Kurukshetra War

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Kurukshetra War
Fought for 18 days, the Battle of Kurukshetra was one of the great battles of the Hindu Epics. Shown here is Arjuna and his charioteer Krishna between the two warring armies.
Date Various beliefs, 3000s BCE-1000s BCE[1] Location Kurukshetra, modern-day Haryana, India Result Pandava victory
Belligerents
Pandavas led by Dhristadyumna	Kauravas led by Bhishma
Commanders
Arjuna Bhima Yudhishthira Nakula Sahadeva	Bhishma Drona Karna Duryodhana Ashwatthama
Strength
7 Akshauhinis 1,530,900 soldiers	11 Akshauhinis 2,405,700 soldiers
Casualties and losses
Almost Total Only 7 survivors - the five Pandavas, Krishna, and Satyaki	Almost Total Only 3 survivors - Ashwatthama, Kripa, and Kritavarma

The Kurukshetra War (Devangari: कुरुक्षेत्र युद्ध) forms an essential component of the Hindu epic Mahabharata. According to Mahabharata, a dynastic struggle between sibling clans of Kauravas and the Pandavas for the throne of Hastinapura resulted in a battle in which a number of ancient kingdoms participated as allies of the rival clans. The location of the battle was Kurukshetra in the modern state of Haryana in India.

Mahabharata states that the war lasted eighteen days during which vast armies from all over ancient India fought along the sides of the two rivals. The importance given to the narration of this war is evident from the fact that while the duration of the entire story of the epic lasts centuries dealing with a number of generations of the warring families, the narration of the war forming more than a quarter of the book deals with the events of a mere eighteen days. Much of the narration describes the individual battles of the various heroes of both sides, the battle-field deaths of some of the prominent heroes, the military formations employed on each day by both armies, the war diplomacies, meetings and discussions among the heroes and commanders before the commencement of war on each day, the weapons used, etc. The chapters (Parvas) dealing with the war, from chapter six to ten, are considered amongst the oldest in the entire Mahabharata. Bhagavad Gita, a sacred text of Hindu philosophy, is considered a later addition to Mahabharata which recounts the conversation between the Pandava Arjuna and Krishna arising out of Arjuna's reluctance to fight members of his own family. The Kurukshetra War is believed to date variously from 5561 BCE to 800 BCE, based on the astronomical and literary information from Mahabharata. The mythology of the Kurukshetra War is also traced to the Battle of the Ten Kings mentioned in Rigveda.^[2]

Contents 1 Background 2 Krishna's Peace Mission 3 War preparations 3.1 Pandava army 3.2 Kaurava army 3.3 Neutrals 3.4 Army divisions and weaponry 3.5 Military formations 3.6 Rules of engagement 4 Course of war 4.1 Before the battle 4.2 First Day 4.3 Second Day 4.4 Third Day 4.5 Fourth Day 4.6 Fifth to Ninth Day 4.7 Tenth Day 4.8 Eleventh Day 4.9 Twelfth Day 4.10 Thirteenth Day 4.11 Fourteenth Day 4.12 Fifteenth Day 4.13 Sixteenth Day 4.14 Seventeenth Day 4.15 Eighteenth Day 4.16 Aftermath of the War 5 Historicity of the Kurukshetra War 6 External links 7 References

[edit] Background

Main article: Mahabharata

Mahabharata, one of the most important Hindu epics, is an account of the life and deeds of several generations of a ruling dynasty called the Kuru clan. Central to the epic is an account of a great war that took place between two sibling families belonging to this clan. Kurukshetra, literally field of the Kurus, was the battleground on which this war, known as the Kurukshetra War, was fought. Kurukshetra was also known as Dharamkshetra (the field of Dharma), or field of righteousness. Mahabharata tells that this site was chosen for the war because even a sin committed on this land was forgiven on account of the sanctity of this land.

The two sides to the war were the Pandavas and the Kauravas. The dispute between the Kauravas and the Pandavas arose out of a game of dice, which the Kauravas won by deceit, forcing their Pandava cousins to go into exile for thirteen years. The dispute escalated into a full scale war when Duryodhana, the eldest of the Kauravas, driven by jealousy, refused to restore the Pandavas to their throne even after the exile.

