The Mahabharata, of ,Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa ,BOOK 2 (Digvijaya Parva),
SECTION LXXVI

Vaisampayana said,--"Then the vanquished sons of Pritha prepared for

their exile into the woods. And they, one after another, in due order,

casting off their royal robes, attired themselves in deer-skins. And

Dussasana, beholding those chastisers of foes, dressed in deer-skins and

deprived of their kingdom and ready to go into exile, exclaimed 'The

absolute sovereignty of the illustrious king Duryodhana hath commenced.

The sons of Pandu have been vanquished, and plunged into great

affliction. Now have we attained the goal either by broad or narrow

paths. For today becoming superior to our foes in point of prosperity as

also of duration of rule have we become praiseworthy of men. The sons of

Pritha have all been plunged by us into everlasting hell. They have been

deprived of happiness and kingdom for ever and ever. They who, proud of

their wealth, laughed in derision at the son of Dhritarashtra, will now

have to go into the woods, defeated and deprived by us of all their

wealth. Let them now put off their variegated coats of mail, their

resplendent robes of celestial make, and let them all attire themselves

in deer-skins according to the stake they had accepted of the son of

Suvala. They who always used to boast that they had no equals in all the

world, will now know and regard themselves in this their calamity as

grains of sesame without the kernel. Although in this dress of theirs the

Pandavas seem like unto wise and powerful persons installed in a

sacrifice, yet they look like persons not entitled to perform sacrifices,

wearing such a guise. The wise Yajnasena of the Somake race, having

bestowed his daughter--the princess of Panchala--on the sons of Pandu,

acted most unfortunately for the husbands of Yajnaseni--these sons of

Pritha are as eunuchs. And O Yajnaseni, what joy will be thine upon

beholding in the woods these thy husbands dressed in skins and

thread-bare rags, deprived of their wealth and possessions. Elect thou a

husband, whomsoever thou likest, from among all these present here. These

Kurus assembled here, are all forbearing and self-controlled, and

possessed of great wealth. Elect thou one amongst these as thy lord, so

that these great calamity may not drag thee to wretchedness. 'The sons of

Pandu now are even like grains of sesame without the kernel, or like

show-animals encased in skins, or like grains of rice without the kernel.

Why shouldst thou then longer wait upon the fallen sons of Pandu? Vain is

the labour used upon pressing the sesame grain devoid of the kernel!'

"Thus did Dussasana, the son of Dhritarashtra, utter in the hearing of

the Pandavas, harsh words of the most cruel import. And hearing them, the

unforbearing Bhima, in wrath suddenly approaching that prince like a

Himalayan lion upon a jackal, loudly and chastisingly rebuked him in

these words,--Wicked-minded villain, ravest thou so in words that are

uttered alone by the sinful? Boastest thou thus in the midst of the

kings, advanced as thou art by the skill of the king of Gandhara. As thou

piercest our hearts hear with these thy arrowy words, so shall I pierce

thy heart in battle, recalling all this to thy mind. And they also who

from anger or covetousness are walking behind thee as thy

protectors,--them also shall I send to the abode of Yama with their

descendants and relatives."

Vaisampayana continued,--Unto Bhima dressed in deer-skins and uttering

these words of wrath without doing any thing, for he could not deviate

from the path of virtue, Dussasana abandoning all sense of shame, dancing

around the Kurus, loudly said, 'O cow! O cow!'

Bhima at this once more said,--Wretch darest thou, O Dussasana, use harsh

words as these? Whom doth it behove to boast, thus having won wealth by

foul means? I tell thee that if Vrikodara, the son of Pritha, drinketh

not thy life-blood, piercing open thy breast in battle, let him not

attain to regions of blessedness, I tell thee truly that by slaying the

sons of Dhritarashtra in battle, before the very eyes of all the

warriors, I shall pacify this wrath of mine soon enough.'"

