Mahabharata Companion

The War Begins

Part 2 / Chapter 5 / 83 chapters

Chapter5 / 35
Part 2Chapter 5

The War Begins

Before the first charge, lays down his weapons and crosses the field to seek blessings from , , Krpa, and . Each elder grants him leave to fight; hints that credible disastrous news will make him lay down his weapons, and renews his promise to weaken Karna's confidence. then publicly invites anyone who rejects Duryodhana's cause to cross over, and joins the Pandavas. Battle erupts across . leads the first assault, clashes with , and astonishes both armies by attacking and his protectors. kills Virata's son , prompting 's brother to devastate the Kaurava ranks. finally invokes a Brahma-charged arrow and kills . The first day ends as a clear Pandava defeat: the Kauravas withdraw rejoicing while the Pandavas return cheerlessly.

Krishna Dharma Edition
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This guide follows Krishna Dharma's retelling as the source of truth. This panel notes broad edition-level framing or compression that helps a reader orient themselves.

Krishna Dharma places Yudhisthira's reverence for his elders immediately before kinship collapses into violence. Yuyutsu's defection preserves a moral choice inside the divided family, while Abhimanyu's brilliance and the deaths of Bhuminjaya and Sweta establish the war's cost at once.
Key Events
  1. 1

    seeks 's blessing

    removes his armor and walks unarmed into the Kaurava ranks. He asks for leave and blessing to fight; blesses him and says the Pandavas can later ask how he may be defeated.

  2. 2

    reveals when he will disarm

    blesses but says that while he fights in anger he cannot be overcome. If a trustworthy person tells him disastrous news, he will lay down his weapons in despair.

  3. 3

    Krpa and give their leave

    Krpa says he is invincible but will pray daily for 's victory. grants his blessing and renews his promise to discourage Karna when he serves as Karna's charioteer.

  4. 4

    changes sides

    Back between the armies, invites anyone who disapproves of Duryodhana to join him. Dhrtarastra's son crosses over and is welcomed by the Pandavas.

  5. 5

    The armies collide

    The first arrows fly and the two hosts crash together in a confusion of chariots, elephants, cavalry, and infantry. The prearranged duels give way to battle across the whole plain.

  6. 6

    opens the Pandava assault

    strides forward with his mace and draws a mass of Kaurava warriors toward him. The Pandava chiefs rush to his support as the first major engagements form.

  7. 7

    meets

    and exchange dense volleys while guides 's chariot through the fighting. Neither can gain a decisive advantage in their first encounter.

  8. 8

    assails 's guard

    breaks into the group surrounding , cuts standards and bows, and withstands the veteran chiefs. The watching warriors praise him as equal to while he continues attacking .

  9. 9

    kills

    Virata's son fights fiercely, but strikes him down. The Matsya prince's death enrages his brother .

  10. 10

    devastates the Kaurava ranks

    rushes at and then tears through the Kaurava army, defeating chariots and checking . The Kaurava chiefs combine their attacks to contain him.

  11. 11

    kills

    After a fierce duel, empowers an arrow with Brahma's weapon and pierces through the armor. The Matsya prince falls as the Kauravas roar in triumph.

  12. 12

    The Pandavas lose the first day

    Sunset ends the slaughter. The Kauravas withdraw in high spirits while the Pandavas return cheerlessly with their dead.