Know, O seeker, that the Self is none other than the supreme Brahman. When one realizes, “I am Brahman,” the yogi stands unmoved in both triumph and defeat, steadfastly upholding royal duty. As Krishna imparted these teachings, Arjuna, resolute upon his chariot, sounded his conch and entered the fray. At that moment, Bhishma was appointed commander of Duryodhana’s vast army. On the side of the Pandavas, Shikhandi also joined the battle, and the two armies collided in fierce combat. The sons of Dhritarashtra and the Pandavas, with Bhishma among them, struck each other relentlessly. Led by Shikhandi, the Pandavas pressed hard against the sons of Dhritarashtra, and the clash between the Kuru and Pandava forces resembled the ancient wars between gods and demons. The gods in heaven watched this spectacle with delight, as Bhishma, wielding his weapons, decimated the Pandava army for ten days. On the tenth day, Arjuna unleashed a torrent of arrows upon the heroic Bhishma, while Shikhandi, born of Drupada, rained down weapons like a thundercloud. Bhishma, who had chosen the time of his own death, displayed the true path of battle, as elephants, horses, chariots, and soldiers fell by each other’s arms. Praised by the Vasus, Bhishma lay upon a bed of arrows, awaiting the northern solstice, meditating upon and singing the glories of Vishnu. When Duryodhana was stricken with grief, Drona became the commander of the Kaurava army, while the Pandavas, rejoicing in their ranks, appointed Dhrishtadyumna as their leader. A terrible battle erupted, swelling the domain of Yama, the god of death. Virata, Drupada, and others were swept away like ships in the ocean of Drona’s might. Duryodhana’s army, filled with elephants, horses, chariots, and infantry, fought under Dhrishtadyumna’s command, yet Drona appeared as Time itself, devouring all. When it was falsely declared that Ashvatthama was slain, Drona, bereft of hope, laid down his weapons. Struck by Dhrishtadyumna’s arrows, he fell to the earth. On the fifth day after Drona’s fall, the unconquerable Karna, having vanquished all the Kshatriyas, was made commander while Duryodhana grieved. Arjuna and the Pandavas engaged Karna in a battle of unmatched ferocity, reminiscent of the conflict between gods and demons. In their struggle, Karna wounded Arjuna with his arrows, but on the second day, Arjuna struck down Karna. Shalya fought valiantly for half a day but was slain by Yudhishthira. With his army shattered, Shalya fought Bhimasena and was killed along with Duryodhana. After slaying many warriors, Bhimasena spoke aloud, and with his powerful mace, brought Duryodhana down. On the eighteenth day, Bhima struck down the remaining Kaurava brothers with his mace. That night, Ashvatthaman, mighty in strength, attacked the sleeping Pandava camp, slaughtering the sons of Draupadi, the Panchalas, and Dhrishtadyumna, whose numbers equaled an army division. Afterward, Arjuna, with a missile of reeds, took the radiant jewel from Ashvatthaman, as Draupadi wept for her lost sons. Hari, the Lord, revived the prince in Uttara’s womb, who had been scorched by Ashvatthaman’s weapon—thus Parikshit was born to continue the royal line. Of all the warriors, only Kritavarman, Kripa, and Ashvatthaman escaped from the carnage. Among the Pandavas, only Satyaki, Krishna, and the five brothers survived—seven in all, and no others. Yudhishthira, with Bhima and the rest, comforted the grieving women, performed the sacred rites for the fallen, and offered water and wealth as was due. Hearing the profound teachings of righteousness and peace from Bhishma, son of Shantanu, the king learned the duties of kingship, the path to liberation, and the importance of charity. The subduer of enemies, Yudhishthira, performed the Ashvamedha sacrifice, giving gifts to the brahmanas, and heard from Arjuna of the destruction of the Yadavas by the club. When Yudhishthira was firmly established as king, Dhritarashtra, Gandhari, and Pritha each departed for the forest, retiring to their own hermitages. Vidura, consumed by the fire of the forest, ascended to heaven. Thus did Vishnu lighten the burden of the earth, removing even the demons. For the sake of righteousness and the destruction of unrighteousness, Vishnu made the Pandavas his instruments. Under the pretext of a brahmana’s curse, he destroyed the Yadava clan with a club. He appointed Vajra, the burden-bearer of the Yadavas, as ruler of the kingdoms, and by the command of the gods, Hari himself abandoned his body at Prabhasa. In the realms of Indra and Brahma, Hari is worshipped by the dwellers of heaven. Balabhadra, of infinite form, went to the netherworld and heaven. Hari, the imperishable Lord, is the same as he whom meditators perceive; without him, the ocean flooded the city of Dvaraka. Having performed the rites for the Yadavas, Partha (Arjuna) offered water and wealth. By the curse of a crooked woman, the wives of Vishnu remained behind. Because of that curse, they were seized by cowherds armed with clubs. Failing to protect them, Arjuna was overcome with grief. Consoled by Vyasa, Arjuna realized, "My strength was due to Krishna’s presence." Returning to Hastinapura, Partha reported all that had happened. He handed over to his brother Yudhishthira his bow, weapons, chariot, and horses, for without Krishna, all was lost; these gifts were then offered to worthy brahmanas. Hearing this, King Yudhishthira established Parikshit on the throne. Knowing the impermanence of worldly existence, the wise king set out, accompanied by Draupadi and his brothers, reciting the lost hundred names of Hari. On the great path, Draupadi, Sahadeva, Nakula, Phalguna (Arjuna), and Bhima fell one by one, and the king was filled with sorrow. Carried by Indra’s chariot, Yudhishthira and his brothers ascended to heaven, where he saw Duryodhana and others, as well as Vasudeva, and was filled with delight. Thus spoke Agni: I will now recount the descent of wisdom, which bears fruit for those who recite and listen.