After spending a sleepless night,
disheartened on the death of his sons and on the setback in the battle, King
Drithirashtra asked - “Sanjaya! The sun is about to rise. What is the situation
in the battlefield?”
Sanjaya replied – “King, the Kaurava
army has gathered under the command of our Patriarch, the immeasurably souled
Bhishma, in the form of Makara (Crocodile) and the Pandava army has gathered in the
form of Syena (Hawk). With the sunrise, the raged warriors are rushing against
each other with the desire of slaughtering their foe. Skilled in the science of
weaponry, Bhīma,
along with his platoon has infiltrated into our array and is in a duel with the
mighty Bhishma. Following Bhīma,
Arjuna too has joined his brother and began to slaughter your army. Bhishma,
with his entire prowess, is opposing both the brothers and their legions.
Ignoring Bhishma’s showers of arrows and without any concern towards their
life, the Pandava troops are proceeding forward with a cheered heart yearning
for victory.”
 |
| Vidhura and the King! |
“Bhishma singly can slay the entire
Pandava army. But his heart is only in saving the Pandavas. Did my son see the
massacre by Arjuna and Bhīma?”- asked concerned King Drithirashtra.
“He did notice the battling of both
the brothers. He has sent Dronacharya to defend Bhishma. But King Satyaki
encountered him. Both of them are battling with the hope of slaying the other.
Dronacharya’s shafts pierced the shoulder joint of Satyaki. It appears like
Drona might slay Satyaki today.”
“Hope my sons reimburse to the
Pandava army for slaying my sons yesterday.” -Excited to hear the news of death
of a Maharatha, especially the undefeatable King Satyaki, King Drithirashtra,
with cheered heart listened to Sanjaya’s words – “Drona’s shafts aimed towards
Satyaki are destructed by Bhīma.
Bhīma is rushing along with
Sikandi, to rescue King Satyaki, under the protective shield of Abhimanyu and
the five sons of Draupathi. Knowing that Bhishma would avoid fighting against
Sikandi remembering the feminineness, Drona is engaged in a duel with Sikandi
while Pithamaha is battling with Bhīma.
Oh, I can see Duryodhana approaching Bhishma with a vast division of army.”
“Did Bhishma and my son succeeded in
ceasing the Pandava army from breaking the array?” – enquired King
Drithirashtra with distress.
“Bhishma, for the sake of your sons
is fighting hardheartedly. Every single twang of his bow’s string is roaring
like thunder. O, I see Arjuna rushing towards Pithamaha and I believe that’s
why the Pandava troops aren’t terrified on witnessing the prowess of Bhishma.
Just like clouds pouring rain, Arjuna’s arrows are showering in all directions,
slaying everyone in his path. Kaurava army, horrified on beholding Arjuna’s
mightiness is running towards Bhishma for shelter.”
“There’s no way to vanquish Arjuna.
Especially when Krishna is with him. What happened, Sanjaya? Delay not.” – urged
King Drithirashtra.
“O King! Indeed Arjuna is
unconquerable. But, in order to stop Arjuna, Duryodhana is sending a vast
division of army under Duchadhana. The platoon is comprised with 14,000
knights, King Jayadratha and the Kings of Kalingas and also the Maharathas of
Kalinga division. They all proceed along with King Salya for battling against
Arjuna. But Arjuna, beholding them, with the help of his celestial Gandiva is
showering ten thousands and even greater number of arrows and without even
turning back to see who is alive, he is riding past the spot towards Bhishma.
It’s magnificent to look at Arjuna and his prowess.”
 |
| "Arjuna's prowess...all the time"! |
Annoyed on listening to Sanjaya
praising Arjuna, King Drithirashtra said – “Arjuna’s prowess is known to all.
Tell me what happened next. What about my sons? What about King Yudhistra and other
Kings and the foremost Kshatriyas?”
“Witnessing Arjuna, the Pandava army
is fighting with cheered heart. Bhishma is combating against Arjuna with a vast
platoon. King Yudhistra, along with the UpaPandavas is engaged in battling with
King Salya and his troops whereas King Jayadratha is in a duel with Bhīma.
Your son, the mighty Vikarna is battling against Sahadeva while Chitrasena is
engaged in battling with Sikandi. I see Krpacharya and Kritavarman battling
with Dhrishtadyumna. Duryodhana, along with evil minded
Saguni is fighting with the Matsya troops while Dronacharya and Aswathama are
in a combat with Satyaki, King Drupada and King Chekitana. Heroic Nakula is
singly slaughtering the Rathas and Maharathas of the Trigarthas.” – explained
Sanjaya about the proceedings in the battlefield.
