Chapter 80

“Nakula said, ‘Much hath been said, O Madhava, by king Yudhishthira thejust who is conversant with morality and endued with liberality, and thouhast heard what hath been said by Falguni also. As regards my ownopinion, O hero, thou hast repeatedly expressed it, Hearing first whatthe wishes of the enemy are and disregarding all, do what thou regardestto be proper for the occasion. O Kesava, diverse are the conclusionsarrived at as regards diverse matters. Success, however, O chastiser offoes, is won when a man doth that which ought to be done in view of theoccasion. When a thing is settled in one way on one occasion, it becomethunsuitable when the occasion becometh different. Persons, therefore, inthis world, O foremost of men, cannot stick to the same opinionthroughout. While we were living in the woods, our hearts were inclinedtowards a particular course of action. While we were passing the periodof concealment, our wishes were of one kind, and now, at the presenttime, O Krishna, when concealment is no longer necessary, our wishes havebecome different. O thou of the Vrishni race, while we wandered in thewoods, attachment for the kingdom was not so great as now. The period ofour exile having ceased, hearing, O hero, that we have returned, an armynumbering full seven Akshauhinis hath, through thy grace, O Janardana,been assembled. Beholding these tigers among men, of inconceivable mightand prowess, standing equipped for battle armed with weapons, what man isthere that will not be struck with fear? Therefore going into the midstof the Kurus, speak thou first words fraught with mildness and then thosefraught with threats, so that the wicked Suyodhana may be agitated withfear. What mortal man is there, of flesh and blood, who would encounterin battle Yudhishthira and Bhimasena, the invincible Vibhatsu andSahadeva, myself, thyself and Rama, O Kesava, and Satyaki of mightyenergy. Virata with his sons, Drupada with his allies, andDhrishtadyumna, O Madhava, and the ruler of Kasi of great prowess andDhrishtaketu the lord of the Chedis? No sooner wilt thou go there thanthou wilt, without doubt, accomplish, O thou of mighty arms, the desiredobject of king Yudhishthira the just. Vidura, and Bhishma and Drona andVahlika, these talents, O sinless one, will understand thee when thouwouldst utter words of wisdom. They will solicit that ruler of men,Dhritarashtra and Suyodhana of sinful disposition, with his counsellors,to act according to the advice. When thou, O Janardana, art the speakerand Vidura the listener, what subject is there that cannot be renderedsmooth and plain?'”