Chapter 208

“Vaisampayana said, ‘Hearing these various speeches, Dhritarashtra said,The learned Bhishma, the son of Santanu, and the illustrious Rishi Drona,and thyself also (O Vidura), have said the truth and what also is mostbeneficial to me. Indeed, as those mighty car-warriors, the heroic sonsof Kunti.

are the children of Pandu, so are they, without doubt, mychildren according to the ordinance. And as my sons are entitled to thiskingdom, so are the sons of Pandu certainly entitled to it. Therefore,hasten to bring hither the Pandavas along with their mother, treatingthem with affectionate consideration. O thou of Bharata’s race, bringalso Krishna of celestial beauty along with them. From sheer good fortunethe sons of Pritha are alive; and from good fortune alone those mightycar-warriors have obtained the daughter of Drupada. It is from goodfortune alone that our strength hath increased, and it is from goodfortune alone that Purochana hath perished. O thou of great splendour, itis from good fortune that my great grief hath been killed!’

“Vaisampayana continued, ‘Then Vidura, at the command of Dhritarashtra,repaired, O Bharata, unto Yajnasena and the Pandavas. And he repairedthither carrying with him numerous jewels and various kinds of wealth forDraupadi and the Pandavas and Yajnasena also. Arrived at Drupada’s abode,Vidura conversant with every rule of morality and deep in every science,properly accosted the monarch and waited upon him. Drupada receivedVidura in proper form and they both enquired after each other’s welfare.Vidura then saw there the Pandavas and Vasudeva. As soon as he saw themhe embraced them from affection and enquired after their well being. ThePandavas also along with Vasudeva, in due order, worshipped Vidura ofimmeasurable intelligence. But Vidura, O king, in the name ofDhritarashtra repeatedly enquired with great affection after theirwelfare. He then gave, O monarch, unto the Pandavas and Kunti andDraupadi, and unto Drupada and Drupada’s sons, the gems and various kindsof wealth that the Kauravas had sent through him. Possessed ofimmeasurable intelligence, the modest Vidura then, in the presence of thePandavas and Keshava, addressed the well-behaved Drupada thus:

“With thy ministers and sons, O monarch, listen to what I say. KingDhritarashtra, with ministers, sons, and friends, hath with a joyousheart, O king, repeatedly enquired after thy welfare. And, O monarch, hehath been highly pleased with this alliance with thee. So also, O king,Bhishma of great wisdom, the son of Santanu, with all the Kurus, enquiredafter thy welfare in every respect. Drona also of great wisdom the son ofBharadwaja and thy dear friend, embracing thee mentally, enquired of thyhappiness. And, O king of Panchalas, Dhritarashtra and all the Kurus, inconsequence of this alliance with thee regard themselves supremely blest.O Yajnasena, the establishment of this alliance with thee hath made themhappier than if they had acquired a new kingdom. Knowing all this, Omonarch, permit the Pandavas to re-visit their ancestral kingdom. TheKurus are exceedingly eager to behold the sons of Pandu. These bullsamong men have been long absent (from their kingdom). They as well asPritha must be very eager to behold their city. And all the Kuru ladiesand the citizens and our subjects are eagerly waiting to behold Krishnathe Panchala Princess. This, therefore, is my opinion, O monarch, thatthou shouldst, without delay, permit the Pandavas to go thither withtheir wife. And after the illustrious Pandavas, O king, will havereceived thy permission to go thither, I shall send information untoDhritarashtra by quick messengers. Then, O king, will the Pandavas setout with Kunti and Krishna.'”