Ashwatthama vows to kill Dhristadyumna

The sage said to Janmajeya -
All were in shock on hearing off Drona's death. Karna said to Duryodhana - The Guru had become old and was weak. Leave the Pandavas to me. I will get them for you.
Ashwatthama then came there with Kritavarma and Kripacharya. He pledged to kill Dhristadyumna. 

Drona killed

Seeing Bhagdatta fall, Duryodhana came to attack, riding an elephant called Ashwatthama. He went to face Bhima.
Bhima was on a killing spree, killing who ever crossed his path. Duryodhana then faced Bhima. With a blow of his mace, Bhima killed the elephant by crushing its skull.
Duryodhana jumped down and began fighting with his mace.
Bhima started hitting Duryodhana with his mace. Not able to face Bhima, Duryodhana fled from there. Seeing Duryodhana run, Bhima resumed killing off the army.
Drona saw this and began shooting arrows at Bhima, wounding him. Bhima fled from there. Arjuna then came to face Drona. With ten arrows, Drona managed to subdue Arjuna and took off elsewhere.
Whoever faced Drona was being killed. Yudhistira was worried.
Krishna then said to Drona, Ashwatthama has fallen today, killed by Bhima.
Drona could not believe his ears. Aswatthama was supposed to be immortal. How could he fall?
He said to Krishna -I do not understand your illusions. My son was supposed to be immortal.
Krishna said Ashwatthama has fallen, killed by Bhima. If you do not believe me, ask Yudhistira.
Drona said I will believe this only if Yudhistira says this to me.
Krishna then called Yudhistira and asked him to tell Drona that Ashwatthama had fallen. Yudhistira said he would not tell a lie.
Krishna said This is not a lie. The elephant Ashwatthama has fallen.
Yudhistira said This is still a lie. Drona's son is not dead.If I lie I will go to hell.
 Bhima got angry and said Being the eldest of the Pandavas who managed to throw away everything and now to save all do not want to lie. Where was justice when Abhimanyu was surrounded by many warriors and killed. If Drona asks me I will say Ashwatthama is dead.
Saying this Bhima began shouting Ahwatthama is dead.
Drona said I will trust only Yudhistira.
Yudhistira said quietly Ashwatthama the elephant is dead.
Drona said I did not hear you. Speak loudly.
Yudhistira said Ashwatthama is dead. Quietly he said Elephant. Many times Drona asked him, every time Yudhistira said the same.
Drona dropped his weapons and began crying.
Krishna then asked Arjuna to attack. Arjuna, with his weapons, cut off Drona's weapons.
Dhristadyumna seeing this, climbed Drona's chariot with a sword and cut off his head.

Duryodhana was aghast hearing about the death of Drona.

Bhagdatta killed

Seeing Bhagdatta, Arjuna said to Krishna - He is killing off the Pandava army. I promise that I will kill him today. Please take me close to him.

Hearing this, Krishna smiled and turned the chariot. Arrows started pouring like rain. Bhagdatta shouted that he would kill Arjuna, Arjuna said Leave your pride aside and fight.

Arjuna and Bhagdatta began fighting. Bhagdatta tried to trample the chariot with his elephant but Krishna quickly managed to maneuver the chariot quickly. Bhagdatta shot arrows which were cut by Arjuna. Arjuna then hit an arrow at the belly of the elephant. The elephant collapsed. Bhagdatta then got a chariot driven by elephants and began fighting, riding that.

Bhagdatta shot arrows which Arjuna cut off. Bhagdatta then used weapons which Arjuna was not able to combat and fell on the chariot. This angered Krishna who said You are not concentrating. You said you will kill Bhagdatta. How do you plan to do this? Use divine weapons and kill him fast.

Arjuna used a divine weapon which Bhagdatta managed to avoid. He then got a weapon called Vaishnava and said he would use that. Bhagdatta released the arrow. Seeing this, Krishna pushed Arjuna aside and faced the weapon. The weapon merged with Krishna.

Arjuna asked Krishna why he did this.
Krishna said There was no way Arjuna could have faced the weapon. Arjuna said What is this weapon? How did Bhagdatta get this?
Krishna said Narakasura got this weapon from me. From Naraka, this weapon went to his son Bhagdatta. This weapon will always kill its target and there is no way it will be futile. You will not be able to combat it, which is why I faced it. Now that Bhagdatta has used that weapon, quickly cut off the head of Bhagdatta.

