The battlefield.

Bhishma is lying in the air upon a bed of arrows. His whole body is pierced.

Around him are the Pandavas and the Kauravas, and soldiers from both the

armies.

Bhishma My head is hanging loose. Can someone make me a pillow fit for a warrior?

Arjuna comes forward and shoots three arrows at the ground, and makes a

support for Bhishma.

Bhishma Thank you Arjuna. I am also very thirsty, can you find me water?

Arjuna shoots an arrow into the ground and water come out, Arjuna gives

Bhishma to drink

Bhishma Arjuna, you are indeed the best of all the warriors, and with Krishna, no one can succeed in defeating you. Duryodhana is a fool, and his heart is thick. So many advices were given to him, and yet nothing made him move from his ideas. It is certain that he will find himself slowly bleeding to death in this battlefield.

Duryodhana hears these words, and leaves without saying anything.

Bhishma I will not die yet; it is not a pleasant time for death. To this earth I will remain attached, until the Sun will pass over to the north, and then, this miserable world, I shall leave behind.

The Pandavas bow down toward Bhishma, and leave. The rest of the

Soldiers do the same. Bhishma remains alone.

Night falls.

Karna slowly approaches Bhishma.

Karna Bhishma?

Bhishma Who is there?

Karna It is me, the son of the charioteer, the one you hated so much.

Bhishma Karna!

Karna approaches Bhishma and kneels besides him, and he, with his free arm,

embraces Karna.

Bhishma It’s good that you came, Karna. I do not hate you. I spoke harshly against you just to try and restrain you a little.

Karna looks at Bhishma with tears in his eyes.

Bhishma Karna, you are not the son of a charioteer. Narada and Vyasa told me this — you are the son of Kunti! The Pandavas are your brothers. You have been neglected in your birth and because of that you came to be in such a dejected state. Go, unite with your brothers, and put an end to this terrible war.

Karna I know for some time now that I am really the son of Kunti… But too much time and too many things have bound me strongly to Duryodhana. I am, like, forced to fight in this horrible battle. Krishna is willing to give up everything for the Pandavas, and so am I willing to sacrifice my life, my family and all I have for Duryodhana’s sake.

Bhishma Destiny has already made his decision. I saw the terrible omens before the war, I knew this will happen.

Karna To die for disease is not for us Kshatriyas. I will battle the Pandavas, I will go against Arjuna. Give me your permission Bhishma, give me your permissions to fight! And forgive me — for all the harsh things I said to you…

Bhishma You are a true Kshatriya. Go, fight! Serve your sovereign with duty and sacrifice, without anger or vindictiveness. Just fight, do your duty. There is no greater source of happiness for a Kshatriya than a righteous battle.

Karna and Bhishma embrace again.

And then Karna gets up, bows to Bhishma, and leaves him alone.