"It is true, O Keshava, that as long as the great grandsire (Bhishma) is alive, we will not win the war." Thus spoke Yuddhisthira to Krishna after the battle on the 9th day.
The time for the inevitable war had arrived. There was no turning back. Sounds of trumpets, conches and drums were revolving around the battlefield. Amidst this, the 2 assembled sea of armies descended on each other.
Day 1 belonged to the Kauravas. Virata's sons, Uttara and Shweta, was slained on this day.
Day 2 though belonged to Pandavas. Arjuna vanquishes the soldiers surrounding Bhishma. Then Bhishma and Arjuna have a long duel with each other. The highlight though was where Satyaki kills the charioteer of Bhishma who has to then retreat from the war.
On Day 3, Ghatotkacha (Bhima's rakshasa son from Hidimba) joins the war and they both form a terrible pair. Seeing them destroy his forces, Duryodhana criticizes Bhishma stating that he is showing leniency towards the Pandavas. Bhishma is agitated and he causes huge annihilation of the Pandava army. Arjuna again confronts Bhishma but Arjuna's heart is not fully committed in this battle against his grandsire.
On Day 4, Bhishma was in a terrible form. The previous night, Duryodhana had chided his leadership and skills and also stated, "Karna who can and is willing to slay the Pandavas is away from this war because of you. Your love for Pandavas is not allowing us to win the war. Let Karna participate."
As Bhishma was creating havoc in the Pandava camp, Arjuna proceeded to face him. Krishna saw that Arjuna was not fighting with full capacity. Angered by Arjuna's inaction, Krishna spoke, "Bhishma has killed hundreds of your soldiers. You are indebted to them. I have told you to do your Dharma as a Kshatriya (warrior). If you cannot do it, I will only kill Bhishma and ensure victory." Thus, Krishna got down from the chariot and proceeded towards Bhishma with a chakra in hand (It is interpreted as Sudharshana chakra in some versions and a chariot wheel in some versions). Seeing Krishna like this, Bhishma drops his weapons and surrenders, "Free me by killing me, o Krishna. Slain by you, I will achieve liberation. Bless me." Arjuna runs behind Krishna and falls at his feet, "O Keshav, Forgive my ignorance. Please don't break your vow because of me. I will fight wholeheartedly and kill Bhishma." Pacified, Krishna walks back and ascends the chariot again. 8 brothers of Duryodhana are killed by Bhima
On the 4th night, Duryodhana is extremely saddened by his brothers' deaths and goes to Bhishma's tent for answers as to why they haven't won the war yet. An interesting conversation takes place between Duryodhana and Bhishma. Bhishma recounts the greatness of Krishna, his incarnations. He also states that Arjuna and Krishna are Nar and Narayana from earlier births and no one can defeat them. Bhishma advises Duryodhana to compromise with the Pandavas. Duryodhana admits and shows his newfound appreciation for Krishna and Arjuna and goes to his tent. He though does not compromise and the war resumes the next day.
From Day 5 to Day 8, the death count of Duryodhana's brothers had risen to 24. He again complains to Bhishma about the lack of will to win the war.
On Day 9, Bhishma is extremely agitated and fights like he would win the war that day. Bhishma kills thousands of soldiers during the course of the day. Arjuna proceeds to face Bhishma. Again, Arjuna's heart was not in it. Seeing this, Krishna raises his Sudarshana chakra and proceeds towards Bhishma. Bhishma drops his weapon and surrenders to die of Krishna's hands. Arjuna runs behind Krishna and pacifies him. Arjuna gets rid of his confusion and fights the duel whole heartedly.
Arjuna is like a human like us. He has had his Buddha moments (Bhagavada Gita, Vishwaroopam darshan) and yet he gets confused and forgets. After the war, Arjuna asks Krishna to recite Bhagavad Gita again. Krishna refuses to repeat stating that the time had come and gone. Arjuna's mind is like our mind. We know the instructions and have our own Buddha moments of liberation but then yet, slip into the mundane world and it's web again with the same or new confusions.
On the 9th night, Yuddhisthira and the Pandavas realise that they will not win the war as long as Bhishma is alive. This is when Yuddhisthira exclaims this fact to Krishna and seeks advise. Yuddhisthira reveals that Bhishma had promised that he will advise Yuddhisthira on how to kill him (Bhishma) when the time comes. This conversation had taken place when Yuddhisthira had gone seeking permission for the war. Krishna encourages Yuddhisthira to go to Bhishma and ask him.