'Arjuna then shot five arrows and cut off Bhagdatta's bow. Bhagdatta picked another bow and that was cut. This continued with Arjuna cutting off all bows of Bhagdatta.
Bhagdatta then began hurling spears at Arjuna who cut them. With a weapon, Arjuna then killed Bhagdatta. The dead body of Bhagdatta fell on the chariot. 

Death of Drupada

In the morning, the battle began. Arjuna with Krishna left to fight.
Bhima was fighting Duryodhana. Satyaki was fighting Karna, Drona with Dhristadyumna, Virata with Somdatta, Sahadeva with Shakuni, Nakula with Dushsasana and Drupada with Bhagdatta. While Shikahndi was fighting with Ashwatthama and Yudhistira was fighting Shalya.

Dushsasana was wounded by Nakula and fainted in the battlefield and had to be carried away. He came back again but had to face a defeat.

Bhagdatta was fighting Drupada. This son of Naraka was sitting on an elephant. Drupada used weapons which were cut off by Bhagdatta. Seeing this, Drupada shot five sharp arrows at Bhagdatta, which penetrated his armor. Bhagdatta began bleeding. Bhagdatta then, with an arrow, cut off Drupada's bow. He then killed the charioteers and the horses. Then choosing an arrow he shot that at Drupada, killing him.

Yudhistira was shocked at the death of Drupada.

The Pandavas were in grief, while the Kauravas were rejoicing.

Shikhandi was fighting Ashwatthama. Shikhandi cut off the arrows of Ashwatthama. Ashwatthama then shot an arrow which wounded Shikhandi. Shikhandi fainted. Shikhandi's chariuoteer fled with him.

Sahadeva, son of Jarasandha, was fighting Kripa. He wounded Kripa, who had to flee, wounded.

Kritavarma and Chekitan were fighting each other. Chekitan had to flee from the attack.

The king of Kashi was fighting with Yuyutsu. Yuyutsu cut off the bow of the king of Kashi.  With his bow cut off, the king jumped off from his chariot with his sword and shield. With his sword, he cut off the horses of Yuyutsu's chariot and then cut of the head of the charioteer. Seeing this, Yuyutsu fled. Seeing Yuyutsu flee, Yudhistira stepped in. Shalya saw Yudhistira and came to face him. Yudhistira cut off the bow of Shalya. Shalya jumped with his mace, and with a blow, broke Yudhistira's chariot. Yudhistira jumped down and fled.

Bhima then started killing soldiers with his mace. Seeing this, Bhagdatta attacked Bhima, riding his elephant. He tried to trample Bhima with the elephant. Bhima caught the elephant by its feet and tried to lift it, but was unable to. He then hit the elephant hard on its stomach. Hurt, the elephant ran away from there.

Bhagdatta, then returned and started killing the Pandava soldiers. 

Karna gives away his armor

Bhima was devastated to see his son die. Taking his mace, he began killing soldiers, horses and elephants. The soldiers were tired, having fought all night but fearing Duryodhana they could not refuse, so agreed to face Bhima and die.
Arjuna asked for the war to be called for. All were tired and needed rest.
He then sat with Bhima trying to console him. Arjuna said I understand your pain. I too lost Abhimanyu. Krishna, Please tell us what we should do now.
Krishna said Know that death of Ghatotkacha means life for you, Arjuna.
Karna was born with armor and earrings. With these, no weapon could pierce him.
Also, Karna was a great believer in charity and never refused anyone who came to him.
Knowing this, Indra went to Karna in the guise of a brahman.
Karna saw the brahman and bowed down to him and asked who he was and where he was coming from.
The brahman said he had come from far for alms.
Karna said What do you want.
The brahman said First vow that you will give me what I ask for.
Karna wondered who this was in the guise of a brahman. Leaving the thought aside, Karna promised that whatever was asked for, would be given.
The brahman said Then give me your armor and earrings.
Karna remembering Surya telling him about this. He then said I know you are Indra. You have come for Arjuna. If you had asked for my life, I would have given you that. Why do you fear for Arjuna when Krishna is with him?
Saying this, Karna took a sword and then cut off the armor and the earrings from his body.
Indra said Ask for something.
Karna said I know of a weapon that you have that will never miss its mark. Give me that. Indra gave that to Karna, and left with the armor.

