⚔️ Part 5: The Kurukshetra War

🩸 The War Begins

The great Kurukshetra war lasted for 18 days. It was one of the fiercest wars in history, where families fought families, and dharma (righteousness) was tested at every step.

On the first day, Bhishma, the grand commander of the Kaurava army, led the battle. Despite being old, his power was unmatched, and the Pandava army suffered heavy losses.

🛡️ Bhishma’s Fall

Bhishma had a boon — he could choose the day of his death. So long as he wished to live, no one could kill him. Krishna told the Pandavas that only Shikhandi (a warrior who was once a woman) could face Bhishma without fear, as Bhishma had vowed never to fight a woman.

On the 10th day, Arjuna, with Shikhandi in front of him, shot countless arrows at Bhishma, bringing him down. Bhishma lay on a bed of arrows, still alive, waiting for the right moment to leave his body.

🧙 Drona and the Death of Abhimanyu

After Bhishma’s fall, Drona became commander. He was a brilliant strategist and caused huge damage. To break the Pandava formation, he used the Chakravyuh, a deadly spiral battle formation.

Only Arjuna knew how to enter and exit it. But on that day, he was lured away. His son, Abhimanyu, bravely entered the Chakravyuh — but he didn’t know how to come out. Trapped by six powerful warriors, including Karna, Drona, and Duryodhana’s son, Abhimanyu was brutally killed.

This shattered Arjuna, and he vowed to kill Jayadratha, one of Abhimanyu’s killers, by sunset the next day — or take his own life.

🌅 Arjuna’s Revenge and Karna’s Moment

With Krishna’s clever help, Arjuna fulfilled his vow and killed Jayadratha. The war turned darker each day.

Later, Karna became commander. He was a mighty warrior and Arjuna’s greatest rival. But Karna had many secrets — he was actually the eldest son of Kunti, making him the eldest Pandava! Yet he fought for Duryodhana, staying loyal to his friend.

During his final battle with Arjuna, Karna’s chariot wheel got stuck in the mud. He begged Arjuna to wait. But Krishna reminded Arjuna of Abhimanyu’s unfair death. Arjuna shot his arrows, and Karna was killed.

🛡️ The End of Duryodhana

Finally, only a few warriors remained. Duryodhana hid in a lake, but Bhima found him. They fought a mace battle, and Bhima broke Duryodhana’s thigh, against the rules. This was a reminder of Duryodhana’s insult to Draupadi years ago.

With Duryodhana down, the war was nearly over.

💀 Ashwatthama’s Night Attack

At night, when the war was meant to be over, Ashwatthama, Drona’s son, attacked the Pandava camp. He killed Dhrishtadyumna, Shikhandi, and the sons of the Pandavas — all while they were sleeping. Only the five Pandavas and Krishna survived.

🌟 Moral of the Chapter:

War may bring victory, but it also brings pain. Even heroes suffer loss. True dharma lies not in power, but in righteousness, compassion, and self-control.

Next up: Part 6: After the War, where we’ll explore what happens after victory — the cost of war, the end of Krishna’s time, and the Pandavas’ final journey.