Duryodhana’s miscalculation and malice had a profound impact upon the grandsire. Bhishma was angered, yet he restrained himself and spoke in a measured tone. Addressing Duryodhana, he reminded him of the greatness of Arjuna. He said that Arjuna had once assisted Indra and the gods in subduing the terrible conflagration of the Khandava forest.
Alone, he had fought and pleased Lord Shiva, thereby acquiring the formidable Pasupata weapon along with many other divine astras. Bhishma further reminded him that when Duryodhana, his brothers, and Karna were captured by the Gandharvas in Dwaitavana, they had failed to withstand them, and it was Arjuna who rescued and released them from captivity. He also recalled the cattle raid in the kingdom of Matsya, when Duryodhana, Bhishma himself, Drona, Ashwatthama, Kripa, and Karna had all been defeated by Arjuna, who single-handedly reclaimed the cattle for King Virata. Bhishma added that the exploits of Arjuna had been heard in many lands and on numerous occasions, and yet after battling such a warrior for eight days he now found himself subjected to humiliation by Duryodhana.
He reproached the Kaurava prince for inviting enmity with the Pandavas without understanding the consequences and urged him to display his courage on the battlefield rather than indulge in deceptive speech. Bhishma then declared frankly that he could not defeat Arjuna and would not kill Shikhandi, but whoever else confronted him in battle, however brave, would be torn apart. He reminded Duryodhana that he had spoken these words earlier as well. Bhishma concluded by saying that he and his forces would engage the kings Drupada and Virata along with their allies, while Duryodhana and the others should unite and strive to defeat the Pandavas. He rebuked Duryodhana for coming to him in the middle of the night and uttering harsh, sarcastic, and biting remarks, asking whether such an attitude would ever bring victory. Finally, he told him that on the following day, he would go to battle fully prepared, and that instead of empty words, Duryodhana should witness his physical prowess and immense strength upon the battlefield.
Duryodhana, satisfied by this response, slept peacefully that night. At the break of day he rose with bubbling enthusiasm and prepared himself for war. Clad in armor, he approached the assembled kings in the presence of Bhishma and proclaimed that the grandsire had assured him the previous night that he would slay Drupada, Virata, and the Yadava forces in battle and thereafter conquer the Pandavas. Bhishma felt deep disgust at this false claim, yet he restrained his sorrow at Duryodhana’s tendency to twist his words and present them wrongly before the warriors who fought under his command. Silently, he consoled himself. Observing the grandsire’s reaction, Duryodhana turned to Dussasana and instructed that they should remain close to Bhishma. He ordered that twenty-two thousand proficient archers mounted on chariots be stationed before the grandsire as a protective screen. Then he addressed Kripa and Ashwatthama, reminding them that Bhishma had openly declared that he would not shoot an arrow at Shikhandi if confronted by him. Therefore, Duryodhana insisted that Shikhandi must never appear before the grandsire and that Bhishma should be surrounded in such a way that such a confrontation could not occur. Kripa and Ashwatthama agreed to this suggestion.
Bhishma then arranged the army in the formidable Sarvatobhadra Vyuha, a military formation regarded as auspicious, secure, and nearly impregnable, capable of resisting attacks from every direction. Bhishma himself stood at the forefront of the formation. He was guarded by Kripa, Kritavarma, Shakuni, Jayadratha, the Kamboja warriors, and the sons of Dhritarashtra. On the right flank stood Bhurisrava, Bhagadatta, and Somadatta, while on the left were Ashwatthama, Vinda, and Anuvinda. Halayudha, Alambusa, and Srutayu remained stationed behind them. Duryodhana stood at the center of the formation, well protected by the forces of the Trigartas.
Meanwhile, the Pandavas also advanced with their army. Arjuna, observing the enemy formation, spoke to Dhrishtadyumna and asked whether he had seen Bhishma. He instructed him to place Shikhandi directly before the grandsire, while the rest of them would guard Shikhandi closely. He advised that their forces should be arranged densely around him. Acting upon this counsel, Dhrishtadyumna devised a counter strategy. Satyaki stood on the right flank, while Virata and Abhimanyu were positioned on the left, assisted by Drupada, the Kekaya princes, Nakula, Sahadeva, and the sons of the Pandavas. Yudhishthira remained behind them with Chekitana and Kuntibhoja supporting him. At the forefront stood Shikhandi, with Bhima and Ghatotkacha on one side and Arjuna and Dhrishtadyumna on the other. The remaining warriors were deployed in smaller groups according to the devised plan. Thus both armies stood ready for battle. The warriors roared like lions, while drums thundered, trumpets sounded, and conches blared, their echoes resounding through earth and sky.
Abhimanyu, riding upon a chariot drawn by swift black steeds, moved with astonishing skill and sudden maneuvers. He unleashed volleys of arrows upon the enemy ranks with such ferocity that they resembled blazing fire, reducing cotton to dust. Standing firm in the midst of battle, he whirled through the Kaurava forces like a storm in the ocean, shaking them with relentless assaults. Duryodhana observed the havoc created by Abhimanyu and turned to Alambusa, declaring that the boy was causing great turbulence among their troops and seemed like a second Arjuna. He urged the demon warrior to confront him, assuring that while the rest of them restrained the Pandavas, Alambusa alone should defeat the young hero.
Obeying the command, Alambusa advanced with his fierce demonic warriors and attacked the Pandava forces. Like a violent tempest scattering dry leaves and broken wood, he shattered their ranks and drove them in different directions. At that moment, the sons of Draupadi confronted the demon and struck down many of his followers, laying them upon the ground like heaps of stones and fallen hills. Enraged, Alambusa rained arrows upon the sons of Draupadi, but they responded with powerful shafts that pierced his chest and jaws. The demon faltered and for a moment, stood leaning upon the yoke of his chariot, roaring in fury. Recovering himself, he smashed their banners, broke their bows, and smiled crookedly as he shot five blazing arrows at each of them, greatly tormenting the princes.
Seeing the arrogance of the demon, Abhimanyu swiftly approached and confronted Alambusa directly. Warriors on both sides were astonished at the courage of the youthful hero. Alambusa was a cunning and formidable demon, while Abhimanyu was an exceptionally skilled archer. Both armies watched with intense curiosity, wondering which of the two would emerge victorious. As they faced one another, Alambusa appeared like the ancient demon Vritra, while Abhimanyu shone like Indra himself, ready for combat. Thus, Sanjaya narrated these events dispassionately to King Dhritarashtra, describing the unfolding battle with calm clarity.