Arjuna, Karna had been saving this to use on you. He had to use it on Ghatotkacha thus saving your life. 

Ghatotkacha dies

Seeing the death of his father, Alambusha's son, Alambushi,  came on an elephant to take revenge. Ghatotkacha killed the elephant. Alambushi escaped and then came riding a chariot. He started shooting arrows at Ghatotkacha. Ghatotkacha smashed the chariot. Alambushi and Ghatotkacha then began fighting with their mace. Ghtotkacha first broke Alambushi's hands and then smashed his chest. Alambushi died.
The Kaurava army was now scared. Ghatotkacha, with his mace, began smashing the soldiers. A king called Pandya said he would fight Ghatotkacha. He began shooting arrows, which broke when they touched the mace of Ghatotkacha. With arrows, the king then cut the mace. Ghatotkacha then picked up the chariot and flung it far, killing the king.
Seeing the king fall, some warriors attacked Ghtotkacha shooting arrows. With his arrows, Ghotkacha killed them.
Duryodhana was worried. Ashwatthama then said Karna has a weapon which is sure to kill whomever it is aimed at. Let Karna use that to kill this demon.
Karna said I have been saving that to kill Arjuna. I got that by giving away my armor, with which I was born. If I kill Ghatotkacha with that weapon, know for sure I will also die in the battlefield.
Ashwatthama said Get rid of Ghatotkacha first. You will fight Arjuna only if Ghatotkacha dies. Else we all will be dead.
Duryodhana then asked Karna to use that weapon on Ghatotkacha.
Karna then went to face Ghatotkacha. He tried to subdue Ghatotkacha with various weapons. What that was not working, Karna got the weapon that he had stored. He aimed that at Ghatotkacha.
Ghatotkacha realized that this will mean his death. He tried to break off the weapon with various other weapons of his, but none worked.
The weapon pierced Ghatotkacha. He shouted out in pain to Bhima- I am dying. What do you want me to do before I die.
Bhima said Crush as many Kaurava warriors as you can.
Ghatotkacha increased his size and fell on the army, crushing many soldiers.
Cries broke in both the sides.
It was the second part of the night when Ghatotkacha fell.

Ghatotkacha kills Alambusha

After the death of Jayadratha, Krishna said to Arjuna - Let us rush to Yudhistira. He would be anxious for us. They also went to Yudhistira who was relieved to see them. They told him about the death of Jayadratha.

In the Kaurava camp, Duryodhana gave orders that there would be no rest. Torches would be lit and the fight would happen in the night also. The Pandava army hearing also lit up torches.

Drona tried to capture Yudhistira but was stopped by Dhristadyumna. Drona wounded Dhristadyumna, who then fled. Satyaki then attacked Drona. Satyaki also was wounded by Drona. When Yudhistira was wondering what would happen, Hidimba's son, Ghatotkacha, came to his rescue. Taking his mace, Ghatotkacha blasted his way into the Kaurava army. He was followed by Sahadeva, son of Jarasandha, five sons of Draupadi and Yudhistira.

Ghatotkacha made his body like a mountain. He then started eating up the Kaurava soldiers. Doshan, son of Dushsasana attacked Ghatotkacha. Ghatotkacha smashed his chariot and Doshan barely escaped. Ghatotkacha,  seeing this, brought his mace down on Doshan, killing him.

Seeing this angered Dushsasana who attacked but had to flee, not able to stand the might of Ghatotkacha.
Using the magic of the rakshasas, Ghatotkacha played havoc on the Kauravas.

Seeing all perplexed, Karna decided to attack. Ghatotkacha smashed Karna's chariot and Karna barely managed to save himself.  Ashwatthama then came but could stand the might of Ghatotkacha.

Alambusha then came into the attack. Ghatotkacha and Alambusha began fighting each other. Alambusha hid in the skies and Ghatotkacha went and caught up with him. Alambusha started showering arrows and Ghatotkacha broke his bow. Both then began fighting with their maces. Alambusha took the form of a mountain range and attacked Ghatotkacha. Ghatotkacha climbed up on the mountain and began smashing till he saw Alambusha. He caught Alambusha by his hair and dragged him to the ground. With his mace, he then smashed his head. 

