The battle of Kuruksetra took place in accordance with the principles of military art, but at the same time in a chivalrous spirit, as when two friends fight together. During the battle, Duryodhana came to criticize Bhismadeva, whom he accused of hesitating to kill Arjuna, feeling a paternal affection for him. Now, a warrior can not tolerate insults respecting his rigor in combat; Bhismadeva promised that the next day he would put the five Pandavas to death with arrows specially prepared for the purpose. Duryodhana, satisfied, took the arrows with him, wishing to guard them until the next day, but Arjuna, by an artifice, managed to seize them. Bhismadeva, understanding that this was Sri Krishna's work, vowed that the next day Sri Krishna should take up arms himself, otherwise his friend Arjuna would perish. When the time came, Bhismadeva fought so valiantly that both Arjuna and Krishna were in trouble, so much so that Arjuna, almost vanquished, saw himself already killed by Bhismadeva: another moment, and it was over. Then Sri Krishna, who wanted to please his devotee Bhisma by allowing him to fulfill his promise (which had more importance in his eyes than his own), at least apparently lacked his word. Krishna had indeed promised before the battle to remain disarmed throughout the fight and to use his strength in favor of any party; but to protect Arjuna, He descended from the chariot of the latter, seized one of the wheels, and animated with a great anger, rushed quickly on Bhismadeva, like a lion who attacks an elephant to kill him. In his race, he lost his outer garment, and such was his wrath that he was not even aware of it. Bhismadeva immediately gave up his weapons and simply stood there, ready to be killed by Krishna, his beloved Lord. Now, at this precise moment, the time allotted for the fight for that day ended, and everything stopped; this is how Arjuna was saved. Of course, it was by no means possible for Arjuna to perish, since the Lord himself was on his chariot; but to respond to the desire of Bhismadeva, who wanted to see Sri Krishna take up arms to save his friend, the Lord created a situation where Arjuna's death appeared imminent. So, eager to grant Bhismadeva's vow, He stood before him with a chariot wheel in his hand.

The relationship between Sri Krishna and Bhismadeva on the Kuruksetra battlefield is of particular interest because it seems that the Lord has been hostile towards him in favor of Arjuna; but the ultimate aim of such an attitude was to bring to Bhismadeva, the great devotee of the Lord, the blessing of a special favor. What is striking about these exchanges is that a sage can satisfy the Lord by playing the role of his enemy. It is because the Lord, because absolute, is able to accept the service of his pure devotee even when he has to play such a role. The Supreme Lord can not really have an enemy, nor be hurt in any way, because He is invincible; however, he experiences great joy in seeing his pure devotee fight against him as if he were his enemy, or reprimand him as though he were his superior, though again no one can be superior to the Lord. These are some of the sublime exchanges that the Lord and his devotees share. Those, however, who have no knowledge of pure devotional service are unable to unravel the mystery.