Prior to the war however, the Pandavas, advised by Krishna, tried to find a diplomatic and peaceful solution to the conflict. Balarama, Krishna's older brother advised the Pandavas to send an emissary and to get the support of the elders of the family such as Bhishma, Dhritarashtra, Drona, Karna, and even Shakuni, saying "Let us avoid armed conflict by all means possible. Only that which is accrued in peace is worthwhile. Out of war, nothing but wrong can issue".^[3] While the emissary was in the Kaurava court, Pandavas continued their war preparations. They sent messages requesting assistance to a number of neighbouring kingdoms. However, their ambassador of peace was insulted and turned away by Duryodhana, who was intent on war, despite the counsel of elders such as Bhishma. After some such attempts, war seemed inevitable. The Pandavas, however, tried one last attempt at peace, when Krishna Himself went to Hastinapur on a peace mission.

[edit] Krishna's Peace Mission

As a last attempt at peace, Krishna himself travelled to Hastinapur to persuade the Kauravas to embark upon a peaceful path with him. At Hastinapur, Krishna took his meals and stayed at the house of the Prime Minister, Vidura, who was a religious person and a devotee of Krishna. Duryodhana hence felt insulted that Krishna turned down his invitation to eat with him and stay in his royal palace. Determined to ensure that the peace mission failed, Duryodhana plotted to arrest Krishna.

At the formal presentation of the peace proposal by Krishna at the court of Hastinapur, Krishna's peace proposals were ignored, and Duryodhana publicly ordered his soldiers to arrest Krishna. Krishna laughed at his mortal attempts, and displayed his divine form, blinding the soldiers and everyone in court with his radiating light. The beautiful divine form of the Lord could be perceived only by those pure in heart, Bhishma, Drona, and Vidura. With His peace mission rejected by Duryodhana, Krishna returned to Upaplavya to inform the Pandavas that there was now no alternative to war for the upholding of the principles of virtue and righteousness.

[edit] War preparations

Krishna had one of the largest armies and was Himself a great warrior. Duryodhana and Arjuna thus both went to Krishna at Dwarka to ask for His help. This is a famous part of the story, especially dear to Krishna devotees. Duryodhana arrived first, and found Krishna asleep. Being arrogant and viewing himself as equal to Krishna, Duryodhana chose a seat at Krishna's head and waited for Him to rouse. Arjuna arrived later, and being a humble devotee of Krishna, chose to sit and wait at Krishna's feet. When Krishna woke up, He saw Arjuna first and gave him the first right to make his request. Krishna told Arjuna and Duryodhana that He would give His mighty Narayani sena, 'opulent, Lordly army' to one side, and Himself unarmed to the other. Since Arjuna was given the first opportunity to choose, Duryodhana was worried that Arjuna would choose the mighty army of Krishna. When given the choice of either Krishna's army or Krishna Himself on their side, Arjuna on behalf of the Pandavas chose Krishna, unarmed on His own, relieving Duryodhana, who thought Arjuna to be the greatest fool. Later Arjuna requested Krishna to be his charioteer, and Krishna, being an intimate friend of Arjuna, agreed wholeheartedly, and hence received the name Paarthasaarthy, or 'charioteer of the son of Prithaa'. Both Duryodhana and Arjuna returned satisfied.

While camping at a place called Upaplavya, in the territory of Virata, the Pandavas gathered their armies. Contingents arrived from all parts of the country and soon Pandavas had a large force of seven divisions. The Kauravas managed to raise an even larger army of eleven divisions. Many kingdoms of ancient India such as Dwaraka, Kasi, Kekaya, Magadha, Matsya, Chedi, Pandya and the Yadus of Mathura were allied with the Pandavas; while the allies of the Kauravas comprised of the kings of Pragjyotisha, Anga, Kekaya, Sindhudesa, Mahishmati, Avanti in Madhyadesa, Madras, Gandharas, Bahlikas, Kambojas (with Yavanas, Sakas, Tusharas etc) and many others.

[edit] Pandava army

Seeing that there was now no hope for peace, Yudhisthira, the eldest of the Pandavas, asked his brothers to organize their army. The Pandava army was organized into seven divisions. Each of these divisions were led by Drupada, Virata, Dhristadyumna, Shikhandi, Satyaki, Chekitana and Bhima. After consulting his commanders, the Pandavas appointed Dhristadyumna as the supreme commander of the Pandava army. Mahabharata says that kingdoms from all over ancient India supplied troops or provided logistic support on the Pandava side. Some of these were: Kekaya, Pandya, Cholas, Keralas, Magadha, and many more.

