Kurukshetra War - Day 1

Krishna and Arjuna...in the battlefield!

“There is victory where Krishna is for victory is innate to Krishna.” – Remembering the wise words of Bhishma, the Sons of Pandu, praying to Goddess Durga, gathered their army in the great Kurukshetra battlefield, facing east, with a desire of victory and reign of Dharma. Under the leadership of the mighty, invincible and heroic Pithamaha Bhishma, the Kaurava warriors, marching like tidal waves with delighted hearts, stationed in their respective positions, forming the mighty Garuda Vyuha (Krauncha Vyuha). Under the leadership of their Generalissimo Dhrishtadyumna, Arjuna and Bhīma, the Pandava warriors, beholding the Kaurava warriors, formed the extremely dynamic Vajra Vyuha as deliberated by Arjuna and both the armies eagerly waited for the hour of sunrise.

Beholding the golden chariots shining bright, the elephants decked in golden armor appearing like mountain made out of gold, the armies arrayed with desire for victory and the heroic Pithamaha standing magnificently among the brothers of Duryodhana and friends and kin, Arjuna said in a soft voice – “Krishna, kindly move to the front and place the chariot in between both the armies.”

Krishna riding the chariot in between the armies

Understanding the thoughts running inside Arjuna, Krishna placed the chariot in between the two armies.  Witnessing the friends and family gathered against each other without holding their love and respect for others, Arjuna said – “Krishna! My heart is trembling seeing the warriors gathered here to battle just for the sake of Kuru family. The lives of these people mean a lot more than the wealth of Kuru family and the throne. My brothers and I will not be at peace after slaying our own brothers and being responsible for the death of the sons of uncle Drithirashtra and Matha Gandhari. The sin will be ours for slaying our own trusted and beloved friends and kin. I will not be able to hold my Gandiva against Pithamaha and Dronacharya. This war will not yield happiness in any souls. I do not desire for wealth or victory or worldly pleasures or even fame.  Let the Kauravas enjoy the throne and wealth. We will live a peaceful life in forests. Kindly turn the chariot to brother and I will explain him the situation.” Dropping his Gandiva, Arjuna sat on his chariot with broken heart and teary eyes.

Bhagavad Gita and Vishwaroop

Smiling at Arjuna with all his kindness, Krishna, placing his hand on Arjuna’s shoulders, said – “Arjuna, unable to battle against your friends and family is not a weakness but, when the result is for the welfare of the whole world, shake off the differences and stand for what is good for the people.” Speaking thus and motivating Arjuna, Krishna recited the Gita and enlightened the soul of Arjuna with truth and energy. Surrendering to Krishna, Arjuna taking his Gandiva set his mind on the battle. While both the armies waited for the sunrise, King Yudhistra, beholding the time for sunrise nearing, casting his weapon aside proceeds towards the Kaurava army on foot, with joined hands. Witnessing King Yudhistra, his brothers and Krishna, descending from their chariot, followed him without weapons and beholding the Sons of Pandu, the Kings in the Pandava army accompanied them in the same manner, filled with wonder and anxiety.

With self-possessed calmness, King Yudhistra walked towards the Kaurava warriors, not responding to the queries of his brothers. Understanding the reason for King Yudhistra’s behavior, Krishna, with an intention to reduce the fear and confusion in the hearts of the Sons of Pandu and the Kings, said – “King Yudhistra is proceeding towards the mighty souls of earth viz., Pithamaha Bhishma, Dronacharya, Krpacharya and King Salya…to pay his respects and seek their permission.”

Approaching Bhishma, with joined hands and knees touching the ground, King Yudhistra, accompanied by his brothers, said-“Pithamaha, for dharma, we are about to fight against you. Being superior to the family and to us, grant us permission to start the battle and to raise our weapons against you. Bless us for our victory.”

Delighted on King Yudhistra’s conduct, Bhishma said –“I grant you permission. Battle with cheered heart and achieve the victory you desire. I am pleased Yudhistra.  Ask for any boon and it will be granted by me without rejection.”

Cheered on Bhishma’s words, bowing unto him, King Yudhistra said –“Pithamaha, you pray for our well-being every day but as vowed to Hastinapur and to King Drithirashtra, fight whole heartedly for Kauravas.”

Blessings from Pithamaha!

Seeking his blessings, King Yudhistra accompanied by his brothers marching towards Dronacharya, said –“You are our preceptor. Grant us permission to battle and bless us for our victory. How can we fight against you and raise our weapons against you? I would like to know, how we can live after battling against the Kauravas and increase the burden of sin on our shoulders by raising weapons against the one who taught us to use it.”

“Yudhistra, victory falls on the shoulders of those who walk on the path of truth, righteousness and justice. Battling for dharma, you have no reason to fear about the sin and about the fear of raising weapons against your superiors and preceptor. I grant you permission to fight and get the victory you desire. Where Krishna is, justice is there and so is victory. Though I fight for the Kauravas bound to my vow, I will pray for your victory. Seek my counsel whenever you need it. A preceptor will never cease to assist or help his student.” – Saying so, Drona blessed the Sons of Pandu.

