The armies drew up opposite each other at Kurukshetra. To everyone’s surprise, Yudhishthira took off his armour and walked to the enemy side. He went to Bhishma, Drona, Kripacharya and his uncle Salya, and sought their blessings before returning to his chariot and putting on his armour again. Arjuna was seated in his chariot with a pennant graced by Hanuman as he had promised. Krishna held the reins of the horses. Suddenly, seeing all his elders, teachers and relatives lined up in the battlefield opposite him, Arjuna suffered great agony of mind and heart. How could he attack, let alone kill, all these people who were his own kith and kin? He was ready to give up even before the battle. Krishna spoke to him of man’s duty and the need to do what is right, even if it means standing up against your dear ones. This is known as the Bhagavad Gita.
The War Begins