[edit] Kaurava army

Duryodhana requested Bhishma to command the Kaurava army. Bhishma accepted on the condition that, while he will fight the battle sincerely, he will however not harm the five Pandava brothers. In addition, Bhishma also said that he would not fight alongside Karna. It is believed by many that Bhishma's decision not to let Karna fight under his command was due to his affection towards the Pandavas - the Kauravas would be overwhelmingly powerful if both he and Karna appeared in battle simultaneously. However the excuse he used to prevent their simultaneous fighting was that his guru (Parshurama) was insulted by Karna. Regardless, Duryodhana agreed to Bhishma's conditions and made him the supreme commander of the Kaurava army, while Karna was debarred from fighting. The army was divided into eleven divisions. Apart from the one hundred Kaurava brothers, headed by Duryodhana himself and his brother Dushasana, the youngest son of Dhritarashtra, the Kauravas were assisted in the battlefield by Drona and his son Ashwathama, the Kaurava's brother-in-law Jayadratha, the brahmin Kripa, Kritavarma, Shalya, Sudakshina, Bhurisravas, Bahlika, the evil Shakuni, and many more who were bound by their loyalty towards either Hastinapura or Dhritarashtra.

[edit] Neutrals

The kingdom of Vidarbha and its King Rukmi as well as Balarama were the only neutrals in this war. ^[4]

[edit] Army divisions and weaponry

Each army consisted of several divisions; the Kauravas had 11 while the Pandavas controlled 7. A division (akshauhini) includes 21,870 chariots and chariot-riders, 21,870 elephants and riders, 65,610 horses and riders, and 109,350 foot-soldiers (in a ratio of 1:1:3:5). The combined number of warriors and soldiers in both armies was approximately 3.94 million.^[5] Each Akshohini was under a commander or a general, apart from the Commander in chief or the generalissimo who was the head of the entire army. It should be noted also that in each of these large number groups (65,610, etc.), the digits add up to 18, making this a very significant number in the text. This number 18 is not only the number of days that the great war lasted, but it's also the total number of divisions fighting (7 Pandava divisions and 11 Kaurava divisions) and the number of total chapters in the Bhagavat Gita.

During the Kurukshetra War, several weapons were used. The weapons, and their most notable users, included the Bow and arrows, the weapon of choice for Arjuna, Bhishma, Drona, Karna and Abhimanyu, the Mace, chosen by Bhima and Duryodhana apart from the Spear and the Dagger / Sword.

If the text is taken as historically accurate, this war was the bloodiest war in history as most of the warriors and soldiers perished during the brief period of only eighteen days. Arjuna, in a fit of extreme anger over the death of his son Abhimanyu, alone killed one akshauhini of Kaurava soldiers in a single day. The war left an extremely large number of widows and orphans and led to an economic depression and beginning of Kali Yuga.

[edit] Military formations

At various times during battle, the supreme commander of either army ordered special formations ("vyuhas"). Each formation had a specific purpose; some were defensive while others were offensive. Each formation had its specific strengths and weaknesses. Mahabharata list the following Krauncha vyuha (heron formation), Makara vyuha (crocodile formation), Kurma vyuha (tortoise or turtle formation), Trishula vyuha (the trident formation), Chakra vyuha (wheel or discus formation) and the Kamala vyuha or Padma vyuha (Lotus formation).

It is not clear what the formations actually indicate. They may be formations bearing resemblance to animals, or they may be names given to strategies and formations.^[6]

[edit] Rules of engagement

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.
• Multiple warriors may not attack a single warrior.
• Two warriors may "duel," or engage in prolonged personal combat, only if they carry the same weapons and they are on the same mount (no mount, a horse, an elephant, or a chariot).
• No warrior may kill or injure a warrior who has surrendered.
• One who surrenders becomes a prisoner of war and a slave.
• No warrior may kill or injure an unarmed warrior.
• No warrior may kill or injure an unconscious warrior.
• 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.
• No warrior may attack a woman.
• No warrior may strike an animal not considered a direct threat.
• The rules specific to each weapon must be followed. For example, it is prohibited to strike below the waist in mace warfare.
• Warriors may not engage in any "unfair" warfare whatsoever.

