Yuyutsu then said, “After the fall of Shakuni, O sire, with all his kinsmen and friends, king Duryodhana abandoning the steed he rode, fled away, in fear towards the east.  After the king had fled away, all the people in the (Kaurava) encampment, agitated with fear, fled towards the city.  Then the protectors of the ladies, placing the wives of the king, as also those of his brothers, on vehicles, fled away in fear.  Obtaining the permission of king Yudhishthira and Keshava, I set out for Hastinapura, for protecting the people thus flying away!’ Hearing these words spoken by the son of Dhritarashtra’s Vaisya wife, Vidura of immeasurable soul, conversant with every usage and feeling that was proper at that hour, applauded the eloquent Yuyutsu.  And he said, ’Thou hast acted properly, having regard for what has come, in view of this destruction of all the Bharatas of which thou art speaking!  Thou hast also, from compassion, maintained the honour of thy race!  By good luck, we behold thee come back with life from this terrible battle that is so destructive of heroes, like creatures beholding the sun possessed of blazing glory!  Thou, O son, are now in every way the sole staff of the blind monarch, bereft of foresight, afflicted with calamity, struck by Destiny, and who, though repeatedly dissuaded, could not abstain from pursuing his evil policy.  Take rest here for this day!  Tomorrow thou mayst return to Yudhishthira!” Having said these words, Vidura, with tearful eyes, took leave of Yuyutsu and entered the abode of the king, which resounded with cries of “Oh!” and “Alas!” uttered by citizens and villagers afflicted with woe.  The cheerless mansion seemed to have lost all its beauty; comfort and happiness seemed to have deserted it.  It was all empty and pervaded by disorder.  Already filled with sorrow, Vidura’s grief increased at that sight.  Conversant with every duty, Vidura, with a sorrowful heart, entered the palace, drawing deep breaths.  As regards Yuyutsu, he passed that night in his own abode.  Afflicted with woe, he failed to obtain any joy at the panegyrics with which he was greeted.  He passed the time, thinking of the terrible destruction of the Bharatas at one another’s hands.’”

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“Dhritarashtra said, ’After all the Kaurava troops had been slain by the sons of Pandu on the field of battle, what did those survivors of my army, Kritavarma and Kripa and the valiant son of Drona do?  What also did the wicked-souled king Duryodhana then do?’

“Sanjaya said, ’After the flight of the ladies of those high-souled Kshatriyas, and after the (Kaurava) camp had become entirely empty, the three car-warriors (thou hast mentioned) became filled with anxiety.  Hearing the shouts of the victorious sons of Pandu, and beholding the camp deserted towards the evening, those three warriors of our side, desirous of rescuing the king, and unable to stay on the field, proceeded towards the lake.  Yudhishthira, of virtuous soul, with his brothers in that battle, felt