Bhagavad-Yana Parva — Speech of Krishna

Vaishampayana said The chastiser of foes having come to Upaplavya from Hastinapura, Keshava told all about what had happened to the sons of Pandu.

Consulting together for a long time and holding repeated conferences Shouri went to his own place for rest.

Then after sending all the rulers of men headed by king Virata, the five Pandavas brothers, when the sun had set,

Having said their evening prayers began to think of him (Krishna) with their minds fixed on him, and getting Krishna of the Dasharha race, they again held a consultation.

Yudhishthira said Having gone to Nagapur what did you, O you of lotus eyes, say to him who is born of Dhritarashtra in the council? It is proper that you should tell us that.

Vasudeva said Going to Nagapur I said to him who is born of Dhritarashtra words which are true, opportune and conducive to his interests but he of wicked mind did not accept them.

Yudhishthira said To the one who is following the wrong course, namely the wrathful Duryodhana what did the oldest among the Kurus, our grandfather, say, O Hrishikesha?

What did the preceptor, endued with noble attributes, the son of Bharadvaja, what did his father and mother-or Dhritarashtra and Gandhari say?

What did our uncle Kshattri, that foremost among those conversant with virtue, who is stricken with grief for his sons (at our exile) say to him who is born of Dhritarashtra?

What also did all those rulers of men who were seated in the council say? You tell us, O Janardana, exactly how they happened.

You have already told us all the world spoken by the principal members of the Kuru race in the assembly of the Kurus to the son of Dhritarashtra,

Who is overpowered by lust and avarice, who is a fool and who is vain of his wisdom; but as they are not fit, they do not yet retain a place in my mind.

Their words, O Govinda, do I desire to hear O lord, and act in such a way that time may not be lost, my dear friend; you are our refuge, O Krishna, you are lord, and you are our preceptor.

Vasudeva said Hear, O king, the words that were said by me to the king Suyodhana in the midst of the kings in that council; listen to them, O chief among kings.

The one born of Dhritarashtra however laughed at them; and then Bhishma, being excited with wrath, said these words.

O Duryodhana, listen to these words, which I say for the benefit of my race and hearing that, O best among kings, effect the benefit of your race.

My father, my dear son, was Shantanu, well known in this world, O king. I was his only son at first-of that best among those who had sons.

A desire rose in his mind "How shall I have a second son, for wise men speak of one son as no son at all.

Let my family be not extinct; how can my fame spread?” I coming to know of this desire of his got Kali as my stepmother.

My hard determination, for the sake of my father and for the sake of my race, of never being a king and of never throw in down vital fluid by the regular passage, is well known to you; observing these vows I am now living in joy.

In her was born my younger brother endued with prosperity, of long arms and the supporter of the Kuru race, the virtuous-souled Vichitravirya, O ruler of this eartlı.

My father having gone to heaven I placed that Vichitravirya at the head of my own kingdom and myself become a subordinate to him.

I found out suitable wives for him, O chief among kings, after conquering an assemblage of the rulers of the earth; you heave heard of all that many times.

Then did I engage myself in a single combat with Rama and he fled away from the city from fear of Rama.

He was soon attacked with pthysis for being too much attached to his wives, and in that kingdom without a king the lord of the gods did not pour rain."

The subjects said All the subjects are weakened, you be our king for our good and put an end to this draught and other calamities; and it will be well with you, O son of Shantanu, O perpetuator of your race.

All your subjects are being very much troubled by serve diseases and 0 son of Ganga, it is proper that you should save the few that are alive.

Put an end to these calamities, O hero, and rule over your subjects with justice; yourself being alive let not this kingdom meet destruction.

Bhishma said My heart remained unmoved at that grief of the subjects remembering that the observance of a vow is the duty of a good man. Then did my citizens, O great king, and my mother, the blessed Kali,

My servants, my priests, my preceptors and other Brahmanas well versed in holy books said to me, being struck with great sorrow "Yourself be the king.

The kingdom protected by Pratipa is being ruined, though it can claim you as its ruler; therefore do you, for the good of ourselves, be the king, O you of great intelligence.”

Being thus spoken to an having joined my hands and being very much stuck with sorrow I represented to them the vow I was observing for the respect of my father.

Namely that I would not throw my seminal fluid through the regular passage and that I would not be a king for the sake of my race; I said this again and again, and requested them not to yoke me to the kingdom especially for their good.

Then clasping my hands I gratified my mother by saying thus “O mother, I shall not, being begotten by Shantanu and being a supporter of the Kuru family.

Be false to my determination;" O king, I said this again and again and also said-"It was especially for your sake that I made that determination.

I am now your slave, waiting to be commanded by you, O you who are very affectionate to your children.” Having thus respectfully addressed my mother and my subjects,

I begged the great Muni Vyasa, along with my mother, O great king, after having gratified that Rishi, with the wives of my brother,

To beget children, and great king he too complied with our request and then did he beget children, O you best among the Bharatas.

Being blind and therefore deprived of the usual rites, your father could not be a king and the great souled Pandu, well known in this world, became the king.

Himself being a king these sons of his must get a share of their paternal wealth; do not, my dear son, quarrel over the matter but give them half of the kingdom.

When I am alive what other man can rule over this kingdom? Do not treat slightingly my words for we ever wish peace.

There is no difference between my treatment to you and that to them, o ruler of the earth; and the same is the opinion of your father, of Gandhari, as also of Vidura.

The words of the aged should be listened to; and do not treat slightingly these words of mine for otherwise will you destroy all that have, as also this earth."