Most of these laws were broken at least once by both sides.

[edit] Course of war

The Kurukshetra War lasted eighteen days. The war was fought only during daylight hours and fighting ceased at sunset. The armies met on a vast field in Kurukshetra and each day of the battle was characterised by numerous individual combats as well as mass raids against entire enemy divisions. The victor or the vanquished on each day was determined not by any territories gained, but by the body count. This was a war to the death. The victor was the survivor.

[edit] Before the battle

On the first day of the war, as would be on all the other days as well, the Kaurava army stood facing west and the Pandava army stood facing east. The Kaurava army 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.

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 employ the tactic of each warrior engaging as many enemies as possible. This involved an element of surprise with the bowmen showering arrows from hidden behind the frontal attackers. The attackers in the front were equipped with short-range weapons like the maces, battle-axes, swords, lances etc.

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 protect him. The safety of the supreme commander Bhishma was centre to Duryodhana's strategy as he had placed all his hope on the great warrior's abilities. Dushasana, the youngest brother of king Duryodhana, was the military officer in-charge for Bhishma's protection.

When the war was declared and the two armies were facing each other, Arjuna realised that he would have to kill his own dear great-granduncle (Bhishma) on whose lap he had played as a child, and his own 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. Arjuna hence felt weak and sickened at the prospect of killing his entire family, including his 100 cousins, and friends such as Ashwathama. Despondent and confused about what is religious, what is right and what is wrong, Arjuna turned to Krishna for divine advice and teachings. Krishna, who was chosen as the charioteer of Arjuna, advised him of his duty. This conversation forms the Bhagavad Gita, one of the most respected religious and philosophical texts. In the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna instructs Arjuna to not yield to degrading impotence and fight his kin, for that was the only way to righteousness. He also reminded him that 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, whenever evil rises its head.

Before the battle began, Yudhisthira did something unexpected. 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 even before the arrow was shot. Soon Yudhisthira's purpose was clear as he fell on Bhishma's feet to seek his blessing for his success. Bhishma, grandfather to both Pandavas and the Kauravas, blessed Yudhisthira. Yudhisthira returned to his chariot and the battle was ready to commence.

[edit] First Day

When the battle commenced, Bhishma went through the Pandava army and wreaked havoc wherever he went. Abhimanyu, Arjuna's son, seeing this went straight at Bhishma, defeated Bhishma's bodyguards and directly attacked the commander of the Kaurava forces. The Pandavas suffered numerous losses and were defeated at the end of the first day. Virata's sons Uttara and Sweta were slain by Shalya and Bhishma. Krishna consoled the distraught Yudhisthira saying that eventually victory would be his.

[edit] Second Day

The second day of the war commenced with a confident Kaurava army facing the Pandavas. Arjuna, realising that something needed to be done quickly to reverse the Pandava losses, decided that he must try and kill Bhishma. Krishna skillfully located Bhishma's chariot and steered Arjuna toward Bhishma. Arjuna tried to engage Bhishma in a duel, but the Kaurava soldiers placed around Bhishma to protect him attacked Arjuna to try and prevent him from directly engaging Bhishma. Arjuna and Bhishma fought a fierce battle and it raged for hours. Drona and Dhristadyumna similarly engaged in a duel and Drona broke Dhristadyumna's bow numerous times. Bhima intervened and rescued Dhristadyumna. Duryodhana sent the Kalinga forces to attack 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 Bhishma's charioteer and killed him. Bhishma's horses, with no one to control them, bolted carrying Bhishma away from the battle field. The Kaurava army had suffered great losses at the end of the second day.

