The diadem-crowned Arjuna rose on the battlefield, sending the sons of Dhritarashtra and the stone-fighting warriors to the abode of Yama. Alongside them fell the Narayana troops and valiant cowherds, masters of many forms of combat, as well as Alambusha, Shrutayu, and the mighty Jalasandha. Great heroes such as Saumadatti, Virata, Drupada the renowned chariot-warrior, and Ghatotkacha too, met their end during the fierce Drona Parva. It was in this section that, when Drona himself was struck down in battle, his son Ashvatthama, burning with rage, unleashed the terrible Narayana weapon. Here, the tale also recounts the Agneya weapon, the supreme greatness of Rudra, the descent of Vyasa, and the glory of Krishna and Arjuna. This seventh section of the Bharata is renowned as the one where most of the earth’s great kings met their death. All these mighty heroes, the foremost among men, are named in the Drona Parva, which is narrated over a hundred and seventy chapters. Those who know the truth count eight thousand nine hundred and nine verses in this section. Having reflected deeply, the sage Vyasa, son of Parashara, then composed the wondrous Karna Parva. Within the Karna Parva, the appointment of the wise Madra king Shalya as charioteer is recounted, as is the ancient tale of the destruction of Tripura. The harsh dialogue between Karna and Shalya during the march to battle is told, along with the fable of the swan and the crow, with all its arguments. The deaths of the Pandya at the hands of the great-souled Ashvatthama, and of Dandasena and Danda, are narrated here. It is in this Parva that Karna, in single combat, brought King Yudhishthira to doubt himself before the eyes of all the archers. The mutual wrath between Yudhishthira and the diademed Arjuna is revealed, and the reconciliation spoken by Madhava (Krishna) to Arjuna is described. Here too, after fulfilling his vow, Bhima pierced the chest of Duhshasana and drank his blood on the battlefield. At last, in single combat, Arjuna slew Karna, the mighty chariot-warrior. Thus is the eighth Parva declared by those who know the Bharata. The Karna Parva is told in sixty-nine chapters and contains four thousand nine hundred verses, with sixty-four additional verses mentioned. After this comes the Shalya Parva, full of varied meanings. When most of the army’s heroes had fallen, Shalya, the king of Madra, became the leader. The rites and tale of a youthful coronation are described here. Many events and battles are narrated, including the destruction of the foremost Kurus. The death of Shalya and the noble king Dharmaraja is recounted, as is the slaying of Shakuni by Sahadeva in battle. When nearly all the army was destroyed and only a few remained, Suyodhana (Duryodhana) entered a lake, hiding himself there with resolve. The tale of Bhima’s search, the words of hunters, and the wise counsel of Dharmaraja are narrated. Then, the wrathful Duryodhana emerged from the lake and fought with Bhima, wielding his mace. In the assembly of battle, the coming of Balarama is remembered, and the sanctity of the holy places of Sarasvati is praised. The fierce mace duel between King Duryodhana and Bhima is described in detail. Duryodhana’s thighs were broken forcibly by Bhima’s powerful mace, bringing this ninth Parva to a wondrous and meaningful close. This Parva is told in fifty-eight chapters, containing many narratives and three thousand two hundred and twenty verses composed by the sage, bearing the glory of the Kauravas. After this, the dreadful Sauptika Parva is recounted, where Duryodhana, now wrathful and grievously wounded, remains with broken thighs. When the Pandavas had departed, three chariots approached at dusk, bearing Kritavarma, Kripa, and Drona’s son Ashvatthama, their hands stained with blood. Gathering together, they beheld Duryodhana lying fallen at the head of the battlefield. There, Ashvatthama, seized by fierce anger, vowed that he would not rest until he had slain all the Panchalas led by Dhrishtadyumna, and the Pandavas with their ministers. With this vow, the three warriors departed from the king and, as the sun set, entered the great forest. There, beneath a vast banyan tree, they settled for the night and saw many crows being attacked by an owl—a dark omen. Ashvatthama, his heart burning with anger and remembering his father’s death, resolved upon the slaughter of the sleeping Panchalas. Approaching the entrance of the camp, he saw a fearsome Rakshasa, terrible in form, covering both sky and earth. Witnessing the destruction of weapons performed by this being, Ashvatthama swiftly worshipped Rudra, the one with deformed eyes. That night, while the Panchalas and their allies slept unsuspecting, Ashvatthama killed them all—Dhrishtadyumna, their families, and all the sons of Draupadi. With Kritavarma and Kripa, he slaughtered them; only the five Pandavas escaped, protected by the strength of Krishna.