THE GREAT KURUKSHETRA WAR - THIRD DAY

On the third day of the war Abhimanyu and Satyaki combined to defeat the Gandhara forces of Shakuni. Bhima and his son Ghatotkacha attacked Duryodhana in the rear. Bhima's arrows hit Duryodhana, who swooned in his chariot.

On the third day early in the morning, Bhishma arranged the Kaurava army in the eagle formation. He stood at the nose. Drona and Kritavarma formed the two eyes. Kripa and Asvatthama were stationed at the head. The Trigartha, Bhurisrava, Salya and Bhagadatta were ranged at the throat. Jayadratha, Vinda, Anuvinda, Surasena and the Dhartarashtras were at the tail end. The Kalingas formed the right wing while the Karnata and the Kosala armies provided the left wing. Arjuna instructed Dhrishtadyumna to array the Pandava forces in the crescent formation. Bhima together with the Pandya and Magadha forces stood at the right. Arjuna occupied the left flank. Yudhisthira, the twins, Satyaki, Abhimanyu and others stood in the centre. The two armies charged against each other simultaneously and the dust raised by the terrific encounter darkened the Sun. The warriors introduced themselves to their counterparts in loud tones giving out their names together with their family titles while starting single combats in view of the poor visibility. Streams of blood flowed on the battlefield with the result the artificial dust storm subsided after some time.

Duryodhana attacked Bhimasena. Both the warriors fought tenaciously. Bhima was waiting for the opportunity and he shot a swift shaft at him drawing the string of his bow to his ear with all the strength at his command. The arrow hit Duryodhana in the chest, he swooned at the shock and fell unconscious on the floor of his chariot. The charioteer drove the chariot out of the battlefield to avoid demoralization of the army. However, the Kaurava forces began to flee in utter confusion. Bhima took advantage of the situation and worked havoc among the Kaurava soldiers. Bhishma and Drona came rushing to the scene, rallying the forces around them and attacked the Pandava army.


After sometime Duryodhana regained consciousness and returned to battlefield to resume the fight. Bhishma rallied his forces and raged about the battlefield like a wild fire. Bhishma promised Duryodhana said, "I will fight to the best of my ability and lay down my life for you. What more do you except." The Pandava army began to retreat in utter disorder. Sri Krishna said to Arjuna, "Savyasachi, this is the time for you to act. If you do not retrieve the situation and slay Bhishma, beware the battle is lost." Arjuna cried aloud, "Drive on the chariot to attack Bhishma." Arjuna was hit a number of times by the unerring aim of the grandsire, Bhishma and he was compelled to be on the defensive. Sri Krishna could not tolerate the situation and he said to Arjuna, "Great hero, you are not able to get over your compunction to hit Bhishma. If you cannot kill Bhishma, I will do it."

Meanwhile, Arjuna too jumped from his chariot and ran after Sri Krishna and caught hold of him, in a suppliant embrace. He said to Sri Krishna, "I request you to return to your reins". Sri Krishna was pleased, went back to the chariot, and blew his Panchajanya conch. Everywhere streams of blood, pieces of bones and dead bodies were found and the whole battlefield was littered with helmets, flagstaffs, armours and sundry wreckages. Arjuna did not stop fighting even after the sunset; the fighting continued till darkness enveloped the battlefield. The warriors repaired to their encampments and tents with the help of flaming torches.