Mahabharata is truly an epic. Thousands of central characters play a significant role in the outcome, and there are hundreds of incidents that have an influence on those outcomes. And out of the thousands who had a role, no one played a more important role than Krishna. He influenced the whole outcome without even actively taking part sometimes. Here is how he was the real boss in Mahabharata.

And then finally plotted Bhishma’s death

Shikhandi was Amba reborn. Bhishma knew this and lowered his weapons when he saw Shikhandi coming. Krishna had instructed Arjuna to hide behind Shikhandi all the while, and when Bhishma finally lowered his guard, Arjuna killed him.

A very clever tactic by the innocent charioteer.

Krishna sacrificed Ghatotkach so that Karna couldn’t kill Arjuna, saving Arjuna again

Karna had decided to kill Arjuna during the war and even reserved Indrastra for this job. Now, we should remember here that this is the Dwapara Yuga – that means warriors did not get unlimited usage of celestial powerful weapons like in the age of Rama.

Karna, poised to kill Arjuna, prepared himself, but Krishna had a brilliant idea – he let Ghatotkach loose on the Kauravas. Ghatotkach went on a rampage and the Kauravas begged Karna to stop him.

Karna used the Indrastra on Ghatotkach, killing him. Ghatotkach was Bhima’s own son. Krishna saved Arjun again and potentially made Karna useless without the Indra Astra.