गोहरण पर्व — गोहरण में द्रोण के वचन

Bhishma said Drona's son observes well. Kripa observes well. Only for the observance of Kshatriya duties Karna wishes to fight.

No wise man can find fault with the preceptor. In my view we must fight considering time and place.

Why should not a wise man be bewildered who has five adversaries effulgent as the sun, who are experts in smiting and have just come out from adversity?

Even persons, conversant with morality, are bewildered in their own interests. It is for this I tell you, O king, whether my words be acceptable to you or not.

What Karna said to you was for inciting our energy. The preceptor's son should forgive us for a very important business is present.

When the son of Kunti has come it is not the time for dissension. Yourself and the preceptor and Kripa should forgive everything

The mastery of weapons is in you as the rays are in the sun. As Lakshmi is never separated from the moon, so the Vedas and the Brahma weapons are always established in you. It is seen that the four Vedas exist in one place and all the attributes of a Kshatriya exist in another place.

We have never heard of these two living together in any man than in the preceptor of the Bharata's race and his son. This is my conviction.

In Vedantas, in Puranas and in Itihasas, who, O king except Jamadagni, is superior to Drona?

The (mastery) of Brahma weapons and (the knowledge of) the Vedas combined are not seen in any other person than that best of men, the preceptor of Bharatas. The preceptor's son should forgive us. This is not the time for disunion. Let us all united fight with the son of the chastiser of Paka (Arjuna) who has come here.

Of all the dangers to an army described by the intelligent the worst is the disunion amongst the leaders.

Ashvatthama said O foremost of men, the words that you have spoken to us are all just. The preceptor, filled with anger, has dilated upon his (Arjuna's) accomplishments.

The accomplishments even of the enemies should be mentioned and the defect of a preceptor should be pointed out. Therefore, one should, to the best of his power, describe the merit of his son or disciple.

Duryodhana said May the preceptor forgive us and establish peace. If the preceptor is not alienated everything would be done.

Vaishampayana said Thereupon, O Bharata, along with Karna, Bhishma and the high-souled Kripa Duryodhana made Drona to forgive them.

Drona said I have already been pleased by the words, which Bhishma, the son of Shantanu at first gave vent to. Such a procedure should now be resorted to that the son of Pritha may not approach Duryodhana in the encounter and the latter may not pass into the hands of the enemies,

Either through bravery or through foolishness. Let such a procedure be adopted. Arjuna shall not bring himself into our view before the expiration of the period of exile.

By (merely) recovering the kine he will not forgive us. let therefore such a procedure be adopted that he can, by no means, vanquish the sons of Dhritarashtra and defeat our army. Similarly did Duryodhana speak before. Remembering all this, O Bhishma, tell us what you think proper.