Chapter 150

“Vasudeva said, ‘Though thus addressed by Bhishma, and Drona, and Vidura,and Gandhari, and Dhritarashtra, that wicked wight could not yet bebrought to his senses. On the other hand, the wicked Duryodhana,disregarding them all, rose (and left the assembly) with eyes red inanger. And all the kings (invited by him), prepared to lay down theirlives, followed him behind. King Duryodhana then repeatedly ordered thosewicked-hearted rulers, saying, ‘Today constellation Pushya isascendant–march ye (this very day) to Kurukshetra. Impelled by Fate,those monarchs then, with their soldiers, gladly set out, making Bhishmatheir generalissimo. Eleven Akshauhinis of troops have been, O King,assembled for the Kauravas. At the head of that host, shineth Bhishma,with the device of the palmyra on the banner of his car. In view,therefore, of What hath happened, do now, O monarch, that which seemethto be proper. I have told thee, O king, everything that, O Bharata, thatwas said by Bhishma, Drona, Vidura, Gandhari and Dhritarashtra, in mypresence. The arts beginning with conciliation were all, O king, employedby me from desire of establishing brotherly feelings (between yourselvesand your cousins), for the preservation of this race, and for the growthand prosperity of the (earth’s) population. When conciliation failed, Iemployed the art of (producing) dissensions and mentioned, ye Pandavas,all your ordinary and extraordinary feats. Indeed, when Suyodhana showedno respect for the conciliatory words, (I spoke), I caused all the kingsto be assembled together and endeavoured to produce dissension (amongstthem). Extraordinary and awful and terrible and superhuman indications,O, Bharata, were then manifested by me. O lord, rebuking all the kings,making a straw of Suyodhana, terrifying Radha’s son and repeatedlycensuring Suvala’s son for the gambling match of Dhritarashtra’s sons,and once again endeavouring to disunite all the kings by means of bothwords and intrigues, I again had recourse to conciliation. For the unityof Kuru’s race and in view of the special requirements of the business(at hand), I spoke also of gift. Indeed, I said, ‘Those heroes, the sonsof Pandu, sacrificing their pride, will live in dependence onDhritarashtra, Bhishma and Vidura. Let the kingdom be given to thee. Letthem have no power. Let: it all be as the king (Dhritarashtra), asGanga’s son (Bhishma) and as Vidura say for thy good. Let the kingdom bethine. Relinquish but five villages (to the Pandavas). O best of kings,without doubt they deserve to be supported by thy father. Thoughaddressed thus, that wicked soul do not still give you your share. I,therefore, see that chastisement, and nothing else, is now the means thatshould be employed against those sinful persons. Indeed, all those kingshave already marched to, Kurukshetra. I have now told thee everythingthat had happened in the assembly of the Kurus. They will not, O son ofPandu, give thee thy kingdom without battle. With death waiting beforethem, they have all become the cause of a universal destruction.'”