THE GREAT KURUKSHETRA WAR - FOURTH DAY

On the fourth day of the war, Duryodhana ordered an all-out attack on Bhima. Bhima withstood that and attacked Duryodhana's brothers, killing eight of them. Bhima was soon struck by an arrow on the chest and sat down in his chariot dazed.

On the fourth day of the great war, the Kaurava army started for the battlefield early in the dawn. The elephants trumpeted, the horses neighed, the noise of the moving chariot wheels rented the sky and the warriors blew their conches. Gangeya, followed by Duryodhana and Bahlika led the Kaurava forces. The Pandava forces were led by Arjuna. Sri Krishna and Arjuna seated on the same chariot shone like the sun and the moon conjoined in the same constellation. As the sun rose on the eastern horizon, there was head-long collision of the two armies resulting in terrific loss of life to both sides. The battlefield was covered with blood and littered with broken limbs and precious ornaments of the fallen warriors. On the fourth day again, Bhishma appeared on the scene as the dominating personality. Abhimanyu attacked him; Duryodhana, Drona, Kripa and Somadatta, Salya and Vivimsti joined Bhishma. Abhimanyu gave a stiff fight to all the seven heroes. Arjuna hurriedly joined Abhimanyu and attacked Bhishma, and there was a single combat between the two famous heroes. Warriors in both the camps stopped their hostilities for a while and witnessed the momentous fight between Bhishma and Arjuna. After some time, the cumulative fight was resumed. Arjuna broke the bow of Duryodhana and felled the flag of Salya and overpowered the rest.

Dhrishtadyummna who saw Arjuna and Abhimanyu isolated and surrounded by a powerful combination of Kaurava warriors rushed to the scene. Kritavarma and Kripa, Asvatthama and the son of Salya attacked Dhrishtadyummna. In the melee, the son of Salya lost his chariot, but undaunted advanced on Dhrishtadyummna with his sword and shield. It was a magnificent exhibition of valour and the Kaurava soldiers blew their conches and sounded their trumpets in admiration, as he successfully countered the swift shafts of Dhrishtadyummna with his dynamic display of the art of sword and shield. Dhrishtadyummna, however, sent a crescent shaft with a great force and it cut the head of the hero advancing menacingly towards with him the unsheathed sword in his hand. But, the body devoid of the head, advanced a few yards towards the enemy with the outdrawn sword in one hand and the shield in another before it fell on the battlefield. Salya immediately attacked Dhrishtadyummna and a bitter fight ensued. Seeing Dhrishtadyummna, exhausted and unable to cope with the fight, Abhimanyu rushed to his rescue. Duryodhana sent his brothers Durmukha, Dussaha, Satyavrata,Chitrasena and others to the help of Salya. Nakula and Sahadeva joined Dhrishtadyummna and gave a stiff fight to their uncle. It was a pleasant surprise for Salya and the fight continued undecisively for a long time.

In another sector, Bhimasena attacked the elephant division of the Kaurava army. Bhima reveled in the art of killing the elephant hordes and soon became a renowned master in the art. Abhimanyu assisted Bhima in the enterprise. Bhima advanced on foot wielding his famous mace. Abhimanyu followed Bhimasena on a chariot and killed many elephants. Magadha who was commanding the elephant division attacked Abhimanyu riding a ferocious elephant. Abhimanyu made short work of him, and killed him with his elephant. Bhma excelled him that day and wrought havoc with the ferocious beasts. Some lost their tusks, some their trunks, some their eyes and some their ears. All the ferocious elephants which were unable to put up with the multiple injuries inflicted on them, began to retreat in utter disorder. Suddenly the great assets were transformed into unexpected liabilities. Hundreds and thousands of Kaurava soldiers were trampled under their feet. Duryodhana was distressed at the immense damage caused by the stampede of the retreating elephants which ran amuck and ordered an all out attack on Bhimasena. Senapati, Sushena, Jalasandha, Sulochana, Bhima, Bhimaratha, Bhimabahu, Dushpradharsha, Durmukha, Vivitsu, Alolupa, Vikata, Sama and Ugra, the fourteen brothers of Duryodhana attacked Bhima. Bhimasena after a fierce fight killed them all and blew his conch triumph.


Duryodhana distressed at the death of his brothers dashed against Bhima. It was a terrific encounter. Eventually Bhima was hit in the chest by a powerful arrow from Duryodhana and he fell on the chariot unconscious, stretching his back to the flagstaff. Ghatotkacha, who saw the plight of his father, advanced towards Duryodhana in a fit of anger. He attacked the Kaurava army with the fury of thousand hurricanes. Bhagadatta advanced on Ghatotkacha riding his famous elephant, but he was repulsed. The havoc wrought by Ghatotkacha was unparalleled and everybody said that he excelled his father. Bhishma and Drona, Bhurisrava and Kripa rushed to the rescue of Duryodhana. Yudhistira , Virata and Drupad ajoined Ghatotkacha. Botht sides suffered heavy losses. Bhishma said to Drona, "It is time for sunset. Let us bide our time till sunset. Till then let us be on the defensive. After the night fall, the rakshasas will fight more vigourously and we will be at a disadvantage. We must stop the war today as early as possible." The war was stopped exactly at sunset. The Pandava and the Kaurava forces repaired to their barracks. Bhishma was happy that the Kaurava army escaped bitter annihilation at the hands of Ghatotkacha that day. Duryodhana was distressed as he lost his fourteen brothers in the battle that day. The Pandavas rendered proper medical aid to Bhima, who after regaining consciousness, had not recovered fully.

Dhritarashtra said to Sanjaya, "Every time you are narrating heart rending stories and giving an account of heavy casualities on the Kaurava side. The Pandava losses seem to be relatively negligible. They are not obviously afraid of Bhishma and Drona, Salya or Somadatta, though their forces are greatly outnumbered. What is the reason for the persistent reverses on the Kaurava side?" Sanjaya replied, "I am only a reporter; How can I manufacture the so called 'good news' to you. I am not a magician or a mesmerist nor do I have the power of any supernatural spell to change the course of war. Vidura has already told you. Even in warfare, the moral strength outweighs the overwhelming brute force. Truth and justice are on the side of the Pandavas. In fact Duryodhana put the same question to Bhishma today after the white flags were hoisted for the day and bugles were blown announcing the truce for the night.

Bhishma'a answer to Duryodhana was significant. He told Duryodhana, "Destiny is more powerful than human effort. By this time you must have realized in which way the wind is blowing. Bhishma's words were not palatable to Duryodhana and he paid a deaf ear to his advice. Dhritarashtra burst into tears and said to Sanjaya, "The course of the war points to total annihilation of the Kaurava armies. My sons are being killed by Bhima before their very eyes. What is their plan?" Sanjaya replied, "People are blaming you. The Pandavas and the Kauravas could have their respective kingdoms quite amicably. You refused to follow the salutary advice given by Bhishma and Drona, Kripa and Vidura. Why do you shed tears now? Having sown the wind, you have to reap the whirl wind.