Duryodhana and Shakuni seek private audience with Sahadeva while the Pandavas are in a meeting with Krishna, Drupada and Virata. On Yudhishtra's command, everyone leaves, including Yudhishtra. Duryodhana requests Sahadeva to fix the auspicious moment for offering sacrifice to the Lord so as to ensure victory in the war. Without hesitation, Sahadeva computes and tells Duryodhana to offer the 'bali' on the forthcoming new moon day. Duryodhana is dubious about the trustworthiness of Sahadeva's pronouncements, but Shakuni assures Sahadeva to be ethical and righteous. Sahadeva believes he should be true to dharmic injunctions and he would never lie even if he is servicing his enemy. Duryodhana is overjoyed to learn that the Pandavas haven't offered any sacrifice as yet.
After the duo leave the Pandavas ask Sahadeva about Duryodhana's mission. They are dismayed to learn that Sahadeva has provided the correct 'muhurtam' for Duryodhana. Yudhishtra asks Krishna to help them salvage the situation, as the sacrifice at the suggested hour would bring victory for the Kauravas. Krishna tells Yudhishtra and Sahadeva that whereas they earn a good name by being true to the scriptures, He is left to undo the results from those actions and get a bad name! However, He assures them that He would always protect those who surrender to Him.
Krishna is offering 'tarpanam' and the gods in the heaven are surprised as the New Moon is due only the next day. The Sun God decides to ask Krishna himself, but Krishna asks him to wait for some more time. The Moon God appears next. Immediately, Krishna gets up and offers 'havisu' to the two gods who are still uncomprehending. Krishna explains that since the sun and the moon have come together, it is indeed the New Moon day and instructs the Pandavas to offer sacrifice to Goddess Durga.
The next day, Kauravas learn that the Pandavas have offered the sacrifice the previous day itself. Duryodhana is furious, believing Sahadeva to have misled them. Shakuni pacifies Duryodhana and tells him to carry on with the sacrifice as planned.
Bhima gloats that they would win the war as they have performed the 'Yuddha bali' at the most opportune moment. Krishna tells the Pandavas what ultimately matters and ensures victory is the confidence. A person can become victorious even if everything is lost because confidence and trust are the game changers.
Duryodhana barges in then and rebukes Sahadeva for having cheated him. Sahadeva rebuts the accusation, saying his computations were authentic, and the day was indeed a new moon day, as could be verified through learned astrologers. Duryodhana demands to know why they had performed the sacrifice the previous day itself. Sahadeva explains that just as Duryodhana had sought his advice, Yudhishtra had sought and acted in accordance with Krishna's advice. Everybody wants to know who would ultimately be victorious. Krishna says the Pandavas would be victorious if they trusted Krishna fully and the Kauravas would be victorious if they had full faith in Sahadeva. A thoroughly confused Duryodhana leaves in a huff.
The Kauravas discuss who should lead the army. Duryodhana announces that he had already decided on Karna. Shakuni disagrees with this choice on two grounds: first, Karna is young and may not command everybody's respect; second, he is still not beyond controversy. Karna himself understands his position well. He thanks Duryodhana for the trust bestowed on him, but recommends Bhishma as the commander-in-chief. It is decided that Bhishma would be chosen unanimously the next day at the Court.
At the Pandavas camp, Satyaki and Jarasandha's son Sahadeva have arrived at the meeting to decide the Commander-in-Chief of the Pandava army. After considering several names, Krishna puts forward Drishtadyumna (Drupada's son) as the most suitable leader.
The next day, Bhishma is chosen the Commander. Bhishma accepts the responsibility; however, he puts forward the condition that he would not kill the Pandavas. Duryodhana is enraged, but Shakuni tells him to agree to this. Bhishma explains that though he would not kill the Pandavas, others are free to kill them. Duryodhana accedes to this proposal.
Epilogue: Textual Reference
Before the Kurukṣetra war, both the Pāṇḍavas and Kauravas intend to perform a war-sacrifice (yajña) to ensure victory. According to Sahadeva, who is an expert in astrology, victory would go to the side that performed the ritual on the new moon (amāvasyā) first.
Duryodhana decides to perform it on that day — amāvasyā.
When Krishna learned of this, he advises Yudhiṣṭhira to perform it one day earlier.
Scriptural Reference
Mahābhārata – Udyoga Parva (Book 5, Sections 140–142) — especially the passage sometimes titled “Amāvasyā nirṇaya” or “Declaration of the New Moon.”
In K.M. Ganguli’s English translation:
Krishna said to Yudhishthira, “Let us perform our rite today itself. I say this day is amāvasyā.”
The moon and the sun were seen together by his grace, and that day was accepted as new moon day.
🔹 Symbolic Meaning
The episode is profound:
Krishna, as Kāla-puruṣa (Lord of Time), alters time itself.
The Pāṇḍavas’ sacrifice becomes not just an auspicious act but a cosmic alignment with dharma.
The Kauravas, despite following astrological correctness, are defeated because truth and righteousness, not calculation, determine outcome.
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