Episode#66 The twelveth day, several attempts to capture Yudhishtira alive proved fruitless! Drona voiced his opinion to Duryodhana, "It is crystal clear that we cannot succeed in our efforts to seize Yudhishtira so long Arjuna is around. If we adopt a new strategy that would force Arjuna to be drawn away from Yudhishtira, I could take the opportunity of penetrating the army configuration and capture Yudhishtira! I promise to seize him and deliver him to you provided he does not flee from the battle, renouncing honour. Even if he resorts to it, we still stand to win?" The Trihartadesa chief after hearing From thoughts, made a collective plan with his brothers. They resolved to take the Samsaptaka oath which was a great suicide squad organized to achieve the separation of Yudhishtira and Arjuna with the objective to arrest the former. Arjuna turned to Yudhishtira and addressed him thus "Oh king the Samsaptakas - Susarma and his men are calling me to battle. I shall de...

Episode#65 On the Eleventh day, the war-fare vividly demonstrated by Front stupendous skills and expertise. He destroyed Pandavas forces with which the hungry tounge of raging like a fire burning up dry logs. His rapid movements made the Pandavas army feel as if Drona was Omni-present showering of arrows staging the battlefield in a way to initiate the dance of God of death. Drona led a straight attack on Yudhishtira, his golden chariot drawn by four horses headed in the direction of Yudhishtira who aimed at him barbed arrow, feathered with eagle feathers. Suddenly Yudhishtira bow was dismembered; Dhrishtadyumna tried to intercept Drona but in vain. The whole army shouted: "Yudhishtira has been taken!" Suddenly Arjuna appeared on the battlefield, the wheels of the chariot rumbling over the bloody field, bones and bodies lying in heaps, Arjuna using his expert fingers on his Gandiva bow, Arjuna cast a continuous stream of arrows with the speed of lightening - that none could...

Episode#64 On the 10th day using Shikhandi as armour, Arjuna attacked Bhisma. When Shikhandi darts pierced his chest rage of Sparks flew from Bhisma eyes and he glared as if to consume Shikhandi. But immediately constrained himself and decided not to be provoked into fighting Shikhandi as it was unworthy of a warrior to attack woman. He was well aware that his end was near; Shikhandi went on discharging his arrows unaware of the emotional upheaval in Bhisma mind. Arjuna also hardened his heart and aimed arrows hiding behind Shikhandi, Bhisma smiles as the arrows continued to pour on him thick, turning to Dusshasana he said "Ah, these are Arjuna's arrows! These cannot be Shikhandi, for they burn my flesh as the crab's young ones tear their mother's body." Bhisma took up a javelin and hurled it at Arjuna who aimed three arrows which cut into pieces. Bhisma decided to end the dual and was about to dismount from his chariot, equipped with sword and shield in hand w...

Episode#63 On the Ninth day, before the battle began, Duryodhana was closeted with Bhisma Pitamah. He gave vent to his feelings of disappointment over the inconclusive manner in which the battle proceeded. His words were no less than piercing spears and pained Bhisma greatly but known for his equanimity, the latter was patient and said "Like ghee on the sacrificial fire I am pouring my life out for you. Why do you seek to mortify me, who has been doing the very utmost for you? You speak like a man of no understanding, not knowing what is right and what is wrong. You see things not in their original state - your vision is clouded...! You are now reaping the harvest of hatred you deliberately sowed. The only course left is to battle in the best possible way, by losing heart nothing is accomplished! Fight now as a Kshatriya should and the honour will be yours whatever the consequences!" Thus cheering Duryodhana and boosting his confidence with wise and affectionate words, Bhism...

Episode#62 Every day, the sun rose and plummeted down the horizon, watching brothers killing brothers, friends slaying friends! Different parts of human and animal bodies lay strewn everywhere - dismembered hands, smashed heads, ruptured stomachs, eye-balls gouged out - yet there was not the slightest trace of victory on either side. The Kurukshetra battlefield was wet with the blood, the air filled with the stench of putrefying corpses. In the silence of the night, the menial collected the dead bodies and the injured on the battlefield thus preparing it for the onslaught the next morning. By the time it was cleared the sun appeared on the horizon there was no time to dispose of the dead, who were simply piles in heaps and ants happily feasted on them...! Not a single sign of victory on either side was in view but man and animal slaughter continued and both Duryodhana and Arjuna were worries to see the heart-rending scenario especially the innocent soldiers getting killed. In the K...

Episode#60 The sixth day was hall-marked by a phenomenal slaughter, Drona charioteer was killed, Drona took hold of rein and - what followed would be indescribable in words...! Drona went about like fire flashing through the bales of cotton. Both the armies were soon disintegrated; violence continued in leaps and bounds, blood flowed in torrents and the field was covered by debris comprising of dead soldiers, elephants, horses and broken chariots. Bhima planned to seek and kill all Duryodhana brothers; they in turn, attacked him from all sides. They were Dusshasana, Durvishaha, Durmata, Jaya, Jayatsena, Vikarna, Chitrasena, Sudarsana, Charuchitra, Suvarma, Dushkarna and others. Their desire was dwarfish, they desired to take him as a prisoner while Bhima's desire was a huge as his physique, it was to kill them all on the spot. Bhima suddenly jumped down from his chariot and charged like a racing bull, mace in hand, and made straight for the sons of Dhritarashtra. When Dhrishtad...

Episode#59 On fifth day the battle grew fiercer and Drona, Bhisma and Salya collectively attacked Bhima. Shikhandi supported Bhima by pouring a shower of arrows on Bhisma, as soon as Shikhandi stepped in, Bhisma turned away, as Shikhandi was born a girl. Bhisma was however destined to die since abiding by Kshatriya's norms not to attack on woman would bring his death closer. When Drona show Bhisma withdrawal, he attacked Shikhandi brutally and compelled him to withdraw! The entire morning of the 5th day was reeking with terrible slaughter and annihilation. By noon, Duryodhana dispatched a large force to oppose Satyaki but he destroyed it completely and advanced to attack Bhurisravas - who being a powerful opponent, led Satyaki towards severe distress. The ten sons is Satyaki saw their father's plight and attacked intensely on Bhurisravas who remained undaunted by numbers of ferociously counter attacked them and all their weapons were dismembered - and they were all slain and...