Chapter 248

“Kama continued, ‘O king, this conduct of thine to-day appeareth to bechildish. O hero, O slayer of foes, what is to be wondered at in thisthat the Pandavas liberated thee when thou wert vanquished by the foe? Oson of the Kuru race, those that reside in the territories of the king,especially those (amongst them) that lead the profession of arms, shouldalways do what is agreeable to the king whether they happen to be knownto their monarch or unknown to him. It happened often that foremost menwho crush the ranks of the hostile host, are vanquished by them, and arerescued by their own troops. They that leading the profession of arms,reside in the king’s realm should always combine and exert themselves tothe best of their power, for the king. If, therefore, O king, thePandavas, who live in the territories, have liberated thee, what is thereto be regretted at in this? That the Pandavas, O best of kings, did notfollow thee when thou didst march forth to battle at the head of thytroops, has been an improper act on their part. They had before this comeunder thy power, becoming thy slaves. They are, therefore, bound to aidthee now, being endued with courage and might and incapable of turningaway from the field of battle. Thou art enjoying all the rich possessionsof the Pandavas. Behold them yet alive, O king! They have not resolved todie, forgoing all food. Blest be thou! Rise up, O king! It behoveth theenot to indulge in great sorrow long. O king, it is the certain duty ofthose that reside in the king’s realm to do what is agreeable to theking. Where should the regret be in all this? If thou, O king, dost notact according to my words I shall stay here employed in reverentiallyserving thy feet. O bull among men, I do not desire to live deprived ofthy company. O king, if thou resolvest to slay thyself by forgoing food,thou wilt simply be an object of laughter with other kings.”

Vaisampayana continued, “Thus addressed by Karna, king Duryodhana, firmlyresolved to leave the world, desired not to rise from where he sat.”