As the Mahābhārata draws toward its close, the tale unfolds with Arjuna’s encounter with Babruvahana, a moment fraught with danger. The narrative then weaves through the story of Sudarshana, the Vaishnava legend, and teachings of righteousness, as well as Nakula’s role in the grand Ashvamedha sacrifice. All these events are recounted in the wondrous Ashvamedhika Parva, a book said to contain one hundred and three chapters and three thousand three hundred and twenty verses, as counted by those who know the truth. Following this, the fifteenth book, Ashramavasika, is revealed. Here, King Dhritarashtra, having renounced his kingdom, journeys to the hermitage with Gandhari. Vidura accompanies them, and, seeing their departure, the virtuous Pritha also follows. In the hermitage, having relinquished her son’s kingdom, the queen, devoted to serving her elders, beholds the souls of her sons, grandsons, and other kings who had been slain. By the grace of the sage Krishna, she witnesses a marvelous wonder: those heroic ones who had departed to another world return before her eyes. Freed from grief, she and her husband attain the highest perfection, and Vidura, relying on righteousness, reaches a blessed state. Meanwhile, Sanjaya, wise and accompanied by his ministers, and the self-controlled Gāvalgaṇa, encounter Nārada in the presence of King Yudhishthira, the upholder of dharma. From Nārada, they hear of the great slaughter among the Vṛṣṇis, marking the wondrous event called the “Dwelling in the Hermitage” section. This section comprises forty-two chapters and one thousand five hundred and six verses. Afterwards comes the dreadful Mausala Parva. In this book, those tiger-like men, intoxicated and driven by fate, strike each other with reeds that have become as powerful as thunderbolts, falling near the salt sea, crushed by the rod of Brahma. After the destruction, both Rāma and Keśava submit to the great time that brings all to an end. Arjuna, arriving at Dvāravatī bereft of the Vṛṣṇis, witnesses disaster and falls into deep anguish. He performs the funeral rites for his noble maternal uncle Śauri and sees the massacre of the Yadu heroes in the assembly hall. He arranges the cremation of Vāsudeva, the great-souled Rāma, and the chief men among the Vṛṣṇis. Taking with him the old, the young, and the people of Dvāravatī, Arjuna experiences defeat—his famed Gandiva bow fails him. He sees the loss of favor of all divine weapons, the destruction of the Vṛṣṇi women, and the impermanence of all powers. Disillusioned, he heeds Vyāsa’s words, approaches King Yudhishthira, and approves of renunciation. The Mausala Parva, the sixteenth book, is thus declared, comprising eight chapters and three hundred and twenty verses. Next comes the Mahāprasthānika, the seventeenth book. Here, the Pāṇḍavas, best among men, together with Draupadī, renounce the kingdom and set out on the great journey. Reaching the ocean at the mouth of the Lauhitya, they see a fire, and Arjuna, urged by Agni, honors him and gives the divine, supreme bow, Gāṇḍīva. Yudhishthira witnesses his brothers and Draupadī fallen; having seen and abandoned, he departs, not looking back at anyone. This book contains three chapters and three hundred and twenty verses. After this, the Svargaparva is known, divine and beyond human. Here, the king of righteousness, Yudhishthira, attains the heavenly chariot and enters heaven. To ascend, the supremely wise one, out of compassion and without the dog, is recognized for his steadfastness in righteousness. Having abandoned his mortal form, he unites with dharma and attains heaven, yet also witnesses great and intense torments. By the device of a divine messenger, hell is shown to him, and he hears the pitiful cries of his brothers. In that place, where they remain under command, the Pāṇḍava is shown by righteousness and by the king of the gods. Having bathed in the celestial Gaṅgā and relinquished his human body, the king of righteousness attains the place won by his own duty in heaven. Honored by all, together with Indra and the hosts of gods, he rejoices. This is the eighteenth book, as declared by the wise Vyāsa, containing five chapters and two hundred and nine verses. Thereafter, in the appendices, the Harivaṃśa and the future are described, comprising ten thousand and twenty hundred verses. The numbers are counted by the great seer, completing the summary of the books in the Bhārata. Eighteen armies gathered, eager for battle, and that great and terrible war endured for eighteen days, sealing the saga of the Mahābhārata.