Pandavas, their allies, Krishna, the Kauravas, their allies and Shakuni have assembled at Upaplavya in the Matsya Kingdom ruled by king Virata. Krishna asks Bhishma to formulate the rules that would govern the war. Bhishma announces the rules: when a warrior is invited to fight, he must accept the invitation; nobody should attack the physicians who attend and treat the injured; all fightings must cease as soon as the sun sets and in case the war needs to be continued even after sun set, special provisions have to be made with the concurrence of both the warring parties; after the sun sets, any warrior can visit the opposite camp and discuss with them; no one should fight with someone who is weaponless; if a warrior decides to withdraw from the battle field, he should not be followed or coerced into fighting; Shakuni adds one more rule to this: women shouldn't be permitted in the battle field and Bhishma announces this rule as well. All those present in the assembly agree to abid...