Vaisampayana continued,--"And as the Pandavas were going away from the

assembly, the wicked king Duryodhana from excess of joy mimiced by his

own steps the playful leonine trade of Bhima. Then Vrikodara, half

turning towards the king said, Think not ye fool that by this thou

gainest any ascendency over me slay thee shall I soon with all thy

followers, and answer thee, recalling all this to thy mind. And beholding

this insult offered to him, the mighty and proud Bhima, suppressing his

rising rage and following the steps of Yudhishthira, also spake these

words while going out of the Kaurava court, 'I will slay Duryodhana, and

Dhananjaya will slay Karna, and Sahadeva will slay Sakuni that gambler

with dice. I also repeat in this assembly these proud words which the

gods will assuredly make good, if ever we engage in battle with the

Kurus, I will slay this wretched Duryodhana in battle with my mace, and

prostrating him on the ground I will place my foot on his head. And as

regards this (other) wicked person--Dussasana who is audacious in speech,

I will drink his blood like a lion.

"And Arjuna said,--O Bhima, the resolutions of superior men are not known

in words only. On the fourteenth year from this day, they shall see what

happeneth.

"And Bhima again said,--'The earth shall drink the blood of Duryodhana,

and Karna, and the wicked Sakuni, and Dussasana that maketh the fourth.'

"And Arjuna said,--'O Bhima, I will, as thou directest, slay in battle

this Karna so malicious and jealous and harsh-speeched and vain. For

doing what is agreeable to Bhima, Arjuna voweth that he will slay in

battle with his arrows this Karna with all his followers. And I will send

unto the regions of Yama also all those other kings that will from

foolishness fight against me. The mountains of Himavat might be removed

from where they are, the maker of the day lose his brightness, the moon

his coldness, but this vow of mine will ever be cherished. And all this

shall assuredly happen if on the fourteenth year from this, Duryodhana

doth not, with proper respect, return us our kingdom.'"

Vaisampayana continued,--"After Arjuna had said this, Sahadeva the

handsome son of Madri, endued with great energy, desirous of slaying

Sakuni, waving his mighty arms and sighing like snake, exclaimed, with

eyes red with anger--'Thou disgrace of the Gandhara kings, those whom

thou thinkest as defeated are not really so. Those are even sharp-pointed

arrows from whose wounds thou hast run the risk in battle. I shall

certainly accomplish all which Bhima hath said adverting to thee with all

thy followers. If therefore thou hast anything to do, do it before that

day cometh. I shall assuredly slay thee in battle with all thy followers

soon enough, it thou, O son of Suvala, stayest in the light pursuant to

the Kshatriya usage.'

"'Then, O monarch hearing these words of Sahadeva, Nakula the handsomest

of men spake these words,--'I shall certainly send unto the abode of Yama

all those wicked sons of Dhritarashtra, who desirous of death and

impelled by Fate, and moved also by the wish of doing what is agreeable

to Duryodhana, have used harsh and insulting speeches towards this

daughter o Yajnasena at the gambling match. Soon enough shall I, at the

command of Yudhishthira and remembering the wrongs to Draupadi, make the

earth destitute of the sons of Dhritarashtra.'

Vaisampayana continued,--"And those tigers among men, all endued with

long arms, having thus pledged themselves to virtuous promises approached

king Dhritarashtra."

SECTION LXXVII

Yudhishthira said,--'I bid farewell unto all the Bharatas, unto my old

grand-sire (Bhishma), king Somadatta, the great king Vahlika, Drona,

Kripa, all the other kings, Aswathaman, Vidura, Dhritarashtra, all the

sons of Dhritarashtra, Yayutsu, Sanjaya, and all the courtiers, I bid

fare well, all of ye and returning again I shall see you."

Vaisampayana continued,--"Overcome with shame none of those that were

present there, could tell Yudhishthira anything. Within their hearts,

however, they prayed for the welfare of that intelligent prince.

Vidura then said,--The reverend Pritha is a princess by birth. It

behoveth her not to go into the woods. Delicate and old and ever known to

happiness the blessed one will live, respected by me, in my abode. Known

this, ye sons of Pandu. And let safety be always yours.'

Vaisampayana continued,--'The Pandavas thereupon said,--O sinless one,

let it be as thou sayest. Thou art our uncle, and, therefore like as our

father. We also are all obedient to thee. Thou art, O learned one, our

most respected superior. We should always obey what thou choosest to

command. And, O high-souled one, order thou whatever else there is that

remaineth to be done.

