A long discussion ensues between the siblings, establishing criteria like proportionality (chariots cannot attack cavalry, only other chariots no attacking people in distress), just means (no poisoned or barbed arrows), just cause (no attacking out of rage), and fair treatment of captives and the wounded.
In the story, one of five brothers asks if the suffering caused by war can ever be justified. The reunion The Mahābhārata mentions that Karna, the Pandavas, Draupadi and Dhritarashtra's sons eventually ascended to and 'attained the state of the ' and banded together - 'serene and free from anger.' Themes Just war The Mahābhārata offers one of the first instances of theorizing about, ', illustrating many of the standards that would be debated later across the world.
It is at this sacrifice that the tale of his ancestors is narrated to him.