The night before the Mahayudh (Great War), a solemn atmosphere settled over the camp of the Bahubali Alliance.
In the main war tent, illuminated by flickering oil lamps, Bahubali convened a meeting of his most vital personnel: Krishna, Bhishma, Drona, Kripa, Karna, Duryodhana, and the Pandavas.
Bahubali stood before them, his usual warmth replaced by a serious resolve. "The combined might of our enemies must be met with absolute unity and the sharpest minds in Aryavarta. For the command of this colossal army, there is only one choice."
He turned to the Grand Sire. "Mahamahim Bhishma, will you lead the combined forces of this Alliance as our Commander-in-Chief?"
Bhishma, his ancient eyes holding the wisdom of decades, accepted the mantle without hesitation. "It would be my dharma to ensure justice prevails. I accept."
With the central command settled, Bhishma laid out the strategy for the following dawn. "Tomorrow, we will deploy the Trishul Vyuha—the Trident Formation. It provides both stability and piercing offensive power. The three prongs will be led by the most formidable warriors here: Karna, Arjuna, and Bahubali himself. They will shatter the enemy's center."
As Bhishma discussed various tactical movements and defensive formations, Lord Sri Krishna stepped forward, his eyes fixed on Bahubali.
"Bahu," Krishna said, using the affectionate name. "In this great wheel of war, I too must play my part. I shall not wield a weapon, but my guidance must be present at the forefront of the battle. I will serve as your charioteer."
A wave of awe passed through the tent. Bahubali, his voice thick with emotion, bowed deeply. "Prabhu... my life's purpose is fulfilled. To have the guidance of the Lord of Dwaraka at my side is a blessing no king in history has ever known. I thank you."
Bahubali then addressed the room with a crucial point of ethics. "Mahararhi's, we fight not for conquest, but for the safety of our world. The common soldiers on the opposite side fight only because their kings command them. They have no personal quarrel with us. Therefore, to minimize the loss of innocent lives, our primary objective must be swift and decisive: We must target and eliminate the enemy kings and their principal commanders as quickly as possible. We need to dismantle their head, not bleed out their body."
Everyone present nodded in unanimous agreement. Yudhishthir added, "The sooner the enemy command is broken, the sooner peace can return. This is the path of necessary Dharma."
The rest of the night was spent in detailed discussion: which division would face the Chedi cavalry, how to counter the Sindhu archers, and the specific roles of Drona, Rudra, and the Pandavas in supporting the three main prongs.
The next morning broke cold and clear over Kurukshetra. The vast plains were now a spectacle of organized chaos, filled with the roar of war drums, the neighing of horses, and the gleaming steel of countless weapons.
On the side of the Dharma Alliance, the Trishul Vyuha was formed. Karna commanded the right wing, Arjuna the left, and Bahubali, with Lord Krishna seated as his charioteer, took the critical center position.
Across the field, the Allied Army had assumed the fearsome Vajra Vyuha (Diamond Formation). Bhagadatta led the front, mounted atop his colossal, battle-hardened war elephant, which commanded a deep column of his terrifying elephant cavalry.
The two colossal armies stood motionless, separated by the barren ground, the tension a tangible force that made the air heavy.
Then, at the appointed hour, Lord Sri Krishna raised his legendary conch, the Panchajanya. He brought it to his lips and blew a resounding Shankhnadh.
The sound was not merely a blast; it was a cosmic roar—a declaration of war, a summons to Dharma, and an acknowledgment of the terrible price about to be paid.
The Mahayudh had begun. Both armies roared, and the earth trembled as the first massive waves of soldiers charged towards their destiny.