Bhumi Parva is the sixty second Upa parva included in the sixth Maha parva named as Bhishma parva. Vaishampayana continued narration to Janamejaya in reply to his queries as follows.

How Sanjaya had elaborated the Earth with the oceans in Mahabharat?

नैकधातु विचित्रैश्च पर्वतैरुपशोभितः ।
सिद्ध चारण संकीर्णः सागरः परिमण्डलः ॥

Meaning: Wonderful different types of elements were there in the various beautiful hills and different kinds of people like Siddhas and long legged persons were on the islands on this tiny Earth, surrounded by oceans, being spherical in nature. 

The conclusion of ancient Indian people about the Earth as a sphere or globe shape was really recordable. The salt water was more than the land soil surrounding it. 

Dritarashtra being a blind emperor was very curious to know about his ruled Earth. 

What was the specialty of some of the distant islands on this Earth?

From more than the seven islands, soldiers had come to participate in the war. Shaka, Kusha, Manichaka, Shama, Raivata, Modaki and Sukumara were some of their names of the islands. Some more islands were told to Dritarashtra. They were surrounded by salt water. They had got their names from the mountains in the middle of those islands. Some people were black in colour. Most of them were sincere devotees of Krishna. Krauncha was another Island. Some of the islands were very rich in many respects. Hence none of the people of that society died due to poverty. Then the citizenship of a particular society is referred as ‘Janapada’.

प्रागायतो महाराज मलयो नाम पर्वतः । 
यतो मेघाः प्रवर्तन्ते प्रभवन्ति च सर्वशः ॥

Meaning: In the Eastern side, there exists a mountain called Malaya. The clouds were generated from the sea and pass over it and spread (causing rain) to various or all directions. 

तत्र परेण कौरव्य जलधारो महागिरिः । यत्र नित्यमुपादत्ते वासवः परमं जलं ।
यतो वर्षं प्रभवति वर्षाकाले जनेश्वर ॥

Meaning: Thereafter O Kaurava king, the mountain was called as Jaladhara. There, daily rains happen. It happens by the grace of Vasava, the angel of rain. O king, it is like rainy season always there. Shillong or Cherrapunji was ever famous for highest rainfall in the world, Mahabharata was telling wonderful truth. In due course of time, most of these places got new names due to different kings and different languages of people.

Jambu Dvipa Parva or Jambu Khanda Vinirmana Parva is the sixty first Upa parva included in the sixth Maha parva named as Bhishma Parva. Vaishampayana continued narration to Janamejaya in reply to his queries. Janamejaya was very curious about the happenings in the war. He asked Vaishampayana how Kaurava and Pandava army soldiers had faced the battle.

The India sub-continent then called as Bharata Varsha or Jambu peninsular was the main area from where the kings and soldiers came marching and they had formed tents on the Western side of Kurukshetra facing the East. Yudhishtira had ordered to arrange several thousands of army camps. Duryodhana had also arranged several thousands of army camps on the Eastern side outside his palace facing the West.

Yudhishtira had distributed code words to soldiers to recognize them in the field. He also arranged sufficient food and essential items for all his warriors. Duryodhana had distributed jewels to his own soldiers to recognize them in the field. He also arranged for all, sufficient dress and other essential items. He encouraged them to fight and instructed to kill the Pandavas. Pandavas’ side and Kauravas’ side commanders formed their own terms and conditions for avoiding killing of own side soldiers due to mistaken identities. 

Vyasa Rishi visited there. Vyasa was a far sighted Rishi. He visited Dritarashtra and secretly informed him about the military developments in Kurukshetra. He also informed about the bad omens and guessed about the bad results of war near his palace. Vyasa offered Dritarashtra to provide him visual ability to see the war proceedings of his children. Dritarashtra replied to Vyasa not to offer him the power of vision since the war would happen between the children grown up by him in his own palace. But as an emperor he should collect the daily news related to his palace and surroundings.

Ambopakhyana Parva is the sixtieth Upa parva included in the sixth Maha parva named as Bhishma parva. Vaishampayana continued narration to Janamejaya in reply to his queries as follows.

Duryodhana desired to know the reasons from Bhishma for not fighting with Shikhandi and requested with him to clarify his doubts in the court.

What reasons Bhishma told to Duryodhana for not fighting with Shikhandi?

Bhishma started to tell the Ambopakhyana to Duryodhana in detail.

The king of Kashi or Varanasi had three daughters. After they had grown up and completed their royal education, the king desired to give them away by arranging their marriage through Swayamvara system.  The names of the three daughters were Amba, Ambika and Ambalika.

