Showing posts with label War. Show all posts
Showing posts with label War. Show all posts

Friday, February 27, 2026

What was the biggest mistake made by Lord Krishna during the Kurukshetra War?

 

Biggest mistake?. Does it mean, Krishna committed several mistakes and the question is about the biggest mistake of those several mistakes?.

Is he a common man to commit mistake?. When he was born in jail, he gave darshan to parents Devaki and Vasudeva as a child with four hands and his usual weapons. He clearly declared that he is Lord Vishnu.

He killed Pootana and other demons as an infant. He lifted Govardhan hill with a finger.

Still is there any doubt about him?.

Bhishma, the most powerful warrior on kaurava side, said “ had Krishna not been with Pandavas, I would have killed all Pandavas with a single arrow “.

Krishna is Adiguru. Guru means a person who guides disciples from darkness to light.

Krishna has not done any mistake, infact he corrects mistakes of devotees and makes their lives meaningful and fruitful.

Krishna does only right actions always.

Krishnam vandE jagadgurum.

Subhamastu

Monday, February 23, 2026

What happened after the Mahabharata war?


After the Kurukshetra war:

  • Yudhishthira narrates to Dhritarashtra of the total casualties of the war.
  • Gandhari blames and curses Lord Krishna for the destruction of her sons in the war. As a consequence of which the Yadava dynasty of Lord Krishna perishes thirty-six years after in a civil war.
  • Narada and Kunti informs the Pandavas of the real parentage of Karna as a consequence of which the Pandavas are grief-stricken on learning that the Suta's son was their eldest brother. Yudhishthira summons Karna's wives and performs water rites for his elder brother who perished in the war.
  • Yudhishthira wants to retire to the forests considering himself the only one guilty for such an enormous loss of lives but is consoled by Arjuna & Bhima. The son of dharma performs the horse-sacrifice to proclaim himself the emperor of bharatvarsha. Arjuna conquers all the kingdoms of the earth to commemorate the ceremony of the sacrifice.
  • Bhima purposely insults Dhritarashtra and Gandhari several times infront of his companions but in the absence of Yudhishthira. However both the parents of Duryodhana receive a lot of love and respect from the other four Pandava brothers. Yudhishthira even takes counsel from Dhritarashtra for the proper administration of the kingdom of Hastinapura.
  • Kunti retires to the forests accompanied by Dhritarashtra and Gandhari but the trio are killed in a sudden outbreak of forest fire. Sanjaya retires to the Himalayas grief-stricken by the demise of the trio. Dharmatma Vidura merges himself with Yudhishthira and finds his place under the feet of Dharmaraj Yama.

Thirty-six years after the Kurukshetra war:

  • The entire Yadava dynasty of Lord Krishna perishes in a mutual fight as a fatal outcome of a civil war. Lord Krishna watches himself the destruction of his entire kith & kin. Balarama and Lord Krishna give up their lives and their corpses are cremated as per Vedic rites by Arjuna who comes from Hastinapura on hearing about the destruction of the Yadavas. Balarama and Lord Krishna merges into the bodies of Ananta Shesha and Lord Vishnu respectively. Meanwhile Arjuna proceeds towards the direction of Hastinapura accompanied by the sixteen-thousand wives of Lord Krishna's harem. The group headed by Arjuna is attacked by the lustful Abhisara robbers who abducts some of Lord Krishna's wives. Dwarka gets submerged beneath of ocean after seven days of the Yadava civil war. Arjuna is devastated due to the sudden turn of events and asks Vyasa who inturn tells him of the advent of Kali yuga.
  • The four Pandava brothers (except Yudhishthira) and Draupadi fall off one by one to their death in the Himalayas on their journey to the celestial realm of swarga loka. They are accompanied by Dharmaraj Yama in the form of a dog. Yudhishthira says his opinion as to why each of his brothers fall to their death and also Draupadi. The son of dharma ascends to the chariot of Indra retaining his human form and proceeds for the highest heaven swarga loka. There he is united by Karna, Draupadi and his other four brothers.

