This part starts right in the middle of the battle. Arjuna, Krishna, and Yudhisthira are discussing how on the following day, Bhishma is destined to die. Using Shikhandin (was born a woman but transformed into a man), Arjuna manages to kill Bhishma. Although Arjuna knew he has to kill Bhishma, it left him quite sad and upset. On his death bed, Bhishma bids that the Pandavas and Kauravas become friends, however seeing Bhishma dying makes Duryodhana even angrier. After another battle scene, we see Duryodhan wounded and leaving the battle. Next, we see a battle scene between Abhimanyu and Jayadratha (who wanted to kill Yudhisthira). Although he tried his best, Abhimanyu ends up dead in the wake of battle. Arjuna then venges to seek revenge from Jayadratha for killing his son and decapitates him for it. Throughout the battle, during nightfall, there is much confusion and many times kin kill their own in the dark. Ghatokacha, the rakshasa son of Bhima, was able to slay many in the night, but Karna used the dart given by Indra (in part C) to kill him in one stroke.
We then see Bhima tricking Drona to thinking his father had died, but actually, it was an elephant by the same name. Bhima was able to lure Drona and cut his head off, killing him. Then there is a wage of combat between Arjuna and Karna, each taking swings at each other and finally, Arjuna hits Karna, killing him. Now that all the powerful warrior of the Kauravas has been slain, it was time for them to retreat. But Duryodhana went back for one final battle, during with Bhima struck him in the knee, sharting his bone and therefore seaking revenge for Draupadi.
(Scenes depicts that chaos that was happening during the battles of the Mahabharata; image provided Wikimedia)
Ashwatthaman then visited Duryodhana as he was dying, and Duryodhana gives him permission to rade the Pandava camp during the night. After the battle in which Draupadi's sons get killed, Duryodhan blesses Ashwatthaman and dies a happy death. Once the battle was over, Kunti met her five sons again and Draupadi. The bodies of the princes and rajah were taken to a funeral pyre and burned. Yudhishthira was proclaimed the rajah of Hastinapura. The brothers then went to visit Bhishma, who was still lying on the battlefield awaiting his death by the sun. Krishna was able to give freedom to Bhishma's body so his soul could exist in peace.
Then we see Krishna revive the son of Uttara (wife of the dead Abhimanyu) and the child was the sole survivor of the Pandu race. Then we learn about a special horse that needed to be cared for by the rajah, so Arjuna was sent to follow it and take care of it. He fought much battle and turmoil to keep the horse alive and well. But in part of this journey, Arjuna dies. However, Ulupi uses the crown jewel of the naags to bring his to life again and heal his wounds. So the horse wandered again from kingdom to kingdom until its return to Hastinapura. Arjuna finally returns with the sacred horse to Yudhishthira and the Ashwamedha ceremony is performed. There was much fanfare around this tradition, with singing and dancing. After the horse is revolved to be pure, Bhima severed his head and the head ascended up to heaven and vanished. The animal was pure so Vishnu accepts the sacrifice of the gods. However, as the wealth was distributed, a mongoose appeared and told the story of what an actual sacrifice was. He told how a poor family once gave up all their food to feed a stranger, who ended up being the Dharma. That was the ultimate sacrifice.
The brothers and Draupadi lived in years of prosperity after this. One day they visited the dwelling of their elders as they waited for the death of Vidura. After his death, they went to bathe in the Ganga but suddenly the water rose and all the slain heroes emerged. They say Bhishma, Drona, Abhimanyu, Karna, and many more. It was a night of celebration as old family members were reunited with their kin. However, when dawn broke, the ghosts retreated to the water again. The Pandavas returned to Hastinapura and after two years, they were informed that a fire in the forest has killed Dhritarashtra, Gandhari, and Kunti. This started a thrill of horror nights in which bad omens and evil spirits would haunt the people. Krishna bid them to perform rituals to relieve this stress. After such turmoils and the death of Krishna's father, the Pandavas were informed that it was time for them to depart the world. Then after dividing the kingdoms and removing their royal attire, they fell one by one. Yudhishthira was the last to go and he wished to join Draupadi and his brother so he bid to Swarga. There lived Krishna, Draupadi, and the other brothers in the holy afterlife. THE END.
Bibliography: Mahabharata Public Domain Edition
Authors: Arnold, Besant, Devee, Dutt, Ganguli, Kincaid, Macfie, Mackenzie, Nivedita, Seeger, and Tagore.
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