The venerable sage Vaisampayana continued his narration to King Janamejaya, saying, “O King, as I have recounted on many occasions, Sanjaya was blessed with extraordinary perception and knowledge. Having witnessed the dreadful events of the war at Kurukshetra, he returned to Hastinapura and proceeded directly to the private chambers of King Dhritarashtra. Entering with due reverence, he bowed before the monarch. The aged king welcomed him and invited him to be seated. Sanjaya then began his solemn report, prepared to reveal the fate of warriors whose names had become the glory and pride of the Kuru race.”
With wisdom and restraint, Sanjaya chose his words carefully. Before disclosing the grievous losses that had befallen the Kaurava hosts, he first celebrated the valor, prowess, and magnificence of the warriors who had fought beneath Dhritarashtra’s banner. This had been his method when he reported the fall of Bhishma and Drona, and he now followed the same course while speaking of Karna. Knowing the king’s affection for his champions, he first painted a picture of their greatness before unveiling the sorrowful truth of their departure from the mortal world.
Dhritarashtra listened with anxious expectation, eager to learn the latest events from the battlefield. Sanjaya spoke, “O King, Karna, the foremost of your warriors, moved through the field like a tempest unleashed by heaven itself. Unmindful of danger and unshaken by resistance, he charged against the Pandava armies. His mastery of arms shattered the fourfold divisions of the enemy. Some warriors fled in terror; some returned to fight only to retreat again; many perished beneath his relentless assault. The celestial hosts who observed the battle from the heavens marveled at his courage and skill. They watched with wonder as he seemed to challenge an entire army single-handedly, spreading fear and confusion throughout the ranks of the Pandavas.”
After extolling Karna’s splendor, Sanjaya’s voice grew heavy. “Yet, O King, a bull seized by a tiger cannot escape its destined end, for the tiger possesses greater strength. In the same manner, despite all his valor and immeasurable effort, Karna was overcome by Arjuna, whose mastery and divine support proved irresistible. Thus did Karna fall upon the battlefield at the hands of his great rival.”
As Sanjaya uttered these words, sorrow surged within him. He sighed deeply, for it seemed as though brilliant stars were falling from the heavens one after another. Yet the death of Karna was not the only calamity that had befallen the Kaurava cause. There remained another dreadful event that struck at the very heart of Dhritarashtra.
“Your beloved son Dussasana has also met his end,” Sanjaya continued. “Bhimasena, mighty as a raging storm and impossible to withstand, confronted him in battle. Dussasana, long blinded by arrogance and cruelty, had ignored the warnings of elders, kinsmen, and well-wishers. The insult he had inflicted upon Draupadi in the royal assembly had planted the seed of his destruction. Bhima, fulfilling the terrible vow he had sworn that day, overpowered him with immense strength, tore open his chest, and drank his blood before the assembled warriors. Thus was fulfilled the consequence of unrighteous deeds committed in pride and ignorance.”
Then Sanjaya spoke with unusual boldness. “O great King, your greed for undisputed sovereignty caused you to overlook the wicked conduct of your sons. Though relatives, counselors, and noble men repeatedly warned against their injustice toward the Pandavas, their words found no place in your heart. The path they pursued was contrary to righteousness, yet you permitted it. The sorrow and devastation that now consume the Kuru house have arisen from those very choices.”
The weight of these revelations struck Dhritarashtra like a thunderbolt. His heart trembled, and a fearful thought arose within him that Duryodhana too must have perished. Overwhelmed by grief and anxiety, his body failed him. He collapsed unconscious to the ground. Cries of alarm filled the chamber. Vidura, ever vigilant and compassionate, hastened to his side along with Sanjaya. They sprinkled cool water upon his face and gently fanned him until consciousness slowly returned.
After regaining his composure, Dhritarashtra spoke with a trembling voice. “Sanjaya, my mind was overcome by anxiety, and I could not fully grasp all that you reported. Tell me plainly—has Duryodhana fallen before the might of his enemies? Conceal nothing from me.”
Sanjaya replied, “O King, Karna and his brothers fought with unsurpassed courage and attained the warrior’s end. Bhimasena, son of Vayu, displayed terrible strength throughout the battle. Like a lion seizing its prey, he caught Dussasana, hurled him to the earth, tore open his chest, and fulfilled his dreadful vow. The sight was horrifying and filled the hearts of all who witnessed it with awe and revulsion.”
At these words Dhritarashtra could endure no more. His mind became fixed upon the dreadful image. “Sanjaya,” he said, “speak no further for a moment. My heart is shattered. Through my blindness of judgment and my indulgence toward Duryodhana, these calamities have come to pass. The sorrow that now consumes me tears apart my very life-breath. My sons are dead, my supporters are destroyed, and those whom I opposed flourish beneath the favor of destiny. Tell me, is there any escape from such grief? I am uncertain who remains alive and who has departed on both sides. Remove this confusion from my mind.”
Sanjaya answered respectfully, “From our side, Bhishma, Drona, Karna, Vikarna, Vrishasena, Dussasana, Lakshmana Kumara, and many other renowned warriors have fallen. Among the Pandavas’ allies, King Virata, Satanika, Drupada, Abhimanyu, Ghatotkacha, the Pandya king, and numerous distinguished heroes have likewise given their lives. The earth has been drenched with the blood of the noblest warriors of both armies.”
Dhritarashtra then asked, “Who remains alive among our forces?” Sanjaya replied, “Ashwatthama, Kripacharya, Kritavarma, Shalya, Shakuni, Duryodhana, several of your surviving sons, some of Karna’s descendants, and a handful of warriors from illustrious lineages still remain upon the field.”
He continued, “Duryodhana has declared that he will continue the struggle with those who survive and wrest victory from the Pandavas. Though surrounded by ruin, his courage remains unbroken. Like a live ember concealed beneath ashes, his determination still burns fiercely. Neither the death of his brothers nor the destruction of his allies has extinguished his resolve.”
These words brought a fleeting measure of comfort to Dhritarashtra. For a moment he dared to hope that Duryodhana might yet triumph and rule the earth beneath a single banner. Yet that hope was quickly overshadowed by fear. If mighty heroes such as Bhishma, Drona, and Karna had fallen, how could Duryodhana survive the relentless fury of Bhimasena and the victorious Pandavas?
His thoughts then turned once more to Karna. With tears flowing freely, he lamented, “Karna was like a rogue elephant among beasts, a lion among men, and a mighty bull among ordinary cattle. There was no measure to his valor, no limit to his generosity, and no equal to his steadfast loyalty. How could such a warrior, radiant with strength and glory, be cast down upon the battlefield? Even now my heart refuses to believe it.”
Thus did Dhritarashtra grieve, consumed by sorrow and disbelief. Seeing the king’s anguish, Sanjaya gathered his thoughts and prepared to recount, in precise and solemn detail, the final battle of Karna and the tragic circumstances that led to his fall beneath the arrows of Arjuna. The tale that followed was not merely the story of a warrior’s death, but the culmination of destiny, vows, curses, and choices that had shaped the fate of the Kuru dynasty from its very beginning.
