WHEN Duryodhana beheld Karna's death, his grief knew no bounds. Kripacharya was deeply moved by Duryodhana's anguish of heart and said' "Moved by ambition and greed we placed too great a burden on friends.

They have uncomplainingly borne it and laid down their lives on the battlefield and attained the happy regions above. There is but one course left to you-to make peace with the Pandavas. Do not, O King, any longer continue this ruinous fight."

Even at that moment of deep despair, Duryodhana did not relish this counsel. "Perhaps, there was a time for that, but it is long past. What talk can there be of peace between the Pandavas and us with all this inexpiable blood between us-the blood of our dearest and theirs?