Chapter 39

“Vaisampayana said,–Beholding that vast assembly of kings agitated withwrath, even like the terrific sea agitated by the winds that blow at thetime of the universal dissolution, Yudhishthira addressing the agedBhishma, that chief of intelligent men and the grandsire of the Kurus,even like Puruhita (Indra) that slayer of foes, of abundant energyaddressing Vrihaspati, said,–‘This vast ocean of kings, hath beenagitated by wrath.

Tell me, O Grandsire, what I should do in view ofthis. O Grandsire, now what I should do that my sacrifice may not beobstructed and my subjects may not be injured.’

“When king Yudhishthira the just, conversant with morality, said this,Bhishma the grandsire of the Kurus, spoke these words in reply,–‘Fearnot, O tiger of the Kurus. Can the dog slay the lion? I have before thisfound out a way that is both beneficial and comfortable to practise. Asdogs in a pack approaching the lion that is asleep bark together, so areall these lords of earth. Indeed, O child, like dogs before the lion,these (monarchs) are barking in rage before the sleeping lion of theVrishni race. Achyuta now is like a lion that is asleep. Until he wakethup, this chief of the Chedis–this lion among men–maketh these monarchslook like lions. O child, O thou foremost of all monarchs, this Sisupalapossessed of little intelligence is desirous of taking along with him allthese kings, through the agency of him who is the soul of the universe,to the regions of Yama. Assuredly, O Bharata Vishnu hath been desirous oftaking back unto himself the energy that existeth in this Sisupala. OChief of all intelligent men, O son of Kunti, the intelligence of thiswicked-minded king of the Chedis, as also of all these monarchs, hathbecome perverse. Indeed, the intelligence of all those whom this tigeramong men desireth to take unto himself, becometh perverse even like thatof this king of the Chedis. O Yudhishthira, Madhava is the progenitor asalso the destroyer of all created beings of the four species, (oviparous,etc.,) existing in the three worlds.'”

“Vaisampayana continued–Then the ruler of Chedis, having heard thesewords of Bhishma, addressed the latter, O Bharata, in words that werestern and rough.”