Chapter 144

“Vaisampayana said, ‘Upon the failure of Krishna’s solicitations (forpeace), and after he had started for the Pandavas from the Kurus, Kshatriapproached Pritha and said these words slowly in grief, ‘O mother ofliving children, thou knowest that my inclination is always for peace,and although I cry myself hoarse, yet Suyodhana doth not accept my words.King Yudhishthira, having the Chedis, the Panchalas, and the Kekayas,Bhima and Arjuna, Krishna, Yuyudhana, and the twins for his allies,stayeth yet at Upaplavya, and from affection for kinsmen, looketh up torighteousness only, like a weak man, though he is possessed of greatstrength. King Dhritarashtra here, though old in years, doth not effectpeace, and intoxicated with pride of children, treadeth a sinful path. Inconsequence of the wickedness of Jayadratha and Karna and Dussasana andSuvala’s son, intestine dissensions will break out. They that behaveunrighteously towards him that is righteous, verily that sin of theirssoon produceth its consequences. Who is there that will not be filledwith sorrow at the sight of the Kurus persecuting righteousness in thisway? When Kesava returneth without being able to bring about peace, thePandavas will certainly address themselves for battle. Thereupon, the sinof the Kurus will lead to a destruction of heroes. Reflecting on allthis, I do not get sleep by day or by night.’

“Hearing these words uttered by Vidura, who always wished her sons theaccomplishment of their objects, Kunti began to sigh heavily, afflictedwith grief, and began to think within herself, ‘Fie to wealth, for thesake of which this great slaughter of kinsmen is about to take place.Indeed, in this war, they that are friends will sustain defeat. What canbe a greater grief than this that the Pandavas, the Chedis, thePanchalas, and the Yadavas, assembled together, will fight with theBharatas? Verily, I behold demerit in war. (On the other hand) if we donot fight, poverty and humiliation would be ours. As regards the personthat is poor, even death is beneficial (to him). (On the other band) theextermination of one’s kinsmen is not victory. As I reflect on this, myheart swelleth with sorrow. The grandsire (Bhishma), the son of Santanu,the preceptor (Drona), who is the foremost of warriors, and Karna, havingembraced Duryodhana’s side, enhance my fears. The preceptor Drona, itseemeth to me, will never fight willingly against his pupils. As regardsthe Grandsire, why will he not show some affection for the Pandavas?There is only this sinful Karna then, of deluded understanding and everfollowing the deluded lead of the wicked Duryodhana, that hateth thePandavas. Obstinately pursuing that which injureth the Pandavas, thisKarna is, again, very powerful. It is this which burneth me at present.Proceeding to gratify him. I will today disclose the truth and seek todraw his heart towards the Pandavas. Pleased with me, while I was livingin the inner apartments of the palace of my father, Kuntibhoja, the holyDurvasa gave me a boon in the form of an invocation consisting ofmantras. Long reflecting with a trembling heart on the strength orweakness of those mantras and the power also of the Brahmana’s words, andin consequence also of my disposition as a woman, and my nature as a girlof unripe years, deliberating repeatedly and while guarded by aconfidential nurse and surrounded by my waiting-maids, and thinking alsoof how not to incur any reproach, how to maintain the honour of myfather, and how I myself might have an accession of good fortune withoutbeing guilty of any transgression, I, at last, remembered that Brahmanaand bowed to him, and having obtained that mantras from excess ofcuriosity and from folly, I summoned, during my maidenhood, the godSurya. He, therefore, who was held in my womb during my maidenhood,–whyshould he not obey my words that are certainly acceptable and beneficialto his brothers? And reflecting in this strain, Kunti formed an excellentresolution. And having formed that resolution, she went to the sacredstream called after Bhagiratha. And having reached the banks of Ganga,Pritha heard the chanting of the Vedic hymns by her son, endued withgreat kindness and firmly devoted to truth. And as Karna stood with facedirected to the east and arms upraised, then helpless Kunti, for the sakeof her interest stayed behind him, waiting the completion of prayers. Andthe lady of Vrishni’s race, that wife of Kuru’s house, afflicted by theheat of the sun began to look like a faded garland of lotuses. And, atlast, she stood in the shade afforded by the upper garments of Karna. AndKarna, of regulated vows, said his prayers until his back became heatedby the rays of the sun. Then turning behind, he behold Kunti and wasfilled with surprise. And saluting him in proper form and with joinedpalms that foremost of virtuous persons, endued with great energy andpride, viz., Vrisha, the son of Vikartana, bowed to her and said (thefollowing words).”‘