गोहरण पर्व — गोहरणमा दुर्योधनका वचन

Vaishampayana said Then the king Duryodhana said in the battle field to Bhishma, Drona, the foremost of warriors and as also to the mighty car-warrior Kripa.

Both myself and Karna had said this to the preceptor. I mention it again for I am not satisfied with speaking (once).

This was the condition that if defeated at dice the Pandavas will live in woods and countries for twelve years unknown to us.

The thirteenth year is still going on and not yet complete. Bibhatsu, who is living in disguise, has come to us.

Now if Bibhatsu comes before the term of exile is over, the Pandavas shall have to pass another twelve years in the forest.

Whether by covetousness they have forgotten it or whether it is a mistake on our part, it is proper that Bhishma should calculate the shortness or excess (of the fixed period).

Doubt always exists in one of the alternatives of an object; an object, thought of in one way, becomes another (in the end). Even persons, conversant with morality, are confounded in their own acts; (we have come) to fight with the Matsya's stationed in the north.

If however Bibhatsu has come what fault is ours? We have here to fight with the Matsya's on behalf of the Trigartas.

Various were the oppressions of the Matsya's described to us-and we promised them help, assailed with fear as they were. And the arrangement with them was that they should first, on the afternoon of the seventh lunar day, seize the great collection of the precious kine of the Matsya's.

And at sun-rise of the eighth lunar day we should seize these kine when the king of Matsya's would be pursuing those seized first,

It may be that they are bringing the kine, or being defeated are coming to us for negotiating peace with the Matsya's.

Or it may be that having driven them off, the king of Matsya's, leading his people and his army of fierce warriors, income to make upon us night attacks. Perhaps someone powerful amongst them or even the king of Matsya's himself is coming to defeat us. Be he the king of Matsya's or Bibhatsu, we must all fight with him. This is our condition. Why are all these leading car-warriors Bhishma, Drona, Kripa, Vikarana and Drona's son now sitting panic-stricken on their cars?

There is no other help but fighting now. Make up your minds, therefore, Even, for seizing these precious kine, we have got to fight with the Divine holder of thunder-bolt or with Yama. Who is there that will be able to go to Hastinapur? Pierced by my shafts, when running away from the battle field through the woods, who amongst the infantry shall be able to escape with his life, while that of the cavalry is so doubtful? Keeping, the preceptor behind, do you make all arrangements.

He knows their views and strikes terror into our minds. I perceive his affection for Arjuna is very great.

Seeing him only come he sings the praises of Bibhatsu. Make such arrangements that our army may not break up. Every thing has been confused for Drona's having heard of his horses' neighs.

Make such arrangement that these soldiers, coming to a distant country in the summer, and in the midst of this huge forest, may not be routed and vanquished by the enemy.

The Pandavas are always the favourites of the preceptor. He betrays by his words that he is for others.

Hearing only the neighs of horses who would ever praise a man? Whether walking or standing the horses neigh.

The winds always blow and Indra always showers rain and the roar of the clouds may be heard many times.

What has Partha to do with these and why should he be praised? It is so either for the desire of doing good to him or for hatred and anger towards us.

Preceptors are wise, virtuous and very kind to all creatures but they should not be consulted in hours of danger.

It is in beautiful places, assemblies and gardens where beautiful speeches are to be made that the learned men seem to be in their proper places.

The learned shine in the concourse of men, where they perform many wonderful things and there where sacrificial vessels and their uses are necessary.

In the knowledge of learning the weak points of others, in studying the characters of men, in the science of horses, elephants and cars, in treating the diseases of asses, camels, goats, sheep and kine, in making plans of buildings and gates, in pointing out the defects of food and drink the learned are truly in their elements.

Leaving behind the learned who speak highly of the heroism of the enemy, do you so arrange that the enemy may be killed.

Keeping the kine secure arrange the army in battle array. Keep guards in proper places so that we may fight with the enemy.