06.103
Pancharatra and Core: The Pandavas visit Bhishma that night, and as per his advice, plan to attack him keeping Shikandin in front.
Sanjaya said:
As the sun set, the twilight became terrifying for those who were fighting, and we could no longer see the battle.
Then King Yudhishthira, observing the evening and noticing the army being decimated by Bhishma, the foe-slayer, addressed his concerns, O Bharata.
The warriors, having released their weapons, turned back intent on fleeing, while Bhishma, excited in battle, followed the great charioteers.
Upon observing the defeated and demoralized Somakas and great warriors, and after contemplating and reflecting for a considerable time, he decided on a retreat.
Then King Yudhishthira ordered the retreat of the troops. Similarly, your troops also retreated at that time.
After withdrawing their forces, the great charioteers, though wounded and injured, settled there, O best of the Kurus, in the battlefield.
The Pandavas were deeply troubled by Bhishma's actions in battle and could not find peace at that time due to his severe affliction.
Bhishma, having defeated the Pandavas and the Srinjayas in battle, was honored and worshipped by your sons, O Bharata.
The Kauravas, filled with joy, entered together from all sides. Then night fell, casting a spell of delusion over all beings.
At the onset of that dreadful night, the Pāṇḍavas, along with the Vṛṣṇis and the formidable Sṛñjayas, gathered for a strategic meeting.
All the mighty ones, being experts in decision making, attentively consulted at the appropriate time for their self-welfare.
Then King Yudhishthira, after consulting for a long time, looked at Vasudeva and spoke these words.
Behold Kṛṣṇa, the great soul, and Bhīṣma of immense strength, crushing my forces as an elephant crushes a forest of reeds.
We cannot even look at this great soul, who is blazing among the armies like a growing fire.
Just as the fearsome serpent Takshaka is known for his deadly venom, similarly, in battle, Bhishma is formidable, and Krishna wields sharp weapons with great prowess.
Armed with a bow in the battlefield, releasing sharp arrows, one can overcome even Yama, the furious Vajrapani, and the king of gods.
Neither Varuna, the god of water, nor Kubera, the lord of wealth, even with all their might, can defeat the enraged Bhishma in a great battle.
Thus, O Krishna, I am immersed in an ocean of sorrow, having approached Bhishma in battle due to my own weakness of intellect.
I have decided to go to the forest, O unassailable one, as it is truly better for me there. I do not favor war, O Krishna, because Bhishma is always a threat to us.
Just as a moth rushes towards a blazing fire, meeting its death, so too did I advance towards Bhishma, accepting the inevitable fate.
I have been brought to ruin, O descendant of Vṛṣṇi, due to my valiant efforts for the kingdom. My brothers, who are heroes, have also been severely wounded by arrows.
O Madhusūdana, for my sake, my brothers have lost their kingdom due to their affection for me. Kṛṣṇā is also distressed for my sake.
I hold life in high regard, for today it is truly rare. With the life that remains today, I shall pursue the highest dharma.
O Keśava, if I am worthy of favor by the brothers, then speak that which does not oppose one's own duty, O Keśava.
Upon hearing these extensive and compassionate words, Krishna then replied to Yudhishthira, offering him consolation.
O son of Dharma, do not lose heart, O true warrior. Your brothers are valiant and unbeatable, the vanquishers of foes.
Arjuna and Bhimasena, with brilliance comparable to the wind and fire, stood valiant like the lords among the gods, as the sons of Madri.
"O Pandava, either appoint me out of friendship, and I shall fight with Bhishma. For, O King, being engaged by you, what would I not do in this great battle?"
I will call upon the best among men and slay Bhishma in battle, in front of the sons of Dhritarashtra, if Arjuna does not wish to do so.
If Bhishma is defeated, O king, and you foresee victory, O Pandava, I shall slay the elder of the Kurus, the grandfather, with a single chariot today.
"Behold my prowess, O king, akin to that of Mahendra in battle; as I release mighty weapons, I shall bring him down from his chariot."
The enemy of the Pandavas is certainly my enemy. Those who support me support you; what is mine is yours.
Your brother is my friend, relative, and disciple. I would indeed cut the flesh and give it for Arjuna's sake, O king.
This noble warrior is willing to sacrifice his life for my sake. We have a pact, dear friend, to support each other. Command me, O king, as long as I am able to stand firm.
