THE GREAT KURUKSHETRA WAR - NINTH DAY

On the ninth day Krishna, overcome by anger at the apparent inability of Arjuna to defeat Bhishma, rushed towards the Kaurava commander, but Arjuna stopped him. Realising that the war could not be won as long as Bhishma were standing, Krishna suggested the strategy of placing a eunuch in the field to face him.

On the ninth day of the great war, the Kaurava and the Pandava armies, as usual were ready for the battle before sunrise. Bhishma arrayed the Kaurava forces into a "Sarvatobhadra" formation in the shape of a circle inside an equilateral triangle. Dhrishtadyumna organized the Pandava forces in the shape of a petal. Abhimanyu led the attack and darted through the Kaurava forces like a spark of fire drilling a hole in a bundle of cotton. The Kaurava defences collapsed like an edifice constructed with a pack of cards. Duryodhana went to Alambasa and said to him, "Unrivalled Warrior, look at Saubhadra, he seems to be more powerful than his father Arjuna. I request you to add a second feather to your cap, by making a short way of him. Nobody else is competent to do this work." Alambasa attacked Abhimanyu and the Pandava army with great fury, mustering his rakshasa forces.

Abhimanyu hit Alambasa with a powerful shaft and he swooned on his chariot. Abhimanyu wrecked the chariot of Alambasa who fled from the battlefield jumping to the ground, to the great delight of the Pandava forces who blew their horns in exultation and excitement. Yudhisthira overpowered by Bhishma shouted for relief. Bhima was wounded by Bhagadatta rushed to the rescue of Dharmaputra, blood oozing from head to foot out of the wounds. Simultaneously, Dhrishtadyumna, Virata and Drupada arrived at the spot, along with Sikhandi. Bhishma who was allergic to the very presence of Sikhandi avoided him, hitting the other three warriors who were shining like the three primal forces. Duhsasana and Sakuni, taking sixteen thousand horsemen with them joined Bhishma and attacked the Pandava forces. Duhsasana and the other Kaurava warriors concentratred on Sikhandi and did not allow him to face Bhishma. Drona held Arjuna at bay. Bhima was countered by Kripa. Bhishma moved with lightning speed and killed the Pandava forces in thousands. The Pandava forces fled in panic.


Arjuna said to Sri Krishna, "Please drive the chariot ." Sri Krishna drove the chariot in galloping speed and Arjuna faced Bhishma. Arjuna hit Bhishma at several places and cut the string of his bow many a time. Bhishma, renewing the strings, hit Arjuna, his horses and his charioteer. Sri Krishna said to Arjuna in irritation, "You are not able to protect your horses and the charioteer. How can I expect you to slay Bhishma? I will kill Bhishma here and now." So saying Sri Krishna placed the reins on his seat and jumped down to the ground holding the whip in his hand, and advanced towards Bhishma's chariot. Meanwhile Arjuna, came running after Sri Krishna and overtook him. He fell at his feet and requested him to resume his seat saying, "Madhava, I will do your bidding. Have mercy on me. Please do not slight me publicly." Arjuna caught hold of Sri Krishna and tried to pull him back and took Sri Krishna back to the chariot and said to him, "Achyuta, did you forget your vow not to fight. I request you to excuse me. I will do your bidding." Bhishma resumed the fight and killed the Panchala forces like a giant trampling on the little ants under his feet, while terror stricken warriors on the Pandava side were helpless spectators. Duryodhana was overjoyed and felt that victory was within his easy reach, and repaired to his residence together with his brothers and allies praising the performance of Bhishma.