Chapter 26
“Yudhishthira said, ‘What words from me, O Sanjaya, hast thou heard,indicative of war, that thou apprehendest war? O sire, peace ispreferable to war.
“Yudhishthira said, ‘What words from me, O Sanjaya, hast thou heard,indicative of war, that thou apprehendest war? O sire, peace ispreferable to war.
“Markandeya said, ‘One day it was resolved by the gods that they shoulddescend on the earth and try the goodness and virtue of king Sivi, theson of Usinara. And addressing each other,–‘Well’–Agni and Indra cameto the earth.
“The Brahmana said, ‘There are three foes in the world. They are said tobe ninefold, agreeably to their qualities. Exultation, satisfaction, andjoy,–these three qualities appertain to Goodness.
“Bhishma said, ‘Once again Janaka, the ruler of Mithila, questioned thehigh-souled Parasara endued with certain knowledge in respect of allduties.’
“Vaisampayana said. ‘The large-eyed daughter of Kuntibhoja, Pritha byname, was endued with beauty and every accomplishment. Of rigid vows, shewas devoted to virtue and possessed of every good quality.
“Sanjaya said, ‘O Pandava, the world hath heard thy conduct beingrighteous. I see it also to be so, O son of Pritha.
Vaisampayana said, “The son of Pandu again addressed the Rishi and said,’Speak thou unto us of the high fortune of royal Kshatriyas!’
“The Brahmana said, ‘In this connection is cited the old narrative, Olady, of the discourse between a Brahmana and (king) Janaka.
“Yudhishthira said, ‘O grandsire, learned men praise truth,self-restraint, forgiveness, and wisdom. What is thy opinion of thesevirtues?’
OM! HAVING BOWED down unto Narayana, and Nara the foremost of malebeings, and unto the goddess Saraswati, must the word Jaya be uttered.