Yudhisthira Approaches Bhisma
Part 2 / Chapter 11 / 83 chapters
Yudhisthira Approaches Bhisma
After the ninth day's losses, again proposes leaving the kingdom and returning to the forest rather than allowing to annihilate his allies. offers to kill Himself, but refuses to let Him break His word and instead remembers 's promise to explain how he could be defeated. After removing their armor, the five brothers and enter 's camp. tells them that victory cannot come while he remains alive, but that he will never strike one born female. must stand before , whose arrows can bring him down while he refuses to answer . is shaken by the thought of killing the grandfather whose lap he climbed as a child. reminds him that now stands as an armed enemy and that a ksatriya must resist even a revered elder when duty demands it. accepts the plan. Hearing 's report, grieves and again suspects 's affection for the Pandavas, though has just chosen fidelity to truth over victory for either side.
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.
- 1
again considers the forest
surveys the ninth day's ruin and tells that will destroy every ally. He would rather renounce the kingdom than continue sacrificing them.
- 2
offers to kill
says is His friend, kinsman, and disciple, for whom He would give His own flesh; although ready to take up weapons and slay , He judges that should keep his own vow. refuses to win by making break His promise.
- 3
The Pandavas decide to ask
weeps that acted as a father after Pandu's death, then remembers that the elder offered to reveal the means of defeating him. The brothers remove their armor and cross to the Kaurava camp with .
- 4
says victory requires his fall
receives the Pandavas affectionately and tells them that the Kauravas cannot be conquered while he remains alive. They must strike him down before victory is possible.
- 5
gives them the method
repeats that he will not strike a woman or anyone formerly female. He tells them to place in front while attacks from behind, because only can pierce him decisively.
- 6
remembers 's lap
Back in camp, recalls climbing onto 's lap as a child and calling him father. He tells that the thought of aiming arrows at his grandfather is unbearable.
- 7
recalls to duty
tells that now stands armed against his army and must be resisted, however revered. accepts that will lead the attack and that he must bring down.
- 8
hears the plan
After hearing of his sons' deaths, admits the disaster is his fault and asks why he ignored Vidura. notes that this remorse always fades when the Kauravas gain an advantage; the king is enlivened by 's battlefield success, then calls partial when told of the night meeting.