Editing Mahabharata (section)

=== The battle at Kurukshetra ===
{{Main|Kurukshetra War}}
[[File:Mahabharata BharatVarsh.jpg|thumb|A map of India depicting various regions during the Mahabharata period]]

The two sides summon vast armies to their help and line up at [[Kurukshetra]] for a war. The kingdoms of [[Panchala]], [[Dvārakā|Dwaraka]], Kasi, [[Kekaya]], [[Magadha (Mahajanapada)|Magadha]], [[Matsya kingdom|Matsya]], [[Chedi kingdom|Chedi]], [[Pandya dynasty|Pandyas]], [[Telinga]], the [[Yadu]]s of [[Mathura, Uttar Pradesh|Mathura]], and some other clans like the [[Parama Kambojas]] were allied with the [[Pandava]]s. The allies of the [[Kaurava]]s included the kings of Pragjyotisha, [[Anga]], Kekaya, Sindhudesa (including Sindhus, [[Sovira|Sauviras]] and Sivis), Mahishmati, [[Avanti (India)|Avanti]] in Madhyadesa, [[Madra]], [[Gandhara]], [[Bahlika people]], [[Kambojas]], and many others. Before war is declared, [[Balarama]] expresses his unhappiness at the developing conflict and leaves to go on [[pilgrimage]]; he does not take part in the battle. Krishna participates in a non-combatant role, as charioteer ([[Sarathi (name of Krishna)|Sarathy]]) for [[Arjuna]] and offers [[Narayani Sena]] consisting of [[Abhira tribe|Abhira]] gopas to the [[Kaurava]]s to fight on their side.<ref>{{cite book| last= Nath Soni| first = Lok| title = The Cattle and the Stick An Ethnographic Profile of the Raut of Chhattisgarh| publisher=Anthropological Survey of India| page =16| isbn= 9788185579573| year= 2000}}</ref><ref>{{cite book| last= Shome| first = Alo| title = Krishna Charitra: The Essence of Bankim Chandra| page =104| isbn= 8122310354| year= 2000|publisher=Pustak Mahal}}</ref>

Before the battle, Arjuna, noticing that the opposing army includes his cousins and relatives, including his grandfather [[Bhishma]] and his teacher [[Drona]], has grave doubts about the fight. He falls into despair and refuses to fight. At this time, Krishna reminds him of his duty as a [[Kshatriya]] to fight for a righteous cause in the famous [[Bhagavad Gita]] section of the epic.

Though initially adhering to chivalrous notions of warfare, both sides soon adopt dishonorable tactics. At the end of the 18-day battle, only the Pandavas, [[Satyaki]], [[Kripa]], [[Ashwatthama]], [[Kritavarma]], [[Yuyutsu]] and Krishna survive. Yudhisthira becomes king of Hastinapur. All warriors who died in the Kurukshetra war go to swarga.