[edit] Third Day

On the third day Bhishma arranged the Kaurava forces in the formation of an eagle with himself leading from the front while Duryodhana's forces protecting the rear. Bhishma wanted to be sure of avoiding any mishap. The Pandavas countered this by using the crescent formation with Bhima and Arjuna at the head of the right and the left horns respectively. The Kauravas concentrated their attack on Arjuna's position. Arjuna's chariot was soon covered with arrows and javelin. Arjuna with amazing skills built a fortification around his chariot with the unending stream of arrows from his bow. Abhimanyu and Satyaki combined to defeat the Gandhara forces of Shakuni. Bhima and his son Ghatotkacha attacked Duryodhana in the rear. Bhima's arrows hit Duryodhana who swooned in his chariot. His charioteer immediately drove them out of danger. Duryodhana's forces however saw their leader fleeing the battlefield soon scattered. Bhishma seeing this came to them and soon restored order, Duryodhana soon came back to lead the army. He was however angry at Bhishma at what he saw as leniency towards the five Pandava brothers and spoke harshly at his commander. Bhishma, stung by this unfair charge, fell on the Pandava army with renewed vigour. It was as if there were more than one Bhishma on the field.^[7] The Pandava army soon began to retreat in chaos.

Arjuna and Krishna attacked Bhishma trying to restore order. Arjuna and Bhishma again engaged in a fierce duel, however Arjuna's heart was not in the battle as he did not like the idea of attacking his great-uncle. During the battle Bhishma killed numerous soldiers of Arjuna's armies. This enraged Lord Krishna and he grabbed a chariot wheel to kill Bhishma. Bhishma did this on purpose as he wanted to break Lord Krishna's vow of not picking any weapon in the battle and he at once fell at his feet and requested Krishna to kill him,as there would be nothing greater than attaining death in the hands of the supreme lord himself. Seeing this Krishna calmed down and smiled and the battle between Arjuna and Bhishma continued. And both of them killed several soldiers of opposite armies.

[edit] Fourth Day

The fourth day battle was noted for the valour shown by Bhima. Bhishma commanded the Kaurava army to move on the offensive from the outset. Arjuna's son Abhimanyu was surrounded by a number of Kaurava princes and was attacked. Arjuna, joined the fray in aid of Abhimanyu. Bhima appeared on the scene at this juncture with his mace aloft and started attacking the Kauravas. Duryodhana seeing this sent a huge force of elephants at Bhima. When Bhima saw the mass of elephants approaching, 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 seeing this ordered an all-out attack on Bhima. Bhima withstood all that was thrown at him and attacked Duryodhana's brothers and killed eight of them. He was however soon struck by an arrow on the chest and sat down in his chariot dazed. Ghatotkacha seeing this, fell upon the Kaurava army in anger. Bhishma realizing this no one could stand against the angry Ghatotkacha, sounded retreat. Duryodhana was distraught at the loss of his brothers.

[edit] Fifth to Ninth Day

Duryodhana, overwhelmed by sorrow at the loss of his brothers, went to Bhishma at the end of day four of the battle, and asked his commander how could Pandavas facing a superior force against them, still prevail and win. Bhishma replied saying that the Pandavas had justice on their side and advised Duryodhana to seek peace. When the battle resumed on the fifth day, the slaughter continued. Pandava army again suffered against Bhishma's attacks. Satyaki bore the brunt of Drona's attacks and soon could not withstand it. Bhima soon drove by and rescued Satyaki. Arjuna fought and killed thousands of soldiers sent by Duryodhana to attack him. The unimaginable carnage continued during the ensuing days of the battle. The sixth day was especially marked by a prodigious slaughter. Drona caused immeasurable loss of life on the Pandava side. The formations of both the armies were broken. On the eighth day Bhima killed eight of Dhritarashtra's sons. Arjuna's son Iravan was killed by the Kauravas. On the ninth day Krishna once again overcome by anger at the apparent inability of Arjuna to defeat Bhishma, rushed towards the Kaurava commander. Arjuna again stopped Krishna. Realising that the war cannot be won as long as Bhisma is standing, Krishna suggested the strategy of placing a woman in the field to face Bhisma.

[edit] Tenth Day

On the tenth day the Pandavas, unable to withstand Bhishma's prowess, decided to put Shikhandi in front of Bhishma, as Bhishma has taken a vow not to attack Shikhandi as he was once a woman, Shikhandi's arrows fell on Bhishma without hindrance. Arjuna positioned himself behind Shikhandi, thus protecting himself from Bhishma's attack, aimed his arrows at the weak points on 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 held aloft by the arrowheads from his body. Both the Kauravas and Pandavas gathered around him. On Bhishma's request Arjuna placed three arrows under Bhisma's head to support it. Bhishma had promised his father King Shantanu that he will live till Hastinapur is secured from all directions. Hence to keep his promise he used the boon given by his father to him of 'self wished death', and after the war was over, when Hastinapur became safe from all sides and after giving lessons on politics and Vishnu Sahasranama to Pandavas, he died on the first day of Uttarayana.