"Vidura replied,--'O Yudhishthira, O bull of the Bharata race, know this

to be my opinion, that one that is vanquished by sinful means need not be

pained by such defeat. Thou knowest every rule of morality; Dhananjaya is

ever victorious in battle; Bhimasena is the slayer of foes; Nakula is the

gatherer of wealth; Sahadeva hath administrative talents, Dhaumya is the

foremost of all conversant with the vedas; and the well-behaved Draupadi

is conversant with virtue and economy. Ye are attached to one another and

feel delight at one another's sight and enemies can not separate you from

one another, and ye are contented. Therefore, who is there that will not

envy ye? O Bharata, this patient abstraction from the possession of the

world will be of great benefit to thee. No foe, even if he were equal to

sakra himself, will be able to stand it. Formerly thou wert instructed on

the mountains of Himavat by Meru Savarni; in the town of Varanavata by

Krishna Dwaipayana; on the cliff of Bhrigu by Rama; and on the banks of

the Dhrishadwati by Sambhu himself. Thou hast also listened to the

instruction of the great Rishi Asita on the hills of Anjana; and thou

becamest a disciple of Bhrigu on the banks of the Kalmashi. Narada and

this thy priest Dhaumya will now become thy instructors. In the matter of

the next world, abandon not these excellent lessons thou hast obtained

from the Rishis. O son of Pandu. thou surpassest in intelligence even

Pururavas, the son of Ila; in strength, all other monarchs, and in

virtue, even the Rishis. Therefore, resolve thou earnestly to win

victory, which belongeth to Indra; to control thy wrath, which belongeth

to Yama; to give in charity, which belongeth to Kuvera; and to control

all passions, which belongeth to Varuna. And, O Bharata, obtain thou the

power of gladdening from the moon, the power of sustaining all from

water; forbearance from the earth; energy from the entire solar disc;

strength from the winds, and affluence from the other elements. Welfare

and immunity from ailment be thine; I hope to see thee return. And, O

Yudhishthira, act properly and duly in all seasons,--in those of

distress--in those of difficulty,--indeed, in respect of everything, O

son of Kunti, with our leave go hence. O Bharata, blessing be thine. No

one can say that ye have done anything sinful before. We hope to see

thee, therefore, return in safety and crowned with success."

Vaisampayana continued,--"Thus addressed by Vidura, Yudhishthira the son

of Pandu, of prowess incapable of being baffled, saying, 'So be it,'

bowing low unto Bhishma and Drona, went away."

SECTION LXXVIII

Vaisampayana said,--'Then when Draupadi was about to set out she went

unto the illustrious Pritha and solicited her leave. And she also asked

leave of the other ladies of the household who had all been plunged into

grief. And saluting and embracing every one of them as each deserved, she

desired to go away. Then there arose within the inner apartments of the

Pandavas a loud wail of woe. And Kunti, terribly afflicted upon beholding

Draupadi on the eve of her journey, uttered these words in a voice choked

with grief,--

'O child, grieve not that this great calamity hath overtaken thee. Thou

art well conversant with the duties of the female sex, and thy behaviour

and conduct also are as they should be. It behoveth me not, O thou of

sweet smiles, to instruct thee as to thy duties towards thy lords. Thou

art chaste and accomplished, and thy qualities have adorned the race of

thy birth as also the race into which thou hast been admitted by

marriage. Fortunate are the Kauravas that they have not been burnt by thy

wrath. O child, safely go thou blest by my prayers. Good women never

suffer their hearts to the unstung at what is inevitable. Protected by

virtue that is superior to everything, soon shalt thou obtain good

fortune. While living in the woods, keep thy eye on my child Sahadeva.

See that his heart sinketh not under this great calamity.'

