Mahabharata Companion

Bhisma Wreaks Havoc

Part 2 / Chapter 7 / 83 chapters

Chapter7 / 35
Part 2Chapter 7

Bhisma Wreaks Havoc

On the third day forms the Kauravas as a vast Garuda and the Pandavas answer with a crescent. tears through the Kaurava ranks while and strike 's division; wounds so severely that his charioteer carries him away, and the Kaurava army begins to flee. After recovering, rallies his troops and again accuses of favoring the Pandavas. Stung by the charge, unleashes a massacre that forces to press into a full attack on his grandfather, but the day still ends badly for the Pandavas. draws hope from 's success and the still-unused strength of Drona and Karna. On the fourth day smashes an elephant division and kills the Magadha king. knocks unconscious, but recovers and kills fourteen of 's sons. As darkness approaches, and his night-strengthened Raksasas force a Kaurava retreat, giving the Pandavas the day's victory.

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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.

Duryodhana's repeated accusation that Bhisma is holding back becomes the engine of greater slaughter. The chapter also makes Bhima's old vow concrete: each battlefield success now carries the personal cost of killing members of the family he once lived beside.
Key Events
  1. 1

    Garuda meets the crescent

    arrays the Kauravas as a gigantic Garuda for the third day. The Pandavas form their smaller army into a crescent and the two shapes close in battle.

  2. 2

    tears through the Kaurava ranks

    Guided by , ranges through the Garuda formation and destroys warriors, chariots, and elephants faster than the Kaurava chiefs can contain him.

  3. 3

    leaves senseless

    , , and their allies strike 's division. 's arrow knocks unconscious, and when his charioteer carries him away the surrounding Kauravas assume he has fled and begin to rout.

  4. 4

    accuses again

    After regaining consciousness, returns and forces his soldiers back into line. He then tells that the commander must be sparing the Pandavas out of affection.

  5. 5

    answers with devastation

    Enraged by 's charge, attacks with his full power. Pandava soldiers fall in masses and 's formation begins to collapse under him.

  6. 6

    drives against

    tells that he must now honor his promise to check . Their chariot enters the massacre and the duel broadens into a general battle before sunset, though the Pandavas still suffer the heavier loss.

  7. 7

    The fourth day begins with elephants

    The armies return in new formations on the fourth day. meets a massed elephant assault and breaks it with his mace, while kills the king of Magadha.

  8. 8

    fells

    's hammer-headed arrow briefly leaves senseless, but the Pandava warriors already supporting him shower with arrows until recovers.

  9. 9

    kills fourteen Kaurava brothers

    revives and resumes the attack with redoubled fury. He kills fourteen of 's sons in succession; the surviving brothers flee while can only watch.

  10. 10

    dominates as night approaches

    As darkness gathers, and his Raksasa followers, whose strength increases at night, inflict a great carnage. Seeing his troops get the worst of the fight, orders a withdrawal, and the Pandavas claim the fourth day.