Chapter 85

“Vaisampayana said, ‘Meanwhile, understanding from his spies that theslayer of Madhu had set out, Dhritarashtra, with his hair standing erect,respectfully addressing the mighty-armed Bhishma and Dorna and Sanjayaand the illustrious Vidura, said these words unto Duryodhana and hiscounsellors, ‘O scion of Kuru’s race, strange and wonderful is the newsthat we hear. Men, women and children, are talking of it. Others arespeaking of it respectfully, and others again assembled together. Withinhouses where men congregate and in open spots, people and discussing it.All say that Dasarha of great prowess will come hither for the sake ofPandavas. The slayer of Madhu is, by all means, deserving of honour andworship at our hands. He is the Lord of all creatures, and on him resteththe course of every thing in the universe. Indeed, intelligence andprowess and wisdom and energy, all reside in Madhava. Worthy of honour atthe hands of all righteous persons he is the foremost of all men, and is,indeed, eternal Virtue. If worshipped he is sure to bestow happiness; andif not worshipped fie is sure to inflict misery. If that smiter of foes,Dasarha be gratified with our offerings, all our wishes may be obtainedby us, through his grace, in the midst of the kings. O chastiser of foes,make without loss of time every arrangement for his reception. Letpavilions be set up on the road, furnished with every object ofenjoyment. O mighty-armed son of Gandhari, make such arrangements that hemay be gratified with thee. What doth Bhishma think in this matter?’ Atthis, Bhishma and others, all applauding those words of kingDhritarashtra, said,–‘Excellent.’ King Duryodhana then, understandingtheir wishes, ordered delightful sites to be chosen for the erection ofpavilions. Many pavilions were thereupon constructed abounding with gemsof every kind, at proper intervals and at delightful spots. And the kingsent thither handsome seats endued with excellent qualities, beautifulgirls, and scents and ornaments, and fine robes, and excellent viands,and drink of diverse qualities, and fragrant garlands of many kinds. Andthe king of the Kurus took especial care to erect, for the reception ofKrishna, a highly beautiful pavilion at Vrikasthala, full of preciousgems. And having made all these arrangements that were god-like and muchabove the capacity of human beings, king Duryodhana informedDhritarashtra of the same. Kesava, however, of Dasarha’s race, arrived atthe capital of the Kurus, without casting a single glance at all thosepavilions and all those gems of diverse kinds.'”