08.001
Vaiśampāyana spoke:
After Drona was slain, the kings led by Duryodhana, deeply troubled, went to Drona's son.
They lamented over Drona, their strength sapped by confusion, and then surrounded the son of Sharadvati, overwhelmed by sorrow.
For a brief moment, the kings consoled them with scriptural reasons and, as night fell, they returned to their respective palaces.
Especially, the son of a charioteer, the king, and Suyodhana, Duhshasana, and Shakuni could not sleep.
Even in their homes, the kings, O descendant of Kuru, could not find happiness. They were unable to sleep, tormented by thoughts of intense destruction.
Together, they stayed at Duryodhana's place at night due to their intense hatred towards the Pandavas, who were great souls.
Draupadi, who was distressed due to the gambling, was brought into the assembly. Recalling this event, they were filled with deep regret and their minds were greatly disturbed.
Thinking of the troubles caused by gambling to the sons of Pṛthā, O King, they spent the night with difficulty, which seemed like a hundred years.
In the clear morning, all stood by the command of the appointed and performed the necessary duties as prescribed.
After completing their essential tasks and taking rest, O Bharata, they commanded the preparations for battle and proceeded forth.
After appointing Karna as the general and conducting auspicious ceremonies, they recited to the best of the Brahmins using curd, vessels, ghee, and unbroken rice.
The prosperity was enhanced with coins, cows, gold, garments, and great wealth, as charioteers, bards, and panegyrists offered victorious blessings.
In the same way, O king, the Pandavas, after completing all their daily duties, left the camp decisively to engage in battle.
Then a fierce and hair-raising battle commenced between the Kauravas and the Pandavas, both desiring to destroy each other.
For two days, the battle between the Kuru and Pāṇḍava armies, with Karna as the commander, was a remarkable spectacle, O king.
Then, after causing a massive destruction of the enemy in battle, the mighty warrior was struck down by Arjuna in the sight of the sons of Dhritarashtra.
Then Sanjaya went to the city of Nagahvaya and informed Dhritarashtra about the events that took place in Kurujangala.
Janamejaya spoke:
Upon hearing that Bhishma, the son of Ganga, and Drona were killed in battle by the enemies, the old king Dhritarashtra, son of Ambika, was deeply distressed.
Upon hearing of the death of Karṇa, who was a well-wisher of Duryodhana, how did he, O esteemed sage, manage to sustain his life while being overwhelmed with grief?
The king, who believed that his sons' hope of victory rested in him, wondered how Kauravya could sustain his life after being slain.
I believe it is truly hard for men to die even in dire situations, as the king did not give up his life upon hearing of Karṇa's death.
Thus, O Brahman, the old Śāntanu's son, Bahlika, Droṇa, Somadatta, and Bhūriśravas were also present.
In the same way, O Brahmin, I believe it is difficult that he did not give up his life after hearing about the fall of his other friends, sons, and grandsons.
"O ascetic, please narrate all this to me in detail. I am never satisfied listening to the great deeds of the ancients."
Vaiśampāyana spoke:
After Karna was killed, O great king, Gavalganih, feeling sorrowful, went to Nagapura at night, riding horses that were as swift as the wind.
He went to Hastinapura, deeply troubled, and visited the house of Dhritarashtra, which was now empty of relatives.
He saw the king, whose energy was diminished by despondency, and respectfully bowed down, touching the king's feet with his head.
After duly worshipping King Dhritarashtra, he exclaimed, "Alas, what distress!", and then began to speak.
Sanjaya said, "O King, do you reside happily? Having obtained calamity by your own fault, are you not confused today?"
Are you not feeling distressed by remembering the beneficial advice spoken by Vidura, Droṇa, Gāṅgeya, and Keśava, which you did not accept?
Rama, Narada, Kanva, and others spoke beneficial words in the assembly. Do you remember and not feel distress about what was not accepted?
Reflecting on your friends who were devoted to your cause, led by Bhishma and Drona, and slain by others in battle, do you not experience sorrow?
The king, deeply sighing and filled with sorrow, addressed the son of a charioteer with folded hands, saying these words.
Sanjaya, my mind is deeply troubled with the fall of the heroic son of Ganga, the wielder of divine weapons, and the supreme archer Drona.
The powerful son of Vasu, who indeed killed ten thousands of adorned chariots day by day.
He was slain by Shikhandi, the son of Yajnasena, under the protection of the Pandavas; my mind is deeply troubled.
Bhrigu's descendant gave the supreme weapon to the great soul, who was directly taught the science of archery by Rama in his childhood.
Through his grace, the sons of Kunti, who are mighty princes, achieved the status of great chariot-warriors, as did other rulers of the earth.
Upon hearing that Droṇa was killed by Dhṛṣṭadyumna in the battle, my mind is deeply troubled for the honest and mighty archer.
In the three worlds, there was no man equal to him in the scriptures. Upon hearing that Droṇa was slain, what did my people do?
The great Pandava, Dhananjaya, valiantly defeated the Samsaptakas and sent them to the abode of Yama.
When the Narayana weapon was nullified, what actions did my wise son of Drona take among the remaining forces?
I feel as if I am scattered and submerged in a sea of sorrow, like boats adrift and sinking after the fall of Drona.
This verse lists the names of the warriors associated with Duryodhana, including Karna, Bhoja, Kritavarma, the king of Madra (Shalya), Drona's son (Ashwatthama), and Kripa.
O Sanjaya, how did the facial color of my remaining sons and others appear in the scattered armies?
Narrate everything as it truly happened in the battle to Gāvalgaṇa, concerning both the Pandavas and my people in full detail.
Sanjaya said:
O venerable one, do not be distressed by what happened between the sons of Pandu and the sons of Kuru. Having heard it, the mind that is focused on the desired goal is not disturbed.
A wise person is not distressed by what may or may not happen to a man, whether it is attained or not.
Dhritarashtra said:
There is no pain in hearing this, Sanjaya. I believe this was destined before. You may narrate as you wish.
