By and by the renowned heroes fighting for the Kauravas fell one after another. Even the great Bhishma and the mighty Karna were no exception. Prince Duryodhana, whose arrogance was at the root of this conflict, was mortally injured by Arjuna and lay in a jungle waiting for death. Bhima tore out the heart of Duhshasana, the lustful brother of Duryodhana who had humiliated Draupadi.
As soon as the war ended with the Pandavas emerging victorious, Krishna led the Pandavas to Dhritarashtra's palace.
As soon as Arjuna and Krishna got off the chariot, to Arjuna's great surprise, the chariot went up in flames.
"What is this?" asked an anxious Arjuna, wondering how to save the majestic vehicle from destruction.
"Has not it played its role efficiently, Arjuna? The fi re had already entered the chariot. It could not burst forth because I was in it. The chariot's disappearance indicates that the war is over!" explained Krishna, smiling.
Yudhisthira shied away from the old king and his queen, Gandhari. Nor were the other Pandavas in the right mood to face the unfortunate couple. But Krishna spoke to the king and the queen on behalf of them. In many kind words he assured them that the Pandavas would treat them as their own parents and never show any disrespect to them. He reminded Gandhari of what she used to tell Duryodhana whenever the latter sought her blessings. "Let victory come to the just!" were her words. She should not forget that her own sons were unkind and unjust. However, they died courageously fighting in the battlefield. Thereby they had earned much merit.
The blind Dhritarashtra expressed a desire to embrace Bhima and threw open his arms. Had Krishna not stopped Bhima, he would have obliged the old man. While checking Bhima from advancing towards the king, Krishna pushed a life-size iron idol into his open arms.