Jayadratha dies

Killing the sons of Bhima, Bhima began killing soldiers on the field. With the remaining brothers, Duryodhana attacked Bhima. Bhima wounded Duryodhana with his arrows. Seeing this Dushshasana and the other eight brothers attacked. Taking his mace, Bhima killed eight of the brothers. Off the sons of Dhritarashtra and Gandhari, only Duryodhana and Dushsasana were alive.

Karna came again to attack. He cut off Bhima's mace. Without a weapon, Bhima hurled a dead elephant at Karna. Karna cut that off. Bhima started throwing other dead animals and then dead bodies of soldiers which Karna cut off. Bhima was now empty handed and bleeding . Karna caught him. Remembering his promise to Kunti, he released Bhima.

Arjuna had traveled a long distance. Some more, and then Jayadratha would be in front of him. Krishna said - Only four hours are left for the sun to set. Please hurry up.
Arjuna said I still do not see Jayadratha. How do I kill the one I do not see.

Krishna said Do not worry. Jayadratha will die today.

Seeing Arjuna coming, Jayadrata hid himself. Krishna then asked Sudarshana to go and cover the sun. It suddenly became dark. The kuru army was happy. Now Arjuna will kill himself.

Jayadratha then came in front of Arjuna and reminded him of the promise.
Arjuna said I will not go back on my word. I will kill myself.

Arjuna then began arranging for a pyre and lit that. Krishna said If you have to enter the fire, take your weapons with you.

Picking up the Gandiva, Arjuna went around the fire seven times. Krishna then removed Sudarshana. The sun would be there for two more hours. Krishna asked Arjuna to make use of the opportunity. Krishan said Make sure you do not drop his cut head on the ground. Using arrows, throw the head onto the lap of his father who lives in the forest as a mendicant.

Arjuna did that. The cut head fell on the lap of the old mendicant. The old king threw that on the ground and his head burst into a thousand pieces.

After this, Arjuna asked Krishna about the secret of Jayadratha.

Krishna said Jayadratha had prayed to Shiva and pleased him. Shiva had then granted him a boon that who ever dropped his head on the ground would die.

Hearing this, Arjuna bowed down at Krishna for helping him. 

Bhima kills ninety sons of Dhritarashtra

Yudhistira was wondering how Arjuna was faring. With Satyaki also away, he called Bhima. He said Bhima, Arjuna is fighting somewhere. I sent Satyaki and he has not returned.
Bhima called Dhristadyumna and asked him to protect Yudhistira till he returned.
Saying this, Bhima climbed on his chariot and went into the middle of the battlefield.

Karna stopped Bhima. Bhima cut off his chariot and his weapons. Karna then fled.

Duryodhana seeing this, asked his brothers to attack Bhima.
Ten sons of Dhritarashtra came and started showering arrows at Bhima. Bhima jumped with his mace and smashed the brothers killing them.
Thirty more brothers of Duryodhana then attacked Bhima. With his mace, Bhima killed the horses and elephants on which they were riding. He then killed the thirty brothers.

Bhima then started his chariot and soon saw Satyaki. He asked him what was happening. Satyaki asked Bhima why he had left Yudhistira. Bhima said hearing no news, Yudhistira had sent him.

Karna came again, and Bhima began shooting arrows at Karna. Karna fled again.

Bhima then began killing off the soldiers. Fifty of Duryodhana's brothers, seeing this, came and attacked Bhima. Bhima killed all fifty of them.

Sanjaya told Dhritarashtra that ninety of his sons had died so far in battle. Dhritarashtra fell from his throne.
Gandhari, hearing this, fainted. Wails broke out in the palace when the wives heard of the loss of their husbands.

Sanjaya said You knew things would come to this. Many times it was asked to avoid the battle. Vidura said All Yudhistira had asked for was five villages. If that had been given, things would not come to this. 

Bhurishrava dies

With his hands cut off, Bhurishrava fainted. Regaining consciousness, he said to Arjuna - Shame on you. You cut off my hands in an unfair manner. I was fighting Satyaki. Why did you interfere? You will go to hell for this.
Arjuna was ashamed.
Krishna said - Do not fear Arjuna. Bhurishrava talks of fair war. What did he do when Abhimanyu was killed by unfair means?
Bhurishrava said Krishna, I know no one as evil as you.
He then realized he was cursing the Lord and kept quiet.
He then said I will not go anywhere cursing the Lord.
Krishna said Leave all ill will aside and go off to Vaikuntha.

