Chapter 206

“Vaisampayana said, ‘After Bhishma had concluded, Drona spoke, saying, ‘Oking Dhritarashtra, it hath been heard by us that friends summoned forconsultation should always speak what is right, true, and conductive tofame.

O sire, I am of the same mind in this matter with the illustriousBhishma. Let a share of the kingdom be given unto the Pandavas. This iseternal virtue. Send, O Bharata, unto Drupada without loss of time somemessenger of agreeable speech, carrying with him a large treasure for thePandavas. And let the man go unto Drupada carrying costly presents forboth the bridegrooms and the bride, and let him speak unto that monarchof thy increase of power and dignity arising from this new alliance withhim. And, O monarch, let the man know also that both thyself andDuryodhana have become exceedingly glad in consequence of what hathhappened. Let him say this repeatedly unto Drupada and Dhrishtadyumna.And let him speak also about the alliance as having been exceedinglyproper, and agreeable unto thee, and of thyself being worthy of it. Andlet the man repeatedly propitiate the sons of Kunti and those of Madri(in proper words). And at thy command, O king, let plenty of ornaments ofpure gold be given unto Draupadi. And let, O bull of Bharata’s race,proper presents be given unto all the sons of Drupada. Let the messengerthen propose the return of the Pandavas to Hastinapura. After the heroeswill have been permitted (by Drupada), to come hither, let Duhsasana andVikarna go out with a handsome train to receive them. And when they willhave arrived at Hastinapura, let those foremost of men be received withaffection by thee. And let them then be installed on their paternalthrone, agreeably to the wishes of the people of the realm. This, Omonarch of Bharata’s race, is what I think should be thy behaviourtowards the Pandavas who are to thee even as thy own sons.’

“Vaisampayana continued, ‘After Drona had ceased, Karna spake again,’Both Bhishma and Drona have been pampered with wealth that is thine andfavours conferred by thee! They are also always regarded by thee as thytrusted friends! What can therefore be more amusing than that they bothshould give thee advice which is not for thy good? How can the wiseapprove that advice which is pronounced good by a person speaking withwicked intent but taking care to conceal the wickedness of his heart?Indeed, in a season of distress, friends can neither benefit nor injure.Every one’s happiness or the reverse dependeth on destiny. He that iswise and he that is foolish, he that is young (in years) and he that isold, he that hath allies and he that hath none, all become, it is seeneverywhere, happy or unhappy at times. It hath been heard by us thatthere was, of old, a king by name Amvuvicha. Having his capital atRajagriha, he was the king of all the Magadha chiefs. He never attendedto his affairs. All his exertion consisted in inhaling the air. All hisaffairs were in the hands of his minister. And his minister, namedMahakarni, became the supreme authority in the state. Regarding himselfall powerful, he began to disregard the king. And the wretch himselfappropriated everything belonging unto the king, his queens and treasuresand sovereignty. But the possession of all these, instead of satisfyinghis avarice, only served to inflame him the more. Having appropriatedeverything belonging to the king, he even coveted the throne. But it hathbeen heard by us that with all his best endeavours he succeeded not inacquiring the kingdom of the monarch, his master, even though the latterwas inattentive to business and content with only breathing the air. Whatelse can be said, O king, than that monarch’s sovereignty was dependenton destiny? If, therefore, O king, this kingdom be established in thee bydestiny, it will certainly continue in thee, even if the whole world wereto become thy enemy! If, however, destiny hath ordained otherwise,howsoever mayest thou strive, it will not last in thee! O learned one,remembering all this, judge of the honesty or otherwise of thy advisers.Ascertain also who amongst them are wicked and who have spoken wisely andwell.’

“Vaisampayana continued, ‘Hearing these words of Karna, Drona replied,’As thou art wicked it is evident thou sayest so in consequence of thewickedness of thy intent. It is for injuring the Pandavas that thoufindest fault with us. But know, O Karna, what I have said is for thegood of all and the prosperity of the Kuru race. If thou regardest allthis as productive of evil, declare thyself what is for our good. If thegood advice I have given be not followed, I think the Kurus will beexterminated in no time.'”