Bird's Epics of India

Battle Source

Below are sections of the stories that stood out to me. This section of the story was brutal. It was devastating to see so many people be cut down. I wish that they would have ended in peace. Somehow everyone ends up in heaven though. The test at the end was interesting it was good to see him prevail.

Abhimanyu
Karna at once withdrew, but Arjuna drove on, and as the sun shot forth its last ray of dazzling light, he dashed upon Jayadratha as a falcon swoops down upon its prey. Brief was the struggle, for before daylight faded utterly, Arjuna overthrew the slayer of his son and cut off his head. Bhima uttered a roar of triumph when he saw the head of Jayadratha held aloft, and the Kauravas sorrowed greatly because that their wicked design had been thwarted.
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That's determination. This is completely separate but we need relentless pursuit like Arjuna towards our goals. 


Ghatotkacha
In the darkness and confusion men slew their kinsmen, fathers cut down their sons, and brothers fought against brothers. 
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That's a sad scene to witness. We have to be helping to our fellow people.

Death of Drona
 But before he touched him the soul of the Kuru general had gone forth, and to the few who had vision it appeared for a moment as if the sky held two suns at once. But none parried the blow of Dhrishtadyumna. The uplifted sword fell and cut off Drona's head, which was at once raised from the ground by his supposed slayer and tossed like a ball into the midst of the Kuru hosts. For a moment it seemed as if the army would break and flee. Then darkness came on, and wearily and mournfully all departed to their quarters.
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Drona fell finally. This a was an extremely brutal battle. 

Bhima and Duhshasana 
No one ventured to approach, and Bhima cast down Duhsasana's body, cut off his head, and drank his blood as he had vowed to do. "Ho! Ho!" he cried, "never have I tasted a sweeter draught. "

Arjuna and Karna
Arjuna paused, but Krishna spake quickly, saying, "O Karna, thou speakest truly, but was it manly to shoot arrows at Arjuna whilst he engaged himself restringing his bow? Was it manly to scoff at Draupadi when she was put to shame before elders and princes in the gambling hall? Was it manly of thee and six warriors to surround Abhimanyu so as to murder him without compassion?"

When Arjuna heard his son's name, his heart burned with consuming wrath. Snatching from his quiver a crescent-bladed arrow, he drew his bow and shot it at Karna, whose head was immediately struck off.

So fell in that dread combat a brother by a brother's hand.

Duryodhana in the Lake

Said Duryodhana, "After the wrongs I have done the Pandavas, how can I ask or expect mercy at their hands? Let the war go on till the end comes."

Ashwatthaman Cursed

Draupadi was soothed somewhat, but she turned to Bhima and said, "If thou wilt not bring to me the head of Ashwatthaman, I will never again look upon thy face."

Then Arjuna went in pursuit of Ashwatthamann and found him, and returned with the jewel.

The Mongoose

Yet her sacrifice was made with such grace of sweet humility that, blessing her, he took it and gave it to his guest, and lo, that guest arose in dazzling radiance of divinity, and it was Dharma whom they had fed.