[edit] Eleventh Day

With Bhishma down, Karna returned to the battle field, much to Duryodhna's joy. He made Drona the supreme commander of the Kaurava forces. Karna and Duryodhana wanted to capture Yudhisthira alive. Killing Yudhisthira in battle would only enrage the Pandavas more, whereas with Yudhisthira as a hostage would be strategically more useful to them. Drona formulated his battle plans for the eleventh day to this aim. He cut down Yudhisthira's bow and the Pandava army feared that their leader was taken prisoner. Arjuna came on the scene and with a flood of arrows made Drona retreat.

[edit] Twelfth Day

With his attempts to capture Yudhisthira failed, Drona confided to Duryodhna that it would be difficult as long as Arjuna was around. The king of Trigartadesa, Susharma along with his 3 brothers and 35 sons who were fighting on the Kaurava side made a pact that they would kill Arjuna or die. They went into the battle field on the twelfth day and challenged Arjuna. Arjuna gave them a fierce fight in which the brothers fell dead after fighting a brave fight. Drona continued to try and capture Yudhisthira. The Pandavas however fought hard and delivered severe blows to the Kaurava army.

[edit] Thirteenth Day

Duryodhana summoned King Bhagadatta, the monarch of Prajayogastha (modern day Assam, India). Bhagadatta had thousands of mammoth, gigantic elephants in his stable. He was considered the strongest warrior on this planet in elephant warfare. Bhagadatta attacked Arjuna with his gigantic elephant. It was a fierce battle in which Bhagadatta matched Arjuna astra for astra. On the other side of the Kurukshetra battlefield, the remaining four Pandavas & their allies were finding it impossible to break Dronacharya's Chakravyuh formation. As Arjuna was busy fighting with the Trigartadesa princes and the Prajayogastha monarch on the other side of the battlefield, he could not be summoned to break the Chakravyuh formation. The Chakravyuh formation could only be broken by entering the formation and exiting the formation. Then king Yudhisthira instructed Abhimanyu, one of Arjuna's sons to break the Chakravyuh formation, as apart from Arjuna, Abhimanyu knew the secret of entering the Chakravyuh formation, but did not know how to exit it. Eventually he was trapped under the Chakravyu which led to his death.

[edit] Fourteenth Day

Knowing the death of his son Abhimanyu, Arjuna vowed to kill Jayadratha on the morrow before the battle ended at sunset, otherwise he would throw himself into the fire. During searching Jayadratha in the crowd, Arjuna slew a whole akshouhini, or hundreds of thousands (109,350) of Kaurava soldiers. However, the Kaurava army had protected Jayadratha very tight hence Arjuna could not attack him. Finally in late afternoon Arjuna found Jayadratha, but was guarded by Karna and five other great warriors. Seeing his friend's plight, in this critical moment Lord Krishna, his charioteer, raised his Sudarshana Chakra to cover the Sun, faking a sunset, thus all took off their arms believing the day had ended and Jayadratha was exposed. As the sun shone last ray Arjuna shot a powerful arrow decapitating Jayadratha.

However the battle continued past sunset. When the bright moon rose, Ghatotkacha, son of Bhima slaughtered numerous warriors, attacked while flying in the air. Karna went against him and both fought fiercely until Karna released the Indrastra, a celestial dart gifted to him by Indra. Ghatotkacha incresed his size and fell on the Kaurav army killing thousands of soldiers and died.

[edit] Fifteenth Day

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 unconquerable having brahamastras, Krishna hinted Yudhisthira that Drona would give up his arms if his son Ashwathama was dead. Thus Bhima proceeded to kill an elephant named Ashwathama, and loudly proclaimed that Ashwathama was dead. Drona approached Yudhisthira to seek the truth of his son's death. Yudhisthira proclaimed Ashwathama athaha nakunjaraha (Ashwathama dead, the elephant) with the last word nakunraha implying the elephant drowned out by the sound of trumpets sounded in triumph, on Krishna's instruction. A different version is that Yudhisthira pronounced the last word feebly that Drona could not hear the word elephant. Till this point, the chariot of Yudhisthira, claimed as Dharma raja (King of righteousness), was a few inches off the ground due to his righteousness. After the incident, the chariot was no longer hovered off the ground.

