Sanjaya, whenever I heard of Arjuna’s wondrous feats—how he drew his mighty bow, struck down the target, and won Krishna’s hand before all the assembled kings—my heart lost its hope for victory. When news reached me that Arjuna had carried away Subhadra of Dwaraka and that the two Vrishni heroes journeyed to Indraprastha, I felt the same foreboding. I heard, too, of Arjuna repelling even the king of the gods with his celestial arrows and of Agni’s satisfaction at Khandava; then, Sanjaya, all hope for victory faded from me. When word came that the five sons of Kunti had escaped the deadly house of lac—rescued through Vidura’s wisdom and care—I could not believe we would ever triumph. Later, when Arjuna pierced the target in Draupadi’s svayamvara, winning her hand and uniting the brave Panchalas with the Pandavas, my hope was lost once more. I learned that Bhimasena defeated Jarasandha, the greatest among the Magadhas, in single combat. Then, the Pandavas subdued the kings of the earth and performed the great Rajasuya sacrifice. Each time I heard such tidings, Sanjaya, my confidence waned. I was deeply troubled to hear of Draupadi’s humiliation—dragged weeping into the assembly, clad in a single garment, unprotected though surrounded by her protectors. When Duhshasana, in his folly, heaped garments upon garments and yet failed to strip her, I could not hope for victory. The news of Yudhishthira’s defeat at dice by Shakuni, the loss of his kingdom, and the loyal following of his incomparable brothers only deepened my despair. The hardships endured by the righteous Pandavas in the forest, their suffering out of love for their elder brother, and the thousands of great-souled Brahmanas who followed Yudhishthira into exile—all these reports sapped my hopes. I heard that ancient sages, along with their disciples, befriended and served the Pandavas during their exile. When Arjuna ascended to heaven and received divine weapons directly from Indra himself, praised for his truthfulness, I could not foresee our victory. It was said that the mighty Kālaka keyas and the proud Paulomas—invincible even to the gods—were vanquished by Arjuna. Hearing that the diademed hero, tormentor of foes, went forth to destroy the Asuras and returned victorious from Indra’s world, I was filled with dread. When Yudhishthira, accompanied by Lomasha, set out on pilgrimage and learned the secret of dice from Brihadashva, I lost hope once again. I learned that Bhima and his brothers met Vaisravana in a land inaccessible to men, and that during the cattle expedition, my sons were captured by the Gandharvas and released only through Arjuna’s prowess, who delighted even in Karna’s wisdom. When Yudhishthira was questioned by Dharma himself, disguised as a Yaksha, and answered wisely, my heart grew heavy. The Pandavas lived in disguise with Krishna in the kingdom of Virata, unrecognized by my people. Bhimasena slew Kichaka, the foremost of the Kichakas, along with his hundred brothers, for Draupadi’s sake. My sons, the best among the Kurus, were defeated by Arjuna alone on his chariot while he dwelt in Virata. Even the king of the Matsyas honored Arjuna and gave him his daughter Uttara, whom Arjuna accepted for his son. Despite being exiled, deprived of wealth, and separated from his kin, Yudhishthira managed to assemble seven divisions of troops. I heard that Vasudeva, Krishna himself, was wholly devoted to the Pandavas’ cause—he who encompasses the earth in a single stride. Narada declared that Krishna and Arjuna are none other than the ancient sages Nara and Narayana, and I myself saw this truth in Brahma’s world. Krishna came to the Kurus seeking peace for the good of all, but though he strove mightily, he returned unsuccessful. Krishna resolved to restrain his mind and revealed himself in many forms. When Vasudeva departed, standing at the front of the chariot, and Krishna comforted the distressed Kunti, I could not hope for victory. Vasudeva counseled the Pandavas, while Bhishma, son of Shantanu, and Bharadvaja offered blessings. Karna told Bhishma, “I will not fight while you are engaged in battle,” and withdrew from the army. I heard that Vasudeva and Arjuna, together with the mighty Gandiva bow, formed an incomparable trio. When Arjuna, exhausted, sat in the chariot and Krishna revealed the worlds within his own body, I knew victory was lost to us. Bhishma, destroyer of enemies, struck countless chariots in battle, yet none among them were slain. Bhishma himself arranged for his death in battle, following the path of righteousness, and the Pandavas rejoiced. That Bhishma, unconquerable in battle, was slain by Partha with Shikhandi before him filled me with despair. I heard of Bhishma, the aged hero, lying on a bed of arrows, pierced by bright shafts, and the Somakas left with few survivors. As Shantanu’s son lay stricken, Arjuna was urged to fetch water, and Bhishma was satisfied after piercing the earth. The stars themselves seemed to favor the sons of Kunti, while omens threatened us at every turn. With every one of these tidings, O Sanjaya, my heart was emptied of all hope for victory.