| KURUKSHETRA DAY - 1 The Kurukshetra War detailed in the Hindu epic Mahabharat was between the ancient Hindu clans of Kaurav and Pandav and lasted eighteen days.
On day one, Kaurav army stood facing west and the Pandav army stood facing east. On day one wind blew from east to west, against the Kauravs. In the morning when the war started, the Padavs appeared illuminated due to the sunshine on their faces and the Kauravs appeared shaded and dark.
Krishna revealed the sacred revelation of Bhagvat Gita to Arjun on this day.
Outcome of the Day One fight : Pandavs defeated.
Military
formation of the Kaurav Army :
Name
: Missing
Military
formation of the Pandav Army :
Name
: Vajra
The
name Vajra have dual meaning. One meaning gives the shape of the
array, viz, it is needle-shaped (in other words, a thin array, due
to its lesser number of warriors). The small Pandav army will act
like a needle, that will pierce into the huge array of the Kauravs.
A hard needle used to bore diamonds and gems is called Vajra. Another
meaning of Vajra is thunder-bolt. This meaning gives the initial
action performed by the array as a lighting (arrow-shower from behind)
followed by the thunder-sound (the charging of the smitters).
The
Kaurav's formed a hero-centric approach, from day 1 to day 10 of
the war. They were alwas alert in protecting their main asset viz
their commander-in-chief Bhishma, who though aged, was still a high
precision bowmen with keen eye-sight, excelling even Arjun. But
owing to his old age, he had less stamina, and required more protection,
against counter-attack. The whole of the narration of the war from
day one to day ten is replete with passages mentioning protection
to Bhishma. Dushashan, the brother of king Duryodhan, was the military-officer
in-charge for Bhishma's protection. On day one, Dushashan, Durvishah,
Durmukh, Dussah, Vivinsati, Chitrasen and Vikarn -- all brothers
of Duryodhan -- protected Bhishma.
The above army was surrounded by the Magadh army containing 10000 elephants, lead by Magadh king (Jayatsen).
The
heroes of the Pandav army in Day One :
The Pandav army on day one, had Bhima at its frond. He was the foremost of the smitters, skilled in mace-fight. He can, with his mace slew large number of warriors on foot or on horses. He knew to fell the chariots by striking at the weak points of a chariot, viz its horses, its yokes and its wheels. He knew how to fell a war-elephant by striking its vulnerable parts, like cutting its trunk, or by mounting on it and striking at the center of its head. There was none equal to him in this act. (Duryodhana was more skilled than Bhima in mace-fight, but only in a dual-fight.). Nakula and Sahadeva protected Bhima's sides (wings). Both were smitters skilled in sword fight. The five sons of Draupadi, all bowmens, protected the rear of Bhima. They were the surprise bowmen. Behind them was Abhimanyu for additional protection. In the middle was the king Yudhisthira the think-tank. He was followed by Dhristadyumna, skilled as a bowmen and as a smitter using sword. Behind him was Shikhandi and behind him Arjun. This greatest of all bowmen viz Arjun, was in charge of the surprise attack involving a shower of arrows at the enemy army. Behind him was the Yadava chief Satyaki, Arjun's disciple in bow fight. He was followed by Yudhamanyu and Uttamaujas two Panchala princes. They were followed by the Kekaya brothers. Behind them was Chedi king Dhristaketu, followed by the Yadava chief Chekitana. The rear of the army was protected by king Virata of Matsya and king Drupada of Panchala, both old in age.
The
highlights of Day One fight :
Pandavs were defeated at the end of the day, their commander slain.
Warriors Slain :
•
Virat's son Uttar, slain by Shalya
•
6,44-Day1 Forenoon - First encounter
Then
when their commander (Shwet) was slain, Arjun and Krishna, slowly
withdrew the troops (for their nightly rest). And then the withdrawal
took place of both the armies. Kauravs made shouts of victory.
On Day One night, after the death of this hero, and after the Pandav's defeat in the day's battle, there is mention of a meeting in which Dhristadyumn was elected as the commander of Pandav army. This arises a doubt, that Dhristadyumn was not the commander in chief for day one. He might have taken that position only after Shwet's death.
Refer (6,5) :
Yudhisthir
to Dhristadyumn in the meeting :"O Dhrishtadyumn, mark these
words that I say unto thee. Approved by Vasudev Krishna, thou hast
been the commander of our forces. As Kartikeya, in days of old,
was ever the commander of the celestial host, so also art thou,
O bull among men, the commander of the Pandav host. Putting forth
thy prowess, O tiger among men, slay the Kauravs. Rest of us will
follow thee"
Source :
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