Vasudeva said O you of Vrishni's race, I have repeatedly heard men speaking of the wonderful battle.

You however, O mighty-armed one, have seen it with your own eyes. Do you, therefore, O sinless one, describe the battle in full.

Indeed, tell me how that battle took place between the great Pandavas and Bhishma and Karna and Kripa and Drona and Shalya and others, between, in fact, numerous other Kshatriyas well-skilled in arms, differing from one another in conduct and dress and coming from various kingdoms.

Vaishmpayana said Thus addressed by his father, he having eyes like lotus-petals, described, in the presence of his mother also, how the Kaurava heroes had been killed in battle.

Vasudeva said-The feats were highly wonderful which were achieved by those great Kshatriyas. On account of their large number, they are incapable of being described in even hundreds of years.

I shall, however, mention only the foremost of them. Do you listen, therefore, to me as I mention in brief those feats won by the kings of Earth, O you of godlike splendour.

Bhishma of Kuru's race became the Commander-in-chief, having eleven divisions of the Kaurava princes under his command, like Vasava of the celestial forces.

Highly intelligent Shikhandin, protected by the blessed Arjuna, became the leader of the seven divisions of the sons of Pandu.

The battle betwcen the Kurus and the Pandavas went on for ten days. It was so dreadful as to make one's hair stand erect.

Then Shikhandin, in great battle, hciped by the holder of Gandiva, killed, with innumerable arrows, the son of Ganga, fighting bravely.

Lying on abcd of arrows, Bhishma waited like an ascetic till the sun leaving his southwards path entered on his northerly course when that hero died.

Then Drona, that foremost of all persons conversant with arms, that greatest of men under Duryodhana, like Kavya himself of the lord of the Daityas, became the Commanderin-chief.

That foremost of twice-born persons, ever boasting of his prowess in battle, was supported by the residue of the Kaurava-army consisting then of nine Akshauhinis, and protected by Kripa and Vrisha and others.

Dhrishtadyumna familiar with many powerful weapons, and gifted with great intelligence, became became the leader of the Pandavas. He was protected by Bhima like Varuna protected by Mitra.

That great hero, always desirous of comparing his strength with Drona, supported by the Pandava-army, and recollecting the wrongs inflicted (by Drona) on his father (Drupada, the king of the Panchalas) performed great feats in battlc.

In that battle between Drona and the son of Prishata, the kings assembled from various realms were nearly rooted out.

That furious battle lasted for five days. At the conclusion of that period, Drona, exhausted, succumbed to Dhrishtadyumna.

After that, Karna became the Cominanderin-chief of Duryodhana's forces. He was supported in battle by the residue of the Kaurava-army which numbered five Akshauhinis.

Of the sons of Pandu, there were then three Akshauhinis. After the destruction of innumerable heroes, protected by Arjuna, they came to battle.

The Suta's son Karna, though a dreadful warrior, encountering Partha, came to his end on the second day, like an insect encountering a burning fire.

After the fall of Karna, the Kauravas became dispirited, and lost all energy. Numbering three Akshaushinis, they gathered round the king of the Madras.

Having lost many car-warriors and elephants and horsemen, the residue of the Pandava army, numbering one Akshauhini and overtaken with depression, supported by Yudhishthira.

The Kuru king Yudhishthira, in the battle that took place, accomplished the most difficult feats and killed, before half the day was over, the king of the Madras.

After the fall of Shalya, the great Sahadeva, of immeasurable prowess, killed Shakuni the man who had brought about the quarrel.

After the fall of Shakuni, the royal son of Dhritarashtra, whose army had suffered an extensive carnage and who on that account had become greatly dispirited, fled from the field, armed with his mace.

Then Bhimasena of great prowess, filled with anger, pursued him and discovered him within the waters of the Dvaipayana lake.

With the residue of their army, the Pandavas surrounded the lake and, filled with joy, met Duryodhana concealed within the waters.

Their wordy arrows, penetrating through the waters, pierced Duryodhana. Rising up from the lake, the latter approached the Pandavas, armed with his mace, desirous of battle.

Then, in the great battle that took place, the royal son of Dhritarashtra was killed by Bhimasena, displayed his great prowess, in the presence of many kings.

After this the residue of the Pandava-army, as it slept in the camp, was killed at night time by Drona's son who was unable to put up with the destruction of his father (at the hands of Dhrishtadyumna).

Their sons killed, their forces killed, their friends killed, only the five sons of Pandu, are alive with myself and Yuyudhana.

With Kripa and and the Bhoja prince Kritavarman, the son of Drona represents the unkilled residuc of the Kaurava-army. Dhritarashtra's son Yuyutsu also has escaped slaughter on account of his having adopted the side of the Pandavas.

Upon the destruction of the Kaurava-king Suyodhana with all his followers and allies, Vidura and Sanjaya have come to the presence of king Yudhishthira the just.

Thus did that battle take place, O lord, for eighteen days. Many kings of Earth, killed therein, have ascended the celestial region.

Vaishampayana continued : The Vrishnis, as they heard, O king, that dreadful account became filled with grief and sorrow and pain.