Sanjaya said When that dreadful day so fraught with the slaughter of creatures had passed away and when the sun set, the auspicious shade of twilight began to spread itself.

Then, O foremost of the Bharatas, when the troops of both the hosts had retired to their respective quarters, the ape-bannered Jishnu having slain the Samshaptaka hosts with his celestial weapons, proceeded towards his pavilion mounted on that victorious chariot of his. As he went on, he asked Govinda, in a voice choked with tears.

“Why, O Keshava, does my mind misgive and why does my speech falter? Evil portents reveal themselves to me and my limbs are becoming weak.

Thoughts, such as a calamity has befallen me, occupying my heart, does not leave it; on earth, in all the directions, various dreadful portents affright me.

Various kinds of omens are being seen by me and they harbinger the happening of a calamity, May all things fare well with the king, my venerable superior and with his followers."

The son of Vasudeva said It is evident that everything fares well with your brothers and his ministers. Do not give way to evil thoughts; it is probable, that some trivial calamity has taken place.

Sanjaya said Then those two heroes, having adored the evening twilight, proceeded on their car talking of the incidents of that day's battle so destructive of heroes.

Thereafter having achieved feats difficult of being achieved, Arjuna and Vasudeva reached the Pandava encampments, joyless joyless and melancholy.

Then that slayer of foes, Vibhatsu, beholding the camp in confusion, said to Krishna with a sorrowful heart-

Arjuna said O Jaraddana, the auspicious drums are not best today and their sound does not add to the din created by the trumpet-blasts and conchblares.

The melodious Venu is not played upon accompanied by claps; auspicious songs, fraught with praises and delightful, are not sung in my troops today, by the minstrels and the bards. All warriors also, beholding me, are turning away.with their faces cast down.

Duly performing the ceremonies one after another, they do not come forward to salute me. O Madhava, is everything well with all my brothers?

Seeing my own people distressed with sorrow, my mind does not obtain peace. Does everything fare well, o bestower of honour, with the Panchala king or the ruler of the Viratas.

Or with all of our warriors, you of undeteriorating glory? Alas, today Subhadra's son accompanied by his brothers, does not come out, smiling and joyful to receive me returning from battle.

Sanjaya said Thus talking to one another, they both entered into their encampments and they beheld the Pandavas sit cheerless and with hearts distracted (with grief).

Then that hero bearing the ape as a device on his banner, seeing his brother and sons (thus depressed), himself became melancholy. Then not finding Subhadra's son he spoke these

Arjuna said I see that the colour of your countenances has turned pale. I do not also see Abhimanyu here, nor do you welcome me.

I have also heard that Drona today arrayed his troops in the circular order. There is also none among you capable of penetrating into that array, save my boy Abhimanyu.

But I did not teach him the means of coming out of that array. Is it that you made the boy enter the array of the enemy?

Has that fierce bowman, that slayer of hostile heroes, namely, the son of Subhadra, having penetrated into those numberless divisions of the enemy, been slain in battle.

Tell me, Oh, how that hero possessed of mighty arms and red eyes, who was born in our race, like a lion on the mountain breast and who resembled Upendra himself, has been slain in battle?

Tell me about Abhimanyu, the grandson of Indra, the great archer, delicate body youth and always dear to me. How was he slaughtered in the battle.

What warriors, urged on by their evil Destiny, ventured to slay that dear-loved son of Subhadra, that favourite of Draupadi and Keshava, who was always fondly loved by my own mother (Kunti)?

How has that hero resembling the highsouled Vrishni hero Keshava himself in prowess, generosity and acquaintance with the Shastras, been slain in battle?

If today I do not see that hero dearly loved by that daughter of Vrishni race (Subhadra) and fondly brought up by myself, I shall be a guest of Death's abode.

Possessed of soft and curling hair-ends, of tender years, of eyes like those of a young gazelle graced with the tread of an infuriate elephant, resembling an offshoot of a Shala tree. Of sweet speeches attended with smiles, modest, ever ready to carry out the behests of his venerables, achieving in tender years, feats worthy of mature age, sweet-spoken, free from animosity. Of mighty energy and prowess, of eyes resembling large lotus-petals, ever merciful towards his followers, self-possessed, never pursuing mean objects and men. Ever grateful, endued with the knowledge of all things, unretreating and accomplished in the use of all kinds of weapons, ever delighting in battle and ever enhancing the terror of his adversaries. Always intent on bringing about the welfare of his own party, ever desirous of seeing victory secured by his own sires, never striking first in battle, never daunted in fight. Oh! if, I do not see such a son of mine, I shall carry me to the abode of Death.

