ORIENTAL SERIES.

DUR-YODHANAD WIJARSHIS.
him on the head and triumphed over him. Left wounded and
alone on the field, he was visited by Aswatthaman,
101
son of
Drowa, and two other warriors, the only survivors of his army.
He thirsted for revenge, and directed them to slay all the Paw-
davas, and especially to bring him the head of Bhlma. These
men entered the camp of the enemy, and killed the five youthful
sons of the Pawdavas. The version of the Maha-bharata used
by Wheeler adds that these warriors brought
the heads of the
five youths to Dur-yodhana, representing them to be the heads
of the five brothers. Dur-yodhana was unable in the twilight
to distinguish the features, but he exulted greatly, and desired
that Bhnna's head might be placed in his hands. With dying
energy he pressed it with all his might, and when he found
that it crushed, he know that it was not the head of Bhima.
Having discovered the deception that had been played upor
him, with a redeeming touch of humanity he reproached Aswatthaman
for his horrid duod in slaying the harmless youths,
saying, with his last "
breath, My enmity was against the
Pa/tt