Sanjaya said After the destruction of Karna and the flight of the Kuru soldiers Krishna, embracing Partha in delight, said-

Vritra was killed by the holder of thunderbolt and Karna has been killed by you. They will simultaneously talk of the destruction of Vritra and Karna.

Vritra was killed by Indra with thunder and Karna has been killed by you with bow and keen arrows.

Proceed, O Kunti's son and describe to the righteous king Yudhishthira your power capable of earning fame for you and which is known in the worlds.

Having given an account of the death of Karna, for which you had been trying for many years, to the virtuous king Yudhishthira, you will be freed from your debt to him.

While you were fighting with Karna Dharma's son came here for witnessing the battle.

Wounded deep with arrows he could not stay in the battle-field and that best of men returned to his tent.

Partha acquiesced in the request of the Yadu chief who them cheerfully turned his car.

Having thus accosted Arjuna Krishna addressed the soldiers, saying-"Blessings unto you all. Stand, confronting the enemies carefully."

He then said to Dhristadyumna, Yudhamanyu, the twin sons of Madri, Vrikodara and Yuyudhana.

Stand you all here carefully, O kings, till we come back having communicated to the king the destruction of Karna by Arjuna.

Having been thus permitted by those warriors he started for the camp of the king. Govinda, then, with Partha, saw Yudhishthira.

Yudhishthira the best king was slumbering that time on the royal bed. Both of them accessed thereto and put his feet on their palms under the influence of sheer gaiety.

Seeing them cheerful and with great wounds on their person Yudhishthira thought that the son of Radha was dead and speedily got up from his seat.

Having got up from his seat that repressor of his enemies, the king of mighty arms, again and again locked Arjuna and Krishna in his loving embraces. Then he asked Krishna about particulars (of Karna's death).

Then the sweet-speeched son of Vasudeva, the scion of the Yadu race, described Karna's death exactly in every detail.

Joining his hands and addressing Yudhishthira, whose enemies had been killed, Krishna alias Achyuta, smilingly said-

By good fortune, the holder of the Gandiva bow, Pandu's son Vrikodara yourself and the two sons of Madri are all safe from his herodestroying and hair-stirring battle. Do what should next be done, O son of Pandu. The powerful son of the charioteer alas! Vaikartana has been killed. By good luck, O king of kings, you have achieved victory and by good fortune, you have gained over others, O son of Pandu.

The Earth is drinking today the blood of the charioteer's sun, the wretch of a man who had laughed at Draupadi won at the game of dice.

Wounded all over with arrows, your enemy, O foremost of Kurus, is lying prostrate on the naked Earth. Look at that best of men mangled with arrows.

O Heroe, rule now vigilantly the earth shorn of your enemies and enjoy with us all pleasures of life.

Hearing the words of the great Keshava Yudhisthira cheerfully adored him in return and repeatedly said-"Good luck! Good luck!" “It is no wonder, O mighty-armed son of Devaki, that having yourself for his charioteer Partha should perform those super-human feats"

Then taking hold of Keshava's right arm bedecked with Angadas and addressing him

Narada told me that you two are the two foremost of divine Rishis Nara and Narayana ever engaged in maintaining virtue.

The highly intelligent and blessed Krishna Dvaipayana Vyasa has also recounted to me several times this divine history.

By your help, O Krishna, this son of Pandu, Dhananjaya, has defeated his enemies, without ever retreating from the battle-field.

Since you have condescended to drive Partha's chariot we are sure to win victory and not defeat.

O Govinda! I accept the fact that Bhishma, Drona, Karna, Kripacharya, the descendant of Gautama clan and all existing as also erstwhile existed, number of gallants have automatically slaughtered with application of the wit to which you applied for beheading Karma.

Having said this the impartial king Yudhisthira, that foremost of men, got upon his chariot. It was adorned with gold and drawn by horses having black and ivory white tails and quick-coursing like mind. And talking pleasantly with Krishna and Arjuna he started, surrounded by his troops for seeing the battleficld teeming with many incidents. While talking with those two heroes Madhava and a Phalguna the king saw Karna, the foremost of men, lying on the battle-field.

The king saw Karna pierced all over with shafts like a Kadamba flower with straight filaments shooting up all over.

He saw Karna lighted up by a thousand of golden lamps filled with scented oil.

Having seen Karna and his son killed and wounded with arrows shot off the Gandiva Yudhisthira looked again and again at them before he could believe his eyes. He then praised Krishna and Arjuna saying-

"Having got you, highly wise as you are, as may lord and protector, I, O Govinda, the king of earth with my brothers.

Hearing of the destruction of the haughty son of Radha the wicked son of Dhritarashtra will give up all hopes of his life and kingdom. By your favour, O foremost of men, we have achieved our object.

By good luck, you have won victory, O Govinda. By good luck, the enemy has been killed and by good luck the holder of the Gandiva bow has been crowned with success.

Thirteen years we have spent in misery and vigilance. By your favour we will now sleep peacefully in night."

Sanjaya said In this way the king praised Janardana and Arjuna repeatedly.

Seeing Karna and his son slain with arrows Yudhisthira considered himself as if born anew.

Overflowing with joy all the car-warriors of the Pandava army approached Yudhisthira and delighted him.

After the death of the charioteer's son, Nakula, Sahadeva, Bhima, the great Vrishni car-warrior Satyaki, Dhristadyumna, Shikhandi, Panchalas, Srinjayas and other Pandava warriors adored the son of Kunti.

First speaking highly of Pandu's son Yudhisthira, those heroes, who always took delight in battle, desirous of victory and of sureness of aim, eulogised the iwo Krishnas. These great car-warriors delightedly returned to their caimps.

Thus took place the dreadful, hair-stirring onslaught on account of your vile policy. Whey do you grieve for it now.

Vaishampayana said Hearing that evil news the Kuru king Dhritarashtra fell down on a sudden on the ground from his seat.

The far-seeing queen Gandhari too fell down. And she bewailed for the destruction of Karna in battle.

Vidura and Sanjaya then raised up the king and Gandhari consoled him.

The Kuru ladies also raised up Gandhari. Thinking destiny to be all powerful the royal Rishi lost his senses under the weight of grief. His heart pining with sorrow and anxiety the king did not swoon away again. And consoled by them he sat silent indulging in melancholy reveries.

He who reads the account of this great encounter between Karna and Partha, like unto a great sacrifice and he who hears it read, both reap the fruits of a great sacrifice duly performed.

The learned hold that the eternal Vishnu, Agni, Vayu, Soma and Surya is sacrifice. He who will therefore here recital these Parvans will attain to every blissful regions.

Those who devoutly read his holy and best of Samhitas, rejoice acquiring riches, corns and glory.

Every one should therefore hear it reverentially. He who does it enjoys happiness and Vishnu, Brahma and Siva are propitiated with him.

By reading it a Brahmana reaps the fruit of the Vedic studies, a Kshatriya obtains victory and strength in battle a Vaisya immense riches and Sudra health and immunity from ailments.

The illustrious Vishnu has been glorified in this Parvan-therefore by reading or hearing it recited a man becomes happy and acquires all desired for objects. These words of the great Rishi Vyasa can never be false.

The merit acquired by listening to the recitation of this Parvan is tantamount to what is obtained by giving away good kine with calves incessantly for a year.