THE GREAT KURUKSHETRA WAR - SEVENTH DAY

On the seventh day of the great Kurukshetra war narrated in the epic Mahabharata, Dronacharya slayed Shankya, the son of Virata.

On the seventh day of the war, Bhishma arrayed the Kaurava armies as a vicious circle. Duryodhana after a refreshing sleep on the previous night came to the battlefield followed by his brothers with great enthusiasm. Dhrishtayumna at the instance of Yudhisthira arrayed the Pandava army in the 'Diamond' formation. As the sun rose, the two armies charged against each other. Arjuna said to Sri Krishna, "A number of warriors assisted by the Trigartas have come to attack me simultaneously. Better to nip them in the bud." So saying, Arjuna hurled the divine missile, 'Indrastra' at them. The missile hit the warriors like a hurricane and soon the battlefield was covered with the wreckage of the chariots, carcasses of elephants and horses and dead bodies of soldiers. The Kaurava armies fled in panic and sought refuge with Bhishma who advanced on Arjuna. Duryodhana rallied all his troops to the aid of Bhishma. In another sector, Drona and Virata fought with each other. The preceptor broke the bow of Virata and brought down his flag. Virata hit Drona with one shaft and his horses with four and wrecked his chariot. Drona in a fit of anger sent a swift shaft at Sankhu, son of Virata. Sankhu fell dead on the ground due to the velocity of the arrow and the Pandava armies were terror stricken. Dhrishtayumna attacked Duryodhana, broke his bow, killed his charioteer and the horses and hit him with a powerful shaft. Duryodhana advanced on Dhrishtayumna, with the sword and the shield, but Sakuni intervened and took him away in his chariot. Kritvarama was defeated by Bhima and lost his charioteer, the chariot and the horses and he got into the chariot of Somadatta. Vinda and anuvinda were likewise defeated by Yudhamanyu.


Bhagadatta gave a stiff fight to Ghatotkacha but eventually Ghatotkacha inflicted heavy injuries on the elephant which retreated from the battle field in uncontrollable pain. Salya fought with the twins in a complacent mood. At first, he was able to wreck the chariot of Nakula. But Sahadeva attacked fiercely. Abhimanyu lonely fought with the Kaurava princes bravely. Bhishma followed by many Kaurava princes attacked Abhimanyu. Arjuna on seeing this said to Sri Krishna, "Look at Bhishma and Kaurava princess who are pouncing on a boy. Abhimanyu does not want to kill the princes in view of Bhima's vow. Let us go to that spot."

Krishna drove the chariot to the place where Abhimanyu was fighting with Bhishma and said to the Kaurava princes, "Bhishma wrecked the chariot of Yudhisthira killing the horses and the charioteer". Nakula gave a lift to Dharmaputra into his chariot. The promiscuous fight continued upto the sunset. Bhima in a fit of anger hurled his iron mace into the sky. As it whirled in the sky, the soldiers ran helter skelter as nobody could anticipate where it would fall. Bhishma announced the suspension of the hostilities for the day. Both the forces repaired to their encampments. Dhritarashtra told Sanjaya, "You seem to give me a one sided-picture. You are telling me only about the success of the Pandava heroes. What is the matter?" Sanjaya replied, "Best of Kings, it is the lot of a reporter to give out the truth, however unpleasant or unpalatable it may appear to be." Dhritarashtra heaved a heavy sigh of despair.