Pārtha had previously promised at Upaplavya, in the presence of Uluka, that he would kill Gāṅgeya.
The wise Pārtha's word is to be protected, and what is permitted by Pārtha is to be done by me without any doubt.
Then, or perhaps, this burden of Arjuna, though limited in battle, will be enough to slay Bhishma, the conqueror of enemy cities, in the war.
Arjuna, when prepared for battle, can achieve even the impossible; he could defeat the gods along with demons and giants, let alone Bhishma, O king.
Bhishma, the son of Shantanu, though a great hero, is now reversed in his strength and short-lived, certainly does not understand his duty.
Yudhishthira spoke:
O mighty-armed Mādhava, as you have said, all these are indeed insufficient to withstand your force.
Certainly, I will achieve everything I desire, as you, O mighty tiger among men, are my protector.
O Govinda, with you as my protector, I can conquer even the gods along with Indra in battle. What then of Bhishma in this great war?
However, I cannot bring myself to speak falsehood for the sake of my own honor. O Mādhava, please assist as promised without engaging in battle.
O Madhava, Bhishma made an agreement that I will advise you but not engage in battle in any way. However, for Duryodhana's cause, I will indeed fight; this is the truth, O lord.
He is indeed the one who grants me the kingdom and counsel, O Mādhava. Therefore, O Madhusudana, we all seek your guidance once more on how to bring about the end of Devavrata.
Then we shall go together to Bhishma, the best of men, and quickly seek your pleasing counsel, O descendant of Vrishni, regarding the Kaurava.
He will speak beneficial and truthful words, O Janardana. As he speaks, O Krishna, so shall I act in battle.
He, who is steadfast in his vows, has been both the giver of victory and wise counsel to us. We, as children who were deprived of our father, have been nurtured by him.
Madhava, if I desire to kill that aged grandfather, who is the beloved father of my father, then indeed, shame on the life of a warrior.
Sanjaya said:
Then the descendant of Vṛṣṇi addressed the descendant of Kuru, saying, "O great king, your words are always pleasing to me, O mighty-armed one."
Devavrata, known as the wise Bhishma, possesses the power to destroy with just a glance. Approach him to inquire about the means to defeat him, as he, the son of the river, is the one who can truthfully reveal this, especially when questioned by you.
We will go there to ask the Kuru grandfather. After bowing our heads to him, we will ask for his counsel, Madhava. He will give us the counsel with which we will fight the enemies.
After consulting among themselves, the heroic Pandavas, along with the mighty Vasudeva, proceeded unarmed towards Bhishma's abode.
The Pandavas, having entered, approached Bhishma with bowed heads, honoring him. They sought refuge in Bhishma, O great king, O bull of Bharata.
The mighty-armed Bhishma, the grandsire of the Kurus, addressed them, extending his welcome to Krishna, Arjuna, Yudhishthira, Bhima, and the twins, Nakula and Sahadeva.
What can I do for you today to increase your happiness? I will do it wholeheartedly, even if it is extremely difficult.
Yudhishthira, the son of Dharma, repeatedly spoke with affection to Bhishma, the son of Ganga, expressing his distressed feelings.
O knower of dharma, how can we achieve victory and secure the kingdom without causing harm to the people? Please tell me, O lord.
You should tell us the way to kill you yourself. O king, how can we possibly withstand you in battle?
O grandsire of the Kurus, there is not even the slightest gap in your defense. You are perpetually visible in battle, encircled by the bow.
O mighty-armed one, we see you standing in the chariot like the sun, without making a sound, fixing, or drawing the bow.
Who can dare to kill you, the slayer of men, horses, chariots, and elephants, and the destroyer of enemy heroes, O bull of the Bharatas?
O best of men, your relentless shower of arrows has led my mighty army to its destruction.
Grandfather, tell me how I may conquer you in battle, how the kingdom may become mine, or how there may be peace for the army.
Then Bhishma, the son of Śantanu, addressed the Pāṇḍavas, saying that as long as he is alive in the battle, Arjuna, the son of Kunti, will not be able to defeat him.
I truly tell you that growth is evident among you.
If I am defeated in this battle, you will surely defeat the Kauravas. Quickly attack me if you wish to achieve victory in the battle.
