Yudhishtra and Krishna return to their camp and announce the success of their mission. They tell the anxious warriors sitting in conference that Bhishma has agreed to give up his life as a charity to preserve dharma. The Pandavas, Draupadi, Drupada and others are jubilant over the impending death of Bhishma, but Krishna reminds them that they are about to lose a great incomparable kshatriya. He then reminds them that they are yet to give the war sacrifice that they ought to have given before the commencement of the war itself. Sahadeva consults the
shastras and says that only those with 32
lakshanas can be given as a sacrifice. He clarifies that only Arjuna, Krishna and Iravan (Arjuna's son through the Naga princess (Ulupi) qualify for being sacrificed. There is a great discussion whereby they decide that Arjuna and Krishna are too important to be considered for sacrifice even if they are willing. Iravan comes forward and pleads with Arjuna that he should be considered for the offering so that he could fulfil the promise he has made to his mother that he would he would give up his life for the sake of Pandavas' victory.
Sahadeva further says that before Iravan is to be offered to the war goddess, it is important to find out and fulfil any wish that Iravan may have. Iravan says that he is not yet married and has not yet experienced the conjugal bliss, but once his desire to marry is fulfilled, he would happily give up his life. The Pandavas then send messengers in all directions to find a girl who would be willing to marry Iravan, despite knowing that she would lose her husband soon after marriage. The messengers reurn empty-handed, as no woman is willing to marry under such conditions, despite being promised immense wealth in return.
Finally, Krishna Himself offers to become a girl and marry Iravan. As there is no other choice, everybody agrees to this with a heavy heart. Once the marriage is completed, Iravan is beheaded at the altar of Goddess Kali. Kali expresses happiness over the selfless sacrifice of Iravan and offers him a boon of his choice. Iravan says that he wishes to watch the battle and that he should remain alive till the war ends. Kali grants him this. The bride wails over Iravan's death. Goddess also decrees that from henceforth, all the transgender women would consider him as their husband, commemorate this event by tying a
mangalsutra around their neck signifying the matrimony, and later remove it and wail over his death.
The Kaurava chiefs learn about the happenings in the Pandava camp. Shakuni advises the Kaurava chiefs that they should deploy all the needed warriors in the service of protecting Bhishma. Inwardly he is happy that his long cherished dream of Bhishma's death and destruction is now close at hand. His son Uluka advises him to keep his elation under check.
Bhishma calls for his mother and she appears before him. He tells her about his decision to give up his life.
Bhishma then seeks her blessings and reveals that his mind is torn constantly by the thought that he has not done full justice as a protector of Hastinapura throne. Ganga tells him not to worry on that account; she says that she would be happier to know that her son has been a protector of dharma. Bhishma's anguish is wiped away in an instant, and he smiles, fully relieved of his guilt.
As Arjuna gets into the chariot ready for the tenth day war, Krishna tells him to wait till Shikhandi joins him in the chariot. Arjuna vehemently opposes this as being against the established martial rules, Yudhishtra and Krishna exhort him to let Shikhandi accompany him. Finally Arjuna gives in.
Sanjaya narrates the start of the tenth day of Kurukshetra war. He tells Dhritarashtra that Pandavas have arranged their troops in the 'deva vyuha' and the Kauravas have patterened their army positioned on 'asura vyuha'.
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