After seeking the allegiance of every allied king, vassal lord, and kinsman, Dharmaraja completed the sacred worship and concluding rites of his holy sojourn, undertaken to cleanse the taint of wicked deeds upon the divine field of Kurukshetra. Acting upon his counsel, the drums of departure were struck and trumpets resounded, filling the valiant sons with ardour, confidence, and the sure faith of triumph. That mighty summons charged the atmosphere with dreadful energy, so that hills and mountains alike seemed to tremble beneath its force.
The winds rose in fierce ascent, tearing the sails of ships and spreading them aloft like a vast woven canopy, as though a celestial umbrella had been unfurled above the marching host. Broken oars clashed together in midair, while blazing fragments fell from the sky, igniting as they descended with terrifying speed, giving the impression of falling meteors. Such sights struck awe and fear among the people, as though battle itself were already being waged upon the land of Matsya.
The sons of Pandu, adorned with ornaments and armed with shields and weapons, advanced as though in a royal marriage procession toward the abode of Panchali. Sri Krishna, Satyaki, and the Pandavas brothers, radiant with heroic Vigor and majestic bearing, took leave of Draupadi. Her attendants greeted them with blessings of victory, offering sacred lamps in orderly array and chanting hymns to the goddess Durga, the giver of triumph, followed by Vedic recitations voiced by learned scholars.
Dharmaraja stood encircled by kinsmen, sages, and warriors, each bearing fitting offerings. Above him rose the spotless royal umbrella, gleaming with precious gems and resembling the radiant moon, as though Sasanka himself had descended to bless his noble descendant with victory. On either side, fans with golden handles studded with jewels sparkled like fallen stars come to bestow their grace. Amidst this splendour, Dharmaraja ascended his chariot.
Vasudeva, bearing upon his chest a radiant ornament that shone with all prosperity, sat at the reins with a smile of divine assurance, guiding the chariot drawn by pure white horses. The banner bearing the emblem of Hanuman fluttered proudly, and the chariot’s aura spread through the skies. The crown bestowed upon Arjuna by the lord of the gods sent forth waves of light, proclaiming to the universe that the hero had risen to action. Bearing the divine bow Gandeeva and the inexhaustible quiver, Phalguna advanced slowly and saluted Dharmaraja, the lord among men. Before Sri Krishna sounded his celestial conch Panchajanya, Arjuna answered by blowing his own divine conch, Devadatta.
Bheemasena, Nakula, Sahadeva, Abhimanyu, and the Upapandavas, clad in radiant armour and bearing weapons of might, approached and saluted Dharmaraja, the beloved son of the Earth, who stood at the forefront of the army like a fountain of hope, faith, and confidence for all heroes of war. The allied kings, adorned in their battle regalia and brimming with eager enthusiasm, surrounded him on all sides. Sunbeams reflected from armor and gleaming weapons, forming vast circles of light around Dharmaraja, as though the celestial realms themselves revolved about him in greeting and blessing.
Dhrishtadyumna, commander of the armies, prostrated himself before Dharmaraja, and after receiving his blessing, mounted his horse and took position at the army’s vanguard, infusing luminous confidence into every warrior. Observing auspicious signs, Dharmaraja assumed the bearing of a fierce leader and advanced. The royal retinues followed in carts and other conveyances, bearing provisions, cooking vessels, firewood, and all necessities in abundance. Tents, ropes, and all materials for encampment were conveyed by a separate corps, and the vast host moved like an ocean rolling toward Kurukshetra.
In due course, the son of Dharma reached Kurukshetra and issued strict commands that the sanctity of temples and the secrecy of hermitages along the route should remain undisturbed. In obedience to this righteous decree, the army marched at a respectful distance. He chose a level and pleasing region endowed with flowing waters and ample wood for sustenance, known by the river Hiranvathi, and its banks were fixed as the seat of their martial operations.
Thereupon Sri Maha Vishnu sounded the conch Panchajanya to announce their arrival to the enemy camp. Dharmaraja blew Anantavijaya, Arjuna Devadatta, Bheemasena Paundra, Nakula Sughosha, and Sahadeva Manipushpaka, while the allied kings followed ancient custom by sounding their own conches, proclaiming their presence and readiness for war. In the science of ancient warfare, this conch-blowing held great significance, for from the reverberations, force, and tone, warriors could discern the strength of their opponents and adjust their strategies accordingly.
The quarters for royal princes, the stables for horses and elephants, and the camps for warriors rose swiftly, so that an entire township appeared to descend in a single night. Each king and soldier took his allotted place, and the field of action stood fully prepared for every contingency. The chief of the armies made a careful circuit, noted deficiencies in defense, and promptly corrected them.
Meanwhile, in the court of Hastinapura, Duryodhana learned through his spies that the Pandavas had established their war camp. Unshaken in pride and arrogance, and feigning ignorance of their preparations, he addressed the assembly before Karna and others, declaring that Krishna, having failed in diplomacy, would now incite the Pandavas against them. He asserted that the sons of Kunti, still burning with the memory of past humiliation, would surely come fully prepared for war, and that conflict was inevitable. He ordered the immediate assembly of their forces and commanded that the invasion be proclaimed for the morrow, directing all allied kings to march and establish their camp upon Kurukshetra.
Turning to Karna, Sakuni, and Dussasana, he entrusted the entire conduct of operations to them, and they departed with satisfaction to set the machinery of war in motion. The allied kings dispersed to make their preparations, while Duryodhana remained behind. His supporters mobilized their divisions, readying elephants, horses, and chariots, and placing weapons in their appointed positions. Hastinapura roared with activity, surging like an ocean of impending battle. Throughout the night, preparations continued without pause, and the camp bristled with readiness. Thus, was laid the stage for an event destined to transform the course of history, philosophy, culture, spirituality, economy, and social order, while the celestial realms watched in silent wonder.
