69. THE SIXTH DAY :

ACCORDING to Yudhishthira's order

Dhrishtadyumna arrayed the Pandava

army in makara (fish) formation for the

sixth day's battle. The Kaurava army was

arrayed in krauncha (heron) formation.

We know, how, similarly, names were

given to physical exercise, asanas, or

postures. Vyuha was the general name for

battle array. Which Vyuha was best for

any particular occasion, depended on the

requirements of the offensive and

defensive plans of the day.

What the strength and composition of the

forces arrayed should be and what

positions they should take up were

decided upon, according to the situation as

it developed from time to time.

The sixth day was marked by a prodigious

slaughter, even in the first part of the

morning. Drona's charioteer was killed

and Drona took the reins of the horses

himself and used his bow as well.

Great was the destruction he effected. He

went about like fire among cotton heaps.

The formations of both armies were soon

broken and indiscriminate and fierce

fighting went on. Blood flowed in torrents

and the field was covered by dead bodies

of soldiers, elephants and horses and the

debris of chariots.

Bhimasena pierced the enemy's lines to

seek out Duryodhana's brothers and finish

them. They, for their part, did not wait to

be sought, but rushed on him, in a

combined attack from all sides. He was

attacked by Duhsasana, Durvishaha,

Durmata, Jaya, Jayatsena, Vikarna,

Chitrasena, Sudarsana, Charuchitra,

Suvarma, Dushkarna and others, all

together.

Bhimasena, who did not know what fear

was, stood up and fought them all. They

desired to take him prisoner and he to kill

them all on the spot.

The battle raged fiercely, even like the

ancient battle between the gods and the

asuras. Suddenly, the son of Pandu lost his

patience and jumped down from his

chariot, mace in band, and made straight

on foot for the sons of Dhritarashtra, in

hot haste to slay them.

When Dhrishtadyumna saw Bhima's

chariot disappear in the enemy lines, he

was alarmed and rushed to prevent

disaster. He reached Bhima's car, but

found it was occupied only by the

charioteer and Bhima was not in it. With

tears in his eyes, he asked the charioteer:

"Visoka, where is Bhima dearer to me

than life?" Dhrishtadyumna naturally

thought Bhima had fallen.

Visoka bowed and said to the son of

Drupada: "The son of Pandu asked me to

stay here and, without waiting for my

reply rushed forward on foot, mace in

hand, into the enemy ranks."

Fearing that Bhima would be

overpowered and killed Dhrishtadyumna

drove his chariot into the enemy lines in

search of Bhimasena, whose path was

marked by the bodies of slain elephants.

When Dhrishtadyumna found Bhima, he

saw him surrounded on all sides by

enemies fighting from their chariots.

Bhima stood against them all, mace in

hand, wounded all over and breathing fire.

Dhrishtadyumna embraced him and took

him into his chariot and proceeded to pick

out the shafts that had stuck in his body.

Duryodhana now ordered his warriors to

attack Bhimasena and Dhrishtadyumna

and not to wait for them to attack or

challenge.

Accordingly, they made a combined

attack even though they were not inclined

to engage themselves in further fighting.

Dhrishtadyumna had a secret weapon,

which he had obtained from Dronacharya

and, discharging it, threw the enemy

forces into a stupor.

But Duryodhana then joined the fray and

discharged weapons to counter the stupor

weapons of Dhrishtadyumna. Just then,

reinforcements sent by Yudhishthira

arrived.

A force of twelve chariots with their

retinue led by Abhimanyu came upon the

scene to support Bhima.

Dhrishtadyumna was greatly relieved

when he saw this. Bhimasena had also by

now refreshed himself and was ready to

renew the fight. He got into Kekaya's

chariot and took up his position along

with the rest.

Drona, however, was terrible that day. He

killed Dhrishtadyumna's charioteer and

horses and smashed his chariot and

Drupada's son had to seek a place in

Abhimanyu's car. The Pandava forces

began to waver and Drona was cheered by

the Kaurava army.

Indiscriminate mass fighting and slaughter

went on that day. At one time, Bhima and

Duryodhana met face to face. The usual

exchange of hot words took place and was

followed by a great battle of archery.

Duryodhana was hit and fell unconscious.

Kripa extricated him with great skill and

took him away in his own chariot.

Bhishma personally arrived at the spot

now and led the attack and scattered the

Pandava forces.

The sun was sinking, but the battle was

continued for an hour yet and the fighting

was fierce and many thousands perished.

Then the day's battle ceased. Yudhishthira

was glad that Dhrishtadyumna and Bhima

returned to camp alive.

Next : 70. THE SEVENTH DAY

Continues...