On the fifth day of the war, Bhishma chose to arrange his army in Makarvyuha. Arjuna, Yudhisthira and Dhristadhyumna decided for the Hawk formation of their Army. All the warriors of both sides were assigned to specific places in the formations with special responsibilities.

Bhima tried to break the Kaurava army phalanx and Bhima confronted him. Arjuna rushed to help him. Bhishma had already began his tour of destruction. Today, Duryodhana went to Drona and told him that he was far superior to the Pandavas. Being the guru of the Pandavas, he had to be their superior. He should kill the Pandavas, so that the death of Duryodhana's brother was avenged. Drona pitied his foolishness and said, 'even now you do not understand this that the Pandavas are invincible. I am doing my best to help you. Do not expect anything more. Drona then went to fight with Satyaki. Drona, Salya, Bhishma on one side were met by Bhima, Satyaki, Abhimanyu and the sons of Draupadi on the other side. In the meantime Shikhandi started towards Bhishma. Remembering Duryodhana's warning Drona intercepted Shikhandi and engaged him in a fight with him. The dead bodies in countless numbers were strewn across the field. Carcasses of elephants and horses had filled the entire field.

Now Virata fighting with Bhishma was wounded by him. Ashvatthama was fighting with Arjuna. Duryodhana and Bhima were using their skills to smash each other with their mighty maces. Abhimanyu had emerged as a new hero on the Pandava side. He was giving a good account of himself by killing a number of warriors. He hurt Lakshamana, the son of Duryodhana.

Satyaki too gave an excellent account of himself. He fought with Bhurishrava. The sun was setting and the fighters were tired and exhausted. There faces were drawn and haggard. Bhishma announced the end of the days fighting. All with drew to their camps to tend their wounds and to take whatever rest they could possibly get.

One the sixth day it was the Pandavas who preferred to arrange their army in the Makara formation. The Kauravas chose Krauncha Vyuha. The intensity of war went up quite early in the day. Bhima and Drona were to clash first. Drona destroyed a big chunk of the Pandava army. Arjuna, Abhimanyu, sons of Draupadi were causing great losses to the Kaurava army. Bhima was coming in and out of the Vyuha of the kauravas, killing soldier at will, swinging his terrible mace. Drupada and Drona were dueling once again. Drona could inflict many wounds on Drupada. Dhristadhyumna rushed to help Drupada. He used an astra called Pramohana, which made all unconscious. Drona immediately sent a counter astra to neutralise its effects. Bhima met Duryodhana again and tried to kill him. But Duryodhana only lost his senses and was carried away outside the battle by Jayadratha. Sun went down again. The armies returned to their tents.

The camp of Yudhisthira was happy on the balance. It had been a day of mixed fortunes.

Duryodhana was sullen and again went to the tent of his grandfather Bhishma complaining that his army was decimated by Bhima and Dhrsitadhyumna and Bhishma was not willing to kill them. But he received the same replies from his grandfather, which he had received earlier. Bhishma said, he was not at all enamoured of his life. He wanted to give up his life in the battlefield to find release from the human birth. Bhishma finally gave a potion to Duryodhana and said that he should drink it and sleep. That would relieve his pains.