After his astra failed and Duryodhana pleas failed on him, Ashvatthama went to the forest for meditation and solace, saddened by his father's death. Their Vyasa met him, He prostrated himself at his feet and asked how could his astras fail? Vyasa said that Krishna and Arjuna were Narayana and Nara and no astra or power could be above them. It was futile to carry on a war against them. Drona's was in heaven with the rishis, therefore, Ashvatthama had no reason to be perturbed or to feel sorry.

Ashvatthama came back to the Kauravas's camp. Duryodhana immediately confronted him. Duryodhana said, Now our revered guru has fallen, who should be chosen as the commander of the Kauravas army in his place. Ashvatthama was wise. He said, 'the commander should be brave, loyal capable and efficient. Though many warriors assembled here fulfill there conditions, yet I feel there is no one who would resent if Karna is given this honour. Duryodhana liked this suggestion of the son of his guru. Very much and he agreed to appoint Karna as the commander of the Kauravas army Karna was formally anointed as the commander of the Kauravas army and he was given the traditional coronation-bath. Sixteenth day of the war dawned.

Karna took a decision to restore the practices of Bhishma to conduct the war according to the rules of righteousness. Night fighting was stopped. Karna arranged his army in Makara vyuha.

Looking at the formation of the Kauravas army, Yudhisthira noted their vyuha and the shining chariot of Karna. Arjuna chose the crescent formation. Now both the armies were reduced much in size and were only a fraction of what they were a fortnight ago. Yudhisthira said to Arjuna that just by killing Karna they could easily win the war. Arjuna agreed with him. Fight was more like that of the first day. The fighting under Karna had become more dignified and in accordance with the principles of dharma yuddha.

Bhima and Asvatthama fought. Satyaki met Vinda and Anyvinda. (These were Kekaya brothers not Avanti brothers of the same name killed on the fourteenth day by Arjuna.) Duryodhana and Yudhisthira fought. Kripa faught with Shikhandi and Kritvarma with Dhirstadhyumna. Satyaki killed Vinda and Bhima defeated Anuvinda Ashvatthama. Sahdeva defeated Dussasan.

One important fight was between Karna and Nakula. Karna was challenged by Nakula. Nakula said that he meant to kill Karna as he was a thorn in the Pandavas army flesh. But Karna was smiling at his remarks. He said that in the battlefield arrows speak better. Therefore without wasting his breath, he better start the attack. Infuriated Nakula, made an all out no match to his skill. After sometime, his bow was cut to pieces, his chariot destroyed all arma repulsed and he was at Karna's mercy. Karna caught him by his bow and said, So, there in your boasting. Do not try to fight with your superiors. Feel no shame in the defeat at my havels. Some day you shall be proud of this fight. Saying this Karna let him off his bow. Nakula went straight to Yuhdisthira and narrated the humiliation heaped on him by Karna. But he could not notice the smile of Krishna.

THE LAST NIGHT OF KARNA

Duryodhana was quite disappointed by the performance of Karna as the commander of his army. He failed to kill Arjuna or any of the Pandavas. But in contrast to his earlier commander Bhishma and Drona he did not speak harshly to Karna. He knew that Karna disappointment in his failure to kill Arjuna was equally acute. Karna said that Arjuna was certainly a very skilled warrior and clever tactician. But his charioteer Krishna was a bigger obstacle in the killing of Arjuna. He said, But do not worry my friend. Tomorrow your Arjuna will be facing me. I shall achieve what I want tomorrow. They were together for a long time. Karna knew that it was to be his last night.

Karna said, "Duryodhana, tommorrow I intend to kill Arjuna or I will die at his hands. I will tell you the position as it is today. I am far superior to Arjuna in archery. I have superiority in grace and power. We both have and are experts in the use of divine astras. My bow vijaya is superior to Arjuna's Gandiva. Vishvakarma made it for Indra. Indra gave it to my guru Parashurama, who in his grace gave it to me. Tomorrow I intend to place the entire kingdom of the world at your feet. I would repay the debt of your kindness and friendship. But let me tell you the strength of Arjuna. His bow is divine and his quiver inexhaustible. His chariot is also divine. Lord Hanumana, himself is on the banner. Krishna, the lord of the universe, is his charioteer. In these Arjuna has edge over me. The only person on earth, who can match the skills of Krishna as a chariot of even Surpas, is Salya. If I can have him as my charioteer, I can hope to win in my fight with Arjuna. It is not easy to make Salya become my charioteer. Only your persuasive skills can achieve this task."

Duryodhana smiled and embraced Karna with affection. It was the last night they were together. Duryodhana did not know but Karna knew. Duryodhana said, "I shall get Salya to agree to become your charioteer tomorrow." Karna embraced Duryodhana once more and left.

Karna tried to sleep but could not succeed. He knew that no amount of his skill in archery nor any amount of Salya's skill in charioteering would change the destiny. He knew that he would die and so would Duryodhana and Yudhisthira would rule the world. He welcomed the idea of death. It would be such a long deserved rest. The night was passing its silent course. Karna laid awake haunted by many memories of the past.