Chapter 12

“Sanjaya said, ‘Yes, as I saw everything with my own eyes, I willdescribe to thee how Drona fell down, slain by the Pandavas and theSrinjayas. Having obtained the command of the troops, that mightycar-warrior, viz., Bharadwaja’s son, said these words unto thy son in themidst of all the troops, ‘Inasmuch as, O king, thou hast honoured me withthe command of the troops immediately after that bull among the Kauravas,viz., the son of the Ocean-going (Ganga), take thou, O Bharata, theadequate fruit of that act of thine. What business of thine shall I nowachieve? Ask thou the boon that thou desirest.’ Then king Duryodhanahaving consulted with Karna and Duhsasana and others, said unto thepreceptor, that invincible warrior and foremost of all victors, thesewords, ‘If thou wouldst give me a boon, then, seizing that foremost ofcar-warriors, viz., Yudhishthira, alive, bring him unto me here.’ Thenthat preceptor of the Kurus, hearing those words of thy son, returned himthe following answer, gladdening all the troops therewith, Praised beKunti’s son (Yudhishthira) whose seizing only thou desirest. O thou thatart difficult of being vanquished, thou askest not any other boon (onefor example) for his slaughter. For what reason, O tiger among men, dostthou not desire his death? Thou art, without doubt, O Duryodhana, notignorant of policy. Why, therefore, dost thou not allude to Yudhisthira’sdeath? It is a matter of great wonder that king Yudhisthira, the just,hath no enemy desirous of his death. Inasmuch as thou wishest him to bealive, thou (either) seekest to preserve thy race from extinction, or, Ochief of the Bharatas, thou, having vanquished the Pandavas in battle,art desirous of establishing brotherly relation (with them) by givingthem their kingdom. Auspicious was the birth of that intelligent prince.Truly is he called Ajatasatru (the foeless one), for even thou bearestaffection for him.’ Thus addressed by Drona, O Bharata, the feeling thatis ever present in thy son’s breast suddenly made itself known. Not evenpersons like Vrihaspati can conceal the expressions of their countenance.For this, thy son, O king, filled with joy, said these words, ‘By theslaughter of Kunti’s son in battle, O preceptor, victory cannot be mine.If Yudhishthira were slain, Partha then, without doubt, would slay all ofus. All of them, again, cannot be slain by the very gods. He amongst themthat will, in that case, survive, will exterminate us. Yudhishthira,however, is truthful in his promises. If brought hither (alive),vanquished once more at dice, the Pandavas will once more go to thewoods, for they are all obedient to Yudhishthira. It is evident that sucha victory will be an enduring one. It is for this that I do not, by anymeans, desire the slaughter of king Yudhishthira the just.’ Ascertainingthis crooked purpose of Duryodhana, Drona who was conversant with thetruths of the science of profit and gifted with great intelligence,reflected a little and gave him the boon circumscribing it in thefollowing way.’

“Drona said, ‘If the heroic Arjuna do not protect Yudhishthira in battle,thou mayst think the eldest Pandava as already brought under thy control.As regards Partha, the very gods and the Asuras together headed by Indra,cannot advance against him in battle. It is for this that I dare not dowhat thou askest me to do. Without doubt, Arjuna is disciple, and I washis first preceptor in arms. He is, however, young, endued with greatgood fortune, and excessively intent (on the achievement of hispurposes). He hath obtained, again, many weapons from Indra and Rudra. Hehath besides been provoked by thee. I dare not, therefore, do what thouaskest me. Let Arjuna be removed, by whatsoever means that can be done,from the battle. Upon Partha being withdrawn, thou mayst regard kingYudhishthira as already vanquished. Upon his seizure is victory and notupon his slaughter, O bull among men! Even by stratagem, can his seizurebe accomplished. Seizing that king devoted to truth and righteousness, Iwill, without doubt, O monarch, bring him to thy control this very day,if he stays before me in battle even for a moment, of course, ifDhananjaya, the son of Kunti, that tiger among men, be withdrawn from thefield. In Phalguni’s presence, however, O king, Yudhishthira is incapableof being taken in battle even by the gods and the Asuras headed by Indra.’

“Sanjaya continued, ‘After Drona had promised the king’s seizure evenunder these limitations, thy foolish sons regarded Yudhishthira asalready taken. Thy son (Duryodhana) knew Drona’s partiality for thePandavas. In order to make Drona stick to his promise, therefore, hedivulged those counsels. Then, O chastiser of foes, the fact of Drona’shaving promised to seize the (eldest) Pandava was proclaimed byDuryodhana unto all his troops.'”