05.090

Vaiśaṃpāyana said:

When he had eaten and rested, Vidura said to him at night: "This decision of yours to bring Keshava here is not right." (5-90-1)

He is one who transgresses wealth and righteousness, deluded, aggressive, O Janardana; a destroyer of honour, desirous of respect, and one who disregards the authority of elders. (5-90-2)

O Janardana, the son of Dhritarashtra is a violator of law and righteousness, foolish, wicked, overbearing, uncontrollable, sinful, and an enemy of good people. (5-90-3)

He is driven by desires, thinks himself wise, betrays his friends, is suspicious of everyone, inactive, ungrateful, has abandoned righteousness, and is fond of pleasing falsehoods. (5-90-4)

Endowed with these and many other faults, even if you advise him for his own good, he will not accept it out of anger. (5-90-5)

Madhusudana, seeing the mustering of the army by the king, the undiscerning fool considers himself successful. (5-90-6)

He (Duryodhana), with his wicked understanding, having judged that Karna alone is capable of defeating the enemy, will not seek peace. (5-90-7)

Great confidence arises in Bhishma, Drona, Kripa, Karna, Drona's son, and Jayadratha; the mind does not turn toward peace. (5-90-8)

O Janārdana, it is certain that the Pāṇḍavas are not able to withstand Bhīṣma, Droṇa, and Kṛpa, along with Karṇa, and the sons of Dhṛtarāṣṭra. (5-90-9)

Keshava, having considered all the sons of Dhritarashtra, as you strive for peace, wishing for harmony among brothers... (5-90-10)

If among them there is the resolve, 'We will not properly return anything to the Pāṇḍavas,' then words would be meaningless. (5-90-11)

Madhusudana, where well-spoken and ill-spoken words are treated the same, a wise person should not speak at length there, like a singer among the deaf. (5-90-12)

Madhava, among people who do not understand, among fools, among those without restraint—just as a twice-born man, acting properly, does not speak among outcastes, so too you should not make a statement. (5-90-13)

That arrogant and foolish man will not follow your word; any words you speak to him will be in vain for you. (5-90-14)

Kṛṣṇa, to me, your entering into the midst of all those who are seated together with wicked minds does not seem agreeable. (5-90-15)

Kṛṣṇa, I do not like to speak contrarily in the midst of many rude, evil-minded, and wicked people of poor understanding. (5-90-16)

Because he has not honored his elders, has been spoiled by prosperity, is arrogant from delusion, and, due to the pride of youth and intolerance, he will not accept your good advice. (5-90-17)

Even if you, Mādhava, tell him about all this power—even if it is overwhelming power—he will not feel any great fear of your words. (5-90-18)

O Janardana, all the sons of Dhritarashtra are resolved that not even Indra, together with the gods, could accomplish this today by battle. (5-90-19)

When they are thus disposed, following desire and anger, even your sound advice will prove ineffective. (5-90-20)

Standing in the midst of the elephant army—foolish, deluded, with a force of chariots and horses—Duryodhana, now void of anger, thinks, "This whole earth has been conquered by me." (5-90-21)

Dhritarashtra's son hopes for uncontested imperial rule on earth. In him, only peace cannot be found—he believes that wealth, once seized and brought, is secured. (5-90-22)

This earth, brought to its end and matured by time, sees all warriors assembled on Duryodhana’s behalf, eager to fight the Pāṇḍavas; all the kings of the earth, along with their protectors, have gathered here. (5-90-23)

All these kings, having made enemies before and having lost their strength because of you, O Kṛṣṇa, have, out of fear of you, taken refuge with the sons of Dhṛtarāṣṭra; the warriors, united together with Karṇa. (5-90-24)

All the warriors, having abandoned regard for their lives and arrayed together with Duryodhana to fight the Pāṇḍavas—if you, O heroic Dāśārha, were to enter among them, that is not my view. (5-90-25)

O tormentor of foes, how would you enter the midst of those many assembled enemies of wicked intent? (5-90-26)

Certainly, O mighty-armed one, even the gods find you hard to withstand; I know your power, valour, and intellect, destroyer of foes. (5-90-27)

Mādhava, the affection I have for the Pāṇḍavas is even greater for you. Out of love, respect, and friendship, I am telling you this. (5-90-28)