The time for the inevitable war had arrived. There was no turning back. Sounds of trumpets, conches and drums were revolving around the battlefield. Amidst this, the 2 assembled sea of armies descended on each other.
Day 1 belonged to the Kauravas. Virata's sons, Uttara and Shweta, was slained on this day.
Day 2 though belonged to Pandavas. Arjuna vanquishes the soldiers surrounding Bhishma. Then Bhishma and Arjuna have a long duel with each other. The highlight though was where Satyaki kills the charioteer of Bhishma who has to then retreat from the war.
On Day 3, Ghatotkacha (Bhima's rakshasa son from Hidimba) joins the war and they both form a terrible pair. Seeing them destroy his forces, Duryodhana criticizes Bhishma stating that he is showing leniency towards the Pandavas. Bhishma is agitated and he causes huge annihilation of the Pandava army. Arjuna again confronts Bhishma but Arjuna's heart is not fully committed in this battle against his grandsire.
On Day 4, Bhishma was in a terrible form. The previous night, Duryodhana had chided his leadership and skills and also stated, "Karna who can and is willing to slay the Pandavas is away from this war because of you. Your love for Pandavas is not allowing us to win the war. Let Karna participate."
As Bhishma was creating havoc in the Pandava camp, Arjuna proceeded to face him. Krishna saw that Arjuna was not fighting with full capacity. Angered by Arjuna's inaction, Krishna spoke, "Bhishma has killed hundreds of your soldiers. You are indebted to them. I have told you to do your Dharma as a Kshatriya (warrior). If you cannot do it, I will only kill Bhishma and ensure victory." Thus, Krishna got down from the chariot and proceeded towards Bhishma with a chakra in hand (It is interpreted as Sudharshana chakra in some versions and a chariot wheel in some versions). Seeing Krishna like this, Bhishma drops his weapons and surrenders, "Free me by killing me, o Krishna. Slain by you, I will achieve liberation. Bless me." Arjuna runs behind Krishna and falls at his feet, "O Keshav, Forgive my ignorance. Please don't break your vow because of me. I will fight wholeheartedly and kill Bhishma." Pacified, Krishna walks back and ascends the chariot again. 8 brothers of Duryodhana are killed by Bhima
On the 4th night, Duryodhana is extremely saddened by his brothers' deaths and goes to Bhishma's tent for answers as to why they haven't won the war yet. An interesting conversation takes place between Duryodhana and Bhishma. Bhishma recounts the greatness of Krishna, his incarnations. He also states that Arjuna and Krishna are Nar and Narayana from earlier births and no one can defeat them. Bhishma advises Duryodhana to compromise with the Pandavas. Duryodhana admits and shows his newfound appreciation for Krishna and Arjuna and goes to his tent. He though does not compromise and the war resumes the next day.
From Day 5 to Day 8, the death count of Duryodhana's brothers had risen to 24. He again complains to Bhishma about the lack of will to win the war.
On Day 9, Bhishma is extremely agitated and fights like he would win the war that day. Bhishma kills thousands of soldiers during the course of the day. Arjuna proceeds to face Bhishma. Again, Arjuna's heart was not in it. Seeing this, Krishna raises his Sudarshana chakra and proceeds towards Bhishma. Bhishma drops his weapon and surrenders to die of Krishna's hands. Arjuna runs behind Krishna and pacifies him. Arjuna gets rid of his confusion and fights the duel whole heartedly.
Arjuna is like a human like us. He has had his Buddha moments (Bhagavada Gita, Vishwaroopam darshan) and yet he gets confused and forgets. After the war, Arjuna asks Krishna to recite Bhagavad Gita again. Krishna refuses to repeat stating that the time had come and gone. Arjuna's mind is like our mind. We know the instructions and have our own Buddha moments of liberation but then yet, slip into the mundane world and it's web again with the same or new confusions.
On the 9th night, Yuddhisthira and the Pandavas realise that they will not win the war as long as Bhishma is alive. This is when Yuddhisthira exclaims this fact to Krishna and seeks advise. Yuddhisthira reveals that Bhishma had promised that he will advise Yuddhisthira on how to kill him (Bhishma) when the time comes. This conversation had taken place when Yuddhisthira had gone seeking permission for the war. Krishna encourages Yuddhisthira to go to Bhishma and ask him.
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