Mahabharata Companion

Yudhisthira's Fear

Part 2 / Chapter 6 / 83 chapters

Chapter6 / 35
Part 2Chapter 6

Yudhisthira's Fear

Hearing of the first day's losses, alternates between hope for his sons and shame over the war, while again points to the king's choices. In the Pandava camp, says is consuming their army and wonders whether retreat to the forest would be better than spending more lives. promises that can be overcome through Sikhandi, and restores the troops' confidence before arranging them in the Krauncha formation for the second day. breaks into that array, bringing against him in a furious duel during which wounds both and . Elsewhere disarms until rescues him. Surrounded by the Kalinga and Nisadha forces, fights through elephants and princes on foot, killing Sakradeva, Bhanumat, , and Ketumat and routing their host. The Pandavas finish the second day with their courage renewed.

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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.

Yudhisthira's fear is presented as grief over spending other men's lives, not simple cowardice. Krsna and Drstadyumna restore his resolve, after which the chapter contrasts the elite Arjuna-Bhisma duel with Bhima's brutal struggle among elephants and ground troops.
Key Events
  1. 1

    confronts again

    hears of the first day's Kaurava success but cannot escape dread and shame. tells him that the suffering follows choices he and his son knowingly made.

  2. 2

    considers retreat

    tells that burns through the Pandava army while seems reluctant to fight him. Rather than sacrifice allies for a kingdom, he considers returning to the forest.

  3. 3

    and restore confidence

    assures that Sikhandi will bring down. reminds the assembled kings why he commands them and promises to protect the Pandava cause.

  4. 4

    The Krauncha formation advances

    arrays the Pandavas in the shape of a great heron for the second day. drives into its front and begins tearing the formation apart.

  5. 5

    answers 's assault

    asks to take him directly to . Their exchange fills the air with arrows; wounds both and , but holds the course and urges onward.

  6. 6

    disarms

    cuts down 's bow, weapons, horses, and charioteer. As the preceptor closes in, carries the Pandava commander away in his own chariot.

  7. 7

    enters the elephant host

    The Kalinga and Nisadha divisions surround with elephants and chariots. Fighting on foot with mace, sword, and arrows, he kills Sakradeva and leaps onto Bhanumat's elephant to slay both rider and beast.

  8. 8

    routs the Kalingas

    kills the kings and Ketumat and cuts through their remaining forces. His roar rallies the Pandavas as the surviving Kalingas flee.

  9. 9

    The second day restores the Pandavas

    Fighting continues until sunset, with and inflicting heavy losses. The armies withdraw, and the Pandava camp recovers from the despair of the first day.