"Saying 'So be it!' the princess Draupadi bathed in tears, and clad in

one piece of cloth, stained with blood, and with hair dishevelled left

her mother-in-law. And as she went away weeping and wailing Pritha

herself in grief followed her. She had not gone far when she saw her sons

shorn of their ornaments and robes, their bodies clad in deerskins, and

their heads down with shame. And she beheld them surrounded by rejoicing

foes' and pitied by friends. Endued with excess of parental affection,

Kunti approached her sons in that state, and embracing them all, and in

accents choked by woe, She said these words,--

"Ye are virtuous and good-mannered, and adorned with all excellent

qualities and respectful behaviour. Ye are all high-minded, and engaged

in the service of your superiors. And ye are also devoted to the gods and

the performance of sacrifices. Why, then, hath this calamity overtaken

you. Whence is this reverse of fortune? I do not see by whose wickedness

this sin hath overtaken you. Alas I have brought you forth. All this must

be due to my ill fortune. It is for this that ye have been overtaken by

this calamity, though ye all are endued with excellent virtues. In energy

and prowess and strength and firmness and might, ye are not wanting. How

shall ye now, losing your wealth and possessions, live poor in the

pathless woods? If I had known before that ye were destined to live in

the woods, I would not have on Pandit's death come from the mountains of

Satasringa to Hastinapore. Fortunate was your father, as I now regard,

for he truly reaped the fruit of his asceticism, and he was gifted with

foresight, as he entertained the wish of ascending heaven, without having

to feel any pain on account of his sons. Fortunate also was the virtuous

Madri, as I regard her today, who had, it seems, a fore-knowledge of what

would happen and who on that account, obtained the high path of

emancipation and every blessing therewith. All, Madri looked upon me as

her stay, and her mind and her affections were ever fixed on me. Oh, fie

on my desire of life, owing to which suffer all this woe. Ye children, ye

are all excellent and dear unto me. I have obtained you alter much

suffering. I cannot leave you. Even I will go with you. Alas, O Krishna,

(Draupadi), why dost thou leave me so? Everything endued with life is

sure to perish. Hath Dhata (Brahma) himself forgotten to ordain my death?

Perhaps, it is so, and, therefore, life doth not quit me. O Krishna, O

thou who dwellest in Dwaraka, O younger brother of Sankarshana, where art

thou? Why dost thou not deliver me and these best of men also from such

woe? They say that thou who art without beginning and without end

deliverest those that think of thee. Why doth this saying become untrue.

These my sons are ever attached to virtue and nobility and good fame and

prowess. They deserve not to suffer affliction. Oh, show them mercy.

Alas, when there are such elders amongst our race as Bhishma and Drona

and Kripa, all conversant with morality and the science of worldly

concerns, how could such calamity at all come? O Pandu, O king, where art

thou? Why sufferest thou quietly thy good children to be thus sent into

exile, defeated at dice? O Sahadeva, desist from going. Thou art my

dearest child, dearer, O son of Madri, than my body itself. Forsake me

not. It behoveth thee to have some kindness for me. Bound by the ties of

virtue, let these thy brothers go. But then, earn thou that virtue which

springeth from waiting upon me.'"

Vaisampayana continued,--"The Pandavas then consoled their weeping mother

and with hearts plunged in grief set out for the woods. And Vidura

himself also much afflicted, consoling the distressed Kunti with reasons,

and led her slowly to his house. And the ladies of Dhritarashtra's house,

hearing everything as it happened, viz., the exile (of the Pandavas) and

the dragging of Krishna into the assembly where the princes had gambled,

loudly wept censuring the Kauravas. And the ladies of the royal household

also sat silent for a long time, covering their lotus-like faces with

their fair hands. And king Dhritarashtra also thinking of the dangers

that threatened his sons, became a prey to anxiety and could not enjoy

peace of mind. And anxiously meditating on everything, and with mind

deprived of its equanimity through grief, he sent a messenger unto

Vidura, saying, 'Let Kshatta come to me without a moment's delay.'

"At this summons, Vidura quickly came to Dhritarashtra's palace. And as

soon as he came, the monarch asked him with great anxiety how the

Pandavas had left Hastinapore."

SECTION LXXIX

Vaisampayana said,--"As soon as Vidura endued with great foresight came

unto him king Dhritarashtra, the son of Amvika, timidly asked his

brother,--'How doth Yudhishthira, the son of Dharma, proceed along? And

how Arjuna? And how the twin sons of Madri? And how, O Kshatta, doth

Dhaumya proceed along? And how the illustrious Draupadi? I desire to hear

everything, O Kshatta; describe to me all their acts.'

