The remaining books of the Mahabharata recount the subsequent incidents of the war, which, in all, lasted for eighteen days.  The Kauravas were destroyed, the only survivors being the Pandavas and Krishna with his charioteer.  The many dead that were left on the field were buried with the rites of religion, and amid many signs of touching affection and grief.

Bhrisma, leader of the Kauravas, instructs Yudhishthira on the duties of kings and other topics.  The poem then ends.

THE BHAGAVAD-GITA, OR HOLY SONG OF BRAHMANISM

This poem forms one of the finest episodes in the great Iliad of India, and, in fact, is hardly surpassed for profound thought, deep feeling, and exquisite phrasing, in the whole literature of India.  Telang holds that the song is at least as old as the 4th century, and is inclined to regard it as an original part of the epic.  According to most scholars, however, the “Divine Song” was added at a later period, and, in fact, in its present form it is scarcely older than 500 A.D.  It is so thoroughly Brahmanic in its teaching that there can be little doubt but that this song was introduced in order to convey the teaching of Brahmanism prevalent at the time.  The German scholar, Dr. Lorinser, has tried to prove that the author of this song had a knowledge of the New Testament and used it.  The following passages are pointed out by him as dependent on New Testament passages.

BHAGAVAD-GITA

    I am exceedingly dear to the
    wise man; he also is dear
    to me.

    I am the way, supporter,
    lord, witness, abode, refuge,
    friend.

    I never depart from him (the
    true Yogis); he never departs
    from me.

    They who worship me with
    true devotion, are in me
    and I in them.

    Be assured that he who worships
    me perishes not.

    I am the beginning and the
    middle and the end of existent
    things.

    I will deliver thee from all
    sin; do not grieve.

He who knows me as unborn and without beginning, the mighty Lord of the World, he among mortals is undeluded, he is delivered from all sins.

    What sacrifice, almsgiving, or
    austerity is done without
    faith is evil.

That man obtains the perfect state who honours by his proper work him from whom all things have issued, and by whom this All was spread out.

NEW TESTAMENT

He that loveth Me shall be loved of My Father, and I will love him (John xiv. 21).

I am the way, the truth, and the life (John xiv. 6) I am the first and the last (Rev. i. 17).

    He that dwelleth in Me and I
    in Him (John vi. 56).

    I in them and thou in Me,
    that they may be made perfect
    in one (John xvii. 23).