05.076

Arjuna said:

Yudhishthira has already said all that needs to be said, Janardana; but having heard your words, O scorcher of foes, they strike me differently. (5-76-1)

O lord, you do not consider peace here to be easy—whether because of Dhritarashtra's greed or from the misery that has come upon him. (5-76-2)

You also consider a man's effort to be fruitless, but without actions and valor, results never arise. (5-76-3)

So, this statement is both true and not entirely so; and it should not be seen in any way as something impossible. (5-76-4)

And why do you consider this, at the outset, a wrong or difficult thing for us—that those whose actions bring no result perform them? (5-76-5)

O lord, when an action is properly accomplished, it should be fruitful. Therefore, O Krishna, conduct yourself in such a way that it brings welfare to others. (5-76-6)

You are the supreme friend of both the Pāṇḍavas and the Kauravas, just as Prajāpati, O hero, is for gods and asuras alike. (5-76-7)

Ensure the well-being of both the Kurus and the Pāṇḍavas; I do not think it is difficult for you to accomplish what is for our welfare. (5-76-8)

If this is so, let your task proceed, Janardana. By departing in this way, you will surely accomplish it—there is no doubt. (5-76-9)

And whatever else you wish to do to that wicked man, hero, everything will happen just as you intend. (5-76-10)

Let there be peace with them for us, or for you, or whatever you intend. The wish you consider, Kṛṣṇa—that is authoritative for us. (5-76-11)

That wicked-souled man, along with his sons and kinsmen, does not deserve death—he by whom, when he saw the son of Dharma, that prosperity did not feel shame. (5-76-12)

And also that (Draupadi) was carried off by the wicked gambler, O Madhusudana, through a cruel device while the most righteous one was unaware. (5-76-13)

How could a man born among kshatriyas, a wielder of the bow, turn away when challenged, even when death is at hand? (5-76-14)

O Vārṣṇeya, seeing those who were defeated unrighteously and banished to the forest in this way, my command is that Suyodhana is to be slain—he has gone out. (5-76-15)

And Kṛṣṇa, it is not surprising that you intend to act for the sake of your friends. How could the principal action be accomplished by gentle means, or by some other way? (5-76-16)

Or if you think their immediate destruction is better, then let that be done at once—do not deliberate about it. (5-76-17)

You know indeed how Draupadī, with evil intent, was harassed by him in the assembly, and that even this was tolerated by him. (5-76-18)

O Mādhava, the thought does not arise in me that he would now behave properly toward the Pāṇḍavas—like a seed sown in barren ground. (5-76-19)

Therefore, Vārṣṇeya, whatever you think is proper and beneficial for the Pāṇḍavas, whatever should immediately be done for us—do that quickly. (5-76-20)