Chapter 147

“Vaisampayana said, ‘Coming back to Upaplavya from Hastinapura, thatchastiser of foes, Kesava, represented unto the Pandavas all that hadhappened, and conferring with them for a long space of time, and holdingrepeated consultations, Sauri went to his own quarters for rest. Anddismissing all the kings, with Virata and others at their heads, the fivebrothers–the Pandavas–when the sun had set, said their evening prayers.And with hearts ever fixed on Krishna they began to think of him. And, atlast, bringing Krishna of Dasarha’s race into their midst, they began todeliberate again about what they should do. And Yudhishthira said, ‘Othou of eyes like lotus-petals, it behoveth thee to tell us all that thousaidst unto Dhritarashtra’s son in the assembly (of the Kurus), havinggone to Nagapura.’ Vasudeva said, ‘Having gone to Nagapura, I addressedDhritarashtra’s son in the assembly such words as were true, reasonable,and beneficial. That wicked minded fellow did not, however, accept them.’

“Yudhishthira said, ‘When Duryodhana desired to tread along the wrongpath, what did the aged Kuru grandsire say, O Hrishikesa, unto thatvindictive prince? What also did the highly-blessed preceptor–the son ofBharadwaja, say? And what did his parents Dhritarashtra and Gandhari say?What did our junior father Kshattri, who is the foremost of all personsconversant with virtue, and who is always afflicted with sorrow onaccount of ourselves whom he regards as his sons, say untoDhritarashtra’s son? What also did all the kings who sat in that assemblysay? O Janardana, say it all unto us, exactly as it happened. Thou hastalready told us all the disagreeable words that the Kuru chiefs (Bhishmaand Dhritarashtra) and others in that assembly of the Kurus said unto thewicked Duryodhana who is overwhelmed with lust and covetousness, and whoregardeth himself wise. Those words, however, O Kesava, have flitted awayfrom my memory. O Govinda, I desire to hear, O lord, all those wordsagain. Act thou in such a way that the opportunity may not pass away.Thou, O Krishna, art our refuge, thou art our lord, thou art our guide!’

“Vasudeva said, ‘Hear, O king, the words that were addressed to kingSuyodhana in the midst of the assembly of the Kurus, and, O king ofkings, bear them in thy mind. After my words were ended, Dhritarashtra’sson laughed aloud. Highly incensed at this, Bhishma then said, ‘Hear, ODuryodhana, what I say for (the preservation of) our race, and havingheard it, O tiger among kings, do what is beneficial to thy own house. Osire, O king, my father Santanu, was widely known in the world. I was, atfirst, his only son. A desire sprung up in his heart as to how he mightobtain a second son, for the wise say that an only son is no son,–Letnot my race be extinct may my fame be spread. Even this was his desire.Knowing this to have been his desire, I procured Kali to become mymother, having myself made a promise highly difficult to observe, for thesake of my father as also for the sake of our race. How, in consequenceof that promise I could not be king and have drawn up my vital seed, are,of course, well-known to thee. (I do not grieve for that). Observing thatvow of mine, behold, I am living in happiness and joy. In her, O king,was born my younger brother, that mighty-armed and handsome supporter ofKuru’s race, viz., Vichitravirya of virtuous soul. After my father’sascension to heaven, I installed Vichitravirya as a ruler of the kingdom,that was mine, while I placed myself under him as a servant of his. Oking of kings, I then brought him suitable wives, having vanquished manyassembled monarchs. Thou hast heard of it often. Sometime after, I wasengaged in a single combat with the (great) Rama. From fear of Rama, mybrother fled, the more so as his subject deserted him. During thisperiod, he became very much attached to his wives and accordingly had anattack of phthisis. Upon his death, there was anarchy in the kingdom andthe chief of the gods poured not a drop of rain (on the realm).’ Thesubjects then, afflicted by fear of hunger, hastened to me and said, ‘Thysubjects are on the point of being exterminated. Be thou our king for thesake of our good. Dispel this drought. Blessed be thou, O perpetuator ofSantanu’s race. Thy subjects are being greatly afflicted by severe andfrightful maladies. Very few of them are still alive. It behoveth thee, Oson of Ganga, to save them. Dispel these tortures. O hero, cherish thysubjects righteously. When thou art alive, let not the kingdom go todestruction.’ Hearing these words of theirs uttered in a weeping voice,my heart was undisturbed. Remembering the behaviour of good, I desired tomaintain my vow. Then, O king, the citizens, my auspicious mother Kaliherself, our servants, the priests and the preceptors (of our house), andmany Brahmanas of great learning, all afflicted with great woe, solicitedme to occupy the throne.’ And they said, ‘When thou art alive, shall thekingdom, ruled by Pratipa (of old), go to ruin? O thou of magnanimousheart, be thou the king for our good.’ Thus addressed by them, I joinedmy hands together and, myself filled with grief and greatly afflicted, Irepresented to them the vow I had made from filial respect. I repeatedlyinformed them that for the sake of our race, I had vowed to live withvital seed drawn up and foreswearing the throne. It was especially for mymother, again, that I did so. I, therefore, begged them not to put me tothe yoke. I again joined my hands and conciliated my mother, saying, ‘Omother, begot by Santanu and being a member of Kuru’s race, I cannotfalsify my promise.’ I repeatedly told her this. And, O king, I saidfurther, It is for thee especially, O mother, that I took this vow; I amverily thy servant and slave, O mother, thou that art distinguished forparental affection.’ Having begged my mother and the people thus, I thensolicited the great sage Vyasa for begetting children upon the wives ofmy brother. Indeed, O king, both myself and my mother gratified thatRishi. At last, O king, the Rishi granted our prayers in the matter ofthe children. And he begot three sons in all, O best of Bharata’s race.Thy father was born blind, and in consequence of this congenital defectof a sense, he could not become king. The high-souled and celebratedPandu became king. And when Pandu became king, his sons must obtain theirpaternal inheritance. O sire, do not quarrel, give them half the kingdom.When I am alive, what other man is competent to reign? Do not disregardmy words. I only wish that there should be peace amongst you. O sire, Oking, I make no distinction between thee and then (but love all of youequally). What I have said unto thee represents also the opinion of thyfather, of Gandhari, and also of Vidura. The words of those that are oldshould always be listened to. Do not disregard these words of mine. Donot destroy all thou hast and the earth also.'”