“O King, because of your greediness
towards the throne and your son who is tarnished by wickedness, the whole of
Kurukshetra battlefield is filled with slain bodies of archers, knights, foot
soldiers, Kshatriyas, steeds, huge elephants, charioteers, elephant riders,
broken chariots, and flags of different Kingdoms of the world. After slaying
their foe, the warriors are looking for another warrior to slay. Vanquishing
Vikarna, Sahadeva is proceeding towards King Saguni and Uluka. Sikandi and King
Virata are rushing to support Arjuna. Witnessing Duryodhana and Duchadhana
slaying the Matsya troops, raged Bhīma is rushing to defend his warriors. Vikarna has joined
Krpacharya, along with King Jayadratha. Seeing this, Arjuna is proceeding to
rescue his generalissimo Dhrishtadyumna and seeing Arjuna, Dronacharya too
joined the trio – Vikarna, Krpacharya and King Jayadratha. Satyaki and
Abhimanyu came to defend King Yudhistra and are battling with King Salya while
King Yudhistra is crushing your army’s elephant division.”
 |
| King Yudhistra's legion against the elephant warriors |
“It’s noon. The field must be
scorching hot. The sky is also clear. Did the warriors take rest? It must be
hard for them to battle continuously for five days.” –worried the King.
“Indeed, O King. The warriors did
take frequent intervals unable to bear the scorching sun and the heat from the
battlefield. But, that did not cease the rage and the need for battle. Exploiting
the difficulty of the warriors, Bhishma is slaying the Panchalas and the
Somakas of the Pandava troops. Bhīma, raged on witnessing the slaughter, proceeds
towards the Patriarch. But Bhīma’s rage was not enough to battle against Bhishma.
Bhishma, with a single dart, broke the bow of Bhīma.”
“Excellent! None can stand against the experience and
talent of Pithamaha. Did Bhishma slay him or at least seize him? Will the
battle end by today with my sons’ victory?” – asked motivated King
Drithirashtra.
“Satyaki is battling with
Bhishma now. He came to rescue Bhīma.
But Bhishma, with a single dart, slew the charioteer of Satyaki and as a
result, the steeds are running without control. Dhrishtadyumna
and King Virata, along with the troops of Panchalas and Somakas, witnessing
Bhishma open to battle, are rushing against him with rage. Joining Dronacharya,
Bhishma is battling furiously against the Panchala warriors. I can hear the
resonances of Gandiva. Arjuna is battling with someone so fiercely.”
“Who is it, Sanjaya? Who is
encountering the mighty archer, Arjuna?”- asked tensed King
Drithirashtra.
“Aswathama, O King. Aswathama is
engaged in a duel with Arjuna. Indeed, Aswathama is not less talented than
Arjuna. Aswathama’s darts pierced the armor of Arjuna in the chest. He is also
attacking Krishna. He is battling like an elephant that is out of control.
Arjuna is raged on witnessing Aswathama attacking Krishna. I am unable to
notice the darts sped by Arjuna from his Gandiva! Such is his speed and perfectness
in aim. Even Aswathama failed to notice it. The dart has pierced his chest and
his armor is drenched in blood. Like a lightning, Arjuna’s next dart broke the
bow of Aswathama. Aswathama, still standing bold and courageous, taking another
bow, started aiming for Arjuna’s heart. But, Arjuna broke that bow too.” –said
Sanjaya.
“‘O Krishna! This Aswathama, son of
my guru is talented in archery, just like me. But his rage is blocking his
decision to aim correctly. Though I have vanquished him now, I don’t intend to
slay him for he is cared and loved a lot by Guru Dronacharya. I don’t like to
hurt the feelings of Dronacharya. Ride the chariot away from him.’ Saying so,
Arjuna ceased battling with Aswathama. Knowing that Aswathama cannot be slain,
Krishna too rode the chariot away from Aswathama. Facing Arjuna approaching
towards them, your warriors started fleeing in all directions.” –Sanjaya thus
uttered the duel between Aswathama and Arjuna.
“The respect Arjuna has got for Dronacharya and Aswathama is phenomenal.Where did Arjuna go then?” – asked King
Drithirashtra.
“The whole of battle field is filled
with warriors excited in rage and desire to slay. Your son, Duryodhana is
engaged in a duel with Bhīma.
It appears like there’s no end for this duel as both of them are battling
applying all their years of skills and talents. The undefeatable Chitrasena is
battling against the mighty Abhimanyu, Purumitra and Satyavrata. Chitrasena is
battling with ease but yet he is able to defend those three heroic warriors. He
struck Abhimanyu in the chest with his gold winged arrow! Though wounded,
Abhimanyu, standing indifferent, struck Chitrasena with force. Both the sons of
those mighty foremost archers of the world seem to share the talents, skill,
intelligence and science of weaponry of their father. Splendid it is to see
those young bloods filled with talent.” – As Sanjaya was explaining about the
duel, King Drithirashtra and Gandhari felt proud and at the same time, felt sad
as those young ones are supposed to be enjoying the wealth of their father but
instead, they are battling against each other, all because of them.
 |
| Abhimanyu showering darts |
Though noticing the depression in
the King’s face, Sanjaya kept continuing about the duel – “Oh! I can see your
grandson Lakshmana coming to rescue Chitrasena, along with his platoon!
