War

The is a Hindu Historical war de- scribed in the Indian epic Mahābhārata as a conflict that arose from a dynastic succession struggle between two groups of cousins of an Indo-Aryan kingdom called Kuru, the and , for the throne of Hastinapura. It involved a number of ancient kingdoms participating as allies of the rival groups. The location of the battle is described as having occurred in Kurukshetra in the modern state of in In- dia. The conflict is believed to form an essential com- ponent of an ancient work called Jaya and hence the epic Mahābhārata. Mahābhārata states that the war started on Kartheeka Bahula Amavasya (the end of the Kartheeka and the start The position of the Kuru and kingdoms in Iron Age of the Margasira lunar month), moon on Jyesta star, on Vedic Tuesday early morning. A solar eclipse also happened on that day and this Muhurtha was kept by him- self. The was told on that early morn- ing, before the war began. The war lasted only eighteen days, during which vast armies from all over the Indian (Bharatha) Subcontinent fought alongside the two rivals. Despite only referring to these eighteen days, the war nar- rative forms more than a quarter of the book, suggest- ing its relative importance within the epic, which overall spans decades of the warring families. The narrative describes individual battles of various heroes of both sides, battle-field deaths of some of the prominent heroes, military formations employed on each day by both armies, war diplomacy, meetings and dis- cussions among the heroes and commanders before com- mencement of war on each day and the weapons used. Geography of the Rigved, with river names; the extent of the Swat and Cemetery H cultures are indicated. The chapters (parvas) dealing with the war (from chapter six to ten) are considered amongst the oldest in the entire Mahābhārat. The Kurukshetra War is believed to date variously from dition holds that the war marks the transition to Kaliyuga 6000 BCE to 500 BCE,[1] based on the astronomical and and thus dates it to 3102 BCE;[4] another tradition places literary information from Mahābhārata. The history of the war in 15th century BCE. However historians regard the Kurukshetra War is also traced to the Battle of the these dates as too early, and inconsistent with the avail- Ten Kings mentioned in .[2] able archaeological and literary evidence. Basham con- siders the beginning of the 9th century BCE as a more plausible date for the events.[3] Similarly, concludes that the general setting of the epic has a his- 1 Historical context torical precedent in Iron Age (Vedic) India, where the was the center of political power during Though the Kurukshetra War is not mentioned in Vedic roughly 1200 to 800 BCE.[5] A dynastic conflict of the literature, its prominence in later literature led histori- period could have been the inspiration for the Jaya, the ans such as A. L. Basham to conclude that, “certainly a foundation on which the corpus was built, great war took place, and succeeding generations looked with a climactic battle eventually coming to be viewed as upon it as marking an end of an epoch”.[3] Popular tra- an epochal event.

1 2 2 BACKGROUND

Puranic literature presents genealogical lists associated undergone certain changes, both by linguistic change and with the Mahabharata narrative. The evidence of the Pu- by reinterpretation. Conspicuous changes include the ranas is of two kinds. Of the first kind, there is the di- change of “all” by sarva, and the spread of the rect statement that there were 1015 (or 1050) years be- kuru- verbal stem (for Rigvedic krno-). This is from the tween the birth of (Arjun’s grandson) and the time of the early Iron Age in north-western India, corre- accession of , commonly dated to 382 sponding to the Black and Red Ware (BRW) culture, and BCE, which would yield an estimate of about 1400 BCE the kingdom of the Kurus, dating from ca. the 10th cen- for the battle.[6] However, this would imply im- tury BCE. The Samhita prose period marks the begin- probably long reigns on average for the kings listed in the ning of the collection and codification of a Vedic canon. genealogies.[7] Of the second kind are analyses of parallel An important linguistic change is the complete loss of the genealogies in the between the times of Adhisi- injunctive. The Brahmana part ('commentary' on mantras makrishna (Parikshit’s great-grandson) and Mahapadma and ritual) of the Black (MS, KS, TS) belongs Nanda. Pargiter accordingly estimated 26 generations by to this period. Archaeologically, the Painted Grey Ware averaging 10 different dynastic lists and, assuming 18 (PGW) culture from ca. 900 BCE corresponds, and the years for the average duration of a reign, arrived at an shift of the political center from the Kurus to the Pancalas estimate of 850 BCE for Adhisimakrishna, and thus ap- on the . proximately 950 BCE for the Bharata battle[7] B. B. Lal used the same approach with a more conser- vative assumption of the average reign to estimate a date 2 Background of 836 BCE, and correlated this with archaeological evi- dence from Painted Grey Ware sites, the association be- Main article: Mahābhārata ing strong between PGW artifacts and places mentioned Mahābhārata, one of the most important Hindu epics, in the epic.[8] There have been a number of theories put forward:[9]

• The most widely accepted date is 10th century BCE or 950 BCE, according to archeological evidence. • B. N. Achar states a date of 3067 BCE using plane- tary positions listed in the Mahābhārata. • S. Balakrishna concluded a date of 2559 BCE using consecutive lunar eclipses. • P. V. Holey states a date of November 13, 3143 BCE using planetary positions and calendar systems. • R. N. Iyengar concluded a date of 1478 BCE using double eclipses and Saturn+Jupiter conjunctions. • P. R. Sarkar estimates a date of 1298 BCE for the war of Kurukshetra. • P. V. Vartak calculates a date of October 16, 5561 BCE using planetary positions.[10] • K. Sadananda, based on translation work, states that the Kurukshetra War started on November 22 3067 BCE.[11] India during the time of Mahābhārata.

