03.011
Pancharatra: Vyasa asks Dhritarashtra to listen to Maitreya and disappears.
Dhritarashtra said.
O greatly wise one, it is just as you say to us, O sage; I too know this, and so do all
these kings. (3-11-1)
You, however, consider that which brings happiness to the Kurus as good; the same was also
said by Vidura, Bhishma, Drona, and to me, O sage. (3-11-2)
If I am worthy of your favor among the Kauravas, and if you have compassion, then instruct
my wicked-souled son Duryodhana. (3-11-3)
Vyāsa said.
O king, this venerable sage Maitreya is coming here, having followed the Pāṇḍava brothers,
with the desire to see us. (3-11-4)
O king, the great sage is instructing your son Duryodhana according to propriety, for the
peace of your family. (3-11-5)
O King, he should declare that this action must be performed without hesitation; for if
the action is not done, your son will surely be cursed in anger. (3-11-6)
Vaiśampāyana said.
After speaking thus, Vyāsa departed; Maitreya appeared. The king, along with his son,
received him with worship. (3-11-7)
After performing all the rites such as offering arghya to the sage who had rested, King
Dhritarashtra, the son of Ambika, spoke with humility. (3-11-8)
O venerable one, did you arrive easily in the land of the Kurus? Are the five heroic
brothers, the Pāṇḍavas, well? (3-11-9)
Do the foremost among men wish to remain at the proper time? Will the brotherhood of the
Kurus remain unbroken? (3-11-10)
Maitreya said.
While following the pilgrimage, I reached Kuru-jāṅgala; by chance, I saw Dharmarāja in the
Kāmyaka forest. (3-11-11)
O lord, groups of sages went together to see that great-souled one who was dwelling in the
penance-forest, clad in matted hair and deerskin. (3-11-12)
There, O great king, I heard of the confusion of your sons; the misfortune in the form of
dice, a great danger, had arrived. (3-11-13)
Therefore, having come to you out of regard for the Kauravas, I have always had greater
affection and love for you, O lord. (3-11-14)
O king, it is not proper that your sons oppose each other while you and Bhishma are still
living, O ruler of men. (3-11-15)
O king, having yourself become like a post in restraint and control, why do you neglect
this terrible thing that is rising? (3-11-16)
O Kurunandana, the behavior in the assembly, which was like that of bandits, does not make
you shine, O king, in the company of ascetics. (3-11-17)
Vaiśampāyana said.
Then, turning away from King Duryodhana, who was impatient, the venerable sage Maitreya
addressed him with gentle words. (3-11-18)
Duryodhana, O mighty-armed, listen, O foremost of speakers; hear my words, O greatly wise
one, as I speak what is beneficial for you. (3-11-19)
O king, do not be hostile towards the Pāṇḍavas; do what is beneficial for yourself, for
the Pāṇḍavas, for the Kurus, and for the world, O best of men. (3-11-20)
Indeed, all of them are tiger-like men, valiant and mighty warriors; all possess the
strength of ten thousand elephants, are firm, and have bodies as hard as diamond. (3-11-21)
All of them were devoted to truth and vows, all were men of honor, destroyers of the
enemies of the gods, slayers of the rākṣasas who could assume any form at will, including
the chief rākṣasas Hiḍimba, Baka, and Kirmīra. (3-11-22)
At night, he who had a fierce nature stood blocking the path of those great-souled ones
who had departed from here, immovable like a mountain. (3-11-23)
Bhima, the best among the strong and proud in battle, killed him with his strength, just
as a tiger kills a small animal with its animal-slaying power. (3-11-24)
O king, see how, in the conquest of the directions, Jarāsandha, the great archer with the
strength of ten thousand elephants, was felled by Bhīma in battle. (3-11-25)
Who, being only a mortal subject to old age and death, could withstand in battle those
whose relative was Vāsudeva and whose brother-in-law was Pārṣata? (3-11-26)
Let there be peace between you and the Pāṇḍavas, O bull among the Bharatas. O king, do as
I say and do not submit to the power of death. (3-11-27)
But as Maitreya, the lord of men, was thus speaking, he struck his thigh, which was shaped
like an elephant's trunk, with his hand. (3-11-28)
Duryodhana smiled and, scratching the earth with his foot, said nothing; the evil-minded
one stood there, his face somewhat downcast. (3-11-29)
O king, seeing Duryodhana not obeying and scratching the earth, anger entered Maitreya.
(3-11-30)
Maitreya, the best among sages, having fallen under the control of anger, was impelled by
fate and set his mind on cursing him. (3-11-31)
Then, Maitreya, his eyes reddened with anger after touching water, cursed that
wicked-minded son of Dhritarashtra. (3-11-32)
Because you, disregarding me, do not wish to carry out this command, therefore,
immediately receive the fruit of this pride. (3-11-33)
A great battle, arising from your enmity, will take place; there, Bhima, the mighty, will
shatter your thigh with blows of his mace. (3-11-34)
When these words had been spoken, King Dhritarashtra sought to appease the sage, saying,
"Let this not happen thus." (3-11-35)
Maitreya said.
O king, if your son attains peace as such, then the curse will not occur, dear father; but
if the opposite happens, the curse will take effect. (3-11-36)
Vaiśampāyana said.
Then, O king, the father of Duryodhana, being ashamed, said to Maitreya: "How was Kirmira
slain by Bhima?" (3-11-37)
Maitreya said.
I will not speak to you out of envy; your son does not serve you; this Vidura will tell
you everything when I am gone. (3-11-38)
Vaiśampāyana said.
After saying this, Maitreya departed the way he had come. Duryodhana, troubled by the
slaying of Kirmīra, went outside. (3-11-39)
