Chapter 53

“Dhritarashtra said, ‘Endued with great prowess and eager for victory,even as the sons themselves of Pandu are, so are their followers, who areall resolved to sacrifice their lives and determined to win victory. Eventhou, O son, hast told me of my mighty enemies, viz., the kings of thePanchalas, the Kekayas, the Matsyas, and the Magadhas. He, again, who athis will can bring under his subjection all the three worlds with Indraat their head, even that Creator of the universe, the mighty Krishna isbent on giving victory upon the Pandavas. As regards Satyaki, he acquiredin no time the whole science of arms from Arjuna. That scion of Sini’srace will stand on the battle-field, shooting his shafts like husbandmensowing seeds. The prince of Panchala, Dhristadyumna, that mightycar-warrior of merciless deeds, acquainted with all superior weapons,will fight with my host. Great is my fear, O child from the wrath ofYudhishthira, from the prowess of Arjuna, and from the Twins andBhimasena. When those lords of men will, in the midst of my army, spreadtheir superhuman net of arrows, I fear my troops will not come out of it.It is for this, O Sanjaya, that I weep. That son of Pandu, Yudhishthira,is handsome, endued with great energy, highly blessed, possessed ofBrahma force, intelligent, of great wisdom, and virtuous soul. Havingallies and counsellors, united with persons ready for battle, andpossessing brothers and father-in-law who are all heroes and mightycar-warriors, that tiger among men, the son of Pandu, is also endued withpatience, capable of keeping his counsels, compassionate, modest, ofpowers incapable of being baffled, possessed of great learning, with soulunder proper control, ever waiting upon the aged, and subdued senses;possessed thus of every accomplishment, he is like unto a blazing fire.What fool, doomed to destruction and deprived of sense, will jump,moth-like, into that blazing and irresistible Pandava fire! Alas, I havebehaved deceitfully towards him. The king, like unto a fire of longflames, will destroy all my foolish sons in battle without leaving anyalive. I, therefore, think that it is not proper to fight with them. YeKauravas, be ye of the same mind. Without doubt, the whole race of Kuruwill be destroyed, in case of hostilities being waged. This appears to mevery clearly, and if we act accordingly, my mind may have peace. If warwith them doth not seem beneficial to you, then we will strive to bringabout peace. Yudhishthira will never be indifferent when he sees usdistressed, for he censures me only as the cause of this unjust war.'”