The reconstruction of the history of Vedic India is is an account of the life and deeds of several generations based on text-internal details. Linguistically, the Vedic of a ruling dynasty called the Kuru clan. Central to the texts could be classified in five chronological strata as epic is an account of a war that took place between two Rigvedic, Mantra, Samhita, Brahmana, Sutra, and Epic rival families belonging to this clan. Kurukshetra (liter- and Pāṇinian. The Mantra language period includes ally “field of the Kurus”), was the battleground on which both the mantra and prose language of the this war, known as the Kurukshetra War, was fought. Ku- (Paippalada and Shaunakiya), the Rigveda , the rukshetra was also known as “” (the “field Samhita (containing some 75 mantras not in of "), or field of righteousness. Mahābhārata tells the Rigveda), and the mantras of the Yajurveda. Many of that this site was chosen for the war because a sin commit- these texts are largely derived from the Rigveda, but have ted on this land was forgiven on account of the sanctity 3 of this land. recited to the King who is the great-grandson The Kuru territories were divided into two and were of , by , a disciple of (then ruled by (with his capital at Hastinapura) called the Bharata). The recitation of Vaisampayana to and of the Pandavas (with his capital at Janamejaya was then recited again by a professional sto- ). The immediate dispute between the ryteller named Ugrasrava Sauti, many years later, to an as- Kauravas (sons of Dhritarashtra) and the Pandavas arose semblage of sages performing the 12-year-long sacrifice from a game of dice, which won by deceit, for King Saunaka Kulapati in the Naimisha forest(then forcing their cousins to transfer their entire ter- called the Mahabharata). ritories to the Kauravas (to Hastinapura) and to “go into exile” for thirteen years. The dispute escalated into a full scale war when Prince Duryodhana, the eldest of the Kau- 3 Combatants ravas, driven by jealousy, refused to restore the Pandavas their territories after the exile as earlier decided, as Dury- The Kurus formed a kingdom in the of odhana objected that they were discovered while in exile, India. They formed the first political center after the and that no return of their kingdom was agreed upon. Rigvedic period, after their emergence from the Pun- Prior to the war, the disinherited Pandavas in the kingdom jab, and it was there that the codification and redaction of , advised by Krishna, tried to find a diplomatic of the Vedic texts began. Archaeologically, they most and peaceful solution to the conflict. , Krishna’s likely correspond to the Black and Red Ware Culture of older , advised the Pandavas to send an emissary the 12th to 9th centuries BC, at the beginning of the Iron to get the support of the elders of the family like , Age in western India. Panchala was the second “urban” Dhritarashtra, , etc. with the message “Let us center of Vedic civilization, as its focus moved east from avoid armed conflict as much as possible. Only that which the , after the focus of power had been with the is accrued in peace is worthwhile. Out of war, nothing but Kurus in the early Iron Age. This period is associated wrong can issue”.[12] While the emissary was in the Kau- with the Painted Grey Ware culture, arising around 1100 rava court, the Pandavas continued with war preparations. BCE, and declining from 600 BCE, with the end of the They sent messages requesting assistance to a number of Vedic period. The ruling confederacy, the , as neighbouring kingdoms. Their ambassador of peace was their name suggests, probably consisted of five clans - the insulted and turned away by Duryodhana, who was in- Krivis, the Turvashas, The Keshins, the Srinjayas and the tent on war, defying the counsel of elders like Bhishma. Somakas. , whose daughter was mar- After several failed attempts on peace, war seemed in- ried to the Pandavas belonged to the Somaka clan. How- evitable. The two sides to the war were the Pandavas ever, the Mahabharata and the Puranas consider the rul- and the Kauravas (the official Kuru tribe now ruling both ing clan of the northern Panchala as an offshoot of the Hastinapura and Indraprastha), both with their allies. Bharata clan and , Sudas, Srinjaya, Somaka and Drupada (also called Yajnasena) were the most notable Jaya, the core of Mahābhārata, is structured in the rulers of this clan. form of a dialogue between Kuru king Dhritarashtra and , his advisor and driver. Sanjaya nar- rates each incident of the Kurukshetra War, fought in 18 days, as and when it happened. Dhritarāshtra sometimes 4 Krishna’s peace mission asks questions and doubts and sometimes laments, know- ing about the destruction caused by the war, to his sons, friends and kinsmen. He also feels guilty, due to his own role, that led to this war, destructive to the entire . In the beginning Sanjaya gives a description of the vari- ous continents of the Earth, the other planets, and focuses on the Indian Subcontinent and gives an elaborate list of hundreds of kingdoms, tribes, provinces, cities, towns, villages, rivers, mountains, forests etc. of the (ancient) Indian Subcontinent (Bhārata Varsha). He also explains about the 'military formations adopted by each side on each day, the death of each hero and the details of each war-racing. Some 18 chapters of Vyasa’s Jaya constitutes the Bhagavad Gita, one of the sacred texts of the . Thus, this work of Vyasa, called Jaya, deals with diverse Krishna Pleads with Dhritarashtra to Avoid War subjects like geography, history, warfare, religion and morality. According to Mahabharata itself, the Jaya was As a last attempt at peace, Krishna traveled to to persuade the Kauravas to embark upon a peaceful path 4 5 WAR PREPARATIONS with him. At Hastinapur, Krishna took his meals and side, and himself as a non-combatant to the other. Since stayed at the house of the minister, , a religious Arjuna was given the first opportunity to choose, Duryo- man and a “devotee” of Krishna. Duryodhana was in- dhana was worried that Arjuna would choose the mighty sulted that Krishna had turned down his invitation to dine army of Krishna. When given the choice of either Kr- with him and stay in his royal palace. Determined to stop ishna’s army or Krishna Himself on their side, Arjuna on the peace mission, Duryodhana plotted to arrest Krishna. behalf of the Pandavas chose Krishna, unarmed on his At the formal presentation of the peace proposal by own, relieving Duryodhana, who thought Arjuna to be Krishna at the court of Hastinapur, Krishna asked the greatest fool. Later Arjuna requested Krishna to be his charioteer, and Krishna, being an intimate friend of Duryodhana to give back Indraprastha or if not at least five villages, one for each of the pandavas, but Arjuna, agreed wholeheartedly, and hence received the name Parthasarthy, or 'charioteer of the son of Pritha'. Duryodhana said he could not give land even as much as tip of a needle, Krishna’s peace proposals were ignored, Both Duryodhana and Arjuna returned satisfied. and Duryodhana publicly ordered his soldiers to arrest While camping at a place called Upaplavya, in the ter- Krishna. Krishna laughed and displayed his divine form, ritory of , the Pandavas gathered their armies. radiating intense light. Furious at the insult inflicted upon Contingents arrived from all parts of the country and Him, Lord Krishna cursed Duryodhana that his downfall soon the Pandavas had a large force of seven divi- was certain, to the shock of Dhirtharastra, who tried to sions. The Kauravas managed to raise an even larger pacify the Lord. army of eleven divisions. Many kingdoms of an- His peace mission being rejected by Duryodhana, Kr- cient India such as Dwaraka, Kasi, , , ishna returned to Upaplavya to inform the Pandavas that Chedi, Matsya, Pandya, and the of the only course left to uphold the principles of virtue and were allied with the Pandavas; while the allies of the righteousness was inevitable - war. During the course Kauravas comprised the kings of Pragjyotisha, , of his return, Krishna met , ’s firstborn (be- , Kekaya, Sindhudesa, in Madhyadesa, fore Yudhisthira), and said to help his , but, be- , ,, (with the ing helped by Duryodhana, Karna said to Krishna that he Yavanas, , Trilinga, ) and many others. would battle against Pandavas. 5.1 Pandava army 5 War preparations