Bhurishrava sat quietly. Satyaki, seeing his enemy, sitting on the ground, jumped with a sword in his hand.

He cut off Bhurishrava's head. The kauravas seeing this started showering arrows at Satyaki. Satyaki them jumped on his chariot and began fighting.

Birth of Bhurishrava

The sage said to Janmajeya - Let me tell you about Satyaki a bit.

Once Krishna was performing a sacrifice for pleasing the departed forefathers. He invited many kings for the ceremony. Of the invited kings was a king called Somdatta. Seeing this angered Shini, who was a uncle of Krishna and the brother of Vasudeva. Shini said how could Somdatta be there? He was not fit to be invited? Somdatta also started abusing Shini. Shini got up and grabbed Somdatta by his hair. He then started slapping Somdatta till his teeth started shaking.

The insulted Somdatta left. He went to the forest to pray for revenge. He prayed to Shiva who appeared before him. He asked Shiva to bless him with a son who would be able to avenge him. Shiva said a son would be born who would win over the son of Shini.

This was Bhurishrava, who with the blessing of Shiva, was able to capture Satyaki.

Bhurishrava catches Satyaki

While Arjuna had gone to look for Jayadratha, Yudhistira was worried. Finding no one, he asked Satyaki to lead the battle.

Satyaki went inside the formation and started killing warriors. The king Bhurishrava, seeing this came and attacked Satyaki. Satyaki cut off the arrows of Bhurishrava.
Bhurisharava asked Satyaki to come down on the ground and fight.
Satyaki jumoed down and both started fighting with their swords.

Krishna saw this and asked Arjuna to help Satyaki. He said Bhurishrava has caught Satyaki by his hair and is about to cut off his head.

Arjuna then aimed arrows at Bhurishrava, cutting off his hands.

Janmajeya asked Satyaki was able to defeat all, but how was he easily overcome by Bhurishrava? 

Arjuna goes in search of Jayadratha

In the camp Krishna was worried. He said to Arjuna - You took a vow not knowing the consequences.
Arjuna said What do I have to fear when you are with me.
Krishna asked Arjuna to come with him and drove the chariot to the abode of Shiva.
Shiva was pleased to see Krishna. Krishna said Arjuna had taken a vow to kill Jayadratha in the day. Shiva blessed both and said they would be successful.
Krishna and Arjuna went back to their camp.
The next day Drona created a wonderful formation which was difficult to penetrate. Jayadratha was placed in the center of that.
Arjuna said He would fight and kill the king of Sindhu.
Bhima told Arjuna to concentrate on that while he would take care of the rest.
Krishna then asked his charioteer, Daruka, to be ready with weapons. He said If Arjuna was unable to kill Jayadratha before sunset, he would blow his conch shell. Hearing that Daruka should come, and then Krishna would kill all the Kauravas alone.
Krishna then sat on Arjuna's chariot and took that into the battlefield.
Drona was in the front stopping Arjuna. Arjuna asked him to give way which he refused. Krishna said Do not pelad with one who planned the death of your son.
Arjuna and Drona started fighting. Arjuna cut off all arrows of Drona. Krishna said quickly deal with Drona. We need to reach Jayadratha in time.
Arjuna asked how to do that.
Krishna said On the right of Drona is an army fighting. Kill them off. I will take the chariot there.
Krishna took the chariot there and Arjuna killed many soldiers. Drona asked Why Arjuna was fleeing. Arjuna said he would deal with the Guru later. Drona smiled and left the path.
Arjuna then was confronted by Ashwatthama. The son of Dona started shooting arrows at Arjuna. Arjuna cut off the weapons and then his bow and wounded him.
Karna then faced Arjuna. Karna and Arjuna started fighting, shooting weapons at each other. Karna took got wounded and had to leave. Arjuna then killed multiple soldiers.

