10. SAUPTIKA PARVA (18)

Om! Having bowed down unto Narayana, and Nara the most exalted of malebeings, and unto the goddess Sarasvati, must the word Jaya be uttered!

Vaishampayana said, “After that night had gone away, the driver ofDhrishtadyumna’s car gave intelligence to king Yudhishthira of the greatslaughter that had been caused during the hour of sleep.

Vaishampayana said, “Beholding his sons, grandsons, and friends all slainin battle, the king’s soul became overwhelmed with great grief, OJanamejaya!

Vaishampayana said, “After the irresistible Bhimasena had set out, thatbull of Yadu’s race, possessed of eyes like lotus-petals, addressedKuru’s son Yudhishthira, saying,

Vaishampayana said, “Having said these words, that foremost of allwielders of weapons, that delighter of all the Yadavas, mounted upon hisexcellent car equipped with every kind of powerful weapons.

Vaishampayana said, “At the very outset the mighty-armed hero ofDasharha’s race understood from signs the intention of Drona’s son.

Vaishampayana said, “At the very sight, O tiger among men, of those tworishis possessed of splendour like that of fire, Dhananjaya quicklyresolved to withdraw his celestial shaft.

Vaishampayana said, “Understanding that that weapon was thrown (into thewombs of the Pandava women) by Drona’s son of sinful deeds, Hrishikesha,with a cheerful heart, said these words unto him:

Vaishampayana said, “After all the troops had been slain during the hourof sleep by those three car-warriors, king Yudhishthira in great griefsaid these words unto him of Dasharha’s race:

The holy one said, “After the krita-yuga had elapsed, the gods, desirousof performing a sacrifice, duly made preparation for one according to thedirections laid down in the Vedas. They collected clarified butter andthe other requisites.

Kripa said, “We have heard all that thou hast said, O puissant one!Listen, however, to a few words of mine, O mighty armed one!

Sanjaya said, “Hearing these words of Kripa that were auspicious andfraught with morality and profit, Ashvatthama, O monarch, becameoverwhelmed with sorrow and grief.

Kripa said, “By good luck, O thou of unfading glory, thy heart is settoday on vengeance. The wielder of the thunder himself will not succeedin dissuading thee today.

Kripa said, “A person who is bereft of intelligence and who hath not hispassions under control, cannot, even if he waits dutifully upon hissuperiors, understand all the considerations of morality.

Dhritarashtra said, “Seeing Drona’s son stop at the gate of theencampment, what, O Sanjaya, did those two mighty car-warriors, Kripa andKritavarma, do? Tell me this!”

Sanjaya said, “The son of Drona, O monarch, having reflected thus,descended from the terrace of his car and stood, bending his head untothat supreme god.

Dhritarashtra said, “While Drona’s son, that mighty car-warrior, thusproceeded towards the hostile camp, did Kripa and Bhoja stop from fear?

Sanjaya said, “Having slain all the Pancalas and the sons of Draupadi,the three Kuru heroes together came to that spot where Duryodhana lay,struck down by the foe.