WEHRI forei fari anae ia 2113811

In the tale of car-warriors, always counted with the mighty car-warriors. Possessed of mighty arins, of tender years, one and a half times superior to me in battle, always a favourite of myself, Pradyumna and Keshava. Oh, if I do not see that son of mine, I shall go to the regions of Death,

Graced with a beautiful nose and fore-head and eyes and eyebrows and teeth and lips. Oh, without seeing that countenance of his, I shall enjoy no peace of mind.

Delightful like the warding of a lyre, charming and melodious like the voice of a cuckoo. Oh, without hearing that voice of his what peace can my heart enjoy?

His beauty that was unequaled and scarce even among the heaven-dwelling gods. Oh, without beholding that beauty of his, what peace can my heart enjoy?

Skillful in congratulating and welcoming others, obedient to the commands of his sires. If I do not see that son of mine, what peace can my heart enjoy?

Brought up in all luxury, always heroic and accustomed to lie on precious beds. He lies today on the bare earth like one helpless, though he is foremost of all who have others to look after them.

He upon whom, when on his bed, the most beautiful women used to attend. Oh! even he, his bodies mutilated with with shafts, has inauspicious jackals prowling over the field to attend upon him today!

He who formerly used to be awakened from his sleep by songsters, ministrels and panegyrists. Oh! even he shall today be roused by the fierce yells of the beasts of prey.

That auspicious and charming countenances of his, worthy of being shaded by umbrellas. Shall today be soiled with the dust rising from the field of battle.

Oh! my dear child, I, who was never satiated with looking at you. Alas! unfortunate that I am I have been forcibly bereft of you by Death.

Surely the mansion of Death, that goal of persons of pious deeds. That delightful palace, has today been illumined by your splendour and so has been made highly charming by you.

"Surely Yama, Varuna, Indra of hundred sacrifices and Kubera, receiving yourself as a welcome guest, are making preparations for worshipping you.”

Thus copiously lamenting like a trader whose ship has been broken and being possessed by great grief Arjuna thus

"O delighter of the Kurus, spreading a terrible, slaughter among the enemy's host, did my son ascend to heaven having fought with many foremost of men in battle?

"Surely fighting carefully in battle, he, single-handed and needing assistance, repeatedly thought of me!

Afflicted by Karna and Drona and Kripa and others, with exceedingly sharp shafts of various shape and well-polished tips, my son of smalll strength must have repeatedly thought-"My father will surely rescue me from this difficulty.” I think, when thus thinking of me he was felled to ground by those ruthless warriors.

"Or it may be, that being begotten by myself and being the nephew of Madhava, being born out of Subhadra's womb, he did not utter such exclamations.

Surely my heart is made of the hardest adamant. In as much as, it does not burst open for my not seeing that one of mighty arms and red eyes.

How could the fierce bowmen (of the Kaurava) hosts, ruthless and cruel, have sped their arrows capable of penetrating to the very vitals, at that boy of tender years, that son of mine and the nephew of Madhava?

He of generous soul who everyday used to come out to receive me when I returned after having slain my foes, will he not see me today?

Alas, he lies today prostrate on the field of battle weltering in his blood and enhancing the beauty of the earth with the splendour of his limbs and looking like the sun dropped from the firmament.

I am indeed also destined to grieve for Subhadra who hearing that her unretreating son has been slain in battle, shall be struck with sorrow and shall give up her life?

Oh! what will Subhadra say to me when she will not behold Abhimanyu (her son)! Alas, what also shall I tell to Draupadi overwhelmed with great grief?

Surely my heart is made of the hardest adamant, in as much as it will not be splintered into thousand fragments when I shall behold my daughter-in-law (Abhimanyu's wife), bewail, afflicted with the burden of her grief.

I heard indeed the war-cries of the Dhritarashtras, elated with pride and Krishna also heard Yuyutsu admonishing the heroes in the following terms.