Image courtesy: Google

Friday, February 20, 2026

Why did Kauravas lose the Mahabharatha war despite having the best-in-class warriors and a larger army?

 Depending upon the maturity and understanding ability of the individual concerned in grasping the true purpose of the EPIC Mahabharata, one can draw conclusion as to why the Kauravas lost, despite having an overwhelming army with them, the war.

One can put forward arguments that

  • Bhishma and Drona did not fight to their full capacity and with their heart in winning the war
  • Bhishma was not protected properly
  • Karna did not participate for the first 10 days of the war
  • Karna was afflicted with curses in the nick of the moment

and so on and so forth.

——

According to my understanding the above arguments or any other supplementary arguments cover only the peripheral part.

The main reason lies elsewhere.

——

If we pay attention to what Sage Krishna Dwaipayana or Vyasa, who composed the EPIC Jaya Samhita - the original version of Mahabharata, said to Gandhari after the war, we can realise as to what was the cause of the defeat of the Kauravas.

After the war, when Gandhari was weeping, Sage Vyasa consoles her and advises to forgive Pandavas, as follows:

उक्तास्यष्टादशाहानि पुत्रेण जयमिच्छता । शिवमाशास्स्व मे मातर्युध्यमानस्य शत्रुभिः ॥

सा तथा याच्यमाना त्वं काले काले जयैषिणा । उक्तवत्यसि गान्धारि यतो धर्मस्ततो जयः ॥

न चाप्यतीतां गान्धारि वाचं ते वितथामहम् । स्मरामि भाषमाणायास्तथा प्रणिहिता ह्यसि ॥

सा त्वं धर्मं परिस्मृत्य वाचा चोक्त्वा मनस्विनि । कोपं संयच्छ गान्धारि मैवं भूः सत्यवादिनि ॥

For eighteen days, your son, eager for triumph, pleaded with you daily during the battle: "Mother, bless me as I fight my enemies." Every day, he sought your blessing with such words, and your constant reply was: "Victory lies where righteousness dwells!"

Gandhari, I recall no instance where your words proved false. Therefore, the words you spoke to Duryodhana at his urging must hold true. You always seek the welfare of all beings. Undoubtedly, the Pandavas have crossed the sea of battle and certainly won both victory and a greater measure of righteousness.

You once valued forgiveness; why abandon it now? Conquer unrighteousness, you who understand righteousness. Victory lies where righteousness prevails. Remember your righteousness and your own pronouncements; restrain your anger, Gandhari! Do not deviate from this path, you of fair speech.


The above words of Sage Vyasa explains everything:

  • Though Duryodhana deviated from the path of Dharma, his mother Gandhari never deviated from that.
  • Duryodhana sought Gandhari’s blessing everyday and each day Gandhari’s blessing was “यतो धर्मस्ततो जयः - Victory lies where righteousness dwells!”

—-

Hence, Gandhari was physically on Kauravas side, but her blessings were given to the side, which stood for Dharma - Righteousness.

We have to remember that at the end of the war, when Kauravas lost everyone, even the Pandavas were not left with great army. The number of warriors survived on Pandavas side was 10,000 warriors, 2,000 Chariots, 700 Elephants,and 5,000 Horses out of 7 Akshauhinis .

रथानां द्वे सहस्रे तु सप्त नागशतानि च । पञ्च चाश्वसहस्राणि पत्तीनां च शतं शताः ॥

एतच्छेषमभूद्राजन्पाण्डवानां महद्बलम् ।

Even the above balance army was eliminated by Ashwatthama on the 18th day night.

—-

So, as per the blessings of Gandhari, Pandavas won the war, but lost everything.

Would Arjun had won the Mahabharata war without Krishna?

