of high birth and good conduct, have been slain in battle by Partha who is never fatigued with exertion.  Others, endued with immeasurable might, and desirous of slaying their foes, (have met with a similar fate).  These and many other kings, numbering thousands, with their followers, have, O monarch, been slain in battle.  That which thou askest me I am answering now.  Even thus did the destruction take place when Arjuna and Karna fought.  Even as Mahendra slew Vritra, and Rama slew Ravana; even as Krishna slew Naraka or Mura in battle; even as the mighty Rama of Bhrigu’s race slew the heroic Kartavirya, invincible in battle, with all his kinsmen and friends, after fighting a terrible battle celebrated through the three worlds; even as Skanda slew (the Asura) Mahisha, and Rudra slew (the Asura) Andhaka, even so hath Arjuna, O king, in single combat, slain, with all his kinsmen, that foremost of smiters, viz., Karna, who was invincible in battle and upon whom the Dhartarashtras had placed their hopes of victory, and who was the great cause of the hostility with the Pandavas!  Pandu’s son hath now accomplished that which at one time thou couldst not believe him capable of accomplishing, although, O monarch, well-meaning friends failed not to apprise thee of it.  That calamity, fraught with great destruction, hath now come!  Thou, O king wishing them well, hast heaped those evils on the heads of thy covetous sons!  The fruit of those evils is now manifesting itself!’”

6

“Dhritarashtra said, ’Thou hast, O son, mentioned the names of those of my side that have been slain in battle by the Pandavas.  Tell me now, O Sanjaya, the names of those amongst the Pandavas that have been slain by the people of my side!’

“Sanjaya said, ’The Kuntis possessed of great prowess in battle, endued with great energy and great might, have been slain in fight by Bhishma, with all their kinsmen and advisers.  The Narayanas, the Valabhadras, and hundreds of other heroes, all devoted (to the Pandavas) have been slain in battle by the heroic Bhishma.  Satyajit, who was equal to the diadem-decked Arjuna himself in battle as regards energy and might, hath been slain in battle by Drona of sure aim.  Many mighty bowmen among the Pancalas, all of whom were skilled in battle, encountering Drona, have repaired to Yama’s abode.  So the two kings Virata and Drupada, both venerable in years, who exerted themselves with great prowess for their ally, have, with their sons, been slain in battle by Drona.  That invincible hero, viz., Abhimanyu, who, though a child in years, was still equal in battle to Arjuna or Keshava or Baladeva, O lord, that, warrior who was highly accomplished in battle, after making an immense slaughter of the foe, was at last encompassed by six foremost of car-warriors and slain by them.  Unable to resist Arjuna himself, they thus slew Arjuna’s son!  Deprived of his car, that hero, viz., the son of Subhadra, still stayed in battle, remembering