Next day Bhishma arranged his army in the form of Garuda. Bhishma was its beak. Drona and Kritavarna were the eyes. Kripa and Ashvatthama were at the head. The Trigartas the Jayadratha with their armies made the neck. Duryodhana, his brothers, Vinda and Anuvinda made the body. King of Kashala, Brihadbala formed the tail.

Arjuna observed this arrangement. He arranged the Pandavas army in consultation with Dhristadhymna, in the shape of a cresent. At the right end was Bhima, Along the ups were placed the army of Drupada and Virata. Neel, Dhristaketu, Dhristadhymna and Shikandi were placed next to them. Yudhisthira was at the centre. Satyaki, and five sons of Draupadi. Abimanyu were at left end, Ghatatkacha and Kokaya brother was there too. At the tip was Arjuna at his Chariot with Krishna.

At the signal, the armies started the fight. The fight was so terrible that the dust rising from the battlefield covered the Sun.

Bhima's son Ghatotkacha joined the fight and proved himself to be more formidable than his father even. A duel between Duryodhana and Bhima took place. Duryodhana was hurt and he fainted. His charioteer took him away from the field. He revived after a while and rejoined the battle. He was stunned to see the devastation caused by Arjuna Ghatotkacha, Satyaki and Bhima on his army. He went to Bhishma and said, In the presence of warriors like you and Drona the Pandavas are causing such havoc on my army. You have your sympathies for the Pandavas. They are your favorites and Drona too loves Arjuna more then even this son. You are not killing them. Bhishma, stung by the words of Duryodhana started desiccating the Pandava army as never before. The Pandavas, who had become somewhat complacent after seeing their easy sailing, came out of their stupor with a rude shock. Bhishma was like an elephant among the pond of lotuses.

Whereever he went death and destruction followed him. Army was being slaughtered. No one from the side of the Pandavas could stop him. Arjuna was reminded of his words that he alone could face the Kauravas, Bhishma and Drona. Again Arjuna was face to face with Bhishma. Their fight was a rare sight. Seldom so much skill had been displayed any battle of the human beings. Krishna sensed the terrible wrath of Bhishma and found Arjuna lacking. He was soft towards Bhishma. There could not have been any chance for the Pandavas if Arjuna failed. The day came to an end and the fighting stopped.

Duryodhana was very angry at Drona and Bhishma. He told them about the devastation caused by Ghatotkacha, bhima, Arjuna and Satyaki. Arjuna was the key to their success. He had to be vanquished. Duryodhana said to Bhishma, "Karna could have accomplished this for me but since you insulted him, he has not joined the war.' Bhishma was sick of listening to Duryodhana warded comments. He said, "I shall win the war tomorrow. Only obstacle I see, is Krishna, If he does not wield arms. I can defeat the Pandavas. Duryodhana went back to his tent in a happy frame of mind.

Next day Bhishma was a hurricane. Entire Pandavas army was like clouds before hurricane. Bhima, Arjuna, Abhimanyu, Ghatotkacha all proved helpless to check Bhishma. Krishna could sense Arjuna's softness for Bhishma. He took the chariot to face Bhishma. Arjuna and Bhishma became engaged in a magnificent battle. But Arjuna was not achieving anything. Bhishma was playing havoc with the Pandavas army and its morals. Bhishma, assisted bu Drona, Vikarna, Jayadratha and Bhunishrava made an all out attack on Arjuna. They looked as if they were intent upon killing him. Alarmed Satyaki came to Arjuna's assistance. Entire army of the Pandavas rushed to help Arjuna but Bhishma was not to be stopped. It was obvious to Krishna that Arjuna was still not fighting with his heart and soul. He looked at Satyaki and said, "Now watch me Satyaki, kill the terrible old man. I find that if I do not take up arms in this war, my promise of making Yudhisthira an emperor and my promise to Draupadi that her tormentor's blood will be spilled in the battlefield cannot be fulfilled. I have to make her happy and to punish the sinners.

Instantly, Krishna transformed as the great destroyer Narayana. He shone like the god of death. His Sudarshan Chakra was in his index finger. He jumped from the chariot and rushed towards Bhishma full of wrath. All the wise men thought that the end of the world was there. Seeing Him before his chariot. Bhishma put down his arms and came down with folded hands. He said, I bow down to you, O lords of lords, what greater glory can I aspire for then being killed by your blessed hands. Release your Sudarshan, O blessed lord and grant release to this humblest of your servants from thus bondage of the human form. I had been waiting for my death but I could never have thought of such a glorious end. Release me from the pledge. I gave to mother Satyawati." Saying this Bhishma prepared himself to fight.

Now Arjuna was at Krishna's feet begging him not to break his oath. He prayed to him again and again and promised he would fight with his fullest capability, Krishna should not break his oath of not wielding the arms during the war for his sake. Lollified Krishna returned to his original form and came back to take up the rains. The ever-present divine simile of his was there once again.

Arjuna proved himself true to his words. Now he joined the battle like a meteor raining fire. He drew upon his arsenal of the divine astras and sent a terrible astra Aindra which caused much death and destruction in Kauravas army. Bhishma, Drona and Bahlika saw the destruction caused by Arjuna. Sun was setting and the war stopped for the day. Kaurava monarch was downcast and dismayed.