 Short answer- No

Without Krishna Arjuna and the Pandavas would never have won the Mahabharata war. This was confirmed by Krishna himself.

The Pandavas were distressed and immersed in thought. On seeing this, Krishna spoke these words, in a voice that rumbled like clouds and drums. ‘All of them were swift in the use of weapons and were maharathas. In a fair fight, even if we fought bravely, we were incapable of defeating them in the battle. That is the reason I thought of means to slay those lords of men. Otherwise, the Pandaveyas would never have obtained victory.

Mahabharat Gadda Yuddha Parva Chapter 60 By Bori Ce

Fact is clear from numerous events that Kuru warriors would have killed Arjuna if not for Krishna on his side. Most important thing is that he would get the knowledge of Bhagwad Gita from Krishna to win the war

  • Bhishma proved too difficult to be beaten by the Pandavas and could be brought down only when Shikhandi stood before him. It was Krishna who planned that the best way to defeat him is to ask him else killing Bhishma would be impossible.
  • If not for Krishna Bhagadatta would have killed Arjuna twice on 12th day. His infalliable Vaishnavastra would have killed Arjuna had Krishna not stopped it. And his elephant Supratika would have trampled him had Krishna not skillfully guided the chariot.
  • Without Krishna Arjuna would not have been able to complete his pledge of killing Jyadratha. It was Krishna who suggested Arjuna to obtain a boon from Shiva before 14th day as he was not supposed to fight in the war.
  • Shrutayudh with his infalliable mace would have quite easily killed Partha on 14th day if not for Krishna present there.
  • Would have been killed had Krishna not informed him of Jyadratha,’ s boon by his father that The person who fights with Jyadratha in an encounter and brings his head down on the ground his head will shatter into a hundred fragments.
  • Karna with his infalliable Vasavi shakti could have killed Arjuna but it was Krishna who used his illusions to make Karna forget from using Vasavi shakti and send Ghatotkacha against Karna on 14th night so that the spear be wasted.
  • Drona was unstoppable on 15th day after Duryodhana,’ s taunts of him fighting mildly against the Pandavas. All the Pandavas including Arjuna were scared to death and Krishna planned to use treachery to bring him down as others were incapable of stopping him that day.
  • Narayanastra of Ashwathama would have consumed the entire Pandava army including Arjuna but it was Krishna who revealed the secret of countering Narayanastra only then the Pandavas managed to escape from the wrath of the weapon.
  • The supreme Agneyastra of Ashwathama would have again killed Arjuna and the entire Pandava army but was rendered futile due to Krishna as revealed by Vyasa to Ashwathama.
  • He failed to counter the Brahmastras of Drona and Karna which resulted in blasting of his chariot but he was saved by Hanuman and Krishna.
  • Nagastra of Karna would have beheaded Arjuna on 17th day but Krishna pressed down the chariot and prevented the arrow from hitting Arjuna,’ s neck.
  • Arjuna accepted his inability to counter Bhargavastra and claims how can a dead man be victorious indicating had he been in the range of Bhargavastra he would be killed. It was Krishna who suggested Arjuna to retreat to the camp hoping Karna would be exhausted giving Arjuna a better chance to fight him.

However there is no scope of these events occuring. Because without Krishna Arjuna would have been kiolled by Bhagadatta on the 12th day.

But Krishna was not the only one protecting Arjuna. In case of Ashwamedha Yagya Jyadratha foot soldiers would have killed him but Saptarishis Saved him from certain death. There were Invisible forces protecting Arjuna because of him being on side of dharma. This plot Armour might give him an edge.

Friday, January 2, 2026

What exactly happened after the Kurukshetra War in the Mahabharata?

 

  1. After winning the war of Kurukshetra, Yudhistria with his 4 brothers were crowned the rulers of Hastinapur. Almost 36 years they ruled.

