01.195
Core-Pancharatra: Bheeshma advises to giving half the kingdom to Pandavas.
Bhīṣma said.
I do not at all like conflict with the sons of Pāṇḍu. Just as Dhṛtarāṣṭra is to me, so is Pāṇḍu, without doubt.
O Dhritarashtra, just as the sons of Gandhari are considered sons, so also are the sons of Kunti; just as my sons are to be protected, so too are yours.
O Bhārata, just as it is for me and the king, so it is for Duryodhana and for you; likewise for all the Kurus and for others as well.
Thus, since the conflict has happened, I do not approve of it by them; let the heroes make peace and give the land today. This kingdom, belonging to their great-grandfathers, their father, and the best of the Kurus, should be given to them.
Duryodhana, just as you, O father, consider this kingdom to be your ancestral right, in the same way the Pāṇḍavas also see it as theirs.
If the ascetic sons of Pāṇḍu have not obtained the kingdom, then how could you or anyone else of the Bhārata lineage have it?
Now, O best of the Bharatas, you have obtained the kingdom through righteousness. In my opinion, they too had already obtained the kingdom before.
Let half of the kingdom be given to them with gentleness. This, O tiger among men, is truly for the welfare of all people.
Therefore, if it is done otherwise, there will be no benefit for us. Your entire ill-fame will also arise, without doubt.
Uphold your reputation, for fame is the greatest strength. A man whose reputation is lost is considered to have a fruitless life.
O Kaurava, as long as a man's fame does not perish, he lives, O Gandhari; but one whose fame is lost perishes.
O mighty-armed one, perform this duty befitting the Kuru lineage, suitable to your own self and to your ancestors.
By good fortune, your heroes have survived; by good fortune, Kuntī is alive; by good fortune, the wicked Purocana who sought our destruction has perished.
From that time in Gandhara, I have not been able to see any living being in the world, having heard that Kunti has passed away.
The people do not consider Purocana as much at fault; but, O tiger among men, the people blame you for the fault.
O great king, you should consider that the very sight of the Pāṇḍavas is life-giving and destroys your sins.
O Kurunandana, not even Indra himself could take away the ancestral share of those living heroes.
They are all established in dharma, united in mind; those cast out by adharma, especially in an equal kingdom.
If you must act righteously, if you must do what is dear to me and ensure welfare, then let half of it be given to them.
