Bheeshma arranged his army like a mighty ocean with himself at the front. Yudhishtira then asked Dhrishtadyumna to form the Shringataka to penetrate the Kaurava formation. The formation has Bheema and Satyaki at the two horns while Yudhishtira was at the front.
The Pandava formation struck the ocean formation and the two armies clashed with each other. Bheeshma once again struck terror in the hearts of the Pandava sides slaughtering them mercilessly. None could face the great Bheeshma and so Bheema took him on.
Bheema cleverly killed Bheeshma’s charioteer and the scared horses took Bheema away from the battlefield. Bheema then killed the Kaurava prince Sunabha. He was then surrounded by Duryodhana’s brothers who showered arrows at the Pandava prince.
One by one, Bheema killed the Kaurava princes. He first cut off Aparajita’s head and then killed Kundadhara and Panditaka. Vishalaksha’s head was then chopped off while Mahodara’s heart was struck by Bheema’s flaming arrow. Adityaketu and Bahvashi were then killed after which the Kauravas ran helter-skelter.
A terribly upset Duryodhana went to Bheeshma and told him what happened. Bheeshma told Duryodhana that he had disregarded his and Vidura’s advice and was now seeing the results of this. He asked Duryodhana to be patient and fight.
Sanjaya then told Dhritarashtra that Vidura’s advice was disregarded and the Kauravas committed adharma in the gambling match. Whatever was happening was the consequence of this.
Bheema was unsurpassable and sent thousands of soldiers to the other world. Drona fought fiercely and slaughtered the Pandava forces.
Iravan who had gone to Indraloka to meet his father had been blessed by him. He fought fiercely in the war killing many Kauravas. He fought with Shakuni’s younger brothers and ruthlessly slew them all.
Seeing this, Duryodhana called the demon Alambusha and asked him to kill Arjuna’s son. Alambusha then used his powers of illusion to attack Iravan. The Naga prince was also adept at illusion and countered Alambusha and a fierce battle took place.
Iravan used his powers to tie Alambusha with snakes. The demon then took the form of an eagle and attacked the Nagas causing them to flee. Swinging his terrible sword, the demon cut off Iravan’s head causing the death of Arjuna’s son.
Bheeshma and Drona caused mayhem in the Pandava ranks. Meanwhile, Ghatokacha was furious seeing Iravan’s body. He launched a vicious attack against the Kauravas. Duryodhana fought bravely but was hit all over his body with arrows. When Ghatotkacha flung a javelin at Duryodhana, the king of Vanga came in-between and smashed it.
An angry Ghatotkacha then killed the king’s elephant causing him to fall. Ghatotkacha let out such a terrific road that hearing it Bheeshma was worried for Duryodhana’s life. He asked Drona and the others to go and protect the king.
Without even flinching, Ghatotkacha took on all the Kaurava warriors breaking their bows and killing their charioteers. Yudhishtira asked Bheema to go and support his son. Seeing Bheema come there, the Kauravas panicked and fled from the battle.
An angry Duryodhana then took on Bheema. When Duryodhana injured Bheema, Ghatokacha and Abhimanyu came to his support and fought with Duryodhana. The entire Kaurava force came to Duryodhana’s help.
Bheema struck Drona causing him to fall. Seeing this Ashwatthama attacked him. Nila took on Ashwatthama but was soon defeated and swooned in his chariot. Ghatotkacha then used his powers and created an illusion as though Drona, Duryodhana, Ashwatthama, and other Kaurava warriors were dead.
Seeing the dead bodies of their leaders, the Kaurava army were terrified and abandoned the battlefield and fled. Bheeshma shouted at his soldiers telling them it was an illusion but they were terrified and continued to flee. Ghatotkacha roared in victory while the Pandavas celebrated.
Bheeshma then asked Duryodhana to send Bhagadatta to take on Ghatokacha. The King of Pragjyotisha was seated on his mighty elephant Supratika and he charged at the Pandavas. The terrible elephant slaughtered all that came in its way.
The King of Dasharnas attacked Bhagadatta seated on his elephant. Bhagadatta flung sharp javelins that broke the elephant’s armour and it fled from the battlefield. Ghatotkacha then confronted Bhagadatta and the two great warrior fought.
When Bhagadatta hurled a spear, the son of Bheema grabbed it and placing it on his thighs broke it into two. The angry king then launched a vicious attack shooting hundreds of arrows at Ghatotkacha, Abhimanyu, and Draupadi’s sons.
Bhagadatta struck Bheema’s charioteer Vishoka causing him to swoon. Bheema then used his mace to attack Bhagadatta. The two sides fought ferociously causing bodies to pile up.
Meanwhile, Arjuna had learnt of his son Iravan’s death and grieved. Bheema then proceeded to slaughter Duryodhana’s brothers. Vyudoraska, Kundalina, Anadhristi, Kundabheda, Vairata, Drigalochana, Subahu, Dirghalochana, and Kanakadhvaja were killed one by one.
While Bheema killed the Kaurava princes, Arjuna took on Bheeshma, Bhagadatta, and Kripa. Abhimanyu defeated King Ambastha. The two sides continued to fight hard with broken weapons, chariots, and dead bodies strewn all over the battlefield. Soon the sun set and the two sides returned to their camps.
Duryodhana was dejected at the death of his brothers and complained to Karna that Bheeshma and Drona were not able to stop the Pandavas. Karna then suggested that Bheeshma withdraw from the battle so he could join the war and kill the Pandavas.
When Duryodhana gave this suggestion to Bheeshma, the son of Ganga was hurt. He told Duryodhana that none could defeat Arjuna. Anyone who claimed to defeat the Pandavas were only indulging in empty boasting.
Bheeshma then promised to destroy the Pandavas on the next day. Duryodhana was assured by his words and left.