2. After some years, Dhritharastra and Gandhari decided to go Himalayas.

3. Gandhari’s curse to Lord Krishna takes 36 years to materialize i.e leading to his death. A hunter mistakenly shot an arrow to Krishna which leads his death(dissolving Lord Vishnu’s Avatara in Dwapari yuga)

4. Yadavs end up killing each other which leads destruction of Yadava’s.

5. Arjuna performed all funeral rites to Vasudeva, Balarama and Sri Krishna and saved Rukmini, Satyabhama, Jambavathi and other wives of Krishna along with some other yadavas.

6.Arjuna warrior abilities start to give up.

7. Pandavas decided to go Himalayas,While scaling the Himalayas, the 4 Pandavas and Draupadi fall to their respective failings, but Yudhishthira stays put.

8. The happy reunion in heaven.

Note: Lot of stories/facts there behind for all these 8 points.

Image source: google

Saturday, December 6, 2025

Which is the most dangerous war that we have ever had in history?

 World War II.

About 3% of the world’s population died as a result of the conflict, somewhere between 70 and 85 million people.

It was an outrageously bad conflict that even I have grown up in the shadow of.

But it wasn’t the worst possible outcome. The worst would have been the Nazi’s winning.

Monday, November 17, 2025

Among Pandavas, who wanted war and who wanted peace?

 

  1. Yudhisthira wanted Peace :-

What can be more sorrowful, O Janardana, than this, that I am unable to maintain my mother and my friends? Having the Kasis, the Panchalas, the Chedis, and the Matsyas, for my allies and with thee, O slayer of Madhu, for my protector, I prayed for only five villages, etc., AvishthalaVrikasthalaMakandiVaranavata, with any other, O Govinda, as the fifth;--Grant us, we said, five villages or towns, O sire, where we five may dwell in union, for we do not desire the destruction of the Bharatas.

Udyoga Parva: Bhagwat Yana Parva: Section LXXII

2. Bhima surprisingly went for Peace.

Bhima said, 'Speak thou, O slayer of Madhu, in such a strain that there may be peace with the Kurus. Do not threaten them with war. Resenting everything, his wrath always excited, hostile to his own good and arrogant, Duryodhana should not be roughly addressed. Do thou behave towards him with mildness. Duryodhana is by nature sinful of heart like that of a robber, intoxicated with the pride of prosperity, hostile to the Pandavas, without foresight, cruel in speech, always disposed to censure others, of wicked prowess, of wrath not easily to be appeased, not susceptible of being taught, of wicked soul, deceitful in behaviour, capable of giving up his very life rather than break or give up his own opinion. Peace with such a one, O Krishna, is, I suppose, most difficult. Regardless of the words of even his well-wishers, destitute of virtue, loving falsehood, he always acts against the words of his counsellors and wounds their hearts.

Udyoga Parva: Bhagwat Yana Parva: Section LXXIV

3. Arjuna too was for Peace.

"Arjuna said, 'O Janardana, Yudhishthira hath already said what should be said. But, O chastiser of foes, hearing what thou hast said, it seemeth to me that thou, O lord, does not think peace to be easily obtainable either in consequence of Dhritarashtra's covetousness or from our present weakness. Thou thinkest also that human prowess alone is fruitless, and also that without putting forth one's prowess one's purposes cannot be achieved. What thou hast said may be true, but at the same time it may not always be true. Nothing, however, should be regarded as impracticable. It is true, peace seemeth to thee to be impossible in consequence of our distressful condition, yet they are still acting against us without reaping the fruits of their acts. Peace, therefore, if properly proposed, O lord, may be concluded. O Krishna, strive thou, therefore, to bring about peace with the foe.

