The Mahabharata War, fought on the plains of Kurukshetra, was a monumental conflict between the Pandavas and the Kauravas, symbolizing the eternal struggle between dharma (righteousness) and adharma (unrighteousness). Spanning 18 days, this battle was marked by unparalleled valor, divine interventions, and profound lessons on life and morality. This article provides a comprehensive account of the war’s events, its key battles, warriors, and the strategies employed each day.
Day 1: The Beginning of the Great War
The Kurukshetra battlefield witnessed the assembling of vast armies from all over Bharatvarsha, with the Kauravas commanded by Bhishma Pitamah and the Pandavas led by Dhrishtadyumna.
- Arjuna’s Dilemma: Overcome with sorrow at the thought of fighting his family, Arjuna laid down his bow, questioning the purpose of war.
- Bhagavad Gita: Lord Krishna counseled Arjuna, delivering the Bhagavad Gita, explaining the nature of duty, karma, and dharma.
- Key Battle: Bhishma unleashed his might, decimating the Pandava forces. Arjuna, still emotionally hesitant, could not counter effectively.
Day 2: Bhishma’s Dominance
The second day saw Bhishma’s continued rampage. The Kaurava army, inspired by their commander, gained the upper hand.
- Key Highlights: Bhishma inflicted heavy losses on the Pandava forces.
- Pandavas’ Effort: Bhima began targeting the Kaurava brothers, killing several, but the tide remained in favor of the Kauravas.
Day 3: Arjuna Strikes Back
- Turning Point: Arjuna regained his resolve and started fighting with full focus.
- Krishna’s Role: Krishna encouraged Arjuna to face Bhishma head-on.
- Impact: The Pandavas inflicted significant damage on the Kaurava army, slowing their momentum.
Day 4: Bhima’s Fury
Bhima emerged as the star of the day, demonstrating his unparalleled strength and hatred for the Kauravas.
- Kaurava Losses: Bhima killed ten Kaurava brothers, creating fear among Duryodhana’s ranks.
- Kauravas’ Counter: Despite Bhima’s success, Bhishma continued to cause havoc.
Day 5: Duryodhana’s Accusations
Duryodhana, frustrated by the lack of a decisive victory, accused Bhishma of favoring the Pandavas.
- Bhishma’s Response: Angered, Bhishma vowed to fight even more fiercely.
- Result: The Pandava forces suffered significant casualties, but their key warriors held strong.
Day 6: Strategic Warfare
- Drona’s Strategy: Guru Dronacharya introduced tactical formations, including the Chakravyuha, to overwhelm the Pandavas.
- Pandavas’ Defense: Arjuna and Bhima broke through the formations, countering effectively.
Day 7: Abhimanyu’s Brilliance
Arjuna’s young son, Abhimanyu, showcased extraordinary courage, taking on multiple Kaurava warriors.
- Kaurava Leaders Targeted: Abhimanyu inflicted heavy damage on Kaurava forces, earning praise from allies and enemies alike.
Day 8: Bhima’s Rampage Continues
Bhima remained the most aggressive Pandava warrior, targeting the Kauravas relentlessly.
- Kaurava Losses: Bhima killed several more Kaurava brothers, increasing Duryodhana’s frustration.
Day 9: Krishna Intervenes
Bhishma’s relentless attacks began to demoralize the Pandavas.
- Krishna’s Role: Krishna, seeing Arjuna’s hesitation, almost broke his vow of non-participation by attempting to attack Bhishma but was stopped by Arjuna.
- Bhishma’s Valor: Bhishma declared that only a person unburdened by enmity (Shikhandi) could defeat him.
Day 10: Bhishma’s Fall
The Pandavas sought Bhishma’s guidance on how to defeat him. Bhishma, bound by his vow to fight, revealed that he would not fight Shikhandi (born as a woman).
- Key Event: Arjuna, with Shikhandi leading, shot Bhishma with arrows, bringing him down.
- Bhishma’s Fate: He lay on a bed of arrows, choosing to die only after the war concluded.
Day 11: Dronacharya Assumes Command
With Bhishma incapacitated, Dronacharya became the commander of the Kaurava army.
- New Tactics: Drona employed complex formations to weaken the Pandavas.
- Pandavas’ Resistance: Arjuna and Bhima continued to counter Drona’s strategies.
Day 12: The Chakravyuha Formation
- Drona’s Strategy: The Chakravyuha, a deadly spiral formation, was deployed to trap Pandava warriors.
- Abhimanyu’s Sacrifice: Abhimanyu, the only Pandava who knew how to break into the Chakravyuha, entered bravely but was trapped inside and killed by a group of Kaurava warriors.
Day 13: Revenge for Abhimanyu
The Pandavas, mourning Abhimanyu’s unfair death, vowed revenge.
- Arjuna’s Vow: Arjuna pledged to kill Jayadratha, the key conspirator in Abhimanyu’s death, before sunset the next day.
Day 14: Arjuna Fulfills His Vow
- Jayadratha’s Death: Arjuna, aided by Krishna, killed Jayadratha just before sunset, fulfilling his vow.
- Kauravas’ Despair: The loss of Jayadratha demoralized Duryodhana and his allies.
Day 15: Drona’s Death
Drona’s mastery continued to trouble the Pandavas.
- Krishna’s Plan: Krishna suggested using a psychological strategy. Bhima killed an elephant named Ashwatthama, and Yudhishthira ambiguously declared, “Ashwatthama is dead.”
- Drona’s Defeat: Believing his son was dead, Drona laid down his arms and was killed by Dhrishtadyumna.
Day 16: Karna Takes Charge
Karna assumed command of the Kaurava forces.
- Arjuna vs. Karna: Their battles intensified, but no clear winner emerged.
- Duryodhana’s Hope: Karna’s leadership gave the Kauravas a brief advantage.
Day 17: Karna’s Death
The much-awaited duel between Arjuna and Karna reached its climax.
- Karna’s Vulnerability: Karna’s chariot wheel got stuck during the fight, and he was unable to defend himself.
- Arjuna’s Victory: At Krishna’s urging, Arjuna killed Karna, avenging the injustice inflicted on Draupadi and Abhimanyu.
Day 18: The End of the War
The final day witnessed the fall of the last remaining Kaurava warriors.
- Duryodhana’s Defeat: Bhima, in a mace duel, struck Duryodhana on the thigh, fulfilling his vow of vengeance for Draupadi’s humiliation.
- Ashwatthama’s Wrath: Ashwatthama, Duryodhana’s ally, unleashed the Narayanastra and later attacked the Pandavas’ camp at night, killing their sons.
Aftermath of the War
- Victory of Dharma: The Pandavas emerged victorious but at a great cost, with most warriors from both sides slain.
- Bhishma’s Teachings: Before his death, Bhishma imparted lessons on dharma and governance to Yudhishthira.
- Pandavas’ Reign: Yudhishthira ascended the throne of Hastinapura, ruling with wisdom and righteousness.
References and Context
- Mahabharata (Vyasa’s Original Text): The primary source for the events described.
- Bhagavad Gita: A key philosophical text that was revealed during the first day of the war.
- Various Commentaries: Works by ancient scholars such as Adi Shankaracharya and modern historians who have analyzed the war’s significance.
Conclusion
The Mahabharata war’s 18 days were a profound representation of courage, strategy, and the consequences of greed and adharma. Each day of the battle offers timeless lessons on duty, morality, and the complexities of human nature. The war’s outcome, while victorious for the Pandavas, left a lasting impact on everyone, reminding humanity of the importance of upholding dharma.