Day Ten - Bhishma falls

The next day, battle began. Bhishma asked his charioteer to take the chariot near Arjuna. The charioteer said this was not a good day and he was seeing ill omens. It was raining without clouds in the sky. Vultures were flying around, wavering over chariots.
Bhishma said What ill omen can be there when the Lord himself is the charioteer for Arjuna?
The charioteer took the chariot near Arjuna. Bhishma aimed arrows at Krishna and the flag staff having Hanumana on it. Arjuna cut off the arrows.
Bhima killed many kaurava warriors. Dushsasana came and wounded Bhima with arrows. Enraged, Bhima threw his bow and picked up his mace. With a blow, he smashed the chariot killing the charioteer and the horses. Dushsasana fainted and began bleeding. Drona then attacked Bhima, who killed the guru's charioteer and horses. Seeing Bhima wounded, Abhimanyu came to help. He cut off Drona's armor. Drona then recovered and started showering arrows at Abhimanyu.
At another corner, Drupada, Virata, Dhristadyumna and Ghatotkacha were fighting. They made havoc of the Kaurava army. Seeing this, Bhurishrava, Kritavarma, Shalya and Jayadhrata rushed there.
Ghatotkacha was making a mess of the army. Seeing this Duryodhana fled. Bhishma stopped the fleeing Duryodhana and asked him to stand and face the battle.
Bhishma then started showering arrows at Arjuna and Krishna, wounding them and killing the horses. Seeing this Arjuna started shooting arrows randomly killing countless soldiers.
Krishna decided this was the time to get Shikhandi.
Shikhandi came and keeping him in front, the battle began. Arjuna said this was not fair. Krishna said It was time to fight.
Seeing Shikhandi Bhishma dropped his bow. Shikhandi said I will kill you.
Bhishma said Nature made you a woman and dressed as a man you have joined the Pandavas.
Shikhandi then started shooting arrows at Bhishma as directed by Arjuna. Arjuna seeing this was not working, picked up his bow and started shooting arrows at Bhishma. Bhishma knew these were not Shikhandi's arrows.
Soon Bhishma was pierced every where with arrows, bleeding profusely. Arjuna picked up a weapon and shot that. That pierced Bhishma's heart. The old man fell from his chariot.
His body did not touch the ground. The arrows piercing the ground formed a bed on which Bhishma lay.
All left the war and rushed to Bhishma's side.
Duryodhana could not control himself and burst into tears.
Yudhistira and the Pandavas along with Krishna went to Bhishma. Yudhistira said You were the father to the Pandavas. Today we have killed that father figure.
Slowly Bhishma said I will live till the sun comes its journey from south (Dakshinayana) to the north (Uttarayana .
He said to Duryodhana - My head is hanging, please get me a pillow fit for me.
Duryodhana got the best of the pillows. Bhishma rejected those and asked Arjuna to get a pillow. Arjuna shot three arrows which pierced Bhishma's head and then went into the ground. Bhishma then said he was thirsty. Duryodhana got water but that was rejected. Again Bhishma asked Arjuna.
Arjuna shot an arrow into the earth. A stream of water burst forth falling in Bhishma's mouth.

Bhishma asked Duryodhana to stop the war but Duryodhana refused. Spending sometime with Bhishma, everyone left for their camps.

Yudhistira approaches Bhishma

In the camp, Yudhistira was wondering how Bhishma could be finished. Krishna said Your brothers are fighting bravely, so why are you so worried?Arjuna will be able to kill Bhishma. Do not worry on that.
Yudhistira said I can understand that but I want to know how Bhishma will be killed.
Krishna said Bhishma is a noble person. Let us go to him and ask him. He has a boon of dying only when he wishes to. He will be able to answer your question.
With the Pandavas, Krishna went to Bhishma. Bhishma greeted them and the five brothers bowed down to Bhishma. Bhishma wanted to know why they had come at that hour.
Yudhistira said When I asked for five village that was denied. The war started and now no one is able to face you. I now ask you, please let me know how can you be killed?
Bhishma said Listen. I am known for my skill and strength. No one defeat me as long as I hold my weapons in my hands. As long as I am in the field, I will serve the Kauravas. if you kill me, know for sure, it will be your victory and the defeat of the Kauravas. I will not lift a weapon at some fleeing or someone weak or sick. I will not lift a weapon at a woman. Anyone who has a name of a woman will not be hurt by me. Listen to me. Drupada's son Shikhandi was born a woman and now as a man is skilled in warfare. If Shikhandi comes in front, I will drop my weapons. Arjuna can use Shikhandi as a sheild and kill me.
Yudhistira, Krishna and the Pandavas took leave of Bhishma and went back to their camp.