It was noon and the sun was blazing.
Krishna then said to Arjuna We need to stop. The horses are tired and wounded. They need rest and some water. I am sweating away myself.
Arjuna said This is impossible. I cannot stop now.
Krishna said Let me get off and get some water.
Arjuna said If you leave me here, this will be the end.
Krishna said Your devotion has bound me and I cannot leave. Just step off the chariot and fight, standing in the ground, while I take care of the horses.
Arjuna stepped off and started fighting. Krishna said the horses need water. Let me do something.
Saying this, he created a lake there. The horses drank their fill in the lake. Krishna then tied the horses back to the chariot.
Krishna then asked Arjuna to get on the chariot and started the vehicle again.

Arjuna vows to kill Jayadratha

Arjuna said to Krishna - I do not see anyone as brave as Abhimanyu.
Krishna said Do not grieve for one who had gone to heaven. Listen to me. On a tree, birds live in the night and when the day breaks, they forget about the night and go flying in teh world. They dont care which tree they spend the night in.
Vyasa then came there. Arjuna said He was feeling lost without Abhimanyu. Vyasa said Death was the only truth. When the earth was born, there were people who were living for ever. From the breath of Vishnu was born a woman, She was Death. Vishnu told her take with her, those whose time was up. The woman started doing that.
Vyasa left.
Krishna then asked Yudhistira to tell about Abhimanyu's fight. Yudhistira told in detail what had happened starting from Abhimanyu saying he just knew how to enter and also Jayadrata stopping them from entering. He then told about Abhimanyu's fight and death.
Arjuan hearing this said he would kill Jayadratha. He said the next day either he would kill Jayadratha or kill himself, if he failed.
Jayadratha was scared when he heard this. He went and told Duryodhana this.
Duryodhana took Jayadratha to Drona and said Arjuna has vowed to kill Jayadratha. He needs to be saved.
Drona said Jayadratha need not fear. He would get protection from all. He said he would create a formation and Jayadratha would be in the center of that.
When Duryodhana left, Kripa said With Krishna on the Pandavas side, know for sure, Jayadratha will meet his end in the fight tomorrow.

Arjuna sees ill omens

The sage said to Janmajeya -
While Arjuna was fighting, he saw crows coming and sitting on the flag posts of the chariots. They were continuously cawing away. The bow string of Gandiva broke once and his left eye started throbbing. He suddenly started sweating.
Arjuna said to Krishna - Nothing is amiss. I can hear crying noises. I wonder what is happening.
Krishna said Till the time Abhimanyu is there, there is no fear. If Abhimanyu is killed, that will have to be by unfair means and that will mean Duryodhana's end.

Krishna knew that Abhimanyu had fallen but he could not tell Arjuna that. He started the chariot towards the camp. Arjuna saw more ill omens. He entered the camp.

It was all dark inside and all were sitting on the ground. Arjuna said Why is everyone avoiding me?

He saw Yudhistira crying. He moved around and saw Abhimanyu missing. He asked Bhima where Abhimanyu was. Bhima was quiet.

Arjuna had tears in his eyes. Slowly Bhima told Arjuna about the battle and the death of Abhimanyu.

Arjuna could not control his grief. He started crying, Krishna then consoled him. 

Moon cursed

The sage said to Janmajeya -
The Pandavas returned to their camp. Yudhistira sat on the ground, unable to control his grief.
Vyasa came there. He asked Yudhistira why he was grieving.
Yudhistira said I am very unfortunate. I wanted my kingdom back and because of that the brave Abhimanyu has fallen today. He had told me that he knew how to enter but did not know how to come out. I had told him I would be behind him, but I was unable to proceed because of Jayadratha. He fought bravely and was killed by unfair means.
Vyasa said Stop your grief. You have no control over destiny. Let me tell you about his previous birth. He was the Moon born as Subhadra's son because of a curse. Listen, as I tell you more.
The sage Garga once went to the Moon with his disciples. The Moon was sitting with  Rohini, lost in her love,  when the sage arrived. Chandra forgot to receive the sage.
The sage got angry at being ignored. He cursed the moon to be born as a human.
The Moon said he had not ignored the sage purposefully and begged forgiveness.
The sage said You will born as the son of Subhadra and Arjuna. You will be a brave warrior and at the age of sixteen you will fight a great battle and will die there.

Vyasa said This is Abhimanyu's destiny. You could not have done anything about this.
Yudhistira said I am not sure how I will face Arjuna. What will Krishna say? What will I say to Subhadra? How will I pacify Uttara?

