•This conflict culminates in a great battle at Kurukṣetra, which is nowadays a popular pilgrimage site in the state of Haryāna, northwest of Delhi.•The Pāṇḍavas eventually win the battle. •This battle is when Kṛṣṇa has his famous conversation with Arjuna about bhakti, dharma, and performing one’s dutyselflessly. •The section concerning Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna’s conversation is known as the Bhagavad Gītā