Bhishmabhishechana Parva is the fifty seventh Upa parva included in the fifth Maha parva named as Udyoga parva. Vaishampayana continued narration to Janamejaya in reply to his queries as follows.
Yudhishtira had arranged for his army intelligence for reporting every minute detail of the activities on the side of Duryodhana. The messengers had already reported about the camping of Yudhishtira in Kurukshetra with his seven Akshohini Soldiers to Duryodhana and their army set up details. Hence Duryodhana had decided to install Bhishma as the Commander in chief.
What Duryodhana had requested with Bhishma?
Duryodhana had requested with Bhishma to be the Commander in Chief for his entire troops. In the court session, there were Dritarashtra, Shakuni and Karna.
What were the conditions put forward by Bhishma?
Bhishma had agreed to be the Chief for the army troops of Duryodhana under few conditions. Bhishma would not fight with any ladies. He later clarified about Shikhandi and told he would not fight if Shikhandi appeared in the front row of enemy troops. If Karna wished to be an active soldier, Karna may be considered for the post of the commander-in-chief with preference. Bhishma also promised to kill ten thousand enemy soldiers daily if he was not killed by them.
What was the precaution taken by Duryodhana during the war for Bhishma?
Duryodhana had arranged his troops in such a way that Shikhandi from the side of Pandavas would always face his own obedient expert soldiers except Bhishma. During the first nine days of war, Bhishma and Shikhandi were fighting in different directions without facing to each other.
What was the precaution taken by Duryodhana during the war for Drona?
Drona had intimated Duryodhana in advance about his desire to stop fighting in case his son Ashwathama dies. So Duryodhana had not permitted Ashwathama to participate in the war. So Ashwathama had kept away from the war for seventeen days and he was assisting Kripa inside the palace to protect the throne from attacking by the enemies.
What Balarama, the elder brother of Krishna, had done?
Balarama, the elder brother of Krishna, thought both Pandavas and Kauravas were his relatives and desired to treat equally. Moreover, he was the teacher for both Duryodhana and Bhima during their mace fight learning. He had left Dwaraka entrusting the Narayani Sena to Kritavarma. Balarama started pilgrimage alone after visiting Krishna. So Balarama kept away from the war for the seventeen days. After the Mahabharata war, he was ruling Dwaraka peacefully.
What was done by Rukma, the son of Bhishmaka?
Rukma is the son of King Bhishmaka and the cousin brother of Krishna. He possessed very sharp bow and arrows with large troops. He approached Arjuna first and requested to accept his war services for his side. Arjuna had politely rejected his offer and later he moved towards Duryodhana. He approached Duryodhana directly and requested to accept his war services for his side. Duryodhana also had rejected his offer and later he returned to his own kingdom. So Rukma kept away from the war for the entire eighteen days. After the Mahabharata war, he was ruling his country peacefully.
How the Pandavas and Kauravas treated Rukma?
Pandavas and Kauravas had not accepted the war services of Rukma and did not admit into their war camp.
How was the necessity of commanders in chief justified by Yudhishtira?
Yudhishtira had been taught by Drona. He had seven Akshohini troops of soldiers. They had come from seven different regions so seven commanders in chief were justified under him. For taking orders and executing, familiarity plays good role.
What was the opinion of Sanjaya, told to Dritarashtra?
Sanjaya told to Dritarashtra that time was beyond their control. Both war camps were busy preparing for Kurukshetra war. Blood shed was anticipated but during dice games, if Dritarashtra had stopped then, could have avoided unpleasant situations.
Next post, Mahabharat: Ulukadutagamana Parva would be more interesting.
Mahabharat: Rathatiratha-Sankhya Parva would be presented separately in another article.
On reading this story, children would gain more memory power, great moral strength in their life future; create a sense of self- reliance leading to peace and progress.
It is humbly prayed for the blessings of God Krishna upon us.
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