Vyasa said One dies when the time is up, not before that. Krishna will understand and he will make Arjuna understand.

Saying this, Vyasa left.

Abhimanyu falls

The sage said
Listen Janmajeya - The son of Arjuna, fought valiantly. The formation, which was like a slow blooming lotus, had been penetrated by Abhimanyu. At every petal formation, Abhimanyu killed many people.Bodies were floating in pools of blood. A son of Shakuni came to fight and was killed by Abhimanyu.
Duryodhana went to Drona and asked him how to stop Abhimanyu. He said You are pleased with the skill of Abhimanyu and that is why you remain quiet.
Drona got angry. He said No one is able to face the son of Arjuna. He is a great warrior like his father. If Karna had to face defeat in his hands, who do you think and defeat him? If you want to defeat Abhimanyu, then you will have fight using unfair means. Do not forget that this is Krishna's nephew. He will be  able to defeat all, alone.
Duryodhana then gave orders for seven of the Kuru warriors to face Abhimanyu together.
Kripa said this was not a proper means of fighting.
Duryodhana said this was the time to win the war. Kill the boy by any means and win the war.
It was decided. Drona, Kripa, Karna, Shakuni, Dushsasana, Ashwatthama and Duryodhana decided to surround Abhimanyu and attack him.
The sky was covered with arrows.
Abhimanyu was aghast seeing this unfair means of fight. Abhimanyu shot arrows cutting off arrows coming towards him. He was easily able to overcome the seven warriors. Duryodhana said to Drona - See this boy make a massacre of my army.
Drona and the others attacked again. This time they cut his chariot and then his bow. With his bow gone, Abhimanyu jumped with a sword and sheild in his hand. Karna, with an arrow, cut off his shield. Abhimanyu then began fighting with the sword. He began cutting whoever came in front of him. Ashwatthama, with three arrows, cut off the sword. Abhimanyu now realized that there was no way and his end was near. He looked around and could not see any Pandava warrior close by. His father and uncle were far away, fighting.
He then picked up a wheel of a chariot and using that, began fighting using that.
Karna, with five arrows, cut off the wheel. He picked up another wheel and used that to avoid the arrows coming at him. Soon, with the arrows hitting him, it looked as if a porcupine was fighting. Abhimanyu was now tired. Seeing this, the warriors attacked again.
A son of Dushasana then jumped forward with his mace and struck Abhimanyu.
The blow hit him so hard and that he lost his life. Abhimanyu fell and went over to the land of the moon, Chandraloka, where he had originally come from.
The Kauravas then started celebrating, playing musical instruments.
Yudhistira heard this and fainted.
The sun also set and the day of the war came to an end. 

Abhimanyu fights

Abhimanyu was inside. Bhima and the other warriors were feeling frustrated. They had been pushed back by Jayadratha. They were worried that Abhimanyu was alone inside.
Abhimanyu started his attack shooting arrows wherever he went. No one was able to face him.
Uluka, son of Dushasana, came to face Abhimanyu. He was not able to face Abhimanyu and soon lost his life in his hands.
Vrishasena, son of Karna, then attacked Abhimanyu but was not ableto stand in front of Abhimanyu for long and had to leave, gravely wounded. Seeing this, Karna got angry., He started shooting arrows at Abhimanyu which the young prince easily cut off. Karna could not also stand in front of Abhimanyu for long and had to flee.
Lakshmana, son of Duryodhana, then came to fight. Abhimanyu cut off the chariot of Lakshmana. With another arrow he cut off the head of Lakshmana.
Duryodhana then picked up his mace and jumped to avenge his son's death. Abhimanyu cut off Duryodhana's mace into pieces and then wounded Duryodhana, who had to flee.
Abhimanyu was on a spree, He kept shooting arrows killing whoever came in front of him. He killed many sons of the Kauravas.

Sanjaya who was telling Dhritarashtra about the battle said The young son of Arjuna, who is just sixteen years of age, is fighting like a lion. The great Kuru warriors are afraid to face him.
Dhritarashtra said Arjuna's son is truly great. 

