Bibek Debroy is an economist and is Research Professor (Centre for Policy Research) and a columnist with Economic Times. He has worked in universities, research institutes, industry and for the government. He has published books, papers and popular articles in economics. But he has also published in Indology and translated (into English) the Vedas, the Puranas, the Upanishads and the Gita (Penguin India, 2005). His book Sarama and Her Children: The Dog in Indian Myth (Penguin India, 2008) splices his interest in Hinduism with his love for dogs.

It is the aftermath of the war in Volume 8. Ashvatthama kills all the remaining Pandavas-with the exception of the five Pandava brothers-and Panchalas. The funeral ceremonies for the dead warriors are performed. Bhishma's teachings in the Shanti Parva, after Yudhishthira is crowned, is about duties to be followed under different circumstances.