भगवद्यान पर्व — भीष्मका वचन

Vaishampayana said Duryodhana, being thus addressed, seemed absorbed in thoughts, with his face hanging down and casting oblique glances; he began to contract the space between the two eye-brows and said not a word.

Seeing him absent-minded those two best among men glancing at each other again said the following words.

Bhishma said That we shall have to fight against the son of Pritha who is devoted to the service of his elders, without jealousy, conversant with Brahma and a speaker of truth-what can be more painful than this.

Drona said My affection for Dhananjaya is greater than what I bear to my son Ashvathama; and the one, having the figure of a monkey on his banner, too has great respect and deference for me, Oking.

With him who is dear to me than my son namely Dhananjaya, shall I have to fight in observing the duties of a Kshatriya. Fie on the profession of a Kshatriya.

He who is equaled by no bowman in this earth-it is through my grace and favour, is superior to other wielders of the bow.

One who injures the interests of friends, who is of a wicked habit, an atheist, crooked and a deceitful man, does not get worship among the honest as an ignorant man coming to a sacrificial ceremony.

A wicked-souled man inclines to wicked deeds though dissuaded from them and a virtuous-souled man, though urged to vice, desires to do good deeds.

These sons of Pandu, though treacherously dealt with by you, now desire only what is good for you who cherish wicked intentions, O you best among the Bharatas, for your own injury.

You have been spoken to by the oldest among the Kurus, and by myself and by Vidura as also by Vasudeva but you do not accept what is beneficial to you.

"I have got an army” with this thought you desire to overcome the Pandavas as the current of the Ganga flows into the ocean, full of sharks, alligators and crocodiles during the rainy season.

Putting on as it were cast off clothes you have taken on yourself the cast off prosperity of Yudhishthira and think it to be your own. The son of Pritha in company with Draupadi and surrounded by his brothers,

Though he is staying in the forest who is there enjoying a kingdom though that can vanquish? Under whose command there are all the Yakasha kings as if his servants or slaves,

That virtuous king shone resplendent even when in the abode of that Ailavila; going to the abode of Kubera he obtained gems and wealth therefrom.

The Pandavas are prepared to attack your prosperous territories wishing the kingdom for themselves. Gifts have been made, the holy books studied, and Brahmanas gratified with wealth by us two.

The length our life too has fairly run out; know also that our work is done. But yourself abandoning happiness, kingdom, friends and wealth,

And fighting with the sons of Pandu will fall into a great trouble. Whose victory is prayed for by that speaker of truth Draupadi,

That lady devoted to austere asceticismhow can you defeat that son of Pandu. Him whose adviser is Janardana, whose brother is Dhananjaya, the foremost among all wielders of weapon-how will you defeat that son of Pandu.

Him on whose side Brahmanas, endued with wisdom and who have controlled their senses, have declared themselves, how can you defeat that son of Pandu, that hero of rigid austerities.

I tell you again, according to the policy that ought to be adopt by a well-wisher who wishes the prosperity of a friend sunk into ocean of distress,

That there is no necessity to fight with these heroes; make peace for the sake of prosperity of the Kurus; do not invite along with your sons and ministers and your army, defeat.