A manuscript illustration of the Battle of Kurukshetra, fought be- tween the Kauravas and the Pandavas, recorded in the Mahāb- hārata. Krishna and Arjun on the chariot, 18th-19th century painting. Seeing that there was now no hope for peace, Yudhisthira, Krishna had a large force called the and the eldest of the Pandavas, asked his brothers to was himself a great warrior. Duryodhana and Arjuna thus organize their army. The Pandavas accumulated both went to Krishna at to ask for his help. Dury- seven army with the help of their al- odhana arrived first, and found Krishna asleep. Being ar- lies.Each of these divisions were led by Drupada, rogant and viewing himself as equal to Krishna, Duryod- Virata, Dhristadyumna, , , Chekitana hana chose a seat at Krishna’s head and waited for him to and . After consulting his commanders, the Pan- rouse. Arjuna arrived later, and being a humble devotee davas appointed Dhristadyumna as the supreme comman- of Krishna, chose to sit and wait at Krishna’s feet. When der of the Pandava army. Mahābhārata says that king- Krishna woke up, He saw Arjuna first and gave him the doms from all over ancient India supplied troops or pro- first right to make his request. Krishna told Arjuna and vided logistic support on the Pandava side. Some of Duryodhana that he would give the Narayani Sena, to one these were: Kekaya, Pandya, Cholas, Magadha, and many 5.5 Military formations 5