0 mighty car-warriors, not being able to defeat Vibhatsu and slaying this boy of tender years. What do you rejoice? O inost unrighteous ones, now shall you feel the mighty of the son of Pandu.

Having done an injury to Keshava and Arjuna in battle why do you roar like lions in delight. Verily your hour for grief has come. The fruits of you sinful acts will soon overtake you all. went away, You have committed a heinous crime not long will it delay in bearing the ripe fruit for you!'

Having spoken to them (the enemy) thus, the highly intelligent son of a Vaishya went away, leaving aside his weapons and leaving the Kauravas with wrath and sorrow.

Why, O Krishna, did you not tell me all this in the course of fight? I would then have burnt down all those cruel car-warriors of the enemy's host.

Sanjaya said Thereafter the son of Vasudeva, consoling Pritha's (Arjuna) who overwhelmed with sorrow on account of his son, was exceedingly thoughtful, whose eyes were overflowing with tears and who, indeed, was afflicted by the grief generated by the slaughter of his son, said to him, "Do you not give way to grief."

This indeed is the inevitable fate of all those heroes who never think of retreating. Specially of the Kshatriyas who live by war. Of unretreating heroes fighting in battle, this.

O foremost of intelligent beings, has been specified to be the finale by those who are conversant with the meanings of our sacred scriptures. Death in battle is the inevitable fate of heroes who do not fly away from the field.

Undoubtedly Abhimanyu has gone to the regions of those who perform pious deeds; and, O foremost of the Bharatas, even this is coveted by all heroes.

O Bharata, you are renowned for honouring others, listen that all chivalrous persons are passionate and consider it their prime objective to die while facing bravely the enemy.

That they may fall in battle facing their enemies. As regards Abhimanyu, he, having slain in battle many heroic and mighty princes.

Hath reaped that death in battle which is so much desired by the heroes, O foremost of men, do not lament. The ancient sages have specified this to be the enduring merit of the Kshatriyas, viz., their fall in battle.

O foremost of the Bharatas, these your brothers are highly distressed. As also these monarchs and these your relatives, beholding you plunged in sorrow.

"O bestower of honour, do you console them with comforting speech. Everything worthy of being know is known to you. It behoves you not to indulge in grief.”

Thus consoled by Krishna of wonderful deeds, the son of Pritha (Arjuna) said to all his brothers these words in a voice choked with griefस दीर्घबाहुः पृथ्वंसो दीर्घराजीवलोचनः।

O lord of Earth, that mighty-armed one, that one possessed of eyes large lake lotus petals namely Abhimanyu, how he fought, I desire to know?

You will see that, I will consume the enemy with their elephants, chariois and steeds in battle all those opponents of my son together with all their blood relations.

You all are accomplished in the use of weapons and are even now armed with weapons. How then could Subhadra's son be slain in battle, even if it were the wielder of the thunder-bolt whom he might have encountered?

Alas, if I had known that the Pandavas and the Panchalas would be incompetent to protect my son in battle, myself would then have protected him.

You were all then on your chariots and were shooting your arrows; how could then Abhimanyu be slain by the enemy spreading havoc in your troops?

Alas, you possess no manliness! you have no prowess. Inasmuch as even before your very sight Abhimanyu was felled in battle.

It is better I should blame myself, since knowing you all to be cowards, sneaking and irresolute, I went away.

Alas! are your armours, weapons, offensive and defensive, mere decorations of your persons? Are your eloquence mere empty words suited to an assembly only? For, you all failed to protect my son.

Having spoken these words, Arjuna sat down armed with his bow and excellent sword. Then none was able to look at Vibhatsu.

Who then resembled the enraged destroyer, repeatedly drawing long and heavy sighs. Then his friends could not speak to Arjuna or look at him who was burning with the grief on account of his son's death and whose countenance was then over-flooded with tears.

Except the son of Vasudeva or the eldest son of Pandu, none then ventured to speak to Arjuna.

These two (Yudhishthira and Krishna) were always agreeable to Arjuna. These two were only competent to address him all occasions, in as much as they were held in great veneration and dear love.

Then the king addressed the following words to that one possessed of eyes like lotus petals, whose heart was then aching with the sorrow caused by the (untimely) demise of his son and who was excited to the highest pitch of fury. on