Udyoga Parva: Bhagwat Yana Parva: Section LXXVIII

4. Nakula was prepared for anything Peace or war. He said it depends on how Enemies behave.

Nakula said, 'Much hath been said, O Madhava, by king Yudhishthira the just who is conversant with morality and endued with liberality, and thou hast heard what hath been said by Falguni also. As regards my own opinion, O hero, thou hast repeatedly expressed it, Hearing first what the wishes of the enemy are and disregarding all, do what thou regardest to be proper for the occasion. O Kesava, diverse are the conclusions arrived at as regards diverse matters. Success, however, O chastiser of foes, is won when a man doth that which ought to be done in view of the occasion. When a thing is settled in one way on one occasion, it becometh unsuitable when the occasion becometh different. Persons, therefore, in this world, O foremost of men, cannot stick to the same opinion throughout. While we were living in the woods, our hearts were inclined towards a particular course of action. While we were passing the period of concealment, our wishes were of one kind, and now, at the present time, O Krishna, when concealment is no longer necessary, our wishes have become different. O thou of the Vrishni race, while we wandered in the woods, attachment for the kingdom was not so great as now. The period of our exile having ceased, hearing, O hero, that we have returned, an army numbering full seven Akshauhinis hath, through thy grace, O Janardana, been assembled. Beholding these tigers among men, of inconceivable might and prowess, standing equipped for battle armed with weapons, what man is there that will not be struck with fear? Therefore going into the midst of the Kurus, speak thou first words fraught with mildness and then those fraught with threats, so that the wicked Suyodhana may be agitated with fear.

Udyoga Parva: Bhagwat Yana Parva: Section LXXX

5. Sahadeva was for all out war. He was supported by Satyaki.

Sahadeva said, 'What hath been said by the king is, indeed, eternal virtue, but thou, O chastiser of foes, shouldst act, in such a way that war may certainly happen. Even if the Kauravas express their desire for peace with the Pandavas, still, O thou of Dasarha's race, provoke thou a war with them. Having seen, O Krishna, the princess of Panchala brought in that plight into the midst of the assembly, how can my wrath be appeased without the slaughter of Suyodhana. If, O Krishna, Bhima and Arjuna and king Yudhishthira the just are disposed to be virtuous, abandoning virtue I desire an encounter with Duryodhana in battle.'

Udyoga Parva: Bhagwat Yana Parva: Section LXXXI

6. Panchali Draupadi the sixth Pandava also wanted war and she Expressed her sorrow to krishna how badly she was treated.

O Janardana, thou knowest all these sorrows of mine. Rescue me, O lotus-eyed one, with my husbands, kinsmen, and relatives, from that grief. Morally, O Krishna, I am the daughter-in-law of both Bhishma and Dhritarashtra. Though such, I was yet forcibly made a slave. Fie to Partha's bowmanship, oh, fie to Bhimasena's might since Duryodhana, O Krishna, liveth for even a moment. If I deserve any favour at thy hands, if thou hast any compassion for me, let thy wrath, O Krishna, be directed towards the sons of Dhritarashtra.'

Draupadi even said that if Pandavas led by Bhima and Armuna don't fight her father, brother will fight and alos her 5 sons led by Abhimanyu will fight for her.

If Bhima and Arjuna, O Krishna, have become so low as to long for peace, my aged father then with his war like sons will avenge for me in battle. My five sons also that are endued with great energy, with Abhimanyu, O slayer of Madhu, at their head, will fight with the Kauravas. What peace can this heart of mine know unless I behold Dussasana's dark arm severed from his trunk and pulverised to atoms? Thirteen long years have I passed in expectation of better times, hiding in my heart my wrath like a smouldering fire.

Udyoga Parva: Bhagwat Yana Parva: Section LXXXII

After Draupadi had spoken she began to cry and then Krishna spoke and assured her that he will get justice for her.

