05.071

Bhagavan said:

I have heard Sañjaya’s speech and yours as well; I know entirely the intention of both them and you. (5-71-1)

Your thinking is based on righteousness; theirs is based on enmity. If it were possible to obtain it without battle, you would greatly prefer that. (5-71-2)

Nor, O lord of the people, do all the teachers of the ashramas say that the act of begging for alms is consistent with the essential duty of a kshatriya. (5-71-3)

Victory or death in battle is the eternal decree of the Creator; this is the duty of a Kshatriya, and weakness is not to be commended. (5-71-4)

Yudhiṣṭhira, one cannot conduct oneself by embracing weakness; show your valor, mighty-armed one, defeat your enemies, subduer of foes. (5-71-5)

The sons of Dhritarashtra, scorcher of foes—excessively greedy, having formed alliances, having lived together for a long time, having made friends, having secured strength— (5-71-6)

There is no chance that they would seek equality with you, lord of men, for they think themselves stronger, with Bhishma, Drona, Kripa, and the others on their side. (5-71-7)

O king, as long as you treat these people with gentleness, they will keep seizing your kingdom, O subduer of enemies. (5-71-8)

O subduer of enemies, the sons of Dhritarashtra are not willing to do your wish—neither out of compassion, nor out of weakness, nor for any reason of righteousness or gain. (5-71-9)

But it was for this very reason concerning you that the Pāṇḍavas felt no regret, even though they had to live wearing only a loincloth, which is so hard to endure. (5-71-10)

—while Bhīṣma, Droṇa, Vidura, and all the intelligent leaders of the Kurus were truly looking on— (5-71-11)

O King, when that cruel and wicked man cheated you—who are generous, gentle, self-controlled, devoted, and intent on righteousness—by deception at dice, he did not even feel ashamed for that deed. (5-71-12)

Therefore, O king, do not show affection toward someone of such character and conduct; he deserves punishment from everyone—how much more so from you, O Bhārata. (5-71-13)

He, boasting and delighted, together with his brothers, wounds one worthy of protection with unfitting words and speaks. (5-71-14)

The Pāṇḍavas have nothing at all of their own here—not even a name or lineage; even that, for them, does not remain. (5-71-15)

And in time, these people will meet with ruin; those whose true natures are lost will return to their original state. (5-71-16)

Uttering these and other harsh words, he used to boast among his kinsmen when you had departed to the forest. (5-71-17)

Those gathered there, seeing you innocent, sat in the assembly at that time weeping, their throats choked with tears. (5-71-18)

And the kings, together with the Brahmins, did not welcome him; there, all the members of the council were criticizing Duryodhana. (5-71-19)

O King, for a noble person, reproach and death—death in the destruction of enemies is a great merit, but reproach is a disgraceful existence. (5-71-20)

O King, just as soon as a shameless man is slain, he is disgraced among all the kings on earth, great king. (5-71-21)

For one whose conduct is such, only minimal punishment is required—a man propped up merely by force, like a tree whose roots have been cut. (5-71-22)

Just as a snake is to be killed, an ignoble person, wicked to all people, deserves death; so, O king, destroyer of enemies, kill him—do not hesitate. (5-71-23)

In every way, this is fitting for you and is also pleasing to me, blameless one—that you show respect to your father and to Bhishma. (5-71-24)

But I will go and dispel the doubts of all those, O king, who have any uncertainty regarding Duryodhana. (5-71-25)

There, in the midst of the kings, I will recount your virtues relating to merit and strength, and also his transgressions. (5-71-26)

When I spoke beneficial words there, joined with righteousness and advantage, all the kings—the rulers of many countries—hearing them... (5-71-27)

People will trust in you, thinking you are a righteous man who speaks the truth; and toward him, they will act just as he behaved out of greed. (5-71-28)

And I will indeed censure him—even among city-dwellers and country people, taking both elders and children into account, in the presence of the assembly of the four classes. (5-71-29)

If you seek peace in this way, you will not gain righteousness thereby. The Kurus will be blamed, and the kings will also reproach Dhritarashtra. (5-71-30)

When he has been abandoned by the world, what else remains to be done? If Duryodhana is slain, O King, then let whatever else needs to be done be done. (5-71-31)

Having gone to all the Kurus and surrendered myself for your sake, I will strive to establish peace and observe their actions. (5-71-32)

I will go and ascertain the intentions of the Kauravas regarding the war, and then I will return for your victory, O Bhārata. (5-71-33)

I am certain that there will be war with the adversaries, for all the omens are appearing to me in this way. (5-71-34)

Wild animals and birds are making terrifying cries; among elephants and horses at nightfall, there are dreadful forms appearing. Likewise, the fire displays many frightening colors. And now, if destruction has not yet arrived for people here, then let it be the end. (5-71-35)

Have the weapons, armor, breastplates, chariots, elephants, and standards all delivered, and let all the warriors who have finished their exertions be prepared on the elephants, horses, and chariots. Whatever fit-for-battle resources are to be gathered for you—O king—gather them all together in their entirety. (5-71-36)

Duryodhana truly is not able to give this to you now, O king, by any means while he still lives—the prosperous kingdom that once was yours, which was lost to the foremost of the Pāṇḍavas in the dice game. (5-71-37)