The next day, Bheeshma led his mighty army and attacked the Pandavas with great force. He had created a formation that resembled a great cloud. The Vyuha organized by the Pandavas was similar to the Ardha Chandra formation of the previous day, with 4,000 elephants stationed at each of the corners.
The Kaurava soldiers shook in fear, seeing the ape flag of Arjuna stationed at the head of the formation. The start of the battle saw the two sides clash fiercely with corpses beginning to pile up. Arjuna took on Bheeshma, who was supported by Drona, Duryodhana, Kripa, and others.
Abhimanyu joined his father and attacked the Kauravas. Drona, Bhurishravas, Shalya, Chitrasena, and Shalya fought with up. He shot thousands of arrows scattering the enemy. Samyamani’s son fought with Dhrishtadyumna but was killed.
Shalya then attacked Dhrishtadyumna and broke his bow. Seeing Dhrishtadyumna in trouble, Abhimanyu came to his defence. A fiery battle raged for a long time between ten great warriors from each side who fought using all their skills.
Duryodhana attacked Bheema along with the Magadha elephant army. Even as Bheema fought with Duryodhana, Abhimanyu fought with the King of Magadha, seated on his elephant. Abhimanyu first killed the elephant and then slew the king.
Bheema used his mace to slaughter the elephants of the Magadha army, along with their masters. Seeing his fury, the Magadha army fled from the scene. He was like Rudra with the Pinaka, as he used his club to slay the Kaurava soldiers who challenged him. He seemed like death and none of the Kauravas could counter him.
Seeing their plight, Bheeshma charged at Bheema. Satyaki came in-between and attacked the Kaurava Commander. Bhurishravas fought with Satyaki, trying to defeat him. Duryodhana then attacked Bheema and his arrows hit Bheema’s charioteer, Vishoka injuring him.
Duryodhana then struck Bheema on the chest, causing him to fall. Seeing this, Abhimanyu and other Pandava maharathas came to Bheema’s defence. Fourteen sons of Dhritarashtra attacked Bheema. Recovering his consciousness, he launched a terrible attack on Duryodhana’s brothers.
He used his blazing arrows to kill Jalasandha, Sushena, Ugra, Bhimabahu, Bhima, Bhimaratha, and Sulochana. Seeing Bheema’s terrifying attack, Bhagadatta attacked him. Bhagadatta managed to strike Bheema on the chest, causing him to faint.
Bheema’s son, Ghatotkacha then charged at Bhagadatta and created an elephant brigade using his powers of illusion. He himself was seated on an elephant that looked like Indra’s Airavata. All the elephants attacked Bhagadatta’s elephant, causing it to roar in pain and anger.
Bheeshma along with Drona came to Bhagadatta’s support but were attacked by Yudhishtira, who was leading the Panchala army.
Seeing Ghatokacha’s prowess, Bheeshma told Drona that even Indra could not defeat Ghatotkacha on that day. He decided to withdraw his forces for the day and sounded the retreat. The Kauravas quickly left for their camp while the Pandava forces celebrated and cheered Ghatotkacha and Bheema.
Duryodhana was in deep anguish over the death of his brothers. As Sanjaya narrated the events of the war, Dhritarashtra asked him why his sons were being defeated. To this Sanjaya replied that the Pandavas followed Dharma and where there was dharma, victory was certain.
Sanjaya criticized Duryodhana for being evil. He told Dhritarashtra that even though Bheeshma and Vidura had advised him; the king had not listened to them and the results were now evident.
Duryodhana went to meet Bheeshma at night and asked him why the Pandavas were unbeatable. Bheeshma told him that their victory was due to the presence of Krishna, who was none other than Vishnu, the Lord of the Universe.
Bheeshma then narrated how Brahma praised the glory of Vishnu. He explained the origins of Vishnu and how he came to be known as Madhusudana for killing the demon Madhu who tried to kill Brahma. Singing praises of Krishna, Bheeshma told Duryodhana that he would be destroyed if he disregarded Nara and Narayana, who had descended to earth as Arjuna and Krishna.
These words disturbed Duryodhana and he retired for the night, but he was not willing to surrender.