Ghatotkacha against Duryodhana

The demon, Ghatotkacha, was nearby when Iravan was killed by Alambusha. Before he could do anything all was over. Ghatotkacha was in pain and in great anger. He let out a terrible roar challenging the entire Kaurava army and started butchering the Kaurava army mercilessly.
Duryodhana knew that he had to do something before the matter was out of hand. He arrived with a huge force comprising thousands of elephant mounted soldiers and stood blocking the way of Ghatotkacha. Sighting the Kaurava, the son of Bhima roared. “Today I shall take revenge for all your misdeeds against my father and uncles”. So saying, he attacked Duryodhana with all his might.

A terrible fight ensued between the son of Bhima and the Kaurava. Bhishma heard the roar let out by Ghatotkacha and suspected that Duryodhana’s life might be in danger. He asked all the mighty warriors like Drona, Salya, Kripa and Aswatthama to go in support of the Kaurava prince. Ghatotkacha was unconcerned finding the reinforcement from the Kaurava ranks. He continued his onslaught against the enemies with renewed vigour. The Kauravas, on their part, started sending powerful arrows aimed at the chest of Ghatotkacha. Many pierced through his body. The demon roared again, this time because of all the arrows that were stuck on his body making him resemble a porcupine.

Yudhishthira heard the roar and sensed that the son of Bhima was facing a concerted attack from the enemies. He asked Bhima to go in support of his son along with Abhimanyu and many other able warriors. The arrival of Bhimasena on the scene turned the Kaurava faces pale because of all the recent reverses they experienced on account of him. The battle grew in intensity. At the end the Pandavas managed to force the Kaurava army to retreat.

Duryodhana did not like what was happening. He came forward and faced Bhima on his own. The Pandava was struck by several sharp arrows sent by the Kaurava prince. Bhima lost his balance at one stage and was floored on his chariot, unable to hold himself up.

Ghatotkacha was angered by the sight of his father suffering at the hands of his arch rival. He fought even harder to punish the Kaurava army further. He used his powers of illusion and made it appear as though thousands like him attacked the Kauravas with bows, arrows, javelins, swords and all sorts of weapons. The Kaurava army was frightened beyond words by this and it started dispersing in all directions.

Duryodhana complains to Bhishma

Duryodhana rushed to the grandsire reporting the turn of events. He complained that, if that was how his grand father desired, then, he would risk his own life and face Ghatotkacha alone. Bhishma consoled Duryodhana and sent Bhagadatta against the demon. The king of Pragjyotisha was particularly effective fighting on his well trained elephant, called Supratheekam. Bhagadatta managed to inflict heavy casualties on the Pandava army with his specialized elephant warfare.

It was only towards the evening that Arjuna came to know of his dear son’s death. He was in great pain. He lamented in front of Krishna that the war should have been avoided in the first place, if its consequence was so severe. Krishna managed to console his dear friend.

The Pandavas continued their fight against the Kauravas, now with a vengeance. Several brothers of Duryodhana surrounded Bhima in a combined attack. The Pandava killed nine of them. The rest of the Kauravas ran here and there unable to face Bhima in that mood. Thus, Bhima’s tally for the day was seventeen sons of Dhritarashtra.

The day ended with heavy casualties on either side.