Mahabharat:Vyuhas (“Battle Formations”)

 Vyuhas (“Battle Formations”)

Vyuhas or Battle Formations in the Mahabharata are the different military formations used by the armies during the Kurukshetra war. These formations were designed to maximize the effectiveness of the troops in battle and to counter different types of attacks from the enemy.

The Vyuhas are described in detail in the Bhagavad Gita and in various other texts of the Mahabharata. The most famous and complex of these formations is the Chakravyuha, which was used by the Kaurava army against Abhimanyu, the son of Arjuna.

Other important Vyuhas include the Krauncha Vyuha, Makara Vyuha, Garuda Vyuha, and Padma Vyuha, each with its unique characteristics and advantages.

The Vyuhas were not just tactical formations but were also a means of psychological warfare, as they instilled fear and confusion in the enemy ranks. The successful deployment of these formations required not only skill and strategy but also discipline and coordination among the soldiers.

The Vyuhas are a significant part of the Mahabharata, as they represent the art of warfare and the importance of strategy and tactics in battle.

These are the following Vyuhas used in the Mahabharata war

1st Day:

Kauravas – Bheesma – “सर्वतोमुखी दण्डव्‍यूह”(“Sarvatomukhi Dand Vyuha”)

Pandavas – Arjuna -“वज्र व्यूह”(“Vajra Vyuha”)

2nd Day

Kauravas- Bheesma -“गरुड़-व्यूह” (“Garuda Vyuha”)

Pandavas- Dhristyadhumna -“क्रौंच व्यूह” (“Krounch Vyuha”)

3rd Day

Kauravas – Bheesma – “गरुड़-व्यूह”(“Garuda Vyuha”)

Pandavas – Arjuna – “अर्धचन्द्र व्यूह” (“Ardhchandra Vyuha”)

4th Day

Kauravas – Bheeshma – “मंडल व्यूह” (“Mandal Vayuha”)

Pandavas – Arjuna – “श्रीन्गातका व्यूह” (“Sringataka Vyuha”)

5th Day

Kauravas – Bheeshma – “मकर व्यूह” (“Makar Vyuha)

Pandavas – Arjuna – “श्येन व्यूह”(“Shyen Vyuha”)

6th Day

Kauravas – Bheeshma – “क्रौंच व्यूह” (“Krounch Vyuha”)

Pandavas – Dhrishtdyumna – “मकर व्यूह” (“Makar Vyuha”)

7th Day

Kauravas – Bheeshma – “मंडल व्यूह” (“Mandal Vyuha”)

Pandavas – Arjuna – “वज्र व्यूह” (“Vajra Vyuha”)

8th Day

Kauravas – Bheeshma – “कुर्मा व्यूह” (“Kurma Vayuha”)

Pandavas – Arjuna – “त्रिशूल व्यूह” (“Trishul Vayuha”)

9th Day

Kauravas – Bheeshma- “सर्वतोभद्र व्यूह” (“Sarvatobhadra Vyuha”)

Pandavas – Arjuna – “नक्षत्र मण्डल व्यूह” (“Nakshtra Mandal Vyuha”)

10th Day:

Kauravas – Bheeshma – “असुर व्यूह” (“Asur Vayuha”)

Pandavas – Arjuna- “देव व्यूह” (“Dev Vayuha”)

11th Day:

Kauravas – Drona – “शकट व्यूह” (“Shakat Vyuha”)

Pandavas – Arjuna – “क्रौंच व्यूह”( “Krounch Vyuha”)

12th Day:

Kauravas – Drona – “गरुड़ व्यूह” (“Garuda Vyuha”)

Pandavas – Arjuna – “अर्धचन्द्र व्यूह” (“Ardhchandra Vayuha”)

13th Day:

Kauravas – Drona – “चक्र व्यूह” (“Chakra Vyuha”)

Pandavas – Abhimanyu – No Vyuha was formed on this day because Abhimanyu was the only warrior that entered Enemy’s formation while rest of the army was held back on gate 1.

14th Day:

Kauravas – Drona – “चक्रशकट व्यूह”,  (“Chakrashatak Vayuha)

Pandavas – Arjuna – “खड्ग सर्प व्यूह” (“Khaddag Sarp Vyuha”)

15th Day:

Kauravas – Drona – “पद्म व्यूह”(“Padma Vyuha”)

Pandavas – Arjuna – “वज्र व्यूह” (“Vajra Vyuha”)

16th Day:

Kauravas – Karna – “मकर व्यूह” (“Makar Vyuha”)

Pandavas –  Arjuna – “अर्धचन्द्र व्यूह”(“Ardhchandra Vyuha”)

17th Day:

Kauravas – Karna- “सूर्य व्यूह” (“Surya Vyuha”)

Pandavas – Arjuna – “महिष व्यूह” (“Mahish Vyuha”)

18th Day:

Kauravas – Shalya – “सर्वतोभद्रव्यूह”(“Sarvatobhadra Vyuha”)

Pandavas – Arjuna – “क्रौंच व्यूह”( “Krounch Vyuha”)

The Vyuhas or Battle Formations in the Mahabharata are formed by arranging the soldiers in a particular pattern, depending on the situation and the enemy's tactics. The formation of a Vyuha involves careful planning and execution, and each formation has its unique set of rules and principles.

The Vyuhas are typically formed by dividing the army into smaller units, called Akshauhinis. An Akshauhini is a military unit that consists of several different types of soldiers, including infantry, cavalry, elephants, and chariots.

The formation of a Vyuha involves arranging the different types of soldiers in a particular pattern to maximize their effectiveness in battle. For example, the infantry might be arranged in a tight formation, with the archers and cavalry stationed behind them to provide support.

The formation of a Vyuha is also dependent on the terrain and the enemy's tactics. For instance, a Makara Vyuha, which is a crocodile-shaped formation, is used to defend against attacks from all sides, while a Padma Vyuha, which is a lotus-shaped formation, is used to surround and trap the enemy.

The formation of a Vyuha requires discipline and coordination among the soldiers, as they must work together to execute the formation correctly. It also requires skill and strategy from the commanders, who must determine the appropriate formation to use in a particular situation and then direct their troops accordingly.