Arjuna’s mind was engulfed in a whirlpool of anxiety. The ferocious turn of events on the battlefield shook his confidence and burdened his thoughts. The relentless fury of Bhishma’s warfare—bursting, blowing, and blasting like a raging storm—hung heavily upon his mind. Arjuna reflected deeply upon the dreadful impact that such terror must be exerting upon the minds of the warriors on both sides of the field. This contemplation slowly drained his enthusiasm and left his spirit trembling with uncertainty.
Observing the turmoil within Arjuna’s heart, Sri Krishna gently attempted to dispel the cloud of apprehension that overshadowed him at this crucial stage of the battle. With calm firmness he said, “O noble-hearted Arjuna, do you not remember how you once blazed with confidence in the kingdom of Matsya? There you boldly challenged the mighty Bhishma and proclaimed that you would defeat him in battle. Recall those very words now, lest the world mock your wavering spirit. Let your own challenge guide you. Stand firm and fight, for your courage shall sustain the hopes of many who depend upon you.”
Yet Arjuna, shaken in mind and with his spirit drooping, replied with painful sincerity. “Krishna, after destroying our kinsmen and allies, after uprooting the entire Kuru lineage, what merit will remain for me in gaining this kingdom? Only sin will follow me in this life and beyond. My mind refuses to engage in a battle driven by such destruction. Nevertheless, the vow I have spoken shall be fulfilled. Without hesitation I shall bring down Bhishma. Drive the chariot forward.”
At Arjuna’s command, Krishna guided the chariot straight toward Bhishma and halted it before the grandsire. The scattered Kaurava forces quickly gathered around their commander. Bhishma, without the slightest hesitation or trace of compassion, began to release a torrent of arrows and roared with the pride of a master of warfare. His shafts struck Arjuna with sharp and decisive force. Even the form of Krishna, standing as charioteer, became covered with arrows released from the bow of the mighty grandsire. The blazing shafts descended like meteors falling from the heavens, piercing the horses across the face, neck, and back.
Soon the chariot of Arjuna was enveloped in a curtain of arrows. To the onlookers, the spectacle appeared cruel and almost unbearable. The horses, wounded and exhausted, began to lose their strength and seemed ready to retreat. Yet Krishna, with a gentle touch and divine will, restored their vigor, and the noble steeds regained their energy and spirit.
Perceiving the gravity of the situation, the warrior within Arjuna awakened. With swift precision, he shattered Bhishma’s bow. The grandsire immediately seized another bow, which Arjuna broke just as quickly. Bhishma admired the accuracy and skill of Arjuna’s archery, yet calmly took up another weapon and continued his fierce assault. Though Arjuna endured severe pain and his body trembled with fatigue, his wealth of courage and chivalry sustained him, and he continued the battle with unwavering determination. The clash of these two titans seemed endless, with Bhishma still maintaining a formidable advantage.
Witnessing Arjuna’s suffering and the proud ferocity with which Bhishma fought, Krishna’s patience finally reached its limit. A surge of righteous anger rose within him. “This is the moment,” he thought, “to reveal my wrath.” Binding the reins firmly to the yoke, he fixed his gaze upon Bhishma, seized the whip, and leapt from the chariot with the force of a hurricane. The earth trembled beneath his steps. The celestial elephants guarding the eight directions raised their trunks and trumpeted in fear. As Sanjaya described the scene to King Dhritarashtra, he declared that the armies were scattering in confusion, while even the heavenly bodies seemed to tremble at the terrible and destructive aspect of the Lord upon the battlefield.
With eager hands and swift strides, Krishna advanced toward Bhishma. His yellow robes shone brilliantly as the rays of the sun, and the jewels adorning his body sparkled like stars in the daylight. Roaring like many lions together, his form resembled a colossal rain-laden cloud descending upon the earth with flashes of thunder. “O King Dhritarashtra,” narrated Sanjaya, “your warriors halted their fighting and gazed in awe and terror at the sight of Krishna rushing toward Bhishma. Loud cries arose from your camp— ‘Bhishma is slain! Without doubt, he is slain!’”
Bhishma clearly understood what was unfolding. Instead of fear, joy filled his heart. Smiling serenely, he addressed Krishna with reverence. “O great soul, O Krishna of lotus-like eyes! Come swiftly and end my life. To die by your hand is my highest fortune. Such a death shall grant me glory in this world and merit in the next, freeing me from the endless cycle of birth and death. By surrendering my life into your hands, I shall attain redemption through your grace.”
At that very moment, Arjuna leapt from the chariot and hastened after Krishna. Seizing him firmly by the hands, he restrained the Lord with great effort and spoke with deep emotion. “O Krishna, you have solemnly vowed before the world that you would not wield weapons in this war. What will people say if you now break that sacred oath? Is it a crime if a warrior grows weary for a moment in battle? Watch now what I shall do to Bhishma, who has tormented us so fiercely. A noble person like you should not step into the domain of a warrior’s self-respect. I know that you will not diminish my honour or weaken my spirit of valour.”
Moved by Arjuna’s earnest plea, Krishna regained his composure and returned to the chariot. Together, Krishna and Arjuna stood once more like two immovable mountains supporting the Pandava army. Bhishma, burning with renewed fury, released another storm of arrows against them. Disregarding all restraint, he surged forward like a blazing fire rushing to consume a dry forest.
Krishna and Arjuna watched the relentless advance of Bhishma while the mighty Bhima and the other warriors struggled in vain to halt the raging tempest of the grandsire. Bhishma moved across the battlefield, crushing enemy forces just as a powerful man crushes anthills beneath his feet. The devastation was so overwhelming that it seemed as though the setting sun itself showed mercy to the Pandava army—for had daylight continued, the unstoppable Bhishma might well have annihilated their entire force.