more. was approximately 3.94 million.[14] Each was under a commander or a general, apart from the Com- mander in chief or the generalissimo who was the head 5.2 army of the entire army. During the Kurukshetra War, the weapons used included: The Kaurava army consisted of 11 Akshauhinis. Dury- the bow, the weapon of choice for Arjuna, Bhishma, odhana requested Bhishma to command the Kaurava Drona, Karna, Satyaki, and ; the army. Bhishma accepted on the condition that, while mace, chosen by Bhima and Duryodhana, the spear, he would fight the battle sincerely, he would not harm chosen by Yudhistira and ; the sword chosen by the five Pandava brothers. In addition, Bhishma said , , Dhristadymna and other Kauravas; that Karna would not fight under him as long as he is and the chosen by . in the battlefied. It is believed by many that Bhishma pushed Karna into taking this decision due to his af- fection towards the Pandavas - the Kauravas would be 5.5 Military formations overwhelmingly powerful if both he and Karna appeared in battle simultaneously. However the excuse he used to prevent their simultaneous fighting was that his (Parshurama) was insulted by Karna. He also knew that Karna was a (Son of Kunti) from the day he met him in Ranakshetra when Karna offered Arjuna to fight against him and Bhishma wanted to keep Karna out, so that there will be someone to lead the army once he is unable to continue with the war. Regardless, Duryod- hana agreed to Bhishma’s conditions and made him the supreme commander of the Kaurava army, while Karna was debarred from fighting. But Karna enters the war later when Bhishma is wounded by Arjuna. Apart from the one hundred Kaurava brothers, headed by Duryod- hana himself and his brother Dushasana, the second el- dest son of Dhritarashtra, the Kauravas were assisted on the battlefield by Drona and his son Ashwathama, the Intricate rock carvings showing Abhimanyu entering the Chakra Kaurava’s brother-in-law , the Kripa, vyuha. , Shalya, , Bhurisravas, , , and many more who were bound by their loy- At various times during battle, the supreme commander alty towards either Hastinapura or Dhritarashtra. of either army ordered special formations (vyuhas). Each formation had a specific purpose; some were defensive while others were offensive. Each formation had its spe- 5.3 Neutral parties cific strengths and weaknesses. The Mahābhārata lists the following: The kingdom of Vidarbha, with its King , Vidura, the ex-prime minister of Hastinapur and younger brother 1. Krauncha vyuha (heron formation) to Dhritarashtra, and Balarama were the only neutrals in this war. Rukmi wanted to join the war, but Duryodhana 2. Makara vyuha (crocodile formation) and Arjuna refused to allow him, because he boasted 3. vyuha (tortoise or turtle formation) about his war strength and army. Vidura did not want to see the bloodshed of the war, although he was a good 4. Trishula vyuha (trident formation) battle strategist. The powerful Balarama refused to fight at Kurukshetra, because he was both Bhima and Duryo- 5. Chakrvyuha|Chakra vyuha (wheel or discus forma- dhana’s wrestling coach.[13] tion) 6. Kamala vyuha or Padma vyuha (lotus formation) 5.4 Army divisions and weaponry 7. Garud vyuha (eagle formation) Each army consisted of several divisions; the Kauravas 8. Oormi vyuha (ocean formation) had 11 while the Pandavas controlled 7. A division (akshauhini) includes 21,870 and chariot-riders, 9. Mandala vyuha (galaxy formation) 21,870 and riders, 65,610 horses and riders, 10. vyuha (diamond or thunderbolt formation) and 109,350 foot-soldiers (in a ratio of 1:1:3:5). The combined number of warriors and soldiers in both armies 11. Shakata vyuha (box or cart formation) 6 6 COURSE OF WAR

12. vyuha (demon formation) 6 Course of war 13. vyuha (divine formation) The Kurukshetra War lasted eighteen days. It was fought 14. Soochi vyuha (needle formation) only during daylight hours; fighting ceased at sunset. Each day the battle was characterised by numerous in- 15. Sringataka vyuha (horned formation) dividual combats, as well as mass raids against entire en- 16. Chandrakala vyuha (crescent or curved blade forma- emy divisions. The victor or the vanquished on each day tion) was determined not by any territories gained, but by the body count. This was a war to the death. The victor was 17. Mala vyuha (garland formation) the survivor. If the text is taken to be chronologically ac- curate, this was one of the bloodiest wars in the history It is not clear what the formations actually indicate. They of mankind. Arjuna, in a fit of extreme anger over the may be arrangements of bear resemblance to animals, or death of his son Abhimanyu, alone killed one akshauhini [15] they may be names given to battle strategies . of Kaurava soldiers in a single day. The war left an ex- tremely large number of widows and orphans and led to 5.6 Rules of engagement an economic depression and the beginning of Yuga.

See also: Dharmayuddha 6.1 Before the battle

The two supreme commanders met and framed “rules of ethical conduct”, dharmayuddha, for the war. The rules included:

• Fighting must begin no earlier than sunrise and end exactly at sunset. • More than one warriors may not attack a single war- rior. • Two warriors may “”, or engage in prolonged personal combat, only if they carry the same weapons and they are on the same type of mount (on foot, on a horse, on an , or in a chariot). • No warrior may kill or injure a warrior who has sur- rendered. • One who surrenders becomes a prisoner of war and will then be subject to the protections of a prisoner of war. • No warrior may kill or injure an unarmed warrior. • No warrior may kill or injure an unconscious war- rior. • No warrior may kill or injure a person or animal not taking part in the war. • No warrior may kill or injure a warrior whose back is turned away. Yudhishtira and Bhishma on a Pavilion • No warrior may attack a woman. • No warrior may strike an animal not considered a It has been observed that the year in which the Mahab- direct threat. harata War took place, the year had three solar eclipses on earth in a span of thirty days. Eclipses are considered • The rules specific to each weapon must be followed. ill for life on earth according to . For example, it is prohibited to strike below the waist in mace warfare. On the first day of the war, as would be on all the fol- lowing days, the Kaurava army stood facing west and • Warriors may not engage in any unfair warfare. the Pandava army stood facing east. The Kaurava army 6.3 Day 1 7

