Duryodhana appoints Dronacharya_as_commander-in chief

On the eleventh day morning, Karna visits the great Kaurava patriarch Bhishma lying on a bed of arrows to seek his blessings. Meanwhile in the Kaurava camp, Duryodhan is in a fix to select his new commander-in chief. After deliberation with his advisors and especially Karna, he appoints Dronacharya as the commander in chief to lead the Kaurava army in the battle. Dron, pleased by Duryodhan’s trust and honor, promises to capture Yudhistir alive and bring him to Duryodhan in chains.

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Bhishma lying on a bed of arrows

Yudhistir and his brothers beg Bhishma for his life. Bhishma obliges by giving them the only strategy that can kill him. Arjun, with a heavy heart, follows his instructions. He uses Sikhandi as his shield and attacks Bhishma on the tenth day of the war. Bhishma stops fighting and allows his body to be riddled with Arjun’s arrows. Listen to this dramatic episode that marks a turning point in the Kurukshetra war.
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Ghatotkach

The Kurukshetra battle continues for the seventh and eighth day. Pandavas clearly have an upper hand. Bhishma, Drona, Kripacharya all try their best but Arjun, Bheem and the other Pandava warriors seem indomitable.  Iravan, son of Arjun, fights valiantly but falls in battle. Angered at the death of his cousin, Ghatotkach the demon son of Bheem, launches a ferocious attack and is about to annihilate the Kaurava army by the end of day eight.

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Krishna attacks Bhishma

The Kurukshetra war rages on. Bheem was unstoppable on the second day. He wrecked havoc on the Kaurava army and none of the Kaurava generals succeeded in controlling him.  On the third day, Duryodhan was almost killed by Bheem. Duryodhan’s insults enraged Bhishma and he unleashed his fury on the battlefield like never before. Arjun failed to stop him. Noticing Arjun’s lack of will to fight Bhishma, Krishna himself jumped into the battlefield to kill Bhishma. Ashamed, Arjun pleaded Krishna to restrain himself and not break his promise. Krishna agreed. Then the Kaurava army witnessed the real prowess of Arjun as he went all out against the Kaurava army  with his super weapons and killed thousands of enemy soldiers.

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Yudhistir and his brothers seek blessings from Bhisma.

After Krishna returns with Arjuna to the Panadava formation,  Yudhistir dismounts from his chariot and walks towards the Kaurava army to seek blessings from his gurus. Bhisma, Dron, Kripa, and Salya wish them victory. Then, with the blowing of the conch shells, the battle begins. The Pandavas and the Kauravas clash with all their might. Bhisma, Salya cause havoc in the Pandava enemy. The day ends in favor of the Kauravas with the Pandavas suffering severe losses including two of their top generals.

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Arjun listens to the enlightening words from Krishna.

On the first day of the war, Krishna drives Arjuna’s chariot to the middle of the battlefield of Kurukshetra. Watching Bhishma, Drona, Kripa and many of his relatives and friends assembled on the Kaurava side as his opponent, Arjuna is struck by an overwhelming sense of grief and despair. How could he kill the people whom he had loved, respected and grew up with? Arjun felt his strength being sapped off his body. He puts down his bow and declines to fight. Krishna then enlightens and inspires Arjuna with great words of wisdom that is now known to the world as the Bhagabad Gita.

Listen to this great episode by clicking the player below.

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Vyasa gives Sanjay the power of distant vision.

The huge armies of the Kauravas and the Pandavas assemble on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. Bhisma vows to kill 10,000 Pandava soldiers a day. Arjun assures Yudhistir of victory. The Kaurava and the Pandava generals meet and decide on the rules of engagement. Rishi Vyasa visits Dhritarashtra and gives Sanjaya the special power of distant vision, enabling him to watch the battle from the palace of Hastinapur and narrate the details to the blind king. Just before the battle begins, Arjun asks Krishna to take his chariot to the middle of the battlefield so that he could see whom he’d have to kill in this battle.

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Sikhandi, Amba, Bhisma

The war of Kurukshetra is imminent. The Kauravas and the Pandavas prepare to engage in the battlefield. The day before the war, the Kaurava generals meet to formulate their strategy. Bhisma, tells Duryodhan and his men, that although he is obliged to fight the war on behalf of the throne, he has some conditions of his own. And one of these conditions is that he’d never fight Sikhandi, the son of King Drupad. If Sikhandi ever attacked him, he’d put down his bow and accept whatever weapon SIkhandi hurls at him. Curious, Duryodhan asks why he’d impose such an odd condition. Bhishma then narrates the tale of Sikhandi and explains why he took such a vow. Click the link below and listen to the amazing tale of Sikhandi.

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