The mighty-armed Kesava then spoke, comforting her in these words, 'Soon wilt thou, O Krishna, behold the ladies of Bharata's race weep as thou dost. Even they, O timid one, will weep like thee, their kinsmen and friends being slain. They with whom, O lady, thou art angry, have their kinsmen and warriors already slain. With Bhima and Arjuna and the twins, at Yudhishthira's command, and agreeably to fate, and what hath been ordained by the Ordainer, I will accomplish all this. Their hour having arrived, the sons of Dhritarashtra, if they do not listen to my words, will surely lie down on the earth turned as morsels of dogs and jackals. The mountains of Himavat might shift their site, the Earth herself might spilt into a hundred fragments, the firmament itself with its myriads of stars might fall down, still my words can never be futile. Stop thy tears, I swear to thee, O Krishna, soon wilt thou see thy husbands, with their enemies slain, and with prosperity crowning them.'"

Udyoga Parva: Bhagwat Yana Parva: Section LXXXII

So in all Yudhisthira, Bhima and Arjuna went for Peace, Draupadi and Sahadeva wanted war and Nakula was prepared for any evenuality.

Image courtesy:- Google.

Who are the five eldest warriors who took part in the Mahabharata War?

 These are the five eldest warriors in Kurukshetra war :-

  • Bahilika .

He was elder brother of Shantanu and uncle of Bhishma Pitahma .

He was killed by Bhimasena .

Then Bhima, for Satyaki's sake, afflicted the illustrious Valhika with nine shafts and pierced him therewith at the van of battle. Then the mighty-armed son of Pratipa, Valhika, filled with great fury, hurled a dart at the chest of Bhima, like Purandara himself hurling the thunder. Struck therewith, Bhima trembled (on his car) and swooned away. The mighty warrior then, recovering his senses, hurled a mace at his opponent. Hurled by the son of Pandu, that mace snatched away the head of Valhika, who, thereupon, fell down lifeless on the earth, like a tree struck down by lightning.

  • Somadatta .

He was eldest son of Bahilika and since Bhishma Pitahma was eight child of Shantanu and Mata Ganga , it is very likely he was older than Pitahma .

He was killed by Satyaki .

Then Satyaki, inflamed with rage, aiming at Somadatta's chest, shot a new and terrible Parigha equipped with a golden staff and hard as the thunder. The Kuru warrior, however, smiling the while, cut off that terrible Parigha advancing with speed against him in two parts. That formidable Parigha of iron, then, thus cut off into two fragments, fell down like so many crests of a mountain riven by thunder. Then Satyaki, O king, with a broad-headed arrow, cut off in that encounter Somadatta's bow, and then with five arrows, the leathern fence that cased his fingers. Then, O Bharata, with four other shafts he speedily despatched the four excellent steeds of the Kuru warrior to Yama's presence. And then that tiger among car-warriors with another straight shaft, smiling the while, cut off from his trunk the head of Somadatta's driver. Then he sought at Somadatta himself a terrible shaft of fiery effulgence, whetted on stone, steeped in oil, and equipped with wings of gold. That excellent and fierce shaft, shot by the mighty grandson of Sini, quickly fell like a hawk, O Lord, upon the chest of Somadatta. Deeply pierced by the mighty Satwata, the great car-warrior Somadatta, O monarch, fell down (from his car) and expired.

  • Bhishma Pitahma .

The great son of Maa Ganga and Shantanu .

He was brought down by Arjuna fairly .

