Drona set out for his appointed task of capturing Yudhisthira. He found out that Arjuna was no where near Yudhisthira. Drona sped towards Yudhisthira on his chariot. The white umbrella of Yudhisthira was visible from a distance. He wanted to take Yudhisthira unaware. He wanted to complete his task before Arjuna returned. He did not have any time to waste. The army of the Pandavas was no match to Drona. He just rained his arrows on their army and went straight to the spot where Yudhisthira was stationed.

Yudhisthira was surprised when Drona attacked him. Yudhisthira tried to ward off Drona's attack but it was too much for him to withstand the onslaught of his guru. Drona cut Yudhisthira bow, seeing the helplessness of Yudhisthira, Dhristadhymna rushed to help him. He was able to check the attacks of Drona, which were falling on Yudhisthira incessantly. Drona hurt Shikhandi and Uttamanvjas. Sons of Draupadi could not do much against Drona. Satyaki and Virata, too came in aid of Yudhisthira. The situation was very critical. If Drona could capture Yudhisthira the war would come to an end. Drona was fighting all the warriors of the Pandavas side single-handedly. His strength was prodigious. Gradually, the army of the Pandavas was giving way to Drona.

At that grave hour, the sound of Arjuna's chariot was heard and this gave impetus to the army of the Pandavas, their sagging morale was lifted. Krishna was racing his chariot towards Yudhisthira at full gallop. Arjuna could see the sea of blood and the miles of dead bodies and all the devastation caused to Drona. He proceeded towards Drona without losing a moment. Arjuna was furious and the arrows rained from his Gandiva. These arrows caused tremendous loss of life on the Kauravas side. Even Drona had to take the sharp ends of his arrows. Arjuna lost all respect for Drona, seeing his dastardly plan to capture Yudhisthira and the butchery practiced by him on the Pandava troops. He was too shocked for words to see this behaviour of his guru. The son of Bharadwaja and the disciple of great Parashurama would stoop so low was unimaginable. Arjuna's anger had overflowed all restraints. Drona knew that his game was up and his pupil had beaten him.

The Sun was setting and armies were returning to their night shelter for rest. Arjuna was still funning with rage, his eyes were red shot and his nostrils were contorted. This ended the first day of the commandership of Drona and the eleventh of the war.

THE TRIGARTAS

Duryodhana was dissatisfied with the happenings of the day. He was constantly nagging his guru, Drona. He was very cross with him as he failed to fulfill his promise of capturing Yudhisthira. Drona was much hurt by the words of Duryodhana. He said that he would do it if Arjuna were removed from the battlefield some how. In the presence of Arjuna with Krishna, as his charioteer, the task was just impossible.

In Duryodhana camp, there were five Trigartas brothers, who bore an ancient grudge against Arjuna. The eldest of them, Susarma, hearing Drona's words said, We hate Arjuna, and we will challenge him to a fight. Either he dies of we shall. Arjuna shall be thus kept out of the way and Drona can capture Yudhisthira. The Trigarta brothers were Susarma, Satyartha, Satyavarma, Satyaasu, Satyadharma. These brothers took a terrible oath to kill Arjuna, with fire on as their witness, or be killed by him. They would not leave the field without fulfilling their oaths. They became famous as samsaptakas for binding themselves by such an oath.

On the twelfth day of the war, the Kauravas chose Garuda Vyuha and the Pandavas countered it by going for the crescent Vyuha. Early in the day, Trigartas challenged Arjuna. Arjuna was aware of Drona's designs to capture Yudhsithira. Still he could not have refused the challenge of the Trigartas. That would have been against the conduct of a Kashatriya warrior. Arjuna went to Yudhisthira and told him about the situations created by Trigartas challenged to him. He told Dhritarastra that if Drona could not be thwarted then Yudhisthira should flee from the battleground. Otherwise, everything will be lost, if Drona captures him. Yudhisthira agreed to it with great reluctance. Now, Arjuna went to contend with the Samsaptakas.