Introduction
It is useful to note that the warrior class (Kshatriyas) took great pride in their skill in warfare. It was their performance in wars that gave them fame and recognition. Money mattered very little. It was also believed that death while fighting a war would take them straight to heaven. These factors influenced the psychology of Kshatriyas in those days.
Let us remember that Krishna was considered a god by most people. Bhishma certainly did. It was the belief that death at he hands of divine persons, like Krishna, would take one straight to that heaven from which there is no return to the birth and death cycles.
Battle formation
Bhishma arranged his forces in the eagle formation and chose the best of his warriors like Drona, Aswatthama (the son of Drona) and Salya (the uncle of Nakula and Sahadeva) to guard the vital positions. There were so many others, equally powerful and ready to fight until death, to support the army from within.
Arjuna noticed this and suggested the shape of the half moon for the Pandava formation. Dhrishtadyumna did accordingly and, as usual, asked the like of Bhima and Drupada (the king of Panchala) to occupy key positions.
Bhima against Duryodhana
Bhima faced his arch rival, Duryodhana that day. The two fought fiercely against one another for a long time. Then, one of Bhima’s well aimed arrows pierced through the armour of the Kaurava prince. He sat in his chariot shaken by the hard blow. His charioteer drove him out of the battle field to save his life. The Kaurava army, then, started to disperse in all directions seeing their dear prince leaving the field. Bhima continued to chase the fleeing army and started destroy it by sending sharp arrows. Even Bhishma and Drona could not hold the army back in the field. Duryodhana, after a lot of effort, managed to get the army back in order to face the Pandava onslaught.
Duryodhana, then, complained to Bhishma, as he often did, about the Pandava’s incursion into his army while the latter was in command. Bhishma, reminded the Kaurava about his old age and the superior skill of the Pandavas, but, promised to do his best.
The Pandavas were in a relaxed mood in the afternoon after winning the battle decisively in the morning. It was then that they noticed the sudden thrust of the Kaurava army into their midst let out by Bhishma. The Kaurava grandsire appeared, as though, he had multiplied himself many fold and was fighting at several places at the same time. The Pandava soldiers fell down in thousands. Unable to stand against Bhishma, the Pandava army took flight in all directions.
Krishna spoke to Arjuna in a persuasive tone. “Arjuna, the time has come for which you have been waiting. Face the grandsire boldly. Otherwise, he will destroy your army completely in no time”.
Arjuna accepted the challenge and asked Krishna to drive his chariot straight to the front of the veteran Bhishma. Arjuna fought with so much vigour that the senior Kaurava enjoyed the show for a while. Then, as if to test the skill of the Pandava further, Bhishma continued his onslaught even more ferociously. Krishna was disappointed with Arjuna and thought that his friend was too soft on the senior Kaurava. He cried out, “Arjuna, if you do not want to hurt your grand father, then I will have to do that on your behalf”. So saying, Krishna jumped out of the chariot and rushed to Bhishma with his discus in hand.
Bhishma observed the turn of events and saw Krishna, who had promised not to take up arms, rushing towards him with his discus, the Sudarshana, in hand. He said. “Krishna, you are welcome. I bow to you. I am ready to die at this very moment, if my death comes by your hand. What better way can I hope to die and get salvation instantaneously?”
Arjuna was aghast watching at the turn of events. He rushed after Krishna and pulled him back into the chariot with great difficulty.
Krishna observed the change of mood in Arjuna and blew his conch shell, the Panchajanya, the sound from which filled all the horizons. That was followed by the twangs from Arjuna’s Gandiva creating terror in the enemy’s hearts.
Arjuna , then, fought so fiercely that none could stand against him. All the veteran Kauravas rallied against Arjuna. But, the Pandava stood firm and thwarted their attacks with ease. In the meanwhile he continued to destroy the Kaurava forces in great numbers.
When the day ended the Kauravas suffered so heavily that everyone on their side left the battle field with a heavy heart.
