14 - Story of the Mahabharata 

Agni said:

1-3. The armies of Yudhisthira and Duryodhana went to Kuruksetra. Having scen Bhishma, Droņa and others, (Arjuna said) that he would not fight with his preceptors. The Lord (Krishņa) said to Pärtha (Arjuna), "You need not worry about Bhishma and prominent men. The bodies are perishable. But the soul does not perish. This soul is the supreme Brahman. You know that (by realizing that), 'I am Brahman.' Being neutral towards success and defeat and as a yogin you protect the duties of a king." 

4-6. Being told thus by Krishņa, Arjuna fought (the battle). He sounded drums remaining in the chariot. Bhishma was the first commander for the army of Duryodhana. And Sikhaņņi (was the commander) for the Pandavas. There was a fight between these two armies. (The armies) of the son of Dhrutaråshtra along with Bhishma killed the armies of Pandavas. The Påndavas in the company of Sikhandi¹ and others killed (the army) of the sons of Dhrutaräshțra. The battle between the armies of Kurus and Påndavas was similar (to the battle) between devas and asuras. 

1. Sikhandi, son of Drupada, was at first a woman known as Sikhan. dini and was later transformed into a man and was known as Sikhandin. M.Bh. xci.

7-10. It was (a cause) for the growth of delight of the devas in the heavens who were watching it. For ten days Bhishma destroyed the army of Pandavas with astras. On the tenth day Arjunashowered arrows on the valiant Bhishma. On the words of Drupada, Sikhandi²showered astras just as a cloud would do. The elephants, horses, chariots and infantry were brought down by the astras (of the two armies) mutually. Bhishma, able to die at his own will, after havingshown the mode of war and being told by the Vasus (a class of deities), was remaining in the bed of arrows awaiting to reach Vasuloka, and for the (com mencement of the) summer solstice all the while remaining con templating on Vishnu and praising Him. 

2. Bhisma had pledged not to fight against eunuchs. As Arjuna had Sikhandi as his charioteer, it was casy for him to kill Bhisma as Bhisma would not fight against Sikhapdi, a woman transformed into a man 

11. As Duryodhana was grief-stricken, Droņa became the Commander. As the army of Påndavas was jubilant, Dhrushtadyumna (was made) the Commander. 

12. There was a fierce battle between the two which made the domain of Yama (the god of death) extensive. Viråța, Drupada and others were drowned in the ocean of (arrows of) Droņa. 

13. The huge army of Duryodhana (consisted of) elephant, horse, chariot and infantry. Droņa became just like Kåla (death himself) for the (army) headed by Dhrustadyumna. 

14-15. When it was proclaimed that Aśvatthaman was killed, Droņa abandoned his astras. Overcome by the arrow of Dhrushtadyumna he fell on the earth on the fifth day, (himself being) unassailable and after having killed many warriors. As Duryodhana was grief-stricken, Karna became the commander. 

16. And Arjuna (became the commander) of the Päņdava forces. There was combat between them, between weapons and weapons, very fierce and resembling a war between devas and asuras. 

17. In the war known as the Karņárjuna, Karna killed the enemies with his arrows. On the second day, Karna was killed by Arjuna. 

18. Šalya fought for a day and Yudhisthira killed him. Suyodhana (Duryodhana), whose army had been destroyed, fought with Bhimasena. 

19. Having killed many men (in their army) (he) challenged Bhimasena. Bhimasena killed him, who was attacking with the mace. 

20-21. (Bhimasena) killed his brothers with his mace. On that eighteenth day, in the night, the very strong Aśvatthaman killed the sleeping army of Pandavas of the extent of an aksauhini, the Påñchalas and the sons of Draupadi. He also killed Dhrustadyumna. 

22. Then Arjuna seized his crest-jewel with an arrow (and gave it) to that Draupadi who had lost her sons and was lamenting. 

23. Hari (Krishņa) revived (all of them) who were burnt by the arrows of Aśvatthåman. That embryo of Uttara became a king (known as) Parikshit. 

24. Krutavarman, Krupa and Drauņi (son of Droņa) (Aśvatthåman) survived in the battle. The five Pandavas, Satyaki and Krishņa survived and none else. 

25-26. Then that Yudhishthira having pacified the griefstricken women, in the company of Bhima and others, having done the obsequies for the killed warriors and having offered waters and money and after having heard the peace-yielding dharmas, the royal duties, dharma relating to final emancipation, dharma relating to charity, became a king. 

27. The destroyer of his enemy (Yudhisthira) gave away charities to the brahmins at the Asvamedha (sacrifice). Having heard about the destruction of Yadavas¹ caused by the club and having installed Parikshit in the kingdom, (he) reached heavens along with the brothers. 

1. This alludes to the curse of sages when the Yadava boys dressed up Såmba, son of Jambavati, as a woman and requested sages to tell what kind of child would be born to her. The sages cursed that an iron mace would be born. When it happened accordingly, the mace we powdered and thrown into the sea. They were washed ashore and later grew into reeds. The Yådavas under the influence of liquor quarrelled with each other and destroyed themselves by beating with the uprooted reeds, See Vi.P.V. xxvii. 9-10; M. Bh. XVI. i. 15-22.