The charioteer of the Pārṣata, having survived the ordeal, remained trembling with fear. Meanwhile, Bhima and the others, realizing they had committed a grave offense against Shiva, were seized with intense anger and remorse. In their agitation, they hurled their weapons and missiles, but these, instead of finding their mark, entered directly into the body of Shiva himself. Witnessing this, Rudra, fierce and unyielding, pronounced a curse upon them: “You shall become worshippers of Krishna. In the Kali age, you will be reborn and will bear the consequences of your transgression.” Overwhelmed by the weight of their guilt, the warriors sought refuge in Hari, longing to be freed from the burden of their sin. In their hearts, they praised Rudra with reverence, and, moved by their devotion, Shiva appeared before them. Shiva spoke, acknowledging the destruction of the weapons and missiles upon his own body. Turning to Krishna, Shiva offered his obeisance, saying, “O Krishna, all this has occurred by your will, O Lord; it was you who moved me to pronounce that terrible curse.” Shiva then revealed the destinies that awaited each of them in their next lives. “Yudhishthira will be born as the son of King Vatsaraja. Bhima, his words grown harsh, will be reborn among the mlecchas. A portion of Arjuna, ever devoted to me and blessed with great intelligence, will be born again. Nakula, mighty in strength, will arise in Kanyakubja, and Sahadeva, powerful and wise, will also be reborn. A portion of Dhritarashtra will appear in the land of Ajameru. Tāraka, famed as Velā, will indeed be Karṇa. The Kauravas will become skilled in the arts of magical warfare, and the Pandavas shall be protected by my own descent as Shakti. There exists a great and beautiful city, created by the goddess Maya. You, Krishna, born of Devaki’s womb, are remembered as Simha. After slaying the kings of the Agni lineage, I will establish the Kali age.” After these events, the funeral rites were performed, and the survivors approached the venerable Bhishma. There, the duties of kings, the path to liberation, and the importance of charity were explained in detail. Having ruled the earth for thirty-six years, the Pandavas then departed for the city of heaven. Krishna, now preparing for his yogic sleep, addressed the sages, “Go forth, all of you; I am now entering the state of yogic slumber.” Hearing these words, the sages residing in the Naimisha forest took heed. When a period of twelve hundred years had passed, Shaunaka and his companions, rising from their divine enclosure, engaged in sacred acts such as bathing and meditation. They then implored, “O Lord, tell us of those kings who were humble upon the earth during that time.” Suta replied, “After Vikramaditya ascended to heaven, many kings arose. They ruled at the western bank of the Sindhu river and at the southern bridge. Among them, eighteen kingdoms were established. Go to Antarvedi, Vraja, Ajamera, and Marudhanva, as well as Avanti, Odra, Vanga, Gauda, and Magadha. In those lands, people of many tongues lived together, practicing various religions. When they heard of the destruction of dharma, many groups gathered and traveled by the snowy mountain path and by the Sindhu route. They took the women of those lands and found great delight. In time, the grandson of Vikramaditya reclaimed his father’s kingdom.” Thus unfolded the destinies of the great souls, the turnings of the ages, and the changing fortunes of kings and peoples, as decreed by the will of the Divine.