was formed such that it faced all sides: elephants formed its body; the kings, its head; and the steeds, its wings. Bhishma, in consultation with his commanders Drona, Bahlika and Kripa, remained in the rear. The Pandava army was organised by Yudhisthira and Arjuna in the Vajra formation. Because the Pandava army was smaller than the Kaurava’s, they decided to em- ploy the tactic of each warrior engaging as many enemies as possible. This involved an element of surprise, with the bowmen showering arrows hiding behind the frontal attackers. The attackers in the front were equipped with short-range weapons like maces, battle-, swords and lances. Ten divisions (Akshauhinis) of the Kaurava army were arranged in a formidable phalanx. The eleventh was put under the immediate command of Bhishma, partly to pro- Krishna displays his (Universal Form) to Arjuna on tect him. The safety of the supreme commander Bhishma the battlefield of Kurukshetra. was central to Duryodhana's strategy, as he had placed all his hope on the great warrior’s abilities. Dushasana, the younger brother of Duryodhana, was the military officer in-charge of Bhishma’s protection. the Hindu religion. Krishna instructs Arjuna not to yield to degrading impotence and to fight his kin, for that was the only way to righteousness. He also reminded him that 6.2 Bhagavad Gita this was a war between righteousness and unrighteousness (dharma and adharma), and it was Arjuna’s duty to slay anyone who supported the cause of unrighteousness, or sin. Krishna then revealed his divine form and explained that he is born on earth in each aeon when evil raises its head. It also forms one of the foremost treatise on the several aspects of and mystical knowledge. Before the battle began, Yudhisthira did something un- expected. He suddenly dropped his weapons, took off his armour and started walking towards the Kaurava army with folded hands in prayer. The Pandava brothers and the Kauravas looked on in disbelief, thinking Yudhisthira was surrendering before the first arrow was shot. Yud- histhira’s purpose became clear, however, when he fell on Bhishma’s feet to seek his blessing for success in battle. A statue of Arjuna and Lord Krishna, with Krishna as the sarathi or charioteer Bhishma, grandfather to both the Pandavas and Kauravas, blessed Yudhisthira. Yudhisthira returned to his chariot Main article: Bhagavad Gita and the battle was ready to commence. See also: Bhagavad Gita and Krishna

When the war was declared and the two armies were fac- ing each other, Arjuna realised that he would have to kill his dear great-granduncle (Bhishma), on whose lap he had 6.3 Day 1 played as a , and his respected teacher (Drona), who had held his hand and taught him how to hold the bow and arrow, making him the greatest archer in the world. When the battle was commenced, Bhishma went through Arjuna felt weak and sickened at the prospect of killing the Pandava army wreaking havoc wherever he went but his entire family, including his 100 cousins, and friends Abhimanyu, Arjuna’s son, seeing this went straight at such as Ashwathama. Despondent and confused about Bhishma, defeated his bodyguards and directly attacked what is religious, what is right and what is wrong, Arjuna the commander of the Kaurava forces. The Pandavas suf- turned to Krishna for divine advice and teachings. Kr- fered numerous losses and were defeated at the end of ishna, who Arjuna chose as his charioteer, advised him of the first day. Virata's sons, and Sweta, were slain his duty. This conversation forms the Bhagavad Gita, one by Shalya and Bhishma. Krishna consoled the distraught of the most respected religious and philosophical texts in Yudhisthira saying that eventually victory would be his. 8 6 COURSE OF WAR

6.4 Day 2 drove them out of danger. Duryodhana’s forces, however, saw their leader fleeing the battlefield and soon scattered. The second day of the war commenced with a confi- Bhishma soon restored order and Duryodhana returned dent Kaurava army facing the Pandavas. Arjuna, real- to lead the army. He was angry at Bhishma, however, at ising that something needed to be done quickly to re- what he saw as leniency towards the five Pandava brothers verse the Pandava losses, decided that he must try to and spoke harshly at his commander. Bhishma, stung by kill Bhishma. Krishna skillfully located Bhishma’s char- this unfair charge, fell on the Pandava army with renewed iot and steered Arjuna toward him. Arjuna tried to en- vigor. It was as if there were more than one Bhishma on gage Bhishma in a duel, but the Kaurava soldiers placed the field.[16] The Pandava army soon began to retreat in around Bhishma to protect him attacked Arjuna to try chaos. to prevent him from directly engaging Bhishma. Ar- Arjuna and Krishna attacked Bhishma trying to restore juna and Bhishma fought a fierce battle that raged for order. Arjuna and Bhishma again engaged in a fierce hours. Drona and Dhristadyumna similarly engaged in duel, however Arjuna’s heart was not in the battle as he a duel during which Drona broke Dhristadyumna’s bow did not like the idea of attacking his great-uncle. During numerous times. Bhima intervened and rescued Dhris- the battle, Bhishma killed numerous soldiers of Arjuna’s tadyumna. Duryodhana sent the Kalinga forces to at- armies. tack Bhima and most of them lost their lives at his hands. Bhishma immediately came to relieve the battered Kalinga forces. Satyaki, who was assisting Bhima, shot at 6.6 Day 4 Bhishma’s charioteer and killed him. Bhishma’s horses, with no one to control them, bolted carrying Bhishma The fourth-day of the battle was noted for the valour away from the battlefield. The Kaurava army had suf- shown by Bhima. Bhishma commanded the Kaurava fered great losses at the end of the second day. army to move on the offensive from the outset. While Abhimanyu was still in his mother’s womb, Arjuna had 6.5 Day 3 taught Abhimanyu on how to break and enter the chakra vyuha.But, before explaining how to exit the chakra vyuha, Arjuna was interrupted by Krishna (other story: Abhimanyu’s mother falls asleep while Arjuna was ex- plaining her). Thus from birth, Abhimanyu only knew how to enter the Chakra vyuha but didn't know how to come out of it. When the Kauravas formed the chakra vyuha, Abhimanyu entered it but was surrounded and at- tacked by a number of Kaurava princes. Arjuna joined the fray in aid of Abhimanyu. Bhima appeared on the scene with his mace aloft and started attacking the Kau- ravas. Duryodhana sent a huge force of elephants at Bhima. When Bhima saw the mass of elephants ap- proaching, he got down from his chariot and attacked them single handedly with his iron mace. They scattered and stampeded into the Kaurava forces killing many. Duryodhana ordered an all-out attack on Bhima. Bhima Arjuna Wijaya statue in Central depicting Krishna and Arjuna riding a chariot. withstood all that was thrown at him and attacked Dury- odhana’s brothers, killing eight of them. Bhima was soon On the third day, Bhishma arranged the Kaurava forces struck by an arrow on the chest and sat down in his chariot in the formation of an eagle with himself leading from dazed. the front, while Duryodhana’s forces protected the rear. Duryodhana was distraught at the loss of his brothers. Bhishma wanted to be sure of avoiding any mishap. The Duryodhana, overwhelmed by sorrow at the loss of his Pandavas countered this by using the crescent formation brothers, went to Bhishma at the end of the fourth day of with Bhima and Arjuna at the head of the right and the the battle, and asked his commander how could the Pan- left horns, respectively. The Kauravas concentrated their davas, facing a superior force against them, still prevail attack on Arjuna’s position. Arjuna’s chariot was soon and win. Bhishma replied that the Pandavas had justice covered with arrows and javelins. Arjuna, with amaz- on their side and advised Duryodhana to seek peace. ing skill, built a fortification around his chariot with an unending stream of arrows from his bow. Abhimanyu and Satyaki combined to defeat the forces of 6.7 Days 5–9 Shakuni. Bhima and his son attacked Dury- odhana in the rear. Bhima’s arrows hit Duryodhana, When the battle resumed on the fifth day, the slaugh- who swooned in his chariot. His charioteer immediately ter continued. The Pandava army again suffered against 6.9 Day 11 9

