Book Six:  Bhishma

Arjun looks out at the vast sea of both armies.  He sees friends and 
family on both sides and grows very distraught.   He throws down his 
weapon and tells Krishna that he cannot fight.  He could not bare the 
thought of killing Bhishma or Drona whom he loved so much.  

(This is where the Bhagavad Gita starts.  It is the conversation 
between Lord Krishna and Arjun as Krishna persuades him to fight 
because it is his duty. Though it is part of the Mahabharat, it has 
since become a separate entity in itself and is now one of the most 
sacred texts in Hinduism.  Please go back to The Mahabharat Page and 
scroll down to see excerpts from the Bhagavad Gita along with 
pictures.)

Realizing Krishna is right about what he says, Arjun picks up is bow, 
and goes back to join the army.  Judhishthir goes to Bhishma, Drona, 
and Kripa with folded palms and asks for their blessings.  All three 
bless the Pandavas.  They receive their blessings and go back to their 
battlefield.  The conch shell blow and the war starts. 

There are days and days of bloody battle.  Many people die from both 
sides but the Pandavas cannot seem to gain any ground because of 
Bhishma.  During the night they decide to go to him.  Judhishthir asks 
Bhishma how they can kill his since Bhishma has a boon from his 
childhood that enables him to decide the time of his death.  Bhishma 
tells them that they cannot win as long as he is fighting.  He also 
tells them that we would never raise a weapon against a woman and that 
Shikandin, who was fighting in the Pandavas' army used to be Amba, the 
sister of Abalika and Ambika.  Judhishthir also asks Drona the same.  
Drona tells them that they cannot win as long as he is a live.  He 
tells them that the only time he can be killed is when he is weaponless 
and meditating.  


The next day, placing Shikandin in front of Arjun, the army heads 
toward Bhishma.  Seeing Shikandin, Bhishma puts down his weapon.  Arjun 
from behind pierces him with arrow after arrow.  The great leader of 
the Kuru dynasty falls to everyone's dismay.  The people of both armies 
gather around him.  He tells them that it is still not time for him to 
die and that he will wait an auspicious moment.  Arjun makes a pillow 
to hold Bhishma's head up with his arrows and then they all leave the 
dying hero on his bed of arrows.




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