Vaishampayana said “Within two miles after his departure Dhritarashtra, met with those three great carwarriors, viz., Sharadvat's son Kripa, Drona's son (Ashvatthaman), and Kritavarman.

As soon as the latter saw the blind king, possessed of great power, the three heroes sighed in grief and with voices choked in tears weepingly said,-'Your royal son, O king, having performed the most difficult feats, has, with all his followers, gone to the region of Indra.

We are the only three car-warriors of Duryodhana's army that are yet alive. All the others, O foremost of Bharata's race, have died.'

Having said these words to the king, Sharadvat's son Kripa, addressing the griefstricken Gandhari, said to her,-'Your sons have fallen, performing heroic and wonderful deeds, in the battle-field.

Forsooth having, obtained those bright worlds that are attainable only by the use of weapons, they are playing there like celestials, having assumed shinning forms.

Amongst those heroes there was no one that fled from battle-field. Every one of them has fallen at the end of weapons. None of them joined his hands, and prayed for mercy.

Death in battle by weapons has been described by the ancients as the best that a Kshatriya can obtain. You should not, therefore, grieve for any of them.

Their enemies, O queen viz., the Pandavas, too, have not been more fortunate. Hear, what we, headed by Ashvatthaman, have done to them.

Learning that your son had been killed unrighteously by Bhima, we massacred the Pandavas when asleep after entering these camp.

All the Panchalas have been killed. Indeed, all the sons of Drupada, as also all the son of Draupadi, have been massacred.

Having caused this massacre of the sons of our foes, we are flying away because we three cannot fight with them.

Our enemies, the Pandavas, are all heroes and great bowmen. They will soon attack us, filled with rage, for taking vengeance on us.

Informed of the massacre of their sons, those foremost infuriate with rage, those heroes,-Oillustrious lady, will soon pursue us.

Having caused this massacre we dare not stay. Grant us permission, O queen. You should not grievc.

Grant us your permission also, O king! Summon fortitude, and observe the duties of a Kshatriya in their highest form.'

Having said so to the king, and going round him, Kripa and Kritavarat man and Drona's son, O Bharata, without being able to take of men, son away their eyes from the wise king Dhritarashtra, urged their horses towards the banks of the Ganges.

Leaving thàt place, O king those great carwarriors, with hearts stricken with anxiety, took one another's leave and separated from one another.

Sharadvat's Kripa went to Hastinapura; Hridika's son went to his own kingdom; while the son of Drona started for the hermitage of Vyasa.

Thus those heroes, who had offended the great sons of Pandu, respectively proceeded to the places they selected, on one another.

Having met the king thus, those heroes, went away before the sunrise, O king, to the places they selected.

It was after this, O king, that the sons of Pandu, those great car-warriors, met the son of Drona, and displaying their prowess, defeated him, O king."