Vidura replied,--'Yudhishthira, the son of Kunti, hath gone away covering

his face with his cloth. And Bhima, O king, hath gone away looking at his

own mighty arms. And Jishnu (Arjuna) hath gone away, following the king

spreading sand-grains around. And Sahadeva, the son of Madri, hath gone

away besmearing his face, and Nakula, the handsomest of men, O king, hath

gone away, staining himself with dust and his heart in great affliction.

And the large-eyed and beautiful Krishna hath gone away, covering her

face with her dishevelled hair following in the wake of the king, weeping

and in tears. And O monarch, Dhaumya goeth along the road, with kusa

grass in hand, and uttering the aweful mantras of Sama Veda that relate

to Yama.'

Dhritarashtra asked,--"Tell me, O Vidura, why is it that the Pandavas are

leaving Hastinapore in such varied guise."

"Vidura replied,--'Though persecuted by thy sons and robbed of his

kingdom and wealth the mind of the wise king Yudhishthira the just hath

not yet deviated from the path of virtue. King Yudhishthira is always

kind, O Bharata, to thy children. Though deprived (of his kingdom and

possessions) by foul means, filled with wrath as he is, he doth not open

eyes. 'I should not burn the people by looking at them with angry

eyes,'--thinking so, the royal son of Pandu goeth covering his face.

Listen to me as I tell thee, O bull of the Bharata race, why Bhima goeth

so. 'There is none equal to me in strength of arms,' thinking so Bhima

goeth repeatedly stretching forth his mighty arms. And, O king, proud of

the strength of his arms, Vrikodara goeth, exhibiting them and desiring

to do unto his enemies deeds worthy of those arms. And Arjuna the son of

Kunti, capable of using both his arms (in wielding the Gandiva) followeth

the footsteps of Yudhishthira, scattering sand-grains emblematical of the

arrows he would shower in battle. O Bharata, he indicateth that as the

sand-grains are scattered by him with ease, so will he rain arrows with

perfect ease on the foe (in time of battle). And Sahadeva goeth

besmearing his lace, thinking 'None may recognise me in this day of

trouble.' And, O exalted one, Nakula goeth staining himself with dust

thinking, 'Lest otherwise I steal the hearts of the ladies that may look

at me.' And Draupadi goeth, attired in one piece of stained cloth, her

hair dishevelled, and weeping, signifying--'The wives of those for whom I

have been reduced to such a plight, shall on the fourteenth year hence be

deprived of husbands, sons and relatives and dear ones and smeared all

over with blood, with hair dishevelled and all in their feminine seasons

enter Hastinapore having offered oblations of water (unto the manes of

those they will have lost). And O Bharata, the learned Dhaumya with

passions under full control, holding the kusa grass in his hand and

pointing the same towards the south-west, walketh before, singing the

mantras of the Sama Veda that relate to Yama. And, O monarch, that

learned Brahamana goeth, also signifying, 'When the Bharatas shall be

slain in battle, the priests of the Kurus will thus sing the Soma mantras

(for the benefit of the deceased).' And the citizens, afflicted with

great grief, are repeatedly crying out, 'Alas, alas, behold our masters

are going away! O fie on the Kuru elders that have acted like foolish

children in thus banishing heirs of Pandu from covetousness alone. Alas,

separated from the son of Pandu we all shall become masterless. What love

can we bear to the wicked and avaricious Kurus? Thus O king, have the

sons of Kunti, endued with great energy of mind, gone away,--indicating,

by manner and signs, the resolutions that are in their hearts. And as

those foremost of men had gone away from Hastinapore, flashes of

lightning appeared in the sky though without clouds and the earth itself

began to tremble. And Rahu came to devour the Sun, although it was not

the day of conjunction And meteors began to fall, keeping the city to

their right. And jackals and vultures and ravens and other carnivorous

beasts and birds began to shriek and cry aloud from the temples of the

gods and the tops of sacred trees and walls and house-tops. And these

extraordinary calamitous portents, O king, were seen and heard,

indicating the destruction of the Bharatas as the consequence of thy evil

counsels."

