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Pancharatra and Core: Sanjaya brings the news that only seven Pandavas — five brothers, along with Vasudeva and Satyaki, and three Kauravas - Kripa, Kritavarma, and Drauni survived.
Janamejaya said.
Thus, O Brahmana, when Karna was slain in battle by Arjuna, what actions did the few remaining Kauravas take?
Upon witnessing the rising strength, King Suyodhana, at the right moment, pondered what action the Kaurava should take against the Pandavas.
I wish to hear this, so please tell me, O best of the twice-born. I am never satisfied with hearing the great deeds of the ancients.
Vaiśampāyana spoke.
Then, O King, after Karna was killed, Suyodhana, the son of Dhritarashtra, was overwhelmed with grief and became utterly despondent.
Lamenting repeatedly, "Alas, Karna! Alas, Karna!", he returned to his camp with the surviving kings, with great difficulty.
Despite being consoled by the kings with reasons determined by the scriptures, he could not find peace as he kept remembering the killing of the charioteer's son.
The prince, acknowledging the power of fate and destiny, resolved himself in battle and went out once more to fight.
The king, having appointed Shalya as the commander according to the rules, set out for battle along with the remaining kings.
Then, O best of the Bharatas, a fierce battle ensued between the Kuru and Pandava armies, resembling the legendary conflict between the gods and demons.
Then, at midday, Śalya, the great king, after causing great slaughter in the battle, was struck down by Dharmaraja amidst the Pāṇḍava army.
Then King Duryodhana, having lost his relatives, retreated from the battlefield and entered a dreadful lake, driven by the fear of his enemies.
In the afternoon, Bhimasena, using strategy, called the great charioteers from the lake and felled them, marking the end of his day.
After the great archer was slain, the three remaining chariots enthusiastically attacked and killed the Panchala soldiers at night, O king.
Then, in the morning, Sanjaya, having come from the camp, entered the city, overwhelmed with sorrow and grief.
He quickly entered the city, raising his arms in distress and trembling, and then entered the king's palace.
The tiger among men cried out in sorrow, 'Alas, O king.' Indeed, we are deeply distressed by the death of the great soul.
Alas, time is indeed very powerful, and progress is supreme. Thus, all the kings, who were as strong as Indra, met their end there.
Upon seeing Sanjaya in front, all the people, greatly agitated, cried out loudly, "Alas, O king!"
O tiger among men, when the news of the prince's death spread, a great lamentation arose throughout the entire city.
He saw three great men running there, appearing as if they had lost their minds, maddened and severely afflicted by grief.
In this manner, the distressed charioteer entered the palace and saw the greatest of kings, the lord with the eyes of wisdom.
Upon seeing the sinless one seated and surrounded by his daughters-in-law, Gandhari, and Vidura, O best of the Bharatas, a sense of solemnity filled the air.
Thus, others, friends, relatives, and well-wishers were all meditating on him and the purpose concerning Karna's death.
The charioteer, with a tear-choked voice and not very pleased, cried and spoke to King Janamejaya.
Sanjaya said, "O tiger among men, salutations to you, O bull of the Bharatas. The king of Madra, Shalya, has been slain, as have Shakuni, the son of Subala, and Uluka, the son of Kaitavya, who was known for his firm resolve."
The Samsaptakas, the Kambojas, and the Shakas were all killed together; the Mlecchas, the Parvatiyas, and the Yavanas were also slain.
O great king, the eastern and southern kings were completely killed. All the northern and western kings were slain, O lord of men. Everywhere, kings and princes were slain, O king.
Duryodhana has been slain, O king, just as the Pandava said. With his thighs broken, the great king lies in the dust, covered.
Dhṛṣṭadyumna has been slain, O king, along with Śikhaṇḍī, who was undefeated. Uttamaujas and Yudhāmanyu, as well as the Prabhadrakas, have also fallen, O king.
The Panchalas, the valiant warriors, and the Edayas have been defeated. All your sons, including the sons of Draupadi, have perished, O Bharata. Karna's son, the brave and powerful Vrishasena, has also fallen.
All the men are slain, the elephants have fallen, the charioteers and horses are killed in battle, O tiger among men.
Some of your remaining camp was completed, O lord, as the Pandavas and the heroes approached each other.
Over time, the world was mostly left with women, as it became deluded. Seven of the Pāṇḍavas survived, while only three of the Dhārtarāṣṭras were left.
The five brothers, along with Vasudeva, Satyaki, Kripa, Kritavarma, and Drauni, who are the best among the victorious, were present.
Your charioteers too, O great king, the best among kings, from all the assembled armies, O lord of the people, these are the remaining ones, O great king, all others have perished.
O best of the Bharatas, in time, everything in the world is destroyed. Duryodhana, having been placed at the forefront, indeed symbolizes enmity, O descendant of Bharata.
Upon hearing these harsh words, King Dhritarashtra, the ruler of the people, collapsed to the ground, devoid of life.
When he fell to the ground, the greatly renowned Vidura also collapsed, O great king, overwhelmed by the king's distress.
Gandhari and all the women of the Kuru dynasty, O best of kings, collapsed to the ground suddenly upon hearing those cruel words.
King Dhritarashtra, the ruler of the earth, slowly regained his life with difficulty, being emaciated by the grief for his son.
The king, upon regaining consciousness, was trembling and deeply distressed. He looked around in all directions and then spoke to his minister.
The learned charioteer, addressed as the wise one and the best of the Bharatas, is the refuge for the speaker who is completely helpless and greatly bereft of sons. After saying this, the speaker once again fell unconscious.
Seeing him fallen like that, some of his relatives sprinkled cool water on him and fanned him with fans.
The king, though reassured over time, remained silent and pondered deeply, troubled by his son's plight, sighing as if he were a crooked figure trapped in a jar, O lord of men.
Sanjaya, upon seeing the king in distress, cried there. Likewise, all the women, including the illustrious Gandhari, were also in tears.
Then, after a long period, the bewildered Dhritarashtra, often referred to as the tiger among men, repeatedly spoke to Vidura.
"Let all the women, including the illustrious Gandhari, go. Thus, all these friends are distressed, and my mind is greatly troubled."
After being addressed in this manner, the minister, trembling repeatedly, slowly dismissed the women, O best of the Bharatas.
Then all the women and friends, O best of the Bharatas, went out after seeing the king in distress.
Then Sanjaya, seeing the king there who had regained consciousness, was deeply distressed and began to cry, greatly afflicted by the situation.
The minister, with folded hands, repeatedly consoled the sighing king with sweet words.
