Episode#69 On the fifteenth day, the war did not cease even after the sunset but continued as mentioned before in Torchlight. The Kurukshetra field presented strange sight with burning torches - the generals and soldiers on both the sides we're engaged in battle, thousands of torches burnt and were used as signals, devised for night time. Ghatotkacha and his troops of demons (who are stronger at night) found darkness an additional advantage and violently attacked Duryodhana army. Duryodhana heart sank when he saw thousands of his men destroyed by Ghatotkacha and his demon army moving in the air and attacking in strange and unexpected ways. The warriors begged to Karna "Kill this fellow at once, Karna, for otherwise, soon our whole army will cease to be. Finish him without delay!" Karna himself was angry and bewildered, having been wounded by one of the Asura arrows. He had with him the spear which Indra had bestowed to him, but as warned, it could be used only once, and...

Episode#68 News of Arjuna's oath reached the enemy. The spies informed Duryodhana that Arjuna, having learnt that Jayadratha was the cause of Abhimanyu death, had vowed to kill Jayadratha before sunset the next day. Vriddhakshatra, the illustrious King of Sindhi's was blessed with a son Jayadratha. During his breath, a voice was heard to say: "This prince will attain great glory in the happy regions above after being slain in the battle. One who, among the warriors of all ages, ranks among the most illustrious, will in the field of battle shall get his head severed from the body." All living beings must die but truth is always bitter! Vriddhakshatra was grieved to hear the voice declare his son's end. In his disturbed state of mind, he uttered a curse "He, who shall cause my son's head roll down on the ground, his head shall be burst at that very moment into fragments." When Jayadratha grew up to his manhood, Vriddhakshatra handed over the state ...

Episode#67 When Arjuna & Lord Krishna proceeded towards the Samsaptakas, Drona rearranged his army in lotus formation and attack Yudhishtira fiercely. Abhimanyu though an adolescent had already won recognition as a mighty warrior and as an equal to his father and uncle in warfare. Yudhishtira called Abhimanyu and said, "Dear son, Drona is attacking our army in Arjuna's absence and if we happened to be defeated, his grief will be beyond measure, none of us has been able to break Drona array of Chakra Vyuha, you only can enter this array. I ask you to take up this task."  "I can do it replied Abhimanyu "I have been instructed by my father how to penetrate, but later it becomes imperative for me to come out." Bhima supported Yudhishtira proposal "I shall be immediately behind you and enter when you succeed in breaking the enemy's formation. " Abhimanyu felt greatly inspired by the collective advise and motivated by his own gallant nature u...

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...