Bhishma’s attacks. Satyaki bore the brunt of Drona's at- Bhishma used the boon of “Ichcha Mrityu” (self wished tacks and soon could not withstand them. Bhima drove death) given to him by his father. After the war was over, by and rescued Satyaki. Arjuna fought and killed thou- when Hastinapur had become safe from all sides and after sands of soldiers sent by Duryodhana to attack him. The giving lessons on politics and Sahasranama to the unimaginable carnage continued during the ensuing days Pandavas, Bhishma died on the first day of . of the battle. The sixth day was marked by a prodigious slaughter. 6.9 Day 11 Drona caused immeasurable loss of life on the Pandava side. The formations of both the armies were broken. On With Bhishma unable to continue, Karna entered the bat- day 7 Drona slays Shankya son of Virata. On the eighth tlefield, much to Duryodhna’s joy. He made Drona the day Bhima killed eight of Dhritarashtra’s sons. supreme commander of the Kaurava forces. Karna and On the ninth day Krishna, overwhelmed by anger at the Duryodhana wanted to capture Yudhisthira alive. Killing apparent inability of Arjuna to defeat Bhishma, rushed Yudhisthira in battle would only enrage the Pandavas towards the Kaurava commander, the wheel of a fallen more, whereas holding him as hostage would be strate- chariot in his hands. Bhishma lays down his arms and gically useful. Drona formulated his battle plans for the is ready to die at the hands of the Lord, but Arjuna eleventh day to this aim. He cut down Yudhisthira’s bow stops Him, reminding of His promise not to wield a and the Pandava army feared that their leader would be weapon. Realizing that the war could not be won as long taken prisoner. Arjuna rushed to the scene, however, and as Bhishma was standing, Krishna suggested the strategy with a flood of arrows made Drona retreat. of placing a eunuch in the field to face him. Some sources however state that it was Yudhistira who visits Bhishma’s camp at night asking him for help. To this Bhishma says 6.10 Day 12 that he would not fight a eunuch. With his attempts to capture Yudhisthira thwarted, Drona confided to Duryodhna that it would be difficult as long 6.8 Day 10 as Arjuna was around. He summoned King , the monarch of Pragjyotisha (modern day , India). Bhagadatta had thousands of gigantic elephants in his sta- ble and was considered the strongest warrior on this planet in elephant warfare. Bhagadatta attacked Arjuna with his gigantic elephant named Suprateeka. It was a fierce bat- tle in which Bhagadatta matched Arjuna for astra but Arjuna slew him. Drona continued to try and cap- ture Yudhisthira. The Pandavas however fought hard and delivered severe blows to the Kaurava army.

Bhishma on a deathbed of arrows, from a collection of the 6.11 Day 13 Smithsonian Institution

See also: Vishnu sahasranama

On the tenth day, the Pandavas, unable to withstand Bhishma’s prowess, decided to put Shikhandi, who had been a woman in a prior life in front of Bhishma, as Bhishma has taken a vow not to attack a woman. Shikhandi’s arrows fell on Bhishma without hindrance. Arjuna positioned himself behind Shikhandi, protecting himself from Bhishma’s attack, and aimed his arrows at the weak points in Bhishma’s armour. Soon, with arrows sticking from every part of his body, the great warrior fell from his chariot. His body did not touch the ground as it was held aloft by the arrows protruding from his body.

