The Udyoga Parva, as the ancient sage has declared, is a vast section of the Mahabharata, containing one hundred and eighty-six chapters. Within its pages, both negotiations and the stirrings of conflict are described in detail. The noble-minded sage tells us that this Parva holds six thousand ninety-eight verses, with ninety-eight more in addition. Vyasa, renowned for his noble intellect, composed this section, O ascetics, and after it comes the Bhishma Parva, which unfolds with its own diverse themes. In the Bhishma Parva, Sanjaya describes the construction of Jambudvipa, and it is here that Yudhishthira’s army is overcome by deep despondency. A fierce and dreadful battle erupts, lasting ten days. During this time, the great-minded Vasudeva, Krishna himself, dispels Arjuna’s confusion. With the wisdom of those who see liberation, Krishna destroys Arjuna’s ignorance, carefully considering the situation and ever devoted to Yudhishthira’s welfare. At a crucial moment, Krishna, of noble mind, leaps from his chariot, whip in hand, rushing fearlessly to slay Bhishma. Arjuna, struck by Krishna’s words as if by a whip, stands firm in the battle, wielding his Gandiva bow, foremost among all warriors. Placing Shikhandin before him, Arjuna strikes down Bhishma from his chariot with sharp arrows. There, Bhishma lies upon a bed of arrows, and thus the sixth Parva is described in detail in the Bharata. This Parva is said to contain one hundred and seventeen chapters and five thousand eight hundred verses, with eighty-four verses specifically counted by Vyasa, the knower of the Vedas. Following this is the Drona Parva, filled with varied events. Here, the illustrious teacher Drona is appointed commander of the army. For the pleasure of Duryodhana, Drona, the master of weapons, vows to capture the wise son of Pandu, Yudhishthira, the king of dharma. In this Parva, the Saṃśaptakas drive Arjuna away from the battlefield, and King Bhagadatta, equal to Indra in battle, is subdued by Arjuna, the diademed one, along with his noble elephant Supratika. Many great warriors join the fray, and Abhimanyu, though alone, is killed by a host of warriors led by Jayadratha. The young, valiant Abhimanyu, not yet come to manhood, falls, and Arjuna, enraged at his son’s death, unleashes his fury in battle. Arjuna slays seven akshauhinis and kills King Jayadratha. Bhima of mighty arms and Satyaki, the great charioteer, enter the Bharata army in search of Partha, following King Yudhishthira’s command—an army so formidable, even the gods could not assail it. The remainder of the Samsaptakas is utterly destroyed, with nine crores of heroic warriors falling in battle. Arjuna emerges, sending the sons of Dhritarashtra and the stone-fighting warriors to the abode of Yama. The Narayana troops and cowherds, skilled in diverse combat, Alambusha, Shrutayu, the mighty Jalasandha, Saumadatti, Virata, Drupada the great chariot-warrior, and others like Ghatotkacha, all meet their end in the Drona Parva. Here too, when Drona is struck down in battle, his son Ashvatthama, enraged, unleashes the fierce Narayana weapon. This section also recounts the Agneya weapon, the supreme greatness of Rudra, the coming of Vyasa, and the glory of Krishna and Partha. The seventh section of the Bharata is thus declared great, for here most of the earth’s kings meet their end. The Drona Parva, naming those best among men, contains one hundred and seventy chapters and eight thousand nine hundred and nine verses, as counted by those who see the truth. Vyasa, son of Parashara, reflecting on the Drona Parva, then recounts the wondrous Karna Parva. In the Karna Parva, the wise king of Madra, Shalya, is appointed as charioteer. Here too is narrated the ancient tale of Tripura’s destruction. The harsh dialogue between Karna and Shalya is recounted, along with the tale of the swan and the crow and its objections. The great-souled Ashvatthama kills the Pandya, and the slaying of Dandasena and Danda follows. In single combat, Karna brings King Yudhishthira to doubt in battle before the eyes of all bowmen. The mutual wrath of Yudhishthira and Arjuna, the diademed one, is described, as well as their reconciliation through the words of Madhava, Krishna. After making a vow, Bhima pierces the chest of Duhshasana and drinks his blood on the battlefield. Then, in single combat, Arjuna slays Karna, the great chariot-warrior. Thus is declared the eighth section by the thinkers of the Bharata. The Karna Parva contains sixty-nine chapters, with four thousand and nine hundred verses, and sixty-four more are also mentioned. After this comes the Shalya Parva, rich with diverse meanings. With the army’s heroes slain, the king of Madra becomes the leader. The tale of the youthful coronation and its rites is told here. Events and battles are narrated in parts, and the destruction of the foremost Kurus is recounted in the Shalya Parva.