Who was the father of Amba?

The King of Kashi or Varanasi was the father of Amba. He was known as Kasha.

Why Bhishma had carried away Amba to Hastinavati from Kashi?

In Hastinavati, then Vichitraveerya was installed on the throne. He was young but not had gained name and fame, and also younger than Bhishma. Bhishma had already taken a vow not to get married and his former name was Devavrata. The King of Kashi had not sent invitation for the Swayamvara marriage of his three daughters to Hastinavati Palace but had sent to all other princes of the Bharatavarsha.

Bhishma got the news of the Swayamvara at Kashi and felt as an insult to his status since Vichitraveerya could also be invited. Bhishma had travelled to Kashi and carried away Amba, Ambika and Ambalika forcefully on the day of marriage in his chariot. Bhishma was an able warrior and had good capacity to face the enemies. So the three daughters reached the Palace of Hastinavati from Kashi. Other princes came on protesting with their soldiers but Bhishma had defeated them and moved ahead. The king Shalva had followed him but due to the striking of Bhishma, returned to Shalva’s own kingdom. This part has already been narrated in Sambhava Upa parva of Mahabharat on this website.

Why Amba had gone to the Palace of Shalva?

Ulukadutagamana Parva is the fifty eighth Upa Parva included in the fifth Maha Parva named as Udyoga Parva. Vaishampayana continued narration to Janamejaya in reply to his queries as follows.

Kauravas and Pandavas had arranged for the Mahabharata war in Kurukshetra separately in two large camps with their own huge army troops. 

Who was Uluka? 

Uluka was the son of Shakuni. He was young, energetic and very clever. In Sanskrit, Uluka means fox. Uluka was residing with his father Shakuni.

What was the message sent to Yudhistira through Uluka from Duryodhana?

Duryodhana had sent Uluka as his messenger, with the declaration of war. The wordings used were full of insulting the Pandava brothers, and there was no respect for Krishna. It was like a challenge for Yudhishtira. In the message, there was a brief mention of heroism of Duryodhana and old dice games.  

How the Pandavas responded to the war declaration message of Uluka?

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?

Sena Niryana Parva is the fifty sixth Upa parva included in the fifth Maha parva named as Udyoga parva. Vaishampayana continued narration to Janamejaya in reply to his queries as follows.

What Krishna told to Yudhishtira after returning from Hastinavati?

Krishna returned from Hastinavati, reached Upaplava and resided in the camp of Satyaki. After his evening prayers and having food, he met with Yudhishtira. Krishna started discussions with him and called his Pandava brothers. Krishna told Yudhishtira about his attempts for avoiding war and to maintain peace in the society. He explained how he had come out of the court session hall when Duryodhana was about to order his arrest by Dushasana and Shakuni. He also explained about the helplessness of Karna and Vidura.

Then he announced the message of Kunti for Yudhishtira and her Pandava sons. Kunti had taught them with good education for conducting efficient public administration and social services but not for begging. He also conveyed the entire message to Draupadi. Since the military defensive arts were imparted to them by Drona, they were his disciples. The student should be more shining in the field of learnt subjects and the teacher when defeated by his own students in the same pedagogical field, he would certainly feel happier. The time for using the skills of Pandava brothers would be fast approaching, so conveyed to be cautious and prepared.   

Who were the seven commanders in chief of the seven Akshohini soldiers?

The seven commanders in chief of the seven Akshohini soldiers were identified in consultations mutually. Yudhishtira was a capable warrior but not allotted any army leadership. Karna and Krishna were not participating as active soldiers in the war, hence Arjuna was also not allotted any army leadership. After honouring Krishna, Yudhishtira ordered the word ‘yoga’ as the soldiers would be aligned to march in the troops. Arjuna was in the front, leading the troops towards Kurukshetra. Yudhishtira was in the middle, sitting on the chariot fixed with a white umbrella to be seen by the entire troops, marching towards the Kurukshetra.  

द्रुपदश्च विराटश्च दृष्टद्युम्नशिखण्डिनौ ।
सात्यकिश्चेकितानश्च भीमसेनश्च वीर्यवान् ॥

Meaning: Drupada, Virata, Drishtadyumna, Shikhandi, Satyaki, Chekitana and Bhima were the seven Commanders in chief for the soldiers for Yudhishtira. 

The troops started, and were marching from Upaplava to Kuruksheta for a few days camping in the middle where water was available for them sufficiently. 

What Duryodhana told to Bhishma after return of Krishna from Hastinavati?