(Without getting into the details, let us note that the war lasted eighteen days. Many of the battles were fairly monotonous and a day’s events could be summarized in a few paragraphs. Others were so thrilling that each may take several episodes to complete. The whole epic spreads over eighteen books. We are currently on the sixth.)
Battle formation
Yudhishthira asked Dhrishtadyumna to make the famous battle formation resembling a bird with a long neck (Curlew – “Krauncha”). Brihaspati, the priest of gods had suggested this formidable formation to Indra in the war against the demons. Arjuna stood guarding the crown of the bird’s head with Drupada right behind him. Bhima and Dhrishtadyumna occupied the wings. Other veteran fighters guarded similar vital points. The Pandavas were ready before dawn to face the enemy in this formation. It looked solid and difficult for the enemy to penetrate.
Duryodhana came to know of this unique defense of the Pandavas. He organized his army into a suitable formation to counter the challenge with the help of Bhishma. With that, the Kaurava grandsire made an all out thrust into the Pandava army. What was meant to be a fool proof defense system cracked open under the onslaught of Bhishma. The Pandava army perished in great numbers s and there was, again, panic in their ranks.
Arjuna against Bhishma
We have so far not talked about one outstanding gift of Arjuna. He was called Savyasachi, meaning, one who could use either of his hands with equal effect. No other hero in the whole of Indian epics is attributed with this unique quality. Onlookers always admired watching Arjuna sending arrows with equal ease using his two hands.
The Pandava hero, Arjuna, observed the predicament of his forces and requested Krishna to take him where Bhishma was. The two fought fiercely against each other. Each moved about the other to get a vantage point for attack. Arrows fell as showers from each bow against the other’s chariot, horses and charioteer. The battle was so intense that after a while it was difficult to identify who was who except from the mark of the flag. It is said that gods assembled in the sky looking down to watch the unique combat between two equal warriors.
Duryodhana, after a while, feared danger for the grandsire from the Gandiva, Arjuna’s bow. So, he asked a large contingent of the army to go for Bhishma’s support. But, it was well known that only two on the Kaurava side, Drona and Karna, apart from Bhishma himself, could stand against Arjuna. Drona was already busy elsewhere and Karna would not join the war while Bhisma lead the army. So, Arjuna, in no time, annihilated thousands of warriors who came to support Bhishma.
Duryodhana was worried watching the spell cast on his army by Arjuna’s Gandiva. He went and complained to Bhishma that he was being too soft with his favourite Pandava. But, Bhishma retorted saying that he had advised against a war with the Pandavas repeatedly. Nonetheless, he was trying his best.
But, the words of Duryodhana had the desired effect on the aged Kaurava warrior and Bhishma fought with renewed energy against his young opponent.
Dhrishtadyumna against Drona
Elsewhere, the Acharya (teacher) of the Pandavas and Kauravas was destroying the Pandava forces in large numbers. Dhrishtadyumna, the Pandava general and the born enemy of Drona, could not tolerate the unchecked march of the Acharya into the Pandava ranks. He challenged Drona to face him first before targeting others who were much weaker. The two got engaged into a fierce battle. The brave Panchala prince stood firm against the powerful missiles from Drona for a while. But, the Acharya managed to send a well aimed arrow against the charioteer of Dhrishtadyumna killing him instantaneously. Undaunted, Dhrishtadyumna jumped down with a mace in hand and ran towards Drona intent on accomplishing his life’s mission at the very moment. But, One of Drona’s arrows cut the mace into pieces. That did not swerve the Panchala from his aim and he continued towards Drona’s chariot taking up a sword. But, Drona cut the sword also into pieces and sent a shower of arrows against the Pandava general. Bhima was just in time to notice the predicament of Dhrishtadyumna and pulled him into his own chariot. The two, then, started a joint attack against Drona.
Duryodhana was apprehensive of the Acharya’s safety as he was waging a lone attack for a long time. So, he sent the powerful contingent of the famous Kalinga forces to support Drona. The Kalingas encircled Bhima and sent arrows against him from all sides. But, the Pandava fought even harder when faced with the threat from the huge Kalinga forces. He started killing them in the thousands and the remaining started fearing for their own safety.
Bhishma was quick to come to the relief of the Kalingas and that brought Satyaki and Abhimanyu into the scene. One of carefully aimed arrows from Satyaki struck Bhishma’s charioteer and the horses ran away, out of control from the battle field. Bhishma’s exit demoralized the Kaurava army and the Pandavas made good use of the opportunity.
When the day ended the Pandavas could let out a sigh of relief, contending that they had more than compensated for the first day’s losses.
