Book Eight:  Karna

After Drona's death, Karna is appointed the Commander in Chief of the 
Kaurava Army.  Shalya agrees to become Karna's charioteer.  Karna 
fights with each of the four Pandavas aside from Arjun.  Each time he 
remembers the promise he made to Kunti and spares their lives.  He 
awaits his battle with Arjun.  

Meanwhile Bhim meets Dushasan on the battlefield.  As he had vowed 
before, he defeats him and rips open his chest to drink his blood.  
Draupadi finally gets her revenge and washes her hair in Dushasan's 
blood.

Watching Dushasan's death, Karna feels great fear, but he ventures on 
towards his battle with Arjun.    Both warriors fight well.  In one 
moment of weakness, Karna's chariot wheel sinks into the soft ground.  
Karna jumps out and tries to push the wheel out.  Arjun does not give 
him time.  He keeps pursuing him with his arrows.  Karna cries out that 
what he is doing in against the rules of the war.  Arjun reminds him 
that they did not follow the rules when they killed his son by ganging 
up on him.  Arjun shoots one last arrow and cuts off Karna's head.  




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