Drona was disheartened, and laid down his weapons. He was then killed by Dhristadyumna to avenge his father's death & vow. Later after the sunset Pandava's mother Kunti secretly met her abandened son Karna and requested him to spare Pandava's as they are their younger brothers. Karna then promised Kunti that he will spare the Pandava's except Arjuna.

[edit] Sixteenth Day

Afterwards, on the sixteenth day Karna became the supreme commander of Kaurava army and all day long, countless warriors were slain. A fierce war took place between Arjuna and Karna. Even Krishna praised Karna to this valour. Finally after a long day's battle, Karna succeeded in breaking Arjuna's Gandiva bow string. Just as Karna was about to slay Arjuna sunset occurred. Observing the rules of warrior conduct, Karna spared Arjuna.

Another account, from a respected translation, ends the sixteenth day like this- Karna fights valiantly but is surrounded and attacked by Pandava generals, who are unable to prevail upon him. Karna inflicts heavy damage on the Pandava army, which flees. Then Arjuna successfully resists Karna's weapons with his own, and also inflicts casualties upon the Kaurava army. The sun soon sets, and with darkness and dust making the assessment of proceedings difficult, the Kaurava army retreats for the day, with a mind to avoid a night battle. ^[8]

[edit] Seventeenth Day

On the seventeenth day, Karna defeated Bhima and Yudhisthira in battle but spared their life. Later Karna resumed duelling with Arjuna. During their duel Karna's chariot wheel got struck in the mud and Karna asked for a pause. But Krishna reminded Arjuna about Karna's ruthlessness onto Abhimanyu while he was similarly left without chariot and weapons. Hearing his son's fate, Arjuna shot his arrow and decapitated Karna. On the same day, Bhima swung his mace and shattered Dushasana's chariot. Bhima seized Dushasana and killed him, thus fulfilling his vow when Draupadi was humilited

[edit] Eighteenth Day

On the 18th day, Yudhishthira killed king Shalya, Sahadeva killed Shakuni, and Bhima killed Duryodhana's remaining brothers. Realizing that he has been defeated, Duryodhana fled the war zone and took refuge in the lake. However Pandavas caught up with him. Under the supervision of the now returned Balarama, a mace battle took place between Bhima and Duryodhana in which Duryodhana was mortally wounded. Later Ashwatthama, Kripacharya, and Kritvarma met Duryodhana on his deathbed and promised to avenge him. They attacked Pandavas' camp later that night and killed all Pandavas' sons, including Dhristadyumna and Shikhandi.

[edit] Aftermath of the War

At the end of the 18th day, only ten warriors survived the war – the five Pandavas, Krishna, Satyaki, Ashwatthama, Kripacharya, and Kritvarma. Yudhisthira was crowned king of Hastinapur. He renounced the throne after ruling for more than 30 years, passing on the crown to Arjuna's grandson Parikshita. He then left for the Himalayas with Draupadi and his brothers in what was to be their last journey. Draupadi and four Pandavas – Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula, and Sahadeva – died during the journey. Yudhisthira, the lone survivor and being of pious heart, was invited by Dharma to enter the heavens as a mortal.

[edit] Historicity of the Kurukshetra War

Attempts have been made to find the exact date for the occurrence of this war based on astronomical and literary records, such as the Mahabharata and later literature. There have been a number of theories put forward^[9]:

• Dr. S. Balakrishna concluded a date of 2559 BCE using consecutive lunar eclipses.
• Prof. I.N. Iyengar concluded a date of 1478 BCE using double eclipses and Saturn+Jupiter conjunctions.
• Dr. B.N. Achar states a date of 3067 BCE using planetary positions listed in the Mahabharata.
• Shri P.V. Holey states a date of November 13, 3143 BCE using planetary positions and calendar systems.
• Dr. P.V.Vartak calculates a date of October 16, 5561 BCE using planetary positions.^[10]

[edit] External links

• Kurukshetra (town)
• Dating the Kurukshetra War
• "Kurukshetra" - The International Conference and Techno Management Festival of Anna University, Chennai.

[edit] References

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