It was the tenth day of the Great War. The Pandavas chose Shikhandi to lead the warriors of their side. The Kauravas army chose. Asura Vyuha and the Pandavas countered it by arranging their army in Deva Vyuha. In the lead was Shikandhi with Bhima and Arjuna to protect his sides. Behind him were Abhimanyu and the children of Draupadi. Satyaki and Dhristadhyuma were with them. Virata and Drupada had two charge of the rest of the army. Kekayu brothers, Dhristaketu and Gatotkacha were in their ranks. The Pandavas had the single pointed aim to kill Bhishma.

Bhishma led Kauravas as usual. Duryodhana, Drona, Ashvatthama, Bhagadatta, Kritavara and Kripa were to protect Bhishma from all the sides. Behind them were Shakuni, the king of Kamboja and the famed Trigartas brothers. Arrows started flying from the bow of Bhishma. He was fighting with superb skill. He embarked upon his course of destruction. Kauravas were all jubilant at his form. Today there was a new glow on his face and his looks belied his years. He was never seen in a happier frame of find since the days of dice game.

Shikhandi rushed towards Bhishma. He challenged him for a duel. I cannot fight with you. To me you are still a woman. I will not accept your challenge, was Bhishma reply.Shikhandi said, I heard that you are the greatest archer. I know that you defeated your guru Parashurama. You preferred to fight with him than to accept the love of Amba. Still I challenge you to this duel and kindly accept it. It will please me and it will please Pandavas. I have waited for this day since ages. I have to kill you.

Shikandi shot many sharp arrows and Bhishma was hurt. The kauravas sensed the danger to Bhishma and they all rushed to protect him. Duryodhana came to Bhishma again and asked him to kill the Pandavas. Bhishma looked at him and said, Even gods cannot do that what you ask? Arjuna can kill me but I cannot kill him. Today I will repay the debts. I owe to you and your father by dying in the battlefield for you. Then Bhishma turned towards the Pandavas and resumed his destruction work against them.

All the warriors of both the sides were centred around Bhishma. The Kauravas were protecting him and the Pandavas were attacking him. Both sides knew the importance of Bhishma. A most terrible fight was going on. Arjuna was fighting with Dussasana today. Satyaki and Alambusa were face to face. Bhagadatta too came to help the rakshasa. Arrows and juvenile were flying from both the sides.

Suddenly Bhishma came face to face with Yudhisthira. He said that now the time was ripe. He should be released from his body quickly. Then Yudhisthira approached Arjuna and told him what Bhishma had said. Arjuna started the task of clearing the Kauravas army from around the Bhishma. After sometime he succeeded.

Now Krishna said, the time has come, rush to Bhishma with Shikhandi. They went fast. Shikhandi faced Bhishma and Arjuna was behind him.

The entire life of Bhishma came to his mind in a very short time. He saw his mother Ganga with whom he played and spent best time of his life. His education at the sacred feet of Bhrihaspati, Shukra, Vasista and Markandeya. The learning of the art of war fare and archery from lord Parashurama. His terrible oath before mother Satyawati's father. The boon of his father Shantanu to chose the time of death at will. The sorrow of Amba, Dhristarstra, Pandu their lives and times. The childhood of the Kauravas and the Pandavas, the exile of the Pandavas and all other events.

Bhishma saw the five sons of Pandu. He thought that he could kill them but it was not possible only because they were under the protection of Krishna, The lord of the universe. He wished to die.

Krishna signaled Arjuna, Now is the time. Shikhandi chariot was facing Bhishma. He sent thousand of arrows on Bhishma. Bhishma had put down his bow and arrows. Arjuna shot several arrows, which penetrated, deep into Bhishma's body. Soon Bhishma body was covered with the arrows of Arjuna. His body was pierced by the arrows so thickly that it was fully covered. Bhishma fell from his chariot but his body could not touch ground. The arrows of Arjuna had made a bed for him. He was lying over the bed of arrows shot by Arjuna. The sun was going down. A very huge shower of rain fell over him. A voice was heard "Bhishma in the greatest of men." The son of Ganga has fallen when the sun is going towards south, it is Dakshinayama, how can that be? It is not good time to die." Bhishma smiled and said, "Devavrata has fallen, not died. I will die only when lord sun resumes his northward course i.e. till uttarayana comes." Ganga, his mother sent seven divine sages who came in the form of swans.

The fall of Bhishma stunned everyone. Loud lamentations were heard from all the sides. All the Pandavas and the Kauravas gathered around him. Conditions of all of them were pathetic. Bhishma head was hanging. He wanted a pillow. All rushed to bring the finest pillows but Arjuna understood his grand father's signal and shot three arrows at his head. This made a perfect pillow befitting a warrior of his stature. He also requested Arjuna to quench his thirst. Arjuna took one arrow and read the incantation of Parjanya (name of Indra as he brings rains to quench the thirst of the earth.) He shot the arrow in the ground and a stream gushed forth and Bhishma thirst was quenched. Mother Ganga had herself come from the heaven with nectar like water to quench her son's thirst.

Now the night was advancing and gradually all warriors took the dust of Bhishma feet and saluted him before departing. Bhishma was having rest after ages.