Chapter 241

“Yudhishthira said, ‘O child, why dost thou use language such as this,towards the frightened Kurus, who are now in adversity and who have cometo us, solicitous of protection! O Vrikodara, disunions and disputes dotake place amongst those that are connected in blood. Hostilities such asthese do go on. But the honour of the family is never suffered to beinterfered with. If any stranger seeketh to insult the honour of afamily, they that are good never tolerate such insult coming from thestranger. The wicked-souled king of the Gandharvas knoweth that we areliving here from some time. Yet disregarding us, he hath done this deedwhich is so disagreeable to us! O exalted one, from this forcible seizureof Duryodhana and from this insult to the ladies of our house by astranger, our family honour is being destroyed. Therefore, ye tigersamong men, arise and arm yourselves without delay for rescuing those thathave sought our protection and for guarding the honour of our family. Yetigers among men, let Arjuna and the twins and thyself also that artbrave and unvanquished, liberate Duryodhana, who is even now being takenaway a captive! Ye foremost of warriors, these blazing cars, furnishedwith golden flagstaff’s and every kind of weapons belonging toDhritarashtra’s sons, are ready here. With Indrasena and othercharioteers skilled in arms, for guiding them, ride ye on theseeverfurnished cars of deep rattle! And riding on these, exert ye withactivity for fighting with the Gandharvas to liberate Duryodhana. Even anordinary Kashatriya (amongst those that are here), would to the height ofhis power, protect one that hath come hither for refuge! What then, OVrikodara, shall I say of thee! Entreated for assistance in such words as’O hasten to my aid!’ Who is there (amongst those standing around me)that is high-souled enough to assist even his foe, beholding him seekingshelter with joined hands? The bestowal of a boon, sovereignty, and thebirth of a son are sources of great joy. But, ye sons of Pandu, theliberation of a foe from distress is equal to all the three put together!What can be a source of greater joy to you than that Duryodhana sunk indistress seeketh his very life as depending on the might of your arms? OVrikodara, if the vow in which I am engaged had been over, there islittle doubt that I would myself have run to his aid. Strive thou by allmeans, O Bharata, to liberate Duryodhana by the arts of conciliation. If,however, the king of the Gandharvas cannot be managed by the arts ofconciliation, then must thou try to rescue Suyodhana by lightlyskirmishing with the foe. But if the chief of the Gandharvas do not letthe Kurus off even then, they must be rescued by crushing the foe by allmeans. O Vrikodara, this is all I can tell thee now, for my vow hath beenbegun and is not ended yet!”

Vaisampayana continued, “Hearing these words of Ajatasatru, Dhananjayapledged himself, from respect for these commands of his superior, toliberate the Kauravas. And Arjuna said, ‘If the Gandharvas do not set theDhartarashtras free peacefully, the Earth shall this day drink the bloodof the king of the Gandharvas!’ And hearing that pledge of thetruth-speaking Arjuna, the Kauravas then, O king, regained (the lost)tenor of their minds.”