Chapter 28

“Vaisampayana said, ‘Then that grandsire of the Bharatas, Bhishma the sonof Sutanu, conversant with the Vedas, acquainted with the proprieties oftime and place, and possessing a knowledge of every duty of morality,after the conclusion of Drona’s speech, applauded the words of thepreceptor and spake unto the Bharatas for their benefit these wordsconsistent with virtue, expressive of his attachment to the virtuousYudhishthira, rarely spoken by men that are dishonest, and always meetingwith the approbation of the honest. And the words that Bhishma spake werethoroughly impartial and worshipped by the wise. And the grandsire of theKurus said, ‘The words that the regenerate Drona acquainted with thetruth of every affair hath uttered, are approved by me. I have nohesitation in saying so. Endued with every auspicious mark, observant ofvirtuous vows, possessed of Vedic lore, devoted to religious observances,conversant with various sciences, obedient to the counsels of the aged,adhering to the vow of truth, acquainted with the proprieties of time,observant of the pledge they have given (in respect of their exile), purein their behaviour, ever adhering to the duties of the Kshatria order,always obedient to Kesava, high-souled, possessed of great strength, andever-bearing the burthens of the wise, those heroic ones can never witherunder misfortune. Aided by their own energy, sons of Pandu who are nowleading a life of concealment in obedience to virtue, will surely neverperish. It is even this that my mind surmiseth. Therefore, O Bharata, Iam for employing the aid of honest counsel in our behaviour towards thesons of Pandu. It would not be the policy of any wise man to cause themto be discovered now by means of spies,[21] what we should do unto thesons of Pandu, I shall say, reflecting with the aid of the intellect.Know that I shall say nothing from ill will to thee. People like meshould never give such counsels to him that is dishonest, for onlycounsels (like those I would give) should be offered unto them that arehonest. Counsels, however, that are evil, should under no circumstancesbe offered. He, O child, that is devoted to truth and obedient to theaged, he, indeed, that is wise, while speaking in the midst of anassembly, should under all circumstances speak the truth, if theacquisition of virtue be an object with him. I should, therefore, saythat I think differently from all those people here, in respect of theabode of Yudhishthira the just in this the thirteenth year of his exile.The ruler, O child, of the city or the province where king Yudhishthiraresides cannot have any misfortune. Charitable and liberal and humble andmodest must the people be of the country where king Yudhishthira resides.Agreeable in speech, with passions under control, observant of truth,cheerful, healthy, pure in conduct, and skilful in work must the peoplebe of the country where king Yudhishthira resides. The people of theplace, where Yudhishthira is, cannot be envious or malicious, or vain, orproud, but must all adhere to their respective duties. Indeed, in theplace where Yudhishthira resides, Vedic hymns will be chanted all around,sacrifices will be performed, the last full libations will always bepoured, [22] and gifts to Brahmanas will always be in profusion. Therethe clouds, without doubt, pour abundant rain, and furnished with goodharvest the country will ever be without fear. There the paddy will notbe without grain, fruits will not be bereft of juice, floral garlandswill not be without fragrance, and the conversation of men will always befull of agreeable words. There where king Yudhishthira resides, thebreezes will be delicious, the meetings of men will always be friendly,and cause of fear there will be none. There kine will be plentiful,without any of them being lean-fleshed or weak, and milk and curds andbutter will all be savoury and nutritious. There where king Yudhishthiraresides, every kind of corn will be full of nutrition and every ediblefull of flavour. There where king Yudhishthira resides, the objects ofall the senses, viz.,–taste, touch, smell, and hearing, will be enduedwith excellent attributes. There where king Yudhishthira resides, thesights and scenes will be gladdening. And the regenerate ones of thatplace will be virtuous and steady in observing their respective duties.Indeed, in the country where the sons of Pandu may have taken up theirabode during this thirteenth year of their exile, the people will becontented and cheerful, pure in conduct and without misery of any kind.Devoted to gods and guests and the worship of these with their wholesoul, they will be fond of giving away, and filled with great energy,they will all be observant of eternal virtue. There where kingYudhishthira resides, the people, eschewing all that is evil, will bedesirous of achieving only what is good. Always observant of sacrificesand pure vows, and hating untruth in speech, the people of the placewhere king Yudhishthira may reside will always be desirous of obtainingwhat is good, auspicious and beneficial. There where Yudhishthiraresides, the people will certainly be desirous of achieving what is good,and their hearts will always incline towards virtue, and their vows beingagreeable they themselves are ever-engaged in the acquisition ofreligious merit. O child, that son of Pritha in whom are intelligence andcharity, the highest tranquillity and undoubted forgiveness, modesty andprosperity, and fame and great energy and a love for all creatures, isincapable of being found out (now that he hath concealed himself) even byBrahmanas, let alone ordinary persons. The wise Yudhishthira is living inclose disguise in regions whose characteristics I have described.Regarding his excellent mode of life, I dare not say anything more.Reflecting well upon all this, do without loss of time what thou maystthink to be beneficial, O prince of the Kuru race, if indeed, thou hastany faith in me.'”