Vaisampayana continued,--"And, O monarch, while king Dhritarashtra and

the wise Vidura were thus talking with each other, there appeared in that

assembly of the Kauravas and before the eyes of all, the best of the

celestial Rishis. And appealing before them all, he uttered these

terrible words, On the fourteenth year hence, the Kauravas, in

consequence of Duryodhana's fault, will all be destroyed by the might of

Bhima and Arjuna'. And having said this, that best of celestial Rishis,

adorned with surpassing Vedic grace, passing through the skies,

disappeared from the scene. Then Duryodhana and Karna and Sakuni, the son

of Suvala regarding Drona as their sole refuge, offered the kingdom to

him. Drona then, addressing the envious and wrathful Duryodhana and

Dussasana and Karna and all the Bharata, said, 'The Brahamanas have said

that the Pandavas being of celestial origin are incapable of being slain.

The sons of Dhritarashtra, however, having, with all the kings, heartily

and with reverence sought my protection, I shall look after them to the

best of my power. Destiny is supreme, I cannot abandon them. The sons of

Pandu, defeated at dice, are going into exile in pursuance of their

promise. They will live in the woods for twelve years. Practising the

Brahmacharyya mode of life for this period, they will return in anger and

to our great grief take the amplest vengeance on their foes. I had

formerly deprived Drupada of his kingdom in a friendly dispute. Robbed of

his kingdom by me, O Bharata, the king performed a sacrifice for

obtaining a son (that should slay me). Aided by the ascetic power of Yaja

and Upayaja, Drupada obtained from the (sacrificial) fire a son named

Dhrishtadyumna and a daughter, viz., the faultless Krishna, both risen

from the sacrificial platform. That Dhrishtadyumna is the brother-in-law

of the sons of Pandu by marriage, and dear unto them. It is for him,

therefore that I have much fear. Of celestial origin and resplendent as

the fire, he was born with bow, arrows, and encased in mail. I am a being

that is mortal. Therefore it is for him that I have great fear. That

slayer of all foes, the son of Parshatta, hath taken the side of the

Pandavas. I shall have to lose my life, if he and I ever encounter each

other in battle. What grief can be greater to me in this world than this,

ye Kauravas that Dhrishtadyumna is the destined slayer of Drona--this

belief is general. That he hath been born for slaying me hath been heard

by me and is widely known also in the world. For thy sake, O Duryodhana,

that terrible season of destruction is almost come. Do without loss of

time, what may be beneficial unto thee. Think not that everything hath

been accomplished by sending the Pandavas into exile. This thy happiness

will last for but a moment, even as in winter the shadow of the top of

the palm tree resteth (for a short time) at its base. Perform various

kinds of sacrifices, and enjoy, and give O Bharata, everything thou

likest. On the fourteenth year hence, a great calamity will overwhelm

thee.'"

Vaisampayana continued,--"Hearing these words of Drona, Dhritarashtra

said,--'O Kshatta, the preceptor hath uttered what is true. Go thou and

bring back the Pandavas. If they do not come back, let them go treated

with respect and affection. Let those my sons go with weapons, and cars,

and infantry, and enjoying every other good thing.'"

SECTION LXXX

Vaisampayana said,--"defeated at dice, after the Pandavas had gone to the

woods, Dhritarashtra, O king, was overcome with anxiety. And while he was

seated restless with anxiety and sighing in grief, Sanjaya approaching

him said, 'O lord of the earth having now obtained the whole earth with

all its wealth and sent away the sons of Pandu into exile, why is it, O

king, that thou grievest so?"

Dhritarashtra said,--'What have they not to grieve for who will have to

encounter in battle those bulls among warriors--the sons of

Pandu--fighting on great cars and aided by allies?'

"Sanjaya said,--"O king, all this great hostility is inevitable on

account of thy mistaken action, and this will assuredly bring about the

wholesale destruction of the whole world. Forbidden by Bhishma, by Drona,

and by Vidura, thy wicked-minded and shameless son Duryodhana sent his

Suta messenger commanding him to bring into court the beloved and

virtuous wife of the Pandavas. The gods first deprive that man of his

reason unto whom they send defeat and disgrace. It is for this that such

a person seeth things in a strange light. When destruction is at hand,

evil appeareth as good unto the understanding polluted by sin, and the

man adhereth to it firmly. That which is improper appeareth as proper,

and that which is proper appeareth as improper unto the man about to be

overwhelmed by destruction, and evil and impropriety are what he liketh.

