodhana let loose a herd of intoxicated elephants on the Pandava army. But Bhima drove them back to the Kauravas. The elephants crushed seven of Kaurava brothers and injured Duryodhana
Krishna’s sermon dispelled Arjuna’s sorrow and he got ready to fight. Dushasana was at the forefront of the Kaurava army whereas Bhima took the vanguard of the Pandava army. The two armies sounded victory bugles.On the first day, Bhishma caused a lot of death and destruction. Young Abhimanyu along with the other Pandavas attacked to