War Preparations
The Pandavas tried one last attempt at diplomacy. Balarama, Krishna's brother advised the Pandavas to send an emissary and to get the support of the elders of the family such as Bhishma, Dhritarashtra, Drona, Karna, and even Shakuni, saying "Let us avoid armed conflict by all means possible. Only that which is accrued in peace is worthwhile. Out of war, nothing but wrong can issue".
While the emissary was in the Kaurava court, Pandavas continued their war preparations. They sent messages requesting assistance to a number of neighbouring kingdoms. Duryodhana and Arjuna both went to Krishna to ask for his help. When given the choice of either Krishna's army or Krishna himself on their side, Arjuna on behalf of the Pandavas chose Krishna on his own. Thus Krishna agreed to be the charioteer for Arjuna.
While camping at a place called Upaplavya, in the territory of Virata, the Pandavas gathered their armies. Contingents arrived from all parts of the country and soon Pandavas had a large force of seven divisions. The Kauravas managed to raise an even larger army of eleven divisions.
Many kingdsoms of ancient India such as Dwaraka, Kasi, Kekaya, Magadha, Matsya, Chedi, Pandya and the Yadus of Mathura were allied with the Pandavas; while the allies of the Kauravas comprised of the kings of Pragjyotisha, Anga, Kekaya, Sindhudesa, Mahishmati, Avanti in Madhyadesa, Madras, Gandharas, Bahlikas, Kambojas (with Yavanas, Sakas, Tusharas etc) and many others.
The Pandavas had to face their grand father Bhishma and their teacher Drona on the Kaurava's side due to their vow to serve the state of Hastinapur. This caused reluctance in Arjuna to fight members of his own family and those he held in high esteem. Krishna, who was chosen as the charioteer of Arjuna, advised him of his duty.
This conversation forms the
Bhagavad Gita, one of the most respected religious and philosophical texts in Hinduism.