The tree was burnt to ashes after Takshaka bit it. However, Kashyapa was able to revive the tree with his medical powers. This unnerved Takshaka, who then appealed to the healer’s pride and greed. He offered Kashyapa gold and also warned him that the King was cursed by a wise sage (Rishi). Takshaka suggested that the healer’s skill might be weaker than the sage’s curse, leading to a loss of reputation. Kashyapa meditated, realized the King’s death was inevitable, accepted the gold, and turned back. Even though he accepted the gold, it was only after he realized that the curse of Rishi Shringi cannot be avoided and Parikshit’s death is inevitable.

The possibility of Kashyapa reviving the King Parikshit was resolved when Takshaka convinced him to turn back. Following this, the snake-brothers disguised themselves as learned Brahmins. They took juicy fruits as gifts to the King. Unknowingly, the King accepted these fruits. Takshaka was hiding as a worm inside one of the fruits, which the King unfortunately chose to eat.

Śukrāchārya provided a way in which Yayāti could avoid the curse. He could exchange his old age with another youth; and exchange it back after 1000 years. Yayāti’s youngest son agreed for the exchange. Thus, Yayāti enjoyed his youth for 1000 years.

A Mahārathi is a great warrior capable of facing and defeating at least ten thousand soldiers in battle. Yuyutsu—born to Dhritarashtra and a Vaishya woman—was a Mahārathi. Dushāsana was also a Mahārathi. Altogether, the Kauravas had eleven Mahārathis.

One by one, Aṣtaka, Pratardana, Vasumān and Śibi offered Yayāti the Devalokas that they were entitled, due to their Punya, Yajna and good conduct. Yayāti declined all their offers. He mentioned that only Brahmans can take the Punyas of others and not he as a Kshatriya. He also cannot take gifts from Kshatriyas who are equal to him; nor can he buy them at a token price.

The Kings insisted that they will gather Dattāpahara Dosham as Yayāti has declined their offers. This will lead them to Naraka loka and therefore Yayāti should accept their offer.

At the same time, five rathas (chariots) were coming down from heaven. Yayāti told the kings that the rathas have come to take the kings to heaven.

Arunan became the charioteer of Surya. He was the only one who could reduce the Tejas and heat of Surya. After the episode with Rahu Surya became angry. He felt that he picked Rahu as an impostor and this benefitted all the devatas. However, he was left to face the enmity of Rahu while the devatas did not help. He decided that he would increase his heat and cause distress. He started becoming very hot. When Vainateya and Arunan were flying to meet Rishi Kashyap they also felt the heat. The distressed devatas asked Brahma for a solution and Brahma said if Arunan stands in front of Surya, his heat would be reduced. Rishi Kashyap mentioned this to Vainateya and Arunan when they came to meet him. Vainteaya took Arunan to Surya and from then onwards Arunan became the charioteer of Surya. The heat of Surya was also reduced.

The Scale of the War
Akshohini is a unit of measure for a battle formation consisting of chariots, horses, elephants, and infantry. The smallest measure is one patti, which has 1 chariot, 1 elephant, 3 horses, and 5 infantry. 21,870 pattis make one Akshohini. Assuming 2 persons per chariot, one horse-rider, and one elephant-rider, each Akshohini has 240,570 men. The war was fought by approximately 43 lakh men.

Mādrī invoked Aśvinīkumāras. They blessed Mādrī with twins, Nakula and Sahadeva. Nakula means one who invokes dread among enemies. Sahadeva means one who is amicable with everyone.

It was at the insistence of Devayāni that Śukrāchārya revived Kacha after teaching him the Sanjeevani Vidya.

However, Kacha did not want to marry Devayāni as she is the daughter of his Guru. He also said that as he had come out of Śukrāchārya’s stomach, he too is his son and is therefore like a sister to Devayāni.

Devayāni cursed that Sanjeevani Vidya would not benefit Kacha. Kacha was unconcerned as his only purpose of learning was to give the Vidya to Devas who can use it.

Vaisampayana heard Mahabharata from Vyasa (1st). Ugrashravas heard the narration of Vaisampayana to Janamejaya (2nd). Saunaka and other Rishis heard it from Ugrashravas (3rd). This is the version that we hear and read.