The Kaurava army was to defend Jayadratha on the fourteenth day because they knew of Arjuna’s vow to slay him. Drona placed Jayadratha safely at the back with a strong formation around him. The day’s battle began as Arjuna started to tear through the Kaurava forces, moving steadily closer to Jayadratha. Duryodhana, as usual, accused Drona of allowing Arjuna to come nearer Jayadratha.
Drona told Duryodhana to attack Arjuna, while he himself would capture Yudhishthira who was alone at the time. Drona had a charmed armour, so he gave it to Duryodhana to wear in order to protect him. Finding Yudhishthira alone Drona reached there and imprisoned him. Killing several warriors and princes, Arjuna confronted Duryodhana. Surprised to find that his arrows did not pierce Duryodhana’s armour, he realised that this must be Drona’s. He looked at Krishna with questioning eyes. But Krishna did not utter anything. He kept on looking at Arjuna.
So, he killed Duryodhana’s horses and charioteers, destroyed his weapons and shot arrows at those parts of his body that were not covered by the armour. Terrified, Duryodhana fled. Seeing this Jayadratha felt worried. In a battle with Arjuna, Srutayudha flung the mace, given to him by Varuna (Water-god) at Krishna. As per the boon, the mace could not be thrown at an unarmed person. So, it came right back and killed him.
The fourteenth day’s battle was fierce. Arjuna was attacking Jayadratha while Drona, Duryodhan, his brothers and Karna were all trying to prevent him from reaching. Yudhishthira had to be protected, So, Arjuna with great agility appeared in front of Drona. He challenged Drona who could not bear the onslaught. So, Drona had to release Yudhishthira.
Then Dhrishtdyumna gave a battle to Drona. In the meantime, Arjuna charged forward leaving behind the two warriors. All the Kaurava soldiers were trying to protect Jayadratha. On the other hand, the Pandava army was fighting with renewed vigour and enthusiasm.
No fatigue was writ large on the face of Arjuna. Tearing through the Kaurava army he was nearing to Jayadratha. On another front, Bhima and Karna were engaged in a fierce battle. Bhima broke Karna’s eight chariots. Vikarna came to the rescue of Karna. Bhima sent Vikarna to the abode of the Death-god. Many of Duryodhana’s brothers came to give battle to Bhima who killed all of them. Karna again gave battle to Bhima. He broke Bhima’s chariot and rendered him unarmed. He released a shower of arrows on the unarmed Bhima unethically. Seeing this Arjuna shot a volley of arrows at Karna who had to flee.
The battle between Satyaki and Bhurishrava was fierce. Bhurishrava had broken his chariot and weapons. Satyaki was in danger of being killed. Krishna, seeing the danger, asked Arjuna to put an end to Bhurishrava. So, Arjuna injured Bhurishrava. Satyaki, furious and wounded, beheaded him.
The sun was about to set. Still, Arjuna had not reached Jayadratha. Arjuna’s eyes were looking for Jayadratha. All the rules made by Bhishma had been broken. This made the warriors on both the sides sad. When Sanjaya told Dhritrashtra that Bhima had killed several of his sons, the latter felt grieved.
King Dhritrashtra asked why his sons were being killed. Sanjaya replied that the king’s blind love for his sons was responsible for it.
