सेनोद्योग पर्व — बलदेवका वचन

Baladeva said The speech of the elder brother of Gada which is at once marked by a sense of virtue and prudence and which has aimed at the good of both Yudhishthira (one who has created no enemies) and king Duryodhana, has been listened to by you.

The heroic sons of Kunti, being willing to forego half of their kingdom, are trying to get the other half, the son of Dhritarashtra too should give up half and pass his days very happily with us.

These heroes among men, having obtained half of the kingdom, will take to a quiet life, if the other party dose the same for their quietness means the good of their subjects.

I should be glad if some body were to go there to bring about good feelings among the Kauravas and the Pandavas, to know the intentions of Duryodhana and to tell them the views of Yudhishthira.

Let him invite Bhishma, the heroic son of Kuru and the noble minded of Vichitravirya, Drona, with his son, Vidura and Kripa and the king of Gandhara with the son of Suta. son

And (with) also all the other sons of Dhritarashtra who have under their command the best army and a thorough knowledge of politics, who adhere to virtue, who are heroes among men and who know the meaning of the Vedas and the signs of the times.

Let him all these men and also the citizens and aged men, assembled together what the son of Kunti has said with all deference and which is fraught with meaning.

Though they have taken possession of Yudhishthira's kingdom by force when he was addicted to gambling, still they ought not to be provoked under all situations.

This brave son of Kuru, unskillful at the game of dice, though dissuaded by all his friends, challenged this son of Gandhari, an expert in the game, to a match.

Although there were then at the place a thousand other people whom Yudhishthira could defeat at a game of dice, he took no notice of these and none of Karna and Suyodhana but challenged Subala's son and was defeated by him in the game. He lost at every step.

Having once commenced, he lost through anger and no blame can for this attach to the son of Shakuni; therefore it behooves him (the messenger) to speak with due deference to the son of Vichitravirya and assume a conciliatory tone.

By this means can the son of Dhritarashtra be persuaded, to enlist himself in our service, by the messenger. Let him address Duryodhana in a conciliatory tone and with the desire of the reverse of war.

A point gained by peaceful means is really beneficial, that gained by war is not a gain at all-it is only injurious.

Vaishampayana said While that valiant son of Madhu was yet speaking, all on a sudden rose the brave descendant of Shini and condemning his speech addressed these words to him.