Soon after Krishna had returned from Hastinapur, Duryodhana sent a challenge to the Pandavas. His messenger spoke: "You have vowed to wage war against us. The time has come for you to fulfil your vow. Your kingdom was seized by me, your wife Draupadi was put to shame, and you were all made exiles. Why do you not now seek to be avenged in battle? Where is drowsy Bhima, who boasted that he would drink the blood of Duhsasana? Duhsasana is weary of waiting for him. Where is arrogant Arjuna, who has Drona to meet? When mountains are blown about like dust, and men hold back the wind with their hands, Arjuna will take captive the mighty Drona. Of what account was the mace of Bhima and the bow of Arjuna on the day when your kingdom was taken from you, and you were banished like vagabonds? Vain will be the help of Krishna when you meet us in battle."

Krishna answered the messenger, saying: "Vainly do you boast of prowess, but before long, your fate will be made known unto you. I will consume your army like to fire which consumes withered grass. You will not escape me, for I will drive the chariot of Arjuna. And let Duhsasana know that the vow of Bhima will before long be fulfilled."

Said Arjuna: "Tell you Duryodhana, 'It is unseemly for warriors to boast like women. It is well that Duhsasana comes to battle.'"

When the messenger spoke these words to Duryodhana, Karna said: "Cease this chatter! Let the drums of war be sounded."

So tomorrow at red dawn, the armies of the Kauravas and Pandavas were assembled for battle on the wide plain of Kuru-Kshetra. With his large palmyra standard decked with five stars, Bhishma had been chosen to lead Duryodhana's army. Karna, who had quarrelled with him, vowed not to fight so long as the older warrior remained alive. "Should he fall, however," Karna said, "I will go forth against Arjuna."

The army of the Pandavas was commanded by Dhrishta-dyumna, son of Drupada and brother of Draupadi. Among the young heroes were Arjuna's two sons, the noble and peerless Abhimanyu, whose mother was Krishna's fair sister Subhadra, and brave Iravat, whose mother was Ulupi, the serpent nymph, daughter of the king of the Nagas. Bhima's Rakshasa son, the terrible Ghatotkacha, who had the power to change his shape and create illusions, had also hastened to assist his kinsmen. Krishna drove the chariot of Arjuna, who carried his celestial bow, named Gandiva, the gift of the god Agni and his standard was the image of Hanuman, the chief ape god, who was the son of Vayu, the wind god. Now the army of Duryodhana was more numerous than the army of Yudhishthira.

Drona led the right wing of the Kaurava forces, which was strengthened by Shakuni, the gambler, and his Gandhari lancers. The left wing was led by Duhsasana, who was followed by Kamboja cavalry and fierce Sakas and Yavanas mounted on rapid steeds. The peoples of the north were there and of the south and the east. Blind old Dhritarashtra was in the rear, and with him was Sanjaya, his charioteer, who related all that took place, having been gifted with divine vision by Vyasa.

Before the conflict began, Yudhishthira walked unarmed towards the Kauravas. His kinsmen made merry, thinking he was terror-stricken. But Pandu's noble son first spoke to Bhishma and asked permission to fight against him. Bhishma gave consent. Then he addressed Drona in like terms, and Drona gave consent also. And before he returned to his place, Yudhishthira called out before the Kaurava army: "Whosoever desires to help our cause, let him follow me." When he had spoken thus, Yuyutsu, the half-brother of Duryodhana, made answer: "If you elevate me, I will serve you well." Said Yudhishthira: "Be my brother." Then Yuyutsu followed Yudhishthira with all his men, and no man endeavoured to hold him back.

When the armies were being set in order for battle, Arjuna bade Krishna drive his chariot to the open space on which the struggle would take place. Indra's mighty son surveyed the hosts, and when he saw his kinsmen, young and old, and his friends and all the elders and princes on either side ready to fall upon one another, his heart was touched, and he trembled with pity and sorrow. He said to Krishna: "I seek neither victory, nor kingdom, nor any joy upon earth. Those for whose sake we might wish for power are gathered against us in battle. What joy can come to us if we commit the crime of slaying our own kinsmen?"

So saying, Arjuna let fall his celestial bow and sat down on the bench of his chariot with a heart full of grief.

Krishna admonished Arjuna, saying: "You are a Kshatriya, and it is your duty to fight, no matter what may befall you or befall others. So I command you who am responsible for your doings. He who has wisdom sorrows not for the living or for the dead. As one casts off old raiment and puts on new, so the soul casts off this body and enters the new body. Nought exists that is not of the soul."

After long instruction, Krishna revealed himself to Arjuna in his celestial splendour and power and said: "Let your heart and your understanding be fixed in me, and you shall dwell in me hereafter. I will deliver you from all your sins. I am the same unto all creatures; there is none hateful to me—none dear. Those who worship me are in me, and I am in them. Those who hate me are consigned to evil births. They are deluded birth after birth, nor ever reach to me."

Arjuna gave ear to the counsel of Krishna and prepared for the fray.

Loudly bellowed the war shells, and the drums of battle were sounded. The Kauravas were made ready to attack with horsemen, footmen, and charioteers, and elephants of war. The Pandavas were marshalled to meet them. And the air was filled with the shouting of men, roaring of elephants, blasts of trumpets, and the beating of drums. The rattling of chariots was like to thunder rolling in heaven. The gods and Gandharvas assembled in the clouds and saw the hosts who had gathered for mutual slaughter.

As both armies waited for sunrise, a tempest arose, and the dawn was darkened by dust clouds so that men could scarce behold one another. Evil were the omens. Blood dropped like rain out of heaven, while jackals howled impatiently, and kites and vultures screamed hungrily for human flesh. The earth shook, peals of thunder were heard, although there were no clouds, and angry lightning rent the horrid gloom; flaming thunderbolts struck the rising sun and broke in fragments with a loud noise.

The undaunted warriors never faltered, despite these signs and warnings. Shouting defiance, they mingled in conflict, eager for victory and strongly armed. Swords were wielded and ponderous maces, javelins were hurled, and numerous darts also; countless arrows whistled in swift flight.

When the wind fell and the air cleared, the battle waxed in a fury. Bhishma achieved mighty deeds. Duryodhana led his men against Bhima's, and they fought with valour. Yudhishthira fought with Salya, Rajah of Madra; Dhrishta-dyumna, son of Drupada, went against Drona, who had captured half of the Panchala kingdom with the aid of the Pandavas. Drupada was opposed to Jayadratha, the Rajah of Sindhu, who had endeavoured to carry off Draupadi, and was compelled to acknowledge himself the slave of Yudhishthira. Many single combats were fought with uncertain results.

All day the armies battled with growing ardour. Abhimanyu, son of Arjuna, perceived that the advantage lay with the Kauravas, chiefly because of Bhishma's prowess when the evening was coming on. So he went speedily against that mighty warrior and cut down the ensign of his chariot. Bhishma said that never before had he beheld a youthful hero who could perform greater deeds. Then he advanced to make a fierce attack upon the Pandava army. Victoriously he went, cutting a blood-red path through the stricken legions; none could resist him for a time. The heart of Arjuna was filled with shame, and he rode against Bhishma, whose advance was stayed. The two heroes fought desperately until dusk. Then Bhishma retired, but Arjuna followed him and pressed into the heart of the Kaurava host, achieving great slaughter. The truce was sounded, and the first day's battle ended.

Yudhishthira was despondent because the fortunes of war seemed to be against him. In the darkness, he went to Krishna, who bade him be of good cheer, and Yudhishthira was comforted.

This story was first written by Donald Alexander Mackenzie. It has been adapted for Readomania by our editorial team.