The Story
The first day of the Mahabharata War began with hesitation and concern. The Pandavas commanded 7 Akshauhinis (a military unit, consisting of 1 elephant, 1 chariot, 3 horsemen and 5 foot soldiers, multiplied by a factor of 21870) and the Kauravas had 11. Despite the odds stacked against them, Arjuna of the Pandavas did not doubt his fighting skills. However, facing him were his own kith and kin, the grandfather upon whose lap he had played as a child, the cousins he had trained with, the teachers who had taught him everything. Sensing his doubt, Krishna reassured him that his reason for fighting was righteous and he was facing those who had abandoned their duty.
Strengthening his resolve, Arjuna commanded the Pandava forces to form the Vajra Vyuha, or the Diamond formation. Virata (King of Matsya) and Abhimanyu (Arjuna’s son) together with Arjuna formed the head of the formation that would break into the enemy army. Drupada (the Panchala King) and his son Drishtadhumna (who was also the Commander-in-chief of the Pandava forces) formed the right flank, and Drupada’s other son Shikandi and Satyaki (of the Yadava Vrishni clan) formed the left flank. At the center of the formation was the King Yudhishtra (the eldest Pandava brother) and his youngest brothers Nakula and Sahadeva. Bheema and his son Gatotkacha brought up the rear of the formation.
Bheeshma (the Kaurava Commander-in-chief) decided to also employ the Sarvatomukhi Danda vyuha or the head of a mace, with himself at the forefront. Duryodhana, the eldest Kaurava prince was placed at the center of the formation, surrounded by the other generals and warriors such as Bhoorisravas, Shalya, Bhagadatta, Susharman, Kripacharya, Shakuni, Kritavarman, Dusshasana, Jayadratha and Ashwatthama on all sides. Karna unfortunately had to sit out the battle at this point because Bheeshma refused to share the battlefield with him and Duryodhana, needing Bheeshma's support, had to yield.
Philosophy of the Formations
The Diamond:
Due to their indestructible nature, diamonds are often associated with strength, love and health. For the Pandavas, this formation can be seen to represent the strength of their brotherly bond, as well as the purity and clarity of their intent behind this battle.
The oldest dated printed book in the world is called the Diamond Sutra, an ancient Chinese text, which refers to a 'diamond blade that will cut through worldly illusion to illuminate what is real and everlasting'. This symbology parallels the illusion of attachment that the Pandavas wish to cut through in the name of upholding their duty.
The Mace Head:
The ceremonial symbol of royal power in Britain’s Parliament is the mace. Even William Shakespeare mentions the mace as part of the regalia of royalty in Henry V: “the balm, the scepter, and the ball / The sword, the mace, the crown imperial.” Neither the House of Lords nor the House of Commons may sit without the mace present even though it plays no actual role in their function. In this context, the mace represents the authority of the rulership of the Kauravas, as well as their philosophy of ‘Might makes right’.
The Senate Mace of the Canadian Parliament represents the authority of the Senate granted by the Crown to meet and pass laws. Considering this context of authority through royal lineages, the authority of the Kaurava prince Duryodhana is one that is inherited from his ancestry and not earned. His followers don’t follow him because they respect him or because he is right, but simply because they believe he has the authority to command them.
Map of the Battlefield
