03.228
Vaiśampāyana said.
O Janamejaya, then all saw Dhṛtarāṣṭra. After inquiring about the well-being of the king, and when the king also asked in return, O Bhārata. (03-228-1)
Then formerly, a cowherd named Samaṅga was appointed by them; at that time, those nearby reported the cows to Dhṛtarāṣṭra. (03-228-2)
Afterwards, Rādheya (Karna) and Shakuni, O lord of men, struck Dhritarashtra, the best of kings and the lord of men. (03-228-3)
O Kaurava, in the delightful regions, the villages are now at the time for recalling and even marking of the calves has arrived. (03-228-4)
O king, the hunt is suitable at this time; you ought to permit your son Duryodhana to go. (03-228-5)
Dhritarashtra said;
Hunting is enjoyable, dear son, and watching the cows too; but do not place trust in the herdsmen—remember this. (03-228-6)
But we have heard that those tiger-like men are nearby there; therefore, I do not permit you to go there yourselves. (03-228-7)
O Radheya, they who have been conquered by deceit and have become weakened in the great forest, are ever devoted to austerities, and are capable and mighty chariot-warriors. (03-228-8)
Dharmarāja should not become angry; Bhīmasena, you are patient; the daughter of Yajñasena is indeed pure brilliance. (03-228-9)
You too, filled with pride and delusion, might transgress; then they, endowed with austerity, would certainly consume you. (03-228-10)
Or else, then, armed heroes—filled with wrath, together, with fastened swords—might burn (the enemy) by the energy of their weapons. (03-228-11)
Therefore, as you are many, attack them in any manner you can. That would be extremely ignoble and impossible, and that is my opinion. (3-228-12)
Indeed, the mighty-armed Dhananjaya (Arjuna), having lived in the world of Indra and obtained the divine weapons, then returned from there to the forest. (03-228-13)
Bībhatsu once conquered the earth without even perfecting arms—why would that great hero, now perfected in the use of weapons, not slay you today? (03-228-14)
Or, now, having listened to my words, you will be prepared there. But if your mind is agitated due to lack of confidence, suffering will arise there. (03-228-15)
Or else, some soldiers might act wrongly concerning Yudhiṣṭhira; such an action, resulting from judgment, could bring fault upon you. (03-228-16)
Therefore, O Bhārata, let men who have already achieved their aim go there for remembrance; I do not approve of your going there yourself. (03-228-17)
Śakuni said.
O Bhārata, the eldest Pāṇḍava, knower of dharma, promised in the assembly that he would live in exile for twelve years. (03-228-18)
All the Pāṇḍavas are obedient and engaged in righteousness. Yudhiṣṭhira, the son of Kuntī, will not become angry with us. (03-228-19)
Our desire to go hunting has greatly increased, and we wish to remember them, but not to see the Pāṇḍavas. (03-228-20)
And there will not be any unworthy conduct there. Nor will we go where their refuge is. (03-228-21)
Vaiśampāyana said;
Thus addressed by Śakuni, Dhṛtarāṣṭra, the king, gave his consent to Duryodhana and his ministers, but not out of his own desire. (03-228-22)
But Gandhari, having been permitted, accompanied by Karna, then departed—the best of the Bharatas, surrounded by a great army. (03-228-23)
He was surrounded by Duḥśāsana, the son of Subala, the queen, brothers, others, and also by thousands of women. (03-228-24)
All the citizens, with their wives, followed the mighty-armed hero as he departed to see the Dvaita forest and the lake, and to that forest. (03-228-25)
There were eight thousand chariots, thirty thousand elephants, countless thousands of foot-soldiers, and nine thousand horses. (03-228-26)
Cart-drivers, shopkeepers, prostitutes, merchants, bards, men, and hunters came in hundreds and thousands. (03-228-27)
Then, as the king set out, a very great sound arose—like that of a mighty wind in the rainy season stirred up, O lord of men. (03-228-28)
King Duryodhana then stayed at a distance of a gavyūti; from there, he departed with all the vehicles to the lake in the Dvaita forest. (03-228-29)