Narayani Army enters the battle and Abhimanyu steps in the formation

In the camp Duryodhana went to Drona and asked what was the way to win the war. Drona said You got the Narayani army from Krishna. Let them take Arjuna someplace and fight with him. With Arjuna away, Yudhistira can be captured.
Duryodhana sent for Susharma who was leading the Narayani army and explained the plan to him. He was to take Arjuna northwards.

The battle started. Arjuna was challenged to a fight by Susharma. Arjuna agreed. Susharma thought this was his chance to kill Arjuna. He was happy. Karna and Drona saw Arjuna being led away and they were happy.

Drona said he would form a formation never seen before. Saying this he decided to form the chakravyuha formation. This was a very complex formation and it was very critical for one to knowhow to enter the formation and also how to come out of it. Jayadratha was at the opening of the formation and the other warriors were inside.

Drona saw Yudhistira and began shooting arrows at him. Yudhistira retaliated by shooting arrows back cutting off the horses and killing the charioteer. Drona jumped off and ran to grab Yudhistira. Seeing this, Dhristadyumna came and faced Drona. Yudhistira took shelter with Nakula. So ferocious was the fight that Drona was injured and fainted.

Coming to his senses, Drona then attacked Dhristadyumna, wounding him till he started bleeding.
Draupadi's brother retaliated and attacked Drona again.
He then jumped off his chariot and climbed up on Drona's chariot. There he cut off the horses and killed the charioteer.Drona then shot an arrow which pierced Dhristadyumna. The prince fell on the ground. Seeing him fall, the other Pandava warriors started shooting arrows at Drona.

Yudhistira was wondering how to penetrate the formation that Drona had formed. Arjuna was somewhere else, fighting. He then remembered Abhimanyu. He asked Abhimanyu.

Abhimanyu said I know how to get in but I do not know how to come out. Let me tell you how this happened. When I was in my mother's womb, my mother had heard from my father the way to enter the formation but Arjuna had not mentioned the way out. This is the reason I am not aware of the way out.

Yudhistira said Do not worry. When you enter the formation, we will all be behind you. We will all enter the formation with you.

The brave Abhimanyu said he would fight a battle like never seen before and agreed to enter the formation.

Abhimanyu entered the formation shooting arrows everywhere. Jayadratha who was guarding the formation managed to prevent the other Pandavas from entering the formation. 

Arjuna and Bhima create havoc

The next day the fight began. Arjuna started showering arrows killing anyone who came in the path. Seeing this Duryodhana climbed on a chariot and came to face Arjuna. He aimed arrows at Arjuna which were cut off. Arjuna then cut off the flag staff, horses and the charioteer. Duryodhana then picked up a mace and flung that at Arjuna. The chariot was hit by the mace and started shaking. Arjuna then shot arrows at Duryodhana, who had to flee.
Ashwatthama seeing this came to fight Arjuna. Both started shooting arrows at each other. Soon, hit by an arrow of Arjuna, Ashwatthama fainted. The charioteer then fled with the fainted warrior.

Dushsasana and Bhima were fighting. Dushsasana was on an elephant. Bhima attacked the elephant. The elephant fell and Dushsasana fled. Bhima then began killing who came in front. Seeing this, Ashwatthama attacked Bhima. Seeing the son of Drona, Bhima climbed up on his chariot and picked up a bow. Ashwatthama shots arrows at Bhima which caused him to loose his senses. regaining his sense, Bhima flung his mace at the chariot, breaking it. Ashwatthama then jumped onto another chariot and began shooting arrows which were all cut off by Bhima. Bhima then flung his mace, breaking the chariot. Ashwatthama fled. Bhima tried to chase him. Seeing this, Karna stopped Bhima by showering arrows at him. Bhima using his mace crushed Karna's chariot. Karna got another chariot and fled.
Bhima then attacked the army.
Arjuna was killing the Kaurava army. Seeing this, Duryodhana went to Drona and said You said you would be capturing Yudhistira. I do not see that happening. On the contrary, I see Bhima and Arjuna making a mess of my army. if Karna had been made the commander, I would have had Yudhistira as my prisoner.
Drona was angry. He said I had said earlier that I am a brahmin and I should be in the war.
Saying this, Drona decided to walk away.
Shakuni then said to Drona - Duryodhana did not mean anything bad.
Drona was pacified. He said I can capture Yudhistira only if Arjuna is away.

The day ended and all went back to the camp.