Honoring Krpacharya and King Salya in the same manner and seeking their permission and blessings, King Yudhistra stood in between the two armies and spoke aloud-“Warriors of both the armies, this war fell on your shoulders for dharma to win. If there’s anyone unhappy with the side they are about to battle for, they are free to change sides or even leave the battlefield. We welcome those who are willing to fight for us.”

Duryodhana laughing at King Yudhistra said-“Yudhistra, since your army is smaller than mine, are you planning to take soldiers from mine?”

“I prefer to fight for you, if you accept me, King Yudhistra!”-surprising everyone gathered, Yuyutsu, son of King Dritharashtra moved forward and stood in front of King Yudhistra with joined hands.

“We are glad to have you, brother. Join us and fight for dharma.”-saying so, King Yudhistra welcomed Yuyutsu and his followers to his army while Duryodhana, with raged heart, shouted at Yuyutsu for abandoning him and joining the enemy side. “Forgive me brother, but supporting dharma is what I prefer. Where Krishna is, there is justice and truth. I surrender unto him.” –Saying so, Yuyutsu joined by the sons of Pandu, proceeded towards the army of the Pandavas and waited for the battle to begin.

Beholding the mighty warriors and Kshatriyas, adorned in gold armor and silk attires with their weapons in their hand and rage in heart to slay their foe, the sun rose in the east approving the commencing of the most awaited battle of all Yugas.  With the sunrise, the sounds of conches and drums indicated the start of the day and time for the battle. Making the earth tremble, both the armies rushed towards their foe with raged heart and raised arms. With exceedingly skilled Bhishma leading, the Kaurava warriors rushed against the Pandavas and the uproar of the warriors surpassed the sounds of the drums beaten and conches blown. Forgetting their relationship to one another, the warriors battled ferociously.

The twangs of the bowstrings ceased not and the roar of the millions of elephants deafened the ears of the warriors nearby. The darts from the bows of Arjuna and Abhimanyu crushed the Kaurava warriors like meteorites while those from Bhishma, Aswathama and Dronacharya engulfed the Pandavas soldiers like forest fire. Desirous of victory, reckless of their lives and with intention of breaking the array of the foe, the soldiers rushed against one another with their weapons. Satyaki along with his platoon, rushed against Kritavarman while Duchadhana battled against Nakula. Sikandi who was battling with Aswathama, though deeply pierced by the shafts, kept showering arrows at Aswathama, ceasing not. Provoked at the manner King Bhagadatta was crushing the Pandava soldiers with his elephant troops, raged King Virata rushed to defend his warriors and their battle was fierce to witness.

Arjuna who encountered the mighty Pithamaha showered pointy golden winged darts, covering the chariot of Bhishma. Relishing in battling against Arjuna, Bhishma responded to Arjuna’s arrows and baffled Arjuna and Krishna.  Witnessing Bhishma’s prowess, in order to save Arjuna, Krishna rode the chariot away from Pithamaha as the Pandava troops surrounded Pithamaha.

Elephant warriors

By forenoon, the battle was at its extreme and was filled with rage and brutality. The elephant warriors rushed against their foe’s elephants and the cavalries rushed against the cavalries as the foot soldiers battled at times even in bare hands, beating their foes to death. Not a single warrior in the field can be seen pierced not by arrows or wounded. King Drupada battling with King Jayadratha was on the verge of being defeated by the mighty ruler of Sindhu while Dhrishtadyumna battling with the heroic Dronacharya was implementing all his expertise in battling. Bhīma who was showering arrows at Duryodhana seemed incompetent to respond to the prowess of Duryodhana. King Yudhistra and his legion battled against the mighty King Salya.

Abhimanyu engaged in battling against the Kosala King Vrihadvala who slayed the protectors of Abhimanyu and also crushed the chariot of Abhimanyu with his fiery darts. A long and uncontrollable duel went between Sahadeva and Durmukha while Vikarna engaged in a battle against Sutasoma. King Saguni rushed against the undefeatable Prathivindhya as Son of Dritharashtra, Viravahu dueled against the Virata prince, Uttara.

The mighty Bhishma, protected by the brothers of Duryodhana broke the array of the Pandavas and penetrated into it, slaying every single Pandava soldier in his way. Beholding the prowess of Bhishma, terrified not, the young and heroic Abhimanyu rushed to cease Bhishma, showering his darts at Pithamaha and his defenders. Breaking Krpacharya’s bow, slaying Durmukha’s charioteer and piercing the mighty Pithamaha with nine golden arrows and cutting off the standard of the Palmyra bannered Bhishma with greater energy, Abhimanyu singly and daringly ceased Bhishma and his legion. Witnessing Abhimanyu’s proficiency and braveness delighted Pithamaha said –“Wonderful Abhimanyu! Excellent! You surpass me and your father in your skill and valor. You are a delight to witness!”

Bowing to the mighty Pithamaha and accepting his blessings, placing his chariot in front of Bhishma, Abhimanyu said-“Pithamaha, grant me permission to raise my weapon against you. Bless me for I fight against the mighty heroes for dharma.”

