As the great war raged on the fields of Kurukshetra, Duryodhana’s vast army—resplendent with elephants, horses, chariots, and countless infantry—was led by Dhrishtadyumna. On the opposing side, Drona, the mighty preceptor, appeared as formidable as Time itself, bringing dread to all who faced him. But when the false news spread that his beloved son Ashvatthama had been slain, Drona, overwhelmed by grief, laid down his weapons. In that vulnerable moment, Dhrishtadyumna’s arrows struck him down, and Drona fell to the earth. With Drona gone, on the fifth day, the unconquerable Karna, having crushed the Kshatriyas in battle, was appointed commander of the Kaurava forces, even as Duryodhana was stricken with sorrow. The Pandavas, led by Arjuna, rose to meet him, and the clash that followed was fierce, echoing the ancient wars between gods and demons. In the intense struggle between Karna and Arjuna, Karna wounded Arjuna with his sharp arrows, but on the second day of their encounter, Arjuna struck Karna down. Shalya then took up command and fought valiantly for half a day, but was ultimately slain by Yudhishthira. With his army shattered, Shalya faced Bhimasena in combat and was killed alongside Duryodhana. Bhimasena, after slaying many warriors, spoke aloud as he struck with his mace, bringing down his enemies. On the eighteenth day, with his mighty mace, Bhima struck down the last of the Kaurava brothers. At night, the sleeping army of the Pandavas was attacked and destroyed. It was Ashvatthama, mighty in strength, who wrought this devastation, slaying the sons of Draupadi, the Panchalas, and even Dhrishtadyumna, who was as powerful as an army division. In the aftermath, Arjuna, wielding a weapon of reeds, took the radiant jewel from Ashvatthama, while Draupadi wept, bereft of her sons. Hari—Lord Krishna—then revived the prince who lay in Uttara’s womb, scorched by Ashvatthama’s weapon; thus, Parikshit was born and became king. Of all those who fought, only Kritavarman, Kripa, and Ashvatthama escaped the carnage; among the Pandavas, only the five brothers, Satyaki, and Krishna survived—seven in all, and no others. Yudhishthira, with Bhima and the others, comforted the grieving women, performed the rites for the fallen heroes, and offered water and wealth as was proper. After the war, Yudhishthira heard all the teachings of righteousness and peace from the wise Bhishma, son of Shantanu, learning the duties of a king, the path to liberation, and the importance of charity. He performed the great Ashvamedha sacrifice, giving gifts to the Brahmanas, and heard from Arjuna of the destruction of the Yadava clan by the curse of the club. When Yudhishthira was firmly established as king, Dhritarashtra retired to the forest, followed by Gandhari and Pritha, each departing from their own hermitage. Vidura, consumed by the fire of the forest, ascended to heaven; thus, Vishnu removed the burden of the earth, including the demonic forces. For the sake of righteousness and the destruction of unrighteousness, Vishnu used the Pandavas as his instruments, and, under the pretext of a Brahmana’s curse, destroyed the Yadava clan with a club. He appointed Vajra, the last of the Yadavas, to rule the kingdoms, and, by the command of the gods, Hari himself abandoned his mortal form at Prabhasa. In the realms of Indra and Brahma, he is worshipped by all the dwellers of heaven; Balabhadra, of infinite form, departed to the netherworld and heaven. Hari, the imperishable Lord, is the same one seen by those who meditate; and when he departed, the ocean flooded the city of Dvaraka. Arjuna performed the rites for the fallen Yadavas, offering water and wealth. Because of the curse of a crooked woman, the wives of Vishnu remained behind, only to be seized by cowherds armed with clubs. Unable to protect them, Arjuna was overcome with grief. Vyasa consoled him, and Arjuna realized that his strength had always been due to Krishna’s presence. Returning to Hastinapura, Arjuna recounted all that had happened. He gave to his brother Yudhishthira—protector of men—his bow, his weapons, his chariot, and his horses, for without Krishna, all was lost. These gifts were then distributed to worthy Brahmanas. Hearing all this, King Yudhishthira established Parikshit on the throne. Knowing the impermanence of worldly existence, Yudhishthira set out with Draupadi and his brothers, reciting the lost hundred names of Hari. As they journeyed on the great path, Draupadi, Sahadeva, Nakula, Phalguna (Arjuna), and Bhima fell, one after another, leaving the king sorrowful. At last, Indra’s chariot carried Yudhishthira and his brothers to heaven, where he saw Duryodhana, Vasudeva, and others, and was filled with delight. Then Agni spoke, promising to tell of the descent of wisdom, fruitful for those who recite and listen. In ancient times, when the gods were defeated by demons, they cried out for protection and sought refuge in the Lord. The Lord, through his power of illusion, took birth as the son of Shuddhodana. He bewildered the demons, causing them to abandon the Vedic religion; they became Buddhists, and others among them forsook the Vedas. Later, he became Arhata, making others Arhatas, and thus heretical paths arose, devoid of the original Vedic faith. These heretics performed actions leading to hell and accepted even the lowest among men; at the end of Kali Yuga, all will become mixed. Only thieves without virtue and the Vajasaneya Veda will remain, existing in ten and five branches. Clad in the guise of dharma but delighting in unrighteousness, foreigners in the form of kings will eat meat and drink. At that time, Kalki, son of Vishnuyasha, with Yajnavalkya as his priest, will arise, take up arms, and destroy these foreigners. He will reestablish the proper boundaries for the four classes and all the orders, setting people again on the path of true dharma. After this, Hari will abandon the form of Kalki and ascend to heaven, and the Krita age, as before, will arise once more. Thus, in all cycles and all Manvantaras, the classes and orders will remain established in their own dharmas, and righteousness will be restored.