Aswasena, the serpent, enters Karna’s arrow to slay Arjuna, but Krishna presses the chariot down, saving Arjuna—only his crown is shattered. Arjuna kills the serpent, and the duel rages on: they grievously wound each other, Arjuna stripping Karna’s armour, Karna severing Arjuna’s bowstrings. Then fate strikes—Karna forgets the brahmastra and his chariot wheel sinks into the earth.