Abhimanyu encountered Lakshmana and he is welcoming your grandson with showers
of arrows. The duel between your grandsons is fierce, just like their fathers duel.
Though talented, Lakshmana is no match to Abhimanyu’s prowess. Abhimanyu slew
the steeds of Lakshmana’s chariot and also the charioteer. Oh…mighty
Abhimanyu….he just broke the wheels of Lakshmana’s chariot with just three
sharp darts! Though standing on a grounded chariot, unafraid Lakshmana still
keeps showering arrows at Abhimanyu. Krpacharya is rushing towards Abhimanyu
and in a wink of an eye, Lakshmana ascended Krpacharya’s chariot and they
absconded from the eyes and pointy arrows of Abhimanyu.”
“Mighty hero…Abhimanyu! That child
has got the talents of both Krishna and Arjuna. How about other warriors,
Sanjaya? Its evening and the warriors must be real tired and exhausted,
fighting all day and also in witnessing their beloved ones’ death.” – asked the
King.
“King, the warriors do seem
exhausted but they all are eager to earn their victory. The Pandava army is
slaughtering our warriors with cheered heart. King Satyaki is slaughtering your
soldiers by showering innumerable pointy darts. Witnessing Satyaki’s prowess,
King Duryodhana sent 10,000 foremost chariots against Satyaki but, the heroic
Satyaki, with the help of his mighty bow, invoked a celestial weapon and slew
all those 10,000 warriors, along with their charioteers and steeds.” – Said Sanjaya
amazed at the feat of Satyaki.
“My
son has got the greater number of warriors in his side. His army is filled with
immeasurably souled and undefeatable heroic warriors like Pithamaha,
Dronacharya, Aswathama, Krpacharya, Bhagadatta, Karna, Duryodhana and many
more. Yet, the Pandavas, with their few warriors are slaughtering my army. Why
is it that my son, even after having everything needed to win the war, is
losing?” – asked depressed King Drithirashtra.
“O King! This defeat is the fruit of
the poisonous tree that you and your son grew in the Palace- the tree of
greediness towards the throne and also the result of your ill-doings to the
sons of Pandu. Worrying now is not going
to change anything unless you convince your son and stop the battle and give
the share to the Pandavas. The feat achieved by Satyaki in these five days is
really fierce. I see King Bhurisravas
approaching against Satyaki by showering thousands and thousands of pointy
arrows at him. Unable to withstand the brutal attack of Bhurisravas, the
soldiers under Satyaki ran in all directions whereas, Satyaki and his 10 sons
alone stood for the battle against Bhurisravas. The combat is fierce and the
sons of Satyaki are covering Bhurisravas with pointy arrows. But the mighty Bhurisravas,
singly opposing all those mighty warriors, cut off the arrows approaching him
and also with his gold winged arrows, broke their bows and slew their steeds.
With a thousand arrows, Bhurisravas slew the 10 sons of Satyaki, their
charioteers and broke their chariots into pieces. Witnessing the death of his
sons, Satyaki started assaulting Bhurisravas with rage. They both broke each
other’s chariots, slew their foe’s charioteer and even after standing on ground,
they ceased not to fight. The soldiers surrounding them are beginning to think
that they both will not cease until their foe is slayed.”
“It must be hard for Satyaki to
witness the death of his sons. Bhurisravas too is a mighty hero and I
personally feel proud of having him on my son’s side. What happened then,
Sanjaya? The sun is also about to set!” – asked King
Drithirashtra.
 |
| Twilight |
“Witnessing the heroic warriors
battling fiercely, Duryodhana came to rescue Bhurisravas
and in the meantime, Bhīma too came rushing to defend Satyaki and they drove
those warriors away from each other. Witnessing the duel, both the army,
excited in thinking that their side was on the verge of victory begun to attack
their foe with all their mightiness. The battlefield is filled with the shouts
of the warriors, clangs of the swords and javelins and roars of the animals.
The sun is about to set but, Arjuna is still fierce and raged. With his
scorching pointy darts, he slew 25,000 Rathas, like lighting.” – Said amazed
Sanjaya and continued - “Though Bhishma saw the prowess of Arjuna, witnessing
twilight approaching, he blew his conch and commanded the army to withdraw for
the day. The Pandavas too blew their conches. The fifth day of war ended,
making sure that the battle continues tomorrow. Though both the sides fought
fierce, it’s tough to say who won the day.”
Nodding in acceptance, King
Drithirashtra said – “Indeed Sanjaya! Though Bhishma fought
with all his mightiness, Abhimanyu and Satyaki too fought with the same
prowess. Not to forget Arjuna who vanquished Aswathama. Hope Duryodhana has got
a better plan for tomorrow’s battle.”
