Chapter 20

“Vaisampayana said, ‘Then Drupada’s priest, having approached the Kauravachief, was honoured by Dhritarashtra as also by Bhishma and Vidura. Andhaving first told the news of the welfare of the Pandavas, he enquiredabout the welfare of the Kauravas. And he spoke the following words inthe midst of all the leaders of Duryodhana’s army, ‘The eternal duties ofkings are known to you all. But though known, I shall yet recite them asan introduction to what I am going to say. Both Dhritarashtra and Panduare known to be sons of the same father. There is no doubt that the shareof each to the paternal wealth should be equal. The sons of Dhritarashtraobtained the paternal wealth. Why did not the sons of Pandu at allreceive their paternal portion? Ye are aware how formerly the sons ofPandu did not receive their paternal property which was all usurped byDhritarashtra’s sons. The latter endeavoured in various ways to removethe sons of Pandu from their path by employment even of murderouscontrivances; but as their destined terms of life had not wholly run out,the sons of Pandu could not be sent to the abode of Yama. Then again,when those high-souled princes had carved out a kingdom by their ownstrength, the mean-minded sons of Dhritarashtra, aided by Suvala’s son,robbed them of it by deceit. This Dhritarashtra gave his sanction even tothat act as hath been usual with him. And for thirteen years they werethen sent to sojourn in the great wilderness. In the council-hall, theyhad also been subjected to indignities of various kinds, along with theirwife, valiant though they were. And great also were the sufferings thatthey had to endure in the woods. Those virtuous princes had also toendure unspeakable woes in the city of Virata,–such as are endured onlyby vicious men when their souls transmigrate into the forms of inferiorbeings, Ye best of Kuru’s race, overlooking all these injuries of yorethey desire nothing but a peaceful settlement with the Kurus! Rememberingtheir behaviour, and that of Duryodhana also, the latter’s friends shouldentreat him to consent to peace! The heroic sons of Pandu are not eagerfor war with the Kurus. They desire to get back their own share withoutinvolving the world in ruin. If Dhritarashtra’s son assigns a reason infavour of war, that can never be a proper reason. The sons of Pandu aremore powerful. Seven Akshauhinis of troops have been collected on behalfof Yudhishthira, all eager to fight with the Kurus, and they are nowawaiting his word of command. Others there are tigers among men, equal inmight to a thousand Akshauhinis, such as Satyaki and Bhimasena, and thetwin brothers of mighty strength. It is true that these eleven divisionsof troops are arrayed on one side, but these are balanced on the other bythe mighty-armed Dhananjaya of manifold form. And as Kiritin exceeds instrength even all these troops together, so also doth Vasudeva’s son ofgreat effulgence and powerful intellect. Who is there that would fight,in view of the magnitude of the opposing force, the valour of Arjuna, andthe wisdom of Krishna? Therefore, I ask you to give back what should begiven, as dictated by morality and compact. Do not let the opportunitypass!'”