05.072

Bhīmasena said:

Madhusudana, in whatever way peace may be achieved for the Kurus, you should speak accordingly—do not frighten them with talk of war. (5-72-1)

He is irascible, constantly angry, hostile to what is good, and of great mind; Duryodhana should not be addressed harshly—deal with him only gently. (5-72-2)

By nature, he is wicked, of like mind with bandits, intoxicated with the pride of power, and is hostile toward the Pāṇḍavas. (5-72-3)

Short-sighted, hard-hearted, insulting, fierce in his cruelty, bearing long-lasting anger, unrestrainable, wicked in soul, and fond of deceit. (5-72-4)

Even if he were to die, he would not yield, nor would he ever abandon his own opinion; with such a person, Kṛṣṇa, I think peace is extremely difficult. (5-72-5)

One who, even toward friends, speaks harshly, abandons righteousness, and tells agreeable lies—such a person indeed harms both the words and the minds of friends. (5-72-6)

He, fallen under the sway of anger and embracing a wicked nature, because of his own nature attains sin, like a serpent hidden in a mat of grass. (5-72-7)

For Duryodhana—what army he has, what character, what nature, what strength, what valor—these are all well known to you. (5-72-8)

Once, the Kuru elders, together with their sons and we ourselves, were content—rejoicing with all our kin, like the sons of Indra. (5-72-9)

O Madhusudana, O Bhārata, just as forests are consumed by fire at the end of winter, so too will people be consumed by Duryodhana's anger. (5-72-10)

O Madhusudana, these eighteen renowned kings—who utterly destroyed their own kin, friends, and relatives— (5-72-11)

At the appropriate time, when dharma prevailed, Bali arose among the Asuras, prosperous and blazing in splendor. (5-72-12)

Udāvarta among the Haihayas, Janamejaya among the Nipas, Bahula among the Tālajaṅghas, and Vasu the arrogant among the Krimis. (5-72-13)

Ajabindu was king of the Suviras, Kusharddhika of the Surashtras, Arkaja of the Balihas, and Dhautamulaka of the Chinas. (5-72-14)

Hayagrīva was the ruler of the Videhas, Vara of the greatly powerful, Bāhu of the swift and beautiful, and Purūravas of the bright-eyed. (5-72-15)

Sahaja of the Edimatsyas, Brihadbala of the Prachetas, Dharana of the Indravatsas, and Vigahana of the Mukutas. (5-72-16)

Śama among the Nandivegas—thus these are shames of their families, the worst of men born into families at the end of the age, O Kṛṣṇa. (5-72-17)

Could it be that this Duryodhana, the disgrace of our Kuru line, the basest and most wicked man, has been produced by Time at the end of the age? (5-72-18)

Therefore, let someone address him gently and slowly, in a manner consistent with righteousness and benefit, filled with considerations of desire—not harshly or with fierce aggression. (5-72-19)

O Kṛṣṇa, even if we must all become lowly and follow Duryodhana, let the Bharatas not be destroyed on our account. (5-72-20)

Perhaps a neutral approach might be possible for us with the Kurus; O Vāsudeva, this should be done in such a way that ruin does not befall the Kurus. (5-72-21)

The aged grandsire should be addressed, as should those in Kṛṣṇa's assembly; let there be brotherly friendship among the brothers, and let Duryodhana be pacified. (5-72-22)

I say this, and the king also approves: Arjuna is not at all eager to fight, for there is indeed great compassion in Arjuna. (5-72-23)