Fierce was the battle fought there between thy troops and those of the enemy on that the tenth day, O king, when Bhishma and Arjuna met together. Like unto the vortex that occurs at the spot where the Ganga meets the Ocean, for a short while a vortex occurred there where the troops of both armies met and struck one another down. And the Earth, wet with gore, assumed a fierce form. And the even and the uneven spots on her surface could no longer be distinguished. Although Bhishma was pierced in all his vital limbs, yet on that the tenth day he stayed (calmly) in battle, having slain ten thousand warriors. Then that great bowman, Partha, stationed at the head of his troops, broke the centre of the Kuru army. Ourselves then, afraid of Kunti's son Dhananjaya having white steeds attached to his car, and afflicted by him with polished weapons, fled away from the battle. The Sauviras, the Kitavas, the Easterners, the Westerners, the Northerners, the Malavas, the Abhishahas, the Surasenas, the Sivis, the Vasatis, the Salwas, the Sayas, the Trigartas, the Amvashthas, and the Kaikeyas-these and many other illustrious warriors,--afflicted with arrows and pained by their wounds, abandoned Bhishma in that battle while he was fighting with the diadem-decked (Arjuna). Then a great many warriors, surrounding that single warrior on all sides, defeated the Kurus (that protected him) and covered him with shower of arrows. Throw down, Seize, Fight, Cut into pieces,--this was the furious uproar, O king, heard in the vicinity of Bhishma's car. Having slain in that battle, O monarch, (his foes) by hundreds and thousands, there was not in Bhishma's body space of even two fingers' breadth that was not pierced with arrows. Thus was thy sire mangled with arrows of keen points by Phalguni in that battle. And then he fell down from his car with his head to the east, a little before sunset, in the very sight of thy sons. And while Bhishma fell, loud cries of alas and oh, O Bharata, were heard in the welkin uttered by the celestials and the kings of the earth. And beholding the high-souled grandsire falling down (from his car), the hearts of all of us fell with him. That foremost of all bowmen, that mighty-armed hero, fell down, like an uprooted standard of Indra, making the earth tremble the while.Pierced all over with arrows, his body touched not the ground. At that moment, O bull of Bharata's race, a divine nature took possession of that great bowman lying on a bed of arrows. The clouds poured a (cool) shower (over him) and the Earth trembled. While falling he had marked that the Sun was then in the southern solstice.

  • Dronacharya .

He was son of Bharadwaj and is the only one with a clear age in Mahabharata which was supposed to 405 years .

He was slain by Drishtadyumna unfairly .