The Kauravas and Pandavas gathered around Bhishma Intricate rock carvings show, Abhimanyu entering the Chakra and, at his request, Arjuna placed three arrows under vyuha. Bhisma’s head to support it. Bhishma had promised his father, King , that he would live until Hastinapur The king of Trigartadesa, along with his 3 were secured from all directions. To keep this promise, brothers and 35 sons who were fighting on the Kaurava 10 6 COURSE OF WAR

side made a pact that they would make sure that Arjuna ful battle with Jayadrath and finally defeated him. Then, comes and doesn't break the Chakra Vuyh and kill him Arjuna shot a powerful arrow decapitating Jayadrath. or die. They went into the battlefield on the twelfth day While Arjuna destroying the rest of the Shakatavuyha, and challenged Arjuna. Arjuna gave them a fierce fight Vikarna, the third eldest Kaurava, challenged Arjuna to in which the brothers fell dead after fighting a brave fight. an fight. Arjuna asks Bhima to decimate Vikarna, Drona continued to try and capture Yudhisthira. but Bhima refused to, because Vikarna defended the Pan- On the other side of the battlefield, the remaining four davas during the Vastranam. Bhima and Vikarna shower Pandavas and their allies were finding it impossible to arrows at each other. Later Bhima throws his mace at Vikarna, killing him. The muscular Pandava was dev- break Dronacharya’s “Chakra Vyuh” formation. As Ar- juna was busy fighting with the Trigartadesa princes and astated and mourned his death saying he was a man of Dharma and it was a pity how he lived his life. the Prajayogastha monarch on the other side of the bat- tlefield, he could not be summoned to break the Chakra vyuha formation, which could only be broken by enter- ing and exiting the formation. Yudhisthira instructed, Abhimanyu, one of Arjuna’s sons to break the Chakra vyuha formation. Abhimanyu knew the secret of enter- ing the Chakra vyuh formation, but did not know how to exit it. Abhimanyu slew tens of thousands of warriors. He also killed Dhuryodhana’s son. Dhuryodhana got en- raged and ordered Durmashana who was Dushasana's son to attack Abhimanyu but he died under the hands of Ab- himanyu. Next he ordered his men to attack Abhimanyu all at once. Abhimanyu fought but was surrounded and killed by many warriors in a combined attack. Upon learning of the death of his son, Arjuna vowed to kill Jayadratha on the morrow before the battle ended at Karna kills Ghatotkach sunset, otherwise he would throw himself into the fire. The battle continued past sunset. When the bright moon rose, Ghatotkach, son of Bhima slaughtered numerous 6.12 Day 14 warriors, attacking while flying in the air. Karna stood against him and both fought fiercely until Karna released the , a divine weapon given to him by . Gha- totkach increased his size and fell dead on the Kaurav army killing thousands of them.

6.13 Day 15

After King Drupada and King Virata were slain by Drona, Bhima, and Dhristadyumna fought him on the fifteenth day. Because Drona was very powerful and inconquer- able having the irresistible brahmadanda, Krishna hinted to Yudhisthira that Drona would give up his arms if his son Ashwathama was dead. Bhima proceeded to kill an elephant named Ashwathama, and loudly proclaimed that Ashwathama was dead. Drona approached Yudhisthira Arjuna Kills Jayadrath to seek the truth of his son’s death. Yudhisthira pro- claimed Ashwathama Hatahath, naro va Kunjaro va, im- While searching for Jayadrath on the battlefield, Ar- plying Ashwathama had died but he was nor sure whether juna slew an akshauhini (battle formation that consisted it was a Drona’s son or an elephant, The latter part of his of 21,870 chariots ( ); 21,870 elephants; proclamation (Naro va Kunjaro va) were drowned out by 65,610 and 109,350 infantry) of Kaurav sol- sound of the conch blown by Krishna intentionally (a dif- diers. The Shakatavuyha Kaurav army tightly protected ferent version of the story is that Yudhisthira pronounced Jayadratha, however, preventing Arjuna from attacking the last words so feebly that Drona could not hear the him. Finally, in late afternoon, Arjuna found Jayadrath word elephant). Prior to this incident, the chariot of Yud- guarded by the mighty kaurav army. Seeing his friend’s histhira, proclaimed as Dharma raja (King of righteous- plight, Lord Krishna raised his Sudarshan Chakra to ness), hovered a few inches off the ground. After the cover the sun, faking a sunset. Arjun fought a power- event, the chariot landed on the ground as he lied. 6.15 Day 17 11

Drona was disheartened, and laid down his weapons. 6.15 Day 17 He was then killed by Dhristadyumna to avenge his fa- ther’s death and satisfy his vow. Later, the Pandava’s mother Kunti secretly met her abandoned son Karna and requested him to spare the Pandavas, as they were his younger brothers. Karna promised Kunti that he would spare them except for Arjuna, but also added that he would not fire a same weapon against Arjun twice.

6.14 Day 16

Karna (right) confronts Arjuna, who will later kill Karna, in the Kurukshetra war.

On the seventeenth day, Karna defeated the pandava brothers Nakul, Bhima, Sahadeva and Yudhisthira in bat- tle but spared their lives. Later, Karna resumed duelling with Arjuna. During their duel, Karna’s chariot wheel got stuck in the mud and Karna asked for a pause. Kr- ishna reminded Arjuna about Karna’s ruthlessness unto Abhimanyu while he was similarly left without chariot and weapons. Hearing his son’s fate, Arjuna shot his arrow and decapitated Karna. Before the day’s battle, Karna’s sacred armour ('Kavacha') and earrings ('Kun- dala') were taken as by Lord Indra when asked for, which resulted in his death by Arjuna’s arrows.

