The next day, Yudhishtira asked Dhrishtadyumna to use the Makara formation. Arjuna and Drupada were at the front, while Bheema was at the beak of the formation. Seeing this, Bheeshma organized his army in the Heron formation with Drona at the beak. The battle then started.
The two great warriors at the front of the formations, Bheema and Drona took on each other. Bheema killed Drona’s charioteer, but the teacher controlled his charioteer himself while continuing to slaughter the Pandava forces.
The two sides fought fiercely, and a large number of soldiers were killed as the battle proceeded. Dhritarashtra asked Sanjaya, who was narrating these incidents, why the Kaurava soldiers were being defeated even though they were strong and had the best of weapons.
Sanjaya told the blind king that sins and adharma done by Duryodhana had led to this situation. He told the king that he must now bear the fruits of the deeds that were done.
Karna, Dushasana, and other Kaurava warriors surrounded Bheema. They all showered arrows on him. Without flinching, Bheema took out his terrible club and leaped out of his chariot. He swung his club and massacred the Kaurava soldiers who surrounded him.
Dhristadyumna then saw Bheema’s empty chariot and was worried. Bheema’s charioteer, Vishoka told him that Bheema had gone behind the fleeing Kauravas. Dhristadyumna decided to follow Bheema and went in search of him. Dhristadyumna reached Bheema and took him in his chariot and tended to his injuries.
Duryodhana’s brothers then attacked Dhristadyumna from all sides. Drupada’s son then released the Pramohana astra that rendered the Kauravas unconscious. Drona then used the Prajna astra to revive the unconscious Kauravas. They again attacked Bheema and Dhrishtadyumna.
Yudhishtira then summoned Abhimanyu and asked him to help his uncles. Abhimanyu, along with Draupadi’s sons and the Kekayas formed the Suchimukha or needle formation and charged at the Kauravas. The Kaurava soldiers, who were being massacred by Bheema and Dhrishtadyumna fled only to be butchered by Abhimanyu and his warriors.
Drona attacked Dhrishtadyumna and killed his horses. Dhrishtadyumna climbed on to Abhimanyu’s chariot and continued the fight. Bheema fought with Duryodhana with sharp arrows flying in the air. Abhimanyu fought with Vikarna and killed his horses. Vikarna then climbed into Chitrasena’s chariot and continued to attack Abhimanyu.
Bheeshma attacked the Pandava soldiers, creating a mountain of dead bodies. Draupadi’s sons fought with Duryodhana. Bheema then attacked Duryodhana, promising to teach him a lesson for all the evil deeds he did earlier.
Bheema then killed Duryodhana’s charioteer and horses and brought down his flag that had the sign of an elephant. Kripa then picked up Duryodhana on his chariot while Jayadratha confronted Bheema.
Abhimanyu and his brother, Shrutakarma attacked Vikarna and Durmukha. The other sons of Draupadi fought with Duryodhana’s brothers. The Kekaya princes then joined the Pandavas in their fight against the Kaurava princes. A terrible battle raged between the warriors and the soldiers caught in between were cut down by the blazing arrows.
Once the sun set, Bheeshma who had ravaged the Pandava soldiers all day, led his side back to their camp. Bheeshma gave Duryodhana the Vishalyakarani herb to heal his wounds.