I allow you, sons of Pritha, to engage in battle as you wish.
I believe that your good deeds are indeed recognized. If I am killed, everything will be destroyed; therefore, let it be done in this manner.
Yudhishthira said:
Tell us the strategy by which we can win the battle, as you stand in the battlefield, fierce like Yama wielding a staff.
Even the wielder of the thunderbolt, Varuna, and Yama can be conquered, but you cannot be defeated in battle, not even by gods and demons along with Indra.
Bhishma said:
Indeed, O mighty-armed Pandava, what you say is true. I cannot be defeated in battle even by the gods and demons together with Indra.
Armed and ready with the best bow in battle, but if I lay down my weapons, O king, the great warriors would kill me in the fight.
When the weapons were laid down, and the armor and banner were discarded, while fleeing in fear, someone declared, 'I am yours.'
I do not find pleasure in war with women, those named after women, the deficient, those with only one son, the barren, or those unpleasant to look at.
Listen to my decision, O Arjuna, which I have thought about before: Upon seeing the inauspicious banner, I shall not engage in battle under any circumstances.
This is Draupada, O king, a great chariot-warrior in your army. He is Shikhandi, eager for battle, heroic and victorious in combat.
As it happened, she was a woman before and later attained manhood. You also know all this truly.
Arjuna, known for his heroism in battle, should place Shikhandi in front and swiftly attack me with arrows, being urged on.
I do not desire to attack the inauspicious banner, especially one led by women, with a drawn arrow in any manner.
Then, as the Pandava Dhananjaya approached me, let him swiftly strike with arrows from every direction, O best of the Bharatas.
I see no one in the world who can defeat me when I am ready, except for the great Krishna or Arjuna, the son of Pandu.
Therefore, let Bibhatsu place someone else in front of me and cause me to fall; in this way, your victory will be assured.
"O son of Kunti, follow my instructions as stated. Then you will defeat the assembled sons of Dhritarashtra in battle."
Sanjaya said:
After receiving permission, the sons of Pritha returned to their camp, paying respects to the noble Bhishma, the grandsire of the Kurus.
After Bhishma, the son of Ganga, had spoken and was consecrated for his journey to the other world, Arjuna, overwhelmed with grief and shame, spoke these words.
O Mādhava, how can I fight against my teacher, the elder of my family, the wise and intelligent grandfather, in this battle?
In my childhood, while playing, I made Vasudeva, the great-minded soul, rough with dust-covered limbs.
As a child, I sat on the lap of the great soul Pandu's father and addressed him as 'father', O elder brother of Gada.
In my childhood, someone told me, 'I am not your father, nor your grandfather, O Bharata.' How can I kill him?
I am willing to let my army be destroyed; I will not fight against the great soul. Whether it results in victory or defeat for me, what is your opinion, O Krishna?
Shri Krishna said:
O Arjuna, having once vowed to kill Bhishma in battle, as a warrior, how can you now refrain from killing him?
"O son of Pritha, make him fall from the chariot like a tree struck by a thunderbolt. Your victory will not be assured without killing the son of Ganga in battle."
This was predestined by the gods in ancient times; it will inevitably happen to you, who are powerless. The one who will slay Bhishma is the former Indra; thus, it cannot be otherwise.
Indeed, no one other than you could kill the invincible Bhishma, who is like death with an open mouth, not even Indra himself.
O mighty-armed one, conquer Bhishma and listen to my words, just as the wise Brihaspati once advised Indra.
Even if someone is superior and endowed with qualities like Indra, one should address and kill the aggressor who has come as a killer.
O Dhanañjaya, the eternal duty of the warriors is to fight, protect, and worship without envy.
Arjuna said:
Shikhandi's presence will lead to Bhishma's downfall, as Bhishma cannot fight against Panchali and thus will turn away, ensuring his defeat.
We will place Shikhandi in front of him and, by strategy, bring down Bhishma, the son of Ganga; this is my plan.
I will take on the other great archers with my arrows, while Śikhaṇḍi, the best among warriors, should focus solely on Bhīṣma.
I have heard, O chief of the Kurus, that I would not kill Shikhandi, for she was born a woman and later became a man.
Sanjaya said:
In this way, after making their decision, the Pandavas, accompanied by Madhava, retired to their respective beds, being the foremost among men.