6.16 Day 18

On the 18th day, Shalya took over as the commander- in-chief of the remaining Kaurava forces. Yudhishthira killed king Shalya in a spear combat and Sahadeva killed Shakuni. Realizing that he had been defeated, Duryodhana fled the battlefield and took refuge in the lake, where the Pandavas caught up with him. Under the Bhima fulfilling his promise regarding Duhshasan in the Mahab- supervision of the now returned Balarama, a mace bat- harata field tle took place between Bhima and Duryodhana. Bhima flouted the rules (under instructions from Krishna) to On the sixteenth day, Karna was made the supreme com- strike Duryodhana beneath the waist in which he was mander of the Kuru army. Karna fought valiantly but mortally wounded. was surrounded and attacked by Pandava generals, who , Kripacharya, and Kritavarma met were unable to prevail upon him. Karna inflicted heavy Duryodhana at his deathbed and promised to avenge the damage on the Pandava army, which fled. Then Arjuna actions of Bhima. They attacked the Pandavas’ camp successfully resisted Karna’s weapons with his own, and later that night and killed all the Pandavas’ remaining also inflicted casualties upon the Kaurava army. Nakul army including their children. Amongst the dead were kills Satyasena and Sushena sons of Karna, Arjunakills Dhristadyumna and Shikhandi. Other than the Pandavas and Dvipata, Bhima kills Banasena, Satyaki and Krishna, only Satyaki and survived. kills Prasena and Prativindya kills Shatrunjaya . The sun soon set, and with darkness and dust making the as- sessment of proceedings difficult, the Kaurava army re- 6.17 Aftermath treated for the day.[17] On the same day, Bhima swung his mace and shattered Dushasana’s chariot. Bhima seized At the end of the 18th day, only twelve warriors sur- Dushasana, ripped his right hand from shoulder and killed vived the war—the five Pandavas, Krishna, Satyaki, him, tearing open his chest and drinking his blood and Ashwatthama, Kripacharya, Yuyutsu, Vrishakethu (son carrying some to smear on Draupadi’s untied hair, thus of Karna) and Kritvarma. Vrishakethu was the only son fulfilling his vow made when Draupadi was humiliated. of Karna who survived the horrific slaughter. He later 12 8 REFERENCES

Duryodana was defeated by Bhima - A scene from Razmanama

Krishna declaring the end of Mahabharata War by blowing the Conch Shell came under the patronage of the Pandavas. During the campaign that preceded the –yagna, Vr- ishakethu accompanied Arjuna and participated in the 8 References battles with Sudhava and . During that campaign Vrishakethu married the daughter of king Ya- [1] Thomas Block. A Fatal Addiction: War in the Name of vanatha (perhaps a king of the western regions). It is said, . Algora publishing. p. 93. Arjuna developed great affection for Vrishakethu, his nephew. Yudhisthira was crowned king of Hastinapur. [2] S.S.N. Murthy (14 November 2003). “The Question- able Historicity of the Mahābhārat”. Electronic Journal He renounced the throne after ruling for 36 years, pass- of Vedic Studies 10 (5): 1–15. ISSN 1084-7561. ing on the crown to Arjuna’s grandson Parikshit. He then left for the with Draupadi and his brothers in [3] Basham, A. L. (1986). The wonder that was India (2nd what was to be their last journey. Draupadi and four ed.). Rupa. p. 40. Pandavas—Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula, and Sahadeva—died during the journey. Yudhisthira, the lone survivor and [4] Thapar, Romila (2004). Early India: From the Origins to being of pious heart, was invited by Dharma to enter the AD 1300. University of California Press. p. 99. ISBN heavens as a mortal. 9780520242258. [5] Michael Witzel (1995). “Early Sanskritization: Origin and Development of the Kuru state”. EJVS 1 (4).; also in Bernhard Kölver, ed. (1997). Recht, Staat und Ver- waltung im klassischen Indien [The state, the law, and ad- ministration in classical India] (in German). Munich: R. 7 Gallery Oldenbourg. pp. 27–52. ISBN 978-3-486-56193-7.

[6] Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan. “14”. In Ramesh Ma- jumdar; A.D. Pusalker. History and culture of the Indian • The Battle of Kurukshetra c. 1820 people. 1:The Vedic age. p. 273. 13

[7] FE Pargiter. Ancient Indian Historical Tradition. pp. 180–182.. He shows estimates of the average as 47, 50, 31 and 35 for various versions of the lists.

[8] B. B. Lal, Mahabharata and Archaeology in Gupta and Ramachandran (1976), p.57-58

[9] Among other references, a list of nine pre-1950 papers for the astronomical dating of the War is found in R. C. Majumdar; A. D. Pusalker, eds. (1951). The history and culture of the Indian people. 1: The Vedic age. Bombay: Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan. p. 320 (footnote 4).

[10] The Scientific Dating of the Mahabharat War

[11] Dating of the Mahabharat time period

[12] C. Rajagopalachari, Mahābhārata, Bharatiya Vidya Bha- van. 1994

[13] “”. www.mahabharataonline.com. www. mahabharataonline.com. Retrieved 2008-05-27.

[14] C. Rajagopalachari, Mahābhārata, Bharatiya Vidya Bha- van. 1994 pp 183

[15] C Rajagopalachari, Mahābhārata, 1954

[16] C. Rajagopalachar, Mahābhārata, pp 215

[17] Sacred-Texts.com

18.

9 External links

• Kurukshetra (town) • Dating the Kurukshetra War

• Kurukshetra War: Is it real or just a myth?