The time that bringeth on destruction doth not come with upraised club

and smash one's head. On the other hand the peculiarity of such a time is

that it maketh a man behold evil in good and good in evil. The wretches

have brought on themselves this terrible, wholesale, and horrible

destruction by dragging the helpless princess of Panchala into the court.

Who else than Duryodhana--that false player of dice could bring into the

assembly, with insults, the daughter of Drupada, endued with beauty and

intelligence, and conversant with every rule of morality and duty, and

sprung not from any woman's womb but from the sacred fire? The handsome

Krishna, then in her season, attired in one piece of stained cloth when

brought into the court cast her eyes upon the Pandavas. She beheld them,

however, robbed of their wealth, of their kingdom, of even their attire,

of their beauty, of every enjoyment, and plunged into a state of bondage.

Bound by the tie of virtue, they were then unable to exert their prowess.

And before all the assembled kings Duryodhana and Karna spake cruel and

harsh words unto the distressed and enraged Krishna undeserving of such

treatment. O monarch, all this appeareth to me as foreboding fearful

consequences.'

Dhritarashtra said,--'O Sanjaya, the glances of the distressed daughter

of Drupada might consume the whole earth. Can it be possible that even a

single son of mine will live? The wives of the Bharatas, uniting with

Gandhari upon beholding virtuous Krishna, the wedded wife of the

Pandavas, endued with beauty and youth, dragged into the court, set up

frightful wail. Even now, along with all my subjects, they weep every

day. Enraged at the ill treatment of Draupadi, the Brahmanas in a body

did not perform that evening their Agnihotra ceremony. The winds blew

mightily as they did at the time of the universal dissolution. There was

a terrible thunder-storm also. Meteors fell from the sky, and Rahu by

swallowing the Sun unseasonably alarmed the people terribly. Our

war-chariots were suddenly ablaze, and all their flagstaffs fell down

foreboding evil unto the Bharatas. Jackals began to cry frightfully from

within the sacred fire-chamber of Duryodhana, and asses from all

directions began to bray in response. Then Bhishma and Drona, and Kripa,

and Somadatta and the high-souled Vahlika, all left the assembly. It was

then that at the advice of Vidura I addressed Krishna and said, 'I will

grant thee boons, O Krishna, indeed, whatever thou wouldst ask? The

princess of the Panchala there begged of me the liberation of the

Pandavas. Out of my own motion I then set free the Pandavas, commanding

them to return (to their capital) on their cars and with their bows and

arrows. It was then that Vidura told me, 'Even this will prove the

destruction of the Bharata race, viz., this dragging of Krishna into the

court. This daughter of the King of Panchala is the faultless Sree

herself. Of celestial origin, she is the wedded wife of the Pandavas. The

wrathful sons of Pandu will never forgive this insult offered unto her.

Nor will the mighty bowmen of the Vrishni race, nor the mighty warriors

amongst the Panchalas suffer this in silence. Supported by Vasudeva of

unbaffled prowess, Arjuna will assuredly come back, surrounded by the

Panchala host. And that mighty warrior amongst them, Bhimasena endued

with surpassing strength, will also come back, whirling his mace like

Yama himself with his club. These kings will scarcely be able to bear the

force of Bhima's mace. Therefore, O king, not hostility but peace for

ever with the sons of Pandu is what seemeth to me to be the best. The

sons of Pandu are always stronger than the Kurus. Thou knowest, O king,

that the illustrious and mighty king Jarasandha was slain in battle by

Bhima with his bare arms alone. Therefore, O bull of the Bharata race, it

behoveth thee to make peace with the sons of Pandu. Without scruples of

any kind, unite the two parties, O king. And it thou actest in this way,

thou art sure to obtain good luck, O king. It was thus, O son of

Gavalgani, that Vidura addressed me in words of both virtue and profit.

And I did not accept this counsel, moved by affection for my son."

The End of Sabha Parva