Mahabharata Companion

Krsna Protects His Devotee

Part 2 / Chapter 10 / 83 chapters

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Part 2Chapter 10

Krsna Protects His Devotee

When learns that has taken the five arrows, he accepts that the Pandavas cannot be destroyed and forms a new aim: he will attack so fiercely that must break His promise not to fight. On the ninth day, masses warriors around to keep away. routs a large Kaurava force, saves Draupadi's wounded sons from , then dispels the Raksasa's darkness illusion with a solar weapon and drives him away. contends with the principal Kuru chiefs while drives toward , forcing and the Pandava heroes to rally around their king. By late day is again slaughtering the Pandava army, yet still fights his beloved grandfather without full force. suddenly drops the reins, seizes a nearby chariot wheel, and rushes at . welcomes death at 's hands, but catches , clings to Him, and swears that he will now fight with all his strength. returns to the chariot, having fulfilled 's desire to see Him charge in battle.

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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.

The chariot-wheel scene is framed as reciprocal devotion. Bhisma attacks to make Krsna abandon His public vow for Arjuna, while Arjuna restrains Krsna and renews his own vow; Krsna protects one devotee while answering another's desire.
Key Events
  1. 1

    chooses a new vow

    hears that has claimed the five arrows and accepts that the Pandavas cannot be killed. He resolves instead to force to break His promise not to fight.

  2. 2

    shields from

    For the ninth day forms the Sarvabhadra array. orders strong warriors to surround him and prevent from exploiting 's refusal to fight back.

  3. 3

    routs the Kaurava lines

    drives into the Kaurava array and scatters divisions with rapid volleys. Veteran chiefs converge on him but cannot stop his advance.

  4. 4

    saves Draupadi's sons and dispels the darkness

    After wound and make him swoon, the Raksasa recovers, disables all five chariots, and advances to kill them. checks him; during their ensuing duel blankets the field in darkness, but invokes the Surya-astra, defeats his further illusions, and forces him to flee.

  5. 5

    engages the Kuru chiefs

    engages , Drona, Krpa, Susharma, and the Trigartas elsewhere on the field. His Vayu weapon scatters the troops until Drona counters it with the Saila missile; other chiefs then surround him.

  6. 6

    drives toward

    advances on , hoping to capture him and end the war. Elsewhere destroys the elephant division surrounding him; after repels his own attackers, both brothers come to 's support.

  7. 7

    consumes the Pandava army

    As the afternoon wanes, moves almost unchecked through 's troops. Bodies, broken chariots, and fleeing soldiers mark his path while still hesitates to use his full power.

  8. 8

    abandons the reins

    Angered by 's restraint and the slaughter around them, leaps from the chariot. He seizes a nearby chariot wheel like a discus and charges toward .

  9. 9

    welcomes 's attack

    throws down his weapons, raises his arms, and welcomes to strike him, declaring death at the Lord's hands his highest fortune.

  10. 10

    rebukes 's loyalty

    As charges, He condemns for failing to restrain or abandon a wicked ruler. replies that he urged Dhrtarastra to abandon but was ignored.

  11. 11

    restrains

    catches from behind, clings to His legs, and begs Him not to break His word. vows to fight with full strength, and returns to the chariot as sunset ends the day.