[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Reference works](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference) › [A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879) › c5.1021 # A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature c5.1021 A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature c5.1021 - **Language:** English ### [c5.1021](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879.c5.1021) The Pāṇḍavas now determined to attempt the recovery of their kingdom. The king of Virāṭa became their firm ally, and preparations for the war began. Allies were sought on all sides. Krishna and Bala-rāma, being relatives of both parties, were reluctant to fight. Krishna conceded to Arjuna and Dur-yodhana the choice of himself unarmed or of a large army. Arjuna chose Krishna and Dur-yodhana joyfully accepted the army. Krishna agreed to act as charioteer of his especial friend Arjuna. It was in this capacity that he is represented to have spoken the divine song Bhagavad-gītā, when the rival armies were drawn up for battle at Kuru-kshetra, a plain north of Delhi. Many battles follow. The army of Dur-yodhana is commanded in succession by his great-uncle Bhīshma, Drona his military preceptor, Karna, king of Anga, and Salya, king of Madra and brother of Mādrī. Bhīshma was wounded by Arjuna, but survived for a time. All the others fell in succession, and at length only three of the Kuru warriors—Kripa, Aswatthāman, and Krita-varma—were left alive with Dur-yodhana. Bhīma and Dur-yodhana fought in single combat with maces, and Dur-yodhana had his thigh broken and was mortally wounded. The three surviving Kauravas fell by night upon the camp of the Pāndavas and destroyed five children of the Pāndavas, and all the army except the five brothers themselves. These five boys were sons of Draupadī, one by each of the five brothers. Yudhi-shthira’s son was Prativindhya, Bhīma’s was Sruta-soma, Arjuna’s was Sruta-kīrtti, Nakula’s was Satānīka, and Saha-deva’s was Sruta-karman. Yudhi-shthira and his brothers then went to Hastinā-pura, and after a reconciliation with Dhrita-rashtra, Yudhi-shthira was crowned there. But he was greatly depressed and troubled at the loss of kindred and friends. Soon after he was seated on the throne, the Aswa-medha sacrifice was performed with great ceremony, and the Pāndavas lived in peace and prosperity. - [Previous: c5.1020](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879.c5.1020) - [Next: c5.1022](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879.c5.1022) - [Up: c5](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879.c5) ## Cites (1) - [Bhagavadgītā](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darsana.all.gita) — Vyāsa, Sanskrit --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879.c5.1021](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879.c5.1021) · Pramāṇa