ON the morning of the third day
Bhishma arrayed his army in eagle formation and himself led it while Duryodhana
and his forces protected the rear. So great was the care taken over every
detail that the Kauravas were certain that there could be no mishap for them
that day. The Pandavas too arrayed their forces with skill. Dhananjaya and
Dhrishtadyumna decided in favor of a crescent formation of their army so as
more effectually to cope with the eagle formation of the enemy's forces. On the
right horn of the crescent stood Bhima and on the left Arjuna, leading the
respective divisions. The battle began. All arms were at once engaged and blood
flowed in torrents and the dust that was raised by chariots, horses and elephants
rose to hide the sun. Dhananjaya's attack was powerful but the enemy stood
firm. A counter-attack was made by the Kauravas concentrating on Arjuna's
position. Javelins and spears and other missiles flew in the air shining like
forked lightning in a thunderstorm. Like a great cloud of locusts the shafts
covered Arjuna's chariot. But with amazing skill he raised a moving
fortification around his chariot with arrows discharged in an unending stream
from his famous bow. At another point Sakuni led a large force against Satyaki
and Abhimanyu. Satyaki's chariot was broken to pieces and he had to scramble up
Abhimanyu's chariot and thereafter both fought from the same chariot.
They were able to destroy
Sakuni's forces. Drona and Bhishma jointly attacked Dharmaputra's division and
Nakula and Sahadeva joined their brother in opposing Drona's offensive. Bhima
and his son Ghatotkacha attacked Duryodhana's division and in that day's battle
the son appeared to excel his great father in valor. Bhima's shafts hit Duryodhana
and he lay in swoon in his chariot. His charioteer quickly drove the chariot
away from the scene. He feared that the Kaurava forces would be completely
demoralised if they saw that the prince had been disabled. But even this
movement created great confusion. Bhimasena took full advantage of the position
and worked havoc among the fleeing Kaurava forces.
Drona and Bhishma who saw the
discomfiture and confusion of the Kaurava army came up quickly and restored
confidence. The scattered forces were brought together and Duryodhana was again
seen leading them. "How can you stand thus," said Duryodhana to the
grandsire, "looking on when our forces are scattered and put to
disgraceful flight? I fear you are too kind to the Pandavas. Why did you not
tell me frankly 'I love the Pandavas; Dhrishtadyumna and Satyaki are my friends
and I cannot attack or slay them.' You should have stated the position
explicitly to me. Surely these men are not equal to you. And if you were so
minded, you could deal with them easily. Even now, it would be best if you and
Drona told me frankly your mind in the matter." The chagrin of defeat, and
the knowledge that the grandsire disapproved of his ways made Duryodhana speak
thus bitterly. But Bhishma merely smiled and said: "Wasn't I quite frank
in my advice to you? That advice you rejected when you decided on war. I tried
to prevent the war but, now that it has come, I am fulfilling my duties by you
with all my might. I am an old man and what I am doing is quite my
utmost." Saying thus, the grandsire resumed his operations. The turn of
events in the forenoon had been so much in their favor that the delighted
Pandavas were now somewhat careless. They did not expect Bhishma to rally his
forces and attack them again. But stung by Duryodhana's reproaches, the
grandsire raged about the field like a destroying fire. He rallied his men and
delivered the most severe attack yet made on the Pandava army. The latter
thought that the grandsire had multiplied himself into a number of Bhishmas
fighting at several points. So swift were his movements that afternoon. Those
who opposed him were struck down and perished like months in the fire. The
Pandava army was thoroughly broken and began to scatter. Vasudeva, Partha and
Sikhandin tried hard to restore order and confidence, but were unsuccessful.
"Dhanjaya," said Krishna, "now
has the critical time come. Be true to your decision not to flinch from your
duty to kill in battle Bhishma, Drona and all the other friends and relatives
and respected elders. You have pledged yourself to it and you have now to carry
it out. Otherwise our army is lost beyond redemption. You must now attack the
grandsire."
"Drive on," said
Arjuna. As Dhananjaya's chariot sped on towards Bhishma, it met a hot reception
from the grandsire, who covered it with his arrows. But, Arjuna bent his bow
and discharged three shafts that broke the grandsire's bow. Bhishma picked up
another bow but it too met the same fate. The grandsire's heart was gladdened
when he saw Arjuna's skill in archery. "Hail, brave warrior!"
applauded the grandsire, even as, taking up another bow; he poured shafts on
Arjuna's chariot with unerring aim. Krishna
was not happy at the way Arjuna met the attack. The grandsire's bow was working
fiercely. But Arjuna's hands did not do their best, for his heart was not in
it.
He had too much regard for his
great grandsire. Krishna thought that, if
Arjuna went on like this, the army, which had been so badly demoralized
already, would be utterly destroyed and all would be lost. Krishna
managed the chariot skilfully, but in spite of it, both he and Arjuna were hit
many times by Bhishma's arrows. Janardana's (Krishna)
anger rose. "I can stand this no longer, Arjuna. I shall kill Bhishma
myself if you will not do it!" he exclaimed, and dropping the reins, he
took up his discus and jumped down from the chariot and dashed forward towards
Bhishma. Bhishma was far from being perturbed at this. On the contrary, his
face expanded with ecstatic joy. "Come, come, Oh Lotuseyed One!" he
exclaimed. "I bow to you, Oh Madhava. Lord of the World, have you indeed
come down from the chariot for my sake? I offer you my life. If I be slain by
you, I shall be glorified in the three worlds. Give me that boon. May your
hands take this life away and save me for eternity."
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