by Vaughan Pilikian (Translator)
After Bhishma is cut down at the end of the previous book of the Maha-bh rata, the book which bears his name, Dury dhana selects Drona as leader of his forces. Drona accepts the honor with Bhishma's blessing, despite his ongoing personal conflicts as mentor to both the P ndava and K urava heroes in their youth. The fighting rages on, with heavy losses on both sides. Furious and frustrated, Dury dhana accuses Drona of collaborating with the enemy, but he replies that as long as rjuna is on the field, the P ndavas will remain invincible. When rjuna is finally diverted from the main action of the battle, Yudhi-shthira entrusts rjuna's son Abhim nyu with the task of making a breach in the K urava formation. Abhim nyu rampages through Drona's army, but at last is cornered by several K urava warriors and finally killed by Jayad-ratha.
Co-published by New York University Press and the JJC Foundation
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