Abhimanyu’s killing was a very ignoble act, violating the rules of the war. Sanjaya reported it with disgust to Dhritarashtra. Yuyutsu, one of Dhritarashtra’s sons, was so angry and ashamed of his brothers and their friends, that he threw down his arms and left the battlefield. Yudhishthira mourned for Abhimanyu, miserable that it was he […]
Drona was hurt and angry with Duryodhana accusing him not capturing Yudhishthira or killing Arjuna. The next day, Arjuna was drawn away once more by the Trigartas. Drona arranged his forces in the chakravyuha formation. Abhimanyu knew how to break the formation, but did not know how to get out of it. However, Yudhishthira, Bhima
Duryodhana and his forces realized that Arjuna would have to be drawn away if they wanted to reach Yudhishthira. So Susarma, the chief of Trigarta, and his army decided to draw Arjuna by luring him on to kill them. Arjuna placed the safety of Yudhishthira in the hands of Satyajit and Vrikra, princes of Panchala,
Duryodhana and Karna had a discussion and decided that Drona was the right person to lead the Kaurava forces after Bhishma. He was installed as the General with pomp and ceremony. For five days Drona commanded the army. Despite his age he caused great damage to the enemy forces. Duryodhana, Karna and Duhshasana wanted to
As Bhishma lay dying, Karna came to him to seek his forgiveness and blessings, bowing before him as Radha’s son. Bhishma revealed that he knew Karna was Surya’s and Kunti’s son. He had been told by Sage Narada. He had wanted Karna to be friends with the Pandavas on his own. But he had no
Shikhandin’s vow had to be fulfilled. Arjuna had decided to kill Bhishma. So keeping Shikhandin in front of him, on the tenth day Arjuna attacked Bhishma. Covered with arrows from the bows of Shikhandin and Arjuna, Bhishma knew his end was near. As Bhishma fell, the arrows supported his body, preventing him from falling to
As the war went on day after day, many warriors were killed, including the ten sons of Satyaki. Virata’s third son, Sanga, died. Duryodhana was injured by Bhima but rescued on time by Kripacharya. Many more of Duryodhana’s brothers were killed by Bhima. Whenever possible, Drona and Dhrishtadyumna met in combat. Bhishma, Yudhishthira, Arjuna, Abhimanyu,
Every day, the battle brought violent death to warriors. Many heroic deeds were performed on both sides and many worthy men died. Many of the sons of Dhritarashtra were killed every day. Dhritarashtra had asked Sanjaya to narrate the daily action of battle to him and Sanjaya told him all the details. Dhritarashtra complained that
The third day saw another ferocious battle. Both the armies in formation clashed violently. Bhishma led the Kaurava charge with Duryodhana. Bhima and Arjuna fanned out to attack the Kauravas. Bhisma and Drona attacked Yudhishthira who was supported by Nakula and Sahadeva. Shakuni attacked Satyaki and Abhimanyu, but was defeated by them. Bhima and Ghatotkacha
Duryodhana led his forces into battle as did Bhima from the Pandava side. The noise was shattering, with drums, conches, pipes and war-cries, as well as the cries of wounded and dying men. On the first day, Bhishma caused a lot of death and destruction. Young Abhimanyu attacked to stop him but was not successful.
The armies drew up opposite each other at Kurukshetra. To everyone’s surprise, Yudhishthira took off his armour and walked to the enemy side. He went to Bhishma, Drona, Kripacharya and his uncle Salya, and sought their blessings before returning to his chariot and putting on his armour again. Arjuna was seated in his chariot with
In those days, a battle was to end at sunset. No one was to attack the serving attendants like flag-bearers and drummers. If someone surrendered, left the field or was unarmed, he was not attacked. Combat was between equals, that is chariot against chariot, elephant against elephant and horsemen against horsemen. Foot-soldiers fought foot-soldiers. If
Rukmini was the only daughter of Bhismaka, King of Vidarbha. She had decided to marry Krishna, but her eldest brother, Rukma wished her to marry Shishupala, King of Chedi, and persuaded his father also to agree. When preparations for the marriage began at Kundinapura, she sent a messenger to Krishna telling him of her resolve
All discussions had failed. War was certain. The armies were getting ready with seven divisions of the Pandavas and eleven divisions of the Kauravas, each division under a noble warrior, with chariots, elephants and foot-soldiers. The Pandavas had their divisions under Drupada, Virata, Dhrishtadyumna, Shikhandin, Satyaki, Chekitana and Bhimasena. Balarama withdrew from the war because
Karna’s ear-rings and armour were divine protective gifts from his father, Surya. Indra wished to protect his son Arjuna against Karna. So he went, disguised as a Brahmana, and begged the ear-rings and armour from Karna. Karna had been warned by Surya, but he was unable to turn down the request. So, he gave them
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