“O Abhimanyu, you have my permission. Like your fathers and Krishna, you are a young and energetic hero and I bless you to seek the victory you desire. Worry not and raise your weapon against me. I will be glad to lose to my grandson. I would like to witness more of your prowess.”-Saying so, Pithamaha raising his bow, showered arrows at Abhimanyu, along with his defenders.

Responding to every single dart rushing towards him, Abhimanyu broke them in mid-air and showered his darts at them in return, in a wink of an eye. Abhimanyu broke every celestial weapon invoked by Bhishma and showered thousands of darts at Bhishma, piercing the Kaurava soldiers and the charioteer of Bhishma. Delighted in witnessing Abhimanyu’s expertise, cheering Abhimanyu, Bhishma pierced him with his darts. Beholding Abhimanyu battling intrepidly against Bhishma, Bhīma along with Dhrishtadyumna, King Virata and Satyaki rushed to defend the heroic Abhimanyu. Welcoming the mighty heroes of the Pandava army with his showers of arrows, Bhishma also engaged in slaying the thousands of foot soldiers and cavalries rushing towards him.

Meanwhile, Prince Uttara ceased King Salya who was rushing to defend Bhishma. Standing on his golden armored elephant, Uttara showered darts at Salya and his platoon. His raged elephant crushed the steeds of King Salya with its legs as Uttara slew the charioteer with a broad headed arrow. Standing on the grounded chariot, King Salya hurled a pointy iron dart at Uttara. Pierced in the chest by the arrow, Prince Uttara fell off from the elephant and before he could fell lifeless on the ground, with a sword, Salya cut off the trunk of the elephant and ascended the chariot of Kritavarman. Witnessing his brother dead, Prince Sweta rushed against Salya and Kritavarman. To defend King Salya, many princes and Kings proceeded against Sweta. Cutting the arrows approaching him in mid-air and showering arrows at them incessantly, Sweta slew hundreds of Knights and chariot warriors and also broke the bow of Kritavarman and Salya. With a single iron dart, Sweta made Prince Rukmartha, the son of King Salya to fell unconscious in the chariot. Beholding his son lying unconscious, raged Salya showered darts at Sweta. Desire of defending their Kings and Princes, the soldiers rushed against Sweta with fear struck heart. Showering darts in thousands, extremely raged Sweta slew thousands of Princes, cavalries and chariot warriors. Fear struck Kaurava warriors fled in all directions, unable to proceed towards Sweta who was secured by the lifeless bodies of Kaurava warriors.

Witnessing the brutality of Sweta, Bhishma and Duryodhana rushed to him. Desirous of slaying Sweta, Bhisma showered clouds of arrows and devoured the platoon of Sweta. Defending his soldiers, Sweta engaged in responding to the darts of Bhishma and with his golden dart, he broke the bow of Bhishma and pierced him.  Raged, Bhishma taking up another bow, slew the steeds and the charioteer of Prince Sweta, broke the bow and crushed the chariot. Jumping from his chariot, with mace in his hand, Sweta rushed against Bhishma. Well versed in the rules of battle, the mighty Pithamaha, taking up his mace, descended from his chariot and engaged in a duel with Sweta. Raged Sweta, whirling his mace, crushed the chariot of Pithamaha and slew the steeds. Bhishma crushed the mace of Sweta and fumed Sweta, taking up his bow, aimed his darts to slay Bhishma. Ascending another chariot, Pithamaha with bow in his hand, hurled a golden winged dart at Sweta. Piercing the armor and passing through his chest, the dart passing through the body of Sweta, made him fell lifeless on the ground. The Kaurava warriors cheered with the death of Prince Sweta while the Pandava soldiers were filled with grief.

Witnessing his brother’s death, Prince Sankha rushed against Bhishma. Arjuna, beholding Sankha and with an intention to defend the Prince, placed himself in between Bhishma and Sankha and engaged in a battle with Pithamaha. Covering Bhishma’s chariot with arrows, Arjuna and Sankha engaged in slaying the Kaurava warriors. Beholding King Drupada battling against Duryodhana, abandoning Arjuna Bhishma rushed against King Drupada, remembering his vow to defend Duryodhana.

Vulture feeding on a dead soldier

While Bhishma with his blazing shafts was shattering the Pandava soldiers, the sun set in the west, saving the Pandavas from the fear of defeat on the first day of war. Hearing the sound of the conches and drums, the Kaurava soldiers retired to their tents shouting aloud and celebrating their victory of the day’s battle, while the Pandava soldiers retreated silently with a fear struck and cheerless heart. Both the armies retired from the battlefield, wounded and exhausted. Not a single soldier could be seen unhurt. The receding soldiers were filled with blood either pierced or losing their body parts. The ground, filled with the bodies of the lifeless soldiers and animals was lighted using lanterns and the physicians rushed to treat the wounded soldiers. Vultures, wolves and hyenas hurried to the battlefield to feed upon the dead soldiers. Bullock carts engaged in collecting the darts that covered the sand of the field and chariots and carts engaged in collecting the lifeless bodies of the warriors…making sure the battlefield is ready for the next day’s battle.