Aranyaka Parva — The words of Maitreya

Dhritarashtra said: O greatly intelligent Rishi, it is exactly as you say. I know it well, as do all these kings.

O Rishi, what you consider beneficial for the Kurus was pointed out to me by Vidura, Bhishma and Drona.

If I deserve your grace and if you have kindness for the Kurus, then teach my wicked son Duryodhana (to be good).

Vyasa said: O king, after having seen the Pandava brothers, there comes the illustrious. Rishi Maitreya with the desire of seeing us.

O king, this great Rishi will admonish your son Duryodhana for the sake of the welfare of this race.

O descendant of Kuru, what he will advise should be done without any hesitation, for if what he will recommend is not done, the Rishi will curse your son in anger.

Vaishampayana said : Having said this, Vyasa went away and Maitreya came there. The king with his sons received with all respect.

That way-worn chief of the Rishis, by offering him Arghya and performing other rites. The son of Ambika, king Dhritarashtra, then asked him these questions.

Dhritarashtra said: O illustrious one, has your journey from the Kurujangal been a pleasant one? Are the heroes, the five Pandava brothers, living happily (there)?

Do those foremost (heroes) of the Kuru race intend to pass all the time (they have pledged?) Will the brotherly affection of the Kurus remain unimpaired?

Maitreya said : Setting out on a pilgrimage, I arrived at the Kurujangala. I suddenly met there Dharmaraja (Yudhishthira) in the forest of Kamyaka.

Attiring himself in deer skin and wearing matted locks, he is living in the forest in asceticism. O lord, many Rishis have assembled there to see him.

O great king, it was there that I heard of the grave errors that your sons liave committed and also of the approaching) calamity and fearful danger that have arisen from gambling.

Therefore, I have come to you for the good of the Kurus. O lord, my affection for you is great and I am always pleased with you.

O king, when yourself and Bhishma are (still) alive, it is not proper that your sons should quarrel amongst themselves.

O king, you are (as it were) the stake at which bulls are tied. You are competent to punish and reward. Why do you then overlook this great evil that is about to overtake all?

O descendant of Kuru, O king, as these wrongs have been perpetrated in your Sabha, wrongs that are like the acts of thieves, you cannot shine in the assembly of ascetics.

Vaishampayana said : Thereupon turning to the angry Duryodhana, the illustrious Rishi Maitreya spoke to him thus in soft words.

Maitreya said : O mighty-armed Duryodhana, O best of all eloquent me.l, O blessed one, listen to the words I utter for your good.

O king, do not quarrel with the Pandavas. O best of men, thus accomplish the good of your own, of the Pandavas, of the Kurus and of all the world.

All these foremost of men (the Pandavas) are heroes of great prowess in war. They are endued with strength of ten thousand elephants; their bodies are as hard as the thunder.

They are all truthful and proud of their manliness. They have killed the enemies of the celestials, the Rakshasas, who are able to assume.any from at will. (The Rakshasas) such as were headed by Hidimba, Baka and Kirmira.

When departing from this place, he (Kirmira) of fearful soul obstructed in the night the path of those high-souled ones like an immovable hill, that foremost of all strong men, Bhima, ever delighting in fight. Killed him like a beast, as a tiger kills a small deer. O king, see how Bhima, when out for conquest, killed. The great bow-man Jarasandha who possessed the strength of ten thousand elephants. Related (as they are) with Vasudeva (Krishna) and having sons of Prishata (Draupada) as their brother-in-law.

Who is there such a hero who being subject to old age and death will cope with them? O best of the Bharata race, let there be peace between you and the Pandavas. Follow my advice; surrender not yourself to danger.

Vaishampayana said : O king, having been thus addressed by Maitreya, Duryodhana slapped his thigh which resembled the trunk of an elephant and he then smilingly began to scratch the ground with his foot.

That wicked wretch (Duryodhana) did not speak a word, but he hung down his head. O king, seeing Duryodhana thus offer an insult to him by silently scratching the earth (by his foot), Maitreya became angry. That best of Rishis, Maitreya, overwhelmed with anger.

And, as if commissioned by fate set his mind to curse him. Thereupon touching water and with eyes red in anger. Maitreya cursed the evil-minded son of Dhritarashtra, saying, "Since slighting my words you decline to follow my advice, you shall soon reap the fruit of your this insolence.

In the great war which will spring out of the wrongs perpetrated by you (on the Pandavas) the mighty Bhima shall smash your that thigh with a blow of his club.

When the Rishi had thus spoken, the ruler of earth, Dhritarashtra, began to gratify the Rishi, so that what he had said may not happen.

Maitreya said : O king, if your son make peace (with the Pandavas) then, O child, my curse will not take effect. Otherwise it would.

Vaishampayana said : The king of kings, the father of Duryodhana (Dhritarashtra), thus averting the curse, asked Maitreya (to tell him) how Kirmira had been kiiled by Bhima.

Maitreya said: I shall not again speak to you as my words are not accepted by your son. When I shall go away. Vidura will tell you all.

Vaishampayana said : Having said this, Maitreya went away whence he came. Duryodhana (also) went away much agitated by the thought of the death of Kirmira.