Thus addressed by Bhima, the mighty-armed Dhrishtadyumna speedily took up a strong, a new and a superb bow capable of bearing a great strain. Filled with rage, and shooting his arrows in that battle at the irresistible Drona, Dhrishtadyumna covered the preceptor, desirous of withstanding him. Those two ornaments of battle then, both foremost of fighters and both filled with rage, invoked into existence the Brahma and diverse other celestial weapons. Indeed, O king, Dhrishtadyumna covered Drona with many mighty weapons in that encounter. Destroying all the weapons of Bharadwaja's son, the Panchala prince, that warrior of unfading glory, began to slay the Vasatis, the Sivis, the Valhikas and the Kurus, that is, them, who protected Drona in that battle. Indeed, O king, shooting showers of arrows on all sides, Dhrishtadyumna at that time looked resplendent like the sun himself shedding his thousands of rays. Drona, however, once more cut off the prince's bow and pierced the vitals of the prince himself with many arrows. Thus pierced, the prince felt great pain. Then Bhima, of great wrath, holding the car of Drona, O monarch, slowly said these words unto him: If wretches amongst Brahmanas, discontented with the avocations of their own order, but well-versed in arms, did not fight, the Kshatriya order then would not have been thus exterminated. Abstention from injury to all creatures hath been said to be the highest of all virtues. The Brahmana is the root of that virtue. As regards thyself, again, thou art the foremost of all persons acquainted with Brahma. Slaying all those Mlecchas and other warriors, who, however, are all engaged in the proper avocations of their order, moved thereto by ignorance and folly, O Brahmana, and by the desire of wealth for benefiting sons and wives; indeed, for the sake of an only son, why dost thou not feel ashamed? He for whom thou hast taken up weapons, and for whom thou livest, he, deprived of life, lieth today on the field of battle, unknown to thee and behind thy back. King Yudhishthira the just hath told thee this. It behoveth thee not to doubt this fact.' Thus addressed by Bhima, Drona laid aside his bow. Desirous of laying aside all his weapons also, Bharadwaja's son of virtuous soul said aloud, 'O Karna, Karna, O great bowman, O Kripa, O Duryodhana, I tell you repeatedly, exert yourselves carefully in battle. Let no injury happen to you from the Pandayas. As regards myself, I lay aside my weapons.' Saying these words, he began loudly to take the name of Aswatthaman. Laying aside his weapons then in that battle, and sitting down on the terrace of his car, he devoted himself to Yoga and assured all creatures, dispelling their fears. Beholding that opportunity, Dhrishtadyumna mustered all his energy. Laying down on the car his formidable bow, with arrow fixed on the bow-string, he took up a sword, and jumping down from his vehicle, rushed quickly against Drona. All creatures, human beings and others, uttered exclamation of woe, beholding Drona thus brought under Dhrishtadyumna's power. Loud cries of Oh and Alas were uttered, as also those of Oh and Fie. As regards Drona himself, that large head of Bharadwaja's son before the warriors of thy army. Thy soldiers, O monarch, beholding the head of Bharadwaja's son, set their hearts on flight and ran away in all directions. Meanwhile Drona, ascending the skies, entered the stellar path. Through the grace of the Rishis Krishna (Dwaipayana), the son of Satyavati, I witnessed, O king, the (true circumstances about the) death of Drona. I beheld that illustrious one proceeding, after he had ascended the sky, like a smokeless brand of blazing splendour. Upon the fall of Drona, the Kurus, the Pandavas and the Srinjayas, all became cheerless and ran away with great speed. The army then broke up. Many had been slain, and many wounded by means of keen shafts. Thy warriors (in particular), upon the fall of Drona, seemed to be deprived of life. Having sustained a defeat, and being inspired with fear about the future, the Kurus regarded themselves deprived of both the worlds. Indeed, they lost all self-control. Searching for the body of Bharadwaja's, son, O monarch, on the field covered with thousands of headless trunks, the kings could not find it. The Pandavas, having gained the victory and great prospects of renown in the future, began to make loud sounds with their arrows and conchs and uttered loud leonine roars. Then Bhimasena, O king, and Dhrishtadyumna, the son of Prishata, were seen in the midst of the (Pandava) host to embrace each other. Addressing the son of Prishata, that scorcher of foes, viz., Bhima said, 'I will again embrace thee, O son of Prishata, as one crowned with victory, when that wretch of a Suta's son shall be slain in battle, as also that other wretch, viz., Duryodhana.' Having said these words, Bhimasena, the son of Pandu, filled with transports of joy, caused the earth to tremble with slaps on his armpits. Terrified by that sound, thy troops ran away from battle, forgetting the duties of the Kshatriyas and setting their hearts on flight. The Pandavas, having become victors, became very glad, O monarch, and they felt great happiness, derived from the destruction of their foes in battle .

  • Kripacharya .

He and his twin sister were children of Maharishi Sharavadat Gautam .

He was one of the few survivors of wars .

Having said these words unto the king deprived of his senses and lying with broken thighs, Ashvatthama once more cast his eyes on him and uttered these words, "If, O Duryodhana, thou hast any life in thee still, listen to these words that are so pleasant to hear. On the side of the Pandavas, only seven are alive, and among the Dhartarashtras, only we three! The seven on their side are the five brothers and Vasudeva and Satyaki; on our side, we three are myself and Kripa and Kritavarma! All the sons of Draupadi have been slain, as also all the children of Dhrishtadyumna! All the Pancalas too have been slain, as also the remnant of the Matsyas, O Bharata! Behold the vengeance taken for what they had done! The Pandavas are now childless! While buried in sleep, the men and animals in their camp have all been slain! Penetrating into their camp in the night, O king, I have slain Dhrishtadyumna, that wight of sinful deeds, as one kills an animal.

Then there are some other such as Drupada who was classmate of Drona , Shalya who was present in Kashi Swayamvara were Bhishma had fought him , Bhagdutta was supposed to be very old , Bhurishava was very old too .

Jai Sri Krishna .