Chapter 27
Vaisampayana said, “Exiled to the woods the sons of Pritha with Krishnaseated in the evening, conversed with one another afflicted with sorrowand grief.
Vaisampayana said, “Exiled to the woods the sons of Pritha with Krishnaseated in the evening, conversed with one another afflicted with sorrowand grief.
“Sanjaya said, ‘Whilst Duryodhana, O king, was repeatedly roaring in thisstrain, Vasudeva, filled with wrath, said these words unto Yudhishthira,”What rash words hast thou spoken,
“Yudhishthira said, ‘What should be the kind of city within which theking should himself dwell? Should he select one already made or should hecause one to be especially constructed? Tell me this O grandsire!’
“Duryodhana said, ‘For what reason, O chief of the Bharatas, wilt thounot slay Sikhandin even if thou beholdest him approach thee as a foe witharms upraised?
“Sanjaya said, ‘Beholding thy sons lying (on the field), Karna of greatprowess filled with great wrath, became hopeless about his life. AndAdhiratha’s son regarded himself guilty, seeing thy sons slain before hiseyes in battle by Bhima.
Vaisampayana said, “While the illustrious son of Pandu continued to dwellin the Dwaita woods, that great forest became filled with Brahmanas. Andthe lake within that forest, ever resounding with Vedic recitations,became sacred like a second region of Brahma.
“Dhritarashtra said, ‘Thus admonished (by his foes), how, indeed, didthat scorcher of enemies, my heroic and royal son, who was wrathful bynature, then behave?
“Yudhishthira said, ‘How, O king, may a kingdom be consolidated, and howshould it be protected? I desire to know this. Tell me all this, O bullof Bharata’s race!’
“Bhishma said, ‘Then, O chief of the Bharatas, approaching my mother,that daughter of the Dasa clan, and saluting that parent of heroes, Isaid these words,–Having vanquished all the kings, these daughters ofthe ruler of Kasi, having beauty alone for their dowry, have beenabducted by me for the sake of Vichitravirya!–
“Sanjaya said, ‘Hearing the twang of Bhimasena’s bow and the sound of hispalms, the son of Radha could not brook it, like an infuriated elephantincapable of brooking the roars of an infuriated rival.