Chapter 139
“Vaisampayana said, ‘Thus addressed by them, Duryodhana, contracting thespace between his eye-brows, became cheerless, and with face bent downbegan to cast oblique glances. And he said not a word in reply. Beholdinghim cheerless, those bulls among men, Bhishma and Drona, looking at eachother, once more addressed him, and said (these words).’
“Bhishma said, ‘What can be a matter of greater grief to us than that weshall have to light against that Yudhishthira who is devoted to theservice of his superiors, destitute of envy, conversant with Brahma, andtruthful in speech.’
“Drona said, ‘My affection for Dhananjaya is greater than that which Ibear for my son Aswatthaman. There is greater reverence also and humility(towards me) in that Ape-bannered hero (than in Aswatthaman). Alas, inobservance of the Kshatriya duties, I shall have to light even againstthat Dhananjaya who is dearer to me than my son. Fie on the Kshatriyaprofession. That Vibhatsu who hath no other bowman in the world as hisequal, hath, through my grace, acquired this superiority over all bowmen.He that hateth his friends, he that is of wicked disposition, he thatdenieth Godhead, he that is crooked and deceitful, never obtaineth theworship of the righteous, like an ignorant person present at a sacrifice.Though dissuaded from sin, a sinful man would still wish to commit sinfulacts; while he that is righteous, though tempted by sin, would not yetabandon righteousness. Though thou hast conducted thyself with falsehoodand deceit towards them, the Pandavas are still desirous of doing what isagreeable to thee. As regards thyself, O thou best of the Bharatas, allthy faults are calculated to bring about disasters on thee. Thou hastbeen addressed by the eldest of the Kurus, by me, by Vidura, and byVasudeva. Thou dost not yet understand what is beneficial for thyself. Ihave a large force,–with this conviction thou desirest to pierce thePandava host, abounding with heroes, like the current of the Gangapiercing the ocean abounding with sharks and alligators and makaras.Having obtained Yudhishthira’s prosperity like the cast off robes orgarlands of another, thou regardest it as thy own. If the son of Prithaand Pandu stayeth even in the woods with Draupadi, and surrounded by hisarmed brothers, who is there, even in the possession of a kingdom, thatis competent to vanquish him? In the presence of even that Ailavila(Kuvera) under whose command all the Yakshas live as servants,Yudhishthira the Just, shone with splendour. Having proceeded to Kuvera’sabode and having procured wealth therefrom, the Pandavas are now desirousof attacking thy swelling kingdom and winning sovereignty for themselves.(As regards us two), we have made gifts, poured libations on fire,studied (the scriptures), and gratified the Brahmanas by presents ofwealth. The (allotted) periods of our life have also run out. Know thatour work has been done. (As regards thyself however), giving uphappiness, kingdom, friends, and wealth, great will be thy calamity ifthou seekest war with the Pandavas. How canst thou vanquish the son ofPandu, when Draupadi who is truthful in speech and devoted to rigid vowsand austerities, prayeth for his success? How wilt thou vanquish that sonof Pandu who hath Janardana. for his counsellor, and who hath for abrother that Dhananjaya who is the foremost of wielders of weapons? Howwilt thou vanquish that son of Pandu, of severe austerities, who hath forhis allies so many Brahmanas, endued with intelligence and mastery overtheir senses? In accordance with what a prosperity-wishing friend shoulddo when he sees his friends sinking in an ocean of distress, I again tellthee, there is no necessity for war. Make peace with those heroes for thesake of prosperity to the Kurus. Do not court defeat, with thy sons,counsellors, and the army!'”
